I was digging the Old Hollywood/Gangster-era take on a rom-com but this one got old fast for me. The concept was great and the narration added a lot of character depth to the audiobook. However, it was way too long, and lost my interest about 60% of the way through.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to listen to this story before publishing date!

📖 +🎧: His Girl Hollywood- can be read as a standalone

✍🏾 Author: Maureen Lee Lenker, I read It Happened One Fight and gave 5 ⭐

📅Publication date: 1-14-25 | Read 1-7-25

Format: E-book 384 pgs. and Audiobook-Run Time: 12:28

🗣️Narrator: Patti Murin voices all the characters with standouts from Eleanor, Frankie, and Harry. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.

Genre:
* Historical Fic/ Romance
* Adult Fic

Tropes:
* Childhood crush/unrequited
* Celebrity romance
* 2nd chance romance
* Workplace romance
* Forced proximity
* Found family

⚠️ TW: child abuse, abortion-mentioned, misogyny, kidnapping

👆🏾 POV: 3rd person, dual

🌎 Setting: Hollywood

Summary: Arlene has been given her first director opportunity but must have her childhood crush Don Lamont as her leading man. They agree to keep things professional, but Don's gangster manager threatens his life and career.


👩🏾 Heroine: Arlene Morgan-28, Oscar winner and 1st time director of a musical. Her and Don were neighbors and friends as children.

👨🏾 Hero: Don Lamont/Lazzarini-28, a Broadway dancer gets his 1st movie w/ Arlene.

🎭 Other Characters:

*Eleanor Lester-Don's dance partner
*Frankie Martino-Don's manager
*Eddie Rosso- a choreographer, Don's friend
*Mabel Snyder -Don's ex-girlfriend, a model
*Rita Carter-Don's leading lady in new movie
*Joan Davis- Arlene's friend, a famous actress who was the main heroine from IHOF
*Harry Evets-studio head, Arlene's boss

🤔 My Thoughts: I loved the old Hollywood feel and how studio heads like Harry protected the talent. Don and Frankie's contractual relationship gave mob movie vibes with gambling and blackmail. Joan, Dash, and Flynn's cameos were funny especially when they rescued Don. I hope Flynn gets a story.


Rating: 4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice level 4/5🔥🔥🔥🔥

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, Dreamscape Media, and Maureen Lee Lenker for this ARC and ALC 🎭! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

I listened to this book for nearly 7 hours and just couldn't do it anymore. The storyline was moving so slowly but making no progress. The 2 main characters are in this drama loop that could be totally solved by having literally one conversation. This is a 12.5 hour audiobook that could have been completely told in 7 hours. I was excited for this one after reading the description, but this one needs to be trimmed majorly. The same details keep getting repeated over and over.

I thought this book was okay. It's a bit slow paced and had a hard time keeping my attention at times but it wasn't all bad. I enjoyed the movie making scenes and the two main characters rekindling their friendship along with their love for each other. Would I recommend this... maybe. Depends on the person and what they are looking to read.

I tried and I tried some more. I really wanted to know what went down with the mob and how Don and Lena come together. But I was just bored. I skimmed and hoped for the best. It was just too wordy and I also kept finding myself comparing the whole book to Singin' in the Rain. Don and Lena....