This was a nice story and had an interesting concept but it just wasn't for me. It had its cute moments but it was also kind of slow at times. This might be something I try again to see if I like it more but right now I'm just not the into it

Such a fun story to read! (The spotify playlist also helped a lot) The characters are very loveable and I was able to connect with the MC on a reasonably deeper level

OMG, y'all! Let me spill the tea on this book! It's like my ultimate faves all rolled into one juicy read. First off, can we talk about how lit it is that the main character is a black girl? Like, that's some serious representation right there, and I was living for it! Plus, lowkey, she kinda looks like me, which just made the whole thing even more awesome.

Okay, but let's get into the good stuff. This book? It's got everything you could ever want: messiness, a love triangle that'll have you screaming, and it's all set on a reality show! Like, could it get any better than that? I was legit flipping pages faster than I could say "drama."

Seriously though, every chapter had me gagged. It was like I was watching my favorite reality show, but in book form! I was hooked from the get-go, and I couldn't put it down until I reached the last page.

Overall, this book was an absolute blast. I had the best time kicking back, giggling, and getting lost in all the drama. Major props to the author for serving up such a delicious read. I'm already counting down the days until their next release!

This was a fun little read. I enjoyed the dynamics between most of the characters in the book but I do think something was missing during the romantic relationship development part of the novel. I feel we we told not shown a lot of feelings and actions. With that being said I still enjoyed my reading experience of this book.

Grab some popcorn cause the drama and romance is one you're not gonna wanna tear your eyes a way from.
If you've ever seen the bachelor, love island or the lovely scripted show UnReal. You are gonna eat this book up. It's utterly addicting. Fun, flirty, raw and messy.
Lipstick & Camera Clicks, is a hilarious yet sweet read. Perfect for those looking for a fun romance read with a fast paced story and a great cast of characters.
Very excited to where the next story will take these characters as well.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing for the arc.

The perfect dessert novel and palette cleanser. Perfect book for when you need something good, sweet, and lovable. The diverse cast with a mix of reality TV makes this book one I was not able to put down.

Super cute story, set similarly to a "bachelor reality show." Scrumptious friends-to-lovers, great representation of diversity, and the right amount of spice. I will admit, I'm not usually a fan of love triangles, but this one was done well! The story wouldn't be, if the triangle didn't exist. I was here for it, trust me!

WHAT I LOVED MOST:
River *fans self* So squishy and also SEXY AF. My favorite combo.
The unique twists and turns of the story... wasn't very predictable and I love being surprised with how stories play out.
Indigo was a badass. Genuine to others. Honest with herself. And a don't *eff* with me attitude.

MY FAVORITE QUOTES:
"I remember thinking that River’s name fit him perfectly. He liked moving at his own pace, and it was almost impossible not to be dragged into his current."
"There is no room left in my heart when River exists.”
“I had it in my head since we were kids that you were mine. I’ve been in love with you since before I was old enough to know what love was.”

Overall this was cute and unique! If you're a sucker for reality shows and love steamy contemporary romance, this one might be for you!

Lipsticks & Camera Clicks by D.J. Murphy ★★★.5

For someone who doesn’t really watch much reality tv, I surprisingly enjoyed this book. All the characters are relatable in their own way (minus Javid we don’t like him) and i was invested and unable to put the book down! I loved reading about all the characters friendships / relationships and a love triangle was keeping it interesting, even though I knew who i wanted Indigo to be with from the start! (I think if i was a reality tv girl my rating would’ve been higher)

This was so CUTE. I haven’t enjoyed a modern romance in a long time, but I devoured this. The characters were all real and lovable, the plot line of a “bachelor” style reality show was perfection, and there is nothing I love more than two people pretending they aren’t in love while in front of everyone else and all of the jealously involved when one person is with someone else. ATE IT UP - couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for the next installment.

This book hooks you in right at the beginning with the FMC, Indigo, finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her… with one of her friends. To get herself over him, and to hopefully bring some attention to her burgeoning career as a makeup artist, she applies to be on a bachelor-type reality dating show. It just so happens that her childhood crush, and best friend, River, is a producer on the show.

Okay, so the reason why I generally hate love triangles is because you always have a clear favorite right? Hands down, River is the choice for Indigo (or maybe just for me). This other guy, Kade, is hot and suave, but River is definitely end game!

Not a ton of character development, but it was a fun, behind the scenes take on a reality show. Overall, the vibes were good. I probably liked Ryan's character (the flighty, model best friend) the best though as I needed a little more humor. A solid story with a diverse cast of characters and a a take no sh*t, black FMC.

⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️ (Two, not very explicit or detailed, scenes)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Lipstick and Camera Clicks by D.J. Murphy is a heartfelt Rom-Com that will have you laughing, crying, and fanning yourself. This fast paced, swoon-worthy story will have you shook.

I absolutely love the character development of the characters especially Indigo and Kade. This book will have you rooting for her to get with Kade or River back and forth, but overall swooning for both. I absolutely loved reading Lipstick and Camera Clicks!

