I wasn’t a fan of this one. The main characters were both super selfish and whiny and the audiobook kinda made it worse in that sense. I thought the relationship was pretty shallow and didn’t seem real.

I did like the mix of social media posts and podcasts throughout the book though. That made it interesting! I liked the single parent parts but it just didn’t have enough depth for me!

I absolutely adored this book!! It was fun and highly entertaining. Emmy is an author who writes a book about her celebrity crush. Then she gets the opportunity to meet her crush!! The love story blossoms from that meet cute if you call it that. Jason is casted as the leading man for the movie adaption so they end up spending more time together.

The audiobook is narrated by Andrew Eden and Stephanie Willing. Both were such great voices for Emmy and Jason. I had a blast listening to this story.

This audiobook was super entertaining and easy to listen to, the narrator’s did a great job!
The writing was a bit cringe at some points but that was part of the Charme. I do love books about books/ the writing industry and this one was very entertaining

Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. I think the “fan falls for celebrity crush” trope has potential, but this execution missed the mark. The FMC, despite being a grown woman with a 12-year-old daughter, felt incredibly immature, at times, even borderline stalker-ish. Both main characters lacked depth, making it hard to invest in their romance. Emmy was supposed to be nerdy, but that characterization never really made sense. I also cringed at a lot of the references, and if I had to hear her say “thank God and Tom Hanks” one more time, I might have screamed. On top of that, her daughter felt like an afterthought rather than a meaningful part of the story. Overall, this just wasn’t for me. Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the the ALC.

3⭐
Genre ~ contemporary romance
Setting ~ California
Publication date ~ February 11, 2025
Publisher ~Hachette Audio | Forever
Est Page Count ~ 344 (41 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 2 minutes
Narrators ~ Andrew Eiden, Stephanie Willing
POV ~ dual 1st
Featuring ~ debut, single mom, single dad, author, celebrity, insta~lust, heavy on social media influence, miscommunication, no steamage

Emmy & Jason
Emmy has penned the book Celebrity Crush, based on her real crush, but never names who he is until she's on a talk show and forced to. Then they get to know each other a bit, there's some deception, a big secret that takes her ages to tell him because she knows it's bad, no communication and stalker vibes. All that seems like something I'd read in YA.

I really didn't like how it was so obvious that Emmy was using his status to build up sales for her book. And her agent was really pushing it to happen. Jason is not all sunshine himself. They're both pretty immature and I was not buying into their chemistry, since it really seemed to just be based on their looks. And don't even get me started on Jason's ex wife. Can't say I really liked any of the characters really.

There were some funny moments and although I am not a Tik Toker I did like how she did dances with her daughter. Overall a good bit annoyed me, but I liked a few parts, too, so middle of the road with my rating. Oh and her repetitive line "thank god and Tom Hanks' was grating to my ears.

Narration notes:
Fun fact ~ Andrew is actually Teddy Hamilton, which is a very popular narrator. I wonder why he goes by 2 names? Anyway, he does great, as usual. Stephanie was fine, too. Her voices seemed spot on for the 2 podcasters, but cringy too with they high pitched giggling.

This missed the mark for me! This is about a social media creator-turned-romance novelist who writes a book about her celebrity crush, then ends up meeting him and chaos ensues. I'll start with the things I liked. The plot is pretty fun, and I liked that both main characters were in their 30s with kids, it was a nice change. The narration was also very good.

Unfortunately there was a lot more I didn't like! My biggest negative was that this book was SO cringey. Our main character Emmy feels very chronically online. She constantly makes references to things that will quickly be irrelevant... like she's obsessed with tiktok dances, describing them in detail for some reason. The main way she bonds with her daughter is doing tiktok dances with her. Like?? Maybe this is a me thing, idk, but the whole thing just felt verrrry "I'm trying really hard to be relevant and quirky" and it got old very fast. She also constantly says "thank god and Tom Hanks" or similar which only marginally funny the first time and only annoyed me more the 40 more times it was said in the book!!

I also thought Emmy just felt very underdeveloped - most characters did, but as one of our main narrators, it was very obvious with her. Her inner dialogue kept mentioning and making reference to things that made it seem like we were supposed to think she's a nerd... like she kept referring to her inner thoughts as a spaceship or something? saying things like "I have to reroute power to my shields just to look at him" like what are we doing here. She also gets super excited when the love interest finishes her "favorite quote from <i>Aliens</i>," an apparent interest of hers that is never mentioned again before or after. I dunno. It felt like such a forced attempt to give her a personality but was never meaningfully explored or expanded upon.

I also didn't care for the love interest, Jason. Same basic reasons, he felt very one note and undeveloped and kept making really stupid decisions that annoyed me. He kind of just sucked! And I was supposed to believe she was head over heels for this utterly mediocre man! The whole celebrity crush plot line was cute enough to start with, but it sort of started to feel like self-insert fanfiction come to life. I also didn't care for how insta-lovey their relationship was. Hate that this is advertised as fake dating because it's really not. And both of them felt a lot younger than they were supposed to be! Despite them being supposedly in their 30s, it definitely felt like an early to mid-20s vibe to me.

