The writing didn’t work for me. “I ignore her alien brain probing and focus on taking a long sip of coffee, which of course is prepared exactly how I like it.” Not for me. I stopped after chapter 1 (6%).

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.

Right on Cue by Falon Ballard

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

4/5 stars

Im not normally into celebrity romance themed romance but it sounded intriguing because the female lead is an actress, turned screenplay writer who is begged to star in her latest film. A little different than the usual celebrity and normal person trope so I picked it up.

This was a fast-paced read. I would have actually loved to read more about the movie that they were working on.

Read this book if you like celebrity romance and enemies to lovers.

AGGHHHHH this book was so cute! I loved the chemistry between the characters, their conversations, the sweet pillow talk and the tension- OOF.
Besides the romance, every aspect of the characters were so expertly curated, especially adult insecurities, their roots in younger ages, and how prolonged the effect is. We explore the longevity of grief and its persistent role in the life of FMC as well.
As most romcoms go, this book followed much of the same structure, pace, and conflict. However, I do believe that a lot of the bonding scenes between the main characters were done off-page. There is more focus on their relationship within the bedroom than it is on the actual milestones of the relationship.
It is a great romcom and an even better selection to get out of a reading slump. So yes, I will recommend it as a light read.

Emmy Harper, Oscar-winning screenwriter and nepo baby, is ready to get back in the rom-com game after four years away after the death of her father. The only problem is that she and her producing team can't find the perfect female leader for her newest script, No Reservations. When her best friend, and producer for the film, Liz, convinces her to step into the role, Emmy has to grapple with her acting anxieties that step from a historically bad first (and only) film performance.

When Emmy shows up for the first day of filming she runs headlong into her worst nightmare, Grayson F**king West, the co-star of that film flop, her first kiss, and the man/boy that spread the rumor that she had no talent for kissing or for acting. West has taken the place of the newly injured previous lead. How's Emmy supposed to fake falling in love with him?

After a week of disastrous results, and some wise (re)direction from Liz, Emmy realizes that while she may despise Grayson, their chemistry is impeccable and maybe they can just bang one out to get the anger out of their system... What could possibly go wrong?

I'm sure you can surmise some of what happens next. This is definitely enemies-to-lovers, plus forced proximity, with a sprinkle of "he's always secretly loved her" pining, which we learn about through interstitial gossip and news articles covering the two co-star's past and current. That piece of the book is well done. Post-Olivia Dade's masterful use of the tactic, I've read several books that have attempted this kind of chapter-break plot device and it doesn't always work well. Ballard, however, uses it to give us some background on both characters and drives the plot forward without adding a lot of pages.

My biggest quibble is with the third-act drama/break-up. I'll avoid spoilers, but for a character that was extolling the virtues of therapy a few chapters earlier, the actions of Emmy seem strange and immature. Ballard had added plenty of authentic drama to the plot--Emmy is dealing with the death of her father and what it means to potentially lose another love and Grayson is grappling with a family that doesn't support or respect what he does. Either of those factors could have better structured the third act. It's the exact kind of drama that Emily Henry so masterfully employs to build her books, for instance.

Regardless of this, I liked both Emmy and Grayson, as well as the broader cast of characters. This is another great book from Ballard, who is on an impressive run.

* Thank you to Penguin Group/Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! *

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to Putnam and Net Galley for the ARC of Right on Cue. This is the story of two actors with history that come back together at pivotal times in their careers. What starts out to be a rocky on-set and screen dynamic, evolves into much more.

I love Falon Ballard’s writing style. She has a fun, effervescent approach and the words pop off the page. I read this super fast, and in huge part to her writing talent.

The story itself felt a bit underdeveloped in places. The characters were somewhat flat and one dimensional. This love story features the enemies to lovers and miscommunication tropes. This is personal to me, but those are two of my least favorite tropes. In this case they both rang hollow.

I’m glad I read this and would recommend it to anyone who loves EtL.

a hollywood story with full of heart. I've always said I needed more hollywood romances with both the leads being famous for it to truly feel like a hollywood romance and falon ballard heard me!

this is just the book you should be picking up for a great time.

Four stars. Wonderful characters and plot. Fun Rom Com!! Will be recommending and reading anything in the future from this author. Thank you for the title.

