I enjoyed this quick and cute, easy read which centres around the movie industry, namely Hollywood. John and Anna's meet cute was adorable although I did feel parts of the story dragged on after that. Not sure if this will be a memorable book but does somewhat make a good palate cleanser!

I want to start off by saying that the cover of this book is stunning! I was immediately drawn to it and when I read the blurb I knew it was a book I wanted to read. With that said, this book was unfortunately quite disappointing.

The start of the book was very slow and not very engaging. I totally understand what Evie was trying to do with building that initial connection between Anna and John, but for me, it came across more like she was telling me about their connection instead of showing me. So it just felt forced and a bit boring.

However, once the story progressed to them being on set it became far more engaging. I really enjoyed the aspect of getting a behind the scenes look at Hollywood, especially from the director's point of view. I kind of wish that there was more of a focus on it because I think it would have added some more depth to the story.

The part I struggled with the most was the writing. Evie's writing style just wasn't for me. Unfortunately I wasn't able to feel the chemistry between Anna and John. It just didn't feel like it flowed in a realistic way. It wasn't just the romance that I didn't love, I feel like the story just skipped a lot of what could have been the best parts. I would have loved to see a lot more of Anna fixing the movie. We definitely got to see a few things, but I would have loved more plot that focused on her working with the cast and crew so that we could really see the progress of the movie.

I was really hoping that as I progressed through the book it would grow on me but unfortunately once I got to the part about the article I just had to stop.

I wanted love this one because I think the idea of it is great, but yeah, the writing just wasn't for me.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

This story had lots of interesting parts. I liked seeing the Hollywood/filming details, the pressure and difficulty of succeeding there, and the romance between Anna and John had a good pace. The will they/won’t they and the challenges of workplace, Anna’s divorce, the age gap, were all well approached in my opinion. However, I couldn’t get myself to feel very strongly about them, nor any particular appreciation for the side characters, and the story was a bit too predictable. It just didn’t hit any particular note for me.

*I received a review copy of this book, this is my honest opinion*

3/5 stars

eARC provided by NetGalley

This book was very cute. I did like the main characters and their growth. I liked the setting being in Hollywood and a movie set. However, the story did feel dragged out and long. The pacing was just weird. I also did not understand having them be so judging. The miscommunication made sense in the story. But a lot of what happened was them just prejudging each other and getting mad at each other about said prejudgments. Once you get past that point, the story gets much better. And I actually started rooting for all the characters. The side characters were great! They were well developed and their stories were told very well without them overshadowing the main story. They actually really helped the main characters and added to the story. If you want a cute reverse aga-gap romance set in Hollywood particularly behind the scenes of a movie set with some spice I do recommend this book.

I enjoyed this read. The characters were good and I also enjoyed the plot. The story seemed to move quickly, which wasn’t my favorite.

I REALLY wanted to love this book, and I did have a lot to love about it!

Reel Love follows two film industry professionals who are fighting to be in the industry while facing their own internal battles holding them back all while forced to work on a film they know is slated for Straight to DVD. Add in a vengeful ex-lover and it makes it hard for our two MCs to finally get the love they both deserve!

I loved having this fun behind the scenes life of film industry professionals struggling to get their foot in the door and make something for themselves. Both Anna and John battle an uphill battle in their roles as director and aspiring screen writer, and their orchestrated pairing into getting the B-movie tumbling over its finish line just adds to their burdens. I loved watching them both come alive while filming, and their adorable love story unfolds well. I LOVED the “villain” of our story, he was so perfectly evil in the most realistic and devious way; his hold on the strings of the industry and using it for his own vendetta was my favourite evil plan. I loved the ending, and the way we get to the Happily ever after; both Anna and John did such a great job for their own lives and to help bring them back to the other and really tied everything up well!

Two things knocked this story off the 4 star tier; the first issue I had was the one intimate scene, I felt it was poorly written, convoluted to the point I couldn't figure out what was all unfolding, and I think I would have much preferred to have it a fade to black with little hints during both Anna and Johns recollections instead of the open door we got. The second issue was there are a few points that felt like “the CD skipped” (if your old enough to know that reference). A few parts I had to reread 2-3 times to see if it was my comprehension or the actual words and it was, in fact, the way the scene was written. It felt jumpy and jumbled like it was partially deleted and rewritten where the first sentence didn't clearly lead to the last of the paragraph. While neither of this things made the book unreadable, I did find them distracting and caused me to stall out, and have to get back into the grove.

Overall, great read; and if your not a strict stickler for prose you'll easily enjoy this sweet romance!

