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.

I really enjoyed this book. The plot made you feel involved in the directing industry as Browning included a mass of details about the work life. The two main characters John and Anna were the perfect characters and the cover portrayed them so fully. I love it!

John and Anna meet at the bar one day but expect to never see each other again. However they are both thrown back together due to being the director and co director of a vampire movie.

John the MMC has written a screenplay however it isn’t going anywhere. Therefore he works at the bar. I loved seeing his character evolve through the book.

Anna is stuck in the shadow of her ex husband. This makes her career much harder.

Definitely recommend this book it was a really fun read but also had some very meaningful parts.

I chose to read Reel Love because of the captivating cover design by Leni Kauffman and then I fell in love with the premise. I’m a sucker for books that challenge the status quo and place strong women in male-dominated roles. Add in some slow-burn tension and a captivating unique plot and I’m SOLD!!

3.5 ⭐'s with Lots to Love:
Age Gap (she’s older 👏🏻)
Female Movie Director (in a male-dominated world) 🎥
He falls first 💙
Enemies to Lovers ⚔️
Slow burn with plenty of steam once ya wait for it 🧯
Compelling dialogue and verbal sparring 💬
Well-developed side characters 👯

“When did I stop taking chances?” “I don’t know, friend, but it’s not too late. It’s never too late. Besides, we need some good stories for when we end up in an old folks’ home together, eating mushy peas and racing in our wheelchairs down the hallway.” 🤣 <b><< Perfect BFF real-talk </b>

This was my first Evie Browning book and I loved learning more about her in her bio:
Evie Browning writes romantic comedies when she's not working for a living, parenting her two children or taking her dog for a walk. So, not as often as she would like. Her MMCs look like they could kill you, but are cinnamon rolls. Her FMCs look like they are cinnamon rolls, but could kill you.

The only reason it’s not 5 stars for me is that it was a little slow building to 35% and once the forced proximity kicked in then the book hit its stride. Also, this eARC copy had some pretty obvious errors that should be caught in editing, so hopefully, that’s all smoothed out in the final version.
THANK YOU to Evie Browning, NetGalley, and BooksGoSocial for the Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed reading this in the hectic days that is college. It was a lovely escape being in Anna and John’s world for a bit and getting to see their romance blossom. I would recommend to anyone who wants to read a quick, fun, lighthearted romance book.

This was a cute tale of will they won’t they. Although there’s an age gap Anna is only 10 years older that John and they are both over the age of 27 so it’s not a big deal in real life but the setting of Hollywood would make it so.

Some of the arguments felt a bit forced to fit the storyline, as did the coming to realise they were arguing over nothing. Needed more omph to get me to believe that arc at the end.

Otherwise it was really sweet romance on and off a movie set. More about the movie business could have been included. The ex-husband drama was engaging but since a lot of it happened off the pages it was a little hard to follow, some cuts to Tom might have worked better.

Really cute palette cleansing book! It was a little tough to get into for me personally but once I did I really enjoyed it! I also really enjoyed the reverse age gap of her being older because it’s one that isn’t done a lot and when it is, it sometimes isn’t done well but it was here!

Reel Love is an age-gap workplace romance story. Anna is a down-on-her-luck director, and John is a screenwriter at the beginning of his career. They meet by chance at a bar and are drawn to each other. What Anna doesn’t know is that John knows exactly who she is and loves her work. Throughout the story, we watch Anna struggle with her career comeback and navigate the film industry. She is also tasked with placing her professional feelings above her romantic ones once she finds out she and John will be working on a movie together (closely!). I really enjoyed reading Anna’s story and struggles as one of the few female directors in LA; it was easy to empathize with some of the things she had to deal with as an underrepresented class in Hollywood.

Anna (37) and John’s (27) age gap was discussed quite a few times, but I didn't quite understand the scandal. They had no real generational issues or difficulty understanding each other that could be attributed to age. At a certain point, it was a bit hard to connect with Anna; she was quite closed off outwardly, and as the reader, I wish I had the chance to hear more of her inner dialogue and emotions. It was difficult at times to feel connected to the story, since periodically the plot moved forward with not much insight into Anna's emotional state.

