⭐️⭐️.5

A super cute, light-hearted, and predictable rom-com I couldn’t put down! There were several times it had me laughing out out loud and I loved some of the casualness of the main character’s dialogue where it almost felt like it was breaking the fourth wall a little bit.

Synopsis: Emmy is a screenwriter who ends up having to play the main character alongside Grayson, a previous crush and co-star who had broken her heart in the past.

I get excited to read pretty much anything that involves a writer as the main character and I really enjoyed this one! I usually don’t enjoy the Right Person, Wrong Time trope because it’s usually due to several frustrating and unnecessary miscommunications, but I liked it in this book!

I’m giving it three and a half stars for a few different reasons. There were miscommunications in other aspects of the book that I found frustrating and thought were out of character for the main characters. Plus, overall, I also wish we could’ve seen more of the couple develop their relationship outside of some (or several) spicy moments — I just didn’t love that it was what most of their relationship was built on. It also seemed odd to me that the their big conflict happened so close to the end of the book and it wrapped up way too quickly.

However, the characters were definitely loveable and I really enjoyed seeing the storyline through. I thought it was such a cute read and it felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie I would’ve loved watching!

Big thanks to Penguin Group/Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review!

If you enjoy second chance romance, loathe to love, and forced proximity between two actors forced to star opposite the other (for a second time), I think you will enjoy this book. FB really knows how to write characters I want to root for and allows me to understand each character fully without requiring a dual POV.

The chemistry between Emmy and Grayson was believable and never felt forced. I enjoyed their banter, especially when they were trying their hardest to despise the other. I found myself smiling when we got glimpses into their building relationship. The flirtation and banter during their time on set was fun and it kept the storyline moving, but we still were able to see their walls slowly lowering as they discovered more about the insecurities and fears the other had hidden away from the world...and maybe even themself.

Overall, a fun read I will be adding to my shelf once it is available.

If you're looking for a classic enemies-to-lovers trope with movie stars, then this is for you. RIGHT ON CUE is a solid romance book with all the right swoony charm, smut, and delightful characters. I recommend RIGHT ON CUE but I'm not making it my entire personally. Four stars.

RIGHT ON CUE by Falon Ballard reads like a Hallmark romance movie. It's open door spicy, a second chance celebrity showmance. The small town gives Stars Hollow vibes, but all the side characters are given zero chance to develop relationships with the main characters or each other. The romance is a little tunnel-visioned, is what I'm saying. There's nothing wrong with the two main characters, though I would have liked a little more plot than just falling into bed with each other. Those who love the "lets just get it out of our systems" trope will adore this. There is also the himbo who wants a chance to prove he's more than just eye candy. The nepo baby who is returning to acting after being a successful screenwriter is a bit hard to buy, and she faces absolutely no blowback for going from an Oscar-winning screenplay to acting in her own rom-com. The miscommunication that leads to the third act breakup is the most believable thing about this plot, only to turn out to be not true! But if you're looking for a fluffy, spicy Hallmark movie in book form, this is a fun one.

Falon Ballard is finding her groove. Right on Cue is my favorite book of hers to date. I really enjoyed this Hollywood romance full of witty dialogue and ton of feelings. It is fast-paced and easy to ready. My only complaint would be the miscommunication trope, which I rarely find believable. However, Ballard was able to pull it off better than most and I finished the book with a smile on my face. Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Putnam for the ARC.

Emmy and Grayson's story captured my heart and didn't let go. I love romance stories that can make me feel something and surprise me- and this story did just that. Emmy and Grayson starred in their first movie together when they were 15 and 17 years old. They shared their first kiss onscreen, and after that, things fell apart. The movie failed, and Emmy focused on screenwriting while Grayson went on to become an action movie star. They haven't seen each other in more than a decade, but now, they are forced together- they will be starring in the romcom that Emmy wrote!

Things start off rocky, and their performances are terrible! Emmy has a bright idea- let's just do it once to get it out of our systems and maybe it will help their performances. One time leads to more times, and suddenly, the question remains for both of them- are they still just hooking up or are there real feelings involved?

I didn't like the third act breakup because I don't like the miscommunication trope. It was frustrating between these two characters. That's the only thing that held me back from giving 5 stars.

