I enjoyed the dual POV as well as the writing style. It isn't always the case that a character's voice comes across authentic but these characters did. If you're in the mood for a fake relationship/forced proximity read with weddings and romance this was a well written entertaining story.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for me to read and review!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher/author for a copy of this book!

I started with a Christmas novella from Mia Summers and I've been hooked on her stories ever since. Hooked on Hollywood had the same Hallmark story feel and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading the rest of her books soon! 4 star rating because the ending felt rushed but otherwise I loved it!

posted to GoodReads 1/8/24

Great cozy romance book.

The characters were great.

I like the subtle ways Ryan gave back, not the over dramatic self indulgent acts of ‘giving back’

This was a difficult for met to get through this book. While the writing is good and the story cute. I cannot get over how they ended up in their forced prox situation. Olivia (FMC) and Ryan (MMC) were put in handcuffs as a surprise part of the dinner that Olivia’s friends gifted her from a charity auction. However the issue is that the handcuffs keys don’t seem to be universal and is lost. The bolt cutters and angle grinder they tried doesn’t work on this titanium alloy made handcuffs. They are stuck like this for 5 days before a new special key can be made. I cannot get over the fact that they did not go to the fire station or the police department, they would have the tools to get them out. For Heavan’s sake they would have to have tools to cut people out of cars and other metal objects!! I looked over this but as I kept reading the thought of why didn’t seek professional help they kept getting to me. I understand it’s a fictional book but I cant help to be a little annoyed at the lack of common sense.

I liked the initial idea and thought it would be a nice enough fluffy piece for escapism purposes. However it didn't hold my interest so that's a miss for me, sadly.

🍦📸From sock hop to joined at the wrist: cute, sweet romance

I liked movie star Ryan and small town girl Olivia and their chance to get to know each other as adults, after a fleeting connection at a fourth grade sock hop, when Ryan visits their California hometown for a charity event. It's a cute story, not exactly believable but a nice, easy read.

The predicament that traps them together 24X7 for days on end gave the author a good chance to invent sticky situations that the couple resolved with increasing ease. But it was hard to buy that none of the press or public twigged to their cuffed status earlier than they did.

I found the timelines sort of confusing. Olivia is 24 and presumably Ryan is the same age or just a year or two older (or why would they both be at the same 4th grade sock hop?) yet he's had his agent for ten years?! Seemed odd, as did their ability to organize a huge event in like 24 hours and, for instance, make dessert for @ 1500 people in a home kitchen in an afternoon?

But a breezy romance does not require realism and this one worked. I think I'll read more by this author.

Thanks to publishers Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the novel; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.4 rounded down to 3/5

"Hooked on Hollywood" by Mia Summers is a delightful read, particularly suitable for fans of Hallmark movies. The plot follows Olivia Bloom, who wins a dinner date with her childhood crush and Hollywood star, Ryan Jones. The catch is that they end up handcuffed together, facing the challenge of being stuck with each other for five days.

Positive aspects include good banter between the main characters, making it an easy and quick read. The use of tropes like forced proximity, childhood crush, and a he-fell-first dynamic adds to the charm. The book is very descriptive, particularly in capturing the details of the food. This is a quick and easy read with good banter between Ryan and Olivia.

The plot is somewhat predictable, and I wish there was more character background. I would have liked to learn some more history about Ryan, especially his relationship with Lydia and why he was sent to live with his grandparents. The side character plotlines, which seem to set up future books, are not particularly relevant to this specific story. There were some plot inconsistencies, such as was Olivia a cop or a robber for the fundraiser? She was described at times to be both.

In summary, "Hooked on Hollywood" is a cute and easy read with charming banter and engaging tropes, but some areas, such as character background and the relevance of side plots, could be further developed.

I loved loved this ridiculous Hollywood fake dating trope so much. And while it was a far too short of a story it was perfectly digestible and left you wanting so much more. I cannot wait to see what else the author brings in this series and in future writings.

