The story was a quick and light read (though there is a bit of heavy issues in it) I enjoyed the two main characters and their journey and am glad that the not so likeable characters got their karma.

I loved this book! You could really feel the electricity of the connection between the two characters, and I really enjoyed the setting of isolation in the wilderness as a backdrop for their connection. The storyline was unique and felt fresh. The only thing I would say is that it could have used more exposition - I felt like we got told where the characters were at emotionally at the beginning of the book but didn't get as much of a chance to feel where they were at. But this was resolved relatively quickly and the rest of the book was a very easy read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I am not a fan of insta lust or insta love. I am however a huge celebrity romance fan. I read this book in its entirety and it had its ups and downs in my opinion. I think it’s a little bonkers how she went from happily married to filing for divorce to happily in love all so quickly. That isn’t appealing to me. And the fact that Damien had inappropriate thoughts about her while he carried her lifeless body was pretty disturbing to me. I will read another book from this author but this one just wasn’t my cup of tea unfortunately.

I received this ARC from NetGalley. This review is honest, unbiased, and completely my opinion.

This is my first book by Melanie Summers and definitely not the last. I loved the setting of a Hollywood star who goes away into seclusion after her husband's cheating scandal. Her journey begins to self discovery and love with Damien who is the perfect example of green flags.

This is a cute read set in Hollywood and told in the perspective of a narrator with both the characters storyline.

Thank you NetGalley and Indigo Group for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

REVIEW
cw: adultery, drug use
When Courtney's Hollywood marriage abruptly ends in a horribly public way she's whisked into hiding in remote Colorado. There, her bodyguard Damien helps her to regain her agency, and, though both try to ignore it, their attraction grows. But can two people from completely different worlds get a Hollywood ending?
I've read several books by Melanie Summers, and enjoyed them. This story followed a similar formula, and I enjoyed the themes of self-worth and agency. I wasn't sure about Courtney early on, but she grew on me, and I loved her connection with Damien. Damien was a sweetheart for most of the story, and I really loved the way he encouraged Courtney to regain control of her life. I also loved his retreat idea. The intimacy was well-written and they were cute together. There was some interesting commentary on the ageist and misogynistic double standards in Hollywood but I didn't like the derogatory way Courtney occasionally spoke about some of the younger actresses, particularly when she'd done exactly the same thing herself. I also wasn't keen on the third act conflict, although I empathised with both parties. Still, it was a sweet read, although it could have benefited from a bit more humour in my opinion.

Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️.5
Heat Rating: 🔥🔥.5
Emotional Rating: 🙈😬🤬💔🙈👏🏻💓😒🤬💓😊💓🤬💓👏🏻😏💓👏🏻💓😂💓😂👏🏻😍😢🥰😊💓😍💓😍💓😬🤦🏻‍♀️👏🏻😒💓😊😂

*Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to leave an honest review. A Hollywood Ending is out now in the UK*


I have uploaded the same review to Amazon UK but awaiting moderation

A Hollywood Ending was my first experience reading a book by Melanie Summers. Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. I felt like I must have been reading a different book than everyone else.

The author writes at the beginning of the book about how this is a reissue and reworking of a book she had written previously but didn't particularly like the way she had written it. I was very surprised to see how in an effort to rework outdated ideas she didn't edit the parts referring to women as tramps and sluts. This was very early on in the book and from then on I knew I was not going to like the rest. I don't find my main characters swoon worthy because he's "gun toting." *insert eyeroll here* I have no qualms about a book with a character owning a gun ( I read a lot of dark romance; especially mafia) but the way Damien is presented was ick for me. The chemistry between the main characters just felt so surface level. The plotline was melodramatic at best and read like a soap opera.

