Hollywood stories are one of my favorite themes in romance books. This one I've just finished will be without doubt at the top of my prefereds so far. Because it has all of what you can expect inside that glamourous world and it's put together in a way that results really engagging from start to end.

Hayley and Emerson are a really gorgeous couple. Their first meeting does not bode well. Hayley is forced to cover a red carpet event, she is working on a tabloid newspaper, although that is not what she would like, since she aspires to be a screenwriter.

Emerson is an actress with a reputation for being difficult, adding to that the recent dismissal of her female co-star in the new movie she is about to present. This co-star that has been dismissed, Rachel, starts a campaign to discredit her. Emerson then tries to counter-act, so she turns to Hayley to write her version of the story against Rachel's. From here, Emerson and Hayley must spend time together, so it's only a matter of time before they have a more than professional relationship.

The two women behave throughout the story in a fairly coherent way, taking into account the difficulties that appear at each step they take. They talk a lot, for obvious reasons since Hayley must write about Emerson, so they are discovering each other, little by little. And both are hesitant to start a relationship, although for very different reasons.

Although the subject is not new at all and has been used a lot in romantic literature, in this book there are many more things than glamour and parties. In fact, what I found very interesting is the way it deals with the darkest part of fame and media, envy, resentment and acts that escape control.

Actually this author is becoming one of my favorites lately and this book has been a really enjoyable and highly recommended reading.

Emerson Sterling is a famous actress with a bad-girl reputation. Hayley Carpenter is a celebrity gossip journalist whose dream is to be a screen writer. When their paths cross in an awkward situation, they start to form a bond which evolves into something deeper. But Hayley soon learns the high price to pay behind the apparent glamour of celebrity life.

I have to admit that I don't care much about celebrity lifestyle but this book got me hooked from the start because it's so much more than a relationship between a celebrity and an ordinary person. This is a sweet romance with the addition of a critique of the media role in their portrayal of celebrities. Both main characters, Emerson and Hayley, are multi-layered with their personalities well defined. Their chemistry is absolutely off the charts, Ms. Riley has done a great job at building their attraction slowly but surely. Some of the scenes of them together are cute and others are very sensual, that variety makes the romance even more enjoyable.

The secondary characters are well rounded, specially both mains' best friends, Alison and Tremont. The setting of the story is very well written, the descriptions of the places in both LA and Maine are beautifully portrayed. The dialogues are very well written, sometimes funny and witty, others seriously deep and moving.

The plot is tightly woven, Ms. Riley has got the ebb and flow of the tension perfectly. Even though there is a good deal of drama, the conflict doesn't feel contrived or artificially created, on the contrary, it makes sense and seems the logical consequence of the chain of events. Many readers are going to like the fact that the author takes her time to finish the book after the conflict is solved. The story has a perfect length, neither is rushed nor stretched.

Overall, an entertaining, poignant and romantic story with a side of social critique to celebrity culture and the media. 5 stars.

ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com

A movie star and a gossip column writer are a perfect combination for romance. Ms. Riley does a good job developing the characters in this book so her readers will believe that two women with these professions can be attracted to each other and fall in love.

As an A-listed star, Emerson Sterling has worked hard in her profession since she was a teenager. Haley Carpenter, like many people in the movie business, has taken a job as a columnist so she can pay her bills while she is trying to write a screenplay.

There are many demands on Emerson’s time, so she employs her BFF, Tremont, as her personal assistant. Tremont not only helps keep Emerson organized and grounded, he is also her confidant. Ms. Riley uses Tremont’s character to introduce humor into the book.

The plot is different than most I have read. I had not considered the depth of personal invasion the media might undertake to get their story. Ms. Riley presents this case well in her book. I felt the plot was smooth. The characters were believable and well developed.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a nice romance. I rate this book 4-1/2 out of 5 stars.

I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

A good Hollywood drama. It makes me wish in real life there could be plenty of A-list stars that are openly gay. I liked how Hayley and Emerson bonded with each other in such a superficial world like Hollywood. If only we could get our real life lesbian blockbuster or romcom. Definitely read this if you like the celebrity thing,

Hayley Carpenter is a wannabe-screenwriter whose work sends her to cover a red carpet event. Emerson Sterling is your media darling who has been acting all her life and now in the mist of the release of her most important project a past lover threatens her success and her family. A series of events bring Hayley and Emerson together and a writing assignment opens the door to unexpected feelings.

