I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review, thank you to Indigo Group, Xpresso Book Tours and Melanie Summers for my copy!

In A Hollywood Ending, Courtney is an actress who is approaching 40 and dealing with the struggles of aging in the industry. With that weighing on her, she is suddenly faced with the infidelity of her husband trading her in for a younger woman. To escape the chaos, she finds herself hiding out with her new bodyguard, Damien.

Damien is a former marine and is working in security while saving up to make his business dream a reality. He envisions a retreat where he can help people reinvent themselves physically and mentally. With Courtney as his first client, they’ll maintain a professional relationship to both get what they want out of life… right?

This was my first book by Melanie, and I can see myself picking up another one! The plot moves quickly and was easy to get invested in. The characters are also so likable, you care about how their lives turn out and want to keep reading and cheering for them.

Courtney had so many opportunities where she could have given up but instead pushed through and came out stronger on the other side. Damien was the best cheerleader for her and really encouraged her to take charge of her life. He just wants the best for her.

One thing I had to get used to was switching off character POV in the same chapter. Not sure if it’s her style, but I usually prefer a full chapter told from 1 character’s POV for less back-and-forth. It didn’t take away from the story or make it confusing, that’s just a personal preference! The formatting made it easy to see a break in characters.

The epilogue was a bit too fluffy and unrealistic, but it’s a fun book; it doesn’t have to be 100% what would happen in real life. It was nice to see Courtney get her recognition after fighting so hard to stay afloat.

I finished this in one day and couldn’t put it down! I had to see Courtney and Damien get what they hoped for. It was a fun story, and the fast-pace kept me going. I think readers looking for an encouraging and light story with a little bit of spice will enjoy it.

I am in love with these two, Damien and Courtney belong together. Damien is such a good supporter and motivational coach that even I was encouraged to be stronger. The writing was great I was hooked from the beginning and I loved everything about it.

I thought this was a light and fun read. Damien and Courtney had great chemistry and I read this one in one afternoon. I love how Damien helps Courtney find her own strength. This does have a little more spice than Summers other books, but is still light on the spice.

I really tried to like this book but it just wasn’t for me. I thought the plot was overly dramatic and I didn’t enjoy how there was so much focus on Courtney’s husband cheating and then blackmailing her to take all the responsibility for their marriage falling apart. I would have preferred to have the story focus on Courtney healing and growing closer to Damien. It just felt so unbelievable the lengths her ex was going to control her and that there was this whole conspiracy with her team to sabotage her. Also she should have sued the crap out of all of them instead of just walking away.

The relationship between Courtney and Damien felt a little forced to me. I didn’t feel a connection to them and didn’t like the insta love. Normally I don’t mind when a book has insta love but this one just didn’t work for me.

Overall it was a simple, quick read but I wouldn’t recommend it to friends or family.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an arc to review!

Gosh do I love Damien. He is so supportive, encouraging, motivating, etc. towards Courtney. She really needed someone like him in her life. Everyone truly needs someone like Damien in their life. Someone who tells it how it is. Someone who tells you truth no matter how much it hurts yet will help you back on your feet after the hurt and will empower you. Courtney deserved the justice she got from all the mess Brock put her through. Damien and Courtney are so perfect together. And those spicy scenes were amazing and I loved how Damien empowered Courtney to feel sexy in her own skin again.

Celeb romances are a fave of mine, so I was interested in picking this one up. I liked the idea of a celeb rising up from the ashes in the midst of a high-profile divorce and having a guy in her corner. There were a few too many raunchy scenes for me, but maybe I’m not the intended audience because of it.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

It's my first book of Melanie Summers and I'm glad to say it's not the last.

- Characters were average (unfortunately I didn't find my favorite one 🙂). I liked Dawn from the first. I sensed she wasn't like Yolanda. Miranda was good too. Clark was hilarious, he should have appeared more.
- The first thing I didn't like is Courtney calling Tiffany a slut over and over again. I mean it's her husband who cheated on her not Tiffany!
- I wanted more to the divorce scene. I expected some bomb there.
- Why did Tripp (the cat) get so less screen time? He deserved more.
- The epilogue was good but a bit too over to happen in just 2 years considering the initial state of the FMC.
- The story is good, though sometimes it felt a little rushed.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me a free eARC of the book in exchange of an honest review.

