Right on Cue was absolutely delightful! I have enjoyed Falon Ballard's books in the past and this one might be my favorite of hers. Emmy Harper was such a relatable character, and Grayson West was a charming yet realistic hero. It was a bit of a slow burn - the enemies had to take time to turn into lovers, after all - but definitely worth the wait! If you enjoy Hollywood romances, enemies to lovers, and second chances, this cute contemporary romance should be next on your list. Thank you to GP Putnam's Sons for the advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

falon knows how to make me blush and giggle like i’m not asexual and aromantic. and i will read everything she writes with NO hesitation.
grayson and emmy were truly so fun to learn about. the tension, the slow-burn, the enemies to lovers of it all… truly wonderful.
as a girlie who isn’t a HUGE fan of the miscommunication trope or the “leaves mid conversation because they’ve heard enough” trope, falon did it really well. i’m also a girlie who loves to read everyday romance and small gestures of love, so this book truly hit so good.

Falon Ballard has done it again. I went into this already knowing I would not only devour the story but absolutely love it. And look at that, I did both! I loved the mixed media aspect in this one, i loved that we saw interviews or comments about the actors throughout the book. As always I would have loved dual pov to see Grayson's side of things and just be in his mind. But for the sake of this book, i think that it was nice just having Emmy's pov. I really loved the whole storyline, the rivals-to-lovers we had for a second, the co-stars with benefits and just overall the writing style of this book. When I say i loved this book so much, I came out of it only having one complaint. I loved Emmy so much it's crazy, she was me and I am her. But i just could not stand her saying 'Grayson f*cking West' literally x4 a chapter. Like I got that she didn't like him, he was being crappy at the beginning, but to continually say 'Grayson f*cking West' every. single. time. I couldn't handle that at all. But literally other than that I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in a day.

Obsessed. Every love story this author has written so far have just gotten better and better. The pacing was impeccable and the characters were so well rounded. I loved it.

4.75 Stars

Right on Cue was such a cute contemporary romance.

When she was 15 and he was 17, Emmy Harper and Grayson West starred together in each of their first movies. And it BOMBED! Reviews panned them for having zero chemistry and appearing to want to murder each other. So for half her life now, Emmy has absolutely hated Grayson West for ruining that for her. (There's more to her hatred, but I won't spoil that!)

Emmy, the daughter of Hollywood's golden "It Couple" planned to follow in her actor parents footsteps. But after her on-screen motrification at age 15, she gave it up and turned to screenwriting. Now, as an Oscar winning screenwriter, Emmy is forced to take on the role of lead actress in her latest film - a RomCom - to keep production on schedule and avoid the producers pulling out. She doesn't want to do it, but the actor they've cast as the hero in this script she wrote is someone she likes and respects, so she'll do it.

Enter day one on set and who does she run into - literally! - but Grayson friggen West. Turns out the actor cast to star alongside her had to back out and Grayson was the only one they could get on such short notice. Grayson, who is all action hero muscles and oozing sexiness, but still her arch-nemesis.

And so our story begins. Because of course these two are going to fall in love - it's a romance novel! However, they have to overcome a lot of personal obstacles in order to get there and hopefully make it stick.

I loved this book. It's far smuttier than I prefer, but Grayson, despite being an action movie star, isn't an alpha male. He's sweet and sensitive and playful, once you get to know him.

My only gripe is the major relationship event that happens near the end of the story was wrapped up way too neatly with minimal talking over the problem and digging deep to the root. It was all "That's not true" with the reply "If you say it's not true there's no way it could be! How could I ever doubt you!" It was just too quick and clean.

THAT SAID, I absolutely recommend this book to romance readers. It's a quick read, it's sexy and funny and ROMANTIC! This book made me want to track down my husband and give him a big hug!

Right on Cue was an absolute delight to read, and such a fun peek behind the curtains of Hollywood.

