Member Reviews

First of all, thank you for the advanced copy of this book! It was so perfect for what it was- a sweet, emotional, Hallmark-esque romance story. It’s like a meta-romcom. I loved Emmy and Grayson’s characters, even during the times when I wanted to shake both of them. I wish Grayson had been developed a little bit more, but it’s a hazard of not being inside his mind via a POV, and he felt real enough for me to root for him.

If I had a complaint, it would be that I wish maybe one or two more things had happened before they filmed the movie’s sex scene to establish more genuine trust, because it seemed a bit out of left field after her main issue with him was that she overheard him talking trash about an intimate moment they had. Yes, they had a conversation about it, but it wasn’t enough to establish that much trust, in my opinion.

(minor spoilers!!)
But, that being said, normalize characters not forgiving each other immediately! Even though it hurt, I appreciated that Ballard didn’t have Grayson forgive Emmy immediately. Do I wish she would’ve just talked to him? Yes. Is it lost on me that she did the exact same thing she did the first time? No. So I’m glad that they had some time apart before they came back together. And I’m glad they actually talked *before* they resumed their physical relationship, if you know what I mean.

Overall, this was a super fun, sweet story that’s perfect for Hallmark lovers (with a bit of spice!).

Was this review helpful?

I've loved Falon's writing ever since I read the first chapter of her first book, and this one was no different. The narration and the emotions flowed really well, and the main relationship was swoony as hell 🫠 I also loved the plot of the book, aka the enemies who are unexpectedly co-stars in a movie, and how they grow from enemies to vulnerable friends who help each other through their respective traumas and hangups from the past. The third act breakup was PAINFUL, and the gap between that and their final makeup nearly had me in tears 🥲 the hea was so cute.

TWs - death of parent (past, but grief in the present), parent who disowned their child for choosing a different career path (past and present)

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Was this review helpful?

I want to give the 4.5, but Goodreads won't let me. I loved almost everything about this book. The setup was fun, the characters were delightful, and the steam was STEAMY. My literal only issue was this self-proclaimed romance lover falling right into the classic misunderstanding trope for the second act break up. Nothing beats a small town winter romance movie and I desperately want to see the movie they film during this book. The FMC definitely has some hangups regarding the MMC, but they do work through their issues and it's nice to see her forgive their past and move forward. Grayson, MMC, is a delightful foil to Emmy, FMC, and their relationship really does work despite the pitfalls at the beginning.

***As a theatre professional, I want to be clear that showmances for sake of chemistry are strongly frowned upon and are usually more of a mess than the good they do, but I did enjoy the showmance of this book***

Was this review helpful?

This book was HOT. I loved the relationship between Emmy and Grayson so so so much. It felt like you could actually see it playing out on the screen. The third act conflict actually made sense with the plot also, which is a huge plus for me. It wasn't just thrown in to cause a conflict. I also adored all the snippets with the texts, tweets, scandal sheet, etc. I think those are just such fun small additions that make a book really special. This was my first Fallon Ballard, but I just downloaded her other works. I can't wait to dive in. I might have just found a new favorite romance author.

Was this review helpful?

Right on cue Tells the story of Emmy Harper as she dives back into writing romantic comedies after a tragedy struck.
This time however, Emmy is convinced to star as the lead. Emmy is nervous as well as excited to dust off her acting skills that she hasn’t used in over a decade. That is until her co-star is injured and with filming about to start there is only one other actor available on such short notice.

A blockbuster action movie Star Grayson West is anyone’s dream for a romantic co star. For anyone except Emmy at least, who blames him for her disaster of a first movie and the end to her acting career. But as filming begins the tension between Emmy and Grayson just builds up. The two are pushed to resolves things between them or risk ruining the whole movie but when fixing things on screen leads to sizzling chemistry in all their scenes those same emotions transfer over off and emotion start to build which was the last thing Emmy wanted.
-
I absolutely devoured this story! It was just so perfect from start to finish! The storyline was so well written to where i found myself not being able to put it down. I absolutely fell in love with Emmy and Grayson from the very first page and seeing the way in which their relationship built over the course of the story just made me love them more.

I also found that Emmys character became my absolute favorite from the start because of how very relatable her character is in the way she thinks and talks. The chemistry between Emmy and Grayson was also absolutely amazing and all their scenes were my absolute favorite as they were all written very well. I loved the whole movie and actors storyline of the book because it felt like watching a movie inside a movie?!!!

