How to Fake it in Hollywood: A sensational fake-dating romance

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Initially, I was very excited about this digital advanced reader's copy (DRC) because I've heard fantastic things about Ava Wilder's debut novel, How to Fake it in Hollywood which I've heard is for those who love Emily Henry books. So, when I could get my hands on this DRC I was so hyped because I've seen so many fantastic things about this book already! Unfortunately, I can't give her a zero, so I'll give her a one... This novel claims to be a second chance romance with 10 years of history between Shane and Lilah. They are starring in the same show again after not working together in years and having a huge romantic falling out. They cannot stand to even be in the same room and are supposed to resume playing the main love interests in a TV drama. No one knows that they used to have a private “relationship” and they are desperate to keep it that way, despite it being painfully obvious that something dramatic happened between them. While I didn't enjoy Wilder's debut book, 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘍𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘺𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥, I was blown away by how much I adored 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘞𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺. This celebrity, second chance romance delivered on chaos of the industry, but also the complications of falling in love with a co-star. this was a very unexpected 5 star, i’m not a big fan of second chance romances but i absolutely ATE THIS UP. Side Characters– Look I just wanted more from them. I was really hoping we’d get a better interaction with Ethan and his children. Also some more from Grey’s family. It’s there but just isn’t fleshed out the way the rest of the story was. I get why it was probably done, but if I could change one thing it’d be that. Long Story Short

This is a two POV book, told by the POV´s of Grey and Ethan. It´s written in third person perspective. I loved Grey throughout the entire book. She’s driven and is overall a wonderful person. There isn’t anything I didn’t like about her—she was such a wonderful fmc.Eighteen-year-old Mallory Greenleaf is no longer interested in chess, not since her hypercompetitive dad left—the game calls up painful memories. But she grudgingly agrees to play in a charity tournament as a favor to best friend Easton Peña. After she unexpectedly beats current world champion Nolan Sawyer, she’s offered a fellowship that will prepare her to play professionally. Even though Mallory doesn’t want to play anymore, she needs the money that winning would provide; she’s delayed college to support her family, since her mother is chronically ill with rheumatoid arthritis and is unable to work regularly. The more time she spends with Nolan, the more Mallory comes to like and respect him—and the more time she spends playing chess, the more she remembers how much she loved it. But when she learns that Nolan has been keeping a big secret from her, she isn’t sure if she’ll be able to move past it to build a relationship with him. Filled with the author’s signature humor, well-developed characters, and realistic conflicts, plus the fully realized setting of competitive chess, this captivating romance will delight teen readers as well as Hazelwood’s adult fans. Mallory and Nolan are both cued white; there is some racial diversity among the supporting cast. Mallory and Easton are queer. If you love celebrities and actors as main characters, this book is for you. In this novel, Wilder introduces Lilah and Shane, two actors whose lives are forever intertwined. Why? Because 9 years ago, they auditioned for a TV show and got the part. Their characters would eventually have one of the most epic love stories in national TV. But in real life, these two HATE each other. They can't even be in the same room without making it clear they hate each other. Besides the deliciously well executed fake-dating, How to Fake it in Hollywood delivers a raw, character-driven and heart-touching read. I absolutely loved it' ELENA ARMAS

there was some lag in the pacing which became more palpable towards the end but overall it was a well-oiled machine. also the plot twist?!? despite seeing it coming it was mwah, chef’s kiss.The romance the characters shared had wisps of a first love, though it wasn't anyone's first rodeo. For some reason, their relationship, despite the circumstances, felt like home, like a summer evening, a stormy afternoon or a night out at the beach with waves clashing peacefully. It felt comfortable. Their chemistry, the tension, the angst and later the adoration came easily. he forgot his plans that he had arranged with his kids because he was drunk, but we didn’t get to see him fix his relationship with his kids, which I would’ve really liked to have seen. If you’re looking for a well-written romance with a great story and fantastic characters that will grip you, stir up feelings and deliver a wonderful slow burn story, this is the romance for you. It’s one of the best romance novels of 2022. But please don't go into this book and expect a rom-com, because it is not, for sure. It's horny, romantic, and sad. It has a happily ever after, don't you worry about that, but Wilder makes the characters go through pain and ups and downs before you get to it. Ethan is messy AF, he's a train ready to crash and you see it all in slow motion. Grey is the perfect person for him. But even though he wants to be better for her, he knows he has to work on him first, and I love seeing that in the book.