I'm a sucker for any Hollywood stars romance, so of course I devoured this new book by Falon Ballard. I really like her style of writing and character development. Good amount of steam / plot.
I enjoyed how Emmy's character growth so much. The book started out with her explaining her extreme hatred for the MMC, Grayson, and takes you on a journey of discovering maybe in the past they saw things a little differently. Grayson is *amazing*. I love him, really sums it up. I would've given this a hands down 5, but....when you have to throw in some TRULY avoidable miscommunication in near the end...I just can't do it. Solid 4.5 stars and once again Ballard delivers a read that will appeal to the masses.

Right on Cue by Fallon Ballard
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis: Emmy is a nepo baby with famous actor parents and when she's 18 she steps out into her first film as the lead role. She has a crush on her costar and thinks she feels the same when she overhears him talking about her. This subsequently makes the movie a flop as their chemistry is off and Emmy quits acting for good. Until...

She writes a screenplay and they can't find a female lead to do the character justice so Emmy is roped into playing the character herself. She thinks she's going to be acting alongside her good friend until she arrives on location to find Grayson West... the very same man who made her quit acting.

Review:
This story was fine. It wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing It's a great romcom that will be a good palate cleanser when needed or even a nice easy read to boost your reading numbers. If you like contemporary romance and romcoms you'll definitely like this. My main complaint is that I didn't love the FMC. I don't like when a character is constantly second guessing their feelings and can't make a decision. I'm also not a fan of the miscommunication trope like this or third act breakups. All in all the story is predictable, which isn't always a bad thing. Like I said it's an easy read and I do think people will like this.

Right on Cue was an easy romcom read although it did leave me feeling a little disjointed at times. I felt the MMC was a bit much, and I just struggled real bad to gel with the FMC.

I had heard so many good things about Falon Ballard’s writing prior to reading this so I had a certain level of expectations built up, but sadly was left a little flat.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC!

What to Expect:
🎬second chance romance
🎬let’s just bang it out
🎬he takes care of her when she’s sick
🎬palm kisses 🥹
🎬Falon’s spiciest book yet

🫶🏽What worked for me
Like all of Falon’s books, I was immediately enamored 🤩 I was laughing, swooning, and enjoying every second of this book (until the third act break up). I thought Emmy and Grayson were adorable together—when they weren’t being immature and incredibly unprofessional.

🤷🏻‍♀️What didn’t work for me
The third act break up and everything that followed 😬 For starters it was cringe and based on miscommunication. But what really bothered me was that nothing actually happened or was resolved for them to make up. They just did. And then they had more sex. Which leads to the second thing I didn’t love. This was very smut heavy. While they did have really cute moments together, the romance was mostly focused on their physical relationship, whereas I would have preferred more focus on their emotional connection.

I loved the first 3/4 of this book enough to mostly overshadow my dislike of the ending.

I’ll add an updated social media link after I post my review this week.

Right on Cue is like a cute, Hallmark-worthy movie rom-com in book form. While I adored most of it, I found the third act breakup a bit confusing, and i really questioned his quick return. Nevertheless, Fallon's writing keeps me hooked, and I'll eagerly devour whatever she publishes next!

Thanks to next galley and the publisher for this eARC!!

Falon Ballard can do no wrong.

I loved this old enemies to lovers romance. I can't say I've read many romances about actors and movies and the Hollywood lifestyle, but I can't say any of them have disappointed me before.

I really enjoyed Emmy's character and her passion for her work. I though the tension between the two of them was palpable.

Here is my review on good reads and tik .. thank you for the ARC! Thank you again net galley and St. Martins Press for the chance to read this early!

This started off a little slow for me but once it picked up I enjoyed it. My overall rating is 3.5 stars rounded up. Huge fan of the celebrity/co star romance trope and thought this was done really well. I also really liked the chemistry between Emmy and Grayson.

