Member Reviews
Emmy Harper is an award winning screenwriter who dipped her toe only once into acting. That experience, along side her costar Grayson West, was a disaster. Now, years later, she's taking center stage again, acting in her own romcom. But when her leading man gets injured, the only actor that can replace him is Grayson West.
Falon Ballard is a true romcom genius. Right on Cue is right in her wheelhouse, giving the reader a perfect romcom. Here's what I loved:
-Enemies to lovers with forced proximity. Yes. This trope is perfect and I will hear nothing else. Emmy and Grayson are fantastic as enemies. They each have hangups that push their animosity up and the sparks literally fly off these two. The fact that they have to then act opposite each other is just chef's kiss.
-Emmy. She's amazing. I loved literally everything about her character, including her flaws. She's got spirit which she needs to be up against Grayson....
-Speaking of. Grayson Friggin West. This man. He's got that snarky edge along with a soft vulnerability that he doesn't let many see. And a six pack for days.
-The romcom of it. The book mostly takes place while they film a winter romcom and you get that feel the whole time. It's warm and cozy and filled with love.
-The spice. There were a few really nicely done spicy scenes that I loved.
All in all, another masterpiece by Ballard!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!
4/5 ⭐️ This was super fun, perfect for movie lovers!
Summary
Screenwriter, Emmy Harper, is the queen of romantic comedies. After the loss of her father and a much needed break from romance, Emmy is returning to the big screen in more ways than one. Even though she hasn't acted in over a decade, Emmy has been convinced to star as the lead. When the male lead unexpectedly has to leave the film, there is only one actor available on such short notice, action-star and two-time sexiest man alive, Grayson West. This is Emmy's worst nightmare. She still blames Grayson for her disastrous first movie and the early end to her acting career. As filming begins, their on screen chemistry is absolutely horrible. The two are pushed to get their acts together or they risk tanking the entire movie just like they did before. Working things out leads to sizzling chemistry on screen... and off.
Thoughts
I love movies, so this was such a fun one to read. I enjoy the fact that the movie within the book is basically a Hallmark romance, but the romance that actually happens between the two actors is the complete opposite. This enemies-to-lovers-to-friends, forced proximity, he falls first... it's exactly what I want out of an easy, breezy romance book. There is a miscommunication break-up that I didn't care for, but overall the spice, sexual tension, and way that the author really made me feel like these two couldn't live without each other... it made up for it in the end.
This is the perfect "book in a day" for me. I picked up and binged this in just a few hours. Now, I just wish that Netflix would make it, so I can watch it.
This review is posted to Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram (@_bookish.brittany)
I. LOVE. GRAYSON. WEST. From the first time they met on set, I knew it was a "he's always loved her" situation since they had a history. However, I wasn't expecting their relationship to form as fast as it did but it made the story faster-paced once they gave into temptation. I loved getting the behind-the-scenes we get to movie production since we normally just get the finished product.
This book releases next week on February 27th!
Read This Book If…you enjoy seeing behind-the-scenes of filmmaking!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Right on Cue by Falon Ballard
Please note: this was an ARC provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: romance
Spice Level: 3/5🌶, 1-2 explicit scenes
Setting: Northern California
POV: single, 1st person, present tense
Tropes: enemies to lovers, workplace, “just one time,” enemies with benefits, secret, himbo, celebrity, forced proximity
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this read! Their shared history was interesting, although I did find them a little immature for being 30. Miscommunication here was HUGE. On the other hand, there were so many fun tropes in here! I love an enemies-with-benefits situation! My one pet peeve, however, was the plethora of how the MMC smelled. This isn’t a fantasy novel - I don’t need to be reminded every chapter!!
Memorable Quote: “The only way you can fail at love is by not letting it into your life.”
4.5 stars rounded up! Reading this after a string of thrillers was like coming upon a pool of water after walking through the desert, and I drank this up with a straw!!!
This is a celebrity enemies to lovers, and I absolutely loved Grayson and Emmy! They were both incredibly lovely and lovable characters with real flaws. Grayson in particular had me falling through the pages. I would give up my whole life for him, and was hooked so fast. I think as characters, Grayson was also a little bit more developed somehow, but maybe I'm just that into him lol. Their chemistry is really great, I loved a lot of the one-liners and thought their connection felt super genuine. I bought into it very easily. There was also a fair amount of spice! More than I remember reading in Ballard's other books, and I'm here for it.
