Grey is an actor struggling to find work after her teen-hit series ended. She really wants to be taken seriously and find a breakthrough role. Ethan has spent some time out of the spotlight after a divorce and the loss of his closest friend. He has a lot of things to work through and vices to overcome. As a PR stunt, these two get wrangled into a relationship of convenience to further their careers. What starts as a sham quickly turns into an attraction that can't be ignored.

I loved this book so much! I just couldn't put it down. It has rom-com vibes, a bit of a slow burn, and the perfect amount of spice, but it was also so much more than a love story. There is conflict, resistance, and a lot of personal growth in both main characters. This would be a perfect beach read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

Let me start by saying that my 3 point rating does not equal bad. It was a good story with a lot of drama but I think I was looking for something a bit lighter and from the blurb I thought that is what I would get. This is a fake dating story with actors in Hollywood. I just felt that I had read this story before, I was just ok with the story. For me I struggled the most with connection to the characters. I need to feel connected to really be blown away and these two didn't connect with me.

I received this ARC innexchange for my honest review.

This book was a slow start for me. Grey seemed nice and steady but wasn't loveable to me and of course Ethan had his slew of issues. I just felt a disconnect I couldn't shake, even as Grey helped Ethan overcome the many challenges brought on by his past. It was interesting to read about the celebrity side of things, how telhey got to enjoy the villa in Palm Springs, the ramifications of Grey losing her casting in her dream movie. In the end, it was nice to see her pursuing her passion with Kamilah and to see Ethan becoming a happier and healthier person

I have mixed feelings about this book. The book definitely had all the elements I love in a romance novel and it sucked me right in mainly because I love a good fake dating trope mixed with a bit of angst. However, I felt like there was a lot going on with the plot, almost too much, to the point where it felt like things moved too fast and were glossed over. There were good statements being made within the book and important topics being discussed, but only at what I felt was a surface level. That being said, I really enjoyed the book and didn’t want to put it down the whole time I was reading it! Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for my ARC!

Two actors, a PR company, Los Angeles, New York and Palm Springs setting. Recipe for a fun read? I think so! This was quick and painless with a sprinkle of spice 🌶. Overall a fun romcom, but if it wasn’t for the free e-galley, I’m not sure if I would have read it.

I received a ARC copy of How to Fake It in Hollywood from Random House Publishing and I absolutely loved it. Ethan and Grey relationship was just for PR at first and to help with their careers. And they both have their issues to lives to get through. Ethan more than Grey. I loved reading every moment of their blooming relationship. Then Ethan’s problem happens to them. I loved the ending was a magazine interview.

How to Fake it in Hollywood by @avawilderwrites ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For fans of a “fake dating” trope + so much more, put this on your radar with a 6/14/22 pub date.

Grey and Ethan are two Hollywood actors that have been set up by their individual PR teams to both mutually benefit from a “dating” stint in order to improve each of their outward brands. Grey is the girl next door type who could benefit from positive PR in order to help secure her next big role, and Ethan, a mega movie star, is looking to increase the optics about his private life after he’s pulled back from being in the limelight over the last few years. After they sign their NDAs and contracts to appear to be dating to the public and to the paparazzi, they both have so much to gain… and so much to lose. This book entwines a modern day romance with some heavier topics. I enjoyed reading it a lot and think it took make a great summer read.

Thanks @netgalley for the arc!

#bookstagram #bookreview #HowToFakeItInHollywood #avawilder #netgalley #booklover

I'm a sucker for a good fake dating story, and Ava Wilder did not disappoint with this one!

I loved the progression of Grey & Ethan's relationship. The pacing of the book was great, and it really pulled me into the story.

The book talks about many heavy topics, and I think Wilder handled these really well. The character development that the author created was fantastic and much deeper than I usually expect in rom-coms.

I would definitely recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Review to be posted on GoodReads and Instagram (skylers_shelfie) on 6/1/22

This book was a fantastic read! We love a fake dating trope, and this has all the elements to make it great! Both the main characters had so much life to them, and the character development was excellent.

🚨 Preorder Alert 🚨
If you’re a fan of Ella Maise then you need to add How To Fake It In Hollywood to your preorder list stat! Releases on 6/14 - right in time for all of those beach vacations!

Swipe -> for the Goodreads synopsis

This debut from @avawilderwrites was such a delightful gem. The story was so good - we both loved the chemistry (and spice!) of Ethan and Grey. The struggles that they worked through as well as (most) of their circumstances were super relatable which doesn’t always happen in books based Hollywood (or really anywhere in CA). The writing style was in line with Ella Maise so fans of her books would really enjoy this one!

Thanks to @avawilderwrites and @netgalley for the chance to read and review this gem. It surprised us both in the best way possible and we look forward to reading more I the future from Ava Wilder!

I liked this a lot. In general, fake dating is not my favorite romance trope, but it is really fun when it’s a celebrity pr stunt. The storyline was great and I really loved Grey.

There is a big content warning for alcoholism and I think a big part of my problem not fully enjoying this book is that the substance abuse is not addressed until the very end. While I really liked the ending, I wish the timeline were a bit different.

Overall, a really wonderful story and I can’t wait to read more from Ava Wilder.

Video made on tiktok in reference to this book. Review will be posted on book blog and Goodreads as well. Will update once posted.

