CJ Duggan is one of those authors that you don't even need to think twice about reading. Not only did I enjoy reading this before it was released, I also enjoyed reading a hard copy I was gifted. Hollywood and Heartbreak go together like ice and coffee. Well worth it

I have enjoyed all of the stories in the Heart of the City series and have been waiting patiently for the next book in the series. Once again C.J. Duggan has written a story that I absolutely loved reading. I love the way that C.J. Duggan writes her stories and the different locations that her stories are set in. I find that I can close my eyes I picture the places that C.J. Duggan has written within her books. I also loved the characters in this story. I another great story by this amazing author.

This is a story that has a lot of chuckle moments throughout, it had me turning the pages and thoroughly enjoying my trip to Hollywood with Aussie actress Abby Taylor as she tries to make it in the showbiz city, add to that Jay Davis gorgeous bar owner and new neighbour and this trip is fun and another fabulous book in this series although it definitely can be read as a standalone.

Abby has been working on a TV show here in Australia and enjoying life with her boyfriend Scott when everything happens at once her life is turned upside down as she is plastered all over the gossip magazines as a home wrecker and then is written out of her show, step in her manager and Abby is off to Hollywood to try her luck here she meets up with her friend Billie and moves into her condo in LA and life is just about to change again for the outspoken Abby.

Abby meets Jay at the airport and things don’t go too well when they meet he is quiet and comes across moody but it is not long before she starts to get to know him as she starts working for him and the sizzle starts and is not easy to keep under wraps, and when she finds out who he is well Abby goes to set him straight.

This really is a fun story to read MS Duggan again has bought t life characters that are easy to like and feel like friends, there were many times I was smiling and laughing and I loved Abby’s honesty and the way she stands up for her friends and seeing her fall for Jay and their sensual romance grow had me sighing. This is a book I highly recommend thank you MS Duggan for another keeper I am really enjoying this series and my trips to some fabulous cities.

Abby Taylor has no choice but to start over and there's no better place for her to start over than Hollywood. Yet, just because she was on Australia's number one television drama doesn't mean she's going to be able to make it in the City of Dreams. However, the longer she stays and navigates the world of fake friendships and never-ending auditions to land a role, the more she finds herself falling for her neighbor, Jay Davis. Will Jay and Abby achieve their happy ever after, or will secrets ruin their chance at a future together?
If you haven't read any of this series, then you're missing out on this very talented author's writing. Really, these stories are fun, extremely entertaining and this fifth book of Ms. Duggan's Heart of the City series was no different. The way this story started drew me in immediately because of what's happening to the heroine. Will she be able to make it in Hollywood? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time that had me reading quickly, determined to discover whether the heroine would find a way to win Jay over since they don't get off to the best of starts.
Both the main characters were fantastic and I loved every moment they conversed, as the heroine embarrasses herself a few times she's in Jay's presence, but finds their relationship become more amicable every time they're around each other. Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous and I liked how she handled everything she goes through in this story including wondering if she'll ever land a job in her chosen career and be able to handle living in Los Angeles. I also liked how feisty the heroine was, especially in the moment when she isn't afraid to stand up for a frenemy. While the hero, he's done well for himself and I could understand why he has such a dislike for the heroine's career because of his past and how his parents always made him feel less important than their careers. I also liked how the hero gave the heroine a chance. Not only because he amuses her, but because she's interesting and not someone that thinks she's better than everyone else like many of those in her career think they are.
Overall, Ms. Duggan has delivered another fantastic read for this series where the chemistry between this couple was heady and convincing; the romance an absolute delight, as these two go from having a rocky start to falling for each other; and the ending had me sympathizing with the hero because of the heroine's reaction to something she discovers. Yet, in saying that, I liked how things were made right between these two because what's a better way for Jay to let the heroine know he wants her in his life than to face his fears. However, it was the last chapter that wrapped this story up nicely because of the news the heroine gets. I would recommend Hollywood Heartbreak by CJ Duggan, if you enjoy the enemy to lovers trope or books by authors Jennifer Ryder, Gia Riley, Marquita Valentine and Kim Karr.

