Summary: While working as a PA since struggling as an actress, Kat meets James, a celebrity with a hidden identity.

Vibes:
- Forbidden Romance/Secret Relationship
- Celebrity/Hidden Identity
- Great communication
- mental health rep
- spice: 2/5

My thoughts: Kat was so real with her insecurities. They had a little bit of insta-love, so I wish it built a little more. I loved that James was always there and ready to take care of her. It was a really cute light read with comedy.

Thank you Ivy and Net Galley for an arc, which did not influence my review.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review. I absolutely loved this book and fell in love with James and Kat.

James is a well known famous actor, good looking and charismatic. Kat is a sweet, kind and beautiful girl who gave up acting after her break-up with her wannabe actor boyfriend and getting let go by her agent. Luckily, Rose, Kat's best friend gets her a job on set, where Kat literally runs into James. Sparks fly and joint custody of a fish begins. Unfortunately, it's not all that it seems to be. James is a puppet in his father's, Deacons's, world; throwing a wrench in what could be a happily ever after.

The support that James and Kat has for each other was so significant in providing a deeper connection into their relationship.

The character development was amazing. I found myself laughing out loud, and also tearing up. I couldn't put the book down.

Spicy: 4/5

Amazing story! I love a protective MMC. I’m a sucker for a forbidden romance so this was right up my alley.

4.5 star
This was a great debut book that I enjoyed a lot.
Characters were great
Story was enjoyable
Loved that their relationship started to the help of a fish, which they then share custody of. I look forward to the next books in this series.

Such a fun romcom! Loved it! But then again I love banter and romcoms and this was great! Big love for Kat and James.

This book took me by surprise. I wasn’t a fan of the first chapter but after that the story took off. I was so immersed in the characters and their banter that the story flew by before I knew it. I liked how she chose herself and wasn’t willing to be hidden. The banter, the ex, the co star all felt so real and I ate this book up. This is a book that I can see everyone enjoying. It was a cute read that I suggest others check out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thanks to Ivy Dawes, Flower & Bear Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Starstruck in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released on May 21st and I cannot wait for people to read it! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*cue the Disney Original movie Starstruck*

When I saw the title of this book, I couldn’t get the song “Starstruck” out of my head. And I will say it didn’t stop while I read this book lol 🎵

Kat Caplan has been dropped by pretty much everyone: her agent, her boyfriend, and just life in general. She finds herself working as a PA for some terrible famous actor, and bumps into a mystery man on set. With a gory prosthetic covering half of his face, it’s hard to tell that he’s actually movie star James Everett. James’ father, Deacon, owns Starlight Studios, and seemingly, James’ career. James must sign a contract entering into a fake dating situation with one of his co-stars, but he’s hung up on Kat. Can James stick up to his father and put his heart first? Or is his acting career too important to mess up?

I really enjoyed this book! I think it was fast paced without being confusing, and I loved the dynamic between Kat and James. My only complaint would be that it sometimes felt like I was reading Kat’s diary, rather than a full on book, but that kind of made it more relatable. If you love cute romances with some spice and swoon, this is the one for you!

Kat and James relationship starts with shared custody of a white and blue fish and if that doesn’t make you want to immediately read this book I don’t know what will! I was shocked to find out this was a debut romance novel as it was incredibly crafted and I throughly enjoyed myself reading it. Their relationship grows organically and I loved the ending of their story. The side characters in this book were likeable and I’m already invested in finding out more about Romans story in book two. The plot of this wasn’t anything ‘’new’’ for the romance genre but it was well executed and enjoyable. All of the best parts that make a great romance were bundled up in Starstruck. James and Kat both have some great character development throughout this story and I adored the dual POV. Being able to see how much they were equally in love with one another was just perfect. Super excited to have discovered this author and can’t wait to follow on her career after this star-studded debut!

AMAZON review will be posted: 21/05
TikTok Video: 21/05

Thank you for the arc!

I really enjoyed this and to say it’s a debut novel! This book is a pretty easy read but also touches on familial issues and mental health. I loved James as a character he was like a golden retriever 🙈
I’m definitely looking forward to the next one in the series about Roman

Thank you Flower & Bear Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Starstruck was a super cute book! This was my fantasy as I was growing up -- for a handsome movie star to choose me! I would have loved for Kat and James to have more in common; it seemed to me that attraction was the only thing they really went off of. Otherwise, it was cute and romantic and a nice, light read!

Thanks again for the ARC!

Thank you to Flower and Bear books, Netgalley and Ivy Dawes for an ARC.
Kat:
Dropped by my acting agent? Check. Dumped by my crappy ex boyfriend? Check.
This was not what I envisioned when I moved to LA. So I’m starting at the bottom. Again. When I get a job as a PA on the set of an upcoming Starlight Studios movie, I am stuck catering to the whims of a has-been who treats me like dirt. It’s almost enough to make me reconsider this gig. That is until I meet a background actor who gives me butterflies and makes me feel like I’m alive again.
James is the man behind the fake makeup of horror and strikes up a conversation with Kat backstage only to find themselves both having insta-feelings, neither knowing truly anything about the other. Kat has no idea who James is, that he is the son of the owner of the studios and a huge movie star on top.
This is a cute romance it does have spice but not a lot so fine for anyone who prefers a clean romance as you can literally gloss over the few pages and not lose a thing over the story.
I loved Kat, really loved her. She's one of those down to earth girls who wears her heart on her sleeve and deserve literally the best that life can offer her. I rooted for this girl all the way through.
And James. Let's talk about James, he's handsome, he has a big heart, he is besotted with Kat and will do whatever it takes to make it work. A man after my own heart.
Ivy Dawes is a fantastic author, she writes romance with a capital R and I am so over joyed that I recently discovered her over on NetGalley. I can really see this book taking off.
It is a friends to lovers, small town studio, movie star romance in case that isn't obvious by the rest of the review or the blurb of the book.
Please give this a read because honestly, I think you will fall in love with the characters and the story. I read this in one sitting because I just had to know if they would get their HEA.
Kerry Kennedy Author

A cute rom-com.

