Love on the Byline is an endearing romantic tale and slow burn. What truly captured my interest was the backdrop of journalism and celebrity reporting. I love the tension that this kind of romance has between characters.

The two central characters, Ollie and Blake, a friendship during their college days, which unfortunately crumbled due to the actions of Ollie’s friend, Bran.

Fast-forward to the present, and Blake finds herself tasked with composing an article about an actor, who surprisingly turns out to be Bran. What adds an additional layer of complexity is that Ollie, now serving as Bran’s manager and assistant.

The romance between Ollie and Blake is a gradual and tantalizing build, a simmering connection reigniting as they navigate their renewed bond. Amidst the romantic journey, the narrative strongly emphasizes the theme of friendship, allowing characters to evolve from their past selves, reacquainting with each other despite the surrounding gossip and manufactured public personas.

Incorporating an engaging journalism mystery, the story masterfully unravels, captivating readers as the layers of intrigue unfold. This novel proves to be an enjoyable read, particularly due to its skillful merging of romance, friendship, and the enigmatic world of celebrity reporting. This novel also encompassed an endearing romantic tale woven with elements of women’s fiction.

Love on the Byline
By: Xio Axelrod
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Blake Dillon has a job she hates. Her dream is to follow in the footsteps of her renowned journalist Grandfather and make a difference, but for now she is hustling to make ends meet, writing celebrity gossip stories. She’s assigned an in-depth interview of a film star. On assignment, she happens to reconnect an old crush, Oliver Benjamin. Oliver has moved to LA to work as an EA to his best friend, unaware how much time the role would take. Blake and Oliver are suddenly back in each other’s lives and spending loads of time together. In an effort to be professional, they agree to remain just friends while Blake is on assignment, fully aware of all the sparks between them.

Xio Axelrod has written a book worth reading. Blake and Oliver are grown-ups and interact as such. The communicate clearly and name their attraction to each other without the back and forth uncertainty. Because of this, there is also no third act break-up. Each character has depth to them and they do net get in the way of each other’s goals, nor ask the other to give anything up.

There is good representation in the book, introduced and portrayed in a human and normalizing way.

There is more to the story than Blake’s assigned article, which we learn early on. The reader is not, however given all the information upfront. Axelrod garners readers’ trust in her pacing. Information is revealed and the plot processes at a speed that keeps one intrigued and wanting more without crossing into exasperating.

This slow-burn, second chance story is easy to get into. Blake and Oliver are incredibly likable. Axelrod writes real people with an edge of fantastic to them.

Thank you to Xio Axelrod, and the Milk & Cookies Marketing Team for an ARC of this book (via #NetGalley). This is my honest review.

TW: attempted suicide, depression, bullying, sexual harassment, Alzheimer’s

Blake is trying to be a good journalist. As of now she seems to only be finding out gossip on stars. She gets a chance to do an article on a up-and-coming Hollywood actor Bran. There is history between Blake and Bran in that they went to college together and Bran was responsible for a fall out between Blake and her college crush. Ollie who is now Bran’s assistant/manager. As you can see there are lots of layers in this story from the beginning. it’s interesting to see how the relationship re-develops between Blake and Ollie among all of these complications that arise from being connected to Hollywood. This book is both emotional and romantic, while also being thought-provoking. You can see the emotional connection between the characters, but there are initially roadblocks because of the situation.. It’s also an interesting look at friendship. All in all, it’s a very interesting look at goings-on in Hollywood while still having a well written romance.

I literally will read anything Xio Axelrod writes. Like her work is phenomenal and this is no different. It's funny, sweet, sexy, tense, complex. I really love how she writes her characters and I enjoyed diving into Blake and Ollie's lives, backstories, and reasons for how they acted. I also love that we saw the rift in their relationship and then again how they came back into each others lives. Literaly the tension is there and it's THICK - I kept screaming in my head KISS HER KISS HIM GOOD LORD KISS PLEASE I AM DYING. Also if you love Hollywood set books this is perfect for you. The Hollywood-entertainment-actor-writer-journalist vibes were immaculate. It also deals with real life issues and concerns (don't want to spoil) about the impacts of predation in the entertainment industry.