I really liked the idea of this story and the characters’ personalities. It was a sweet romance and a quick read. I did feel the book had some inconsistencies (characters being switched, Olivia being dressed like a cop then a robber then a cop again, etc) and there was a lot of repeated sentiments that could be removed to make this a smoother read. I also thought the ending lacked some of the closure I expected we’d get! Overall, I think this was a great book but I expected a little more from it.

This was a sweet, quick little romance read. After a break-up with her boyfriend, Olivia moves home. It's humiliating as she's back living with her parents. Wanting to help, her friends pool their money to win her a date with shy guy turned Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Jones. As an extra layer of said winning date, Olivia and Ryan are handcuffed together. Oh, and the key's been lost. As you can infer, things go from there. This was a light read, and if anything, I wanted more to their stories. It was one you can finish in an afternoon if you just need that Hallmark movie-esque vibe in a book. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this recent release.

this book was so cute AND funny. The author came up with situations that had me laughing out loud.
Ryan was definitely my favorite. a man who not only meditates, but who invites you to? I’m in! Another thing I liked was him being shy, we don’t see many of those in books, or not that nicely done.
I loved Olivia’s creativity. I loved how she stood up for herself.
I expected a little bit more for the end. I felt like it could’ve been better, more romantic even.
Overall it was a great book, I’d recommend it if you want a light read, that’s also down to earth. yoga, meditation, good friends, not a lot of drama and no third act breakup.

fav quotes:
“sometimes people hide their true selves, even when those closest to them are looking”.
“because i wasn’t sure i wanted to leave town. not without Olivia”.
“we hadn’t even been dating, so why did this feel like the worst breakup I’ve ever gone trough?”
“some pains run too deep to fully heal and can only scar over”.
“you don’t have to be shy with me, Ryan”.

Tropes:
-slow burn
-big star boy, small town girl
-fake dating

It was good and sweet and I had a great time reading it but it just felt like it was still lacking a little more. It seems Summers ends her stories at the happy ever after and you don’t really get to see more beyond that. It makes sense, I just keep leaving wanting more. This book was cute and I liked the characters, but I do not feel like the exploration of their characters went that deep and there were some things that feel like they should have been expanded upon more.

Hooked on Hollywood is a light cute read. An elementary school crush who becomes a famous movie star comes to town to save an old movie theater and maybe his image. Totally a beach read. I liked the characters and the story line.

This is a really cute romance book with forced proximity between Olivia and (Ryan which I love). It has really fun moments that makes you enjoy it even more. If your looking for a slow burn romance, fake relationship, small town then this is your book.
Thank you Mia for this book.

Overall Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

This is a super cute romance! There are a few things that had me questioning how it would work and that's why I gave it a 4 star. I loved the force proximity between Olivia and Ryan, it made the quips between them all the better. This book also gives light to not everything is what it seems and I appreciated that.

There isn't really spice to this book so if you are looking for that this isnt for you! This is a sweet wholesome love story and definitely a must read!




All opinions shared are an expression of my own thoughts.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

This is a really funny sweet Hollywood romance. Olivia and Ryan end up together handcuffed for a couple of days. Likable funny read.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly

Thank you so much to Mia Summers and Sterling & Stone for the Digital ARC copy. If anyone knows me they know I love a good cute Hollywood Famous romance. Olivia and Ryan are the perfect couple. If you want a quick cute and PG rated Romance, this is your book. Definitely a must read!

This was an adorable story and a quick read. The banter between Olivia and Ryan was quintessential rom-com in the best way. I’m torn between wishing the book had some spice, and realizing that the PG-ness was more true to the characters and the cute predicaments they found themselves in. Overall this book was very enjoyable.

If a cute rom com is what you're looking for this book has that vibe. A movie star in a small town setting and good intentions gone wrong this book was an easy feel good read, there were times when the timeline didn't fully add up but all in all a sweet story.

This is the perfect type of Hallmark movie love story. A quick and easy read. Is it totally memorable? Probably not but still very enjoyable and good palate cleanser. Closed door romance (if anyone was wondering)