This had a cute premise with lots of potentially, but ultimately I did not love it.

John and Anna haphazardly meet at the bar where John works, they have chemistry right away, make out in an alley in the first few pages, and think they’ll never see each other again. They run into each other at a party where they have a disagreement, then wind up working on the same movie set. It had a lot of potential to take the reader on a roller coaster to their happily ever after.

However, the writing didn’t hook me and felt like it meandered a lot of the time. It felt like there was a bunch of filler at times. There were also some conversations that were hard to follow.

Overall I would read something from Evie Browning again because there was definitely potential in this book.

Reel love was great. I loved John and Anna’s story. I enjoyed the shift from the usual age gap with “older” man.

Their last fight was great and the way the made up was even better.

And if there’s one thing I love it’s a good epilogue that tells me everything I need to know. THEY GOT THEIR OSCARS and that’s what matters to me. It wrapped up nicely.

A nice easy read.

I found this so incredibly difficult to read, despite the excellent synopsis. Both main characters read incredibly young and immature- it felt like they were trying to name drop and one up each other rather than developing their characters and storyline. I loved the idea- but the execution was poor.

I dnf-ed at 66%. I got bored with the plot and then when her relationship was outed I decided that I wasn't invested enough to read through that bit to get to the resolution.

The writing was good quality and the characters were well developed - I just wasn't invested, but because I've never read a book set on a movie set before, I knew that could happen.

If you like film-industry gossip, this is definitely the book for you, though.

Title: Reel Love
Author: Evie Browning
Page Count: 240
Dates Read: 10/5-10/7
Format: ebook
Rating: 🎥🎥🎥
Review: This was a free book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a typical Romantic Comedy featuring the classic miscommunication trope and age gap trope . It was an easy read centered around a director with a messy past and screen writer looking to make it big. It was overall well written and the plot was interesting but the insta love between the characters was a bit annoying and the constant back and forth referring to our mmc being too young was over the top. If you are looking for age gap, miscommunication and insta love I would give this one a try.

This was a quick and cutsie read. The characters definitely had a lot of miscommunication to the point it was a bit distracting, but overall 3 stars.

This book flew by really fast. It’s just the right amount of drama and swoon. I really loved the way that John was appreciative of Anna when she was undermined in her field. I was kinda disappointed when John had to sell his cabin but it just showed how much Anna was important to him. But I was hoping for a flash-forward of them in the cabin just being cozy and getting their peace and quiet.

2.5 stars/ spice level: 🌶️
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.

This was cute, easy read. The chemistry and pacing between Anna and John was just repeatedly off and there wasn't much to their relationship. Anna took awhile to grow on me as she came across as a victim repeatedly and I don't think did much to show her relationship with her ex-husband who did some shady things (still unclear in the book).

There were many moments of poor communication and just awful assumptions about the other person. This had the potential but was a bit rushed in delivery. 2.5 stars because it delivered the basics for a romance but I was hoping for more, esp. w/ an older woman vs. younger man.

This was a cute, quick read. Unfortunately, it didn't keep me as invested in the characters as I would have like to have been. If you are looking for something that is quick and easy to read, I would recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC.

This story was hard to get into... it was slow and the characters were very one dimensional.

The only thing that was different than other romance books, to me, was that it was an age gap where the woman was the one that was older. I know there are plenty of books like that out there, this one was just the first one I have encountered with that trope.

It was a very quick read but definitely not one you need to pay attention to.

Thank you though to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

A quick and cute read!!

I enjoyed this book as much as I think I could have I enjoyed the plot even with it being a basic romance, I even enjoyed the characters.

The one issue I had with this book is the writing I found it to be sloppy and just not my favourite.

I’d definitely recommend this book if you are looking for something short and sweet to fill the time.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy!!

