After a strong start, this book petered out for me. I liked it well enough that it's not less than 3 stars and can see why so many other people have really enjoyed it. I was intrigued by the setup: B-list actress trying to get her career on the A-track agrees to a fake relationship with an A-list actor who has fallen out of the spotlight (and fallen apart). I liked but didn't love the characters. They both had so much potential as messy and messed up people finding their way to each other. Instead, the multiple and even frequent emotional ups-and-downs the characters left me feeling unsettled and unbalanced. I wanted this book to lean into the baggage and the longing, and I don't feel it did. I respect what the author seems to be trying to do with the "love isn't always all you need" themes, but I don't think we needed two low moments and I would have loved to see more of the aftermath of the second reconciliation before the epilogue. I was left with little niggling doubts whether these two really should be together.

When I read the blurb for How to Fake it in Hollywood, I was sold. I am a big believer in Hollywood matches for press (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, cough cough). I loved this reworking of a Hollywood romance trope. The two main characters are Grey, a TV actress looking to make it to the next stage in her career and Ethan, a Matt Damon-ish boy wonder actor/Director who is suffering from trauma and alcoholism. I loved Grey, she had a real presence and a real sense of self. I truly did understand her motivation for joining in the fake relationship and I was rooting for her career and romance. I had a hard time liking Ethan but that’s because he’s not meant to be likable at times. Also I would like to get a shout out to very solid female friendships displayed this novel. Female friendships are the root of every women life and it’s important for them to always be acknowledged. I really enjoyed this book told my friends put it on their summer TBR lists!

Thank you #Netgalley For this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Grey and Ethan agree to a fake dating contract it's with the purpose of helping both of their acting careers. Of course it's not that simple and things get complicated. This is a romance with substance as these characters are struggling with some big issues that have nothing to do with their fake dating.

What I loved:
- great writing, easy reading
- main characters with real life, hard problems
- good chemistry and fun banter
- likable secondary characters
- Grey is such a strong female character who stands on her own two feet and knows what she wants. Gotta love that!
- various settings that gave me a summer-y vibe
- that cover!

5 ⭐️

I’m obsessed with the fake-dating tropes and this book definitely has it. Right within the first chapter the author reveals why the story is being told/written now, which happens to be the fact that both actors Grey Brooks and Ethan Atkins are in need of some good PR. But this book is more than just a fluff, light-hearted piece that has cute moments sprinkled in and secretive glances between the MCs; there is also well handled topics like excessive drinking/addiction and depressive thoughts.

The book is told in third person limited, switching back and forth periodically between Grey and Ethan. This is really well done and great for the book because both characters are developed on their own but also in connection with each other, and I loved getting to see the growth more intimately with each character that would not have been accomplished if the story was told only following one of the two MCs.

However, without knowing the exact depth that the heavier topics would weigh on the book, I stumbled in my reading streak at about 63% in; at this turning point in the book, the vibes change from romcom to more drama/angst. From anticipating something a bit more light (from both the cover and the blurb) I was temporarily thrown off. Despite this, “How to Fake It in Hollywood” was a good start of summer read—3.5/5 stars.

Grey and Ethan are coerced into beginning a fake relationship by their PR team in hopes it will trigger a boost in both their careers. Grey has the advantage of Ethan being her childhood celebrity crush. He's dealing with big demons that have left him an angry drunk. He does his best to work with Grey, but she takes the brunt of his angst and it all falls apart.

This story has a little of romance, a little of family drama, a whole lot of celebrity lifestyle.

I enjoyed it up until about 65%. I think the conclusion could have been less drawn out.

How to Fake It in Hollywood is the perfect combination of rom-com and drama. The rom- com was what I expected, the drama caught me off guard! Grey and Ethan’s relationship and internal struggles had me rooting for them every step of the way. I appreciated their conversations as much as their sex scenes. Kudos for exceeding my expectations!

The premise of this book with Hollywood actors having to fake date was awesome and I was on board with the whole beginning!