The story was just so good to the end and there were time when I would get frustrated with Emmys choices and how she acted but at the end I feel that her reactions just made her character even more real. One thing that this story definitely has is the ability to make the reader fall absolutely in love with all the characters because as the story went on I felt myself loving all the characters no matter how small their roles were.

The end was also absolutely perfect and I loved the way the roles were switched to where both of the characters had their own issues to resolve all the way to the end and those issues weren’t forgotten but still mentioned because I felt that it was a big part of the story.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a short sweet story with lots of spice!

Was this review helpful?

After reading Just my Type last year, I couldn't have been more excited to read Right on Cue. It exceeded all expectations, and I couldn't put it down. The main character development, both personal, and in their relationship was so great, and you couldn't help but root for them the entire time. This is definitely a rom-com, and it's got every bit of that rom-com "stuff" that we know and love. And ooh, the steaminess! Perfection.

Was this review helpful?

Okay, I adored this book!
FIVESTARS!
I actually devoured this book. I read it in one sitting because quite literally could not put it down. Right on Cue was such a fun book and jam packed with some of the best tropes. Who doesn't love an enemies to lovers with fantastic banter? It's an immediate yes from me.
The Book:
Hollywood royalty, and popular screenplay writer, Emmy Harper, who gave up on acting at fifteen after a bad experience with costar and heartthrob, Grayson West. As she embarks on her next project, she and the team are scouting for the perfect leading lady. Struggling to cast the role, they ultimately decide who better to play the role than Emmy herself. Reluctantly Emmy says yes to her first role since that mishap so many years ago. Once filming begins Emmy finds herself once again starring opposite the man responsible for her exit from acting, Grayson West. As filming begins the tension between Emmy and Grayson only grows. Can they put their differences aside and convince the audience that they're the perfect rom-com couple?
The Tropes:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- Second Chance
- Right person wrong time
Right on Cue releases February 27th! Add it to your to be read list, preorder the book, and prepare yourself for the sweetest romance
Thank you to NetGalley and Falon Ballard for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Synopsis: Screenwriter Emmy Harper is convinced to play the lead role in her newest romantic comedy movie after not having acted in over a decade. However, when the casted male lead had to back out last minute, Emmy is surprised to see Grayson West, the person she blames for ending her short-lived acting career, standing across from her. With unresolved tension and a whole lot of hate, will Emmy find a way to work with Grayson before jeopardizing her movie.

Tropes:
Right Person/Wrong Time
Enemies to Lovers
Hollywood Romance
Coworkers with Benefits
Cozy Winter Inn

Thoughts: This book is a compilation of everyone's favorite RomCom book tropes and the energy/vibe of a Hallmark Christmas Movie. This was a great easy read that definitely got me in a cozy romance mood.

Was this review helpful?

Synopsis: Screenwriter Emmy Harper is convinced to play the lead role in her newest romantic comedy movie after not having acted in over a decade. However, when the casted male lead had to back out last minute, Emmy is surprised to see Grayson West, the person she blames for ending her short-lived acting career, standing across from her. With unresolved tension and a whole lot of hate, will Emmy find a way to work with Grayson before jeopardizing her movie.


Tropes:
Right Person/Wrong Time
Enemies to Lovers
Hollywood Romance
Coworkers with Benefits
Cozy Winter Inn

Thoughts: This book is a compilation of everyone's favorite RomCom book tropes and the energy/vibe of a Hallmark Christmas Movie. This was a great easy read that definitely got me in a cozy romance mood.

Was this review helpful?

Rating: 5 star
Genre: Romance

Thoughts: Fallon's books just keep getting better & better! I just ate this book up! If you love celebrity romance or enemies to lovers tropes, you definitely need to add this to your TBR!!! It so good!

Was this review helpful?

The chemistry in this book is so, so good. I loved watching Emmy and Grayson fall in love. I’ve also loved watching Fallon Ballard grow as a writer.

I’ve had the privilege of reading arcs of all of her rom-com novels so far, and they have all steadily improved upon each other and I think Right On Cue is her best yet. I look forward to reading more from her.


For my friends who like the romance, but not the steam, there was quite a few steamy bits to skip over. They were fairly easy to skip over, but if that’s not something you’re interested in I might suggest skipping this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!!

Was this review helpful?

Right on Cue by Falon Ballard is a delightful and witty romance that left me yearning for more. This perfectly charming and entertaining book is a must-read for any romance enthusiast.

Was this review helpful?

Highlights:
Expected Publication: February 2024
Plot: Story: 4.5 stars
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ Multiple scenes with explicit detail

Emmy Harper is in a pickle. She’s been strong armed into acting in the romcom she wrote, and now she’s starring opposite her arch nemesis, Grayson West, who ruined her first acting experience at 15. To make it even worse, her film is being slowly derailed by Grayson’s refusal to even <i>try</i> to act like he likes her.

