I was so grateful to receive an ARC of this book, so much thanks to the publisher and author! While it took me quite a bit to get through this one, it wasn't because I didn't like it; I actually rather enjoyed this one!

We follow Gray, a rising star who started acting as a child and it quickly became her life. We see things from her perspective as well as super star actor, Ethan, which makes for an interesting contrast.

The main plot line is that the two actors wind up "fake dating" in order to improve their reputations. Grey is trying to book more gigs while Ethan is trying to undo the damage of his rather uncouth habits in the wake of his best friend's tragic death.

I have to say, I knew where this was going from the get-go, as the fake dating trope is pretty common. Even though the plot was pretty predictable, the character development was really well done and drew me in. There were also quite a few things I didn't see coming, which is what kept me reading!

I'm all down for a cheesy romance novel, even if I kind of already know how it's going to end, but it's all about the journey! Gray and Ethan's relationship was gritty and real, which I found refreshing and interesting. I also adored the side characters! Wilder really let each of them have their moment to shine & I'd love to read a book based around Grey's best friend Kamilah and her partner, Andromeda!

I gave this one an easy 4 stars! How to Fake It In Hollywood is out now in paperback, audiobook & on Kindle!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

3.5**

I am convinced that this book is compared to Beach Read because based on the synopsis and cover you would assume it is a light, fluffy, & fun romance and it CAN be but there is way more heavy topics in it. I was not expecting nor in the mood for it so it affected my rating a bit however - still pick this up and give it a read! Just be aware.

The believability of the fake dating in this book is on point! I can see so many reason to fake date in Hollywood. I wish the characters has more felt chemistry or angst with the characters. The side characters were awesome and well thought out and I enjoyed the fact that there weren't too many. Grey is strong and 'built tough skin' from being in the spotlight which is shown.

Overall a good debut from the author!

* I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All thoughts are my own.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author worked with Ethan’s journey to sobriety towards the end and how he is in love with Grey.I also especially liked the interview as an epilogue. I wish there was a little more romance but overall great story!!

I really wanted to like this book! I tried multiple times to get into the characters but I just couldn’t quite finish it.

Wow! Wow! Wow! This book was steamy. I think the Hollywood troupe might be quickly becoming my favorite. It's like a glimpse behind a curtain into a world that is supposed to be off limits to most of us "regular" folks. I found myself talking aloud tot the characters while I read as I was that engrossed in the story. This was a 5 star book without me even having to think about it.

This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning! I LOVE the fake dating trope! Grey and Eathan had great chemistry. The book had a great pace too!

I had such high hopes for this book, but overall I did not enjoy it. It had its moments, but I found it had too much manufactured drama. I liked the main character, but her love interest was not for me.

This was so angsty and adult and I loved every second. I love messy romance like this, where it’s real like, shitty and not a picture perfect romance. Whew!

Ethan was a smoker and I found that incredibly sexy so unclear what that says about me but whatever.

Also, that was not an age gap, it was 10 years lol. People who think that’s an age gap need to read Wanting Mr. Cane please.

What a great read! I loved Grey as the lead, she's strong, she's confident, she's got anxiety. I love that she stands up for herself and isn't afraid to tell people no. Her romance with Ethan felt so real. Ethan too, I wasn't mad at him for having falls and I understood his self sabotaging ways. Overall a great summer read! I highly recommend to rom com readers and anyone who loves celebrity culture.

thank you for the review copy net galley!

I love a good holiday romance book! I had such a fun time reading this! Couldn’t put it down!! Loved it!

Grey is a child star who is still working as an adult, but her acting career isn't where she wants it to be. Ethan is a former heartthrob A-lister who flamed out spectacularly after the tragic death of his best friend and business partner. When their respective agents and publicists suggest that the two start a fake relationship to help both of their careers, they're skeptical. But then they meet, and they find that they're compelled to do it. They don't plan to actually fall for one another, but it happens. While they both have their own demons to battle, the two also forge a very real connection. Is it enough to sustain them through some of the hardest moments of their lives? This is a delight from start to finish. The writing is crisp, the Hollywood/celebrity stuff feels both plausible and realistic, and the characters are treated with such care. Everyone, from the book's main protagonists to the side characters are well drawn, sympathetic, and absolutely real. Full of angst and chemistry and some pretty steamy scenes. I loved, loved, loved this one.

4.5 stars. this was simultaneously so fun and so much deeper than I thought it would be. Loved reading about these actors, and their struggles that accompanied their fame, but also loved the bond between both MCs. Loved the fake dating trope, loved how the author tackled grief and addiction and immense insecurity. less breezy than the cover suggests, but a great read on the inside.

