I don’t have much experience with reading Lucy Parker’s books, but ‘Making Up’s enemies-to-lovers blurb drew me right in.

I loved the chaotic opening that was full of sensory delights mixed with the drama that happens both onstage and offstage—that’s what you get for sinking the story straight into one of Westend’s best runs, complete with the out-of-the-world costumes, death-defying acts, impossible characters and finally, the stripped-down actors behind them.

Parker paints stunning pictures with words, no doubt, with so much of the side-of-your-mouth kind of humour here that’s both dry and witty—blink and it’s gone—that ups the pace and makes the pages fly. Even the antagonism between Trix and Leo fell into romcom land as they traded barbs with the frenemies vibe and slung such spirited snarky insults that I was tempted to steal some those in order to expand my own swearing vocabulary.

I did like Parker’s chosen setting of performance art, and the support that went on behind the scenes…Trix and Leo were the furthest from the typical stock characters you see in romance these days and that alone kept me reading. Quirk aside (and there’s quite a fair bit of it that can be funny, if the humour and writing do appeal), I still sort of had a hard time trying to place where ‘Making Up’ fell on my personal ratings spectrum. It’s far from a bad read, but there were parts that I felt were stylistically overdone: the constant hyperboles and the smart cracks could have taken a bit of a break, which, combined with a full boatload of drama—don’t expect any less from the theatre people—nearly caved my head in. The pygmy hedgehog however, was the extra special sparkle in all of it.

I'm so happy that this book went up on NetGalley & I was approved for it!

I love Lucy Parker's writing SO MUCH. It reminds me of Lisa Kleypas' early books, full of humor & lovable characters. This one may be a little trigger-y for anyone who has survived an emotional abusive relationship, so please proceed with caution.

I'm already looking forward to the next book, and this one isn't even out yet. :D

Another winner from Lucy Parker.

Once again set in London's theatreland, this story concerns an acrobat, Trix Lane and a make-up artist Leo Magasiva.

Trix is playing one of the key supporting roles in a daring production called The Festival of Masks, part-burlesque, part rock concert, part carnival, part dark fairytale and maybe a leetle bit of a smutty night out (according to one critic). When the lead aerial performer loses concentration and breaks her arm in a nasty fall, live on stage, Trix as second understudy is suddenly catapulted into the role. What would have thrilled Trix a few years ago now fills her with terror, a relationship with a manipulative and controlling older man has left her doubting her own abilities. Just when the day couldn't get any worse, her school-girl crush, Leo, the boy who devastated her, turns up, having been given the role as make-up artist to The Festival of Masks. Oh, and he's got his bitchy little sister a dream internship with the wardrobe department and the stage manager Marco Ross is a bully!

Leo's career is in tatters after an actor willfully neglected to mention an allergy to certain facial products, his little sister has come back after a year in New York at school a changed woman, he is forced to share theatre accommodation with three strangers and the woman he blames for the end of his promising career in rugby is one of the stars of the show he is working on.

This could have been an angst and hate-filled novel where Trix and Leo fight for 75% of the book. Luckily, that's not the sort of book Lucy Parker writes. Instead what we see is two antagonists forced to work together and share a flat (of course) quickly settling their differences.

But it isn't all plain sailing. Leo's sister is like the Wicked Witch, Trix is struggling with self-doubt and can't do some of the more difficult acrobatics, there is a reality TV crew filming backstage at the show and they have manufactured a romance between Trix and her co-star (and friend) Jono.

On his part, Leo is desperate to retrieve his career and hopes to win a special effects make-up competition being held in London which might give him the opportunity to work in the USA. Despite his impressive good looks and fit body Leo is insecure and suffers fits of jealousy and his little sister is clearly unhappy but won't open up to him.

This book also revisits Lily and Luc from Pretty Face who are getting married at a fairytale castle.

I'm adding Leo to my book boyfriends. I mean apart from the good looks, the hot bod, the humour, the kindness and the drawing ability the man can do your make-up!!!

Loved it, loved it, loved it. Same sparky humour as before AND a cute hedgehog - what more could you ask?

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.