What I wasn’t a huge fan of was the misunderstanding from when they were teenagers. It’s the catalyst for the tension in the first like 40% but when they finally discuss it… the reason just fell flat to me. The MMC did something mean and was just like ‘sorry, I was a 17 y.o kid’, honestly not sure if he even apologized. 🙄 I actually thought they would touch on it again at some point but nothing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A great read, the story of Emmy and Grayson. She is screen writer who ends up starring in her own film opposite the man who broke her heart years ago. Will she give him a chance?

Falling in love with your enemy!

Screenwriter Emmy Harper was thrilled to be going back to writing romantic comedy with No Reservations as a writer/producer. She never expected to return to her acting roots when they couldn’t find the perfect Isobel and they needed to start filming soon. But everything changed when her leading man dropped out when he broke his leg and action star Grayson West was picked as his replacement. Only problem, Grayson acted with Emmy on her first and only acting role and she still hated him and now she had to act like she was falling in love with him in the film.

I wasn’t expecting the emotional depth between Emmy and Grayson as they worked through their issues from their first film together when they finally couldn’t ignore each other.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Plain boring.

I loved Falon Ballard's first book but since then her books have all been a miss for me.
I'm starting to feel like maybe she's not the author for me.

Thank You Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Emmy Harper is not new to the Hollywood scene as she's been around it her whole life and has left her own mark as an Oscar-winning screenwriter. However, as she dips back into writing rom-coms, she gets more than she bargained for since she is now in the starring role. Grayson West, everyone's dream costar with his smile and rock-hard abs, has been cast as Emmy's opposite much to her dismay. She blames Grayson for the downfall of her first and only acting gig when they were both teenagers. Now they must figure out their differences fast in order to make this film a success, even if pesky feelings get in the way.

Dani's Thoughts: This was my first Falon Ballard and it certainly will not be my last. I love a good celebrity romance and it was fun to see the inner workings behind the scenes on a set. At times I truly wished that this was dual POV because I would have loved to know some of the thoughts behind Grayson's actions. Emmy certainly can hold on to a grudge and even after things seemed settled between the two of them, she still just couldn't believe a good thing could come her way, especially with Grayson. Even though some spots of miscommunication drove me nuts, I love the way the two of them supported each other through filming and after as they continued life outside of the set.

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam Books for an ARC of this book.

Celebrity romance at its finest. I’ve loved all of Falon Ballard’s previous books and this one was no exception.

Grayson and Emmy starred in a rom com movie when they were teenagers. But the movie tanked, they had a falling out and haven’t spoken since. Until now. Where they’re forced to costar in another movie together despite their hatred for each other.

Ballard’s books are the perfect combo of emotional, funny, and sentimental. It had Hallmark charm AND depth.

That being said, I really wish this book was dual pov. Grayson was so misunderstood, I would kill get his thoughts. Because of the single POV, I feel like they went from enemies, to like, to love way too fast. Within ten pages.

Their tension was great. I just wish they didn’t skirt around their communication issues.

Read if you like:
🎥Celebrity romance
💘 Enemies to lovers
🛌Friends with benefits
🤫Secret relationship
🎬Rom com movies
👶🏻Nepo babies
🙋🏻‍♂️He falls first
🏡Small towns

Right on Cue by Fallon Ballard comes out Tuesday - February 27th! I loved Lease on Love but wasn't a fan of Just My Type so was hopeful for Right on Cue!

I liked Right on Cue - it was cute and a quick read. The overall story was good but there was unfortunately a lot of miscommunication which I didn't love or the third-act breakup. I do like Hollywood romances and the filming of a movie plot line. As characters, once they were together I was rooting for Emmy and Grayson since they did have chemistry

I read this quickly and didn't go in with super high expectations and I enjoyed it. It was exactly what I needed to read on a Friday night!

Thanks to Putnam Books for my copy of Right on Cue. It comes out on Tuesday - February 27th.

Five Word book Review: 𝐄𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Emmy Harper grew up in Hollywood; first as the daughter of two of its biggest stars, then as a teenaged actress for a hot minute, now as an in demand writer of romcom scripts and a recent Oscar winner.