This is a must read.

If you love a celebrity-adjacent romance, Xio Axelrod's Love on the Byline delivers a slow burn friends-to-lovers against a Hollywood backdrop. Ollie and Blake knew each other in college and meet again five years later when gossip reporter Blake is assigned a celeb profile of up-and-comer Brandon Cody. Ollie is his personal assistant, but like most people in Hollywood, has bigger aspirations in the industry. Love on the Byline sets itself apart by not overglamourizing the Hollywood scene and delves into the seedier side of the industry with another story Blake pursues. Ollie is a big old cinnamon roll who isn't gonna let his second chance slip away and Blake is super relatable as someone who got a journalism degree but finds herself writing whatever to pay the rent. If you enjoyed Elissa Sussman's Funny You Should Ask, pick this one up.

CW: Past suicide attempt, close grandparent with Alzheimer's

"I'm so glad it's you, here with me. That I've found this with you."

- Second chance
- Journalist x actor PA
- Interracial romance
- LA setting
- Slow burn
- No breakup
- Dual POV (third person)

Blake and Oliver met during college and had crushes on each other, but nothing happened because Oliver’s best friend, Brandon, shut down a story she was hoping to write. Fast forward a few years and Blake’s now living in LA and given the opportunity to get the inside scoop on an actor… Brandon. Oliver just so happens to be his PA.

While things start off rocky, Blake slowly realises there’s more to Brandon and his friendship with Oliver than meets the eye. Oliver is extremely loyal to Bran and the pair are more like brothers than friends. "I'm better with you around. You...you push me, too. Keep me from disappearing into the shadows." 🥺

Speaking of Ollie, he was just the sweetest cinnamon roll hero. Not only was he fiercely loyal, but he was also so selfless and caring. He was exactly what strong and determined Blake needed – a safe space to be herself.

There are lots of plot elements to keep things interesting, including Blake trying to write a different expose and her and Oliver’s blossoming relationship. It's very much a slow burn (with no breakup), but there is a certain spicy scene that will now live rent-free in my head 😮‍💨. We love when the sweet shy man has a dirty talk moment 😏.

Thank you to Xio for the early copy!

I loved how this was not only a romance story but also a bit of a mystery. While the main focus is on Blake and Ollie, Blake is also working on uncovering a shady management company that seems to be exploiting and possibly trafficking children.

I loved Blake’s tenacity and perseverance. She is a go-getter and extremely focused. I loved how Ollie was the complete opposite and more go-with-the-flow. He has a gentle personality and is extremely loyal to those in his corner.

Blake Dillon always wanted to be a journalist like her much respected grandfather. While technically she fulfilled this dream, writing fluff pieces about celebrities is a far cry from her ideal gig. So when she gets the opportunity to shadow a big time celebrity, she’s hoping that this will be her stepping stone to bigger and better projects.

But when Blake meets said celebrity she is surprised to find she already knows him-or a version of him-as they went to the same college years ago. Blake was never a big fan of Bran’s-viewing him as the kind of guy who always seems to get what he wants, no matter the cost. However, it’s not lost on her that his becoming a big time star also falls in line with this line of thought.

Then Blake meets the star’s second in command, Oliver Benjamin, a man she was friends with back then, even if she could never comprehend Ollie’s friendship with Bran. And although time has passed, not much has changed. Ollie still pines for Blake and Blake still hates Bran. But as the trio are forced to get to know each other in the present, information comes to light that alters past perceptions, and plays on the promise of future ones.