Tropes/vibes:
💜 Love triangle
💜 Diverse characters
💜 🏳️‍🌈 positive
💜 Touch her and get got
💜 Strong FMC
💜 RomCom
💜 Betrayal
💜 Brief mentions of trauma

So thankful to receive this ARC and all thoughts are my own and honest 💜

Your girl loves a messy reality dating show filled with drama and backstabbing, and This book delivered just that! What i did not expect, was to be kicking, gasping and giggling as the story unfolds. We had a Love Triangle between Bad Boy and BFF Brother. Found Family and LGBTQ representation. Betrayal, and Heartbreak! And my favorite; An Adorable Black Female Lead! I will absolutely devour a book where i can easily imagine myself in the characters and there was no short of characters where I couldn't find yourself relating too. Sign me up for anything D.J. Murphy writes because its a guaranteed good time!

This was so cringe. I'm so sorry - I won't post a bad review to my accounts, but I struggled with this one. I didn't really care about the characters. Both men were weirdly possessive for a contemporary Romance and borderline harassing. Like multiple times she would say stop, they wouldn't, and Indigo would jsut go along with it. So gross. I've read much better reality show romances. This just wasn't great in my opinion. Also why did 3 different characters have burgundy hair?

It’s like an episode story. That’s not a bad thing and I do really like the characters. But the writing is not phenomenal or anything, it’s very much a fun read. I wish I could say that it is for me but unfortunately it’s not. I think if I enjoyed reality TV if would be a lot more enjoyable but I don’t.

what a cute and adorable book!

plot line:
If you told me I’d be on a reality dating show with a man I can’t stand, while the guy I haven’t been able to forget films it all, I’d tell you to kick rocks. But alas, here I am, pretending to fall in love with a man who’d marry himself if he could all while my tv producer best friend has front seats to it all. It’d be a lot easier if the if the self-centered bachelor wasn’t hot as hell and charming beyond reason when the cameras are rolling. Or if I didn’t get heart palpitations every time my best friend looked at me.

Hot emotionally stunted men and old crushes aside, I’ve sworn off dating. I know people say that and then they’re with someone new next week, but I mean it. After being betrayed, I’m doing this for me, myself and I. While the other women compete for love, I’m here to collect a check and gain enough clout to help kick off my career as a makeup artist. If it’s between success or moving back in with my nagging mother, I’m not letting men knock me off my game.


my thoughts:
I have decided that I ADORE the love triangle trope!

don’t get me wrong I was skeptical about this book at first as this was a new trope for me and I didn’t want to DNF it, however I really enjoyed this book and know it will be a favourite amongst the romance community too!

I love reading a story with a fierce and strong FMC and really appreciate that Indie was written and portrayed this way.

I particularly liked how this story had some unexpected twists - which for a romance book you don’t expect but I think adding this element can make the reader want to know more!

whilst for majority of this book I really liked , unfortunately (for me) I found the plot to be a bit repetitive in places and thought there were too many characters to keep up with, which meant I found the plot to be confusing at times.

overall, this book has quite literally got it all so if you’re looking for - representation , scandalous behaviour , sexiness , passion and more , I highly suggest you pick up this book!

thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review

This wasn’t bad at all! I was really excited to read a book where two men were vying for a Black woman’s affection and time. I just thought that maybe we’d see a little bit more with Kade and Indigo. Overall, it was real cute.

I wanted to like this, but I struggled to get into it. From almost the very beginning the connection between Indie and River was obvious. I want to shake them to help them get their shit together. The story was a bit predictable to me, so I struggled to get into it as it became pretty obvious where it was heading.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this ARC. All opinions are my own

Unfortunately I just couldn’t get into this book. I didn’t like Kade at all after he botched her interview.

Firstly I would like to apologise leaving this review after the book has already been published.
I loved this book. It was so different from all the books I have read before and it was a nice refreshing read. Although there was a lot of drama at the end, I feel it could’ve been drawn out a bit more. I cannot wait to find out what happens to Kade though.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was extremely lucky again to receive this ARC because I was looking forward to this read and I received it just a day before it was to be published, this was an extremely fun read unbelievably lovable characters that are to die for I felt the MC pain in choosing between the two most amazing MMC ever they had a very cute relationship.
This is a love triangle slowburn story that takes place mostly on a reality show set so there are a lot of complex characters and we are introduced to all this distinct individuals who all ad their own uniqueness to the story.
My main love for this book comes from the fact that the main character is a black woman and the cover character looks like me which is rare these days but genuinely I was putting myself in her shoes a lot she resonated with me and I absolutely adore her.
I would take a bullet for Ryan, Kade, and River I want to marry them all, this book gave me everything I wanted from a love triangle the complexities of their stories were just too good like insanely good.
I do not have one single bad thing to say about this book, this is exactly what I expect from friends to lovers dynamic the relationships of the MC and supporting characters were just simply adorable and this is very rare but I was happy for her to end with anyone, I didn’t have a favourite which rarely happens I was happy with her relationships.
For a debut novel this is an amazing hit and I can’t wait to read more from this author. One of my favourite books recently this is a ten out of ten for me