I would pass on future books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Indigo Group for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first book I read from this author and I loved it!
This romance is super sweet and definitely attraction at first sight. I really enjoyed how resilient both characters were and how they fought for their dreams. Courtney’s husband was a real piece of trash and she needed Damien’s help to find herself again. He was strong, sexy and considerate. The romance is slow-burn but with great sexy times once they arrived.
It’s a great book, super entertaining and I highly recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A cute book that had great potential, but unfortunately it just fell short of expectations. It's not a bad book, far from it, but I didn't think the characters, romance and setting were developed enough to take it to another level. It's a good book that could be so much better.Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was a cute fluffy quick read that I really enjoyed. I read this within a span of 2 hours. It was faced paced and the spice was chefs kiss.

Although this book was good and a solid 3 stars, it also had so much potential to be great!

I think what bothered me the most with this book (besides it being written in 3rd person) is that Courtney just got out of a very long serious relationship. I mean she is divorcing a guy that she has been with for 15 years after she found out he cheated. My problem isn't the divorce, it's that she didn't grieve this relationship at all and I felt like she was using Damien as a rebound. I understand that in some cases people are happy to get divorced. From my understanding though, is that Courtney found out he cheated in the middle of an interview. It wasn't something she was expecting.

Besides some of this book being very unrealistic. I mean, this is a celebrity romance book so most of us won't relate to the main character. But I LOVED how supportive Damien was. He was the perfect amount of protective and he helped build her self confidence a lot. There was a part of the book where Courtney was offered a movie role but there would be a full nude scene in the film. She at first rejected this part because he didn't feel comfortable with her body and she even stated her ex wouldn't approve. BUT Damien told her it's her choice to do the nude scene and nobody should have an opinion on that but her. I loved it.

Definitely read this book if you enjoy cute quick reads or if you enjoy the celebrity romance, bodyguard, opposites attract, or forced proximity trope!

Spice 2/5

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loe Melanie Summers books. They are so delightful and fun and that was true for this story as well, but in a very different way. They warned me that A Hollywood ending was much spicier than a regular Melanie Summers rom-com and they were right, but the emotional hits were what I've come to expect from her. I did miss the crazy, bust-your-gut laughter moments though this was a nice change of pace.

I really liked the characters in this, but I wish we saw a bigger version of their world since they are so isolated for much of this story. Courtney's character was so relateable even if I can't really relate to a gorgeous actress.
I really enjoyed Damien's character at first but unlike most enemies to lovers stories by the end I wasn't sure if I wanted them together. In that sense, I think this would make an AMAZING book club book. You'll have PLENTY to talk about as you dissect the characters and plot.

America’s sweetheart Courtney Bennett had it all - fame, fortune, and a doting husband in one of Hollywood's most powerful men. But when he trades her in for a younger actress, Courtney's world topples down around her.
With paparazzi on her tail and nowhere to turn, she hides away in a secluded cabin in Colorado with her new (and deliciously hot) bodyguard, Damien Young.

⭐⭐⭐.5 rounded to 4

I received this eBook from Netgalley to review and I was really excited to read it based on the tropes:
• Bodyguard
• Forced proximity
• Opposites attract

My Review: This was my first book from Melanie Summers and the blurb said it was one of her spiciest yet. I'd honestly rate it 🌶️🌶️/5. I felt like the bodyguard aspect wasn't really an accurate description, and the MMC is more of a self help/physical wellness coach than a bodyguard. The premise of a wellness retreat is unique but I didn't enjoy all of the training sequences that filled up the first half of the book.


I also wasn't a huge fan of the FMC's self-deprecation and calling herself old when she was only 37. I understand that that may be 'older' in the film industry, but it just didn't jive with me. Overall the characters fit well together and the story worked itself out to a HEA.

A Hollywood Ending by Melanie Summers is light but quite steamy romance perfect for the this season.

Courtney and Damien come from very different backgrounds, she is a movie celebrity and he is a former soldier but currently works in security. Their paths cross when he is employed to take care of her and the story goes from there.

