Member Reviews
This romance book comes off almost like a love letter to reality TV. If you’ve ever been interested in getting a glimpse behind the scenes of filming reality TV, this book did a great job at describing outrageous situations and bringing the main characters Olivia and Chuck together. Spanning over a week, you get to see just how much these two characters love one another and just needed to communicate/learn how to co-exist better together to confront their problems head on.
The chapters were really long but the bantering was tastefully done and helped distract from their length. I really wish the author had picked another name for Chuck. Who actually knows a sexy Chuck in real life?
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group / Dutton for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Olivia, the daughter of an infamous Hollywood couple, and Chuck, an up and coming actor, have intense chemistry but they’re better at making up then being stable partners for one another. After their very dramatic break up is caught on camera and goes viral, the pair is approached by a reality tv show. If they can survive a whole month sequestered in a house together they’ll earn a massive prize.
With the mounting costs of caring for her beloved grandma and his stalled acting career, Olivia and Chuck agree. What could go wrong?
I was hooked from the beginning and binged this book in a day. I’m not a reality tv viewer and was worried that might work against my enjoyment of the stunt it didn’t at al. Watching Olivia and Chuck go from fighting WITH each other to fighting FOR each other was fantastic.
Beyond the MC’s romance, Name Your Price touches on some serious issues within Hollywood such abuse of power and not correcting narratives that serve someone’s career interests.
The storyline dealing with Olivia’s parents was interesting and felt fresh, however its conclusion felt a bit too rushed and tidy.
This is a solid 4 ⭐️ read for me and I’m so glad I was given an advance copy. Thank you NetGalley and Dutton.
<i>name your price</i> takes all of the rom com/reality tv fantasies you've ever had and brings them alive through olivia and chuck, two people who have gone viral from a public breakup video. instead of moving on for good, when approached with a reality tv show to put them together in a house, olivia can't say no because the prize money for if they last will be enough to make sure her grandmother can get the care she needs.
i will admit i wasn't the biggest fan of james' previous novel as the plotting wasn't the best, but because olivia and chuck are truly are the forefront i didn't mind as much (although the plot point with astrid was underdeveloped with a reveal that felt anticlimatic as it just repeated information the audience already knew). i don't know if james' background in psychology is clinical, but the way olivia and chuck grew together by learning how to communicate with each other warmed my cynical heart. it never veers in the territory of the two of them hurting each other on purpose either because both are truly just trying their hardest in earnest.
Entertaining story by Holly James about a second chance at love and the truth that comes with love (both with a partner and with family). Quick read. Nice plot. Quality characters.
DROP EVERYTHING AND READ THIS!!
I loved this entire storyline from the first page to the last! Olivia and Chucks relationship is one wild ride and I rooted for them every step of the way!! I couldn't seem to put this book down. It was such a quick and cute read with some of the cutest characters.. I also wish that when I am older, I have a friendship like Violet and Ruby.
But also... can we talk about how Astrid Larson gave me hardcore Evelyn Hugo vibesss! I need a whole novel just for her and her story 😩
Holly James did the dang thing with this one and I loved everything about it! Perfect book to start 2024 off 😊
This was such an original story! I haven't read anything like this before and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Olivia and Chuck have a high and love flaming hot relationship and they recently broke up. Someone recorded their breakup and the media caught them fighting, and they were signed up to do a reality TV show. It was a mix of Big Brother and some kind of couples therapy show!
It was so entertaining watching them being forced to live together and complete tasks with their dynamic.
This story had many ups and downs but tied up nicely in a super happy ending! I really enjoyed this book.
Halfway through, I was struggling to root for the MMC - I didn't think he deserved our FMC, but he does redeem himself!!
Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, and NetGalley, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC of this book. I really liked this one. For the majority of the book, it was exactly what I expected in that it was a fun lighthearted rom com. I felt like the ending had a little more depth than the beginning. I didn't feel like there was quite enough character development for the two main characters but I still found them likeable.
The general premise is that two exes end up being the subjects of a reality show where they are locked in a house together to earn prize money after a video of their breakup goes viral. They then find their way back to each other. If you like rom coms I think it's worth the read. It was fun!
This book was simply a delight, and it will entertain both the diehard fans of reality TV and those who can't stand it. It's steamy, silly, and downright special.
Olivia and Chuck have a volatile relationship. If they're not at each other's throats, they're tearing off each other's clothes. After a particularly public breakup, in which Olivia declares that she would not get back together with Chuck for a million dollars, they are presented with an opportunity to be on the reality show "Name Your Price." Olivia needs the money, and Chuck needs another chance with Olivia. Like a combination of Big Brother, Too Hot to Handle, and other reality shows, Olivia and Chuck get locked together in a house and are presented with a series of challenges designed to push them together and cause friction. Part of this friction is Chuck's secrecy about why he was fired from his last movie set, Olivia's fear of abandonment after the death of her parents, and the chaos of a Hollywood scandal. And, of course, the no-physical-contact rule.
For those who love reality TV, this is a top-tier example of the drama and shenanigans that go down behind the scenes, as well as a lovely depiction of how outrageous situations can showcase a person's humanity. For the reader who hates celebrity culture, it very much tears into the idea of manufactured drama and the horrendous nature of paparazzi. I think any person could enjoy this.
One thing to note: the chapters are LONG. If you are the type of reader who measures your progress my chapter, good luck. It's still a good pace as long as you ignore the chapter headings.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!!
very cute romance with perfect amount of drama and humor. really enjoyed it and hopeful to read others by this author. full review on instagram
Holly James is brilliant. She is the queen of angsty romance. Her books have the perfect balance between angst and emotions that always delivers a heart-felt, deeply satisfying love story. With the way she pulled this book together, she has completely gained a fan for life!