This was such a fun read, it's the fifth in the Heart of the city series by C J Duggan and I can't wait to go back and read the rest. I always enjoy truly Aussie characters, and Abby was certainly a down to earth Aussie actress who was completely out of her depth in big old Hollywood. The chemistry between Abby and Jay was both fun and sexy and I enjoyed reading all the scenes between them, especially the ones in which Abby made me laugh while completely feeling her embarrassment. A really fun and easy read which I definitely recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for a copy in return for an honest review.

Words, ideas and themes make the novel Heartbreak Hollywood.
Romance
Actors
LA
Hollywood
Americans
Australians
Real life
Secrets
Lies
Friendship
Lessons in life
Staying real
Learning to trust
Scandal
Australian writer
Refreshing story
Not always a lovable female character
Redeems herself throughout the novel
Douche bag males
Bars
Disillusionment

My Thoughts

‘Hollywood Heartbreak’ is the fifth standalone book in CJ Duggan's sassy, sexy new adult series, Heart of the City. I can say I have thoroughly enjoyed each of these stories with the common theme of an Aussie girl overseas in a big city coming across local suave guy, it never fails to provide entertainment. Each book is unique and definitely a standalone. My reviews for the books in this series thus far, can be found HERE. Each of Duggan's stories has a different setting, but the theme of trying to start afresh and find yourself, is always a consistent. This of course makes it so relatable to many, assisted by seeing it through the eyes of a character who is always so very down to earth.

‘We really just need to surround ourselves with the right people and focus on the things that are real.’

One of the most appealing aspects about this book is, as the author herself states, “wanting to read Australian voices, no matter what city they may stand in.” So here we have Abby Taylor local Aussie TV star, trying to make it big in the States. Once again, I love how Duggan maintains everything so ‘Aussie’ about these girls but I think this one has a deeper, underlying message. Many a would-be star is often reported as making the trek overseas in an attempt to make it into the big time, and more often than not, losing out and returning home with proverbial tail between their legs. So for all the fun and laughter, I appreciated Duggan’s reflections:

‘Maybe that’s what the Hollywood sign symbolised: the ultimate, unattainable pinnacle of success, up above the smog, looking down on all the dreamers stuck here, choking.’

Another fresh insight in this instalment was the social commentary. For all the glitz and glamour, Duggan also gives us a female lead that goes in with her eyes wide open - with everything from social media to the infamous lifestyle of the rich and famous:

Abby, you know that privacy is just for people with low self-esteem –what you’re doing is social suicide.’

‘Pretending to be heroes and doctors and heartthrobs on a screen. None of it’s real! We all just take ourselves so seriously. We think that we’re something special, that our ridiculous stories of who’s dating who is somehow worthy of a three-page spread.’

Once again Duggan delivers with witty banter, burning chemistry and sexy encounters. If a quick, light and entertaining read is what you are after, then this is the book for you, as you are always guaranteed a smile. I can now tick another location off my ‘Heart of the City’ bucket list and can’t wait to see where CJ Duggan takes us next.

‘(Abby) had learned her American accent from watching hours of 90210.’


This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

I have been waiting forevvverrrr for Hollywood Heartbreak - ok, that may be exaggerating a little, but it feels like forever.

And it was worth every second of the wait to get Jay Davis in my hot little hands.

I really enjoyed Abby's story. From a calamitous start to her LA story, I couldn't help but laugh and cry along with her.

I love that she has kept her Australian-ness about her. We read so many stories where the Aussies go overseas and lose almost everything that made them who they are once they get there. Not our Abby, not her roommate Billie (who I have to say is freaking awesome)

Jay is just all kinds of swoonworthy. From the first meeting till the end, I couldn't help but smile every time he was on the page.

When I was reading about where Abby was living, I did kind of get a Melrose Place vibe about it - I liked it!

Great characters, wonderful story-telling that had me hooked from the start. This could well be my favourite in the Heart of The City series.

Can't wait to see what Ms Duggan brings us next.