Interesting premise, I wanted to see how it will pan out. There were some cliches about female actresses and the story was quite predictable.
Even though there were a few steamy scenes I somehow could not feel the chemistry between them. It wasn't believable to me.
I liked the both of the characters, there were well drawn out.
The story was interesting enough and it kept me reading but I have to say that towards the end I was rushing to finish it as it started dragging out a bit.
Overall a nice summer read.

Ahh this was such a sweet and beautiful romance! I absolutely loved the connection between Courtney and Damien, and how they truly helped each other grow. I loved the forced proximity, bodyguard/celebrity combo, the tension and banter, the forbidden aspect to their relationship, as well as the caretaking roles that each character took on. The growth that both characters went through was truly amazing and I loved that they were able to grow together. Top notch communication, excellent spice. I think the story could have finished up without a third act breakup, or the breakup could have been shorter. Overall, a solid romance!

I binged this book in 24 hours and had the most fun!
It was fun and sweet, and surpringly deep at times, with such cute characters!
I don't read many celebrity romance and I should because this was so so fun! And of course, love the bodyguard trope, so I had a LOT to enjoy in this one!
I loved the character development here, and how both MCs grew throughout the story to be the best possible version for themselves and each other!

This was a great change of pace after a more difficult/soul crushing book I'd finished right before!
Definitely recommend if you're looking a short and sweet romcom!

Thank you NetGalley, the Indigo Group and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

An enchanting journey through vividly imagined worlds and compelling characters. This fiction gem weaves a tapestry of emotions, adventure, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The author's masterful storytelling evokes a powerful connection, making this book an absolute delight to read. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a captivating escape into a richly crafted story!






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Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, A Hollywood Ending was not for me and I DNFed at 32%. I've finished books this year that I liked less, but I'm trying not to spend any more time on books I'm not enjoying, so I decided to call it quits on this one. I really liked the concept of this book (bodyguard romance and forced proximity are easy sells), but the execution was lacking for me.

Two issues I had are worth sharing:
First, the author wrote a note explaining that this is a revamped version of a past book and that she updated it to something she enjoyed more. With that in mind, I was surprised that in the first chapter, there was a comment about women sleeping with producers to get ahead... In a post-#MeToo world, I would hope that authors are more cognizant of power differences in those situations and at minimum avoid slut shaming.

Second, something about Damien's business plan felt really off to me. I want to be clear that I think surviving trauma can be an incredibly useful tool and motivator for helping others. But, that can't be the only thing you're basing your help on. And Damien's plan seemed to be "because I overcame a traumatic experience I can help everyone overcome anything" and that really rubbed me the wrong way. It was the idea that he could be a coach for "mental strength" with no relevant education or training that ultimately made me give up on finishing the book. At that point, I realized I was just really not having a good time reading it. I might give more Melanie Summers books a chance in the future, but this was the wrong book for me at the wrong time.

2-star rating because I didn't hate it, but I DNFed it.

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an ARC!

DNF’d at 35% I just couldn’t get into the story and it wad very slow paced and didn’t see chemistry between the two characters.

Fun quick romance read that takes us into a deeper look of Hollywood and how its not all just glamour.. Damien is the amazing bodyguard that saves Courtney during an unfortunate time for her. She puts her trust in all the wrong people and ends up with no one. Damien helps her navigate this difficult time and helps her build herself up stronger. This book did not just have romance but also shows you the value of self worth and finding quality people in life.

i wanted to love this book but i just don't think it was for me. i did not feel connected to these characters at all, which is something i'm always in need of. there were some parts that were just misogynistic and had me confused. it's just a book that fell flat for me, but i did love courtney and felt so awful for her </3 it's such an unfortunate and common thing that happens in the film industry.

This book is okay. I found it strange that her staff drugged her and left her with a strange man at his house and left the state. Even if they were employed by her husband, I found this very unrealistic. I also found it unrealistic that she would fall in love again so quickly after her terrible first husband. The main characters did have a good connection and I enjoyed that.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.