It ended up being a lot heavier than at first sight and that didn't make it feel very romcomy. There's some humor in it and some romance but the protagonists' struggles overpower that. I was intrigued by Ethan's struggles as he was my favorite of the two. Grey's actions, however, frustrated me at times. I did like them as a couple though, and I really liked Grey's friendships with both Kamilah and Nora.

The writing style was compelling and I loved getting both protagonists perspectives. The author is clearly talented. Overall, it was a good story, packed with an emotional punch, and I enjoyed it!

3.5 ⭐️s

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me an eARC to review!

This book is a quick read and great for summer! I was honestly surprised at how the story progressed and was happy to see the fake dating trope done a little differently. Both of the main characters have very real issues to work through and it was interesting to see the ways they handled them. I would suggest this book for people who love celebrities/celebrity gossip and are looking for a summer read!

Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes so I was very excited about this one and it exceeded my expectations. While this has some hallmarks of a rom-com, I wouldn’t call it one. This was dark at times but the heavier topics were extremely well done. I appreciated that both main characters were flawed and emotionally closed off as most of the time it’s one-sided. The Hollywood elements were great and I liked that the author pushed the narrative that being famous isn’t always great. I highly recommend this for romance readers and for readers who don’t typically gravitate towards romance because it is a bit of a mixed genre story.

I have such a book hangover from this one! It was the perfect escape and I loved each of the characters. What starts as a predictable Hollywood story becomes so much more. It was fun, funny, beautiful and heartbreaking at times. One of my favorites this year!

You can find me binging on a good Hollywood drama anytime! This book was raw and emotional and so much more than what I was expecting! The story was unique and entertaining with Hollywood characters that had a lot to unpack. The scenes played out like a movie in my head. The characters were well developed with humor and banter, but also some deep issues. I enjoyed getting to know Ethan and Grey in this book. I was really routing for them in more ways than just their relationship. I also enjoyed getting to know the characters they had in their corners.

If you enjoy a fake relationship trope, Hollywood drama, or a 🌶 romance with some scandal this book is for you!

Thanks to Random House Publishing Books - Ballantine, the author, and NetGalley for the free gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

OBSESSED. I devoured this enemy to lovers of Hollywood celebrity romance with a slow burn and lots of steamy chemistry. I mean this just combined to be a perfect romance. I haven’t devoured a romance like this in a while.

This was a DEBUT novel for Ava Wilder and it was just a chef's kiss - I can not wait to see what else she writes in the future. I also love a romance that has a dual POV. This romance had depth along with steam and lots of complicated plots to keep you reading.

All I have to say is this will be one of the romances of the Summer, definitely pick this one up if you want a good romance.

How to Fake It in Hollywood is the perfect book for any "fake dating" trope lovers. It has the witty banter, the tension that inevitably builds and makes you smile to yourself as your read, but it also turns into so much more. I went into this book knowing the basics--a fake dating trope about two Hollywood stars, but didn't know much more after that. I wasn't expecting the heaviness of the themes of addiction, anxiety, emotional abuse, but the author touched on all the subjects perfectly. I found myself rooting for both Grey and Ethan, and their happy ending, despite their flaws.

Know that there's a little more depth to this fake romance novel set in Hollywood than you might expect but it's still fun. Grey and Ethan are at different stages in their careers. She's just finished a long run as a teen idol of sorts but she's having trouble moving forward. Ethan has messed things up, he's mourning his marriage but more importantly his best friend Sam, and he's drinking. A lot. Yes their relationship is designed as a publicity stunt to get both of them moving but, as readers of this genre know, it turns to a real thing, These are well rounded characters with good friends. Ethan's grief and his struggle with alcohol is palpable. So is the love that grows between them. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling makes this a good read.

I feel so conflicted over this book. Half of me loves this book so much, while the other half of me is shaking my head over the messiness in this book. Let me explain.

How to Fake It in Hollywood focuses on Grey Brooks and Ethan Atkins fake dating each other while they navigate their acting career. It was supposed to be easy, please fake dating. Nothing is ever easy when you have insane attraction and chemistry for each other. And that's how Grey and Ethan's slippery slope begins.

