🎥ARC review🎥

Let’s make a scene by @lauracwood
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was so cute and romantic. The banter and hate between this just made it so much better. There is a fine line between love and hate and these characters crossed it. Hand written love letters and movie screenings to show your love… swoon worthy ! Jane Austen would be proud 💥

Tropes:
— enemies to lovers
— found family
— dual timeline / dual POV
— fake dating
— second chance
— right person, wrong time
— open door

Cynthie Taylor lands her first leading role and is over the moon. But the first meeting before filming reveals that her arrogant co-star, Jack, hates her — and the feeling is mutual. Despite that, their on-screen chemistry is undeniable. To promote the movie, the studio sees the perfect opportunity in their fake relationship.

Thirteen years later, they’re offered a chance to star in the sequel to the film that launched their careers — and once again, they find themselves in a fake relationship.

I’m in love. It was funny and heartfelt. The chemistry between the characters — and their hatred laced with longing — was amazing. I’m usually not a fan of second-chance romances, but this year (most of the books I’ve read had the second-chance trope), and this book in particular, proved me wrong.

Cynthie’s struggles and inner turmoil were incredibly relatable. Jack’s letter was beautiful and deeply moving.

The side characters? Absolutely huggable.

There’s a scene that feels like the lovechild of Anthony Bridgerton’s lake moment and Mr. Darcy in the rain — I’m obsessed!
I’d love to see that on screen…

And let’s not forget the iconic scene that, in my opinion, gave off more Crazy, Stupid, Love vibes than the original source material.

Highly recommend for fans of Jane Austen and Bridgerton. For some reason, this book gave me the exact same vibe as behind-the-scenes footage from the Bridgerton set.

P.S. Now I want to rewatch Persuasion. Pretty sure I know how I’m spending my evening.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cynthie Taylor and Jack Turner-Jones were once co-stars in a small British film that unexpectedly became a cult classic. Behind the scenes, their relationship was anything but amicable, leading to a mutual vow to never work together again. Thirteen years later, they're offered a chance to reprise their roles in a sequel, with the added twist of faking a romantic relationship for the cameras. As they navigate the blurred lines between performance and reality, old tensions resurface, and unresolved feelings come to light. Told through dual timelines, the novel explores their past animosity and present-day reconnection, offering a heartfelt look at second chances and the complexities of love in the spotlight.

This novel offers a compelling blend of humor, tension, and emotional depth. The chemistry between Cynthie and Jack is palpable, making their journey from enemies to lovers both believable and engaging. The dual timelines enrich the narrative, providing insight into their growth and the evolution of their relationship. Laura Wood's writing captures the nuances of fame, personal growth, and the challenges of rekindling a past connection. It's a delightful read for fans of romantic comedies with a touch of drama.

This book was written for you if:
- You enjoy enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romance tropes.
- You're intrigued by stories set in the entertainment industry.
- You appreciate narratives that balance humor with emotional resonance.

This book had everything I like and it should have really worked, but for some reason, it just didn’t click for me. Individually, I enjoyed all the characters but when they interacted, they all just kind of fell flat. I also found the original story from thirteen years early a bit boring and the narrative just felt a bit slow. Overall, a fun read but just not my favorite read.

Let's Make a Scene is a super cute RomCom & a companion novel to Laura Wood's other novel, Under Your Spell. Cynthie was casted to star in her first ever movie cause of her amazing chemistry with the male lead Jack. Jack was born into a toxic family with two famous actors as parents. Neither Jack nor Cynthie have good examples of love in their lives, but from day 1, you're rooting for their relationship. A bit of drama, great friends with laugh out loud one-liners, & a sprinkling of passion makes this an enjoyable to read romance.
Thank you, #NetGalley & #AtriaBooks, for allowing me to read Let's Make a Scene. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book on #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, but if you're a romantic at heart, then you'll enjoy this sweet story.

