OUCH. Ava Wilder’s HOW TO FAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD is a stunning debut. Funny at times and heartbreakingly honest at others, I recommend this novel to anyone seeking a more literary leaning romance novel (comparable to Emily Henry and Tia Williams’s work).

HOW TO FAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD starts as a fake dating story about two actors who enter a relationship via contract for the sake of their careers. It then morphs into a poignant story about addiction, grief, recovery, and healing within budding relationship. Wilder tackles tricky topics with honesty and care.

Our leads, Grey and Ethan, are incredibly crafted characters. They are messy and three-dimensional, but you root for them even as they broke your heart. I loved their banter. I loved their love for one another. I loved getting to experience their growth both in and outside of their relationship.

I will be reading absolutely anything Ava Wilder publishes in the future. HOW TO FAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD was stunning.

Content Warnings: addiction, alcoholism, drug use, grief

This rom-com has everything I need. Lots of romance. Lots of humor. Ava brings it all plus a big dose of solemnity to give the book substance.
Grey's career has endless possibilities if she can only land a quality role or get her indie film off the ground. Meanwhile, Ethan once had it all and his life is in shambles. A publicist's suggestion that they fake a relationship both appeals and repels both. At this point though, what do they have to lose?
I enjoyed the pacing and the overall plot. Some of the language and mature content wasn't necessary (but this is coming from someone who's favorite contemporary genre is women's fiction). I think the deft hand Ava uses with grief, addiction, abuse, and abandonment is so well done that she'd be a great fit for the women's fiction genre.
The dual narration by Therese Plummer and Andrew Eiden is excellent. I've been a long time fan of Therese's and Andrew is new(ish) to me. Their performance made this an addictive listen.
Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the advanced copy and PRHA for the alc. All thoughts in this review are my own.

🎥How to Fake It in Hollywood🎥

A rom-com about fake dating in Hollywood, yes please! Ava Wilder’s novel How to Fake It in Hollywood pretty much sums up the storyline, but the details in her writing give you so much more.

Grey Brooks and Ethan Atkins agree to their publicist’s PR stunt for their own personal reasons. Grey wants to break out into more serious roles while Ethan needs to repair his reputation. This is not your standard light and fluffy rom-com. While there is hilarity and an amazing cast of characters, there are heavy topics discussed that made their “fake turned real” relationship relatable and realistic for many.

This was a great, well written book and I enjoyed how the heavier side of the story played out. I would definitely recommend picking up this book, available today 6/14/2022!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin/Random House for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#evesbookishreads.....
#bookstagram #bookreviewerforfun #reading #books #igreads #igbooks #booklover #instabooks #bookaddict #bookaholic #bookstagramfeature #howtofakeitinhollywood #avawilder

I LOVED this book! It was equally fun and deep, which was refreshing. I read the entire book yesterday and had a terrific time doing so. I love pop culture, so this book was right up my alley. I can’t believe this was Ava Wilder’s debut novel! 😍 I can’t wait to read her future work!

****BOOK REVIEW****
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Title: How to Fake it in Hollywood
Author: Ava Wilder

You can’t go wrong with a fake dating and mix in pop culture you get a winning combination.

In How to Fake it in Hollywood, Grey Brooks and Ethan Atkins (who happens to be her childhood celeb crush) make a deal to fake date to raise their star value but after spending time together they realize their feelings for each other (every teenage girl’s dream right!?!!).

I liked how the relationship issues Grey and Ethan encountered were ones that normal people could relate to. And I loved how the book finished. Definitely recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this one! This is about two celebrities (up and coming Grey Brooks and A-list celebrity, Ethan Atkins) who agree to get involved in a PR-stunt and becomes so much more. It was a great spin on the 'fake dating' romance trope. The sexual tension is high and the slow burn pays off!

The romance in this book is great but the character growth was the real star of this story. It is so much more than a romance...the author handles a lot of issues in a beautiful way such as, alcoholism, grief, insecurities and harassment. This book includes some hard and touchy subjects and the author handled them wonderfully. I enjoyed Grey and Ethan’s character and the development of both of them throughout the book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and really enjoyed this author's writing and can't wait to read more from her.

#avawilder #howtofakeitinhollywood #netgalley

This book took my a while to get into, but it was good.
I didn’t really like either of the characters, but they were decent together. I think that Grey was good for Ethan. She held him accountable and wanted him to do better.
I felt for Ethan. He had a rough go at it and I wanted to see him start living for himself. I think Grey helped him do that.
My biggest complaint is that the majority of the book felt like drama. There was very little of them just being happy together. I wanted to see more of that.
Overall, if the premise intrigues you I think you should try it! But for me it was a decent book.