There IS a third act breakup here, and I truly mean in the last possible moments. I was so panicked when I got to 80% and nothing happened yet, and just knew it was coming. Then, there's some time skipping by so it did feel like we rushed to the point of forgiveness, but I'm willing to suspend my disbelief. And now I'm ready to go on a celebrity romance bender!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a DRC in exchange for my honest review.
Hard call on this enemies to lovers rom com set on a Hollywood set. Emmy and Grayson made a disaster of a movie when they were teens but both went on to success- she as a scriptwriter and he as an action movie star. Now they've been forced together on a new movie and Grayson's animosity is just over the top. In fact, my major issue with this is that he's basically destroying a movie by acting like a stone when he's meant to be in love with Emmy's character and I just can't see an actor doing that. But then there's the intimate scene that changes everything and sets off a bit of steam. These two go through all the tropes- including miscommunication- to get to the (not unexpected) ending. I've been a big fan of Ballard but this one strains credulity. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Over to others.
This is an absolutely swoon worthy book. The romance, the tension, the ending. It did it for me for sure. I love the enemies to lovers aspect & the MCs were both equally loveable. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
I received this ebook for free for my honest review.... and i honestly loved it! It was such a sweet, easy read. Looking for a book to cozy up with over a weekend? This is it! I enjoyed the story so much. The characters are relatable and drew me in.
Emmy is stepping into an acting role for the first time since a disastrous movie when she was a teenager. Surprise surprise, her costar this time is a rerun of the one movie she was in before running away from the spotlight to write scripts. The couple are forced into a quaint romcom movie they must act in while enemies off set (or so it seems....)
Grab a copy of this book !
I’ll read anything Ballard writes and I’ll more than likely love what she created!
Right on Cue by Falon Ballard is most definitely one of those books. Once again Falon Ballard did not disappoint.
I was so charmed by this book. The characters, romance, and story were all well-written and engaging.
Emmy and Gray’s chemistry was perfection and everything about them was just right!
The characters were so easy to love, I was so invested in their connection.
This was everything I wanted and then some. I don’t have a single negative comment on this book.
Ballard nails it every single time. Bringing us charm and entertainment, making "Right on Cue" a must-read for anyone craving a fun and feel-good romantic story.
Hands down going to be a top romance read for me this year.
If you enjoyed Just My Type and Lease on Love you’ll love her newest title.
Thank You NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I love Ballards books. They are the perfect mix of plot and spice. I loved the setting for this one and the characters. My favorite characters of hers so far!!!
Right on Cue is a fun behind-the-scenes in moving-making romance., with an enemies to lovers/second chance trope. Emmy and Grayson have awkward history that makes it rather difficult to play the leads in a romantic movie, but maybe this is just what they need to come together. Sweet and funny scenes galore! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there will be a sequel where Emmy's best friend and the director of the movie, Liz, gets to be the lead.
I love romances set in the celebrity world and this had all the elements that I enjoy - gossip sites, movie sets, etc. I enjoyed this enemies to lovers book and I felt the "enemies" was justified. The banter was so cute and I loved the friendship with the director.
Hallmark movie at its best, but make it spicy! I absolutely loved this book, from start to finish. The perfect enemies to lovers with a little bit of a twist. I loved how real the main female character was, albeit a bit annoying at times but very relatable. I loved how the main characters relationship developed and the setting was just magical.
When screenwriter Emmy Harper is forced to fill the heroine's shoes in her latest rom-com, she finds herself playing opposite Grayson West, the hero who destroyed her confidence and derailed her acting career. Will this pairing be their second chance to right the past?
*Applause. Applause*
I am three for three with Ballard, and I swear, she can do no wrong. I know many of us roll our eyes when we see the rom-com label slapped on a book, but this was a legit rom-com. First, the story involved filming a rom-com, so I was treated to all those fun on-screen antics, but there were also a plethora of fun, sweet, cozy, and swoony moments that took place off-screen. I have to admit, I was in a happy place as I read this book.
A fantastic cast of character and a picturesque setting added to the fun, but it was Emmy and Grayson who owned my heart. I was so invested in them resolving their past issues, acting on their sizzling attraction, and falling in love. I really enjoyed seeing their bond grown with each page. I will admit that the third act break up was my least favorite thing - am I the only one who doesn't need this drama? But, I forgave Ballard because she made it up ten-fold with an ending that had the happy tears flowing.