This book had potential, but I really didn’t vibe with it! The writing was poor, there was no chemistry at all between the main characters, and the villain is cartoonish. The POV changed from first person to third person in the same sentence. I don’t really have much positive points, I just don’t dnf books.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

3.5 star! I enjoyed reading this book and had a hard time putting it down. The characters are charming, the behind the scenes of movie making interesting, some conflict, some romance, and lots of swoon-worthy moments. I am looking forward to what comes next from this author!
The characters are beautifully drawn and complicated— neither John nor Anna are perfect, but they’re both passionate about their craft, relatable, and mostly easy to like. Their attraction is both emotional and physical, and their chemistry is real. Their banter is great, and it’s fun watching them connect, disconnect, then reconnect.

I will admit, I am not fan of 3rd person POV- it can be hard to follow at times. And reverse age gap is really not for me, I am afraid to say

This book was such a cite and quick read. ( I completed it in one sitting). I loved our main characters and they had palpable chemistry. I really enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes of movie production. Overall I really enjoyed this one and will definitely be reading more from browning in the future.

This was an enjoyable romance. The love story between the main characters was charming—light, fluffy, and a breeze to read. It had that feel-good factor, making it perfect for a cozy afternoon. The side characters brought humor and heart, serving as supportive 'sidekicks' to the leads, which added depth to the overall dynamic.

This just didn’t hit for me unfortunately.

I can see what Evie Browning was trying to achieve, but the characters just didn’t feel developed enough for me to connect with. I also couldn’t understand the reasoning for the third-act breakup.

I think other readers will enjoy this, it just wasn’t for me.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc. 🫶🏻

This book was okay—a quick read with some light spice—but the characters lacked depth, and there wasn’t much focus on personal growth. Both characters had unresolved issues with their parents that could have been explored more deeply to add layers to the story.

While I didn’t find either character particularly relatable, I did enjoy the glimpse into a lesser-seen side of Hollywood. It was interesting to read about the hardworking individuals behind the scenes who earn little but stay in the industry purely out of passion for what they do.

Uhh…I’m going to try and keep my review short. This didn’t work for me. The third act break up at the end was insufferable. I felt that each character lost themselves in each other and not in a good way.

This was such a amazing standalone romance book. Starting from the characters, plotline and scenarios, everything was on top notch plus it includes the tropes which are my favourite ones, workplace romance and age gap. The pace was well maintained throughout the whole book.
The characters were penned down brilliantly, not only the protagonists shine throughout the story but also the side characters too. The spotlight was given to each and every character to shine and contribute to the book.
I had a great time reading this one.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was wonderful!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Here’s the pitch: Reel Love is an age-gap, workplace romantic comedy set in the chaos of a struggling movie production. Anna Kovacs, a 37-year-old director trying to salvage her career (and her finances), meets John Mills, a 27-year-old bartender-screenwriter-slash-reluctant-werewolf-extra. Cue shenanigans, forced proximity, and a dash of enemies-to-lovers spice.

The Good:
The setup is fun and packed with classic rom-com tropes: a hot hook-up, career struggles, and plenty of on-set drama. Anna and John’s banter is sharp, and the age gap dynamic adds a refreshing layer to their relationship. The Hollywood chaos is a fun backdrop that gives the story some unique flair—who doesn’t love a doomed production bringing unlikely people together?

The Meh:
While the book promises a witty, slow-burn romance, the pacing feels more sluggish than sizzling. The chemistry between Anna and John occasionally misses the mark, and their “idiots-to-lovers” journey doesn’t pack the emotional punch it could have. Some of the humor lands, but other jokes feel forced, like trying too hard to deliver quirky rom-com energy™.

Why It’s 3 Stars:
This is a fun, light read, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impression. The characters are likeable enough, but their arcs feel underdeveloped, and the ending is predictable without much payoff. It’s one of those books that feels fine while you’re reading it but doesn’t demand a re-read or a gush-fest.

Best Moments:

The on-set disasters—think exploding props and temperamental actors—add some much-needed levity.
John’s mix of vulnerability and ambition is endearing, even if his dialogue occasionally falls flat.
Anna’s struggles as a woman in a male-dominated industry are relatable, though not deeply explored.
Final Take: Reel Love is the literary equivalent of a Hallmark movie you watch when you’re in the mood for something easy and tropey. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s not bad. If you’re a fan of age-gap romances and Hollywood rom-com antics, give it a try—but keep your expectations at "casual popcorn entertainment." 🍿

This is a perfect fit for readers who crave a heartwarming, feel-good romance that explores the complexities of second chances, career struggles, and the power of love to reignite passion and purpose in the lives of two talented, yet underappreciated, creatives.

Reel love by Evie Browning is a fun romantic comedy style book that’s easy to read and entertains the reader.