A well written and exciting romance novel! I like when a book transports me to another place and I’m able to forget my real word issues and just enjoy a great story. If you want that then this story is for you! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I had never read anything by this author before so I went in without expectations. I LOVED this book! It was so much fun. It was super light-hearted, I laughed out loud (my husband kept asking why I was giggling - Logan and Petra were hilarious among others), and just had a blast reading. I liked the (not so) enemies to lovers trope and I think the characters were mostly mature and relatable. This is definitely chick-lit but it was exactly what I wanted it to be in the romance department as well. Will be going back to read more by this author ASAP!

I really liked this one. The beginning was a little rough and it took me a while to get into it, but then it picked up and it was great. I really like the dual time-line and dual pov aspect of it as well as the chemistry between Cynthie and Jack.

Rating: 5 stars 🌟

Thank you to @netgalley @lauracwood and @atriabooks for the opportunity to read the eARC of this book!

Spoiler free review :)
Where to begin…a basic background of the book is that 2 actors (Cynthie and Jack) who previously worked together on a very famous romance film, are working together again to film the long awaited sequel and also enter into a fake PR relationship for film promotion for a second time. They’re both navigating their own struggles throughout the book, which was both heartbreaking and empowering to read. Cynthie is such a relatable FMC, and Jack is the perfect charming and extremely frustrating MMC. And the family they both find in the cast and crew of the movie, brings such a warm gooey feeling to my chest 🥹 Truly this book had me in tears so many times. I don’t think there’s a single thing I would change about this book, my only regret is that I didn’t have as much time to read over the 10 days since I started it so it took me much longer than normal, otherwise I would have devoured this in a day probably.

Please take the time to support @lauracwood and get this book when it comes out on July 1st! 🫶🏻

I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK AND HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME READING IT. Is this author the next big romance superstar?????

I literally was getting so sad as I realized the book was coming to a close and I can’t remember the last time I felt that way.

Admittedly it took me a long time to get into this book— once I realized there would be time jumps I immediately put the book down. It took me a few days to pick it back up again but I’m so glad I did!

I don’t have anything bad to say about this book. I don’t have anything particularly helpful to say about this book either. Cynthie & Jack forevaaaaa

Maybe next book will be about accountant Lee and photographer Nico???

I was really excited to read Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood, I loved Clemmie and Theo’s story in Under Your Spell and was so pumped to read about Cynthie! Laura Wood lives up to the hype, the enemies to lovers/second chance for Cynthie and Jack is lovely! The side characters are so charming and I love a found family aspect! I loved both Jack and Cynthie, individually and together! Hannah was a lovely best friend and I wouldn’t be mad if she got her own book!
I had a few cons- some of the writing felt too trendy for me (e.g., when Cynthie quotes Phineas & Ferb- if I had a nickel for every time it happened, I’d have two nickels- but it’s weird that it happened twice!) and it was hard to keep up with who all the characters were. There was some call backs to Under Your Spell but not a lot of context that left me mildly confused, and that’s on top of a large group of characters for Let’s Make a Scene! I also felt the 13 years ago took up too much of the book- a good portion was decent, but after a certain point, we get it, they hated each other!

What a beautiful and entertaining love story. I absolutely loved the story line and this is a second chance at a once in a lifetime love. I really enjoyed Jack and Cynthiaes story. Emotionally invested the entire time. I didn’t want to put this romance down.

Two people who once thought they were enemies ended up having the most romantic happily ever after. This book checks off all my boxes for a five star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for providing me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are those of my own.

Highly recommended.

I'm not a fan of second chance romance because usually something dumb or them being in high school is what ruined it the first time. This one however was done so well. You get them in their early 20s sprinkled in with ‘now’ and you root for them in both timelines. The growth of both characters is done beautifully and you can't help but get sucked into the story. I couldn't put it down and now I need to read the first book. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy!

I really enjoyed Under Your Spell (the companion novel to this book) so I was very excited to get approved for this story and continue some time wit characters from the first book. This story was just as cute and I loved it to pieces. Cynthie and Jack challenge and support each other in equal measure through this book in a way that felt new as an avid romance reader. The ending felt a bit rushed to me, but I was thrilled that there wasn't a traditional third act breakup common in the genre. I wish the time hop wasn't so far apart either - 13 years is a bit extreme. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am excited to see more of this author's work down the road. I'm hoping she writes another story in this universe about Nico and Lee falling in love!

Let’s Make a Scene is a charming, light-hearted romance with a theatrical flair and a heroine you can’t help but root for. Laura Wood brings a playful tone to this story, and the setting—brimming with creative energy and behind-the-scenes drama—adds a fun twist to the typical romantic setup.

The book shines brightest in its witty dialogue and breezy pace. The banter between the characters is snappy and fun, and there’s an undeniable spark in the chemistry, even if the romance itself feels a bit slow to build at times.

That said, while the story is entertaining, some elements felt a little underdeveloped. A few character arcs could’ve used more emotional depth, and certain plot points wrapped up a bit too neatly. It’s a feel-good read, but not one that deeply lingers once the final scene fades.