This is my first book with this author. When they say unputdownable they were not kidding. The flow of the story went well. I do appreciate the author does a chunk from the both pov's either back in time and a chunk now. You can really feel the flow, the setting, and how it all came together.

I love Jack, he recognizes he needed to grow and he did something about it, and grew. He learned from his mistakes even from 13 yrs ago. And after Cynthie being burnt, and how can you be a celebrity and not have a therapist?! Finally recognize, with the help of her found family, to get help, find her honest self, and allow for honest love.

I really appreciate the banter, there were many laugh out loud moments. I literally was reading and giggled and my husband thought I was crazy. But the found family is awesome, Jack's family did a lot of damage and he recognizes it and work to pull himself out of it. Also understand how to pull Cynthie out of it. And show her how she is loved.

Thank you to NetGalley & SS Atria Marketing for the ARC, really had fun reading this one.

Heartwarming, hilarious, and full of swoony moments — Let’s Make a Scene gave me everything I love in a romance. Enemies to lovers? Check. Rivals? Check. Fake dating AND second chances? DOUBLE check.

I saw pieces of myself in Cynthie — especially in her journey of learning to trust again after a terrible relationship. Her vulnerability and growth hit close to home, and watching her slowly open up again felt like a gentle reminder that healing is possible. And Jack? JACK. So patient, so steady, so swoony. Where’s my Jack?!

This book gave me hope — that love like this does exist. The kind that waits, that understands, that helps you believe in yourself again. If you're looking for a romance that balances laughter with depth and gives you all the feels, this one’s for you.

Enemies to lovers? Glitz and glamour?

this had it all and it was such a fun ride! I really enjoyed the chemistry between these two characters.

This is a sizzling enemies to lovers read! Jack and Cynthie met on set thirteen years ago. While their chemistry was off the chart, so was their animosity. Through heated moments, longing stares, and a cast wide prank war, these two have an absolutely dynamite dynamic!

But as things happen, misunderstandings, personal challenges, and stubbornness get in their way. Flash forward thirteen years and these two enemies both need to find a way to work together to further their careers.

In their dramatic filming of the sequel to their original movie together, these two get more than they bargained for. Turns out, the animosity of their past may have been mutual pining. But can they get over their own fears and find happiness?

This book is a delightful take on an enemies to lovers full of tension and longing! It also gives a thoughtful commentary about the power dynamic of directors on set and how people are often victimized by those in power. A romantic, tension-filled story with beautiful social commentary, this is absolutely worth a read!

Let's Make a Scene by Laura Wood (out June 1, 2025) is a charming romance that surprised me, even though I usually don't gravitate toward books set in Hollywood or centered around actors. Cynthie Taylor, a young actress, lands her first real acting job in a small British film, but things quickly get complicated when she has to work alongside her arrogant and annoyingly attractive co-star, Jack. Their backstage rivalry is palpable, but their on-screen chemistry is undeniable. Years later, they find themselves back together for a sequel to the film that launched their careers. The catch? They must fake a romance for the cameras, an idea that neither of them is thrilled about. As the documentary crew follows their every move, Cynthie and Jack try to keep things professional, but it’s not long before their fake relationship starts to feel all too real.
Overall, it’s an easy read with good moments, though not a game changer for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the chance to read this book in advance in exchange for my honest opinion.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the chance to read this book in advance in exchange for my honest opinion.
"Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood (coming June 1, 2025) honestly surprised me in the best way. I don’t usually go for books set in Hollywood, i mean with actors, movie sets, and fake celebrity romances, but this one had a lot more heart than I expected. Cynthie and Jack’s trope is one of my favourite: enemies-to-lovers. Their dynamic was fun to watch unfold, and the second-chance element gave it an emotional layer that really worked. Even with the behind-the-scenes movie drama and the public personas they had to keep up, the story stayed grounded, and I ended up genuinely rooting for them. It’s a charming romance about fame, forgiveness, and falling for someone when you least expect it. A pleasant surprise! 🎬💫

Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood is an engaging second-chance romance filled with Hollywood drama, fake dating, and enemies-to-lovers tension.