First I want to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

When I came across this book I was very interested since it had a fake dating trope and I do love me some fake dating stories.

How to Fake It in Hollywood
3.5/5
What I loved
- Grey, she is a strong woman who knows what she wants and it willing to do anything for the people she loves
- Fake Dating, it was fun how this was a contractual agreement and I enjoyed what terms were agreed upon between the two
- Growth, both Grey and Ethan experience personal growth throughout the story as a couple and individually. Some of the experiences they go through are almost painful to read but it helps with understanding the characters and what they are going through.

This book was a quick read and I had trouble putting it down. I think the book was really well written but I didn't completely connect with it due to my own experiences which kept me from going all in.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a fake dating romance and is not afraid of real life issues that is worth the discomfort you might feel.

I will be posting a mini review today (6/14) on Instagram @readingwiththecatlady

Right from the beginning of starting How to Fake it in Hollywood, I was envisioning myself on the rooftop of Mama Shelter in downtown LA, with a cocktail in my hand overlooking the city and the Hollywood sign. The characters are un-relatable in the BEST way..at first. Actors, paparazzi, red carpets? It all seems unreachable but as the book goes on Grey and Ethan's connection and story unfold in a beautiful way. It's a perfect beach read for the summer!

This book unexpectedly works for me in so many ways. I knew it was a fake dating troupe. Grey Brooks is almost thirty and has been working as an actress since childhood. Her tv drama where she spent the last six years is over and she’s getting nervous about getting the next break. Ethan Atkins is almost 40, an academy award winning A-lister. But he’s flamed out after his divorce and the loss of his best friend and creative partner. The two share a publicist who puts them together into a fake relationship complete with NDAs and specified commitments.

While spending time together of course they get to know each other more and spark flare. What is surprising in the novel is the more serious tone and topics covered. Grey has come thru her childhood career relatively unscathed but has little connection to her family. Ethan is brooding and abusing alcohol. His ex-wife Nora (I really like her) warns Grey that it isn’t her job to fix him. It is subtle but there are signs from the beginning of the real Ethan. I love that Grey can be self confident even when big issues come her way. And I like that even though there is a time jump it allows for the realism of the time it takes to make changes so there can be a potential HEA.

For a debut novel this is rich in depth and detail. It’s realistic, angsty and a little heart breaking. I like the supporting relationships of Grey’s best friend Kamilah and Ethan’s ex Nora. Also kudos for lgbtqia representation. I'm so glad I got a chance to read this. I will look for what ever Ava Wilder writes next. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

How to Fake It In Hollywood by Ava Wilder was a book that completely took me by surprise in a great way. I went in pretty blindly expecting your typical romcom, but what I found was a love story so true to the messiness of real life that it took this sweet romance up another notch for me. Grey and Ethan are asked to fake a relationship for the sake of improving both of their Hollywood careers. What they don't expect is that their feelings will quickly turn very real. Although they are both actors, they are from completely different walks of life age-wise and success-wise. One has reached a personal growth peak, while the other still has a lot of growing to do. I loved the age difference between Grey and Ethan. Their chemistry was off the charts! I found their flaws and their growth throughout the book to be a breath of fresh air. I loved the reminder that sometimes love is all about timing and where we are on our own personal journeys. This debut by Ava Wilder was perfection and I am so excited to read her future work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary ARC.

❝ She didn't need him anymore. And tonight, there was no familiar edge of wild-eyed desperation to his plea. He didn't need her anymore, either. But they still wanted each other. They would still choose each other over anyone else on earth. And in a way, that was even better.❞
―Ava Wilder, How to Fake it in Hollywood

Thank you so much @prhinternational for my copy! #partner

This fast-paced, dual POV novel got my attention right from the start. Grey and Ethan agreed to be in a fake relationship to save their career and dream. But as they know more about each other, lines start to blur, and they cannot help but fall for each other.

I love Grey's strong personality. Ethan has yet to open his can of worms, so I was frustrated with his fickle attitude during the first few chapters. But despite that, I love how he is very soft and caring on the inside. His character development is one of my favorite things about this novel, and I am glad that he got to fight his demons in the end.

Grey and Ethan's chemistry is just perfect. The heartwarming dialogues and steamy banters is chef's kiss. I love how their love story was narrated realistically and how you can actually feel their raw emotions while reading.