This book is such a good rom-com with amazing tropes including meet cute, Hollywood setting and hidden identities. This just ticks all the boxes I love in a romance book!
It did feel really fast paced which isn’t my favourite but it ended really well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an ARC in return for an honest review.

This book gave me all the feels 🥰💕 Have you ever had a celebrity crush and wished you could meet him or her? Well Kat not only met a well known actor that everyone adored but she’s also dating him! I love the characters development for Kat and James! Kat is a strong FMC who’s chasing her dreams to be an actress. Though she hasn’t taken the easy routes and her ex Dane wasn’t supportive of her journey, she’s still focused on making her dreams come true. James, a top billed actor, is everything you’ll want in a man! From how he treats her to giving her reassurance about herself, he’s going to do everything he can to keep a smile on her face. His family is well known in Hollywood and his dad is beyond controlling, but that doesn’t stop him from doing what he thinks is right for his life.

If I was in Kat’s world, I will feel the same way! One, is this real??? Two, he fell for just an average woman who’s not an actress or model. Three, he absolutely ADORES HER! Ugh this story is so beautiful I can’t get enough of it! I can’t wait to read another book by Ivy Dawes! She absolutely deserves her flowers for this!

A cute love story about a girl who is down on her luck and takes a job as a pa with some pretty big actors. I love the tropes where they don’t really know who each other are until it’s kinda too late. Like they realize it after they fall for each other.
James comes from a family of big talent and as such, things are expected of him. Things he isn’t sure he wants to give. He’s such a cinnamon roll it’s adorable.
Kat lost everything in a moment and she had no idea taking the job would be the door to a new life.
It was kinda an Instalove, but it worked for this book. It was endearing. Fun and cutesy.
This was the perfect book for me to pick up after some heavy dark romance and it did not disappoint. It hit the spot that took me out of my world and into theirs. I cheered and rooted for them, felt for them, found solace with them.
I certainly look forward to seeing what else is to come from this author.

Kat is an aspiring actress hoping to get her "in" into the industry working on Starlight Productions newest film as a PA. While she spends most days on set doing outrageous errands for one of the leads on the film, she always enjoys running into Alex, a background character in the film, or so she thinks...

This was a cute and lighthearted read. There wasn't a whole lot of drama and readers can enjoy the relationships between the charecters (whether romantic or not). However, I felt that the romance of the book was fairly rushed. I didn't find any real connection between our love interests and wish there was more depth there. I was also hoping that the "forbidden romance" trope was more unique given that most entertainment based romances involve this PR relationship contract.

Overall, if someone is wanting a relaxing read with little conflict, this may be a book for them.

Absolutely loved the characters and the story line. Who doesn’t love a rom -com meet cute with a HEA!? And James is just a swoon worthy cinnamon roll.

Starstruck eARC by Ivy Dawes — ★ ★ ★ ★

Dedication: For anyone who has ever felt like you aren’t enough. I promise you are.
(I love this so much!) 🌸

Tropes 🌷
- meet cute
- celebrities
- hidden identities
- hollywood

“It’s funny how someone can go from being a total stranger to your entire world in what feels like the blink of an eye.” — Kat

This book feels like a rom-com movie set in Hollywood. If you want some drama, a fast-paced, and spicy read, then this one’s for you! 🫡

I flew through this book and enjoyed every bit of it. I laughed so hard and swooned over the characters. 💘

I love the meet-cute. They’re literally so adorable! I can’t wait for you guys to meet James and Kat on May 21, 2024💘

Thank you so much for the eARC @netgalley and congratulations on your amazing debut novel @authorivydawes 💗🌷✨

#Starstruck #IvyDawes #Hollywood

I received this book as an ARC read and I absolutely loved it. It was really cute and sweet and also had me feeling every emotion. At some points, I was giggling and kicking my feet from how cute it was then, at other points, I wanted to punch some characters. Also at some point, I was nearly crying. The character of Rose is the best friend everyone needs quite always saying the truth and being there when needed. The micro trope of them sharing a pet was really sweet. If you want to read a cute romance book that will be leaving you laughing while also having some very spicy chapters then this is the book for you.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this amazing book!!

I would give this book 3.75 stars!! I really enjoyed it. I feel like it was a little slow at points. But I really did love the way they met in this book and I truly loved the lack of a miscommunication trope!! These two characters truly felt right together.

An amazing debut novel and I’m so lucky to have received this ARC!! Truly give this book a shot. It’s a short fun read.

This romcom had me cheering for the couple from the start. I love how James treats Kat and keeps a protective watch over her in spite of his family. The secondary characters/ friends in this story were also likeable. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I can’t wait for the sequel!