When Grayson and Emmy are told to either straighten it out or tank the film, they agree to a costars-with-benefits situation. As they get to know one another better, will it be enough to save the film?

When I tell you that I SCREAMED when I was approved for this ARC. Thank you to the lovely folks at Penguin Group Putnam & NetGalley for approving me! All thoughts below are my own.

My thoughts:
The lovely Falon Ballard has delivered an emotional and spicy rom-com once again. I think this is her best yet!

The emotions in this book leapt off of the page: Emmy’s fear over her budding relationship with Grayson & how she related it to her grief about her father’s death; Grayson’s insecurities about his career & whether he should be more serious.

Also, the scenes were adequately detailed, but Ballard does a phenomenal job of creating and carrying the emotional tension through her sex scenes. Whether the couple is uncertain, angry, excited, sleepy.. whatever.

Did I love the third act breakup? No, I don’t ever want a third act breakup. However, the reasoning behind the split was reasonable and justifiable. I could see myself breaking up with someone over the same thing.

Overall, I would recommend if you’re in the market for a spicy rom-com.

Was this review helpful?

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
I read this book way too fast. Once I started reading, I could not stop. I loved our two characters, Emmy and Grayson, and how their relationship grew. I do think that there could have been more build-up before they first got together, but their chemistry was already there; they just had to rediscover it. I love the enemies-to-lovers and the forced proximity situation the characters are stuck in. Also, shout out to Emmy's mom for being so cool and supportive. Overall, I really enjoyed this book! The plot was really interesting and loved all the book tropes Ballard included in this story.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam/ G. P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Was this review helpful?

As someone who works in the entertainment industry, be warned that one must suspend their disbelief for this one! That said, this is a fun enemies-to-lovers / second chance romance between a screenwriter with a hot new romcom and the actor who ran her out of her own acting career after their dreadful debut.

The good: the banter between Emma and Grayson is really fun. The chemistry is off the charts, and it's overall a fun arc for these two characters. I liked the setting (the fictional Pine Springs, where it snows in CA in March, if you can believe it), and some of the side characters were really fun.

The bad: this one features not one but TWO miscommunications. It's like a Hallmark movie on steroids. I especially hate a miscommunication that comes about by eavesdropping, so that bugged me a lot. But the reunion at the end was unique enough to make it worth it, in some ways. That said - if you are not a fan of miscommunication, be warned there's a lot of it here.

3.5 stars rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

4.5 rounded up. I've read the other two books by Falon Ballard and really liked them, so when offered an ARC of her new book, I jumped to read it, and it did not disappoint - it's a little more "Hallmark Movie" than the other two, but very cute and I would like to be friends with everyone there. My only thought is that I wish there had been a little more perspective from Grayson, because we know he's a good guy but his internal thoughts would be helpful and I think would have rounded out the plot a little.

Free ARC received in exchange for potential review.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks @netgalley @putnambooks and @falonballard for the early look at Right on Cue, a sexy and smart romantic comedy out on 2/27/24.

Hollywood princess Emmy is a Nora Ephron-level writer of rom-com scripts and has the Oscar to prove it. Comfortable behind the scenes, she’s pressured into acting in her latest film—which she hasn’t done since the blistering reviews she received as a 15 year old. The fact that her former costar—and nemesis—Grayson West is cast opposite her isn’t helping matters. They are supposed to pretend to be falling in love, but the tension between them is ruining the film. When they decide to sleep together (once! Definitely only once!) what’s the worst that could happen?

Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, just one time, celebrities

Was this review helpful?

This one falls into the category of a run of the mill romcom. I happen to love run of the mill romcoms. I will probably not remember most things about this book in a few business days but overall I had a great time reading it and would recommend others do the same.

Was this review helpful?

This is my first book by Falon Ballard and I have to say I loved every minute I spent reading it! It’s a cute and cozy read with spicy scenes. This is my first romance book that was single POV- and I enjoyed it. I felt connected with Emmy and her rollercoaster of emotions to figure out “does he or does he not like me”.

I’m so excited to see what is next for Falon and I definitely plan on picking up her other books!

Was this review helpful?

I'd say third time's a charm, but so were her first and second time! But, this is her first book I binged - could not put it down. Right on Cue had me from the first paragraph and kept me smiling and swooning the entire time. I love Falon Ballard's female characters and Grayson was amazing as well.

Was this review helpful?