[4.5/5] Two ex-lovers. A reality show. Two million dollars. One house. One bed. And many chaotic feelings. What could go wrong? The premise of this book is too unique, at least I had not read anything similar, it is as if Love Island and Big Brother had a lovechild and the result is something very interesting.
I loved everything about it, Olivia and Chuck's relationship is very captivating since the beginning and throughout the book it is very interesting to see how they deal with their breakup and the things that didn't work out in their relationship while they try to live together for a month to win the prize. Also, all the activities and dynamics?? I loved them, it felt like watching a reality show.
My only drawback is that the chapters were too long, it is a somewhat absurd drawback because I wouldn't have a problem if it were the same text but with the chapters divided into more parts.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, looking forward to read more about this author.
What an absolutely charming book, I loved this take on a Hollywood love story. I thought the concept was so clever, and the passion and slow burn in the majority of the book made for a page turner. The only piece I struggled with was the ending… It was resolved so quickly, and whatever happened to the TV show??
this was a hilarious one!!!! it was such a quick and enjoyable read. the whole premise of the book was truly fascinating and had me giggling left and right. the main characters having a public messy breakup where they shout they wouldn't get back together even for a million dollars... and then they are offered that an opportunity to live together for a month for a million dollars??? insane!!!! i was weery at first and didn't feel much of a connection to these characters, but i think once it got to the two in the house, i found myself connecting to olivia a bunch and really felt for her. i think this was a cute read and def reccomend for anyone who may need a laugh. thanks netgalley for the arc!
I loved this book!
Olivia and Chuck are in highly charged relationship and everyone can see their pull towards each other. Their relationship ends publicly and ends up all over the internet. After the ending of the relationship they are approached by a TV show to live together for the next 30 days to get a million dollars. Can they do it?
Thank you #NetGalley for the advance read
The description of this story drew me in and I quickly knew I made an excellent choice. Once I started, I had a hard time putting it down.
Olivia and Chuck go viral for their public break up recorded by a stranger. Next thing you know, they are on a reality show, trying to make it a month in the same house with each other for a big $$ payout.
It is an entertaining story filled with challenges that come from reality tv and navigating relationship and family drama. The background of each character really adds to their development throughout the book. I was hooked from start to finish. The premise of this story was unlike any I have read so far and I think that made it all the more enjoyable. It didn’t feel “cookie cutter” like a lot of romance novels can. This was my first novel by Holly James and I can’t wait to read more from her.
Thank you NetGalley for access to this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Two things that are simultaneously true about this book: (1) the entire plot and setup are preposterous, and pretty much nothing about the setup, middle, or resolution is believable; and (2) this book was a ton of fun and I enjoyed the whole ride. Relatively well written, definitely escapism, makes me want a trip to LA but NOT to be on any reality shows.
I received a free ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for allowing me to read this ARC.
I had so much fun with this one! I have been struggling with my romance books recently and this one was the breath of fresh air I've been seeking. The plot line was fun and it didn't feel as formulaic and predictable as other romances.
Olivia and Chuck were two likable characters. In the beginning I wasn't so sure about their seemingly toxic relationship. As the story unfolded and the two found themselves stuck in a house together as part of a reality TV show, we really got to know them and their relationship. I loved how we slowly learned more and more about them and how when you dug deeper, their bond was may more than physical. I especially enjoyed how things played out in the house and how the "show" portion concluded. Not what I would have expected (in a good way!).
I felt like the book wrapped up nicely too. It wasn't a quick get back together, get married, the end in 10 pages. The author gave us more detail about how their lives developed after the show and how things played out for both of them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to checking out some other titles by Holly James!
This is a cute second chance romantic comedy. Olivia and Chuck have a big public blow up that someone captured on film. This video goes viral, and a reality tv show sees the footage and invite Olivia and Chuck to film for their show. This was giving The bachelor vibes and I always enjoy when tv shows are included in books storylines. I LOVED the tension and the banter between the two. If you are one who enjoys romance books without a lot of smut you will enjoy this.
My only main complaint is I didn’t like that this was written in 3rd person. I wish we had dual POVS.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ♥️⭐️
I am a new fan of Holly James and I was so excited for this book. It was such a wonderful read!
Recap:
Olivia Martin is the child of Hollywood Royalty, and since her parent's died young in an accident, Olivia has avoided the limelight. Instead, she writes celebrity stories for an LA magazine. Through one of her interviews she meets Chuck Walsh, an up-and-coming actor and they immediately had chemistry - maybe a bit too much of it. Their very dramatic breakup is recorded and uploaded to social media, throwing them both in the public's eye. This brings up a unique opportunity for them both - to participate in the game show Name Your Price, where they have to live together for a month and not touch each other (or kill each other) and they each get a million dollars. Olivia needs this money to support her grandmother. Chuck wants to get Olivia back.
Will they survive this and get the price at the end?
Review:
This book was a rollercoaster from the beginning and I was here for the ride. I loved the sparks between the main characters - seeing their relationship ups and downs and how much they felt for each other. Both have so much love and passion for each other, but sometimes you just need to be placed in the same room for along time to be able to work things out. I really enjoyed seeing their characters develop and figure out who they are together and on their own. I continue to be a huge fan of Holly James and everything she writes. Highly recommended!
Read if you like:
Second chance Romance
Forced Proximity
Celebrity Romance
Reality TV
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group / Dutton for an advanced copy of this book!
This was so fun! My first by this author, definitely won’t be my last. It’s a very sweet story and I can see it being very popular when it’s released.