Still, if you’re in the mood for a cozy, clever romance with a theatrical backdrop and a dash of whimsy, this one makes for an enjoyable escape.

I have to say, it completely caught me off guard. I don’t usually pick up romance novels, but this one had me hooked from the first chapter. The chemistry between the two main characters was electric—it wasn’t just about the physical attraction, but the way they challenged and supported each other. I found myself rooting for them, even when they were making mistakes or letting their insecurities get in the way.

What really stood out to me was how real the story felt. The dialogue was sharp and natural, and the emotional moments hit hard without feeling overly dramatic. I could see pieces of myself in the male lead, especially in how he struggled to open up and be vulnerable. It made me think about my own relationships in a way I didn’t expect.

The pacing was perfect, with just enough tension to keep me turning the pages. And while there were moments that felt predictable, the journey was so enjoyable that I didn’t mind. By the end, I was smiling like an idiot—it was that satisfying.

2.5/5 stars

I was hopeful! But--I don't think the actor/actress trope is for me. Also, the fact that there was a 13 year gap between sleeping together and meeting again bothered me. I understand thinking about a person you'd been with, but they saw other people in between (So I would say my disappointment was more of a me problem than a book problem).

If you love enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, or second-chance romance, this book delivers all three in a way that feels fresh, engaging, and full of tension. The humor, chemistry, and emotional depth build to a satisfying (though not quite dramatic enough for my tastes) conclusion.

From the start, Let’s Make a Scene had me hooked! The writing style was easy to read, though a few sentences felt awkwardly worded. The dual POV was well-executed—no redundant rehashing of events—and the distinct character voices made each perspective feel unique.

Cynthie had strong character development, and I loved watching her navigate the messy dynamics of fame, past relationships, and personal growth. Jack, on the other hand, took longer to reveal his true self. At first, he projects a shallow and arrogant exterior, but as we peel back the layers, we see his depth—and let me tell you, I love a man who is obsessed with his woman. His swoon-worthy moments (his protectiveness, his support during Cynthie’s struggles, and, let’s be real, his possessiveness over the J necklace) made my heart race. Their pre-13-year-gap chemistry was a little lackluster at first, but the more we learned about their past, the better it all came together.

The fake-dating trope was executed so well! It takes skill to balance forced proximity with genuine emotional growth, and this book nailed it. I normally do not love second-chance romances because they can feel bland or overdone, but combining it with enemies-to-lovers added so much tension and fun. Jack’s protective, jealous, and devoted moments elevated the romance to another level.

It is worth noting that the book touches on mistreatment and sexual harassment of actresses in the film industry. While it is vague and likely realistic, readers sensitive to those topics should be aware.

Overall, this book had me kicking my feet, and I was practically chomping at the bit for that first kiss. If you love romance with tension, humor, and depth, Let’s Make a Scene is a must-read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with this entertaining enemies-to-lovers romance in exchange for my honest thoughts.

LOOOOOOVED IT!!

These are the types of characters that I love to read about. Mature adults trying their best despite past mistakes and challenging circumstances. Everything in me was rooting for Jack and Cynthie, and I read every page with a giant smile on my face as they found their way back to each other. If you love dual timelines, second chance romance, hollywood/actors, found family, and a few spicy scenes --this is the perfect book to pick up next!

Honestly, just as charming as the first one. Love a British rom com, love involving famous people while not being weird, love the regency device and use of flashbacks. I really liked the way this book managed to be timely without being preachy or like it'll feel dated, and it's honestly kind of neat that sometimes it feels like Jack is the more developed character. Plus, parts of the dialogue made me actually laugh. I'll be looking for a third installment whenever possible.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley.

I’m such a huge fan of Laura’s work and watching her make her way into the adult romance space has been truly incredible to see. Under Your Spell is one of my favourite romances ever, and I knew Let’s Make A Scene wasn’t going to disappoint me either. I loved it so much.

It has all the tropes- enemies/rivals to lovers, celebrity romance, second chance, fake dating, he fell first, found family- and they’re executed so well. Laura’s ability to weave together an emotional narrative with her signature sense of humour is unmatched.

I can’t wait for the rest of the world to get to meet Cynthie and Jack.

Thank you to Atria for the advanced copy. I knew I couldn’t wait until July and you delivered!! XO

Thank you Atria for my copy of this delight! Laura Woods is now a must read author for me. Her second adult novel is a JOY! Her writing is beautiful and made me truly feel the characters’ emotions. I thought the dual timeline, dual POV really worked here.

This was a really cute follow up to her debut novel. I enjoyed the characters and the story so much! I loved the dual POV and timeline jumping. So relatable in parts. Thank you so much!

This was a stunning enemies to lovers romance with the perfect amount of banter and pining. The development of the relationship was easily one of my favorites. Loved everything about this story.

I really enjoyed this book! The plot was fresh and interesting and I really enjoyed the characters, as well as their different personalities!