Good story, very believable storyline. The main characters had a lot of chemistry, and I could feel it coming off the page. I liked that this book dealt with a reality singing talent show, it showed some of the many complexities of trying to navigate through moving on to the next round, and media coverage. The main characters were great and the secondary characters helped to make this an even more interesting story. I would definitely recommend this book too my friends and I can't wait to see what this author writes next.

Loved the complexity of the characters and their struggles that bring them together in the right place, at the right time. Always a pleasure to read this author’s offerings.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

move over x factor theres a new talent show around

liberty bell has been on her own since she was 18..... when her father and step mom kicked her out, this is her one chance to make it she just has to get through the competition and on a wild card she has to give it her all

what she doesnt want is Palmer Elliston being her coach during the time she is on the show but her luck just doesnt hold

Palmer Elliston also has a lot to prove as this is her first major comeback after years of being in the wilderness and shes not comfortable being in the limelight again with her past

have to say i thoroughly enjoyed this one with the background information that we normally only get from watching tv shows like x factor this was an interesting perspective on the behind the scenes of what it takes to be on a talent show and how they all deal with the stresses even though this is a fictional story the actual storyline was very captivating and drew you in and i have to admit to liking how the writer bought it all together and made each character either likeable or not

Thank you or the e-arc of Limelight. It was a really good reality contest subgenera book with a lot of heart in it. The characters really pulled it all together and the slow-burn romance was nice as someone who's demi.

I had a lot of fun reading Limelight by Gunn Brooke. Not only did I enjoy the slow burn romance in this book, but I had a really good time looking up and listening to the music mentioned in the story.

The music and the characters are what make this tale special. Liberty (Libby) Bell and Palmer Elliston meet when Libby is picked as a wild card contestant in a vocal talent show that will be on national television. Palmer is the coach who will be helping her during the week, and then judging her with a couple of other music judges on the show. Both women have bruised hearts from things in their pasts which probably helps to draw them together as they work to help Libby and the other contestants on her team find success.

Unfortunately, they have to hide their attraction or they could both be kicked off the show.

The premise of the novel is entertaining. I found myself stopping every time a song was mentioned and looking it up on YouTube so I could listen to it. Even when I knew the song well, I still listened to it. This actually added to my enjoyment of the book.

(It didn’t hurt that I loved most of the songs)

The obstacles Libby and Palmer had to experience to be together, only adds to the charm of the narrative.
The only thing I wish could be added to this book would be a list of all the songs mentioned in the story. I’m already planning to make a new music playlist for myself, and this would make that easy.
You need to read this novel, especially if you love romance and music mixed together.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for allowing me to read and review this novel.

I really enjoyed the use of singer for this novel, it had a great overall story going on and the characters felt like real people. I enjoyed how the romance worked and felt real in this story. Gun Brooke has a great writing style and was able to create great characters.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher from through NetGalley in exchange from an honest review.
Palmer and Liberty have one thing in common: their love for music. Coming from different backgrounds, both marred by trauma, the Limelight show seems to be the perfect opportunity for Palmer to get back in the music game and for Libby to join the game. Gun Brooke presents us again with strong female characters who, just like all of us, need to face their pasts and find their ways. A sweet story about two women who fall in love when they should while being there when the other most needs. A great light read, only 4 stars because the ending felt a bit rushed.

This was my 2nd book from Gun Brooke and i really love her way of writing. The storyline catched my interest right away since Celebrity Storys are my favorites. In this story we follow the path of Liberty an young woman with big dreams, to be a succsessful singer. She is a contastant in a new founded casting show. She meets her judge Palmer Ellison, an former star producer with her own stuggels and dark past. But right from the first note Palmer can see Liberty is special, the more time they spend, the more the get to know each other the more they fall for one another. The "Limeligh" contract is in the way, bust just for a few more weeks, will they open up to one another enought to make it work?

I can highly recommend this book, the storyline is fantastic, its well thought trough with all the important sidestorys needed but not to much distraction from the main storyline. I also liked the other charakters around mainly Team Palmer consistant of Liberty, Carl and Mona, who had a very cute "enemies" to good friends storyline. I liked the little moment where the 2 main charakter buildt their chemistry, there could have been added a few more.

Only think i personaly not liked to much was the end, it felt like there should have been added at least one more chapter- While along the book we heared so many reasons why they shouldnt be togehter and couldnt be togehter, i would have wished for an end that resolves the issue (because realisticly its not as if the moment the winner is named all contract is history in a casting show realm) and a tiny glimps into the near furure, especialyl with all the hints along the book how Palmer made stars in the past and would do anything for the ones she cared about.

Thanks to Gun Brooke, the publisher (Bold Strokes Books), and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Cute book story idea but I didnt really get into the story after 2 chapters and decided to put aside to maybe read again in the future as dont like to really DNF book's but may be one.

3.5 ⭐.You watch the voice and hope for a sapphic love story with it? Brooke made that wish come true. Palmer and Libby have both suffered a lot and their past gives both of them a lot of depth. I loved seeing them sharing that special bond in music and hardship. They are really protective with one another and it was really sweet. Brooke took us in this special space where only the two of them exist despite the whirlwind there are in. The manipulation of the media, and bad intentioned people made a good villain as it was infuriating to read. The book had a good balance between intimate scene between the two MC and the talent show. The forbidden aspect of their love story added a good dose of angst and fed that slow burn that I love so much. The book kept me hooked and it was easy to read. My issue is it left a taste of not enough on my mouth. It's a real slow burn and I would have need four or five more chapters and a real look of what their life looks like after the show. Overall I had a really good time reading the book but I wanted more and felt a bit frustrated after I finished it.