Thirteen years ago, Jack and Cynthie starred in a film together and reluctantly took part in a fake dating publicity stunt. The problem? They couldn’t stand each other. Now, as they reunite for a sequel, the studio wants them to revive their fake relationship—but this time, a documentary crew is following their every move, adding even more pressure to their already uneasy dynamic.

The behind-the-scenes look at the film industry adds charm, especially as Cynthie navigates setbacks. The tension between her and Jack makes for an entertaining setup.

There are fun nods to Pride and Prejudice, memorable side characters, and plenty of cute moments. This is an enjoyable read with great pacing. While some character motivations weren't fully explained, this second-chance story has plenty to enjoy.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Finished at 1130 am, WOW! That was a gorgeous love story.


Jack and Cynthie were definitely once enemies, but that was just the beginning! Their banter, tension, and unmatched energies kept me reading! I adored almost every other character too! Except Hardy, but let’s forget about that one.

This definitely has themes I didn’t expect the author to explore like as clearly like sexual harassment, misogyny in the entertainment industry, and how others construct their own opinions of those they may believe they know but truly don’t.

This was so worth the time to read, and I had a smile on my face til the end! Thank you so much Atria for this ARC in exchange for my review!

I wanted to read this right away when I read about the tropes. I can’t help, but be a sucker for a fun little
romcom! I love finding new authors and looking forward to reading more books by this author!

Loved this follow up from Laura Wood. I am a sucker for a hollywood romance and second chance and this was exactly what I needed. I really enjoyed the past scenes and the second chance they got. He ended up being so sweet. their chemistry was great!

I was not surprised at all that I loved this! Laura Wood's Under Your Spell was one of the best rom com books I read this year, and I was over the top thrilled to receive an advance copy of this companion novel. This book follows Theo from the first book's best friend Cynthie Taylor. It was fun to see Theo and Clemmie again in this book, but they are truly standalone novels and can be read together or on their own.

Years ago, Cynthie and Jack were costars together on their first big film. Jack is movie star royalty. His parents are both accomplished actors and he grew up trained to fill the role. Cynthie is an unknown, with no acting training or background to speak of. Cynthie immediately sees Jack as arrogant and the two bristle with animosity, but also with an undeniable attraction and chemistry that likely got them cast in the roles in the first place! Now, thirteen years later, they are both successful actors with a lot of experience under their belt. When they are offered the chance to make a sequel to their cult classic film, it comes with the stipulation that they must pretend to be a relationship for PR reasons.

I loved that Wood chose to make her leads actors. The chapters of the book when the pair is in period costume filming on location, hate lusting after each other but denying their true feelings vehemently, gave me serious Julia Quinn/Bridgerton Season Two/Anthony and Kate vibes! It was absolutely irresistible to see them detest each other while also being forced to film intimate scenes that force the issue of their attraction. Their acting careers made the forced proximity/fake dating seem plausible and it worked SO well. And it presented the opportunity for some absolutely epic scenes, like a dramatic kissing in the rain scene from their period film. And later a grand scene on stage at an awards show that reminded me of the great Ryan Gosling/Rachel McAdams award show case after filming The Notebook together. I was here for all of it!!!

This was also very funny! Cynthie delivers some absolutely devastating verbal blows while filming with Jack, such as when she finds him working out in front of a mirror and says he is like a "parakeet with its favorite toy." And I loved all the pop culture references! At one point, the two discuss the "Bill-Pullman-Leaning scene in While You Were Sleeping" and that everyone knows it "is the hottest thing to ever happen." I love that Jack is caught reading Persuasion! I love that Cynthie and Jack are turned into a bookstagram meme: "Me looking at the new Emily Henry novel, one Instagram account I follow had written over a picture of Jack gazing down adoringly at my face." The characters also had a lot of depth - issues with their family, their mental health, concerns with their careers - that gave the book some weight and gravity.