A nice book but the drama was a bit over the top, the twists were unrealistic and the conclusion was actually predictable.
The story is about a famous actress who is cheated on by her husband and then her (meaning: ‘his’) PR team paints a picture of a mentally unstable woman so it is only <i>“understandable that he would end up in the arms of Tiffany, who has been so kind to him during this difficult time.”</i> Courtney’s soon-to-be ex-husband even has a deep fake made of her “as an insurance policy”, when he’s the one who has “more cloud” in Hollywood.
The highlight of the book was Miranda, the divorce lawyer, and how she took charge. Unfortunately this was just a small part of the book and the way she got her information was very convenient, to say the least.
A light read without any angst, with several steamy scenes between the main characters.
I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am grateful for this opportunity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a very cute, sweet and lighthearted read. Courtney was so meek in the beginning but her character development was immaculate. The way she gained confidence and the way Damien helped her throughout was amazing! The smut scenes however were sub par and I skimmed past them. Also I couldn't really feel the chemistry between Courtney and Damien at first but as the book progressed, it got better. So overall, I enjoyed reading the book, the writing was easy to get into and the pacing was good too but it wasn't anything new or extraordinary tbh.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

Man I love the bodyguard trope, and this book has a decent mix of forced proximity and hiding out together that I was sucked right in. Courtney is hiding after the news breaks that her husband is cheating on her (he’s a terrible guy) and she runs off to her bodyguard’s retreat where she finds her worth and her self esteem to be able to weather this storm.

Damien is trying to get his retreat off the ground and Courtney’s unexpected stay helps him test out his business plan, but in the process he falls for her quite quickly, but his pride prevents him from mixing business and pleasure.

Courtney’s storyline in the back half of the book as she fights back is so good!

I read this book in roughly three hours after finishing a fantasy book and it was a nice cleanser.

The story essentially follows a Hollywood starlet whose husband cheats on her with a younger version of her (at least in my head) and dumps her over the phone and within the span of 8 weeks (yes that’s right EIGHT weeks), she gets a divorce from said husband and ends up with her body guard for hire even though she “doesn’t want to”. And happy ending! Yay!

If you want to dispel belief and just want a happy ending and can ignore some of the issues I mention below then this book might work wonders for you!! I just could not get over the below mentioned items.

For me, I reserve 2 star reviews for books that have some opinions or show an opinion that can be problematic. Such as the main character only really giving hate to the other woman (younger woman I mentioned earlier), which is wholly concerning because??? She’s not your husband? Why aren’t you giving him the same energy? And then there was a whole “being a tramp” issue to be famous in hollywood which kind of left an ugly taste in my mouth (this is also mentioned very early on so maybe this is why the rest of my read did not change? I don’t know?) especially after all the real issues in hollywood surrounding men abusing their positions to sleep with young vulnerable actresses who then go on to be labeled as “tramps” in the tabloids.


Anywho, most of the reviews seem pretty positive and paired with the cute cover, I can definitely see more people loving it, i just sadly do not fall in this group. So thank you netgalley for exchanging an arc for an honest review!

A Hollywood Ending is a sweet and spicy romance that tells the story of Courtney and Damien. Courtney is an actress who finds out her husband is seen with another woman. With her marriage in shambles and not knowing who to trust, she ends up at the home of Damien, a bodyguard that has dreams of his own. Being together in a remote place creates sparks between the two.
A Hollywood Ending was a heartwarming story and very quick to read. I found the chemistry between the main characters good, I just wanted to have more of a slow burn!

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for providing me an E-ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review

Hollywood has different rules for men and women: men get better with age while women just get older, often replaced by a younger model.

Courtney is on the precipice of being replaced. Not just by Hollywood, but by her husband as well. Photos of him and a younger woman are leaked to the press, causing Courtney to seek refuge with a bodyguard named Damien. A sweet, tough, muscle-bound bodyguard who sees her as more than a Hollywood star aging out of lead roles.

It was so refreshing to read about a woman in her 40s finding true love! Courtney struggled with her age and image, but she still radiated strength and confidence once Damien started pumping positivity into her life.

Damien's vision of a bootcamp to build a person's self-worth worked well for her situation (and honestly needs to become a reality). I'm glad that he was stern but still considerate rather than a total alphahole. His sensitive side is just what Courtney needed. Without it, I think his training would have broken her down further, possibly to the point of no return.

A Hollywood Ending is my first book by Melanie Summers, but it won't be my last. The relationship between Courtney and Damien built naturally, and you FEEL their increased desire for each other in each situation. I'm a sucker for a Jolly Green Giant with a heart of gold, and he fit that bill perfectly!!

If you love witty banter, strong heroes unafraid of their feelings, and heroines who know their worth, you'll love this book!

Thank you, NetGalley and Melanie Summers, for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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.