I found the story a little difficult to get into and felt there was too much internal thought between the dialogue that it made it confusing to know who was talking.
It felt like it was trying to tell me too much, and a lot felt unnecessary and the narrative could have moved along more smoothly without it. I wasn't overly interested in the characters or their relationship but I did like the unusual meeting and setting and the fact that the age gap came from the woman being older and it seemed to be a mutual attraction so no cougar stereotype.

Reel Love by Evie Browning is an interesting ride, let me tell you! 🌟 I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley via BooksGoSocial, and I’m giving it a solid 3 stars. It’s a cute, fun, Hollywood-set romance, but let’s be real—it didn’t blow my mind. Think of it as a B-list movie: entertaining, but not quite Oscar-worthy. 🎬✨

✨ Tropes & Themes ✨
✧ Reverse Age Gap 💫
✧ Workplace Romance 💗
✧ He Fell First 💕
✧ Slow Burn 🔥
✧ Forced Proximity 💖
✧ Forbidden Romance 💘
✧ Hollywood Drama 🎥

So, Anna, our down-on-her-luck director, meets John, the struggling screenwriter/bartender who has dabbled in some shirtless werewolf roles (yeah, you read that right 🐺). Their banter is super witty and had me chuckling! But OMG, that slow burn felt like we were stuck in the pre-production phase forever. 😅 I was just sitting there thinking, “Okay, when’s the romance actually gonna kick in?”

When it finally did, whoa, sparks flew—hello, steamy make-out sessions! Yes, please! But then... the fire kinda fizzled out. The initial tension was good, but as the story progressed, it just... faded. 🥲

Now, the Hollywood backdrop was fun—who doesn’t love a little behind-the-scenes drama? 🎥 But honestly, there was so much movie biz talk that it dragged a bit for me. I mean, I signed up for romance, not a masterclass in filmmaking! 😂 Plus, the third-person POV wasn’t my fave. It jumped between characters so much that I had to double-check who was who a few times. 😵‍💫

The age gap between Anna and John was well done! She’s 10 years older, and it didn’t feel forced at all. John’s persistence was adorable, and I loved Anna’s internal struggle over whether to give in to her feelings. Their romance was sweet but felt a bit rushed in parts and kinda lukewarm by the end. I was craving a deeper resolution; the ending felt a little surface-level. 💔

CWs:
- Workplace harassment
- Alcoholism and recovery discussions
- Leaked revealing photos

Overall, Reel Love is a light and quick read that gives you a peek into the chaos of Hollywood with a sprinkle of romance. It’s not a blockbuster in my book, but if you’re in the mood for a cute, easy-to-digest romance with some on-set drama, definitely give it a go! 🎞

This book was okay. Without spoiling:
What I liked: the movie set/Hollywood setting was fun and unique. Not often in an age gap romance is the woman older so that was nice to see.
What I did not like so much: the beginning was a little slow to get into the story. I wasn't very invested in John and Anna's relationship and it felt rushed and forced. The 3rd act conflict was not my favourite. Overall, the story felt like it needed a few more rounds of editing. Read more like a rough draft than the finished product. For example, there was written in 3rd person, but there were a few random first person lines thrown in there.
I wish I had more to say but Reel Love fell flat for me.

Reel Love by Evie Browning is a light, slightly dramatic romance set in Hollywood. If you have always wondered a bit about the “behind the scenes” of movies and film production in general, I think this one would be for you.
Anna and John meet for the first time over a declined credit card at a bar and although their chemistry is hot from the beginning, Anna doesn't want to give something to the media to talk about, dating a younger man.
Anna Kovác’s career as a movie director is not in its best place right now. She just divorced a powerful Hollywood agent, who's messing with her and her career.
John is trying to get an agent to read his screenplay, but what everybody wants is for him to play shirtless dudes in movies.

I'll admit I'm not really a romance reader, but now and then I like to give them a try.
I saw this one, supposedly, had humour so I picked this one up.
It didn't really work for me. I did find it amusing at times, but most of the times it wasn't 'fun' or funny for my taste, and the characters sounded a little unrealistic too much.
I'm not disappointed. I just didn't have a good time like I hoped I would.

