Member Reviews
This book was lighthearted, summery and very silly but in an entertaining way.
Olivia and Ryan had great banter and their connection felt authentic. The forced proximity trope was fun and I caught myself blushing a few times due to the comprising situations they found themselves in.
I liked that Ryan's shyness and its effects on his life were discussed in this book - it made me feel seen as a fellow introvert!
I also really liked that there was no spice in this book and that it instead focused more on the mutual pining and banter.
But there where also a few aspects that I feel could have been improved: the other characters, especially Olivia's and Ryan's friends, fell a bit flat in my opinion and it seemed to me that they were merely there to support the protagonists, instead of being fully developed individual characters.
The romance was a bit too insta-lovey for my liking since Olivia and Ryan fell in love during the mere five days that they spent with each other. The plot was predictable at times and contains several cliche rom-com tropes.
Quite a lot of the conflict relied on miscommunication and jumping to conclusions instead of talking things through which annoyed me at times.
But even with all this in mind, this was still a quick and sweet read. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an arc!
This is cute and well-written, but I find the focus on the handcuffs to be wearying. It's absurd and unrealistic and contrived. If you like physical comedy, you'll enjoy this book more than I did. DNF at 27%.
While the plot of Hooked On Hollywood follows a familiar romcom formula, Mia Summers injects fresh energy and originality into the narrative. The pacing is well-maintained, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing and turning pages eagerly. The chemistry between Olivia and Ryan is undeniable, and readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster as they witness the complex and evolving relationship between the two. This book had so many of my favorite tropes!! Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a sweet, quick, and fluffy read!!
"Hooked on Hollywood" by Mia Summer is a romantic comedy that provides some entertainment but ultimately falls short of being a standout. While it offers moments of amusement and a standard romantic plot, it lacks the depth and originality that could elevate it to a higher level.
The story follows Olivia Bloom, whose well-meaning friends win her a date with Hollywood heartthrob and A-list movie star, Ryan Jones. The date goes awry when Olivia and Ryan are handcuffed together and the key mysteriously vanishes. Olivia and Ryan must learn to navigate the ups and downs of their daily lives, a movie premier, the paparazzi, and a budding romance between the unlikely pair.
While the book is entertaining, it suffers from predictability. It follows a well-trodden path common to rom-coms, and there are few surprises or unique plot twists. Readers may find themselves craving a more distinctive and unexpected storyline. Additionally, character development is somewhat lacking. While Olivia and Ryan are likable, their personal growth and journeys are not explored as deeply as they could have been. This lack of depth in character development may leave readers wanting more emotional complexity.
“Hooked on Hollywood" is a middle-of-the-road romantic comedy that delivers a standard dose of romance and humor. It's a passable option for those seeking a quick and undemanding read, but it doesn't excel in terms of originality or depth. While it may not be a stand out book, it still manages to provide some enjoyment for those looking for a familiar and straightforward romantic escapade.
I needed a light-hearted read and Hooked on Hollywood gave the goods! This was a charming, fun and easy read that was perfect for a palette cleanser. I didn't feel much connection in the romance, and think it could have been longer to provide a bit more character development, but if you're looking for something light then it is enjoyable nonetheless.
Olivia discovers her fiancee' affair and her friends pool their money to bid on a one-on-one date with Hollywood hearthrob Ryan to cheer her up. The date goes poorly and the key to their handcuffs is lost. They will be locked together for 5 days... Will they fall in love?
It's a sweet story. All closed door and no explicit scenes. Ryan and Olivia are very cute together. a fun rom-com.
Thanks to the publisher for the arc.
“Hooked on Hollywood” is cute romantic story set in a small town. Ryan is a Hollywood star who comes back to his home town to help gather money for the local theatre. Olivia, after being set up by her friends, wins the event’s big prize, which is an exclusive dinner with Ryan. Handcuffed. The problems start when the key is lost and it seems that they will be stuck to each other for a little while.
The book is written in dual POV, 1st person and is not spicy at all.
I found this book easy to read and rather entertaining, I laughed at various points, especially with Olivia’s mom. The characters are likable but I would have liked to learn some more things about their past, eg Ryan’s relationship with Lydia. And maybe a more intense climax at the end.
For me, it’s a solid 3,5/5 🌟 and I will be looking forward to reading more of the author’s future works. I’d give 4 but the version I read had various errors like missing words, a wrong name as well as a wrong description (cop costume instead of robber). I hope those got fixed in the final version.
Thank you Mia Summers and Sterling & Stone for providing this book for review via NetGalley.
The book was a cute story about childhood crushes who get thrown together after getting handcuffed to each other for a fundraising dinner then being unable to be separated.
The story was a slow burn that kept you waiting for them to finally realise how the other person feels as both Ryan and Olivia were too stubborn to say how they felt first. At times the story was a bit unbelievable but it kept my going right till the end to see how thing worked out between the endearing couple.
The first book I have read by Mia Summers but will definitely check out some of her other work.
Hooked On Hollywood by Mia Summers is a smashing fake-dating romance story.
I adored this book soooooo much Olivia and Ryan are just so sweet and so meant to be. Such a sweet fun read. I think I smiled all the way through. This was the cutest story. I thought it was a cute romance which made you fall in love with it's characters immediately.
A sweet small town romcom featuring a celebrity crush, a fake relationship, and a wonderful slow burn.
Overall, Hooked on Hollywood is a humorous, swoony, engaging read by Summers that had the perfect storyline for my rom-com loving heart.
You need to read this!!
I would like to thank NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.
A cute, easy to read, lighthearted romantic comedy! Hooked on Hollywood follows movie star Ryan Jones and recently jilted Olivia Bloom as they are handcuffed together. While I found Olivia to be insufferable, Ryan and Olivia’s friends kept me invested in this story. By the end of the book, I was wanting more— and I am excited to learn that Lucas Stone’s book will be next!
This is the first book I have read by Mia Summers (and I believe it is her first published romance book). The title of this book caught my attention, and I am glad I decided to read it.
Tropes:
Hollywood Heartthrob
Forced Proximity
Fake Relationships
Closed door/kissing only
Small town
Slow Burn
Celebrity Crush
"Hooked On Hollywood" by Mia Summers sounds like a charming and entertaining rom-com with all the right ingredients for an engaging love story.
The premise of Olivia Bloom winning a dinner date with her childhood crush, Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Jones, creates an exciting setup filled with potential for both humor and romance. The twist that they end up handcuffed together for five days adds a unique and entertaining element to the story. This forced proximity trope often leads to delightful and unexpected developments in the characters' relationship.
The fact that Olivia initially dislikes Ryan due to a viral video and her commitment to swearing off love suggests intriguing character dynamics and emotional growth. This sets the stage for a classic enemies-to-lovers or second-chance romance, which is a beloved trope among many readers.
The small-town setting and the theater's potential closure add depth to the plot, as they offer opportunities for community engagement and personal growth for the characters. The notion of a closed-door rom-com with sizzling chemistry and a slow burn, but without explicit content, caters to a specific audience looking for sweet and heartwarming romance.
Overall, "Hooked On Hollywood" seems to have the right mix of romance, humor, and character development. It promises a fun and light-hearted read, making it an appealing choice for those who enjoy sweet contemporary romances with a touch of Hollywood glamour.
I found myself glued to each turn of the page the storyline held my attention throughout. It helped that the characters were well developed and engaging and had plenty of chemistry.