Grey is a rising Hollywood actress, looking for her next big break when she gets the opportunity to enter a fake relationship with former a-list star, Ethan, her childhood celebrity crush. They both need the publicity for different reasons so they agree to a 6 month relationship to get the press they need. While the chemistry between them is undeniable, Ethan is determined to keep Grey at a distance when they are not in public. As they get closer their attraction is more intense which leads them to decide if it is worth trying a real relationship.

I am so impressed with how this romance managed to be so fun while tackling grief, alcoholism, along with other heavy topics. It was a beautiful and honest story that didn’t sugar coat the tough parts of both characters’ lives. However, at the core this was a great romance (and a steamy one at that). The chemistry between Grey and Ethan was so hot and their relationship was full of passion. While the relationship was not always the healthiest, I appreciated how raw and real it was and how this book showed how challenging it can be to open yourself up and be vulnerable. Both characters had a lot of growing to do, and by the end their progress in their personal growth journeys was incredible. This book had me swooning at times, laughing at others, and tearing up at some points. It really hits you in all the feels in the best possible way. This book is an incredible debut and I can’t wait to see what Ava Wilder writes next.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

This book was the perfect mix between fake dating and celebrity romance while remaining grounded.

Grey Brooks wants to keep her career strong after the end of the long-running teen soap. She wants people to see her as a serious and talented actress. So after her publicist suggests that she enter a faking dating agreement with Ethan, who I imagined as Ben Affleck. She wants to say no based on principle but she understands that this might be her chance to further her career.

Ethan is struggling. Between his high-profile divorce, his struggle with drinking, and his grief over losing her best friend/writing partner, he is drowning. So Grey is quite literally a breath of fresh air to him. At first, he wants to keep her at arm's length and keep the agreement strictly professional.

Soon the lines start to blur and see how deep their connection runs. Their relationship has a lot of twists and turns but at the end of the day. Their connection is undeniable. Also, I loved how grounded their romance was, especially considering the spectacle aspect of their celebrity status.

This is a well plotted story centered around the fake dating trope between two Hollywood stars, Ethan and Grey.
I really enjoyed this story but be warned this is not a light hearted rom-com tale. It deals with some heavy issues. I liked this read because it is different from all the fluffy romance tales, it’s nice to read a gritty story for a change.
It’s a debut novel too which is surprising because it’s written so well. I really enjoyed this one. It’s still a perfect read for the beach/vacation season, easy to read and still enjoy the sun/sand. Give it a go, I think you will be pleasantly surprised! I was.

4.5 STARS

How To Fake It In Hollywood is an amazing and extremely cute rom-com including everyone’s favorite trope: fake dating. The fake dating in this book is done incredibly well and the story doesn’t seem far-fetched in any way, shape or form. The main characters, Grey and Ethan, have a complicated relationship due to many factors including family problems, alcohol abuse and the death of Ethan’s best friend, Sam, which still affects him to this day. When the relationship finally takes off, the disaster that is the tabloids will come for them in ways they have never imagined. Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel!

Loved this so much! Two Hollywood stars fake-dating is totally my jam. The characters were fully fleshed and the personal conflicts were done in a realistic way. There was also rep of a non-binary person that didn’t feel contrived. I flew through this and will definitely be recommending this as a summer read!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for an ARC.

Ava Wilder does a great job engaging the reader and her writing is amazing. While I liked this book it left me with mixed feelings. This book definitely has romance but also touches on heavier topics. Overall a cute, sometimes emotional read.

TL;DR: A great read for someone who wants a new take on the romance genre, but it might not be for you if you want something within the traditional romance genre.

This book appears to have all the tropes a romance lover could want with fake dating the one bed, and some slight enemies to lovers vibes, which are three of my personal favorites. Mix in dual POV and an older MMC and you have the perfect formula for a great romance novel. And I was ALL for it. This book ticked all my boxes based on the synopsis. I immediately started reading it.

