Member Reviews
I want to take a moment to genuinely apologize for the hold-up in sharing my book review. Recently, life has been somewhat hectic, and I truly regret not conveying my thoughts sooner.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted getaway, A Hollywood Ending by Melanie Summers is exactly what you need! This delightful romantic comedy immerses us in the glamorous yet chaotic realm of Hollywood, where the ups and downs of fame provide plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
The narrative centers around a relatable protagonist who’s trying to navigate her way through the glitz and glamour. Summers excellently interweaves humor and emotion into the story, making it easy to cheer for the characters as they deal with love, ambition, and some comical misadventures.
The dialogue shines with cleverness, and the spark between the characters is palpable. You can’t help but become invested in their journeys, and the personal growth they undergo feels both authentic and meaningful. The vibrant depiction of Los Angeles adds an additional layer of charm, making it easy to visualize the scenes as they unfold.
Overall, A Hollywood Ending is a charming read that’s just right for anyone wanting to relax with a feel-good tale. Whether you enjoy romance or simply appreciate a good laugh, this book is bound to leave you smiling.
I was able to read an ebook arc of this thanks to NetGalley. A fun romance. Great read. Would read more by this author.
DNFed at 15%
I kind of can see the idea of the book, it just didn’t hit the spot. He was very mean to her and it was the first time they interacted. Ick
I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A Hollywood Ending by Melanie Summers is a delightful take on the classic celebrity romance trope, packed with humor, heart, and a dash of steam. The story follows Courtney, a burnt-out actress whose perfect Hollywood life crumbles when she discovers her husband's infidelity. Forced to lay low, she finds herself in the secluded home of Damien, her bodyguard and a former Marine with his own complicated past.
One of the standout elements of this book is the slow-burn romance between Courtney and Damien. Their chemistry is palpable from the start, and I loved watching them navigate their growing feelings for each other while healing from their respective wounds. Damien’s role in Courtney’s journey is refreshing—he doesn’t swoop in to fix everything for her but instead helps her rediscover her inner strength. Similarly, Courtney brings light and warmth into Damien’s life, making their relationship feel genuine and balanced.
While the initial setup is engaging and the forced proximity trope works well, the story does lose some momentum as it progresses. The transformation of their relationship from mutual respect and attraction to love feels a bit rushed, and the third-act conflict, though predictable, doesn’t pack the punch I was hoping for. Additionally, the details of Damien’s business venture were somewhat confusing and underdeveloped, which left me wanting more clarity on his motivations and plans.
That said, the ending is heartwarming and wraps up their love story with a satisfying HEA. Courtney’s growth from a broken actress to a strong, self-assured woman is inspiring, and Damien’s journey to let love in again is equally touching.
Overall, A Hollywood Ending is a light, enjoyable read with plenty of romantic tension and a healthy dose of humor. It may not be groundbreaking, but it’s a fun escape with charming characters and a sweet message about finding love and strength in unexpected places. Perfect for fans of celebrity romance and the bodyguard trope!
Book Review:
Title: A Hollywood Ending
Author: Melanie Summers
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/4 stars
My favorite type of contemporary romance! Funny, quirky, entertaining, and sizzling! It helps when the man involved is a hunky bodyguard! 💪
Courtney is a Hollywood actress who has just had her marriage go up in flames 🔥 after her moron of a husband is caught cheating. Unfortunately, this leads her to doubt herself as she continues to be manipulated by those she is supposed to be able to trust. When Courtney starts to spiral, Damien is hired to be her bodyguard and to help keep her safe during her downfall. But Damien isn't just there to physically protect her. He ends up showing another way to living that ends up putting her back on top and better than ever. How could you not fall in love with this man? This was a great rom-com with all the necessary elements! Bodyguard troupe, close proximity, spice, and lots of laughs!
Published: August 10th, 2023
Thank you, @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Oh my god! Good god it was such an adorable, cute yet, so mature and well written book. I literally was not expecting much given the fact that I have never read any book from this author, but now she will be my auto read for sure.
Bodyguard romances never fail to give me ALL of the feels. If this book was a song, it would be, hands down, Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift, and if that doesn’t convince you to read it, I don’t know what will.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
This was a great book and I'll be purchasing it for the library.