Love on the Byline is the first book in a new romance series by @xioaxelrod. Opening with past events, it took a beat to adjust to who these people were to one another, both then, and now. In fact, Blake and Bran gave off such a hateful vibe, at first I thought THEY were the ones destined to connect. As the story unfolded, however, I saw there wasn’t any innocuous burying of the lede. I’m curious to see where this series goes in the future. Will it focus on the same characters or introduce completely new people into the equation? Regardless, many romance readers will no doubt, clamor to read all about it.

Summer is wrapping up, and Love on the Byline, by Xio Axelrod is the PERFECT book for any season - tho for me, it was an excellent pool companion.

Big thanks to Xio, NetGalley and Milk&Cookies Marketing for the Advanced Copy to read and review. Love on the Byline is out in the world on TUESDAY!

I absolutely adored Xio's last book, The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes. So I was thrilled to hear she was back with a new one, and even more grateful to get to read it early! And y'all, it is a BANGER.

It's the story of Blake Dillon, a young journalist trying to make a name for herself in LA. She is doing her best trying to make ends meet, even though she is on the celebrity beat - something she has absolutely no interest in. When she gets the call that she's been assigned to profile the latest up-and-coming actor, she is shocked to realize he's her college nemesis, and that his assistant, Oliver, was her college crush.

I'm a sucker for a celebrity romance, so I was intrigued by this concept. But the story and the characters got me from the jump. Blake and Oliver were well-developed, complicated, and yet easy to root for. Their story felt authentic and earned. The twists and turns were unexpected, and I couldn't put the book down. I just loved it!!

Will post this to retail sites, goodreads and my bookstagram @scottonreads

It’s not too often that I read a romance novel or romcom, but when I do, I make sure to be extra choosy on the titles I pick up. Xio Axelrod is one author that I know I can rely on to deliver a love story that I would enjoy despite not reading the synopsis. True enough, Love on the Byline was an easy and enjoyable read for me. Though not my favorite trope, the second chance love story between Ollie and Blake worked for me. Probably because Ollie is not the typical alpha male, but a shy and nerdy guy instead. I was actually not too invested with Blake, though I do appreciate her integrity as a journalist. I also found it interesting that there’s a side story between Ollie and his best bud Bran. We always read about female friendships, so it was refreshing to read about male friendship this time. There’s no heavy drama here, nor any of the irritating tropes such as miscommunication. It’s a straightforward story with a bit of spice which I liked — certainly a nice palate cleanser for a suspense thriller nerd like me.

<b>Xio Axelrod has created a swoony second chance romance in the background of Hollywood where fame and riches stay side by side with scandals and secrets. Blake and Oliver went from being good friends with unrequited crush in college to accidental co worker and finally soulmates. Hollywood's glitz, glamour and the contradictory sides make a vivid and interesting background for their slow burn love story. Blake is a very strong and inspiring heroine with her solid opinions, her sharp wit, her big heart and her unique way to see everything in depth than others. Oliver is someone who makes you swoon. Smart men with a fierce protectiveness and sensitivity are my weak points when it comes to book boyfriends and he scored full marks in my book!</b>

Oliver and Blake years after college when Blake gets an exclusive assignment to do a feature on Brandon Cody, the rising Hollywood star and Oliver's best friend aka employer and Blake's not so favorite person from college. Celeb news in LA Gazette isn't her dream job as she wants to do gritty investigative journalism and this is just a pit stop. But this brings them closer. As Blake finds out slowly how ruthless Hollywood can be and Oliver tries his best to show Blake that his friend isn’t the villain media portrays him to be, their love blooms too.