Behind the scenes, it’s been almost a year since Grey Brooks has had actual job. When her long running teen drama series came to an end so did the offers. Having been an actress since she was eight years old, at 27 Grey considers herself lucky. She was able to help her mother pay the bills when her dead beat dad disappeared and has been independent ever since. Smart, pretty and possibly a little lonely, Grey has stayed out of the gossip mags and done the hard work. While she eyes a new role that could put her back on the map her feisty publicist feels the directors need a little nudge. She proposes Grey create a fake relationship with an absolute A-lister that has been reclusive for over 5 years and requires a creative come back as well. A decade older, Ethan Atkins was Grey’s teen heartthrob. A poster of this gorgeous hunk hung on her wall fulfilling all her young fantasies. She agrees with the crazy plan. Little did she know sparks would mutually fly, their chemistry off the rom-com charts. When the paparazzi become uncontrollable Grey and Ethan must put down their scripts face actual feelings Hollywood style. The grass is not always greener but it’s a wild ride to read about. Beach reading at it’s best!

This book was soo good! I didn't even quite expect all it gave. Not only was there romance, spice, fake dating- it felt real. These characters were so well rounded and I could really picture them. It was kinda dark at times. So check trigger warnings. But honestly it showed a whole lot of growing and realities of what that looks like. I took a couple notes while reading and they were... "depending on other people to fix you is impossible." Which is a good lesson for anyone! And this book is in third person but you don't even notice. All in all, a great book!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce_h8XErx9V/

3.5 stars! The first half was more fun—fake dating, forced proximity, banter; but the second half got pretty dark and sad. From the cover and the summary, I didn’t expect it to go as deep as it did and maybe this was just a case of incorrect expectations on my end.

Content warnings: addiction, alcoholism, drug use, grief. These were huge to the plot so proceed with care.

Both Grey Brooks and Ethan Atkins are members of an exclusive club: Hollywood actors. The difference? Grey starred in a now-ended teen TV show — the kind people hate to love. Ethan started as a teen heartthrob who parlayed his good looks into an Oscar-winning partnership with his childhood best friend — think Ben Affleck / Matt Damon vibes. The similarity? Both are trying to remain relevant in the industry known to chew you up and spit you out. Their relationship begins as a quid-pro-quo publicity stunt. Ethan helps Grey land some more credible roles. Grey helps Ethan repair the image he set aflame after losing his best friend in a horrible accident. Each star is guarded and fighting trust issues, but their chemistry ignited a spark more than either bargained for when signing the contract to fake-date. And, as always, when two stars collide, there’s the potential for an explosion.

Wilder makes an interesting choice to go with third-person dual POV, even shifting between characters in the same chapter. It’s an unusual choice that pays off as readers become more and more invested in the will they, won’t they, should they tug-o-war that ensues. At times, the novel is light and fluffy, full of first world problems, but it packs the punch of a well-crafted character study of what happens when you get everything you ever wanted, but refuse to look at what you actually need. The way she crafts these characters feels so real and so raw, and despite the times when Ethan is deeply unlikeable, we can’t help but root for them.

I was hooked from the very beginning of the story. This was a really heartfelt enjoyable debut. Grey & Ethans's story about the behind the scenes in Hollywood; on how difficult it is to deal with being under the limelight, keeping their private lives private and the struggles they face just like every person in this world. You follow them as they come together to help try to rebrand their fame, tackle their demons, and fall in love in the process. It was a very enjoyable read for me. I will definitely be checking out further books from this author.

Read If You Like:
Celebrity Main Characters (actors)
Second Change
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
Complicated Past
Heartfelt Storyline
Steamy
Summer Read

Oh my goodness...when is Ava Wilder's next book coming out?!?! This was SO GOOD. I'm a huge sucker for the fake dating trope as is, but add in a Hollywood setting and I'm a goner! The chemistry and development between the characters was fantastic. Excellent, excellent book!

I love a good story about hollywood stars. I really enjoyed the set up of the story...however there were several places in which it could have successfully ended, but for whatever reason, the story was dragged on. It was a good/happy ending of course, but I don't think it needed to go that far.

fake dating to lovers is one of my favorite tropes of all time, but unfortunately this book did not hit the mark for me. i wish there had been more buildup between the two main characters. the pacing of the book was also a bit weird, which didn't help matters. also, a lot of things happened off-screen, and some of those scene i would've appreciated seeing them on the actual page.

overall, this was a quick, entertaining read, and i enjoyed parts of it.