Looking for the perfect quick and easy read? Check out THE REEL DEAL by Mia Summers!

If you love insta-love, this is the story for you. Jake is a Hollywood heart throb who comes home to enjoy some peace and quiet after a brutal break up. Also in town is Delilah, who's picking up the slack at Jake's house while her grandmother heals.

It was an easy read, cute and uncomplicated - with a side of fluff. Though I missed the gradual build up of chemistry between Jake and Delilah, this was a sweet story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the ARC! Opinions are my own

#rochellereadsit

This started out good with an enemies to lovers vibe but it fell quickly into insta-love. I'd have loved to have seen more angst and for Delilah to be as fierce as she was in the first few pages.
Quick and light read.

Delilah Hastings might have signed up for more than she bargained for when coming to Elk Ridge. Originally there to take care of her injured grandmother, Delilah instead ends up helping her grandmother in unexpected ways - like filling in for her job as housekeeper for movie star, Jake Leonard. In addition to keeping up with Jake's specific daily requirements found in an oversized binder, this job title also includes being in a fake relationship with the actor himself. Delilah is eventually convinced to go through with this as it's not only a part of her role to support her grandmother while also helping Jake out with his situation, but it's also an opportunity for a rare vacation and possibly a shot at a dream she's always wished for but didn't think possible.

There were parts of this book that I appreciated! I think that it reads very easily, so it's perfect for those looking for a quick book to pick up! It's also a part of Mia Summer's Big Star, Small Town series but can be read as a standalone. It was a cute story, uncomplicated and I especially appreciated the communication between our main characters, Jake and Delilah. The author's description of the scenery allowed me to imagine everything in vivid detail, placing me in the beautiful nature of Elk Ridge amongst the greenery and high mountain peaks. I also think some of the lessons the main characters learned along the way were a nice message, like remembering not to judge someone too quickly just because they live a life that we don’t have or one that we don’t understand.

However, I gave The Reel Deal this rating because I'm not the biggest fan of a story with instant attraction/love, like this one. There didn't seem to be a nice gradual buildup of chemistry for the deep connection the characters both said to have experienced. For example, they seemed immediately comfortable with each other, which can be seen in some instances like when Jake races to Delilah's childhood home to vent about his ex-girlfriend within the first 24 hours of meeting Delilah. It didn’t feel natural to me. The characters also felt very two-dimensional and I didn’t fall in love with them. We could've taken more time to explore them, but instead, that time was used to go into other things like heavy detail about the ingredients of the food that was cooked for Jake. The story dragged on in places and in other places it progressed too quickly. Additionally, I think the story lacked a bit of depth, but if you are looking for something fluffy, fast, and easy to read then perhaps you will enjoy The Reel Deal!

Thank you NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review!

The Reel Deal is a sweet contemporary romance about Delilah, a struggling artist (kind of), and Hollywood star Jake. They meet when Jake’s housekeeper, who just so happens to be Delilah’s grandmother, breaks her foot and Delilah has to fill in for her.

There were aspects of this story I enjoyed, I thought the concept was cute and the author avoided making some character choices into issues just to add plot complications which was nice! However, I felt like I didn’t enjoy it overall.

Some issues I had with the book:
- the characters felt very flat to me, somewhat 2 dimensional
- the dialogue was diabolical at times and the rest of the time was just okay
- the main relationship felt like it came out of nowhere, there was very little foundation for the sudden love that seemed to grip them and they didn’t really have to overcome any issues to get there
- to build on the last point, there was very little build up and even less pay off at the end. I would have liked to see more of the happy ending rather than it just ending as quickly as it did
- I also wasn’t a fan of Zoe’s ending, I didn’t feel any connection to her character and therefore didn’t care about what happened and in fact just found it a bit sudden and bizarre

I think people who enjoy sweet romances and are just looking for a quick read may enjoy this.