The side characters were also just really nothing. I don't feel like I know anything at all about 90% of them including Emmy's best friend, Josie, who from my perspective existed solely to be the caretaker for her daughter while she was off gallivanting in Hollywood with her new boyfie.

That brings me to another thing I didn't like... I mentioned that I liked seeing MCs who have kids, but both of them sort of seemed like crappy parents!! The only meaningful interaction we see between Emmy and her daughter for the first 75% of the book is facetiming her and doing tiktok dances with her. And Jason isn't much better - it felt like he was ignoring his kid half the time...he literally isn't able to communicate with him because the kid spends so much time with his mom that he only speaks Spanish. Like are you serious!! Idk you guys I'm not a parent but I just really didn't like how either of them acted with their kids lol

Sorry I didn't expect to ramble so much but I had beef with this book! The characters just felt so one-dimensional which I could have maybe even forgiven if they were also likable, but they just weren't. There were so many pop culture references and random celebrity name drops that it felt like the author was trying hard to be modern and relatable, but it just came off as really cringey.
It was a really quick read and entertaining enough, but also pretty full of tropes and awkward dialogue and moments. This wasn't for me!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC!

𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝒜𝓃𝒹𝓇ℯ𝓌 ℰ𝒾𝒹ℯ𝓃 ＆ 𝒮𝓉ℯ𝓅𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒾ℯ 𝒲𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔

♥︎𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

✨𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬✨
𝐄𝐦𝐦𝐲 was inspired to write a romance novel based on her celebrity crush, never expecting to come face to face with him, let alone feel a spark of attraction during a live TV appearance.

𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 I liked the concept of the story, I struggled to feel connected to the main characters. Jason's immaturity held him back from growth, and Emmy's poor decision-making only added to the distance I felt from the plot.

𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, the narration itself was top-notch. Andrew Eiden and Stephanie Willing did a fantastic job, and the audio quality was outstanding. While this particular book wasn't to my taste, fans of celebrity romance drama might find it worth a listen.

Thank you to the author, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for this ALC. All opinions expressed here reflect my genuine experience listening to this book.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟑.𝟓⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝟒.𝟓/𝟓🎧

I had fun with this book! I laughed and cringed (non-derogatory) and felt all of the feelings I was supposed to feel. This book follows an author whose debut novel goes viral when she reveals that it’s inspired by her celebrity crush. She goes on to meet said celebrity crush, who plays his character in the film adaptation of the book, and shenanigans ensue.

Both characters are single parents and have complicated feelings about their attraction for one another and motivations behind their feelings, struggling to strike a balance between going after what they want and following the advice of others while trying to quiet their own insecurities.

The chemistry is fantastic, and the tension was built so well. I loved the jokes and references throughout the book, but that won’t be for everyone. It heavily mentions memes and makes tons of pop culture references (the main character is an influencer who references TikTok often, so if that’s something that takes you out of the story, this one might not be for you). I found it funny and endearing.

The narrators did a great job (I’d honestly listen to Andrew Eiden aka Teddy Hamilton read a phone book) so that made this a really enjoyable story, and the writing style is super conversational and easy to follow.

All in all, this was a great debut and I’m excited to read more from Christy!

Thank you to Forever and Hachette for this ALC!

Thank you NetGalley, Christy Swift and Hachette Audio | Forever for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Narrated by Andrew Eiden; Stephanie Willing
Both narrators did a great job. The talented Andrew Is Eiden ( Teddy Hamilton) one of my all time fave narrators. Stephanie Willing just as talented. I recommend listening to this audiobook.

She’s a failed screen play writer turned social media influencer who lets her real life actor crush ‘inspire’ her newest book. He’s an actor trying to revive his like ability. Against all odds they fall into a tumultuous situation ship until they can get over their hang ups. I love the dual narrators in the audiobook and the voice actors were fantastic. While the HEA is somewhat predictable, it did have some twist and turns. This was all romance, no spice kind of book. My only real complaint is the cringe worthy section where the MFC knows she’s making a choice incongruent with her character (spends chapters agonizing over it) but ultimately does it anyway and ends in disaster. #hollywoodromance #HEA #singleparents #romancenovelist #actor #forcedproximity #socialmediainfluencer

I was not expecting to not be able to put this book down. Normally I read romcoms and you know I put it down at some point. This one I started late in the day thinking I could put it down and ended up staying up really late. This was too cute. The banter was adorable. The characters are so lovable. If you’re looking for a cute romcom, that will just hit all those spots and whiskey away this is the book for you. I also got to hear the audio version of this book and the narrators did a fantastic job!!! They’ve really brought these characters to life. Thank you!

Christy Swift’s Celebrity Crush is a charming and lighthearted romance that delivers a perfect mix of humor, heart, and happily-ever-after magic. The novel follows a young woman who, after writing a book about her celebrity crush, unexpectedly finds herself face-to-face with the man of her dreams—setting the stage for a delightful and swoon-worthy love story.