I enjoyed this fun rom com but didn’t love it. I loved the story and the chemistry between the main characters and the writing and pace were good too. In a rom com I only ever expect one point of conflict between the MCs and then they get back together and them it’s one big happy ending. Spoiler Alert…theres 2 in this book and I did not like that! I also had difficulty with the alcoholism in this book but felt the author did a good job with it. It just wasn’t something I was comfortable reading. Overall it’s a good book and if you love rom coms and getting a glimpse into the lives a celebrity couple then definitely read this book.

Omg I loveddddd this book!! Loved the set up, the secret lives of fake celebrities, the character development, all of it. I cried, I laughed, I smiled big from the chemistry and the cuteness, I loved it!

First of all, fake dating is one of my favorite romance tropes. And I am very interested in the ins and outs of the Hollywood fake dating scene. While this started off very lighthearted and fluffy, it took a hard turn into a poignant look at dealing with grief. While I liked the serious tone, and I felt like there were seeds laid out throughout the book, I felt like the pacing good have been better.

Overall I thought this was an excellent read. It had a little bit of everything. From a cute budding romance with a bit of spice, into a look into what unresolved grief can do to a person.

Ava Wilder (who I keep almost referring to as Ava Gardner LOL) is a beautiful writer. There were times while reading HOW TO FAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD that I got so lost in the pages, I lost all sense of time and space, which rarely happens to me! I really enjoyed Grey and Ethan's love story, how it developed and imploded before they found their way back to each other, all against a backdrop of the Hollywood/NYC acting scene. I didn't find the age different glaring at all, possibly because Grey was mature beyond her age and Ethan was...well, less mature! There was a lot of depth to this story (alcoholism, death of a friend, parental estrangement) and while it's not a romantic comedy as much as a contemporary romance, there were definitely a few chuckle-worthy moments. I loved the obvious reference to Lindsay Lohan! If you like steam, you'll be happy although it wasn't gratuitous at all. For fans of Emily Henry and Bridget Morrisey. I got some real A Star Is Born vibes at one point and was comforted knowing this was a romance with a guaranteed HEA.

How to Fake It in Hollywood is a debut novel by Ave Wilder so I had no idea what to expect, however, one of the taglines for this book said that fans of Beach Read and The Unhoneymooners would love so I had to pick this one up and see how it would turn out. This book follows the romance between an actor and an actress and even though it seems like a light romance, it does deal with some serious and heavy stuff that would require trigger warnings. The only reason why I did not like this as much is that the romance did not feel too real or solid to me, I think their relationship would have worked better if the trope was enemies to lovers because then it would have created some kind of tension and angst. But, overall it was a fun fake dating story with a very cute cover.

How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder explores what happens when two celebs in very different places in their life and careers enter into a fake PR relationship. Ethan Atkins has become a recluse in recent years, he used to be the big man in Hollywood making movies with his best friend and being married to a gorgeous actress in her own right (I imagine this character was inspired by Ben Affleck if you follow...) but since the death of his creative partner he has been on a downward spiral. Divorce, struggles with drinking, no work...you know. Grey Brooks on the other hand has just finished a long running vampire teen soap and is trying to figure out if she will ever work again.

I absolutely loved the story of Grey and Ethan! I love a celebrity romance book, sue me! I won't go into too much for detail but these characters are complicated and messy and their journey together is captivating.

Perfect beach read or if you need a break from all of the heaviness in the world (although this book isn't a total breeze).

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC - How to Fake it in Hollywood is out 6/14/22. I will publish my review and additional information in my newsletter out on 6/1/22.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Grey Brooks is an up-and-coming actress and Ethan Atkins is a reclusive A-lister, both in need of some good PR. The two sign on to a contract to start fake dating as a way to beneficially help both of their careers. But, as we avid readers know, this proves to be a bit more complicated than originally intended when they both catch feelings, much to their mutual dismay.

This book was so much more than the fake dating trope I love dearly! This book made my pulse race and heart break in the best of ways. Through Grey & Ethan’s ups and downs, I never stopped rooting for them! But don’t be fooled by the cover of this novel. This book deals with overcoming grief, alcoholism, learning to love, and being your best self not only for the ones you love but for your own benefit. This book was an absolute hit, and can I just say… I can’t wait for this book to be on the big screen one day! Ava Wilder has created a cast of characters who leap off the page. I cannot wait to see what she has in store next!

This book will be released on 6/14/22.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House - Ballentine for approving me for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is so special. I was expecting a light-hearted, summer-y beach read type of romance book, but that is not what this is at all. This book is quite frank about the realities of celebrity life, committed relationships and personal addiction/mental health struggles.

The romance aspects of this book are wonderful. There was plenty of steam and the chemistry between Grey and Ethan just leaped off the pages. Not to mention it contained two of my absolute favorite tropes: fake dating and forced proximity! The romance scenes in this book were some of the best I've read in a while and for that reason, I can already see this book becoming one of my favorite romances of the year.

The last third of the book tripped me up a little bit - it felt much less like a romance book and more like a drama or even just contemporary fiction. I didn't necessarily dislike the character development of Ethan and Grey individually towards the end, but it seemed a little off-kilter with the rest of the book.

Overall, I loved this book and the message of making a relationship work while growing independently was important. There are so many deeper themes in this novel that make it an insightful read beyond the romance aspect. I think I'd give this book 4.5/4.75 stars - the last third was a little incongruous, but Ethan and Grey's story has my heart nonetheless and I will recommend it to anyone and everyone.