Olivia and Chuck have unmistakable chemistry. But fool around with chemistry too much, and it blows up in your face. That’s what happens at the opening of Name Your Price: after a passionate interlude, they end up screaming at each other in the street, this time half-clothed. They loudly declare their final break-up, with Liv uttering the ominous phrase: “I wouldn’t be with you for a million dollars!” The scene gets videoed and, thanks to Chuck’s status as a recently disgraced B-list actor, and their eye-popping physical appearances, it goes viral. That’s when a producer swoops in and offers the struggling pair a chance to live in a house together for a month, all on TV. The offering price: one million dollars.


Gotta love this premise: it’s the “forced proximity” trope defined. James does a great job illustrating the simultaneous attraction and repulsion of the MCs, much like bringing two magnets together. Every few pages, even as Liv rails on about Chuck’s bad habits and defensiveness, she watches him work out or go for a swim, and her mind wanders into their past bedroom/kitchen floor/back of the pantry trysts. Better still, she sits back and observes, and ever so subtly, sees Chuck for those better habits, like caring for his family or defending the little guy. James gives us a clinic on the rom-com genre, hooking us with a little spice, getting us to stay for the emotional tension.

James also does lots of the little things well, dialogue among them. Liv and Chuck are veterans of the verbal battlefield, experts at flinging those sharp daggers precisely on target. Pace is another of the book’s attributes: the language is accessible and easy to digest. The situations move swiftly without too much text, and anyone who’s even glimpsed a reality TV show will smile through them. The novel opens with a bang and progresses without too much exposition, getting right to the good stuff (hee-hee!). Finally, fans of romantic spice will be glued to the pages. (Get your mind out of the gutter, please. I’ll wait.)

Here’s what I think about some of the novel’s shortcomings: I enjoyed it enough that I was willing to overlook some of the less believable plot pieces. For the most part. Declaring these in detail would reveal some important spoilers, so allow me to speak in generalities. There’s a twist in the middle that had me wincing. There are some character reactions that require emotional yoga, a stretch too far here and there. Some character attributes seemed to need a little more…baking?

But it’s a fun story, isn’t it? Like Katherine Center once said (see my review of Hello Stranger), the great thing about this genre is the sense of hope. The idea that things will get better, maybe even great. So, the desire we have that Liv and Chuck will overcome their rivalries and petty anger and get together could (or should, depending on the extent of your affinity for them) overshadow the doubt we have about certain elements. That makes this novel imperfect, but not necessarily unlikeable. Make sense?

So, are you looking for a little fun, a little sunny jolt in your everyday drab life? Then go grab a copy of Name Your Price. Maybe a tiny blemish or two, but it’s a sexy, endearing, charming little rom-com. Enjoy!

I am a Holly James Stan! I loved Nothing But the Truth and The Deja Glitch for the magical realism aspect. This one is definitely a step away from that, but it’s still not your basic romance.

I loved the relationship between Chuck and Olivia right from the beginning and it only gets better as the story continues. At first I wasn't sure what the tropes would be. Would it be a second chance romance with Chuck? or would we get another romantic lead?

Read this if...
-you love reality TV
-you follow celebrity news like it's your job
-you enjoy some family drama

This was definitely a unique story/romance and I'd recommend if you like something a little different.

4/5

The CHEMISTRY in this book was absolutely off the charts! Apparently, reality tv settings really work for me, because I loved this. A very quick, enjoyable read with a fresh, new plot that didn’t feel like a “copy and paste” of every other rom com.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this advance read!

My Grade: C+ (3 1/2 stars) A solid read, but I feel it got a bit repetitive and needed more romance, not just lust.
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5. Pretty steamy, but not overly pornographic.

The Good and Meh:
-I love a good forced proximity!
-The game show premise is a great idea! I would have loved more challenges and for it to last longer.
-Mental health, therapy, and counseling representation was such a wonderful addition! I appreciate it when an author actually acknowledges their characters mental health. Thank you to the author for adding this!
-Olivia's bond with her grandmother was so sweet and I loved their scenes together.
-The twist of Olivia's parents/father's relationship was a bit unrealistic and I feel it kind made no sense to me.
-I didn't feel much chemistry between Olivia and Chuck. Besides Olivia's constant lust over Chucks arms and abs, I think that the romance was missing. I just didn't feel the love. I could have used more flashbacks or a dual POV.
-Dogs and puppies are always welcome!
-I wanted Chuck to punch T.J. 😉

Name Your Price follows Olivia and Chuck who after gets into a heated argument leading to a very public break up outside end up being offered to go on a reality show. The catch? They must live together in a house for a whole month without leaving and to make it, win a million dollars! The premise was great. There were moments in the book where it spoke and covered areas such as the reality and ruthlessness of Hollywood, Grief and forgiveness. While there were moments of light heartedness and comedy, the areas where it was deeper uncovering issues that involved forgiveness and more made me fall for the characters and what each of them were going through. I enjoyed the side characters and felt they had much personality especially Olivia’s grandmother who was an important figure in her life. I throughly enjoyed and thought the pacing was pretty well done between the events before the reality show and after. It did not feel rushed and left me wanting more. Not to mention the chemistry between the two MC! Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for granting me the eArc in exchange for an honest review. I will definitely be reading more of Holly James in the future.