Read this book if you like:
-Hollywood romance
- steamy scenes!
- workplace romance (working on a movie together)
- banter!
- enemies to lovers
- ice skating
- sneaking around
- just once to get it out of our system
- he takes care of her

I loved this story, and I think that you will too!
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam books for an ARC of this book.

I have so loved and adored the previous works of the author, however, this might be her absolute best-est!! This book is an easy to devour book with excellent chemistry between the main characters. A second chance romance with a bit of enemies to lovers and forced proximity in a work place kinda vibe? Simply loved how the author uses the humor to bring out emotions in their characters without it being seemed forceful or cliched. I loved it!

Thank you @netgalley for this ARC. I wish I had loved this, I wanted to love it like I loved Lease on Love, but it just didn’t work for me. I found the plot to be predictable and cheesy and the characters felt shallow and disconnected. 2.5/5

Falon Ballard's writing is so warm and inviting, it's hard to put down and feels like you are watching a rom com with all the best actors (in your head!) Right On Cue is full of witty banter, enemies to lovers, and miscommunication. If you like rom coms, you will love Falon Ballard's writing!

Emmy and Grayson have a history together. 15 years ago, they starred as co stars in their first film, and it was a huge flop. They also had their first on screen kiss and Greyson may have said some things to break Emmy's heart to other cast members about that kiss. (I feel you Emmy, I wouldn't have forgiven that either! 🤪) Well 15 years later, she is still holding a grudge when they are starring opposite each other again.

The tension is REAL and Emmy and Greyson need to get out of their heads if this movie is going to make it to the screen. Lots of banter and enemies to lovers vibes. I was almost finished with this book and flying though it, loving it every step of the way and then... blam. Falon Ballard went and broke my heart! 💔 I would have kept going with the happy ever after, but there was a bit of a twist....

Now for the things that didn't make me LOVE LOVE this book....
I don't care for the miscommunication trope and am not a fan of the third act breakup, it makes me feel like I'M the one getting my heart broken! Lol! The worst! So that part was not my fave, but every book can't be all my favorite tropes, so I totally get that this could be the perfect book for the reader that loves the miscommunication trope! 😉

I can't wait to read another book from this author. I love her writing style.

🌶️🌶️🌶️ There aren't a lot of spicy scenes, but the ones that are, are pretty spicy.

Thanks to netgalley for an eARC to review.

I really enjoyed the premise of this story! Emmy staring in her own movie with Grayson who she has a bad past with. This is one of the first romance books I have read with the right person, wrong time trope and I think it was done very well. I agree with some other reviewers that more relationship development could have been expanded on greatly. There was a lot of referencing them doing things rather than the events happening on the page. That being said, their relationship was pretty cute and definitely had a lot of spice.

The main reason this was not a five star read for me is due to the reliance on the miscommunication trope for the third act breakup. It did not feel very realistic for Emmy to not confront Grayson and at least ask him about what she overheard - especially over time, that would have ate away at her and prevented her from getting closure.

Overall, I did have a fun time reading this and would definitely try reading some of Falon Ballard’s other books.

Includes:
-forced proximity
-right person, wrong time
-he falls first
-plenty of spice 🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam/ G. P. Putnam's Sons providing a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I can't think of a way of explaining how difficult I am about rom-coms, especially since everything has already been made. Don't get me wrong, I love rom-coms, I grew up watching them and dreaming about my very own, which makes it even more tough to surprise me.
But Falon Ballard succeeded.

Emily and Greyson’s story could be misinterpreted as a written version of some Hallmark movie, but it isn't.
It's like reading the behind-the-scenes of your favourite rom-com, already knowing what will happen, but instead of some cliché that will break up your favs, there are totally good reasons why they could not work out together. There are plausible real-life problems and solutions, with the constant reminder of not being in a movie or a love story but their life.

It's classic but fresh, with the feeling that the author is trying just enough: perfectly made descriptions, dialogues filled with enough cultural references to not seem fake, Emmy’s internal dialogue expressing every concern any person could feel in her spot, spicy but without being too unnatural.
It's a story written by an author who knows her audience, and that overshadows any doubt you might have.

Thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

“Right on Cue” is a new funny, emotional and sexy new romcom by Falon Ballard. This is the first book I have read by this author and am so glad I did. I will definitely be reader her other stories!

“Right on Cue” is about Emmy, a screenwriter, who is coerced into acting in her own movie, something she hasn’t done in over 15 years when Grayson West humiliated her and broke her heart at the tender age of 15. Grayson, unbeknownst to her, becomes her leading man, replacing her friend.

There are lots of assumptions of ill intent and miscommunication about the past, which is usual for this trope. However, Ms. Ballard’s writing is fresh, has depth and writes romantic tension so well that it doesn’t feel like a well worn trope. She digs into the past of each main character deftly and brings out pieces like an onion being peeled back slowly, propelling the relationship forward and making the reader care about the protagonists and invest in their relationship. I won’t say more so I don’t give away the best parts, but I highly recommend this book!

This is the third Falon Ballard novel I've read and it did not disappoint. Usually books about Hollywood/celebrities aren't my first choice, but this one was fun. I liked the inn and the location and that there was some past drama between Emmy and Grayson. I wanted more of the friendship aspect between Emmy and Liz. Also, the miscommunication/overhearing part of a conversation thing is so overdone and Hallmark-y and I expected something a little bit better as that felt like a generic cop-out.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hilarious, hot & heartwarming meta rom-com, perfect for fans of Olivia Dade!

I laughed and squee’d throughout this entire strawberry starburst, fresh hot glazed donut of an enemies-to-lovers turned costars-with-benefits romance between nepo baby screenwriter Emmy, and the thirst-trap action hero (and two-time Sexiest Man Alive!) Grayson. After co-starring in a disastrous film a decade earlier, the two are reunited for Emmy’s latest project, a Nora Ephron-inspired small-town romance,

This novel announces itself right out of the gate as being a romance about romance and the romance genre --written for romance readers. In that sense, it is in every way predictable and cliché, and with all the right beats in all the right places. It is very funny and peppered with hilarious banter and a cast of minor characters who all contributed to make this book a fast, breezy, and truly enjoyable read. I loved Emmy’s mom, Liz, and Sam. I loved the setting and atmosphere of the small town. I loved the ongoing joke of calling Grayson “Grayson fucking West” throughout the novel.

Technically, this novel is well written, and although there are no surprises here in terms of plot, characters, conflicts and resolutions, at the end of the day it delivers on all of the promises that a rom-com makes to the reader who wants straight-up, feel-good escapism. Take this to the beach, to your pedicure, to Starbucks after your trip to Target to enjoy over a caramel macchiato on a day off, or curl up on a Friday night with a glass of wine after your kids are gone to bed. I promise you’ll love it.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

This is such a cute, low key holiday romance read. You find yourself cheering on our (literal) leads the whole way.

Falon Ballard has become a must read author for me and Right on Cue did not disappoint.This book is the perfect blend of romcom x2 as it's a romantic comedy about a romantic comedy! It's always fun when watching your favorite romcom to imagine whether the characters were actual into each other irl, or speculate on the chemistry and "does it seem real" or not. Reading the fictional behind the scenes take on said situation was entertaining for sure.

Both characters had their highs and lows - Emmy was clearly still hurting and insecure, but she was also closed off and unwilling to listen/communicate while Grayson was obstinate and a bit frustrating to read.

Lack of communication tropes seem to be gaining in popularity - or I just happen to be reading a ton of them lately - and I'm getting. bit tired of it . At least there weren't chapters upon chapters of angst to deal with in this novel!

Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

I enjoyed Just My Type and Lease on Love, so I was excited to see Falon Ballard's new title, Right on Cue. Unfortunately, I think this may be my least favorite of the three books. I felt like compared to the previous novels, this one lacked the depth that really made you feel more connected with the characters and their struggles. Personally, I had a hard time relating to Emmy and her insecurities from being a nepo baby. I didn't feel like there was enough context or character building to make Emmy's experience growing up in the spotlight feel like it justified her communication issues and fears with Grayson. The miscommunication became one of the main reasons I had a hard time fully enjoying the book.
Otherwise, the romance element was cute! This was a second-chance type romance/right person, wrong time and had a bit of enemies to lovers. Emmy and Grayson have chemistry as the main characters and I also wish we saw more of their relationship outside of the bedroom.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

I loved Lease on Love so I was excited to jump back into Ballard's writing with Right On Cue! I ended up devouring this book and it was a fun read!