But once you actually start reading the book, you realize that How to Fake it in Hollywood subverts these tropes in a sense. It is a romance that is supposed to be more than a light read. It is a romance that wants to make you think about the nature of relationships in all its forms: platonic, romantic, familial, and friendships. It wants you to think about how each of those types of relationships impacts people in different ways, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst. And I really appreciated that while I read it. It makes it different from the other romances I've read where they rely heavily on the tropes of romances before them to carry the story. By playing with these tropes and tipping them on their head in unexpected ways, the author creates a story that is more honest, more meaningful, and more complex than what I was expecting. And that's not a bad thing, especially when the author employs a great writing style, voice, and engaging prose.

I also really loved Grey, the FMC. She is a fully fleshed out, realized, confident character that is not bound by the stereotypes that plague other FMC in romance novels. She is not dependent, passive or overly altruistic toward the MMC and the author makes that very clear. She even makes note of it multiple times within the story. Again, the author is making sure that Grey is her own person and playing with those romance tropes where the female is often accepting of her love interest to the point of docility. That is not Grey.

The reason this book is only getting 4 starts for me is because of Ethan, the MMC. I'm not sure I like him. I rooted for him a fair amount in this book, but he always underwhelmed me and disappointed me. Multiple times I wanted Grey to find someone better than Ethan. I want to root for my romance couple. And I'm not quite sure I was rooting for them. BUT, and this is a big but, I also feel like part of the reason I didn't like him is because he wasn’t what I envision a romance MMC to be. I think that's the point though. Because the author takes this story a different route than a traditional romance, that means the MMC needs to represent more than your stereotypical romance hero. He's struggling, he's got tons of baggage, and dealing with his own issues.

And that is more than fair and valid. But it means that with that choice, it leaves the lingering question of does it take away some of the enjoyment from romance readers who go into this book looking for something light? The author has the absolute right to create her characters however she wants. But the romance genre has tropes for a reason and those tropes are often very successful. And maybe the way this book is advertised, or the way it's described, is a bit misleading to the reader who wants their next book boyfriend, or who wants those tropes, or who wants a more traditional romance storyline.

I want to say thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC of this book for an honest review!

I loved this book. I was skeptical because this concept is not completely new (Hollywood fake dating) but I enjoyed it nevertheless. I liked that Grey as a strong female and her circle of friends were also strong females. I believe that helped her figure out what is best for her. I liked that her friends didn't tell her what she should or shouldn't do and they did not judge her decisions. There was plenty of sexual tension and the spicy scenes weren't over the top. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. #HowtoFakeItinHollywood #NetGalley

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book to read and review! This was Ava Wilder's debut novel and it was absolutely magnificent. There's romance, fake dating, second chance, lots of spice and lots of vulnerability. I wasn't expecting this to be as dark and emotional, but I actually really valued it in the story. Grey and Ethan are both such interesting main characters with layers and complexities that really make the story worth reading. I loved the progression of the relationship, I loved the healing narrative, and I loved the unexpected friendships formed along the way as well. I was just so captivated and I think this was a fresh type of romance. I truly loved this book so much and definitely couldn't put it down.

4 A-list romance stars

I am definitely a fan of the fake dating trope and this time there’s a Hollywood spin. Two stars are trying to kick start their careers after a dry spell, so they agree to fake date for six months.

Grey Brooks has been acting since she was eight, with a long stint on a teen show. Her last relationship ended in disaster so she’s fine to set up a fake relationship with Ethan Atkins. She won’t let him know that she had a childhood crush on him.

Ethan is still reeling from the death of his best friend five years ago. He’s become ultra-private and drinks too much. He agrees to the fake relationship for very different reasons. It’s easy for him to keep Grey at a distance. Until it isn’t.

I really liked these two flawed and realistic characters. You know it’s only a matter of time until they give in to their attraction, but there’s more meat to this story than just that. There are themes of grief, betrayal, addiction, paparazzi, and friendship all thrown in the mix too.

I thought this might just be a lighthearted romance but there was a lot of depth, and I enjoyed this one! I’m excited to find a new debut author and I’ll be watching to see what she writes next.