Swift’s writing shines with wit and warmth, making the characters instantly relatable and lovable. The protagonist’s journey is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, endearing awkwardness, and genuine emotional depth, which keeps readers invested in her romantic adventure. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and their interactions are both playful and heartfelt, ensuring that readers root for their happily-ever-after.

Beyond the romance, the book also explores themes of self-discovery, the unpredictability of love, and the contrast between fantasy and reality. Swift balances the dreamy premise with authentic emotions, making the story not just entertaining but also emotionally satisfying.

Overall, Celebrity Crush is a feel-good romance that delivers laughter, heart-fluttering moments, and a satisfying conclusion. Perfect for fans of contemporary rom-coms, this book is a delightful escape that will leave readers smiling long after the final page.

This was a cute swoony romcom where the FMC manifests the man of her dreams by writing him into her book.

Emmy is a single mom who once had dreams of being a screenwriter but quickly learned how dirty Hollywood can be. She became a social media star turned author and based the mmc of her book on her very own celebrity crush. The book blows up and she get the opportunity to meet the man of her dreams.

Who wouldn’t love a Cinderella story like that? The only problem is he’s basically in a relationship which was a weird grey area, and she’s possibly just using him to become a best seller. All in all it was a fun read. I felt like the ending was a little rushed and made me want more which is never really a bad thing.

Thank you Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. I really enjoyed the narrator’s on this one.

I was really hopeful for this book; overall, the story was fine. The number of TikTok references, dance moves, and cringy language used took me out of the book (I hate it when people talk with hashtags as no one I have met in real life talks that way). The fact that the book written by the main character was titled the same as this book, but with a hashtag in front of it felt very odd. The way the characters talked was unrealistic. The plot twist (who leaked the photos) at the end was out of nowhere and random. The ending was rushed. I found both the main characters to be unlikeable. Also, the fact that they are all fake celebrities, but continuously mention real-life celebrities (basically every actor in the marvel cinematic universe) was off-putting and took me out of the book.

3 Stars

This had such a fun premise—fake dating, a celebrity crush, and a book-to-movie adaptation? Sign me up. But while the setup was great, the execution didn’t fully deliver for me. The romance was cute, but it felt a little surface-level, and I wanted more depth between the characters. The social media/fame angle had potential, but at times, it overshadowed the emotional connection.

It’s a quick, lighthearted read with some enjoyable moments, but I didn’t find myself fully invested in the relationship. If you’re in the mood for something easy and entertaining, it’s worth a shot, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

Celebrity Crush is a fun romcom that’s told in dual POV. The female MC is an author who is trying to build her career and return to her dream of Hollywood, and the male MC is a famous actor trying to prevent the tabloids from misrepresenting him, again.

I loved the banter between these characters, and the circumstances they needed to face on their journey to love. The story felt realistic, and it was creative and intriguing.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, which was well done by two narrators. I really felt the narrators brought this story to life, and embodied the characters well. I listened at 1.75x speed (my normal audiobook listening speed is 1.75x).

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this advanced listening copy.

3.5/5 ⭐️
Ok, so imagine you wrote a book about your celebrity crush, let’s say Liam Hemsworth, and then he surprises you on TV by being there to meet you!!
You try so hard not to fan girl, but hello!! He’s hot and you can’t help it. I 💔 the premise and setup of this book!!
What did I love about this book? I listened to the audiobook, and I have to say that Andrew Aiden is slowly becoming, wait no, quickly becoming my fav male narrator! The production of this audio was great, especially when Jason and Emmy were doing blogs together. Also, I have said it before, but celebrity romance is one of my fav tropes. I found it very interesting comparing Jason and Emmy’s POVs on fame.
What did I dislike about this book? I really didn’t care for Emmy, and I don’t think I was rooting for her to wind up with Jason. Her character flaws were a little too big for me to get over.
Thank you Netgalley and HachetteAudio for an ARC of this book

This was a fun book to read. I love a good romcom and this one made me laugh out loud multiple times. Emmy once was rejected from Hollywood as a screenplay writer but gets another chance when her novel gets picked up to be a movie! Starring Jason Connor who just so happens to be her very own celebrity crush which her book is based on. The dynamic between these two was really good, I felt like I was there with them. The banter was chefs kiss! Emmy is also a social media influencer so she is able to get close to Jason by offering to rebuild his media presence

Tropes: single parents, writer & celebrity, golden retriever MMC

This was a cute audiobook. I really liked Jason & Emmie. I loved how Sean brought the hug competition back. It lent some great humor to the story and really gave the characters the ability to show their personalities. I'm hoping that the means of Sean at the end means, he's about to get his own book 🤞 I loved the narrators. I felt like their voices were perfect the story.

The only thing I didn't like was the little lines at the start of the chapter that were from later in the chapter. Maybe they were chapter titles? I received an audio copy so I'm not sure.

The male narrator I recognized from some dark romance and thriller reads. A+ casting as a heart throb. Nice to hear him in something lighter. Female narrator was new to me but she was great as well.

I liked all of the modern aspects. Tik tok, youtube, podcasts, etc.

I fully expected to find this book to be super cheesy but I actually really liked it.