3.5 rounded to 4!

The plot and characters were great! I just couldn't get past the never ending references to today's trends and TikTok. I guess I'm not ~that~ into contemporary romance lol I need my romance to be a few years behind my IRL life.

Thank you Christy, Forever, and NetGalley for the eARC! ❤️

Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift is an absolute delight! This charming story pulls you in with its relatable characters, swoon-worthy romance, and just the right amount of humor. Packed with some of my favorite tropes—fake dating and celebrity romance—it’s the perfect escape. The romance is sweet and closed-door, making it a heartwarming read that focuses on emotional connection and chemistry. You can’t help but root for the romance and the characters as they navigate their journey filled with heartfelt moments and personal growth. Swift’s writing is captivating and brimming with emotion, making it impossible to put the book down. If you’re looking for a feel-good, uplifting romance, this one is a must-read!

This book had me hooked from the very beginning. This is something that only happens in movies and it was beautiful to read it as a story. The story follows Emmy who writes a novel inspired by her celebrity crush, Jason. Amidst all the chaos surrounding her book she ends up meeting Jason and his costars on a talk show for her book. Their love story blossoms from there. But it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I loved this book. I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future. Highly recommend if you are looking for a fast paced rom com read! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Yes!!!! #celebrutycrush is so good. The hug contest! The dual POV. The quirkiness of the main characters.

I loved this, couldn't put it down. I want to have a book for each of the Lost characters. I think the way everyone rallied for Jason was amazing. I think Emmy showed how hard it is to make it in Hollywood. And I loved how there was a mix of celebrity cameos!

A romance writer’s wildest dreams—the bestseller list, a movie deal, and a date with the real-life inspiration for her Hollywood hero—are all within her grasp if only she can hold it all together.

Author Emmy Ellison is a sucker for a page-turning happy ending, but she’s no longer counting on one for herself. If she stays focused on her career goals instead of her love life, she just might find success. And now that her latest novel is about to become a movie, she’s determined to become the latest social media sensation.

Enter her plan for her secret celebrity crush, the real-life inspiration for her romantic hero. When he accepts the starring role in the big-screen adaptation of her book, she’s determined to team up with a fake dating scheme—now that he’s in need of some good PR of his own. Ideally, she can ride the wave of popularity all the way to the top of the bestseller lists. But when the harsh spotlight of fame exposes the truth, will they try to turn their on-camera chemistry into a real-life relationship?

Loved it. Will recommend to others

If you love nerdy pop culture references, a sweet & swoony love interest, and a dash of glitzy Hollywood glamour, this book is for you! Christy really put the COM in romcom and I had a blast being in the mind of relatable, loveable Emmy and too-good-for-this-world Jason. Christy is a master at creating voice-y characters with tons of personality and charm, and the humor was spot on - I was giggling from start to finish. There’s everything from obscure sci fi humor to dry, sarcastic wit to physical comedy (the pool scene comes to mind lol) that I just ate up. Perfect for fans of Kate Spencer, Katherine Center, and Erin Hahn.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The synopsis appealed but the execution left me cold.

I very quickly realized that I was obviously not the correct age demographic for this romance.
*it read more YA than adult - both MC’s are painfully juvenile
*both MC’s are dishonest and awful while also not being fleshed out enough
*TikTok influencers galore

I didn’t enjoy this one.




Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the DRC

DNF 68%

I just severely disliked how dishonest both main characters were with each other in order to keep a ruse going. I’m not one to judge anyone. But wow. Not only did the MMC humiliate his ex in public in order to “win” an argument because he couldn’t see his way out of being manipulated but then turns around and invites a near stranger into his home to stay with him, meeting his kid, because he is attracted to her and, if he is lucky, wants to sleep with her. His people around him are right when they say he is an a hole, but HER friends should have been better at checking in, and her manager is GROSS for shoving her at someone to make a show of it. This entire book made me feel gross. Both Jason and Emmy felt like rushed characters, using flair for drama and “witty catchphrases” thrown together with insta-lust to create a book. And that really just doesn’t sit well with me.

Christy Swift’s *Celebrity Crush* is a sparkling rom-com that brings the ultimate fantasy to life: what if the dream guy you created in your head—and on the page—turned out to be real? With humor, heart, and a delicious dash of Hollywood glitz, Swift crafts a story that is as swoon-worthy as it is delightfully chaotic.

Emmy Ellison is the kind of heroine every reader can root for. A romance author with big dreams but no illusions about her own love life, Emmy has her eyes firmly set on professional success. When her latest novel gets the movie deal of a lifetime, and her celebrity crush—the very inspiration for her fictional hero—takes on the lead role, Emmy is suddenly thrust into a world of red carpets and PR nightmares. Determined to capitalize on the moment, she agrees to a fake dating arrangement with her Hollywood heartthrob, setting the stage for plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and sizzling chemistry.

