Their love was one for the movies...

Thank you @berkleyromance and @netgalley for my digital ARC of When I Think of You by @myahmeetscute!

Kaliya and Danny met in film school, had a whirlwind romance, and then it crashed and burned. 7 years of no contact has gone by when Danny shows up in Kaliya's life again. They have another chance to get it right, but even more is at stake now. I found myself invested not only in Danny and Kaliya's story, but also the love story of Danny's parents, who met and fell in love in the Jim Crow South during the integration of schools. This book touches on all kinds of important topics such as the racism and misogyny that exist in Hollywood, even to this day. If you love workplace romances and/or second chance romances,you should definitely check this one out. We also get a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how scripts get made into movies. If you are a fan of Kennedy Ryan or Tia Williams, you'll love this debut novel. Out now!

https://www.tiktok.com/@toghanafufuo/video/7362441316980084010?_t=8ltQovaAqvm&_r=1

I had a good time with this book. It's set around the business of movie making and the struggle that artists goes through to either get recognized or get their art made. Kaliya is the main character who loves the movies and wants to be a part of making them but she has not been given a chance to do so. Then comes her ex, Danny Prescott, a nepo baby who is talented and Kaliya's ex. He gives her a chance to start her career in the industry and old feelings come up again. I liked the characters and the Hollywood setting, gave it a grand sort of feeling but the book was not perfect. Kailya gave me whiplash at times when it came to her feelings towards Danny, a man who in the beginning did not give any hint that he felt the same as Kaliya did. A second chance at love and passion is what this book has and I would recommend it to any romance reader.

Wonderful debut from Myah Ariel! 💗

Tropes: Second chance romance, workplace romance, slow burn
Spice level: 🌶

"When I Think of You" is a second-chance romance following a former college couple, Kaliya and Danny, who met in film school. The whirlwind romance comes to a swift end, leaving Kaliya to question whether the relationship even meant anything to Danny. Years later, they are reconnected, and Kaliya is given the chance to work with her ex on his new movie project. Can Kaliya and Danny put their feelings of the past behind or can they navigate these feelings in the politics of the movie business while settling their past once and for all?

I truly enjoyed this book! I sympathized a lot with Kaliya, as a fellow people pleaser, I understand putting everything and everyone above yourself. Some of her actions made me want to shake her awake but as the reader, we see Kaliya navigate this on her own. Now for Danny, I wish this book was dual pov because I wasn't even sure if Kaliya could trust him at some points. I did like seeing his vulnerability in some moments and the relationship between him and his mom. However, I think he should have done more to show where his loyalty lies.

I also liked how this book sheds light on the non-glamourous sides of Hollywood. It is full of misogyny, privilege, and backstabbery! We get two parallels of someone familiar in the business through Danny, and someone trying to break into it from Kaliya. Overall, this was a very good read! I am excited to see what Myah has next up her sleeve!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

Berkley really has me falling in love with another second chance romance. As a self-proclaimed skeptic of this trope, I was pleasantly surprised by how deeply I fell for Kaliya and Danny's story. Ariel has a way of infusing her characters with such authenticity that you can't help but root for them!

While some moments of the plot felt rushed at times, I appreciate the way Ariel integrates themes of racial inequality and the intricacies of interracial relationships into the narrative. This moments added such depth and relevance to an already captivating tale. From tender moments that will have anyone reaching for the tissues to laugh-out-loud scenes, this book had it all.

If you're a fan of heartfelt romances with a touch of Hollywood glamour and a whole lot of heart (Think "Stars in Your Eyes", "The Reunion", and "How to Fake It in Hollywood"), "When I Think of You" is an absolute must-read. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down!

In When I Think About You, that is the ice breaker question asked at their film school and at work. And by “their”, I mean the main characters - Kaliya and Daniel met and fell in love in film school, broke up and were reunited years later when Danny was making a movie about his parents interracial marriage. A second chance romance with a Hollywood flair. This was an emotional rollercoaster with so many feelings, angst, love and forgiveness. I loved the deep dive into their characters - their past and their present. I really liked the side story of Danny’s parents. And I liked seeing both of their sides of the story. It was a great debut.