I love Falon Ballard’s books, and this was a cute, quick read, though it doesn’t take the top spot as my favorite of hers. I’m giving it the same rating as her previous two releases, but I don’t think it’s *quite* as strong as those were.

Emmy Harper is a once-actress-now-romcom-screenwriter who ends up taking the leading role in her newest movie when they can’t find an actress who fits the part. Enter Grayson West as a last minute emergency casting as her love interest and watch sparks fly as past animosities flare while they have to fake falling in love.

I really liked Emmy’s character and her outlook on life as a filmmaker. She unapologetically made art that made her happy and brought joy to others. She wasn’t in it for awards and accolades. I enjoyed the glimpses of her relationship with her director and best friend, Liz, and her mom. I thought they had a fun dynamic among the three of them.

I also enjoyed Grayson’s character. He didn’t feel one-dimensional. He had a backstory and his own insecurities to face as a successful Hollywood leading man. I thought the chemistry between Emmy and Grayson was great too. They antagonized, but they brought out fire in each other as well. I thought it was beautiful once they gave into their feelings for each other. Emmy’s support of Grayson in the face of his self-doubts and question his worth as an actor was lovely. I truly believed they really saw each other and gave strength and mutual understanding between them.

Where things fell a bit short for me was that I didn’t really feel the full impact of their history on their reunion. While I don’t usually love flashbacks, I think one would’ve worked here rather than just been told what went down when they were teens. Grayson’s initial behavior on set and his phoning it in during their early scenes together didn’t feel like it ever really got explained.

I didn’t love the third act conflict either. This particular scenario felt like it was thrown in just for the sake of drama. If they were still teenagers, I’d be saying “oh yeah, I could absolutely see that playing out that way”. As adults, not so much. I’m not sure I’d be so quick to forgive if I were the person who wasn’t allowed a chance to offer my side of things.

All’s well that ends well though, and the ending was sweet and satisfying for me. I probably wanted to make it a lot deeper than this book ever had intentions of going, so go into it as a lighthearted, fun Hollywood romance and it definitely works.

4 stars out of 5!

This was a really cute romcom where the main characters had undeniable chemistry. I liked both Emmy and Grayson and thought they were very well written. The reason I rated it 4 stars instead of 5 was due to the repetitiveness in some areas and it also dragged on in the beginning. Overall this was a breath of fresh air and I really enjoyed reading it.

In Right on Cue, Emmy has written a perfect script and she ended up being the leading lady. Her co star had an unexpected accident and was replaced by her nemesis Grayson West. It turns out Grayson and Emmy stared in a movie together 10 years ago and there are still some unsettled feelings. Throughout the movie shoot it appears maybe they put their past behind them, or did they?

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was so cute! I’m typically not a huge fan of romcom, it’s just not my go to. But this book was cute, funny and charming! I rated this 4 stars on goodreads, because some parts dragged on more than I’d like. However, I loved every character in this book, I absolutely loved the film industry vibe of it! It’s different from anything I’ve read. It was a light fluffy read and I would recommend!

• Right On Cue •

Let me start by saying I love Ballard's writing style; she's an auto-read author for me. I enjoyed both Lease on Love and Just My Type, rating them both 5 ⭐'s. Unfortunately, I had a few issues with Right On Cue and it fell a little flat for me but allow me to explain.

Right On Cue follows Emmy, a writer who unexpectedly finds herself starring in her own film. Filming is set to take place at small inn located in CA. Upon Emmy's arrival at the inn, she quite literally runs into her co-star Grayson, but its not their first meeting. As it turns out, these two starred in a film long ago, and it's clear there are some unresolved issues from back then. The tension is palpable throughout the story, but you know by the end of the book they're going to fall all over each other. It's a rom-com after all, right?

Liz, Emmy's best friend and movie director, added such a relatable dynamic to the story. Their friendship felt truly genuine. And let's not forget about Sam, Emmy's hairstylist. I loved the scenes between Emmy & Sam and felt they injected a lightness to the story. There are also several conversations between Emmy and Hollywood star mom, which were actually quite hilarious and heartwarming. I have a very close relationship with my mom and these conversations warmed my heart.

Here is where I ran into trouble; the third act-break up. I knew it was coming and binged the rest of the book from there, but I was so angry at the (second bout of) miscommunication at this point of the story. I love Ballard's work, but I do wish the story had taken a different direction. I don’t particularly enjoy insta-love either but it worked for me with Emmy and Grayson. Lastly, I felt the ending wrapped up rather quickly and while I was happy with the outcome, I wish it had played out a little differently. The banter and tension between Emmy and Grayson remained strong throughout the story, tying the story together for me.

