2.5 stars — A cute small town, forced proximity, fake dating celebrity rom-com with zero spice.

Once an aspiring artist, Delilah comes home to Elk Ridge to care for her injured grandmother and take over her housekeeping responsibilities to ensure that she doesn’t lose her biggest client, who happens to be Hollywood heartthrob, Jake Leonard. Delilah’s trying hard not to judge Jake by his extravagent mansion and ridiculous list of daily demands, while simultaneously finding herself inspired by his exquisite taste in art. Jake boldly stakes his claim on Delilah as his girlfriend when his ex unexpectedly shows up trying to win him back. She dutifully agrees (for Grandma, of course) and reluctantly moves in with Jake to play the part.

Summers has a way with surroundings, her detailed descriptions make it impossible not to feel like the story could be real. As I’ve come to expect from this author, her characters have depth, the plot is interesting enough, the pace is quick and easy but there is no real climax. The story, while sweet, flatlines, lacking genuine conflict and chemistry in the end. She does have a tendency to end her books abruptly, and this one is no exception. Another cute, clean rom-com from a very consistent writer.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was so much fun! I always love fake dating trope and even though celebrity trope is not my favorite it was done really well in here. So i loved what this book has done. I enjoyed my time reading it

This was good and a light read but I had a little problem with the main characters, I couldn't find a chemistry between them.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and netgalley for a e-copy of this book.

Who knew celebrities could be so kind?! When Delilah meets Jake Leonard, famous actor, she expects a spiked, self-absorbed celebrity but Jake turns out to be anything but. Trying to some respite from the Hollywood scene, Jake retreats to his personal estate in the mountain town of Elk Ridge where Delilah is temporarily staying to her nurse her Gran, Jake’s housekeeper, back to health. This cute story has all the great tropes: fake relationship, celebrity relationships, forced proximity, slow burn, small town romance. I found both Jake and Delilah’s characters endearing and how their chemistry played out in the page.

There were a few minor typos/grammar errors. One towards the end of the book (pg 186/187) where Jake notes that Delilah would be doing something later that “morning,” while he is simultaneously preparing what he refers to as “dinner”, typically a meal enjoyed after the morning. Fairly minor and it didn’t really cause too much heartache, as the reader can assess what the intent was there. Overall very enjoyable reading!

This is such a great, feel good, classic romcom. You have all the favorites: one bed trope, fake dating, forced proximity, celebrity + normie, NO major miscommunication, great banter and chemistry, dual POV, instalove, small town setting and more. I seriously spent the entire book grinning from ear to ear and having a “kicking my feet” type of moment.

I struggled on this one. I love Mia Summers but this was a hard read. I loved the idea. Delilah and Jake were great characters but the writing just wasn't the same as prior books. Delilah and Jake's love story was good but the writing just wasn't as good.

"The Reel Deal" delivers a charming and heartwarming romcom experience that combines Hollywood glamour with small-town charm. The story unfolds as a delightful tale where a seemingly ordinary protagonist finds herself thrust into the world of a famous Hollywood heartthrob, Jake Leonard.

The premise is set when the protagonist, prompted by Grandma's injury, steps into the role of caretaker for Jake in his sprawling mansion. What begins as a routine assignment takes an unexpected turn as the protagonist is roped into playing the part of Jake's girlfriend. The narrative skillfully weaves through the challenges of this fake relationship, introducing the complications brought on by Jake's demanding ex-girlfriend.

The strength of the story lies in the dynamics between the characters, particularly the growing connection between the protagonist and Jake. The slow burn romance adds a layer of anticipation, and the closed-door approach keeps the focus on the emotional depth of the characters rather than explicit scenes.

If you are looking for a cute small town romance then this book will scratch that itch.

This book follows Jake and Delilah’s path to finding loving. Delilah comes to the small town to assist her injured grandmother, who happens to be a housekeeper for a massive mansion in the woods. Jake is a Hollywood star who just got out of a toxic on again off again relationship. When his ex shows up to his house while he is walking Delilah out he drags her into a fake relationship to make the ex go away. In return he will help her get her artwork into a gallery.

I will really wanted to like this book more. I felt that the chemistry between the two characters was very awkward at times. If I am being honest I feel that I loved the relationship between Delilah and her grandmother more than her relationship with Jake. I was actually ok with the closed door, slow burn portion of the book and I loved that Delilah did not let Jake’s ex runover her. I just wish she had that confidence when she was alone with Jake.

In the end, it’s a cute book if you are looking for a sweet palate cleanser.