This book is sweet, sexy and just a feel-good experience. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable and not forced, which makes it very natural. The characters were well developed and believable. The book moves at a really good pace and keeps you interested throughout the whole story.

Overall, it is a great romance book, one I would definitely read again and recommend to others.
5/5

I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley

I absolutely fell in love with 'Media Darling' by Fiona Riley. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Ms. Riley has created a perfect contemporary romance that is sweet, steamy and chock full of electrifying romance.

Hayley wants to be a screenwriter, but those jobs are scarce in Hollywood, so she works as a reporter at a Hollywood gossip magazine. Emerson has been an actress since she was a child and is now finishing up her dream role that she hopes will make everyone see her as a serious actress and improve her seriously tarnished image from her teen years. A conflict with a co-star, however, puts her back in the world's eyes as a villain and also threatens the privacy of her family. After Emerson and Haley meet, Emerson feels that only Hayley can write the true story about her past and what happened with the co-star. This draws Hayley and Emerson together, but at what cost for Hayley?

I believe the chemistry between the two main characters is what makes this story so strong. When the two are together, the reader can almost feel the sparks. This connections begins the first moment the two see each other for the first time and only gets stronger throughout the story.

I also learned a great deal about life behind the scenes in the film industry. Not only did Ms. Riley do an excellent job with the characters in the story, but the setting and plot were superb. I just loved the story and I can recommend it to any romance lover.

I received an ARC from Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

What an extraordinary story that I wanted to start all over again when it was finished. WOW!

Haley wants to be a screenwriter in LA but unfortunately that’s a hard gig to land in Hollywood so she works for a gossip rag and her big break fell into her lap after the talent (not to mention stunning) actress Emerson agrees to do a tell all interview with her. Emerson has always been in the limelight from a young age but now she’s been thrusted into the gossip columns after her supposed tryst with a fellow actress. But Emerson is more worried about the fall out for her family and Haley is the only one she trusts to set the record straight.

The first two words that come to mind when I think about this book is ‘chemistry’ and ‘connection’. Together Emerson and Haley have it in spades. It truely is a case of these two being better together than apart because when they had page time together it was like it was always meant to be.

The serendipitous way they met was exciting and made me feel from the very beginning that this book would be filled with not only love and chemistry but adventure and fun. There was no point in the book where I didn’t think these two wouldn’t make it because everything about them is meant to be.

I think one of Fiona Rileys biggest strengths in this book was portraying the people behind the glitz and glamour. It gave a heightened level of angst at some parts and keep me clued to the page. Also I laughed more than once… just wait to you meet, Stan.

Once again Fiona Riley has blown me away in the bedroom department… or you know, the floor, kitchen or anywhere Emerson and Haley could get their hands on each other. I reckon her sex scenes are getting hotter and hotter with every book.

I am so very excited about people reading this book because it is very special and everything about it makes it sit rather close to the top of my all time favourites.

5 stars.

First I'd like to say I love the star and the regular person romances. Fiona Riley developed that storyline very slowly and the attraction that these women felt was a slow burn. What was even better is the delving into Emerson's life. Haley Carpenter was hired to write a story about movie start Emerson Sterling. Emerson candidly let Haley know what her life was like. Lonely, sad and a prisoner of her fame. The story is about both of these women overcoming their fears. Fiona Riley, I loved the ending. I highly recommend this book.

Hayley Carpenter has to cover a red carpet event for one of her colleagues. Her dream is to be a screenwriter but she has to make a living so writing for a gossip magazine is where she’s at. Emerson Sterling is in the news but not for her acting skill. A brief dalliance has the other party, Rachel, spewing accusations to anybody who will listen. Accidently eavesdropping, Hayley overhears an argument between Rachel and Emerson.

This is well-written with great pace and lots of witty dialogue. I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read by Riley and this one is no exception but I haven’t enjoyed it as much as some of her others. Hayley is an interesting, quick-witted character with lots of depth to her. I didn’t feel quite the same about Emerson. I think that the most interesting parts about her were off page and I can’t help the feeling that it was a missed opportunity.

It is still a really good read, lovely romance and easy to recommend even though I was slightly disappointed. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

I received an ARC copy of the book from the Publisher via Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

Ms Riley is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. I have read all her books and each one she writes soon becomes my new favourite and this one is no different.

