I loved this book. It had great writing and while there were sex scenes they were tastefully written. So many authors want to get graphic and many of us "get it" and don't need all the girl parts described. Patrick was great. He didn't seem as torn up to leave behind all the other girls when he'd realized his affections were turning to love. There was plenty of side characters and some bad ones. The bad people were really bad. Nicely written.

I read a copy from Net Gallery and I fell in love. I cannot believe its a debut novel, it was so fantastic. I loved our hero Patrick and heroince, Kelsey, both wonderful characters and very well developed by the author. I loved watching Kelsey as she hesitated about getting to know Patrick and how she eventually started trusting him and getting to know him. I loved Greyson her BFF and hope he gets a story someday. I loved her sister Janelle and her dad, not so much her mother and exBIL. The author really did a great job creating some really lovable characters.

The story follows Kelsey who is the love interest of Patrick in this movie they are making. They have to kiss and do a love scene in the movie, they are both very successful hollywood stars but for Kelsey this is her first major motion picture. She is very countryish and has a home in Virginia and she is afraid Patrick who she is very attracted to is a player because she has heard many stories about him. Eventually he gets her to let her walls down and become his friend.

For a majority of the book they do not have sex. Patrick is firmly in the kissing zone and friend zone. Kelsey has no idea what to do about Patrick because she is attracted to him but is afraid he will dump her for his next co-star.

What I really liked about this book is that it continued over a large space in time. Kelsey and Patrick really had time to get to know each other. At first when they were making the movie, then when she goes home and they just emailed and text, and when Patrick visits her, then thru the holidays of xmas and new years and then the following January which is when the movie has its premiere.

You can see how much they love each other, Patrick is like your dream guy. Handsome, studly and who only has eyes for Kelsey. Kelsey, on the other hand has secrets and eventually learns to trust Patrick completely and that was just beautiful to watch.

The book was wonderful I loved falling in love with Patrick and Kelsey and I could not put the book down for a single second.

There was only one thing that I wished had been different about the book and as I had a review copy, I don't know if the actual book ends the same way. But I felt the book ended too abruptly. I wanted to see the characters after. I wanted to hear how happy they were down the road. I really hope the author does a book 2 or sequel so we find out what happens after the last scene.

A totally wonderful book, hard to believe this is a debut book as it was absolutely fantastic.

This was by far one of the best books I've read in a long time. It was one of those books that allowed me to be able to pick it up and jump into the story, and get hooked right away. The writing was terrific. I couldn't put the book down.

Kelsey Morgan comes from a good home, unless you look through her Mothers' eyes, "Always please the husband in every and anyway. No matter what his behavior is like." Kelsey thought that was OK, until she saw the true colors of her college boyfriend, and she vowed never to trust or love anyone like that again, and to never let someone get close enough to hurt her as well.

Kelsey moves to Hollywood, California after college and becomes a successful movie star. Her first major motion film is with a big actor, Patrick Lyons-- "America's Playboy", who seduces his leading ladies and moves on. Kelsey doesn't want anything to do with him, and avoids him at all costs when they aren't shooting on set.

Patrick is intrigued that she's not falling at his feet (or in his bed), like every other costar of his has done in the past. She doesn't flirt back with him, she doesn't even talk to him when he tries to initiate conversations with her. She speaks to and hangs out with the 2 other costars Grayson & Veronica. But that's the extent of Kelsey's social abilities. She likes to keep to herself and keep her personal life private.

Patrick tries to knock down her walls that she has erected around herself, especially her around her heart. When her brother-in-law comes around the set and tries to blackmail her, she ends up leaning on Patrick for emotional support, having no one else to turn to.
With a Mother who never takes her side and has always blamed everything on Kelsey, and a Father who enables her Mother yet who is there for his daughters, she feels she has to protect her sister Janelle, her niece and nephew, and her secret. Her leaning on someone, especially Patrick, is a huge thing. Patrick is seeing a side of her he likes, and the more he sees, the more he falls in love with her. Will he run when he finds out about Kelsey's secret? Or will he want a HEA?

Read and find out

This was a good read from the beginning to the end. A nice HEA with some intrigue thrown in for good measure. The mother was written to be a real "B" something of which I can totally understand. The main character, Kelsey, is a strong character who loves her family, falling in love with her co-star is something that you read about in the tabloids frequently, was portrayed quite cutely. Patrick having never been in love falling for Kelsey made for some rather comical moments. His coming to her rescue was an added bonus. Keep up the great writing, I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I love finding Debut Novels that rock. “What It Takes” by Kathryn Ascher is one of these brilliant debut works that make me want for more.
This romance centers around Kelsey Morgan, a small-town girl with the ambition to make it big in Los Angeles. That premise alone invites trouble, and trouble there is plenty. Mostly in the romance department.
The build up between the two main characters was spaced perfectly, the background well enough established without disrupting the flow. Only the end of the book felt slightly rushed, the one negative aspect of the book.
New Adult romances and romance in general work within a certain formula, and Kathryn Ascher has used that formula to her advantage. A great read for a lazy summer day!
I am very much looking forward to reading more about this new Author. Wonderful debut!

Kathryn Ascher's debut novel is quite strong. It looks to be the first in a series, which altered my opinion as I was left with questions at the completion of the book. I look forward to the subsequent books. Ms. Asher's characters are well drawn and multi layered (not always the case in new adul genre). The primary couple is multi dimensional and interesting. The secondary characters were strong as well. The story itself was well plotted, and the suspense aspect well woven. There was a nice balance between passion and suspense. The setting were detailed and the dialogue appropriate. I had a bit of trouble with the pacing at first, it started out a bit slow for me. I think that may be the result of having so many character and plot introductions for the series.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆☆
Kelsey Morgan has been betrayed and now doubts her ability to tell good men from the bad. Working as an actor in Hollywood, she's vowed to keep her life there separate from her home life in Virginia.

Patrick Lyons is intrigued by his co-star, Kelsey and likes the fact that she doesn't fawn all over him. What he doesn't understand is why she seems to dislike him so much.

Vowing to be her friend, Patrick lets Kelsey know that he's in it for the long haul – as friends, or if she would allow it, so much more.

This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Great character development and awesome story.

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a lovely story, and a most impressive debut novel. That it is the first in a series makes me very happy, as I cannot wait to read more about this group of wonderful characters. My sincere compliments to Ms. Ascher.

It pulled me in from the very beginning, and I am still thinking about the plot, the characters and the romance, which together have created a very special story. The author has seamlessly drawn together two different worlds and made it difficult not to care about the protagonists. There is humour, drama, and sizzling attraction.

I highly recommend this book to you.

This story had and interesting build up. It is a story about finding love when you least expect it. Kelsey had been burned in the past so when the right guy Patrick came along, Kelsey initially acted less mature than she really was, which was difficult to handle as you wanted to tell Kelsey to take a chance that he was worth it. Patrick is swoon worthy with a sweet side to him. The beginning didn’t sit well with me, the way in which Tim reacted to Kelsey’s was not indicative at all of the way in which their relationship was set up. Additionally, the attitude of Kelsey’s mother was unexpected. I did keep reading though and I was very happy that I did, it"s a great story.