Q: Would you willingly star in a movie?

Thank you to @taylareadstoomuch and @strugglingbookaholic for reaching with me. Thank you to the author, @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for this eARC.

Right On Cue will release February 27, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of Right on Cue by Falon Ballard in exchange of an honest review.
"Prepare to be swept away by the charm and chemistry in 'Right on Cue' by Fallon Ballard. This adorable romcom is a breath of fresh air, filled with wit, charm, and undeniable chemistry. Emmy Harper, a talented screenwriter from Hollywood royalty, finds herself in a challenging situation when her best friend casts her elusive love interest, Grayson West, as the lead in her latest romcom. With a rocky past and conflicting attitudes about the genre, their on-screen collaboration is far from picture perfect. However, as they navigate the twists and turns of making the film, the unexpected sparks between them begin to ignite. The small-town setting adds a cozy and enchanting atmosphere to the story, enhancing the delightful and heartwarming moments shared by Emmy and Grayson. With Fallon Ballard's sharp and engaging writing style, readers will be captivated by the humorous banter and the palpable tension that unfolds. 'Right on Cue' is a delightful tale of second chances, trust, and the magical possibilities that love can bring. For those seeking a feel-good romance with a touch of Hollywood glamour, this book delivers all that and more."

Emmy Harper is the next Nora Ephron of romantic comedies, the daughter of a true Hollywood power couple, and a recent Oscar winner. Grayson West is an action star and Emmy's archnemesis.

Well... sort of.

When there are no other suitable options, Emmy is forced to take her first on-camera role since she was a teenager. This time around she'll be starring in her own romcom. But how is she supposed to ace her return to the screen when a last minute casting change means that she'll have to convey anything but hostility towards the man who broke her heart when they were teens? Will her second movie with Grayson West be as big of a disaster as the first?

I love a good Hollywood romance and I really loved Falon Ballard's Just My Type, so I was super excited to get an advanced copy of Right on Cue. While this one wasn't my favorite, I do think there's a lot to love about it. Emmy and Grayson have a lot of chemistry and the small town setting for the majority of their love story is a nice change of pace from some of the other Hollywood-set romances I've read lately. I also appreciated the moments where Emmy and Grayson connected about their fathers - Emmy working through the grief of her father's death (parental death tw) and Grayson with the complicated feelings of not meeting parental expectations.

However, the tropes in this one just weren't for me. Though they didn't get along at the beginning, I wouldn't classify this as enemies to lovers - it's much more ended-on-bad-terms-exes to lovers. I wish there'd been more breathing room with the third act conflict, more bonding moments between Emmy and Grayson where they got to know each other again, and that we'd been able to see more of Emmy's friendship with Liz, the director, during filming.

If you're in the market for a wintry Hollywood romance featuring right person, wrong time/second chance romance, miscommunication, friends with benefits who catch feelings, forced proximity, and a fair amount of spice, this one might just be for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the e-ARC.

“Right on Cue” is so fun and adorable! Falon Ballard had done it again. Emmy Harper is a screenwriter. And she happens to be the only one who fits as the leading lady of her new movie, “No Reservations.” That’s fine, she’s willing to try acting again - the first time since her defaced movie back from her teenage years. That is until her love interest from her first movie shows us as the new leading man. Here’s hoping they don’t tank this movie too!

For those who love:
🎬 Hollywood Romance
🎬 Enemies-with-Benefits
🎬 Forced Proximity
🎬 Reluctant Romance
🎬 Cozy Snowy Inn setting
🎬 Open Door

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you @putnambooks for this @netgalley ARC of Right on Cue!

Does anyone write a better enemies-to-lovers than @falonballard ? Signs point to no 🤷🏼‍♀️

Lease on Love was one of my first-ever ARC approvals back when I first joined Booksta, and Just My Type was just as much of a winner for me, so I was PUMPED when this one hit my approval list! Once again, Fallon hits it out of the park with multifaceted and complex characters who you can love and want to shake by the shoulders simultaneously (because you love them).