Apart from this, I love the side characters and how diversity is present. Instead of the usual jealous and crazy type of ex, Nora is very kind and genuine to both Grey and Ethan.

Overall, this was a delightful and emotional read. If you are into grumpy/ sunshine, fake dating, and only one-bed trope, then be sure to check this one out!

4.5 stars!! I love the fake dating trope and this one did not disappoint. This is not just a light hearted rom-com, there are some hard issues that are explored in this book which was refreshing. Despite their issues Ethan and Grey were both very likable. This is a great debut novel and I look forward to reading more from Ava Wilder.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for this arc in exchange for an honest review

Grey Brooks acting career has been on hold as she’s tried to revive her acting career after her run on a teen soap ended. A year later and now desperate, she agrees to a fake-dating scheme. But she’s shocked to find out she’s being set up with Ethan Atkins, the big-time actor who’s barely ever seen anymore—the one who she used to have posters of hanging in her bedroom when she was a teenager.

Ethan Atkins is heartbroken and just wants to be left alone to drown in his drinks. But if he ever wants to produce the movie he and his best friend wrote together before he died, he needs to revive his acting career after years of being a recluse.

As the two spend time together—including contracted nights at Ethan’s house—their feelings get muddled as their acting begins to feel real, and they both find their carefully constructed walls crumbling.

This! Book! From the very beginning, I was hooked. The writing was exceptional, the characters were interesting. I LOVED Ethan as a love interest. The chemistry between the two was soooo *insert fire emoji here*. It was perfectly steamy and romantic, and the end of chapter 16!!! Omgsh. 10/10 recommend!

Back in January I was scrolling through Twitter, as one does, and came across the cover for How to Fake It in Hollywood, a new debut by Ava Wilder. I knew immediately that I needed this book in my life and I was correct. It was heavier than the cover lead me to believe, but it was so fantastic. I didn’t mean to read this book as fast as I did, but it was too good to really put down.

How to Fake It in Hollywood is the story of Grey Brooks, an actress out there trying to get another role after her long running teen soap has ended. She is out there trying her hardest to land the next big thing and it isn’t going well. So when her agents recommends Grey fake date Ethan Atkins, a disgraced Hollywood heartthrob, she agrees. But Ethan is nothing like he expected. He is so sullen and withdrawn and dealing with so much loss it’s hard for Grey to even pretend to be close to him and Ethan finds it hard to even think about letting Grey in. But as time passes the chemistry between these two grows and grows and soon in a town where everything feels fake, there are very real feelings and hearts involved.

As I mentioned the cover for How to Fake It in Hollywood is very very deceiving. You would look at the lovely illustrated cover and think you are in for a romcom with fake dating fun. And while you would be somewhere right, it is more than a fake dating book. It is a book about grief and how easy you can let grief destroy who you are and what you dreamed for yourself. Ethan broke my heart a lot in this story and Grey was exactly what he needed but wasn’t always ready for. Ethan struggles with some real issues that does not allow for the book to give you that romcom vibe you are expecting to get. But once you get past that, I can’t say enough how much I loved their story. It was hard and loving and sad. You hated to see these characters struggle but you alos couldn’t wait to see if and how they would pull themselves together.

In the end How to Fake It in Hollywood was not at all what I was expecting when I picked it up, but it was much much more. The chemistry between Grey and Ethan was fantastic as was the deeper story hidden in the pages. There wasn’t one thing I didn’t love about this book. You are warned though, the cover is not fitting for the deeper story in the pages. Highly recommend this one!

CW: drug/alcohol abuse, grief (off page death), invasion of privacy

4 stars! I didn’t expect to like this book so much, but it totally sucked me in, and I devoured it in 24 hours. I was expecting a rom-com, but there was far more depth to it. CW: alcohol and drug abuse. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Ethan and Grey are two Hollywood actors looking to jump start their careers. Grey’s long running TV show has ended, and she’s been unable to land her next big role. After the death of his best friend and fellow actor, Hollywood heartthrob Ethan has been out of the public eye for five years. Neither love the idea, but they both agree when their publicist suggests they fake date to help their careers.

I really enjoyed this book! It is a romance with a lot of substance. Grey and Ethan think they can fake date without developing any feelings for each other. Well, the chemistry from their first meeting is off the charts and the tension while they fight their feelings is palpable, So you can guess how no feelings worked out for them!

With ease, this angsty romance blends lightness with seriousness. Ethan and Grey's journey is anything but easy and always happy since they are dealing with grief, substance abuse, and family issues. Their love story is passionate, messy, heartbreaking, real, raw, and uniquely theirs.