After reading the first chapter of this book, I assumed that Chuck and Olivia’s relationship was just going to be filled with anger and toxicity. Honestly, I thought they might just be better off staying away from each other.

I’ll admit I was thankfully wrong about them. Underneath all the misunderstandings, there is potential for an amazing relationship between them! The author, Holly James, does a great job of navigating the ups and downs of their relationship and the characters own self journey.

Throughout this book, Olivia and Chuck both grew into better people that are able to have a healthy and loving relationship and I am so glad that I was able to read their story.

Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton, Holly James, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.

I enjoyed the author's previous book, The Deja Glitch. Name Your Price was fun, but overall lacking the swoon I want from my romances. The book begins with Olivia and Chuck fighting in the street, fresh off a break-up. Chuck is a b-list actor, so his status garners enough attention for someone to film this passionate fight, post on socials, and it to go viral. So viral, that they are approached by a reality TV show producer to come on their show. Basically, they have to agree to live together in a house, do challenges, confessionals, and not get physical. It's like Big Brother meets...the worst case scenario for exes. But if they make it through the 30 days, they each will get a million dollars. Olivia reluctantly agrees because she takes care of her grandmother's living facility expenses.

I didn't really get a sense of who Chuck was, and perhaps this could have benefited with alternate chapters from his POV (perhaps in the past, so we could get a better sense of how fiery their love was). But nothing objectionable about this, just would have liked a bit more depth to the characters.

Thank you Penguin Group and NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review.

Do you love reality dating shows but miss that they don’t tell a love story like they used to? (I’m looking at you, Bachelor franchise) This is a book for you. This book combines the fun of a reality dating show with characters you can root for.

Enemies to lovers + forced proximity unite in this novel where 2 exes must live in a mansion together in LA for 30 days in order to win $1 million… each! It couldn’t be that hard if you just stay on opposite ends of the mansion, right? Nope, a series of challenges are laid in their way, including only 1 bed in the mansion and furniture requiring assembly, a challenge that would foil some happily married couples, let alone Chuck and Olivia whose emotional breakup was such a spectacle that it went viral. Their physical chemistry is undeniable, but they can’t stand each other! How will Chuck and Olivia manage to survive to win the cash they both desperately need?

I enjoyed the reality show hijinks amidst a strong narrative unfolding. Dialogue is witty, the writing descriptive and heartfelt. This was my first read from Holly James but won’t be my last.

I absolutely loved this book! So freaking cute! I love Olivia and Chuck! They are super likable characters. I'm definitely running to preorder a copy of this one! 5 stars!!

Title: Name Your Price by Holly James
Publication Date- 07/30/23
Publisher- Penguin Group Dutton
Overall Rating- 3 out of 5 stars

Review: Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Name Your Price by Holly James is a silly goofy time with some heavier topics surrounding aging family members and other family dynamics. I have to say the premise was really unique and those who enjoy reality tv will enjoy this. Some of the two main tropes are second chance romance and forced proximity. I enjoyed the game show elements and felt that it added an element to the story that wasn’t really like anything I had read before. That being said, I couldn't give it more than 3 stars. I had a hard time with the male love interest. He was not a kind guy. I understand that IRL we all make mistakes, do dumb things and are not always the nicest of humans. However, I felt like the things he did were unforgivable and it got to the point it didn’t make sense for the couple to be together. I enjoy realistic romances which include people making mistakes and the power of forgiveness. This male MC just felt so mean and unlikable that I didn’t enjoy the ending. In fact, I would have liked the novel a lot more had the ending been different. I also struggled with the elements of the game show, some things made sense others felt like convenience that didn’t suit the story as well. I am not normally this picky about romance books but something about this felt frustrating I think because so many elements of it were good and I wanted those to continue. I will say the spice scenes were written well, not too much and were a strong suit of the story (usually something I complain about). Lots of mixed thoughts, overall not mad I read it. If you’re looking for a lighter story with some deeper elements, I would recommend it.

I truly enjoyed Name Your Price by Holly James. I found the quick wit and banter to be a driving force in my will to keep reading. I also thought that the concept was original and relevant to current trends. In the age of reality television I feel that this book is intriguing and familiar without feeling overdone. The characters are lovable and I found myself rooting for them. I would have liked to have seen more information on her parents and the circumstances surrounding their death (not a spoiler) as it is a big theme in the book. Additionally, I felt like the time on the show felt like it was cut a bit short. There were also some issues with the same descriptions being said repeatedly throughout the book, such as the MMC’s smile showing his dimple. It got to a point where I had the feeling of “okay I get it his dimply smile is cute”. However, for the most part I found this book to be a fun and easy read with a really cool plot for a romcom. Of course, as with all reviews this is entirely my opinion and I encourage everyone to form their own opinions as well :)

The book starts out with Chuck and Olivia in an argument match. When the altercation is recorded and goes viral, the popular show “Name Your Price” wants to put them in a house for a month. If they can last, they’ll win money. But there ARE stipulations and penalties that’ll deduct dollars from the amount. Will they last?

