fake dating with a lot of emotional drama? Sign me up. While the cover and title suggest this will be a sweet little romcom, this book had so much depth with events centering on the dark side of fame. I really enjoyed how the two MC's bonded and their relationship grew while also growing themselves. A great read if you're looking for a book that will make you emotional!

When the amazing and talented Ashley Winstead says you need a book, I drop everything! I’m so happy I listened to her on this one! I love a good fake dating, forced proximity trope and this one worked so well for me! While most of this book was funny and lighthearted, there were some deeper subject matters at times. With grief, addiction, and the ugly side of Hollywood. Overall I really enjoyed this one, but the ending left me wanting more.

**How to Fake It in Hollywood** by Ava Wilder is a witty and charming exploration of fame, identity, and self-acceptance. The story follows two people—one a rising star and the other a struggling actress—who strike a fake relationship deal to save face in the public eye. Wilder masterfully blends humor and emotional depth as the characters navigate their complicated personal lives and public personas. The book delves into themes of authenticity, fame’s pressure, and finding love in unexpected places. With relatable characters and a sharp, engaging narrative, it’s a fun and thought-provoking read that’s hard to put down.

OK I forgot to submit this review when I first read it years ago but I felt terrible because I have read this book several times since!

I had a blast with this one! I went in knowing it was a fake dating plot, so I figured it would simply hit all the traditional fake dating story beats. Instead, the story turned out to be much more profound. The book tackles some tough and sensitive topics, and the author did an amazing job with them. I loved Grey and Ethan's characters and how they evolved throughout the story. All in all, it was a fantastic read!

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The writing was sharp and the characters were well-rounded. Our two main characters are actors who join together in a "fake dating" scheme to help their careers. There was more angst than I normally enjoy but I think it worked for the story.

Loved these two the first time, love them again rereading their story. I eat up fake-dating romances and this one!!! It’s so good!!! It’s funny and charming, but it also has a lot of heart, emotion and angst.

I am a huge fans of celebrity blinds, and one of my favorite sub-genres is PR relationships.

This one was cute, but mostly underwhelming. I didn’t feel the passion between the characters- it felt more like lust. It too quickly went from 0 to 100 and we did not have enough progression to make it believable.

Wasn’t bad by any means, just not totally my cup of tea.

This was a lot of fun! Grey and Ethan's story kept me engaged and I had fun from start to finish. I liked the writing style also. I will definitely be looking for more from Ava Wilder.

This book has been on my Netgalley shelf for years and I haven’t picked it up. No shade to the author or the book, I think my taste has just changed and I’m not the right person to review it anymore.

This was such a disappointment. I was so excited about the premise because I love fake dating, but I could not buy into the characters as a couple. I was not a fan of how some of the heavier topics were covered and by the end I really hated Ethan.

ava is such a good writer this book made so happy and it made realized a lot of things. and I am happy I was able to read it. it has good characters and it doesn't feel like it was force which is a plus for me

This is lighthearted romance that brings a bit of charm to the workplace romance genre. The characters are likable, and the storyline is engaging, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. The chemistry between the protagonists is enjoyable, but there are moments when the pacing feels uneven, which affects the flow of the story.

While there are several funny and heartwarming scenes, some of the plot points feel predictable, and the character development could have been deeper. Despite these minor issues, Its still enjoyable read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a few laughs along the way.

Rating: 3/5

Better late than never!

I finally got around to reading How to Fake it in Hollywood and boy, I wished I would have picked it up when I first received the book. The chemistry between the characters stood out the most and allowed this fun story to stand out above the rest. The fake dating trope is one of the best, especially when done correctly. And this one hit the mark.

If you haven't read this book yet, do it! It is a fun time.

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted copy.

Ava Wilder’s How to Fake It in Hollywood is a fun and engaging romp through the glamorous chaos of Tinseltown. The story follows a struggling actress who enters a fake relationship with a famous actor, leading to a mix of humor and heartfelt moments.

Wilder’s sharp writing captures the highs and lows of fame, while the chemistry between the leads keeps the pages turning. The exploration of identity and public perception adds depth to the charming romance.

With its witty dialogue and entertaining plot, How to Fake It in Hollywood is a delightful escape that will leave you smiling. A solid four stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

DNF @ 45%

Celebrity romances are always hard for me to get into and this one fell victim to my lack of interest. How to Fake it in Hollywood started out strong but it just felt like a rehash of the same story lines.

This book was very fun, sometimes steamy (Palm Springs hello!), and I enjoyed the atmosphere. It dealt with some heavy topics, but I think the author covered such things beautifully and respectfully. I did not enjoy the push and pull/ on and off again- I know there are plenty who do, but this isn’t my usual genre so I just found myself frustrated with that aspect. Ethan and Grey were darling, for the most part, but sometimes a touch too “pat on the back” kiddo for me, with the age difference.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for the ARC!

Ava Wilder is a fresh new voice in romance and I’m a huge fan. The emotional depth in this book made it compulsively readable and I can’t stop screaming about how well she handled this second chance romance.

Ava Wilder was a new author for me for the romcom genre, but I just didn’t feel the feels with the characters and I felt like the book could’ve been a bit shorter.

Made me love Hollywood even more, I liked this book even though it was lacking depth and character development. I would still recommend this book to my friends if they're looking for something cute and easy.