Emmy is a character that I can see myself in. She’s in her 30s, combating imposter syndrome and her fear of falling in love. She’s absolutely human - in all the best ways, and when she has to go toe to toe with her arch nemesis Grayson as her co-star, we get to see all her flaws. Her flaws make her absolute perfection though, and I found myself falling in love with her story arc because I could easily relate to almost every word she spoke.


Grayson’s story line was a refreshing take on the golden retriever, himbo character we typically see in romance. His back story, once he opens up, makes him have a depth to him that was so enjoyable to read. And the chemistry Grayson and Emmy have is top tier.

This book has all the landmark romance tropes you expect, and was delightful to read. I will be checking out any book this author writes going forward - it was such a warm hug.

Falon Ballard has been an auto buy author from me ever since Lease of Love. I love the way she can make a character so three dimensional. Snarky but sweet, and asshole, but also nice. You're rooting for her characters always. I loved Right on Cue. The cast of side characters is something that Falon always does so well! Her best friend being there for her to support and also deliver tough love when needed.

I'm never crazy about a third act breakup with miscommunication, but honestly, this wasn't horrible (mainly because it didn't have to last forever) and the ending was perfection.

I loved the banter and always love an enemies to lovers!

Can't wait to see what Falon comes out with next!!

Quick Summary: A feel good, enemies to lovers romance

My Review: Right on Cue by Falon Ballard is a contemporary romance about a Hollywood princess and a handsome heartthrob who has stolen America's heart. It's a quick read with loads of ups, downs, and wonderful misunderstandings.

About the Book: Emmy Harper and Grayson West were nothing if not consistent. They both acted like they hated each other. When a project unexpectedly reunites them after years of being apart, they have to suck it up in order to get the job done. Unfortunately, the tension between them is ruining everything and their production is soon in jeopardy. Maybe now is the time for them to confront what they were previously unwilling to face. There is, after all, a thin line between love and hate.

My Final Say: This novel was such a satisfying read. It was a full circle romance. I am so glad that I was given the chance to read it. It was everything that I like in a love story. At the end of the day, what got me was the convoluted past that the leads shared, the palpable chemistry between them, the intense emotions they displayed, and the evident goodness of both characters. I also appreciated that they were imperfect. They demonstrated insecurities. By the end of the story, growth happened, and that's all I could ask for.

Other: Readers who enjoy stories with second chance encounters, close proximity interactions, and right people/wrong time scenarios will really like this romance.

Rating: 4.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 💞

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.

One thing about me is I’m gonna fully love every @falonballard book that comes my way👏🏾🥰

(Right on Cue, Lease on Love, and Just My Type is my faves order if y’all were wondering😂😂😂)

Happy Pub Day🧡

5.0⭐️

Thank you for the review copy NetGalley and @putnambooks !!!

#rightoncue #falonballard #putnambooks

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Pub Date: February 27, 2024
How I Read It:📱

Synopsis
Emmy Harper has written some of the most popular movies of the past few years, but she’s at a standstill with her current movie and can’t find the perfect leading lady, so she’s taking the part, but there’s just one problem; her co-star is Grayson West, which she didn’t know, and she doesn’t trust him or like him, in fact she hates him with a fiery passion because he’s the reason she stopped acting. Will these two be able to get along and make a great movie? Or will their history kill Emmy’s chances of having a future acting career?

My Thoughts
Wow that was a lot of swearing aka “Grayson F*ucking West!” Yup, that’s what Emmy called him for I’d say 80% of the book. Emmy started the book off very angry, but as the book goes on, you start to see the softer side of her, one I like a lot better, and you start getting to know her and Grayson a little more. I liked watching them rekindle their relationship, in a very non-traditional, backwards sort of way, and in the end you feel like their relationship has bloomed into something beautiful, but Grayson has a secret that may ruin everything.