An emotional journey

Liberty is a contestant on a new TV talent show and despite nervous is proud to be following her dreams after being rejected by her father and his new family. Palmer, a former songwriter who after a costly mistake is persuaded to be a coach on the show is taken with Libby in an instant but she can’t allow anything to happen between them as it wouldn’t be professional.

I loved everything about this! It was as exciting as I expected it to be, filled with glitz, glamour, and all the nerves that would come with being a part of an experience like Libby and Palmer were, but it was also deeply emotional. Libby really hadn’t had a great experience, so I admired her determination to succeed and her reasons for not wanting her father to be around, claiming he was parent of the year, but of course you knew that drama would come, and when it did, it really delivered, but it also helped Libby grow and be braver than she was already.

Sympathising with both Libby and Palmer came naturally. Neither of them were in a great position in life, other than being a part of the show, and it was going to mean everything to them in more than one way. It obvious Libby, although apprehensive at first about Palmer being her coach, was going to grow closer to her. She had that star quality that made her likeable and attractive that Palmer wasn’t going to be able to resist as Libby’s vulnerabilities were on show from day one. She was genuine and not afraid to show it, whereas Palmer was a bit more guarded and with good reason. I was so glad they met and of the way they supported each other through everything.

The nicest thing about this story was the message you can achieve anything with the right support. It was also so lovely how we got a very intimate connection, slowly growing between Libby and Palmer that came from a place deeper than attraction. Understanding, time, and admiration were the keys to their success in both the completion and their relationship! Really, really enjoyed this and can’t recommend it enough!

Gun Booke did a great job with this one. The main characters were great, communicated well and truthfully laid their cards on the table from the start. It's definitely om of my favorite books this year. Well done. I recommend 4.5 stars.

Thank You NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC.

This is a Hollywood romance book. I enjoyed that there isn’t unnecessary communication issues as the characters actually talk about things! It was nice to read!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As horrendous as this cover is, the stuff inside is actually pretty good. It's a great example for the saying - don't judge the book by it's cover. It's a hollywood romace, really cute one. There's an age gap as well, but it's done well. It's not awkward or creepy.
This book also has something that really few romace books out there have. COMMUNICATION . The characters in Limelight actually talk to eachother about their feelings. There is no miscommunications or third act breakup. They are honest and they tell the truth instead of hiding stuff and lying. So that was a nice.

There are many characters in this book, but the story revolves around Liberty and Palmer. Liberty is one of the contestants on Limelight, similar to American Idol and The Voice. Palmer is friends with 2 of the judges who persuade her to come out of hiding and be a guest judge for this season of the show. Palmer used to be a hot shot music producer that everyone wanted until an accident took that all away. Palmer is thinking that this show might revitalize her career. Palmer has Liberty as her coach. As the women spend more time together, they realize that they are both having feelings for the other, even though they know that is not allowed.
I would recommend

This is definitely one of my favorite stories I have read this year! It help my interest and I love this trope! I definitely recommend this book to everyone!

First chapter ok and then got into the book quite quickly however the first real arousal scene in 45% came too quickly, however it's only as I checked how far through the book I was that I realised it was not quick in book terms, therefore it's a bit fast in the character interaction for me. I was never really on the same page as the mains. I was never really all in with the chemistry. I did however find the secondary plot compelling and found myself speed reading some of the mains interactions to find out what would happen with the other plot strand.

Limelight is the first book that I’ve read by Gun Brooke (gotta be a pen name, right?) and I’ll definitely be looking into her other works. This was a well-written and engaging read that had just enough family drama to push the story along while still keeping things light and fun.

I would categorize the romance as forbidden relationship with a bit of an age gap. It’s definitely a slow burn, but there’s enough will they/won’t they between Libby and Palmer to build up a very nice amount of organic chemistry. I was more than ready for their first kiss when it finally happened. My only grievance with this book is that the ending felt a bit rushed, and some of Libby’s parent’s motivations didn’t really make sense. But maybe that’s just because they’re garbage people??

I’d definitely recommend Limelight if you’re looking for a fun and well-spun romcom with a bit of a peek into the world of reality singing competitions. Light/medium spice 4.25/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

Gun Brooke somehow knew I have a soft spot for stories involving reality TV because she just wrote my new favorite singing competition rip off. Something about the drama of prohibitive attraction with life changing stakes on the line really does it for me. Brooke wrote with a flow that kept me interested even when it traipsed to repetitive conflict. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Finding love on an American Idol type reality show. Liberty Bell is 28 and makes the cut as one of the nine contestants. She has range and talent and is a bit older than most of the competitors. Palmer Ellison is one of the three mentors and feedback judges. She was famous as a producer and songwriter until an accident ten years ago that derailed her career. The other two mentors, Noelle and Helena, are friends of Palmer and hope that bringing her on the show will energize her lagging career. They had their own romance in Fierce Overture (July 2010) part of a stand alone series.

The story covers the roughly two month run of the show as contestants are voted off weekly. There is extra drama that comes from Liberty’s estranged family trying to inject themselves publicly into her career. There is a lot of build up for a confrontation which doesn’t amount to much, lacking consequence or closure. The romance is age gap (9 years) and slow burn, as there is attraction but are contractually unable to fraternize. The ending for me cried out for an epilogue. I was good with the show winner but wanted some hints of what a future looks like for Liberty and Palmer. Ultimately, the story is solid but with a few glitches for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)