I would definitely label this an enemies-to-lovers story which is not necessarily my favorite kind of romance, but this one was so well done. The history Emmy and Grayson shared from their joint debut film really left a mark on Emmy. It was that early disaster that forced her behind the scenes, and it was that experience that made her hate Grayson. I did feel bad for her, but I was happy that she took her chance and put herself back in front of the cameras while also working things out with Grayson.
Overall, this was such a wonderful story. I flew through the pages with a smile on my face, eagerly awaiting that HEA, and I was not disappointed.
Short synopsis: Emmy Harper, daughter of two of Hollywoods elite actors, is cast as the main female character alongside her teenage crush turned heartbreak Grayson West.
My thoughts: I’m pretty much to the point where I will admit, I will read anything Falon writes. Her characters are so developed and feel so “real” to me.
I am a sucker for a celebrity Romance and this did not disappoint. The small town hotel setting, the growth of Emmy as she comes to terms with her own abilities and insecurities, the reconciliation and communication from the past fallout…. It all just worked for me!
I especially liked how the resolution for the third act breakup took some time, forgiveness, conversation, and understanding. I think it really helped the characters feel more lifelike knowing it wasn’t an instant fix, when there was some deep hurt (and miscommunication) from both sides.
Read if you love:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Celebrity Romance
- Small town locations
- Charcoal and Pine (and forearms, and abs)
- Rom-com movies
Emmy and Grayson!!! I could NOT get enough. Such a fun rom com! I’m a sucker for an enemies to lovers, 2nd chance romance. I really enjoyed The concept of them meeting at a young age while acting in a movie together and then having a fallout after Grayson publicly making a comment about how kissing her was the worst. Heartbreaking. Especially because it led to Emmy leaving behind her dream of acting. It’s very relatable, as I’m sure we’ve all have had an experience with rejection that we’ve allowed to change the direction of our plans.
As much as the miscommunication drove me nuts, it was still a super enjoyable read. Fallon is one of my absolute favorite authors. Thank you for gifting me this read.
4.5 stars rounded up
This had sooo many elements I loved by an author I always enjoy! We have celebrity romance, film set, and somewhat of a second chance romance. I also loved the friends with benefits but mutual pining. That’s always a favorite of mine and they were so freaking cute in this one.
One thing I love about Falon is how she writes FMCs. Emmy is not perfect and I love her for it. There’s times she acts on emotion or has thoughts about our MMC that in hindsight are pretty hypocritical. But that’s real life and at the end of the day she’s a goofy and loving person that feels deeply.
Okay yall, the sexual tension will knock you over in this. Basically they are enemies-ish (more like just general dislike) thrown together to film a sex scene of their movie and they have to learn to trust each other again in find a level of intimacy that will translate on screen. The push pull, doubt and then attraction is fire-y af. And it just accelerates from there. Their chemistry on and off screen absolutely drives this.
The one hang up I had is that this felt like it was written very quickly. I don’t mean that the plot progression was rushed just more like felt like a stream at some points instead of designated acts. I also want to give a warning that if you are not a fan of 3rd act breakups or the miscommunication trope there is a certain part of this that will make you so mad. Me personally, I can work with it and the angst was through some intensity into the last little bit but yeah if you take too many steps back it’s a little ridiculous.
Overall I’d absolutely recommend this though. Falon really is a great writer and the romance is everything. Thank you to penguin group putnam, GP Putnam’s sons for this eARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
I devoured this book. I couldn't put it down. I have read two books by Falon Ballard and loved them both. She has a way of writing that makes the characters feel so real and engaging that you can't look away. I loved the plot and the story and how it comes to life as you read. Everything is there for me, from the characters to the pacing to the plot. I truly loved this book.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is my third Falon Ballard book, and it will not be my last. I am in love with her writing style. It feels so fun and fresh; plus it hits you right in the feels during the more emotional scenes. The writing style also works really well with the cast of characters, all of whom are the actual best.
The plot of this book is what really drew me in (other than the author being Ballard ofc), and it did not disappoint. There were so many moments of screaming into a pillow throughout from the tension and pining. Absolutely loved it!
I recommend this book for fans forced proximity, celebrity romances, flawed/vulnerable characters, and Ava Wilder's 'Will They or Won't They.'
Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it