This was so cute 🥰 I’m not a huge fan of romances but this one I really enjoyed. It wasn’t Hallmarky or over the top and I liked the writing style.

Grey Brooks is an actress trying to breathe life into her failing career. She accepts a deal made by her publicist to fake a relationship with another star, Ethan Atkins. He has been chewed up and spit out by Hollywood and life. Content to drown his sorrows in alcohol, all he wants is to be left alone. A rumored relationship with a cute actress may be the push his career needs.

It doesn’t take long before sparks fly between Grey and Ethan. Will their relationship survive the pressures of life and Hollywood?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


I liked this one but I didn’t love it. I had a difficult time getting into it. While it’s entertaining and mostly enjoyable, parts were just slow and dragged.

I received the ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

There's a lot to take on with this book. Lots of tropes here; fake dating, age gap, one bed, miscommunication.

Our main characters, Grey and Ethan, are actors in Hollywood. One is ultra famous and not looking for work, the other still trying to gain respect in her career. They are approached by their shared publicist to fake date to benefit the both of them. Interesting plot, but falls short for me.

I love Ethan and his character development, but I do not like Grey. She was flat and never changed. And the romance was, pun not intended, fake. It just felt forced. And there were times that Grey would do something so out of character, just for a single moment in a scene, and then never again. Like it was only included to be "cool"? Also, this book is a Dual POV, so you are inside both of their heads, but I felt like the change in the middle of chapters threw me off.

I still found myself wanting to finish reading the book, to find out how it ended, and I finished in a day: so a quick read for those interested. Not sure I'd personally want to read again, though.

Naturally, the fake dating in this book caught my interest. I’m always a sucker for that trope, especially in Hollywood. How to Fake It in Hollywood was a steamy read about faking a relationship and dealing with the consequences of falling in love in the public eye.

Ever since her popular teen drama ended a year ago, Grey Brooks has been out of work and hunting for her next role. She’s desperate enough to consider her publicist’s suggestion of fake dating Ethan Atkins, an A-list actor who’s been out of the public eye for the past five years after his best friend died and a messy divorce and is now trying to clean up his reputation. When they meet, they reluctantly agree because neither of them can deny their attraction to each other. Soon that attraction leads to something real, but how good can a relationship be when your every move is followed by the public eye?

The characterizations were very strong. Of course, Grey wants to continue acting and needs something to be her big break, especially after being in the industry since she was eight years old. However, she also wants more public recognition so she and her best friend can get the project they wrote together off the ground. Meanwhile, Ethan struggles with his feelings of grief and alcoholism; he wants to finish the film he was working on with his best friend before he died, but every moment reminds him of his loss.

Both get something out of this relationship, although Ethan crudely assumes that Grey is doing it as an easy means of getting ahead at first. Over time, they grow to know each other better and give into their intense attraction.

Some aspects of the book just weren’t for me, such as the first half entirely consisting of them being insanely horny for each other. And that’s not a bad thing or a deal breaker! I just wish we had gotten to see more non-sexual development between the two of them because I didn’t really feel like there was that much. This is just my personal opinion though.

How to Fake It in Hollywood was a steamy, quick read. It had a melodramatic tone to it that made it easy to flip through, almost like a drama you can’t stop watching. If you’re looking for a hot romance with fake dating, you may like this book!

You know a book is good when you binge read it in one day!
I freaking loved this new debut novel.
Ava Wilder just became one of my new go-to's for romance now.

Grey Brooks and Ethan Atkins, are two of the most amazing characters I've had the pleasure reading about. Their story is just wonderfully crafted and amazingly developed.
The characters are hilarious and have wonderful chemistry.
Delightful. Just absolutely delightful. I spent so much time grinning from ear to ear that my face hurts.
This was an amazing story and I can't wait for you all to read it, it's definitely worth a read. This is just so well written, with well-rounded, interesting and great characters who really made this story amazing.
This is everything I want from a contemporary romance--emotional growth, grounded characters, some hilarious hijinks for good measure.
I didn't want this book end!
Wilder, you nailed your debut novel!
I need more..... Please!

Ballantine|Dell,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review closer to pub date.

5/5

I really enjoyed this book. It was surprisingly deep for a romcom. It had the fun romance fluff and fake dating trope which I love. But it also had deeper conflicts such as dealing with death/grief, alcohol/substance abuse, and finding yourself and finding love. Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. I just had to know how Grey and Ethan’s story would end. The writing was great I loved the dual perspectives. It was steamy but heartfelt it didn’t just feel like a shallow insta love story. They did have an instant connection but I loved the growth and sexual tension. Definitely had the slow burn and forced proximity tension. I definitely recommend reading this if you’re a fan of romcoms.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

So the thing is... I liked this, but I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. Grey is definitely compelling, but she suffers a bit too much from Cool Girl Disease - she's hot, she's cool, she has casual sex, but wait!--she has a heart of gold, too. It didn't feel like she was a real person as she felt a bit one-dimensional. Ethan was more compelling and had a bit more depth, but even he felt a bit like an expected character. Overall, this is a fine romance and story, but nothing to write home about.