Swift nails the fake-dating trope, blending playful banter and undeniable tension with just the right amount of emotional vulnerability. Emmy and her movie-star crush are both navigating the pitfalls of public life, and their shared struggles bring authenticity to their otherwise glitzy romance. As their on-screen and off-screen connections blur, their relationship becomes a heartwarming mix of passion and poignancy.

What makes *Celebrity Crush* truly stand out is its balance of humor and depth. Swift infuses Emmy’s journey with moments of self-reflection, exploring themes of self-worth, the cost of fame, and the courage it takes to pursue your dreams while staying true to yourself. Emmy’s determination to control her narrative—both in her career and her personal life—is as inspiring as it is relatable, making her a refreshingly grounded protagonist in a larger-than-life story.

The Hollywood setting adds plenty of sparkle, from glamorous premieres to the behind-the-scenes drama of adapting a book into a film. Swift peppers the narrative with sharp insights into the entertainment industry, adding an extra layer of intrigue and authenticity to Emmy’s rollercoaster ride of fame and romance.

The pacing is breezy and engaging, with enough twists and turns to keep readers hooked without losing sight of the emotional core of the story. Supporting characters, from meddling agents to quirky friends, add color and humor to the narrative, making Emmy’s world feel as vibrant and messy as real life.

*Celebrity Crush* is a must-read for fans of lighthearted romance with a touch of glitz and a lot of heart. Christy Swift delivers a story that’s equal parts fun and heartfelt, reminding us that even when life feels like a whirlwind, love has a way of bringing us back to what truly matters. With its laugh-out-loud moments, swoony romance, and relatable heroine, this book is a five-star escape that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

Thanks to Netgalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for access to this E-ARC! So cute!! Loved the characters & the celebrity setting. Will definitely read more from this author.

What person, at some time in their life, hasn't had the fantasy crush and dreamed of the "what-ifs"? Seriously just about everyone! "Celebrate Crush" will take you there! Emmy Ellison writes a book with the likes of her celebrity crush in mind (amongst a few other influencer jobs she has) & when book & dream life collide with real life- there is a whole lot of real life "what- ifs" and "what am I doing?"!
All this makes for a lighthearted, fun read that really catapulted me back to my teens and 20s when I would spend countless hours dreamy of those actors and rock stars that filled my daydreams and nighttime dreams as well!
I definitely see myself re-reading this book just for the fun, lightheartedness of it!

Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift is a fun, fast-paced romcom that delivers the perfect dose of escapism. Thepremise of an author getting to meet her celebrity crush- who just so happens to be the inspiration for the romantic hero in her NYT bestselling book- is pure fantasy, and Swift does a great job making it both humorous and heartwarming.

The chemistry between Emmy and Jason is undeniable. Their interactions are funny, frustrating, and at times, utterly delightful. Emmy is a single mom turned author and social media influencer. I appreciated her unique personality and the way she juggles her career and personal life. Jason is a nice guy with a troubled past, and while he and Emmy share undeniable chemistry, their baggage makes their connection complicated. Their journey is filled with tension and emotion.

The supporting characters were another highlight of the book. Their relationships with the main characters were engaging and brought a lot of warmth to the story. I especially loved the family dynamic and would’ve liked to see more of it!

The pop culture references added a fun and relatable layer to the story. I can see how some readers might find them a bit dated, but I found them to be a quirky and enjoyable part of the narrative.

While the romance was sweet, I did wish for more buildup at the beginning to explain why Emmy and Jason were so drawn to each other right away. The relationship felt like it moved at a fast pace but worked well with the storyline. I thought the book could have benefited from a bit more world-building and background, particularly around the book that Emmy wrote and how it fit into the bigger picture.

Celebrity Crush is an entertaining read with plenty of humor, heart, and chemistry. It’s an easy, cozy read that keeps you invested in the characters and their journey. If you're looking for a lighthearted, feel-good romance with a dash of celebrity glamour, this one’s definitely worth the read.

This was cute… Elly’s book is going viral, with everyone taking guesses as to who the celebrity is that she gives clues to having a crush on inside it. When she actually gets a chance to meet him in real life, she has to make a lots of life-changing decisions. If you like tik-tok, social media influencers, dancing celebrities, you’ll love this book. It’s adorable and fun. I had a tough time staying engaged and really getting absorbed in the story however, so it took me a longer time to finish this than usual. I had to step away and come back to it. It is funny and romantic though, so I would say worth the read.

This was a fast paced read for me that was a mix of celebrity romance and fast romance. There were parts of the book that fell a little flat for me but overall it was an ok read.

Thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the ARC.

Celebrity Crush will appeal to readers who love quirky, closed door romance, dancing and TikTok, and sci-fi fandom. If you've ever dreamed of getting to meet your favorite sci-fi or fantasy TV star, this book might be for you, because Ellie gets to live that dream. When her best selling romance novel goes viral and gets a movie deal, she gets to meet her celebrity crush Jason Connor. The two discover that they have chemistry, and they start down a winding path to romance.

