Member Reviews
Cute! I enjoyed the show portion and thought that was very creative for a rom-com. I probably would watch the show if it were real, to be honest, especially if the leads had the same amount of chemistry as Olivia and Chuck.
However, for a large chunk of the book, their physical chemistry is their only chemistry. They don't really connect with each other outside of their lust, unfortunately, and their fights are kind of pointless. Sometimes they would say the hard truth, of course, but the big conflict derailed all of the progress I thought those two had made when it came to their emotional connection.
Let me also note that having money doesn't mean your relationship will be okay, and not having money doesn't mean your relationship won't be okay, because that's what I felt like the characters were saying at times.
I feel a little bad for Chuck because I think he's the more invested one in the relationship and learned more about how to be a better partner to Olivia, while she didn't really fix her behavior but survived until her problems weren't really problems anymore.
thank you Netgalley for the arc
I was excited to read Holly James' new book and I think what she did with this exes to lovers plot was exciting and inventive. It definitely isn't what we typically see in everyday romance novels. With reality television culture at an all time high it was great to see that incorporated into the novel as well. Definitely a fun summer read!
Would you lock yourself in a house with your ex for a month if it meant the possibility of winning $1 million? I wouldn't. But Olivia Martin and Chuck Walsh would.
Name Your Price is about two exes who go on a reality television show with the same name. The start of this book really ropes you in — you're right into the action. There's not really any preamble. But as a result, it sort of fell flat in the middle. The issues between Olivia and Chuck were very surface level. I wanted more drama! At the same time, Olivia and Chuck only dated for a few months before going on the show — maybe if it had been more of a long term relationship, the forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers thing would have felt more authentic.
Still, this was a fun, short novel — perfect for a summer beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this book. I loved the writing, but I was a bit unsure of the plot... I didn't get why the grandma decided to withhold information for so long when it clearly hurt her. I think miscommunication was a big aspect of this novel, which I'm not a big fan of generally.
2.5 ⭐️
I liked the beginning of the book. It started out with a cool premise. I just feel like it fell flat. I felt like the game show part was a bit boring.
The book got better towards the end but if it weren’t for being an ARC I probably would have DNF the book in the middle unfortunately. It just didn’t excite me enough.
Read if you like-
— 3rd person POV
— a little spice
— game shows
— bickering characters who really love each other
Thanks netgalley for the ARC. Publish date is 7/30/24
An emotional second-chance lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers read from Holly James, and it’s set around one of my favorite things— reality tv. I love the moments that the author created— little sparks of hope, I like to think, through the book, and I’m always a lover for great side characters who add some kind of depth to the novel. Though I always want more steamier scenes in my reading, the emotions won through, and that makes me happy.
Olivia Martin and Chuck Walsh have chemistry. The kind of chemistry that can light you up or completely destroy you. After their up and down relationship ends in a truly catastrophic way - as in their very public argument and break up ending up as a viral video catastrophic. When Name Your Price - a reality TV show sees the footage, they offer Olivia and Chuck a million dollars each to live with each other in a house for one month. Olivia needs the money to keep the grandmother who raised her in her care facility and Chuck - an actor on the rise - needs the money after being fired from the big budget movie he was slated to costar in. The game is on and the production company will do everything they can to drive up tension between Olivia and Chuck, but will that cause them to explode or will it be the chemistry that is still bubbling between them?
I was a big fan of Holly James' "The Deja Glitch" and was very excited to read Name Your Price! Overall I think it was a very enjoyable book and the chemistry between Olivia and Chuck very apparent. However, I feel as though the story's pacing was a little bit all over the place. I feel as though the whole "competition" portion of the book could have been longer and it would have made the story more interesting. It just felt like the way the "competition" ended was so anti-climactic. Although tension between Olivia and Chuck was up, the book in general felt very low stakes.
I don’t know what is going on here, but this was a struggle. I kept putting it down and it would take me forever to get back in to it. I think the premise was interesting but it didn’t work, a lot of it didn’t make sense, and the characters felt flat. I’ll still read this author because I enjoyed her previous work, but this just didn’t do it for me.
Holly James's latest rom-com delivers a delightful and fiery tale of second-chance romance, set against the backdrop of a reality TV show that capitalizes on drama and unresolved emotions. Olivia Martin and Chuck Walsh, once a couple with undeniable chemistry, find themselves thrust back into each other's lives under the most unusual and high-stakes circumstances.
The story kicks off with Olivia and Chuck's relationship, marked by intense passion and equally intense conflicts, culminating in a dramatic and very public breakup. The spectacle of their argument, captured on video, goes viral, drawing the attention of the producers of "Name Your Price," a reality game show. The premise is simple yet tantalizing: live locked in a house together for one month, with a million dollars each as the prize, provided they adhere to the show's strict rules—chief among them, no touching.
James masterfully captures the absurdity and sincerity of made-for-TV love, blending humor, tension, and heartfelt moments. Olivia, grappling with the financial strain of keeping her grandmother in a nursing home, and Chuck, desperate to rekindle their relationship, agree to the challenge despite the palpable tension between them. The setup is perfect for a rom-com: one bed, one bathroom, and a set of rules designed to test their limits and resolve.
The dynamic between Olivia and Chuck is electric. Their interactions are a rollercoaster of emotions, from smoldering sexual tension to fiery arguments, making their journey captivating and unpredictable. James deftly explores their past, providing insights into their initial breakup and the lingering feelings that complicate their current predicament. Both characters are well-developed, with Olivia's determination and vulnerability contrasting with Chuck's charm and earnestness.