The story follows Heartthrob actor Jake Leonard who comes home to his mountain home to find some peace and quiet after another breakup from his on and off again girlfriend. He comes home and finds a girl in his house with a big binder. That girl is Delilah Hastings, the granddaughter of Jake's housekeeper. After Delilah's grandma hurts her ankle cleaning the house she asks Delilah to come down and finish preparing the house for Jake's arrival. While cleaning the house Delilah and Jake meet. After Jake's ex-girlfriend shows up, Jake introduces Delilah as his girlfriend. That starts the main trope of the book, fake dating.

Delilah moves in with Jake to keep up the fake ruse while Zoe (Jake's ex) stays in town trying to win Jake back. In the forced proximity of living in one house, Jake and Delilah start to get to know one another. After a while the fake dating starts to seem like a very real relationship as they start falling for one another.

I think the book was a cute and easy read with some of my favorite tropes; fake dating, forced proximity, and famous actor and small town girl. At times the writing seemed a bit awkward as if it was missing some transitioning phrases or more description. But otherwise, I did enjoy the book!

When I requested the book, I wasn't aware that it was book 3 in the series. I plan to read the other books as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Reel Deal" is a cute book that incorporated small town romance with Hollywood sprinkles to give it an extra kick. I really liked the couple, they were pretty cute. It was also a slow burn which is amazing. This book takes you on a pleasant ride dealing with situations that at times can be predictable. But if you are interested in a simple, sweet, easy, and fun book to read, this is the one for you

The Reel Deal is the third book in the Big Star, Small Town series, but it can be read as a standalone. This book is an easy breezy dual POV sweet romcom about actor Jake Leonard and artist Delilah Hastings.


While there were parts of this book (mostly towards the beginning) that felt unnecessary and irritating (complaining about money...again and blue humor that I kept forcing myself to forget), I still enjoyed the story.

"The Reel Deal" offers a cozy escape into a world of unexpected romance and Hollywood charm. Imagine stepping into a mansion to care for your grandma's VIP client, only to find out it's the famous Jake Leonard. As you navigate the quirks of playing pretend couple and dealing with Jake's not-so-friendly ex, the story unfolds with sweet, slow-burn chemistry. It's a feel-good read with lovable characters, but it does stick to the familiar romance path. While the ex-girlfriend drama adds spice, some might find the plot a tad predictable. If you're in the mood for a light-hearted, closed-door romance in a small-town setting, "The Reel Deal" delivers on its promises, offering a charming and entertaining experience.

I had to DNF at 63%. This book reminds me of a date I went on where the guy agreed with everything I said and was just really dull. Jake and Delilah are too cutesy, they just sit there and compliment each back and forth and there is no conflict. There's no banter which is one of my favorite things in a romance novel. Also, the author can't decide if the place is called Elk River or Elk Ridge, as they keep switching between the two throughout the whole story. It's a closed door romance, which doesn't bother me, but there isn't anything else interesting about this couple to make up for it. This book is just not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to view this title.

I love a good rom com and this did it for me. I loved the tropes of this book and it was a quick and easy read for me. I had seen this book and had started it and am glad that I can write a review for it on here. I liked the characters and their love was cute.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this lighthearted read. The premise was lighthearted and had all the feel of a cosy rom com. Jake and Delilah are thrown together when Agnes, Jake’s housekeeper and Delilah’s grandmother, breaks her foot, and Delilah has to stand in for her. The story leans into a lot of the tried and true tropes (Hollywood heartthrob, fake dating, only one bed) but doesn’t rely on forced complications or conflict, which I really liked. Jake and Delilah were both independent, kind and grounded characters, and I really loved their dynamic. The descriptions of the scenery (and the food) were atmospheric, and it was great to escape into the mountains for this sweet romance!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Sterling and Stone for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Okay this had a cute premise but was totally not believable. Everybody is faking it. Fake broken foot, fake relationship. Jake is a famous actor, and Delilah is a waitress/artist who is struggling and not working on her art. Although I could not connect with the characters it was still a fun quick read. 3 stars

This one didn’t work for me. I found myself not caring about Delilah or her long list of issues. Just something felt off I guess about the whole story, not a good read. Maybe just not to my own taste.