This book appeals to a niche reader and is very campy and fun. With that said, it wasn't for me. Jason's drinking is more of a problem than the story addresses, and I had a hard time staying invested and finishing the story.

3.75⭐️’s. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC to review prior to release. Enjoyed the storyline being different than most romance books. Added a fun element to it. Jason and Emmy were cute together as a couple. A few things threw me off by the quick intro of their families to each other, felt a little unrealistic. Really didn’t see them “grow” as characters as even towards the end of the book both had similar issues as they did in the beginning of the story.

Overall a good book and my first time reading by this author.

Wow! That was better than i anticipated! I fixed it 4.5⭐️ but rounded it up for Goodreads as it deserved it. I thought this was going b to be a fluffy romance and while it is a RomCom it has more “meat” on it than is typical with this type of book.

I am so thankful to St Martin’s Press for giving me the eARC for free so I could leave a review and got NetGalley for hosting it. This is a book that I want b a physical copy of once it comes out on 2/11/25 as I would want b to share it with others and read it again in the future.

I loved Emmy who is an author and VLOGer who gets her book published and gets to have a surprise meet with her celebrity crush who “inspired” the book and then all the romantic entanglements ensue! She is a strong FMC who is s great role model for her 12 year old daughter. The MMC of going through a redemption arc throughout the book and in was happy to read a very real and flawed character.

So her this on you r 2025 TBR as it’s a romance you won’t want to miss out on it just in time for Valentine’s Day

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Thank you NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Christy Swift for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up!

In this story, Emmy gets to live out every girl's dream. She writes a NYT best-selling romance where the MMC is inspired by her real life celebrity crush. She keeps that celebrity crush a secret until she gets to meet him face-to-face. They have instant chemistry, but fight it for a myriad of reasons.

Jason has had some bad press lately (and in the past), so Emmy agrees to help him with his image by using the social media skills that she's honed and used as a tool when releasing her novel. Cue the forced proximity and a few "is this really happening?!" moments.

I absolutely can't believe this is a debut author! This book was excellent! It was a quick read and a really sweet story about two single parents finding love with each other in Hollywood. There were twists and turns and the third act breakup wasn't at all what I was expecting (and normally, I feel like I can figure that out early on in a novel).

The way the vlogs, podcasts and interviewers were added was a fun way to break up the book and show that while Emmy and Jason were in their own little world, their relationship wasn't happening in a vacuum.

The supporting characters were fantastic; I loved Josie and all the members of the show that were Jason's friends. I liked how Christy wrote the relationships between the MCs and their friends. The banter between friends was fun and the situationd were (mostly) realistic.

Please, please Christy Swift, tell me the next story is Josie's!!

This was a cute little romcom, Emmy writes a book inspired by her celebrity crush it becomes a viral sensation when she makes a tiktok about it and ends up on a daytime talk show and ends up meeting, said crush through a series of happenstances they end up spending time together, and you know the trope. It's cute. I wish that they would've so let's shut the characters a little bit more. I felt like there was something missing with jason's character.-- That's the celebrity crush i also hope that we will hear more about the purple hair. Ed best friend Josie. I liked her and I feel like there could be a story there all in all. It's a fun romcom quick little read

If you have ever daydreamed about meeting your celebrity crush, this book is for you. If you have ever dreamed of writing a book, you can relate to Emmy. She is a social media influencer turned author. After Emmy wrote a book inspired by her celebrity crush, everyone wants to know who that crush is. When she is invited to a talk show to promote her book, the host surprises her by bringing her crush, Jason, onto the show to meet her. When her book is picked up to be turned into a movie, Jason is cast as the lead and he and Emmy have to spend time together to promote the movie. The more time they spend together, the more their attraction grows, but there is a problems. Jason is trying to clean up his reputation in order to save his job which means that he can't be seen with Emmy romantically and Emmy has a secret.

This was a fun book which caught my attention from the opening paragraph. The pace was just right. The interaction between Emmy and Jason was funny and irritating and delicious. Emmy is a science fiction fan girl and Jason is a nice guy that the world views as a womanizer. Emmy and Jason have definite chemistry, but cirmcumstances are not on their side and they both have baggage. This book has a third act breakup which could be seem coming early in the story and I found myself telling Emmy out loud to come clean before it was too late. Spoiler alert, she didn't. I was so invested in the story that I had to quit reading a couple of times because I could feel the third act breakup was inevitable and I didn't want it to happen. I couldn't stay away long though. I needed to know what was going to happen next. I was also invested in the supporting characters. They were some very entertaining people and I loved Emmy's stylist. Luckily, this is a romance novel, so I was guaranteed a happy ending after the heartbreak. .

I hadn't read anything by Christy Swift, so I Googled her. Apparently, Celebrity Crush is her debut novel and it sounds like Emmy was loosely based on her. I bet we will be reading other romcoms by Christy in the future. Thank you to Christy and NetGalley for the honor of reading the ARC. I truly enjoyed it.