But when her latest film stalls for lack of a female lead, her best friend and the director of said film convinces her to give acting another shot. Which she agrees to. Grudgingly. Unwillingly. Smirkingly.

When the male lead breaks his leg as production is set to begin, there’s a scramble to cast her love interest. Guess who signs on? The only man Emmy never wanted to see again. Grayson West.

Remember that hot minute in front of the camera when she was but an impressionable teen? She acted alongside Grayson, blockbuster action star, former teen heartbreaker, current aggravation.

And when the two clash over and over again, it leads to some pretty awful on screen chemistry. The tension is palpable, and everyone wonders: is it something unresolved from a decade ago or maybe something *wink mother effin wink* else? (spoiler alert: it’s the wink wink)

Filled will clever banter, palpable chemistry, and a fully developed enemies to lovers trope, fans of Tessa Bailey and Christina Lauren will eat this up.

Me? I kept going back to reread the scene where Emmy watches Grayson ice skating. Something incredibly sexy about that moment.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for the ARC to read and review. Available February 27, 2024.

Thank you to GP Putnam's & Sons and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I started reading more contemporary romance as a way to escape, instead of reading non-fiction, which is my preference, or historical fiction, which can be heavy depending upon which era is presented. However, I think I need to take a break from the genre for a variety of reasons, most of them because you've really got to suspend disbelief to get into this book.

How can Emmy, who gave up acting at 15, have such a successful screenwriting career in such a short amount of time? She's only 25. I may not be remembering correctly, but I thought the book said she'd won an Academy Award for screenwriting. ? A screenwriter of rom coms gets an Oscar? Definitely fiction. Also, a screenwriter should understand the basics of you know, communicating with another human being of the opposite sex. I dislike miscommunication tropes because it seems so juvenile and easily resolvable. I also dislike third act breakups, and this one comes out of nowhere. And Grayson is a huge action star, but has availability at the drop of a hat?

Lastly, not a prude, but I prefer closed door romance, not "new adult" or "spicy" or "erotica" or whatever the vernacular is these days. IT would be nice if NetGalley mentioned this content when requesting romance books. This is nothing against the author, but just not my jam.

Right on Cue by Falon Ballard
Pub date: February 27, 2024
Rating: 4/5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Of the 3 books I’ve read by this author, I’d say this one ranks second for me. If you liked Lease on Love, I think you’ll enjoy this one, too.

Emmy and Grayson had excellent chemistry, and the sweet and vulnerable moments between them only added to that.

The supporting characters were also enjoyable, and I particularly appreciated how supportive of the budding relationship they all were. Especially Liz and Sam, although this support came in very different ways from them.

I thought that the communication between the two was so well done for about 3/4 of the book. The tension and lack of communication at the very beginning served the story well and established the basis for them to grow closer together and become vulnerable with one another. And then they really communicated and demanded that of one another in a supportive way.

However, I did find the third act a bit frustrating. It just felt too-cliche rom com for me. Emmy and Grayson had already made such progress, the complete breakdown in communication felt too contrived. And the resolution was fine, but a bit typical.

Ultimately I enjoyed this read even if the last fourth of it could’ve been better. The epilogue was sweet, which helped make up for that. I would definitely recommend this book to people who love romantic comedies.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

This was a really solid romcom and an easy story to enjoy! I found the characters to be super likable and appreciated that they had depth but that it didn’t weigh the story down. Overall, I found Right on Cue to be an easy Hollywood romance to immerse myself into and loved that some of my favorite tropes were included: enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, second chance. I can’t wait to see what she writes next! 4.25/5 stars and 2/5 spice

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Falon Ballard’s third book, Right on Cue, is a fun celebrity romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously; as in her dedication and acknowledgments, Ballard wrote this one for herself, and I feel like she used many tropes she probably enjoys and had fun writing. This is my second book of hers (my first being Just My Type, which I devoured and instantly became one of my favorite romances!!! and I started Lease on Love but got distracted and will go back to properly read soon!), but the feel of Right on Cue is pretty different from Just My Type. You can tell that it’s meant to be lighthearted and a tribute to the romance genre.