★ ★ ★ ★ //5

The Reel Deal
by: Mia Summers

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Do you love a book that:

-RomCom
-Small Town Romance
-Friends To Lovers Vibe
-Hollywood
-Dual POV
-Forced Proximity

This will be for you and it has even more within!

I loved this book so much. I am a sucker for a good small town romance and then you add in all the incredible tropes included in this book and I am just a mess for it. I loved the two MC’s in this book and watching their relationship evolve and grow through the entire book. The characters were very well developed and the setting couldn’t be more fun. Who doesn’t love a fake dating scenario turned lovers read?! This was my first book by the author and I cannot wait to read more by them! Would absolutely recommend this book to my book friends—it was adorable.

It's a cute quick read kinda book. Try to ignore the power-imbalance between the two characters and just enjoy the cute.

Thank you netgalley for giving me a ARC of this book!

This was a 3 star read for me. It drew me in right away with the vivid description of the scenery and a hilarious first meeting!

To be honest, the fake girlfriend trope is not my favorite, but I liked Delilah and Jake and I really appreciated how much Jake supported Delilah's dreams.

After being drawn in at the beginning, I will say the middle felt a bit slow during with so much focus on her painting, but overall, it's a cute and easy read with a happy ending!

Tropes:
Fake dating
Dual POV
He falls first

Artist Delilah takes a temporary job as housekeeper for Hollywood actor Jake Leonard. To shake off his ex, he asks her to pose as his girlfriend. Though initially reluctant, an offer from Jake convinces Delilah to go along with the charade. But as real feelings grow between them, she wonders if their fake connection could turn real.

Jake and Delilah are cute together. The first chapter starts out slowly, but the pace picks up after that. If you like quiet, feel-good rom coms, this book is for you.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The Reel Deal is the third book in the Big Star, Small Town series, but it can be read as a standalone. This book is an easy breezy dual POV sweet romcom about actor Jake Leonard and artist Delilah Hastings.

While there were parts of this book (mostly towards the beginning) that felt unnecessary and irritating (complaining about money…again and blue humor that I kept forcing myself to forget), I still enjoyed the story.

Dual POV
Sweet romcom
Forced proximity
Hollywood heartthrob
Friends to lovers
Small town

This was a good book.
I loved the main characters; Hollywood Heartthrob actor named Jake and Delilah. Agnus Delilah's grandma was such an amazing person added to this book also. You just end up loving her and see how much she loves her granddaughter.
Did not realize that it was a part of a series and that's ok because it was a great stand-alone book.
Clean (closed-door) Rom-Com. It was such a cute story.

Delilah's grandma is the housekeeper for Jake. She ends up hurting her foot and needs her granddaughter to help her. At first, it was just helping he at her home but then she needed to take over her grandma's job. Then we have Jake's ex and how she will not let him go. She shows up at his house (unannounced and not invited) and Jake has to do something different to get her to leave him alone and he goes with saying that Delilah is his girlfriend. Delilah plays it off and then has sooo many questions after. They make a deal and have this "fake" relationship.
Well, we all know how these usually go and there is so much to this story that just needs to be read about. They are such a cute couple and def have the time of their lives while trying to convince everyone that they are a pair. so it's a win-win.
Plus Jake gets Delilah to paint again, this is another whole big thing in this book.
I read this book sooo fast and didn't want to put it down.

I am so glad to have the opportunity to read this book, thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. The above is my review/opinion, it is honest and voluntary.

Delilah's granny has broken her foot and needs someone to take over her job as housekeeper for Hollywood actor Jake Leonard. Of course Delilah comes to the rescue. When Jake needs her to pretend to be his new girlfriend she consents to spending the next two werks with him in his house. Of course feelings develop...
This is a sweet romance with relatable characters and a plot that is (mostly) believable. I couldn't really comprehend how they fell in love so quickly without ever even kissing but it was a sweet story anyway.