A few things that caught my attention:
I loved Emmy and Greyson's interactions and character growth as they fall in love. We also got a good peak at their day-to-day relationship that you don't see very much in romance books which I loved.

This didn't affect my enjoyment of the book, but it does give off Christmas vibes for much of the book. The characters are filming a romance movie at an inn during the winter. There is snow and ice skating and fireplaces, so while it is not a Christmas book it does have those vibes.

For readers who don't love spice, Emmy and Greyson do have a costars with benefits to lovers relationship. There are couple explicit scenes and then sex is mentioned frequently since that was a major point of their early relationship. The explicit scenes are easy to skip if desired, but maybe skip this one if you don't like frequent mentions of sex.

This could easily be marketed as an enemies to lovers romance since Emmy has been mad at/hated Greyson since they were teenagers. I wouldn't go that far, but that might depend on your definition of "enemies". While Emmy has hated him for years, we learn Greyson hasn't hated her and it is resolved easily enough that I would categorize it as more of along the lines "strong dislike/one bad impression that last years."

My biggest (and probably only) gripe with the book is that the miscommunication trope is major plot point. This felt a little out of character for their relationship and could have been solved with one conversation. I felt like the same emotions could have been shown without miscommunication playing such a big part.

Overall a fun read and recommend if you like Ballard's other books or celebrity romances!

Reeling from the death of her father, Hollywood darling Emmy Harper is ready to reenter the movie scene when her romcom script No Reservations is picked up for production. Emmy begrudgingly allows her best friend and the film’s director Liz to cast her in the leading role. Emmy hasn’t acted since she was fifteen; she’s nervous, yet excited, to give performing another shot. That is, until a last-minute injury benches her trusted co-star and there’s only one other actor available on such short notice: Grayson West. Grayson is anyone’s dream of a romantic lead, anyone except Emmy’s, who still blames him for her disastrous first movie and the early end to her acting career. As filming begins, the friction between Emmy and Grayson is palpable. The two are pushed to get their acts together, or they risk tanking the entire movie. But if working things out leads to sizzling chemistry on screen, what might happen when the cameras stop rolling?

Thank you to @netgalley, @falonballard, and @putnambooks for the ARC! Falon Ballard is quickly becoming an automatic author for me so I was delighted when my request for this ARC was approved. This was by far and away the best celebrity romance I have read. Sometimes celebrity romances tend to fall into the same plot schemes but this book definitely did not! Emmy and Grayson were such well written characters and I love how the book delved into their feelings and internal personal struggles. The enemies to lovers development was so well executed and the tension and banter was next level. Grayson and Emmy’s chemistry truly sizzled! I also really loved all of the supporting characters and their dynamic with Emmy. Such a fun romcom, I highly recommend adding this to your TBR! Right on Cue will be released February 27, 2024!

Summary: Emmy, a well known and award winning screenwriter. Is convinces by her best friend, and director to star in her very own romcom movie after over a decade. After her male costar had to back out at the last minute, she is not so welcomed by Grayson, the heartthrob actor who is blamed for her acting career ending a decade ago. Sexual tension rises between them throughout the set and filming until they're made to sit in a room and put their hate and tension away.

Nothing surprised me in this book. I did feel rushed with the romance and it ending abruptly. I found it hard to see the chemistry between Emmy and Grayson when reading because Emmy's grudge towards him took most of the book to get past it. It felt forced. This is your typical Hollywood enemies to coworkers to lovers romcom. I did enjoy the addition of tabloids and social media articles every other chapter. Emmy's relationship with her mom was a great development for her character. I'm a huge movie buff so reading the process of making the movie was enjoyable, as well. If you love Hollywood romcoms, and a fan of Fallon Ballard, this book should be on your TBR.

Thank NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review. Right On Cue releases 2/27/24