The reality show setting adds a layer of complexity and entertainment to the narrative. The producers' efforts to stir up drama and push Olivia and Chuck to their limits create a pressure-cooker environment that keeps readers engaged. The stakes are high, not just for the prize money, but for the potential rekindling of their romance. The no-touching rule, in particular, serves as a tantalizing barrier that heightens the tension and forces them to confront their feelings without physical contact.
James's writing is witty and engaging, with a perfect balance of humor and emotion. The absurdity of the reality show setting is tempered by the genuine and relatable struggles of the characters, making for a story that is both entertaining and heartfelt. The themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love are woven seamlessly into the narrative, providing depth and resonance.
In conclusion, Holly James's newest rom-com is a winning blend of humor, drama, and romance. With its engaging premise, well-drawn characters, and sizzling chemistry, it captures the essence of second-chance love in a fresh and entertaining way. Fans of reality TV and rom-coms alike will find much to enjoy in this spirited and heartwarming tale.
4.25 ⭐️
I enjoyed this book so much. To me I feel like every book starts w/ a slow beginning. This was it! Love, therapeutic, silly, funny etc. I loved this book so much. What attract me was the cover. My first book that I’ve read from Holly James. I definitely recommend it.
The cover and the description of this book pulled me instantly. I'm a sucker for reality TV in real life, so characters that end up on a dating show in this fictional world should have been right up my ally. I don't know what it was, but I could not get into this book. I picked it up on multiple occasions to give it another chance, and I finally had to soft DNF and move on. The book is long for a rom-com and I was not connecting to the characters. I'm so bummed, but I'm hoping it's just "right book wrong time" and I'll pick it up this summer and be able to binge this story!
From the beginning, Chuck and Olivia’s whirlwind romance sucks you in. I was rooting for them the whole time and glad to see they ended up together. I wish there would’ve been more development of their relationship in the house, but found many of the scenes to be entertaining nonetheless. I appreciated that Olivia’s story about her parents got fleshed out but it felt a little out of place. I’d honestly take a whole book about that. 3.5/5 stars from me.
Name Your Price
4.5 ⭐️
Well, well, well. If @hellohollyjames didn’t just completely flip my perspective on the Exes to Lovers trope. Nicely Done, Holly.
Olivia and Chuck go through a very public breakup when it is filmed and goes viral. They’re offered a million dollars to live together for the next month and survive close quarters as exes.
This book was sooooo good, the chemistry and tension was perfect. I loved to slowly watch these characters grow each in their own way. Having read all of Holly’s books, I can safely say that this one is my favorite so far!
Thanks to @negalley for this ARC, definitely one to check out when it releases next month!
This was an absolute delight! I loved how each character grew personally and in their relationship, even when out of a high stakes situation. Holly James is a new favorite author for me, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
4/5 ⭐️
I discovered Holly James with “The Deja Glitch” last year which I adored, that’s why when I got this new ARC I got so excited! This is a very cute rom com about 2 exes that have to live under the same room for a chance to win a million dollars. If you are looking for a cute, funny and entertained book, please grab a copy of “Name your price” this coming July 30th, 2024
after their very public break up gets caught on camera and goes viral, olivia and chuck get the offer of a lifetime they can't refuse: to star on the famous "name your price" reality TV show for more money than they could have dreamed of. for olivia, this means paying off her outstanding bill at the nursing home where her grandma lives. chuck, trying to get his next big break after his latest movie scandal blacklisted him, hoping that the show will help his reputation. the catch? they have to live together for a month, all while being constantly filmed.
what 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 does really well here is the forced proximity trope. being exes and going into the house already with a history, there isn't any lag time for the plot to develop. its there and immediately hooks you in, while keeping you on your toes on what will happen next between our couple. its obvious there is still this immense attraction between olivia and chuck, throw in challenges and a nosy production team, there's bound to be chaos. at the same time, there are also heartfelt moments between them as they reminisce and get to the root of what went wrong. ultimately, i didnt love the third act conflict, but a small oversight to an overall good romance book!
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸!
Come for the heat, stay for the love and silliness and growth!! I had a lot of fun with this, the forced proximity was hilarious and really led to a lot of introspection. I wish the terrible people had gotten their just desserts, but you can't have everything. At least I got the therapy that I love!! Yay therapy!! All in all, an excellent book!!
Thank you Net Galley and Penguin Group Dutton for this e-ARC!
Name Your Price is about Olivia and Chuck. When their relationship comes to a bitter end, their public street break up fight is caught on camera and goes viral. They find themselves on a reality tv show, stuck in a house together for 1 month and a $1 million dollar prize payout - if they can make it that long!
This book was a great rom-com read and is perfect for anyone who is a fan of reality tv! Ex-lovers, forced close quarters, $1 million dollars at stake, spicy! It felt like a quick read and kept my interest the whole time to see if they could make it the month for the $1 million prize (and left me asking myself if I could ever do it)!
This was my first book by Holly James and I will be looking for her other books now!
I loved this book and highly recommend! It was definitely my favorite Rom-Com that I have read in a while. I loved both the main characters, and their witty banter. This book did not disappoint from beginning to end.
Thanks for the NetGalley ARC of this book.
I have to start out with some of the issues I had with this book. The biggest that for this day an age we all have smart phones that are able to get on the internet, which was a real drawback for me whenever they talked about not being able to get online, that even pay as you go phones can do what she need at times.
The story was charming and I’m glad the ending worked out for them all. It took me a long time to get into the book and to want to finish it but was glad that I was able to. The twist were different than expected and almost something that you could see happening in the real world