What a wonderful debut for Ariel. I swooned at this Hollywood second chance romance! Despite my frustrations with Danny and his inability to show up for Kaliya as he promises, I'm a fan of this couple. This would make a great TV or film adaptation. Hint! Hint!

This was really cute, and a solid debut! I liked the Hollywood setting and I'm always a sucker for a second chance romance. I enjoyed the author's writing a lot, and I'm excited to see what else she comes up with.

The book opens on a scene featuring my biggest fear: my headphones failing me and playing smut (or a grisly murder scene) out loud at work. Luckily, I don't work in an office anymore.

My favorite part about When I Think of You was Kaliya's character arc. She started off as a secretary--a perfectly respectable job, except Kaliya's coworkers treated her like trash and walked all over her. I loved seeing her gain position and power, despite setbacks, throughout the story. By the end, she has the incredible career she deserves!

Of course there's a great second chance/workplace romance love story as well, but Kaliya's personal journey gave the book a lot more depth and heart. Especially the climax: I was way more interested in watching Kaliya break ceilings in the film world. The message is delivered with grace, but still packs a punch.

I can't wait for more books by Myah Ariel!

Thank you Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.⁣
⁣
I really enjoyed the narration by DeWanda Wise, but I got so caught up in the story that I switched between the audiobook and ebook. This was such a great debut!⁣
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I saw a post from the author that the story of Danny’s parents, that they’re making into a movie, is based on the true story of Myah Ariel’s mom. I loved seeing Kaliya challenge the white and male lead dominated entertainment industry and come out stronger on the other side.⁣
⁣
Read this if you like:⁣
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*slow burn⁣
*second chance romance⁣
*celebrity/entertainment industry ⁣
*workplace romance

MYAH ARIEL!! This is such a beautiful story and the writing is exceptional. The love between Kaliya and Danny oozes off the pages. The friendship between Neha and Kaliya is what all women should experience. But my most favorite part of this book is the fact that we get this amazing love story but also this alternate plot on what is going to happen with Danny's movie. This is my first book by Myah Ariel and now I need to explore more because I love her writing style.

Kaliya meets Danny Prescott, son of a famous movie producer, while attending film school in New York. Their relationship is intense and marred by the grief of Danny losing his father unexpectedly. When they break up, they don't see each other for 7 years...when Danny walks into the offices of the film studio Kaliya is the receptionist at. His retelling of his family's interracial love story is being produced by the studio and Danny needs Kaliya to help him make this film a reality, just like she did his master's thesis project. The usual romance novel hijinks occur (jealous, vengeful ex, hello!) as Danny and Kaliya learn who they are and who they can be together.

I thought this was a really good debut and I'm anxious to read more from the author in the future! I would have liked to have heard Danny's POV so I only gave it four stars for that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Happy pub day to @myahmeetscute and her debut romance When I Think Of You.  Thank you to @berkleyromance for an early copy and to @letstalkbookspromo for hosting another great #BerkleyBuddyRead

You should read When I Think Of You if you like:

*Slow burn romance (lots of build up and tension)
*Pining (so much pining)*Supporting debut authors*Drama*Strong female friendships
It was also fun to journey along with Kaliya and Daniel as they worked to get the movie made.  I felt like a spectator behind the scenes getting insight into the ins and outs of the film industry.  Congratulations to Myah Ariel, I can't wait to see what you do next!

I really enjoyed this one second chance romances, except when there’s the constant conflict of questionable cheating and other man / woman drama. I think that’s what aggravated me about this story. There were so many “I can explains” from the MMC that after a few I was like well maybe we just need to move on if he keeps doing these things hmmm? When the much needed conversation happened between them it didn’t feel like enough.

That said, I absolutely loved Kaliya. She’s trying to make a name for herself in an industry that is full of obstacles. She’s not afraid to call out the moments when someone tells her to just do it when being able to just do it comes with privilege that person has when she doesn’t. She takes the action to make a change. I really admired her. My rating was bumped up to 4 stars for her and her story.