I can see how this started as even more of a holiday book, as the premise of Emmy’s screenplay sounds like a Christmas Hallmark movie, and the setting of the inn and Pine Springs where they filmed is festive and snow-covered, despite it being almost spring. I loved the setting, and the Hallmark movie type premise made me laugh (although I’ve never actually watched a Hallmark movie myself! I feel like I’ve learned a lot about them from romance memes and references). Ballard is definitely aware of the tropes she’s playing with and makes some jokes about them through the character of Emmy, since she’s a rom-com screenwriter, like when she references enemies-to-lovers and the third act breakup as romance elements. I appreciated the nods to and love for the genre that shines through. The banter between Emmy and Grayson is entertaining, and Ballard’s writing is so easy to read and fly through.

Emmy, our main character whose POV this book is told through, is a beloved writer of rom-coms likened to Nora Ephron, and the child of Hollywood stars. As such, she’s grown up in the spotlight of her parents’ fame, ending up with her own hang-ups and insecurities related to this life in the public eye. She’s hard on herself and is terrified of failing in front of the world, having been scared off acting by her first try at it as a teen that resulted in a performance panned by critics. She also blames this on Grayson, her love interest and costar from that teen rom-com failure, after overhearing his immature remarks that hit directly at her insecurities about being a nepo baby and the way she’s perceived by others. I felt for Emmy, as a life of public scrutiny is sure to mess with one’s outlook on the world, and as a teen with a crush, to have that kind of rude awakening sounds like it must’ve been pretty traumatizing. She also got on my nerves at times; while she’s self-aware in many ways, she’s oblivious in others; in Emmy’s reluctant return to acting, this time in a movie she wrote, she deludes herself into thinking that her acting is perfect, while all the blame lies with Grayson. She and Grayson both behave immaturely on set, him as a result of Emmy being rude and angry with him whenever they have scenes together.

I do wish we got to understand more of why Grayson’s acting was robotic, though; since it’s first person Emmy’s POV, we don’t know if his acting is like that solely because of her contempt for him, although it’s implied (I guess we just assume it’s his uncontrolled reaction to her acting?). It would’ve helped, I think, to get a better sense for Grayson’s character by seeing his thoughts in reaction to Emmy’s rudeness. I also had some issues with the pacing and relationship development; Emmy and Gray, as they go from costars with animosity to costars with benefits to more, get to know each other really well, which I loved, but we only get a glimpse of that emotional depth when Gray opens up about his dad and Emmy briefly talks about hers. We don’t actually get to see a lot of that getting to know little details about each other content on the page, which is a shame, since it would strengthen the emotional connection for the reader. Their physical attraction and chemistry, however, is clear and leaps off the page. I appreciated that Ballard went for more steam and sex scenes, I just wanted a little more of the emotional depth I loved in Just My Type.

I did enjoy the scenes with Emmy’s mother, since her mom is so funny and loving and supportive and says all the things I wanted to yell at Emmy when she was being dumb in the third act. Her mom is so mature and wise and a lovely character.

The miscommunication in this book was frustrating, particularly for the third act conflict, mainly because this trope of listening to half of a conversation and jumping to conclusions is personally not one of my favorites. I see why Emmy reacted that way, knowing her personality and fears and insecurity, but I also wanted to shake her so bad for not listening to her best friend, Liz, who told her she should at least try to let Grayson explain if she really loves him. I liked that Grayson didn’t immediately accept her apology, and that he did acknowledge his own fault in that situation as well, in the end, but the timeline felt a bit rushed. I wish Emmy (and maybe even Grayson) had gone to therapy on page or at least mentioned having gone to address her issues during their time apart.

It didn’t quite hit the mark for me the way that Just My Type did, but I still had fun reading it and am looking forward to Ballard’s holiday romance coming later this year!

Thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ARC!

an enemies to lovers, second chance, first love situation with a whole lot of MISCOMMUNICATION and tbh I was very over it by act one lol! I will say this is definitely the hottest out of all Ballards books and definitely gave hallmark after dark energy!