I did think the grand gesture plotline was a bit cheesy at the end. But I did love that because they were actors, there would have been a lot of footage of them together that would make the scene possible. I was also sort of pained that the two timelines were THIRTEEN years apart. That is so long to keep a flame alive for someone else! I understand that they needed to find their own way, but somehow, it would have felt more believable that they had never stopped thinking about each other if it hadn't been over a decade apart. These were truly my only quibbles with this book. It was otherwise a five-star read for me.

*actual rating 4.5 stars*

I loved this book! It felt really different from Under Your Spell but still had a lot of the same things I loved about that one, if that makes any sense! While this one wasn't quite as humorous as Under Your Spell (to me), it still had some incredible laugh out loud moments, like the amazing prank wars. I also felt that this book was much more heartfelt and had a lot more exploration of emotions etc, which I loved.

Another thing I really enjoyed was the flashbacks/ dual timelines. I loved seeing Jack and Cynthie's beginnings while we got to see what they were up to in the present, which made for an incredibly rich love story.

The found family trope in this book is excellent--I loved that both Jack and Cynthie had built in best friends as their base support systems, and then found more family from there. While we got a lot about Jack;s family, I feel like Cynthie's were much more of an afterthought. I wish we had delved more into how her parents affected her life instead of just getting a couple brief stories about them.

Slight spoilers here. but I LOVED that this book didn't have any third act breakup/ miscommunication. While the entire book is basically a miscommunication, it was done really well and I think it was a great call for the characters not to break up dramatically right before the end. I also personally enjoyed the lack of an epilogue baby.

Overall, this was a delightful romance that ticked all the boxes for me. Between this book and Under Your Spell, I'm a HUGE fan of this author now!

Thank you to the publisher for the early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!

y'all do not understand how much I LOVED this book. I was giggling and kicking my feet from start to finish. 🥰 Laura Wood wrote a second chance/enemies to lovers romance the way it was meant to be written and gave us all the best parts of pop culture and a period piece all at once. I don't know how she did it but she did.
And Jack and Cynthie's chemistry was just a delight to read. Jack (present day) is a little patient angel of a man and I love how carefully he repairs his relationship with Cynthie without every excusing the part he played in wrecking it in the first place. He allows her to take the lead while also being crystal clear about what he wants and it was HOT. And Cynthie had so much heart and love for those in her orbit. I loved watching her regain her footing and belief in good things (and the way she never let Jack get away with anything too lol). 🥹 I truly am obsessed with them and their entire group of friends.
I loved every second of this book and I cannot wait to read more from Laura. 💛

This was such a fun read. lots of good mental health bits. A really good storyline and some awesome chemistry. These two really knew how to do the enemies and then later the lovers in the story.
Will be reading more by this author
This is an adult read. Some sex scenes. Drinking. Talk of mental abuse.

Thank you to NetGallery for the early access to this ARC. As someone who hadn't read the previous book in the series, I was easily able to hop right into this story and was immediately drawn to the characters. The entire character cast, including side characters, were lovable, funny, and had a sense of community that made me want to be part of the friend group, even Reckless Ed. Though I could tell that this group of characters had interacted before, I didn't feel left out in regards to information. I was easily able to connect with this group and was rooting for all their side conquests throughout the story.

My only objection to this story is the Enemies to Lovers Trope. I felt like the initial reason Cynthie and Jack became enemies wasn't enough to sustain the hate throughout the years. It felt a bit juvenile and at times, not truly believable. I think what saved this trope was the flasbacks and then flipping to the present, so as a reader, I was able to find investment in the characters and wanted to cheer on their character growth. Their "present" story arc was much more believable, mature, and honestly, a beautiful take on a modern day love story. I was always eager to get to the "present" chapters to see the stark differences in how the relationship and characters had evolved. I'm a sucker for a good character arc and this book did not disappoint.

Overall, this book was sweet, heartwarming, a little bit of spice, and kept me wanting to know what happened next. I had a hard time putting this book down and was thinking about it constantly when I wasn't reading.