Book Review: Reel Love by Evie Browning

Reel Love by Evie Browning is an entertaining workplace romantic comedy that brings humor, heart, and a touch of Hollywood glamor to a slow-burn love story. Set against the chaotic backdrop of a doomed movie production, the novel follows Anna Kovacs, a 37-year-old down-on-her-luck director, and John Mills, a 27-year-old bartender-slash-struggling-screenwriter-slash-reluctant shirtless werewolf actor, as they stumble their way into romance.

The premise immediately grabs attention. Anna’s life is in shambles—freshly divorced, financially strained, and doubting her career in the cutthroat film industry. John is no better off, barely making rent while juggling side gigs, and desperately hoping his screenwriting ambitions come to fruition. They meet under less-than-ideal circumstances, culminating in a "hot hook-up" followed by a fiery argument. When they discover they have to work together to salvage a film project, the sparks—both romantic and combative—fly.

What stands out about Reel Love is its witty dialogue and delightful take on the “enemies-to-lovers” and “forced proximity” tropes. The age gap between Anna and John, a central theme, adds a refreshing layer to their dynamic. John is portrayed as falling first, head over heels for Anna, while she, hardened by past experiences and the pressures of her career, takes a more guarded approach. The age gap never feels like a gimmick but rather a thoughtful exploration of two people at different life stages trying to connect.

The setting of the novel, a chaotic film set, allows for plenty of “on set shenanigans.” Browning’s humor shines here, poking fun at the absurdities of the movie business, from diva actors to disastrous production setbacks. The industry backdrop adds a layer of authenticity to the story while also providing a source of tension that keeps Anna and John on their toes. Their journey feels real and relatable as they try to balance their professional lives with their growing attraction.

The pacing of the romance is more of a slow burn, which fits well with the “idiots-to-lovers” trope. There’s a sense that Anna and John keep getting in their own way, but that only makes their eventual coming together all the more satisfying. Their chemistry builds steadily, with plenty of playful banter and simmering tension along the way.

If you’re a fan of rom-coms with heart, Reel Love offers the perfect combination of romance, humor, and industry satire. The novel's blend of quirky yet relatable characters and fun workplace drama makes it a highly enjoyable read. The happily-ever-after ending feels earned, offering the perfect payoff for all the challenges Anna and John face.

Overall, Reel Love is a feel-good romantic comedy, perfect for readers who enjoy age-gap romances, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and a dash of Hollywood humor. Evie Browning delivers a charming story that will leave you rooting for the couple from start to finish.

This was a sweet read overall. I absolutely loved the MMC, and bonus points for featuring an older woman-younger man dynamic, which I surprisingly enjoyed since it was my first time reading that. While the start was a bit slow, it really picked up towards the end and turned into a fun, heartwarming story!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC

#ReelLoveAstandaloneagegapworkplaceromanticcomedy #NetGalley

This book was such a cute and easy read. I have been reading a lot of heavy stuff recently and this was just the pallet cleanser that I needed.

Anna is a woman in a male dominated field and has to fight for everything she wants by being a female director. John is a screenwriter/bartender who wants his movie to be made. Anna and John meet by happen chance at the bar he’s working at. They get along smashingly well and even and up making out a little bit before parting ways.

Anna’s ex-husband pulls some not great strings behind the scene and get John and Anna on a movie set together, but Anna doesn’t know it’s because of her ex. She just thinks it’s a coincidence.

I don’t want to give too much away but the ending of the book was really satisfying. Anna stuck it to her ex and also got a happily ever after, even after she didn’t think she deserved one. This was a great book!

This book delivers a light, age-gap workplace romance with plenty of humor. While the premise is fun, the story didn’t quite hit all the marks for me, but it’s still an enjoyable read for rom-com fans.