While I loved the first book in this series, this felt truly sophomoric.
The inner conflict/dialogue was tiring and the witty banter from the first book was lacking. I did enjoy being back in the world of Old Hollywood that Ms Lenker created but ultimately, the book grew tiresome.

HIS GIRL HOLLYWOOD was a fun follow up to IT HAPPENED ONE FIGHT, continuing in the same Old Hollywood universe. Arlene was one of the best side characters from the first book, so it was a joy to follow her story in this one.

The once-unrequited love story feels almost like a second chance romance between Arlene and her childhood neighbor and crush Don. While I enjoyed the love story, I think my favorite part of their journey was their creative partnership. Seeing how Arlene and Don inspired each other to be better artists and creators kept me turning pages as they figured out how to handle the many external conflicts they faced. The cameos from previous characters were fun but not overwhelming, and the new characters helped to flesh out the world a bit more and expand the found family trope.

A good, fun read that may have strained credulity at times with the sheer dumb luck these characters experienced, but never made me regret suspending my disbelief.

Maureen Lee Lenker has done it again!!! Her debut, It Happened One Fight, was one of my favorite romance reads last year and her follow up did not disappoint!!

In Lenker’s newest novel, we follow Arlene Morgan (who we met in It Happened One Fight), fresh off an Oscar win and finally fulfilling her dream of directing a movie. To her shock, her childhood friend (and girlhood crush) Don Lamont (Lazzarini) has been cast as the lead in her directorial debut. Arlene has been in love with him for years, but a decade has passed since they’ve seen one another. Don left CA to chase his dancing dreams in NYC and in time, they’ve grown up and grown apart. Forced to work together, for the sake of both their careers, they must find a way to get along…and it may be easier than they think.

Filled with plenty of swoonworthy moments, spicy scenes, gangsters, secrets, grief, and the magic of Old Hollywood glamour. I highly recommend this charming, lovely novel!

Perfect for fans of:
• friends to lovers
• grumpy/sunshine
• Old Hollywood glam
• spicy scenes
• strong FMCs

This was such a fascinating, entertaining read! HIS GIRL HOLLYWOOD follows Arlene Morgan, who's always dreamed of becoming a movie director. When she gets the chance to direct her own film—a rare opportunity for women in 1930s Hollywood—she couldn't be more thrilled. But then she finds out that her leading man is none other than Don Lamont, who she always knew as Don Lazzarini, her childhood neighbor, best friend, and secret crush. They were inseparable until he left for New York City ten years earlier to become a dancer, and she hasn't seen or spoken to him since. Meanwhile, Don appears to be enjoying a thriving career on Broadway, but behind the scenes, he's struggling to escape from his dangerous manager. A leading role in a Hollywood movie musical might be his chance to break free once and for all, but a rocky relationship with his director, the woman he once knew as Lena, could cause them both to lose everything they've worked so hard for. Can Arlene and Don make the picture a success, take a second chance on true love, and find the freedom to follow their dreams?

I love all things Classic Hollywood, especially a good musical, so I was especially excited to read HIS GIRL HOLLYWOOD! This book truly has something for all readers—fans of historical fiction, romance, and/or thrillers will all find something to enjoy. Friends-to-lovers and second-chance romance are not usually tropes I tend to gravitate towards in my romance reads, but I loved how they were handled in this one. Maureen Lee Lenker does such a great job of establishing Lena and Don's chemistry and making it clear that their feelings for each other haven't changed, despite the years that have passed and the obstacles that have been thrown at them. Beyond the romance, a real highlight for me was the whole setting and how well-developed it was. Whether it was a glitzy Hollywood nightclub, a homey diner, a star-studded movie set, or the bustling Santa Monica Pier, I was completely absorbed in the characters' world! I also loved how Lenker pays homage to famous stars and films from the Golden Age of Hollywood, from the Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movies to Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen's partnership and the films they made together. She also does a fantastic job of highlighting the difficulties women faced in the film industry during this time, with Arlene's storyline. While it was so disappointing that Arlene had to fight to be taken seriously on set at first, it was wonderful to see her grow as a director and rise above her detractors.

If there's one thing I didn't love about this book, I kind of wish the miscommunication between Arlene and Don had been cut short earlier? I understand why it took so long for things to come to a head, and I think overall the pacing was handled well, but it could get a little bit frustrating to see them have the same uncertainties about certain situations, their relationship, etc. Still, I really enjoyed this one, and would recommend it! I'm excited to go back and read Lenker's debut, IT HAPPENED ONE FIGHT, too. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC.

I like the idea of this book, but just like with her previous, I found this one rather slow going, and I just wasn’t invested. The characters also weren’t that compelling, so I ended up checking out at around 44%.