Yes, this book really was just like the movies.
What I loved
This was simply a very sweet romance. It was the perfect read for a slow weekend. It made me smile all the way through. I liked Ruby and her love for the movie theater and it was just very sweet to see Luke struggle with his feelings.
What I didn't love
Sometimes it felt a little too simple. Ruby changed her mind a lot so it would fit with the happy ending. Also Ruby lacked a bit of backstory. Luke had a lot of history, but Ruby's was never really explained.
Conclusion
Perfect if you want a quick, sweet romance to read.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC to review*

Just Like In The Movies isn’t just a book for movie lovers.
It packs in grief, loss, heartache, romance, tension and forgiveness all into a sweet covered tome. The characters where likeable and I enjoyed the sunshine optimism of our main character Ruby in the face of all the turbulence that has landed in her lap. Our other main character Luke has a lot of issues resulting in him being a closed off, grouchy guy with a cynical outlook on life and pretty much everything. I would have liked more of a build up to their relationship and more of that heat building tension and less about The Wizard of Oz (personal preference on account that the film mostly creeps me out). However I did enjoy and any book with a Spinal Tap reference automatically goes on my good list.

Ruby’s best friend and father figure Matty has recently passed and she has inherited his classic movie theater. Only catch is half of the deed now belongs to the nephew he’s never met. Meet Luke Devlin: the son of two movie stars who hates the film industry, including movie theaters.

I thought Just Like in the Movies would be a lighthearted read. Instead it really tugged at my heartstrings. The descriptions of Ruby’s relationship with Matty were so poignant and lovingly painful. And Luke’s history and backstory was well thought out and descriptive and it definitely added to his character.

But there was so little of Ruby’s story. She is so understanding and unconditionally loving, that you almost forget that she has her own history. And we never learn anything about it, just some teases of her past.

Their relationship progression also felt a little cliched. It was obvious how it would go, and that Ruby would be forgiving and accepting of Luke’s flaws.

Overall a cute read, but it felt like it was missing something.

This book is marvelous, the characters shine, and the voice is fantastic. The emotions and just overall plot are quite good. I think this might be one of the most underrated but best books so far in 2021. You get the romance, the drama, and the main focus on the protagonist, Ruby. Everyone gets time to shine, but the ending is so cute. I think this such a raw and real novel that it will become a personal favorite read. Just Like in the Movies by Heidi Rice is not meant for everyone, but it was meant for me.

Honestly, my e-reader is getting me through January. Thank you to @netgalley for an e-ARC of Just Like In The Movies by Heidi Rice!

Synopsis: Ruby Graham just lost her best friend in the world — who also happened to bequeath her a half share of the movie theatre they ran together. The other half was left to his real estate developer nephew, Luke Devlin, who couldn’t care less about movies if he tried. So when the theatre turns out to be in massive debt, will Ruby be able to convince Luke to step in and help, or will her safe-haven come tumbling down around her?

It’s a plot worthy of a Hallmark movie and I was totally on board at the beginning. Ruby, while overly optimistic and constantly at an emotional threshold, has gumption, and Luke, for all his grumpiness, obviously has a soft heart. So they’re quite lovable and they have some steamy sex scenes between them.

BUT the writing. Or editing. Or something went wrong between conception and execution. It was a slog to get though this book, even though it should have been easy. There were scenes that just felt like the same pieces of thought were just being repeated over and over for no reason other than to take up page length, or where characters seemed to make two entirely different decisions about their lives back-to-back. Ultimately, I felt that the writing was poor, and it held the book back from its full potential.

I also felt like the character development was lopsided with a lot of attention and care being given to Luke’s backstory (TW: suicide, death, sexual assault/sexual encounter seen by a minor) but Ruby’s equally fraught background was only alluded to and never resolved or confronted.

For me, this was, at best, a library read. Maybe since this was an ARC, there’s more editing to come, which I think would seriously help. The plot and characters have promise, especially if you’re a huge movie buff, but it just didn’t work as I wanted.

beautifully written from start to finish with wonderful characters. I blew through this book extremely quickly which I loved but hated because I didn’t want it to end

Who doesn’t love a hate to love romance?!
This was really fun! I liked the inclusion of movies throughout, even the ones I haven’t seen.
I always appreciate when we get both characters’ perspectives in a romance.
It took me awhile to warm up to Luke, but I did get there eventually.
It dragged at parts, and could’ve done with some tightening up, but overall, it was very cute!
The premise isn’t wildly original, but the execution was well done and I enjoyed myself!

Ruby has been bequeathed half of an old picture theatre by her boss (mentor and friend) Matty. The other half now belonging to Matty’s American nephew Luke.

Ruby would dearly love to save the old cinema and make it sparks again, however Luke is happy to sell it off to property developers.

A good old enemies to lovers story that had some great film references.

This books makes me miss going to the movies.

It was a cute little love story, though I did find that in spots, it was lacking a little and dragging the story.
Ruby and Luke's relationship going from Enemies-to-lovers is an interesting journey.