These two together make sense, yet it's complicated and messy. Both of them are flawed with past trauma, so they avoid talking about it. And it doesn't get better when they keep tip-toeing with each other. Eventually, things are going to come ahead. And it's not going to be pretty. It's messy and hurtful to each other.

There are situations that I knew I would avoid at all costs. That's not life for me. And I give my best wishes to Grey and Ethan as they navigate their messy lives together. It's going to be a wild ride.

Fake dating to help their careers? I’m here for it.

First, I just need to point out that Grey is actually a really awesome name for a woman. I never thought that would work, but I immediately loved it.

Fake dating. Forced proximity. Tension. Ahhhhh!

I knew I wanted to read this book just from the AMAZING cover, and I knew this book would have a major release for June, so I was super grateful to receive an ARC to dig into this early.

Though this book is definitely a romcom, it covered multiple different elements including: alcoholism, grief, career struggles, and insecurities. I felt like Ava Wilder did a great job of toeing the line between romance and facing life struggles regardless of one’s station. Definitely a summer romcom I would recommend!

**Thank you, Random House, NetGalley and Ava Wilder for the eARC**

Grey Brooks is an actress going through a bit of a slump. Her agent has the perfect solution; to fake date Oscar-winning actor Ethan Atkins, who over the last several years has been through some rough patches and also needs a boost. Their first couple encounters make the duo question if they’ll be able to fool everyone, but when they both realize the tension between them is really caused by mutual attraction and not dislike for one another, sparks are ignited. Leave it up to the scandalous paparazzi to swoop in and burst the happy couples bubble, causing a huge tailspin that may end it all before it even gets much of a chance to get started. Will they be able to pull off their scheme and make them shining stars again?
Thank you Netgalley, Ava Wilder and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for the opportunity to read and review this book. I loved this book so much! As I read it I could visualize a cast in my head that I could totally see playing the characters! I ripped through this book so fast and loved every minute of it. I really enjoyed the fact that this wasn’t just about the two faking a relationship to get farther in Hollywood, but how their past affected them as well as the challenges that they faced at present. This would be a perfect beach read or a book to read poolside. This is a must read! I rate this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder was a cute steamy read. A fake dating premise sets up Grey, an actress looking for her next big thing after her long standing teen show ends and Ethan an A list actor who took a break from Hollywood after personal tragedy. I love the fake dating trope and this was worth a quick read. I only wish it was longer to have more time to resolve the story at the end.

4.75 stars ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review! I feel so blessed to have been able to read this book!!

Such a great debut that comes out June 14th and you need to get this book!

This was such a beautiful and deep story! I absolutely loved Grey and Ethan’s love story and how we saw their relationship blossom. The fake dating was done so well and I love how you could feel their connection through out the story! They felt so real and I couldn’t help but root for them :)

I absolutely loved the parts where they were together. I loved when they joked around with each other!! It was beautiful to see how they bond and how they were able to grow throughout the book!

Not only was the romance done so well, the messages throughout made it so well rounded. Seeing Grey deal with her unemployment and how Ethan was dealing with death/addiction made my heart yearn for them. But the character growth and the ending made it all worth it! :)

Such a fabulous read!

Grey is a late twenties actor, who though working for almost two decades has not had the career she had hoped for. Ethan is a late thirties actor, who saw big success in his twenties, and even bigger tragedies in his early thirties. Since then, he has been a shut in fighting his demon.

When their publicist pushes them together, thinking they may be able to help each other, she has no idea the crash course she is setting them on.

I really like this book, and I am extremely impressed that this was the author's debut novel. It surpassed all expectations I had.

I really liked the premise of this story. I loved the female MC, Grey. She was both tough and sweet. Ethan is a hot mess, but while I wanted to hate him multiple times throughout the book, I just could not bring myself to.

For lovers of contemporary romance, I definitely recommend this book.