Emmy Harper is known widely as the queen of romcoms. Er - she was - until the loss of her father threw her into a spiral from which she is just now emerging. Her newest happy ending is not only her return to the screen as a writer - but also her first time on screen as an actor since she was a teen (and swore never to act again).

With all of her hopes riding on the success of this newest film - directed by her best friend and with a costar she adores - Emmy is feeling optimistic for the first time in a long time.

Until she arrives on set and discovers that her costar has been taken out of the running by an injury and his replacement is the very man who made her quit acting all those years ago.

Grayson doesn’t seem to know what he did wrong - but he also doesn’t seem to want anything to do with Emmy, to the point where he’s willing to drag the whole film down with him. Desperate, angry, and still nursing a grudge an eon long, Emmy is just about ready to call it quits.

But when the two call an unlikely truce (for the sake of the movie, of course) and let each other in, they just might find that there’s a lot more to be found here than just a happy ending.

3⭐️
This was a cute rom-com/ celebrity romance which gave me all the wintery vibes. There were many cute tropes and I especially loved the tension at the beginning and the forced proximity trope.
There was also the miscommunication trope which personally, I am not a fan of at all but I still enjoyed the book nonetheless. <3

Right On Cue is an adorable and spicy rom-com featuring our two main characters Emmy and Grayson as enemies to lovers. I giggled throughout this entire book, I connected to Emmy and even Grayson at some points, and I was genuinely rooting for them from the beginning (well halfway thru the book when the spice starts)!

I hated Grayson West from the start with his rude attitude and short and cold responses to our dear Emmy! Throughout the first half of this book, I was really growing frustrated with Grayson’s character! I just wanted to know what was going on in his head and why he was being a total jerk. But as the story went on, he opened up to Emmy and we learned about what makes Grayson, Grayson. That scene really made this couple relatable!

I love how down to earth and real Emmy is with her feelings. She’s raw and vulnerable and real throughout the story. She realizes her mess ups throughout the book and that really makes her character relatable. I loved how Ballard brought Emmy’s character full circle too. We see her as a writer in the beginning, who refused to star in her own movie, but we watch her grow as an actor and in the end, going on to write and act some more!

The spice in this book is 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️!! Talk about a slow-burn build-up, full of sexual tension and angst! Keeping true to its genre, this book is not only hot on spice, but full of comedy and fun banter! My favorite scene of the entire book is the the day after our two love birds get together again! Amanda and Sam (hair and make up) just KNOW something has happened between Emmy and Grayson, but Emmy keeps her mouth shut. Instead, joking that she “may have tried a new moisturizer” 😏.

This book quickly became one of my favorite rom-coms of 2023! Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!!

I’m a total sucker for Hollywood romances but I could immediately tell this wasn’t the book for me. The writing was a bit cringe at times and Emmy acted super immature for a women in her thirties. The miscommunication drove me BONKERS. Bummed because I thought this sounded fun!

I loved Falon Ballard’s first two books, so I was so excited to get her newest one! Like the others, I devoured this in a day. This cute celebrity romance was such a fun and delightful read!



Screenwriter and child of acting legends, Emmy Harper ends up playing the lead role in her upcoming romantic comedy movie. However, when the original male lead gets injured and can no longer play the part, they scramble to find a new male lead on late notice. To Emmy’s surprise and dismay, the person she holds responsible for her decision to quit acting, Grayson West, ends up filling in. Needless to say, there is a lot of tension on set as they work with one another again, until they make a deal to ensure the movie’s filming goes off without a hitch.



I really liked the movie setting for this - it felt like you were right on set alongside Emmy and Grayson. The scenes with the intimacy coordinator were a nice addition. I also loved the chemistry between the two main leads. Their witty banter was fun and charming, especially as it evolves over the course of the book. I also adored Emmy’s mom; I enjoyed how loving yet realistic she was when Emmy was being stubborn. Though, I was a little disappointed that we did not really see the Liz/Emmy friendship nearly enough. Also, the third act was a bit of a let down; I wanted more out of that resolution than the few pages given.



Overall, loved the swoon-worthy - and spicy - romance between Emmy and Grayson. Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC!

Another great read by Fallon Ballard! I’ve recently started reading Ballard’s books, and can’t say enough good things about them. Right on Cue was a classic rom-com with a lot of heat and a lot of fun. (Reader be warned, there is some spice!) A quick read, too, so it was super easy to dive in and enjoy this Hollywood enemies-to-lovers romp.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!