With Plenty of movie references (also I love the little "review blurbs at the start of the "parts"), this book transports you into the movie theaters once again all while watching a romance blossom from the corner of your eye.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Everybody aspires to have the perfect movie romance, but sadly in reality things never quite go to plan do they?

What would be your favourite movie romance? For me it has to be Sam & Mollie in Ghost 💟

I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read this before release as I loved it! Peppered with film references throughout & based in an old fashioned movie theatre called the Royale, you knew this was going to be something special.

I loved all of the characters, especially the tenacity & devotion of Ruby who has been left her share in the delapidated cinema by her recently deceased best friend/surrogate father Matty.

Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

Movie buffs will love this book.Luke and Rubies conversations about film are so entertaining, A romance full of Hollywood nostalgia really enjoyed.#netgalley#harpercollinsuk

When the owner of the cinema died he left it to Ruby and Luke. The two didn't hit it off because Luke wants to sell it but Ruby loves the place and can't bear to lose it.

I enjoyed this easy read book. It's got a lot of references to films, which you would expect given the title of the book. It's quite nostalgic. Perfect beach read. Loved it.

When Ruby's boss suddenly passes away, he leaves her half of his cinema, with the other half going to the nephew he never met. As the secrets get uncovered you understand why he did this, and as Ruby and Luke spend more time together can she convince him to help her save the cinema?

A great read, and I liked all the references to films and that the book was told from both of their points of view.

Ruby Graham has always loved the Royale Theater, and when the owner and her best friend Matty Delvin dies, he leaves half of the theater to her and half to his nephew. Luke Delvin has never been one for the movies, growing up with famous actor parents and having a strained relationship with it, he suddenly finds out his uncle who he was never close with has left him with half the ownership to a theater that is in heavy debt and a strange girl that might be his uncle’s girlfriend? Suffice to say, things get off to a rocky start between Ruby and Luke, and they but heads over the theater. Ruby wants to save the theater in memory of Matty but Luke just wants nothing to do with it. Throw in an arrests, community service, movie outings, and a enemies to lovers thing and this is what we get. The story was a fun read and the overall ending was a nice one. I just found myself not getting into it as much as I had hoped, I was initially won over by the premise but the execution just left something lacking for me. Overall it’s a cute romance read and would make a sweet read for all those movie rom com lovers out there.

*Thanks Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I love romance novels, romance movies you name it and I was so looking forward to it. This book kind of fell flat. There were good bits but it all just dragged on a bit. Its a shame as this book could have been so good

I received an ARC from Netgalley and the author in return for an honest review.

This is such a fabulous story, with engaging characters, an intriguing premise and is beautifully executed. I absolutely loved it. It seems especially relevant in the current climate to read something so emotionally engaging and satisfying.

Ruby is a Londoner and has spent her working like helping her mentor and substitute father Matty, run a cinema in Notting Hill. When he dies, she discovers that he has left her half the cinema, massive debt and several other secrets which are revealed throughout the story. Her co-heir turns out to be Luke, the son of Matty’s estranged sister, a diva of an actress.

A cast of characters who come to life as the story develops is matched with a fabulous plot line which sees the development of a fabulous relationship between Ruby’s and Luke as well as the exploration of the secrets which lie behind Luke’s angst and Ruby’s fears.

An extra joy are the film references which mirror important developments in the story. The author’s love of films really comes across and I wondered if she’s modelled The Royale on a real cinema?

This book was long enough for the writer to spend time fleshing out her characters and deepening the scene setting to allow the story to develop so satisfyingly. Great dialogue, fabulous prose and beautifully steamy love scenes. I totally loved this book. 5 stars.

A book for all film lovers. For those not into celluloid, maybe not. But I found this tale about grief, movies, friendship, and finding a place where dreams come true engrossing. Yes, it’s a bit draggy at times, but the cinema talk between Ruby and Luke, co-owners of THE ROYALE, made up for pace. Great filmic fun!

4 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 12 Mar 2021
#JustLikeInTheMovies #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for the ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

What a cute wee gem.

Just Like in the Movies has heart in spades. When Ruby inherits half of the movie theatre that has been her home since she was 12 she gets unfortunate surprises in spades: a financial crisis, looming closure, and a cynical co-owner. Can Ruby get The Royale back in the shape it deserves to be?

The characters are where Heidi Rice shines, every one of them is a unique and eclectic combination of traits. The Royale is a beautiful setting that you just want to slink into to watch a movie. Just Like in the Movies deserves to be read and loved by many.

Mmm this book was just ok for me, it was a little too, um I don't know?! I guess a little too British?? Lol it was just a little hard to get into it , for me anyway but I'm sure some will enjoy it! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

This is actually a great book about movies and its history. :) The romance is there but the movie discussions stood out for me. Movie bluffs will love this book. :) The heroine is great... just not so sure about the hero until halfway through the book.... A decent book overall.