<b>If you love to read stories with Hollywood and journalism background, you will love Love on the Byline. Blake is almost the alpha here. She has fierce opinions those she is not afraid to voice. She is also not scared to chase gritty stories those matter like the manipulative people under the blinding lights of Hollywood. She had her reservation about Brandon based on her experience in college but she tackled everything professionally and honestly giving the misunderstood playboy a fair chance. Oliver does everything so right that you cannot find anything other than perfection in him! He is loyal friend. He looks after Bran with everything. He always helps others. He is humble and shy. His first priority is Bran while he is ignoring or minimizing his own achievements in screenwriting. He is exceptionally talented but for him, relationship is more important than fame and money. Their story was a super slow burn as they tried to resist the burning chemistry and emotional connection because of their work situation but it was ultimately in vein. Blake inspired him and pushed him. And he gave Blake true unconditional love. This is ultimately the story of how good triumphed over evil. With a little romance tucked in the way.</b>

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily through Netgalley

Axelrod writes romance for smart readers who want heat, but also want smart, relevant stories with fully realized characters. Am I ready for the rest of this series, stat.

This one’s a second chance romance with lots of mutual pining.

Blake is a journalist on the celebrity beat but hopes to do more substantial stories. Her latest assignment is a celebrity profile of an up and coming actor. And who would this actor’s assistant be except Oliver, her college crush who she had lost contact with!

I adored Blake for how relatable and ambitious she was, with her anxieties and fears coming through so vividly. I especially enjoyed the investigations she was doing on the side because of how clearly passionate she was about it. Alexrod’s writing style is also compulsively readable and I finished the book in less than 48 hours!

The book read a lot like the early 2000s movie romcoms with our heroine waiting for her big break, often to the point that I forgot that this was set in 2023, especially when ppl said there are now “online portals” that do news too. I would have loved some more journalism oriented details too that make the book feel more contemporary.

Also, Oliver! He was so nice and such a golden retriever of a character, but I had a hard time figuring out what his hopes, dreams or desires were outside of his pining for Blake, even when we were in his POV. The one thing that got a little annoying was that every chapter ended with a version of “I wonder why I’m so attracted to this person” which was cute the first few times but got really repetitive.

Overall it was a lighthearted, slow burn romance! Do pick this up if it sounds like your jam. Out on August 29!

Thank you to @xiobooks and Milk and Cookies marketing for the #gifted e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Blake is a journalist working for the LA Gazette and barely getting by. She is tasked with a story on the famed actor, Brandon Cody, who she has know since college. She doesn’t count on seeing her college crush, Oliver, who is Brandon’s assistant, again in the process.

This was a good story. I enjoyed Blake as a MC, as well as Oliver and Brandon. I like how the book opened in the “then” time period of their college days, so the reader can see how these three characters were connected from many years ago.

I wish the college relationship was expanded on a little bit more because I love a good back story. While I enjoyed Blake’s career plot line, I wanted more about the “mystery” article she was going to research, but I think that will be book 2 in this series. Overall, a good rom com!

Thank you milk and cookies marketing for my arc.

Blake is a journalist who along the way has ended up covering celebrities instead of following in her grandfathers’ footsteps and making a difference. She’s tasked with shadowing a film star for an in-depth profile and she sees it as an opportunity to finally make a name for herself. She never expected it would reunite her with her old college crush.

Oliver moved to LA to work as an executive assistant for his best friend, a rising star. He hopes it will give him direction. He soon realizes that Hollywood is no different than a college fraternity.

Blake and Ollie are smart enough to realize that there are sparks between them, but they agree to keep a lid on things until Blake is done with her piece. This proves easier said than done when they’re forced to spend countless hours together. Can they resist temptation?

This one had a really interesting premise, and I was excited to dig in. This one started out as a slow burn and then the pacing really picked up. After I got over that initial hump, I couldn’t put this one down. The writing was very relatable and enjoyable. I enjoyed how wonderfully the characters were written. They were flawed and relatable, but very fun and had some great growth over the course of the book. This book had a lot of passion written in the pages.

If you’re looking for a fun romance to end your summer, then check this one out.

This was my first book by this author but it won’t be the last.

Thank you so much to @getredbooks, @xioaxelrod, @1001darknights_blueboxpress and @netgalley for an ARC copy of this one in exchange for an honest review.

Additional links will be added once posted.