I received this Arc free in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the chance to review this book.

What a cute read. All my favorite tropes. It wasn't over the top heart wrenching or angsty. Good palate cleanser. Would read more by this author.

Fairly predictable rom com but it was still a good read that I enjoyed. It will be on of the ones that ends up on the list to recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher/author for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Another great novella from Mia Summers. I loved the connection in all 3 books with crossover characters and hope there's another in the future.

This was a fun, easy read that didn't play too heavily on the other woman drama.
Jake and Delilah are easy to like characters.
I received a copy via NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

If you're looking for a sweet, feel-good romance with some entertaining banter and enticing descriptions, this books for you, and for me, it was time well spent.

It was such a fun book and I enjoyed reading it so much! I found the story simple with characters that aren't too deep, so nothing very unique in that department. For me, the scenery and descriptions really stood out. The novel is set in a mountainous area, so the visual imagery involved is just gorgeous. And this is without mentioning Delilah's beautiful paintings.

I've read many books that use the celebrity and fake dating tropes, and usually love them. In this story, it wasn't the tropes or insights into the world of a celeb that wowed me, but the chemistry between the MCs. I think the whole fake dating bit was quite cliche and unnecessary, so the book could've done without it and Jake's ex Zoe.

Overall, Jake and Delilah went together really well, just super cute and heartwarming as a pair. Their feelings for each other, the POVs and the declaration raised my already high standards even more and I'm sure I'll always have memories of them lingering in my mind.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

This was my first book by Mia Summers, and it was an easy and enjoyable read. I enjoyed the characters of both Jake and Delilah who were genuine individuals who had a real connection. Their relationship progressed with realistic experiences together and bonding over shared interests. I'm always a sucker for a fake-dating romance and this was no exception. Add in lovely side characters and no miscommunication and this is definitely one I'd recommend. I can't wait to read some more from this series.

4⭐️ read for me

Favourite Quote: "It was a ruse, and one that doesn't bother me in the least, seeing as it introduced me to the love of my life"

I love a fake dating romance, and The Reel Deal didn’t disappoint on that front. It was a quick read, with good characters. My only qualm was just that unfortunately, it was quick. The fake dating came into play so soon that I barely had time to get to know the characters, which is why it’s a 3 for me, not a 4.
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Thanks to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

so my first ever #Netgalley book review is here and also in their exclusive #NetGalleyReadingJournal

i thoroughly enjoyed the book, the characters, the pacing and all the literary writing, chef's kiss 💋

Delilah and Jake hold such a special bond with them, they just clicked the moment they met with, "I'm the jerk you can't wait to meet".

🎀 it is not out of the world with humanly emotions and understanding and respect and humane nature of how they venture through their difficult emotions for each other, but yet the patience with which Jake handles Delilah's anxious nerves and helps her believe that yes she is worth every effort and how Delilah reciprocates her love by being with Jake and showing him that he would love his peace and solace if only he gets to share it with his beloved.

🎀 infact i have added the last slide (in my post) to show their comfort and ease around each other and how i really enjoyed it.

[ romance reads, feel-good romances, romantic genre, celebrity × artist, fake relationship trope, calm and serene, close proximity ]

#TheReelDeal

This wasn't great for me, i'm not sure how to explain why - the set up is good, as far as tropes, and being forced together, but the two characters didn't draw me in

The Reel Deal

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Sterling & Stone, and the author herself for allowing me to read this book!

Fake dating has quickly become one of my favorite tropes and this book absolutely had me loving it even more. Its characters are engaging, and the rom-com feel of it was fantastic – it had me giggling along the way. A cozy little romance for a light easy read. I look forward to reading more from Mia Summers!

The Reel Deal by Mia Summers is an entertaining Hollywood read with some meddling characters involved. It makes for a funny and endearing story.

Thankyou NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book

Main characters: Jake and Delilah, Zoe (Jake’s ex), Agnes (Delilah’s grandmother)

Plot: Jake is a hollywood heartthrod an Delilah is his housekeeper, Agnes’ granddaughter. When Jake’s ex, Zoe, turns up at his doorstep, he enlists the help of Delilah and they enter in a fake relationship. The two get to know each other and fall in love on the way.

Character Development: Delilah grows as a person and we get a glimpse of Jake as a good man.

What I liked: The characters, the description of various places and things. A glimpse into the lives of Hollywood celebrities.

What I did not like: The forced dialogues between the characters and some of Delilah’s mean statements to Jake.