🫶🏻 second chance
🎬 hollywood dynamics
💻 workplace
❤️‍🔥 slow burn

single POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
1/5 spice level 🌶️

🎬 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙔𝙤𝙪 🎬
𝖬𝗒𝖺𝗁 𝖠𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗅
#BerkleyPartner #Berkley

This was a really good debut romance. The writing was super witty and I definitely found myself chuckling more than once at the banter between Kaliya and her bestie Neha and Bella is a hoot. You could tell Danny was still gone for Kaliya from the minute they reconnected after so many years. I appreciate how much he fought for her and made a place for her at the table. I didn’t love the jealous ex part of the story, which I’m just not a fan of in general. She was a pretty awful person so that didn’t help at all. Overall, this was a great second chance love story with all the ups and downs that can come along with an old flame!

Kaliya Wilson has spent years behind a reception desk, her filmmaking dreams seemingly out of reach. But when a surprise reunion with her college flame, Danny Prescott, offers her a shot at her dream job, it's a mix of excitement and hesitation. Despite the intense connection they once shared, trusting Danny again proves challenging. As they navigate the complexities of Hollywood and their own past, they find themselves opening up in ways they never imagined. But when scandal threatens to derail everything, Kaliya must decide if she's willing to risk it all for the chance at a second shot at love.

Read if you enjoy:
💞 Second Chance Romance
🔥 College Flames
🖇️ Workplace Romance
🫶🏻 Strong Female Friendships
🗣️ Witty Banter
🎟️ Redemption
🎥 Hollywood
🎬 Movies

Thank you to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good second chance, forced proximity, Hollywood romance and this debut was EXCELLENT!! Former college flames find themselves working on an up and coming director's vanity project about his family and try to resist their undeniable chemistry while also battling kickback from the racist producers funding the film.

Amazing on audio narrated by DeWanda Wise (a new to me narrator) and perfect for fans of authors like Jasmine Guillory, Yulin Kuang or Nikki Payne!! Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!!

Steam level: open door!

I love a good second chance romance where they get a HEA this book was that for sure but not without some tension, drama and all the chaotic feels of a rollercoaster romance. I loved the character development of Kaliyah and how she found herself along the journey to a second chance at love.Overall this book was a good read that i would definitely recommend to others. Thank you Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.

This was an okay book. I feel it was overly ambitious with its plot and too many things were thrown into the mix which made it difficult to enjoy at multiple points in the story. The author has a very strong voice though and writing style so I'm looking forward to seeing what else she has to offer. But this one could have done with a little more editing and trimming down on some what happened because after a while it was dragging and it was a struggle to get through to finish it.

I gave this book 4 stars. I really liked that even though this was a romance it kind of took the back seat. I was very glad that we got to see the main character put herself first in the end and come back to her love interest when she had figured her shit out.
I wish we could get a movie because I want to see them get married.

The setting of the film industry and the topics of racism and nepotism, passion, and ambition were excellent. It was further enhanced by some excellent workplace drama. The romance develops gradually, interspersed with flashbacks that illustrate the beginnings and end of their relationship. The epilogue, which was a bit abrupt and unclear, was the only thing that made me laugh. All things considered, this was a really good read that examined the movie industry, race, and bereavement. I look forward to reading the author's next work.Thanks to Berkley for this arc for an honest review.

Second Chance! College sweethearts! Workplace Romance! Rivals and nasty employers!
This gave me all the feels, good and bad. There was a pretty awful ex of his that wouldn't back off her. Hate when ex's are bitter and cruel but it also makes for so much tension. Though Danny was a big time director so I get her trying to hold on. And he just kept getting steamrolled which affected her job.
(Maybe spoiler) Loved how they just didn't have an immediate hea, he kind of messed up big time and she needed to figure out her next moves with her career before she wanted to give him another chance.
The story they were telling with his movie was great! Would totally watch!