I liked the premise of this one but sadly, I felt the execution wasn't all that strong. I struggled to feel the chemistry between the two main characters which led to the romance not being overly exciting. I would be happy to try this author again though as I do feel the storyline was interesting.

What I liked about this book was that it wasn’t a second chance because of a bad breakup from years ago, but second chance because of a missed connection!
As for the rest of the book I honestly couldn’t get into it. This book was advertised as “spicy” I wouldn’t go that far…there were spicy “moments” leading up to the “deed” but the deed was absolutely closed door. That’s fine, but it should be noted nonetheless. The story had potential but the ending felt rushed

This is a second chance romance I can get behind. They didn't date and break up 10 years ago. They basically had a missed connection. While the feelings were there, they didn't date and therefore didn't break up. It means there's less the overcome in the romance of the story. I don't want people to get back together when they've truly been wrong, nor do I want to see people get back together when they shouldn't've broken up in the first place.

Xavier is perceptive and caring. Great attributes for an indie director, but making the transition into major motion pictures has left him with too much on his plate. He's happy to let his producer take over the finances completely. Unfortunately, that bites him in the ass when it turns out he's skimming off the top and goes on the run.

Sutton is an executive at the production company. She's sent to set to shut down production for going over budget. When she discovers that most of the expenses have been fraud rather than excessive spending, she convinces the company to keep the film going, but with her as the producer.

Sutton and Xavier struggle with their attraction to each other, but attraction is not where it stops. They banter. They joke. They fall into the flirty patterns they established 10 years ago. The crew even notices and starts taking bets on if/when they get together. The last people to know the inevitability of their relationship is these two.

The one thing about this story that kept me from loving it is that it felt fast. I wish it had another 20 pages or so to flesh out the getting together. We see their first kiss, and a little fooling around, but we skip ahead weeks when they return from their adventure. I don't doubt that these two COULD fall deeply in love with each other, but I don't feel like I got to watch them do it. This fast pace continued with the resolution at the end of the story. Do I mind not living in the drama, no. But we also missed out on them making the decisions that did that created their last scene together. Give me more, please.

One thing about me? I love romance books in a Hollywood setting! I don't know what it is, but something about it just does it for me every time. This book was no different.

I'm normally not crazy about second chance tropes but this one had me from the start. I love seeing the production side of things. I also loved the TENSION! It was really eating. I loved Xavier and also enjoyed how the power dynamics for this book were reverse! The FMC rarely holds power over the MMC in books like this, and it was even better since it used to be the other way around between them.

Definitely recommend, 4 stars!

This was a quick and heartfelt read! I really enjoy lovers to enemies to lovers and I felt this book portrayed that well.

I really enjoyed seeing how Sutton made really big career decisions and finally found her right fit. Likewise, it was nice to see Xavier realize that he needed to open up and let people into his life.

I also liked the side characters, Erik especially with his matchmaking skills.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book, this is my objective review. Xavier is a movie director, contending with the sudden disappearance of the producer on his newest film while simultaneously facing one of his biggest romantic regrets. Sutton was once an aspiring screenwriter and is now a production executive investigating financial irregularities on Xavier's latest film production. Ten years ago their relationship imploded with no warning, will they be able to put aside hurt feelings and resurrect Xavier's film? Overall, I liked it. The two main plots (i.e., what really happened between Xavier and Sutton 10 years ago, and the missing money and threat to shut down the film) keep the story moving. There's not a lot here that's new and it's a bit predictable, but it was written well enough to be engaging and I stayed with it to the end. Written in dual 3rd-person POVs, which I always enjoy, and with a likeable cast of supporting characters. I did have a couple of issues that distracted me from full enjoyment. First, the author confused me with her choice to make some of the sexual intimacy open-door (the "lead-up" sexual acts) and some of it closed-door (the "main show" consummation, if you will). I'm not sure why she'd be so openly detailed with some and not all of it, but the author wrote it that way so I respect her decision. The other issue was the lack of full copy-editing (missing words, missing or mis-placed punctuation, extra words where the shouldn't be, etc.) But, since this is an advanced reader copy it will hopefully be corrected before publication. Readers who enjoy forced-proximity, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers stories with a heavy emphasis on miscommunication/misunderstanding and ultimately an HEA will like this book. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Publishes February 25, 2025.

This was an adorably fast-paced rom-com! I really enjoyed the secluded film set as the setting, and the Hollywood production politics. I would have liked more flashback scenes so we could see a little more growth between the characters now and them ten years prior. Overall, an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin-Romance for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This Hollywood setting contemporary romance is perfect for fans of Fall Guy, the Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt film!

This quick read is plot driven and full of second chance longing with the “save the film” trope

I struggled to connect with the characters on a deeper level but enjoyed them nonetheless!

I really enjoyed both the story and the way it was told in this read. The setting was fun and novel, and the isolated set made for a unique romance. The place where I thought the book struggled was in the rushed third act and reunion. I love to believe in an HEA, but I felt like the last 10% did a disservice to the first 90%. That said, I’d certainly go back for more with this author!

3 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh, the messy magic of second-chance romance—especially when it’s set against the glitzy (and occasionally soul-crushing) backdrop of Hollywood! This book is like curling up with a rom-com that knows exactly when to be sweet, when to be snarky, and when to bring the heat.

