Member Reviews
I loved the concept and felt like it was well told. I wanted more background on the main characters. Felt like something was missing. I was hooked though and enjoyed it.
I loved this! I flew through it too, it was so easy to read. And despite my being able to guess pretty much all of the twists before they happened, it didn't detract from the book itself. It's time I admit I just love a game show romance. However both Olivia and Chuck were also fun characters, they had incredible chemistry, and their relationship hang-ups felt realistic. I will definitely check out more books from Holly James after this.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
As soon as I read the back cover copy for this book, I was obsessed with the concept. It mostly delivered.
Olivia is a journalist struggling to pay for her grandmother's care at a nursing home, and Chuck is a B-list actor with a floundering career. When a video of their very public breakup goes viral, they're invited to appear on a game show called Name Your Price. If they can stay locked in a house together for a month (and not touch each other), they'll each win a million dollars. The reality show setting was well done, as was the character development. I also really liked the way it ended.
Where I struggled was with the pacing and POV. I also wanted more tension between Olivia and Chuck when they got in the house. It felt like things were simultaneously happening too slow and too fast, which I'll try to explain even though it sounds like it might not make sense.
The beginning was kind of slow, with a lot of build-up to them entering the house. Their time in the house itself felt like it went by too quickly and could have used a bit more tension. I felt like they gave in waaaaay too easily to breaking some of the rules the show had. I wanted to really feel a push and pull between these two. I didn't get enough of it. The stakes were also super high when they entered the house and seemed to gradually diminish in importance. The climactic moment that precipitates the third-act breakup didn't hit as hard as it could have because the stakes just weren't there.
I love third-person POV, but this book is written in a distant third instead of deep POV, which I struggled with. There's a lot of "she could feel" and "she could see" and telling the reader things instead of truly immersing them in the character's thoughts and perspective. This may just be a me thing — as a writer myself, I know I can hyperfixate on things like this.
Overall, I'd say this is a 3.5 but I'll round it up to 4 stars. An enjoyable read with a few things that kept it from really hitting for me.
Thank you to Dutton for the ARC, which was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Absolutely enjoyed this book!!
It was such a quick and enjoyable read.
Olivia and Chuck I absolutely loved them, and by the end they were actually good together.
As another reviewer said, if there is a dating reality show I too am there for it. I love the premise of this book. Was hooked when I saw the description and could not wait to read it. I loved both Chuck and Olivia and loved their intense chemistry. What I didn't love was the pacing, but I still enjoyed the book.
If there’s one thing about me, I’m going to be watching whatever the latest made-for-TV dating show is. I went into NAME YOUR PRICE with the hopes of the joy I get from watching an episode of Love is Blind – or more apt to this story – Too Hot Too Handle. While this was a great concept in this book – it was a good but not great read for me.
Olivia and Chuck have explosive chemistry that comes out one of two ways – bedroom bliss or bitter brawl.
After their screaming-match breakup is caught on film and goes viral, Liv and Chuck are given an offer they can’t refuse -- live locked in a house together for a month, film it for TV’s hit show Name Your Price, and win a million dollars…. each. They both desperately need the money, but there’s a catch and it won’t be easy. They have to contend with challenges which will pick all the scabs of their relationship and there are financial consequences for any touching. Will the time together heal them or hurt them?
While I loved the concept of the novel, I struggled with the pacing. There is a lot of exposition before we get into the Name Your Price house and not enough time watching the steam increase or them struggle with the financial ramifications of their inability to keep their hands off each other. I wanted more tension! More spice! I also wanted to shake Olivia, we get it – he missed Ruby’s birthday but he is TRYING!
Ultimately, I really enjoyed the forced proximity and watching how it challenged them to face and address their flaws and grow back together. I just wish we had more time for butterflies (and spice!)!
Thank you to Penguin Group for this Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and freely given.
This was a silly, cute, light read. Was it a page turner? No. Was it enjoyable? Yes. Both Chuck (the male lead) and Olivia (the female lead) were likable. No annoying side kick friends or villains. It didn’t drag out any unnecessary drama and the storyline moved along. If you are looking for a book to read by the pool and finish in 1 day this is a good contender.
Chuck and his heart were truly the best parts
When I tell you I felt like I was watching an episode of a dating game show the entire time & I loved it. I haven’t read a book with this concept and I absolutely loved how Holly worked in the one bed trope, a second chance at love & all this forced proximity!!
This is my first Holly James book and I’m really not sure how I feel after reading it. It was written in third person which I honestly don’t read much of and it was definitely different than reading dual POV books.
When I finished the book and read that she has a PhD in psychology I think many parts of the book made much more sense. While parts were fun and flirty, there was a lot of working through the issues each character faced personally as well as in their relationship. A lot of “she did this because she felt this” or “he always does that”. While there always needs to be some push and pull obviously, there just seemed to be so much of it in this book that it wasn’t as fun as I was expecting from the teasers.
All that being said, I really liked Chuck and his heart. He was definitely the best part of this, even though he was misunderstood for so much of it. The end of the book where all “misunderstandings” were revealed was lovely for the characters and me.
This was a silly, cute, light read. Was it a page turner? No. Was it enjoyable? Yes. Both Chuck (the male lead) and Olivia (the female lead) were likable. No annoying side kick friends or villains. It didn’t drag out any unnecessary drama and the storyline moved along. If you are looking for a book to read by the pool and finish in 1 day this is a good contender.