Final Thoughts
Fallon Ballard is an auto buy author for me after reading Lease With Love, and I enjoyed this book as well! If you’re an enemies to lovers fan, this book will be a perfect read for you. You really crave more of it as the book goes on and will not want to put it down.

Of Note
🌶️ spice
🤬 lots of swearing

Tropes & Themes
💛 Second Chance
💛 Enemies with Benefits
💛 Forced Proximity
💛 Enemies to Lovers
💛 Celebrity Romance
💛 Small Town / Cozy Inn Setting

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

I enjoyed Emmy and Grayson's story. There is an enticing blend of tension, emotion, sparks, humor, drama, heart and feels to be explored as this fun second chance romance unfolds. Add in some lovely touches of cuteness and sweetness and you have yourself a very satisfying, make you feel good read.

This was a super quick read. I didn’t connect very well with either character. Romances set in Hollywood with actor leads are hit or miss for me. I wouldn’t say this was a miss but it didn’t wow me either.

Plot: Emmy Harper is a screenwriter who specializes in romcoms. She tried acting as a teen but had a terrible experience with costar Grayson West and swore to give it up forever. She ends up being forced to star with Grayson in the latest romcom she’s penned.

This is very enemies to lovers, no strings attached, forced proximity tropes (all good tropes, in my opinion!). The writing is good and the story was fine but both of these characters act like spoiled brats for the first 40% of the book. This is heavy, heavy on the miscommunication trope. THEY JUST NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION LIKE ADULTS and all their problems would be solved.

We never really find out why Grayson said those mean things about Emmy when they were fifteen and starring together. This was the whole reason they became enemies in the first place. He kind of glossed over it even though it basically ruined acting for her. I definitely felt like we all missed some closure with that part of the plot.

This wasn’t my favorite but people who like Hollywood movie star romances will probably really enjoy this.

I enjoyed this book…mostly. Emma, (MFC) is a work in progress. She is smart, funny, honest and doing all she can to move beyond her grief, to trust and open her heart and let love in against her better judgment, and most importantly to never ever write another happy ending. And yet, it is what she excels at and is craved by so many. When she finally gives in all she writes and is producing her movie, while needing only an elusive perfect leading lady to get started. When no one hits the mark, she is yet again forced out of her comfort zone and becomes her own leading lady. She is paired with Grayson West, very possibly the last man on earth alive or dead that she wants to work with again. Their chemistry is amazing on screen and eventually off. The problem is though is is stunning on the outside, on the inside, seemingly not so much. And so their forced togetherness leads to love…or does it? I enjoyed the story until the last few chapters. So much lead up and then the wrap up was fast and truly incredible and for me, not in the good way. He basically reversed ninja’d her and threw it all back on her and she went along with it. She became the opposite of who she was the entire book. So as I said, mostly good, just a bit of a disappointing ending even though there was the anticipated and wanted happily ever after.

Listen, when I tell you Falon can do no wrong, I mean it. I usually struggle a lot to finish celebrity romances but this one, I couldn't put it down so buckle up because here's my review.

"Right on Cue" by Falon Ballard brings us the story of Emmy Harper, a Hollywood nepo baby and queen of writin romantic comedies, and Grayson West, the man of action movies and owner of great abs. In a series of unfortunate (or lucky) events they end up being co-stars of Emmy's newest romance film. But they've met before, they have been co-stars before, and now they hate each other. As the days go by and filming begins their friction becomes unbearable, but also their very obvious sexual tension. They have to come up with something fast before they ruin the movie and everyone in it, and a no strings attached, one-night-only offer seems like the solution. But what if one night is not enough?

Now let me tell you, Grayson West is my new book boyfriend and I will defend him to the world's very end! Everything was absolute perfection with amazing characters, great banter, lots of (open door) spice and cozy vibes. I really loved the relationship Emmy had with her mom and their conversations sometimes brought tears to my eyes.

Thank you to the author, publisher and @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Enemies-to-lovers/co-stars with benefits?! Gah it was kinda perfect! I loved that there was a personal history to their ‘enemies’ phase and that there was an actual discussion about it!