In a book that is seemingly full of typical tropes, Wilder manages to break the mold. The heavier topics bring depth to an otherwise fun and sarcasm-filled text. Characters were likable and I found myself connecting with and rooting for them all.

I don’t even know how to explain why this book is so good. I was expecting a light hearted, “fake dating turns real” trope but this was so much more than that. The book starts as your typical romance novel but the ending is more contemporary fiction than anything; and yet that change doesn’t bring the mood of the book down (trust me, there are plenty of swoon worthy declarations of love).

And I have to mention the chemistry between Ethan and Grey…🌶 🌶 🌶!! I swear I thought my kindle was going to burst into flames at one point. These two are my new favorite book couple although I would love to see more on Kamilah and Andromeda X in the future (hint to Ava Wilder)

Definitely a must read for the summer!!

This book. Was. So. Good.
I absolutely loved this book so so much. I loved Ethan’s perspective and his anxious inner dialogue. I felt connected to him in such a way that I just wanted him to get better. His inner dialogue was very dark and depressing at some points and it broke my heart. I’ve been self-destructive in the same way so many times that I can’t help but to feel for him even when he is callous and cruel.
I had a harder time connecting with Grey. At times she seemed a bit one dimensional. It sort of reminded me of the great gatsby, which is narrated not by gatsby or daisy but by nick who seems more like a bystander to the main plot and other characters. Most of the book is spent talking about Ethan’s issues and how Ethan needs to heal but I feel like Greys issues aren’t discussed enough either. We get very small interactions with her mom and she doesn’t really talk about it much either in inner or outer dialogue. The same goes for her losing the movie because of the scandal, it just seems like it’s brought up but then immediately forgotten as the story shift immediately to her and Ethan’s relationship. Even her movie with Kamilah is skipped with a time jump. It would have been nice to see Grey tackle her own issues in the way Ethan had to. It kind of makes it seem like he was the only reason their relationship ended and the only one who had to work on themselves when Grey clearly had unresolved childhood trauma and other trauma related to their relationship that she also should have dealt with. I think it could have been expanded a bit more so we could learn more about Grey.

Much more than a romance, this book follows struggling actress Grey Brooks and A-list celeb Ethan Atkins as they enter a fake relationship, develop real feelings, and deal with turmoil and trauma. It’s well written but I almost put it down several times for content (sex, swearing). I skipped past a couple of scenes that made me uncomfortable, and I think it could have been just as powerful a book without getting crass.
I’m sure this will be a big hit for most romance readers. I wish these books came with ratings!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc.

When I requested this book on Netgalley, I was expecting a light-hearted romance in the setting of Hollywood. While a romance in Hollywood is what I got, it definitely was not always light-hearted! The book ended up covering a lot of deep issues, but I think that is part of the reason I loved it so much! It felt less like a romance, and more like a journey.

What I Liked
- The Fake Dating - I have a love-hate relationship with the fake dating trope. I either absolutely love it, or it becomes my least favorite trope in a matter of seconds. In this case, I thought it was wonderfully done! The scenario was actually realistic and made a lot of sense for the characters. I believe that two movie stars would fake date for publicity, 100%. I also cannot think of the last time I read a celebrity romance and I think this might be a genre I need to find more books from!
- The Characters - I FELT for these characters. The development and chemistry between Grey and Ethan, both individually and as a couple, throughout the book was wonderful, and I found myself growing very attached to them both.
- The Messy Parts - I think one of the main reasons I loved this book was that it covered some heavy topics. It made the characters, especially Ethan, have more depth to them. Wilder does a wonderful job of discussing the issues of the talent industry, as well as issues of grief and loss. The issues in this book make it less of a rom-com and more of a contemporary story.
- The Ending - I think what makes or breaks a romance is how it ends. I have read many romances where by the end I am angry because the romance feels underdeveloped or there's the fabulous miscommunication trope (my actual least favorite). I won't give away any spoilers for this book, but the ending was refreshing and brought my rating of the book up.