Sutton Spencer is the kind of heroine you root for from page one. She’s smart, ambitious, and just awkward enough to feel like someone you’d be friends with IRL. And Xavier? Classic grumpy-but-hot genius. You know the type—brooding, emotionally constipated, probably owns a lot of black t-shirts. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their arguments? Gold. Susannah Erwin writes banter like she’s penning dialogue for your favorite streaming rom-com (the one you’ve already rewatched too many times).

What I loved most about this book was its balance. It’s got the swoony moments you expect, but also tackles real emotions and the baggage these two carry from their messy past. Sutton’s journey to prove herself in a male-dominated industry is satisfying and relatable. And Xavier? He’s got layers. Like, “I’ve-got-reasons-for-being-this-broody” layers that make you yell, “JUST TALK TO HER!” at your Kindle.

The Hollywood setting is the cherry on top. From on-set disasters to big egos, Erwin nails the industry chaos without making it overshadow the romance. Also, the tension of an on-set fling? Yeah, that’s spicy.

If I had one complaint, it’s that the resolution felt a tad rushed. Like, we’ve spent all this time building up the tension and angst, and suddenly—bam—happy ending. I’m not mad about it, but I wouldn’t have minded a little more lingering in the feels.

Big thanks to Susannah Erwin, NetGalley, and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for the ARC! This was a delightful read that reminded me why I love messy, imperfect love stories with just the right amount of movie magic. And let’s be real: the best romances do happen off-screen.

This book was a miss for me, and I’m not exactly sure why. It had some of my favourite tropes, second chance romance and forced proximity, but the romance didn’t hook me, and I found myself bored throughout.

Thank you to Afterglow Books and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love a contemporary romance but I tend to steer away from fame/film maker themes, but this one really held up. I like the second chance aspect and Xavier is really hot

PLEASE edit this book again. There are several grammar, punctuation, and even missing words mistakes.


Review:
💖 Second Chance
💖 Forced Proximity
💖 Movie Setting

This book follows Sutton & Xavier. Xavier was once Suttons college professor and they had a one night fling the night before graduation. Fast forward to 10 years later and they’re both in the movie business…just on different sides. Xavier is the director for the upcoming movie, The Quantium Wrath, and Suttons the new “suit” (aka movie executive sent to keep everyone in line).

This books feature movie set background, movie lingo, and a second chance love.

Overall, the book was a solid read. I feel like the ending was a bit rushed and would have liked to see more of the time between the ending of the movie and the end of the book. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy movie stars/movie trope.

I was provided an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Afterglow Books in return for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to read it and post my honest review.

Second chance romance is not a trope that I often enjoy, but I put that aside while reading this in order to give this book a fair chance. I loved how it was written, but I couldn't get behind it. This has nothing to do with the author, only my personal preferences.

Overall, I enjoyed it. I loved the author's writing style and I will definitely be picking up whatever she writes next!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

🔎 ARC Review

Love and Other Hollywood Endings

@susannahwrites
@harlequinbooks
@netgalley

Publication Date: February 25th, 2025

My Rating:
🌟 4/5

👀Read if you like
Second Chance Romance
Movies/Movie Stars


The best love stories happen off-screen…

It’s a perfect beginning: upbeat screenwriting student is mentored by genius-but-grumpy indie filmmaker, they argue over movies and share one secret kiss. But then comes the gut punch Sutton Spencer didn’t expect… Xavier Duval skips town and ghosts her completely, right after savagely critiquing her screenplay.

Fast-forward ten years, and Sutton is now a movie exec vying for a VP position. To prove herself, she offers to travel to a remote shoot and oversee Xavier’s new sci-fi blockbuster, which has gone way over budget. This time, she’s in charge. And Xavier? He’s as talented, gruff and hot as she remembers—and still convinced there are no happy-ever-afters in real life.

Xavier knows he messed up with Sutton, but he had his reasons. Now, seeing the way she combines sweetness with nerves of steel to get his production back on track, he almost wishes he believed in romance. Instead, they agree to an on-set fling, one that will fade to black when shooting stops.

On paper, it’s that simple. But life, and love, has a way of going wildly off script…

🔎 My review
This is my first book my Susannah and it was a cute romance! I am personally not a big movie/Hollywood fan, but I still wanted to give this book a chance and I am glad! I loved seeing Sutton and Xavier grow and finally decide what they want in life both career and personally and how can you not love Chez 😉. Definitely recommend

Thank you @susannahwrites, @harlequinbooks, @netgalley for the ARC!

#books #bookreviews #bookstagrammer #bookworm #bookstagram #bookobsessed #romance #susannaherwin #harlequinbooks #NetGalley #LoveandOtherHollywoodEndings

This book was great! The writing was so easy to read and the main characters were wonderfully written!

I loved the Hollywood element to this book, it had that romance element that I was looking for and was realistically done. I enjoyed how everything worked in this universe and enjoyed reading this romance grow. Susannah Erwin has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.

I’m not usually one that gravitates to Hollywood romance books but this one piqued my interest. I ended up really enjoying it! I thought it was different for a Hollywood romance since it focuses more on the production side and the people involved there. I also liked the romance and the female lead a lot.
An enjoyable story!

Such a cute contemporary love story! What drew me in was the cover and what kept me hooked was the writing.