Emmy is a famous screenwriter and mostly her fames come from being the daughter of two Hollywood icons that had the ‘happily ever after’ story that she loves to put in to her screen plays. But she’s since made a name for herself after a failed acting debut and prefers to be behind the camera.

Grayson was Emmy’s first kiss on her first acting job, and let’s just say that teenagers say and do dumb things. Emmy stops acting because of him and they don’t see each other for years.

Then, Emmy steps in front of the camera when no other leading lady fits the part she wrote. But, lo and behold, her leading man has a nasty accident and who do they recast in that role but her arch nemesis: Grayson.

The heat is on from the beginning and their bickering and snarkiness turn into some fantastic chemistry and banter. Falon did a wonderful job and I highly recommend this!

If I never have to hear “Grayson F—king West” again, it’ll still be too soon. This just was a bunch of unlikable characters being unlikable.

Thank you to @netgalley and @falonballard for this ARC copy of this new book!

This book has a lot of tropes all in one: it’s a second chance romance, it’s an opposites-attract, it’s a little bit of an insta-love, and there’s some hurt and comfort wrapped up in there too.

Emmy is a screenwriter. She’s also the daughter of Hollywood royalty, two actors whose marriage withstood the test of time. Her father died a few years ago, and instead of her usual fun and lovely rom-com fare, she wrote an Oscar winning story about feminism and grief. She’s returning after this Oscar winner with another rom com where she’s personally invested in the FMC, so much so that she ends up starring in it as the lead. This is her first acting role after her disastrous flop as a teenager. Her teenage crush and costar, Grayson West, was such a freaking asshat that she turned away from acting for the rest of her life.

Shenanigans ensue, and without her knowledge, the lead in her new romcom is swapped out for none other than Grayson West. And it is a disaster.

Grayson is a big action hero whose manager wants him to break out of that genre, but it’s unclear if Grayson himself wants to be something other than a Fast & Furious style series actor. He does want to be taken seriously, which he usually isn’t: he’s been cast as a himbo and can’t shake it.

This book is fun and sweet as Emmy and Grayson learn how to get over themselves, while they learn they never got over each other. It’s got some definite spice to it, because they have a daily secret friends with benefits situation that escalates to feelings being involved.

It’s got a rare “she has her irregular and heavy period” mini-plot where Grayson acts like all men should aspire to act. I think periods should be in more books involving so much banging, honestly.

Overall, it’s a quick read with a lot of heart. Even though it isn’t a holiday book, it felt like a holiday book, and that charmed the hell out of me.

My four star rating is generous due to in my opinion disastrous miscommunication/third act. Therefore I have torn feelings about this one. I have loved Falon Ballard and I loved the plot, I am a sucker for Hollywood romance, and characters, but miscommunication played a huge role in her latest and honestly I kinda expected better.

Fallon Ballard us an instant purchase/read for me! I thoroughly enjoyed this one the romance started off with enemies vibes but turned friendly pretty quickly. Fallon wasted no time getting this romance started! Where I love when the romance takes off, there wasn’t quite enough build for me.

I related to the insecurities that the characters went through. How they handled those and their struggles both togethers and separately.

This book had so man laugh out loud moments that I loved and I can’t wait to read her next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of Right on Cue by Falon Ballard.

I’ve never read anything by this author nor heard of her before, but I’ll be checking out more of her books. So many rom-com-ish like books that focus on writers lately but this one has a twist as Emmy or Harper as some call her, is not just a writer, but also gets roped in into acting. And has history with her co-star Grayson. I would say it falls into the enemy to lovers troupe. However, as all books of these style goes, you are waiting for the issue or shoe to drop where they realize they still hate each other. I really felt like this one was done so much better than some books. This book falls into a category I really love to read and it held my interest and kept me wanting to know how it was going to end, even though I figured I knew!!