*Spoiler Alert*

John was not my favorite MMC, especially towards the end, where he was the cause of a large misunderstanding. Instead of bearing the full weight of responsibility, he tried to blame Anna and almost villainize her. The third-act makeup wasn’t as satisfying because it felt like Anna was not getting what she deserved.

Overall, I enjoyed the premise of this book. I think the slow-paced, low-stakes nature makes it a good palate-cleansing book!

I really enjoyed this age gap book, especially since the FMC was older and that's not super common in age gap stories anymore. I would have liked a little more story of them working together, since it was mentioned they work great together. The this was a cute story, and very well written!

I enjoyed the meet-cute that Anna and John had over a declined credit card. They had great banter throughout the book and I also enjoyed the random meetings the beginning. Then they started working together and that's when things started to speed up. It was a fun quick read, but didn't really delve into the characters too much.

The bartender telling you the card got declined usually doesn't start a sparkling romance. This time, it was the moment Anna and John met and their chemistry was palpable. She is a movie director and he acts on the side, while trying to sell a movie script. The witty banter between them is definitely a highlight and made me smile throughout the book.
Add to the mix an evil ex husband and a Hollywood vibe and you get a light contemporary romance. While the plot may not break any new ground, it’s exactly what you'd expect.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

The formatting of the ARC almost made my eyes hurt, but I thought this was a great romance. I loved the age gap and dialogue really shined through.

This is a quirky cute read. Is a quick palette cleanser with good banter. The format was a little difficult to maneuver.

This book was hit/miss for me. There were parts I enjoyed but then others I couldn’t get over. The writing style didn’t really mesh with me, but the author did write realistic and fun dialogue.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were lovely and I loved their storylines. The book was well-written and interesting. I really enjoy this author’s writing and I loved this book!

"Reel Love" by Evie Browning is a lighthearted romantic comedy that follows Anna, a struggling 37-year-old film director, and John, a 27-year-old aspiring screenwriter and part-time bartender. The story brings together classic rom-com tropes like age-gap romance, forced proximity, and enemies-to-lovers, all set against the backdrop of a chaotic movie production.

What makes this book fun is its blend of witty dialogue and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the film industry, giving it a bit of extra flair. Anna and John have an undeniable chemistry that makes their interactions, both romantic and professional, engaging. The slow-burn romance builds naturally, and watching their relationship evolve through workplace drama is entertaining.

However, while *Reel Love* has its charming moments, the plot does feel a bit predictable, leaning on familiar tropes without offering much surprise. Fans of rom-coms will likely enjoy the ride, but seasoned readers might crave more depth and unpredictability in the storyline. Despite this, it’s a sweet and easy read, perfect for anyone looking for a fun, low-stakes romance with a satisfying happily ever after.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Reel Love: A Sweet and Sassy Rom-Com
Evie Browning's Reel Love is a charming romantic comedy that offers a fresh take on the film industry. The story follows Anna, a film director, and John, a struggling screenwriter, as they navigate the ups and downs of their careers and personal lives.

What I Loved:

Authentic Characters: Anna and John are relatable and well-drawn, with their contrasting personalities leading to both amusing and heartwarming interactions.
Behind-the-Scenes Insight: Browning provides an engaging look into the film industry, revealing both the challenges and rewards of working in Hollywood.
Slow-Burn Romance: The gradual development of Anna and John’s relationship allows their feelings to grow organically, offering a refreshing alternative to the typical insta-love trope.
Witty Dialogue: The dialogue sparkles with sharp wit and clever banter, making every exchange enjoyable.
What Could Have Been Better:

Predictable Plot: While the characters and their chemistry are captivating, the overall storyline may feel a bit familiar to seasoned romance readers.
Overall, Reel Love is an enjoyable and delightful read. If you’re seeking a lighthearted romance infused with a touch of Hollywood glamour, this book is a cute read.

This just didn’t work out for me. The writing was messy and it felt like a slog to read. The main characters had no spark and it felt like they were just going through the motions. Lots of cliches, too many. Everythung just felt off. Good in concept.