First, let me just say Chuck and Olivia are a stick of dynamite just waiting to explode. They were fire and gasoline, just waiting for that match to ignite. The banter between the two is a huge highlight of this book. I couldn’t stop laughing and felt like I was watching a real-life reality show.

Olivia is my girl! She’s a straight to the point, no bull type of woman. But there is a soft spot in her heart for her grandmother who lives in a home. Olivia is extremely behind on making payments and at risk of her grandmother being evicted from the nursing home. On top of that, Olivia struggles with the fact she is the love spawn of a Hollywood scandal. It’s interesting to watch the process she goes through, as she comes to terms with this.

Then there’s Chuck Walsh. Mr. Vain, B-List actor (as Olivia calls him). He’s a picky eater and spends most of his life in the gym, crafting his body’s physique. According to Hollywood, he’s difficult to work with and was recently fired from a Blockbuster movie. At first, I felt this man had love for only person in his life and that was him. Throughout the book, I witness small glimpses of his soft, caring side as the show asked Olivia personal, hard-hitting questions she was not prepared for. He continuously takes up for her.

Overall, if you’re looking for a fun, cute, quirky story, give this one a try. I highly recommend it.

Oh, and don’t forget the word yellow bikini. Just sayin’.

I enjoyed the idea for the plot, but felt the execution fell short and had a hard time creating a truly captivating experience. Olivia & Chuck are both likable characters but their relationship lacked the depth required for me to be rooting for them.

I’m already counting down the days until I can get a physical copy of “Name Your Price” for my shelf.
It is an excellent portrayal of the toxicity of the Hollywood industry, especially surrounding reality TV. The actions of the show host and producers were vile. I just wanted to hug Olivia and Chuck and tell them everything would be okay. Olivia is a perfectly written character - I understood her, laughed with her, cried for her, and occasionally wanted to be her.

The only negative of the book: the MMC is named Chuck. Ew.

3.5⭐️

I was excited about the premise of the book because I love everything involving reality television. This book follows toxic exes Holly and Chuck, who are given a reality television show after their breakup goes viral. Holly is a reporter with famous parents and Chuck is an actor.

This was a fun read, but not my favorite. It's a second chance romance, albeit they just broke up, but I thought there would have been more to their relationship prior to the breakup. On the other hand, I loved seeing the growth of the two characters and how everything turned out.

Was this plot totally unrealistic? Yes! Did I still eat up every bit? Yes! I’d give this more like a 4.5. I loved every bit of it and the only problem I had was I wanted more of the story! This is like if The Real World, Big Brother, and The Breakup had a baby in the very best way possible. This was lovers-to enemies-to lovers at its finest! There was banter and spice between the characters, but then you also had these side plots that fit so nicely with the overall story. I laughed, I cried, and I got all hot and bothered. I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for allowing me to read an ARC for an honest review of this book.

This was such a sweet and quick read that is not just a normal romcom about exes living in a house together for a month for the chance to win a million dollars. It also has serious themes revolving around loss, family love, and honesty.

I was a little worried that the relationship portrayed in the book would have too much toxicity to really root for the characters’ second chance romance. However, that was definitely not the case. Holly James does an incredible job showing how, even though they may fight often and have strong differences of opinion, Olivia and Chuck truly cared for each other. I was their #1 fan, cheering for their success in the reality show!

I highly recommend this book to those who love second chance romances and reality shows like Love Island ❤️

I really liked this book - the premise is fun and different. If you like reality tv shows, I think you'll love this. I enjoyed both our main characters and their respective growth individually throughout the story, though I never really bought into them growing as a couple. I also enjoyed Olivia's plot line regarding her parents, though the big twist at the end seemed a little unrealistic, but I was willing to suspend my belief a bit for it. However, a few things did fall flat for me, the character of the host, TJ was really hard to read about with how slimy and manipulative he is, and none of the characters seemed to want to do anything about it. Also, it was very very insta-love. Olivia and Chuck definitely had a connection, but I never really understood why they were together, all they did was fight, get back together, fight, get back together, rinse and repeat. I just never really bought into them as a long-lasting couple. However, the premise is fun, the backdrop of a reality tv show is different and unique, and the supporting cast of characters in engaging and well developed.

Thanks to NetGalley, Dutton and Holly James for an ARC of "Name Your Price" in exchange for my honest review!

Holly James is becoming a fave of mine. I loved her last novel, so I was happy to see another one coming out so soon. Name Your Price is about Olivia and Chuck, a couple who go viral for their public breakup.

Opportunity comes in the form of a tv show called Name Your Price. If they can stay together in a house for one month, the prize is a life changing amount of money.

I really enjoyed Olivia and Chuck. They each had their own set of issues, and it was sweet reading them get their shit together.

Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.

honestlty the first 75% of this book is amazing like I loved it. It almost have emily Henry. It way set up well and created an intresting set up and character dynamic. I especially loved the growth for the characters together And separate. It would have been 5/5 but towards the end I didn’t like where it was going. I felt like it felt unfinished and certaina things I didn’t like or found stupid. As a whole, I loved it and would 100% recommend!!!!!