What I Disliked
- This is not really a dislike, but I was very thrown off by what kind of book I was reading. When I requested this book, I expected a light romance with maybe a little Hollywood drama. What I got instead was a well-thoughtout book that hurt the feels more than usual. Like I said above, some heavy topics were discussed and I had to change my expectations very early on in the novel. Not really a dislike, but more as a cautionary tale for anyone picking up the book expecting a fluffy romance - this is NOT it.

Overall Thoughts
I ADORED this book. Once I adjusted myself to what type of book it was, it took .2 seconds for me to get immersed into the story. It was fun, but most importantly, it felt real. I have already recommended this book to my friends and I have a feeling this will be one of my favorite reads of the year!

CW: Alcoholism, drug use, substance abuse

I have really mixed feelings about this book, and based on how a lot of my other bookish friends have rated it I think this rating will put me in the minority.

First of all, How to Fake It In Hollywood definitely got the “Beach Read” cover treatment in that the cover and blurb both marketed the book as a lighthearted rom com—this was not that. Sure, there was some snappy dialogue, but alcoholism and the LIs struggle with alcohol abuse (and it’s effects on their relationships) was a huge plot point in this story.

I personally didn’t find that Ethan had a satisfying redemption arc, which made it hard for me to buy into the relationship and their long term success. Plus, both of these characters need lots of time in therapy (which didn’t get mentioned until the epilogue of the book). Like I said, I am probably in the minority of people who didn’t like it, but don’t go into this expecting a fluffy love story. It’s angsty, heavy, and vulnerable. You may still want to give it a read, just adjust your expectations accordingly.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing
Group/ Ballantine for sharing this ARC with
me in exchange for my honest review.

This was absolutely wonderful!

I’m a sucker for Hollywood scandals and stories, so this felt right out of the pages of People magazine.

A fake relationship that turns into a real relationship is a favorite trope of mine, so of course I was into this right away!

There were some serious topics discussed as well though, which made this feel like more of your typical romance though. Grief and addiction are major players as well as working on yourself before committing to another person.

I loved it!

4.5 stars! I loved this book! It was fun and charming and real. It dealt with messy families, death of a loved one, alcoholism and divorce all while being a fun summer pool-side romance. I devoured it! It was pretty steamy and just downright delightful. It also had me thinking — are PR romances really a thing?! They probably are. But imagine calling in the paparazzi to further your career. No thanks. I’ll keep my privacy!

My critique is that it felt like there were two epilogues, which was annoying. I also wanted to see Ethan more as a dad. I always want single dads to have real scenes with their kids. His kids were just in passing.

Thoroughly enjoyable enemies to friends romance. I've always been interested in these contractual Hollywood relationships and these characters were well written and convincing.

Who doesn't love a fake dating trope!

Grey Brooks is a former teen soap opera actress trying to stay relevant and come out of the shadow her old career has left her in, unable to be taken as a serious actress and unable to find work that she's passionate about. At this point she hates to admit it but she's desperate and her agent knows it too.

Ethan Atkins is a superstar, a household name, and on the verge of disappearing from the public eye for good. After his messy and incredibly public divorce from his former co-star and the battling, the grief of losing his best friend in a tragic accident Ethan turns to drinking (alone and privately) heavily and fighting with the paparazzi. But with the promise to finish producing the last project he and his best friend start before his death Ethan must clean up his act, get back into Hollywood's light, and become relevant again.

With the motives for saying yes, Grey and Ethan embark on a fake relationship, but with their instant chemistry and forced proximity, it's not long before the pair start to have real feelings for each. Nothing is ever easy in Hollywood and with their past traumas and abilities to fake just about anything, is this relationship ever going to be real?

Overall, this book captured my attention from the beginning, Thought the plot was more out there than most it felt more realistic than a lot of the fake dating books I've read in the past since this was truly like a business deal, it being a PR stunt and all. Although you don't see the ending coming together in the way it does I found the ending a refreshing look at the realities of substance abuse and rehab.