A Hollywood Ending by Melanie Summers
Release Date: August 10th
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was the first book that I have read by Melanie Summers and I thoroughly enjoyed myself! It was an engrossing read with very engaging characters.

Courtney is a mega-star. Maybe you’ve seen her in the latest superhero movie, or on the cover of a magazine? Her life is like a movie until her even more famous husband cheats on her and threatens her career. Enter, Damien. Damien is ex-military and ready to help Courtney pick up the pieces of her life, making her stronger and more confident in the process. As Courtney grows stronger, so does the attraction between them. Will their different lifestyles stop love in its tracks?

I was hooked from the beginning of the book, and the author does a fine job of setting the stage and getting us into the main characters lives. I had a bit of trouble with the premise and circumstances that leads to Courtney staying with Damien. The premise felt a little forced, and it was a bit of a stretch for me, but as long as I allowed my suspension of disbelief to take over, I was able to get enchanted by the love story. Reading about Courtney and Damien falling in love was joy, and I was rewarded with some very hot scenes. Definitely would read this author again

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for A Hollywood Ending!

This book was a cute story about a Hollywood A lister who finds herself hitting rock bottom after her A list husband up and leaves her (Brock is such a grade A douche).

Courtney Bennett has no one to turn to after everything falls apart, but in walks Damien, a man sent to be her bodyguard who ends up being exactly what she needs. Through his support, she finds her voice and learns to take back her life on her own terms.

This book had everything from cute banter to spice to two wonderful characters you were rooting for throughout the entire story. After so many trials and tribulations, Courtney and Damien are finally able to come out on top with a little help from each other.

Easy 4 stars!

Thank you to Indigo Group & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was equal parts spicy, as it was sweet, and such a good romance story. As soon as I started the book, it reminded me of Jenn Anniston and Brad Pitts very public divorce.

Courtney just got the shock of her life, after being shown footage of her movie star husband Brock cheating on her, while being filmed for live television. After the initial shock wears off, her team sends her to an undisclosed ranch in Colorado to hide her from the press. The ranch is owned by Damien, a former Marine who is trying to get his new wellness retreat off the ground. As Courtney tries to come to terms with the betrayal she’s faced from her husband and her team, Damien is in her corner to cheer her on. When they decide it’s best for her to continue staying with him until the press dies down, he decides she is going to be his first client. He sets off with the goal of helping Courtney become stronger physically and mentally, and to begin believing in herself. But their chemistry is off the charts and soon there is so much more on the line, than Damien just helping her out. Will they give in to their undeniable chemistry? And if so, will Courtney’s public divorce be solved, so she’s able to move on with her life?

I couldn’t put this story down, and luckily it was a quick read. Damien is just so dreamy, and the ultimate boyfriend. I loved their HEA. If you’re looking for a new steamy romance, where the MMC is smokin hot, this is the one!

This book was everything I thought it would be & so much more. There was just something about Courtney & Damien that was hard not to love. Through the whole book you couldn’t help but want to root for her while also loving the chemistry between them. A cute romance with some spice? Yes please! This is the first book I’ve read by Melanie Summers & I don’t think it’ll be my last.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher & Melanie Summers for an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

thanks netgalley for the arc!
i am a little convinced that i must've been reading a completely different book to everyone on here because this book was... not good.
i knew within a few pages that i was unlikely to like this book, given that "Being a 'tramp' unlocked roles." was a genuine line written here, and this theme of internalised misogyny that the main character courtney and presumably the writer) has continued throughout the book. that said, i valiantly carried on as i am typically a massive fan of hollywood/celebrity romances.
the next concerning point for me was when our leading man, bodyguard damien, was carrying courtney who he had a) never bet before and b) was out cold from a worrisome pill and alcohol combo. despite the fact they had never met and she was clearly vulnerable, he was somehow horny enough to have a "visceral" reaction to carrying her while she was completely passed out. this might just be me, but i typically preter my main characters to not be sex pests to this particular degree.
most of the book was very average, typical insta-lust. the bulk of the book spans around an eight week period where courtney finds out her husband has been cheating, divorces him and is head over heels in love with a stranger. that kind of pacing wouldn't be my favourite regardless, but with these main characters, it is a miracle i saw it through to the end.

Melanie summers never fails to entertain, always with a strong female protagonist. Courtney has just been publicly dumped in more ways than one by her movie star husband. Hot security officer Damien and his mountain retreat to the rescue. Racier than the author’s other books, there were no surprises about where the story was going as the tension built between them. Can’t wait to see what she writes next!