I love this author I do .. I have almost read everything she has written and I do believe I have read 3 of her shopping lists..
but this book wasnt it.
It was too insta and it didnt work with the forced proximity trope.
It felt too childish as well and didnt align with the characters.
I will not be leaving an official review.
I am sooooo sorrry Melanie... I still love your work!!!
Courtney Bennett has it all - fame, fortune, and a bustling Hollywood career. When her "doting" husband decides to trade her in for a younger actress, Courtney's world falls apart.
With paparazzi dogging her every step, Courtney seeks refuge with her new bodyguard, Damien Young in a remote cabin in Colorado. Courtney's path to healing is definitely distracted by her attractive bodyguard. Will she find true love, or will Damien choose to avoid their undeninable attraction.
I really enjoyed reading this novel, but it sidnt truly have any staying power for me to want to add it to my favourites forever. It wss funny and cute, and very spicy. I have enjoyed other books my Melanie Sunmers more though.
I really liked how Courtney was working on putting her life together and getting some measure of healing. It wasn't super heavy in that department though, and was very focused on the chemistry between Courtney and Damien. It was an enjoyable romance, great for a read. I would say probably about 3.5.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book was cute! It has a lot of great plot points.
Weirdly enough, the pacing felt a little off. I think some of the plot could have been dragged out a loft more. I do think this may be due to the fact that the backstory and the fluff is not as fun to write as the adventurous parts but I'm not a writer and I'm not quite sure! For example, there were a few parts where time would skip and 'I filled him in' or 'I told her about the situation' which I feel would have solidified more personality for characters and strengthened more connection from the reader to the characters.
This book had a ton of potential. I think it needed a bit more fluff to make it really great.
Thank you to Indigo Group and Melanie Summers for the ARC on Netgalley.
3 stars!
This book has one of the cutest book covers I’ve seen! I also love me some bodyguard trope:) and while there are a lot of books with bodyguard trope, I still find the plot line new. A bodyguard and a celebrity trying to heal from her divorce?! Yes, please.
This is the first book by Melanie Summers I’ve read and it won’t be the last! While this book isn’t my favorite, I still find something I like in it. I liked that Damien was there to help Courtney get back on her own feet.
This felt like a Hallmark movie!
Why the low rating despite it being okay? Well, the things I didn’t like in this book outweigh the things I liked more.
When Damien called her a dr*g add*ct for taking pills because of her panic attack turned me off so bad… It is also insta lust. I don’t hate insta lust books but this is a full-length book with 260 pages. It could’ve given us more tension.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a quick read, easy to get through. I liked the main characters, disliked the ex, and thought the story was well written. I enjoyed it very much.
Courtney, a Hollywood actress embroiled in scandal due to her cheating husband, seeks refuge in Colorado with Damien, her supposed bodyguard for the night. Damien, an ex-Marine with dreams of opening his lodge, sees Courtney's strength and supports her through her crisis. The story offers a glimpse into the toxic drama of the entertainment industry, showcasing Courtney and Damien's resilience and adorable connection as they fight against external pressures. Damien's unwavering support helps Courtney reclaim her life, culminating in a satisfying revenge moment. Their journey is engaging, leaving the reader reluctant to say goodbye to these compelling characters.
This felt like a story that could does actually take place. This was a fantastic book about a woman learning how to love again after heartbreak. This was cute and very realistic. I will definitely read more by this author.
I unfortunately had to give this one a dnf at 25 percent. The style of writing didn't flow for me personally and I found it slightly hard to read.
I didn't love this one but I also didn't hate this one. However I'm not sure how I feel about this one.
I really loved this book! I just found out that the author is Canadian so that is definitely an added bonus for me (though the book has been set in Seattle)! There were some fun and spicy romantic parts and it was overall an enjoyable read. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!
I tried. I tried so hard, for months....months to love this book but it just wasn't clicking for me. And in the spirit of being fair I will just have to let it go. Not for me but cute for sure.
What is one to do when a cheating hubby lands you in thecrosshairs of the papparazzi. Why flee to the wilds of Colorado for some solitude and you end up finding your own love interest. Great story and read!