Overall loved this book!! It was an interesting start but enough to keep me going. It wasn’t super predictable and I thought the ending was perfect.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Name Your Price by Holly James is about toxic exes, writer Olivia and actor Chuck, have a video of their very bad breakup go viral, and TV producers offer them one million dollars each to stay locked in a house together for one month.
This was such a cute, quick, and easy binge worthy read! I loved the celebrity aspect that was added to their characters arcs. Olivia and Chuck were both so easy to fall in love with, and truly just trying to do what was right and best.
The filming aspect was cool! At times the pacing felt like things were going a little too quick or a little too slow, but other than that this is such a cute one!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Dutton publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!!
OUT ON 07/30/24
I LOVED Name Your Price. It made me laugh, made me swoon, and made me happy. I couldn’t put it down. Chuck and Olivia made the perfect pair. Truly a great romance novel! 10/10
I loved this book! It was such an interesting concept that was so refreshing after reading such similar books lately. The two main characters just broke up very publicly and then are asked to be on a game show with the chance at winning one million dollars. The catch? They’re locked in a house for a month with a few rules. I was actually rooting for the characters and could not put the book down. I would not have minded it being a bit longer or maybe more of a look into their relationship. I will absolutely be picking up another book from Holly James after reading this one.
Thank you netgalley for this ARC!
This is a perfect romantic comedy! Olivia and Chuck have such growth and I loved watching their story unfold. It was such an interesting premise (how much would it take for you to spend time with your ex?) and there were many moments when I laughed out loud!
Picture this: you and your boyfriend end up having an explosive break-up in the street, where you end up topless & someone posts it on the internet for the world to see & it ends up going viral. But it doesn't end there, a TV show reaches out to you & proposes to you and your now ex-boyfriend spend a month together locked away "Big Brother" meets "Too Hot to Handle" style with a million dollars on the line. (This is the horniest book I think ever written, and I don't mean SMUT, they are just SO HORNY)
The first chapter of the book, I thought that this couldn't possibly be the main couple of the story, this has to be her ex and now she's with someone else, but color me surprised it was and BOY did I love being proven wrong. The challenges that Olivia and Chuck faced in the house, and the way they processed their relationship COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER. Chuck Walsh must be protected at all costs.
In the beginning of the book, I found Olivia to be kind of annoying and lacking any self awareness, but man, the character development of this girl.... so worth it. I bawled my eyes out as she learned more about her family life, etc. (she's a product of a famous Hollywood scandal and her parents died when she was only 1).
This book truly had me on the edge of my seat. SO many twists and turns, I almost didn't know what to expect at times, but DAMN. HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend if you're into reality TV or just drama in general.
Highly recommend! really enjoyed this book and it was more than what I was expecting. This book really surprised me! I am now a new fan of Holly James. This book hooked me from the start and it was hard to put it down. The chemistry between Olivia and Chuck was so explosive. The growth between the two characters had the end really pulled on my heartstrings. Being forced to confront their issues in such close proximity made for a great plot. Would you be able stay in a house for a month with your ex for a million dollars?
Fairly predictable rom com but it was still a good read that I enjoyed. But it wasn't a favorite. But I would still recommend it to rom com readers.
Holly James takes readers on an electrifying rollercoaster ride of emotions in her captivating novel, "Name Your Price." The story revolves around Olivia Martin and Chuck Walsh, a couple whose relationship is an explosive mix of passion and anger. When their tumultuous romance reaches its breaking point, they believe it's the end. However, fate has different plans for them. The world witnesses their dramatic breakup when a video of their intense argument goes viral. Capitalizing on the social media frenzy, the reality game show "Name Your Price" offers Olivia and Chuck an unconventional opportunity. They are invited to participate in a challenge that involves living together in a locked house for an entire month, all while being filmed. The prize? A staggering one million dollars each. For Olivia, the money is crucial as it could secure her grandmother's place in a nursing home. Meanwhile, Chuck sees this as his last chance to win Olivia back. Despite the show's attempt to provoke them with a single bed, one bathroom, and a set of stringent rules that penalize rule-breaking, including no physical contact, the stakes are too high to resist. The author expertly builds tension as Olivia and Chuck navigate their way through this high-stakes game. The chemistry between them crackles with intensity, making it a constant challenge to keep their emotions in check. Holly James skillfully weaves their shared history, insecurities, and desires into the narrative, fueling the anticipation and creating captivating character dynamics. As the story unfolds, readers are treated to a gripping exploration of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery. With the pressure mounting, Olivia and Chuck must confront their deepest fears and confront the unresolved issues that led to their explosive breakup. The emotional journey they embark on is both heart-wrenching and exhilarating, leaving readers eager to discover if they can maintain their willpower and avoid breaking the no-touching rule. "Name Your Price" not only showcases Holly James' talent for crafting compelling characters but also her ability to enthrall readers with a unique and engaging premise. The narrative flows effortlessly, blending moments of heartache, vulnerability, and sizzling chemistry, creating an irresistible page-turner. In conclusion, "Name Your Price" is a captivating novel that delves into the complexities of love and second chances. Holly James delivers an enthralling story that keeps readers hooked until the very end. This book is a must-read for those seeking a blend of romance, tension, and emotional depth. Prepare to be captivated by Olivia and Chuck's journey as they navigate the challenging terrain of the reality game show and their own hearts.
This was an interesting premise for a rom com, based around a pair of contentious exes who land a reality TV gig. Of course, this adds drama and also brings them closer together. I enjoyed this book, perfect for a beach day or to lose yourself for a few hours.