And that ending! I loved it. I was totally invested in these characters and wanted a happy ending for them.

How to Fake It in Hollywood is an impressive debut romance with a captivating story and wonderful, complex characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this voluntary review are my own.

Thank you so much to PRHInternational for the opportunity to read and review this e-ARC!

RATING: 4⭐/5
There are NO spoilers in this review.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: alcoholism & death

⭐ FULL REVIEW: First of all, I just want to say that anything involving a peek behind the curtain of fame is always something I’m interested in. That’s why I was such a huge fan of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, because it showed what happened beyond the glitz and the glamour and in a way, it opened my eyes more to how the world actually worked, instead of just what I had thought it was like in my head.

This book has all the tropes that I’m a huge fan of — banter, fake dating, there’s only one bed & showing what things are like for celebrities. I want to talk more about the characters first, though, because even if you take the romance aspect of it out, I’d still love this book because of how real and fleshed out every character is. They’re not just a trope and they’re not one-dimensional characters placed there just to move the plot along. They’re all very real, very complex, with their own flaws and ambitions and personalities that just work together.

Now, for the romance aspect of it. When I tell you that this book was a rollercoaster for my emotions, I definitely wasn’t kidding. When the two characters actually get together, you’d think it was the end of the book, and their happy ever after will be slapped with a big, red bow on it and that would be the end of it but NOPE. There’s so much more to the relationship that meets the eye (ha, this is especially witty once you remember they’re fake dating in the first place) and it really shows what happens when people have to work to make a relationship actually work. It can be frustrating but the two man characters really do work for it so you can’t help root for them, and this entire book just plays out like an effortless romcom in my head the further I got into the story.

I think the way this was set up was really good, because there’s glorious tension and pining at the start, you get some softness, banter and satisfaction in the middle, and things get more and more complicated for a while, before things finally are set where they’re supposed to be, and everyone gets the happy ending they deserve. I think the pacing and the setting of this book was very smart, and the writing was absolutely glorious too. Another thing that I really, really love from this book is the emotion you get to witness from all of the characters. You get to see how all them feel about both huge and small things that have happened to them, how they deal with the many curveballs, and you can’t help but feel empathetic towards them, even when they might have messed up.

For a debut, this was INCREDIBLY impressive. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the author’s future works and this book has definitely cemented me as a fan!

📖 WOULD RECOMMEND TO: People who like romance (the fake dating trope specifically) & fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid!

Huge thanks to PRH International, and Ava Wilder for my E-ARC in exchange for the honest review.

How to Fake it in Hollywood follows the story of a Hollywood star who is arranged in a fake romantic connection with a celebrity. Grey Brooks is a struggling actress striving to resurrect her career. She agrees to an agreement offered by her publicist to pretend to be in a relationship with another celebrity, Ethan Atkins. Hollywood and life have both eaten him up and spit him out. He has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons, including his drinking issues, high-profile divorce, and grieving the loss of his closest friend and companion, Sam. A suspected romance with a gorgeous starlet may give his career a boost.

The connection between the characters was incredible! I adored their relationship; it began with physical desire and progressed to something more passionate and meaningful. I loved these two imperfects but realistic individuals. It is full of depth and drama, grief and optimism, and in the end, you'll believe in second chances. There's enough drama in this novel to keep it intriguing while also going into the connection between these two very different individuals. Sorrow, heartbreak, addiction, paparazzi, and friendship are all thrown into the mix. It's not light since it touches on some challenging subjects, but everything else was fantastic.

Grey and Ethan's funny banter, the beautiful relationship, and the steam! It's a passionate, swoony, heartfelt story deserving of endless stars and one I won't forget. Highly recommend!

Wow. I was not prepared for this book. How to Fake it in Hollywood is a romantic dramedy about two Hollywood celebrities who are faking their relationship to help their reputation. It's been a year since Grey wrapped up her teen soap Paradise Point and she's ready for meatier roles that have yet to be offered to her. Ethan is a blockbuster star who has been out of the limelight and drinking his days away after his best friend's death. I loved this story so much. It deals with alcohol use in a way that feels very real (I mean, other than the character being a movie star). The chemistry between Ethan and Grey is red hot and I thoroughly enjoyed this book that is deeper than I thought going into it (but in a good way!)
Thank you to Random House/Ballantine and Netgalley for a free copy of this ebook I'm exchange for my honest review.