I loved the characters and the story line. The story flowed well and had good character development. I couldn’t help liking Tremont from the very beginning. He is one of a kind and very loyal to his friends. Emerson is an Actress and Hayley is a Reporter for a Celebrity Gossip Magazine and an Aspiring Screenwriter. When the pair meets that is when the book gets really interesting. The chemistry between them was melting my kindle. They are both loveable characters from the beginning right to the end.

All in all Ms Riley has done it again. I would highly recommend this book (or any book by this author). You will not be disappointed. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

There are plenty of romance novels out there to choose from where a regular girl falls in love with a Hollywood superstar, but Media Darling is fortunately not like any of those at all. The character development of Hayley and Emerson is thorough and getting to know these two women and what made them tick was essential to understanding the complexities of their conflict later on. What I really enjoyed was the copious amount of time they spent in dialogue getting to know one another, and sometimes just playing together. Beneath the chemistry and romance was a beautiful friendship carefully and lovingly crafted between them that I thoroughly enjoyed. Their growth as human beings capable of commitment despite unusual circumstances became the icing on this marvelous story. This story is far from superficial and avoids cliches for one of the better romances I’ve read in a long time.

Media Darling is a sweet romance between a movie star and a journalist. This book has some wonderful characters and a wide range of emotions. This is not a hot steamy romance, but a sweet one. Fiona Riley is a fabulous author and I can not wait to read another book from her.

Here's the thing. I read books from Fiona Riley before. And I enjoy her writing that's one of the reasons why I came running to get this book. second because I LOVE these stories they remind me of how normal the celebrities are at the end of the day and how messed up their industry is in regard of "sexuality" and PR. ( as you can see in this book as well)

Having said all that, reading this book was kinda boring and I was so sad because I wanted to feel more, to be more excited. YET I finished this book slower than my normal rang and by half of it I was waiting and counting the pages. Dont know why exactly since Hayley and Emerson relationship was absolutely adorable. Maybe I wanted to be introduced to that one important part in em life that we did not get to experience I just know there' HUGE something messing in this book. Overall, I highly recommend it, I might be exaggerating and whatever is off for me is not for you. its really is well writing book and good story

The author wrote this book wonderfully and there's no question about how talented Fiona is but I wanted more. No regrets tho

I was giving a free copy in exchange of an honest review

great novel. This was the first time I've read this author and she made a strong first impression, I'll definitely look for her work in the future. I'm a sucker for a good hollywood romance and this one did not disappoint, may even make it to the re-read list.

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

Emerson is a movie star and Hayley is a journalist. They meet accidentally when Hayley has to write a piece about Emerson's new movie and the sex scandal she seems to be involved with her ex co-star Rachel.

It does deals with lots of emotions, like jealousy, envy, revenge, anger and both characters are likeable and it was a sweet romance. I just think there was not enough sexual tension and angst between Emerson and Hayley before they actually got together.

I really loved "Room Service" and I was totally excited about "Media Darling" BUT somehow I found myself bored after the first half of the book. Both main characters are very likable and their attraction seems genuine and well described but I couldn't find myself fully excited about the whole storyline even though the Hollywood trope is one of my favorite subjects.
Emerson is a movie star and Hayley is a journalist. They meet accidentally when Hayley has to write a piece about Emerson's new movie and the sex scandal she seems to be involved with her ex co-star Rachel.
I don't want to spoil the story but I felt that the author should have dedicated more than a few mentions to Rory, I would like to see Emerson and her talking about their situation.. It felt like even though Rory was very important for the storyline, the author focused a lot more on Emerson's romance with Hayley.
What I personally found problematic about the romantic aspect of this book was that there was not enough sexual tension between Emerson and Hayley before they actually got together or maybe it was because the affair started too soon IMO. After they got together I really struggled to finish the book because the main plot couldn't hold my interest.
In any case Riley's writing is always good, in factI consider her one of the most reliable and solid FF authors and I'm really looking forward to reading more from her in the future.

This is a very sweet romance. Even though it deals with lots of emotions, like jealousy, envy, revenge, anger, the story between Emerson and Hayley is very sweet and lovable. There’s chemistry, and their interaction is skillfully written. I especially loved the author’s part about pools (written as Emerson’s saying).