I really enjoyed the premise and the beginning of this book. To help boost both of their careers, a talented Hollywood starlet and a reclusive A-lister fake date. But this book wasn’t all light-hearted and fun, it does deal with alcoholism and trying to be in a relationship with someone who struggles with alcohol abuse.

It has been 8 months since Grey Brooks’ last day on her long-running television teen soap drama came to an end. After spending 7 years of her life on the show, Grey is trying to get another project going but having a hard time. Her new publicist suggests a fake relationship to help booster her career and Grey is floored when she finds out it’s going to be with Ethan Atkins, her teen crush and A-lister turned hot mess. Ethan has gone through a lot and faded away from the spotlight in the last 5 years — his longtime best friend and creative partner passed away, he went through a high-profile divorce, has 2 daughters he barely gets time with, and he’s had quite a few messy-drunk episodes. But if he ever wants to produce the last movie he and his partner wrote together, he needs to clean up his reputation and step back in the spotlight.

The romance for me in this was hard, it might seem like light-hearted fun at first but Ethan is going through a lot with his grief over his friend’s death and his own struggles with alcohol abuse. I found I couldn’t root for these 2 together as a couple (despite their steamy times) because I knew his character needed help before he jumped into this relationship and I just knew it was not going to be a good place for Grey to be in or “to try and save him”. Ethan is not in a healthy place and the second half of the book does deal more with his alcoholism. Which I am definitely glad we got to see the journey for his character and the struggles he was facing, but as a romantic hero I had a hard time. Grey I was rooting for, she had a strong head on her shoulders and had such maturity to her character even being 11 years younger than Ethan. I liked her real struggles with child acting, her complicated relationship with her mother, and trying to get her own project she co-wrote with her friend picked up.

Thank you to the publisher (Random House) for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts & review. How to Fake it in Hollywood has a publish date of June 14, 2022.

I think my face might’ve been permanently defected from smiling like a fool the whole time I was reading this book! This is just the type of romance I love and enjoy! Ethan and Grey romance was amazing, sweet and I melt down.
I was really impressed since this was the author's debut. I definitely recommend this if you're looking for something sweet and quick to read that still has some steam - looking forward to reading more books from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book in 3 words: Delightful. Insightful. Sexy. 

Ava Wilder coming in with a strong romance of the year contender! How to Fake It in Hollywood is all about Grey and Ethan, celebrities at different levels, in an arranged relationship to drum up some publicity. I do love a fake dating trope and liked the subtle stray from what we typically see in this type of plot. 

One of the best parts of this story is the characters . They're strong and enjoyable while being complicated and relatable. I loved how Grey and Ethan interacted with each other, right from the start. The dialogue is stellar and helps take this story to the next level. 

This book also dives into deeper, darker themes as well as having some solid representation of minority groups. How to Fake It in Hollywood touches on LGBTQ, size inclusivity, non-traditional families, feminism, loss, and substance abuse. 

I loved how this book felt familiar, inclusive, but fresh at the same time. I almost binged this entire thing in a single sitting! I had to force myself to close it and get some sleep. I recommend this one for anyone looking for a contemporary romance that strays from the most common plots and twists.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 4.5/5 stars

How to Fake it in Hollywood is a surprisingly emotional and deep romance about two stars who enter into a fake romance for publicity. Grey is struggling to get her career going after a 6 year stint on a popular teen soap. When her agent and publicist approach her about entering into a PR stunt relationship with disgraced Hollywood heartthrob, Ethan, she is shocked to see how different her teen crush is after a tragedy and a high profile divorce. The two have immediate chemistry and their fake relationship quickly turns into something more real than either want to admit.

I was fully expecting this to be a fun, banter-filled romcom set in glamorous Hollywood. While it does have those moments, this is a much more emotional read about two people trying to overcome serious issues in order to be in a healthy relationship. Grey and Ethan are both well-rounded, lovable characters with many flaws. You root for both of them separately and together throughout the book. There were times that this book leaned more towards A Star is Born vs. other Hollywood romance novels (e.g. To Love Jason Thorne, Meet Cute). It takes all of my favorite tropes and makes them it’s own.

Overall, How to Fake it in Hollywood is a swoony yet heart wrenching romance with two very memorable leads. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to see what Wilder writes next.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Full review to be posted closer to release date.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC! I absolutely cruised through this book, and I'm thrilled I got a chance to read it early. I might even hit it with a re-read?

Highlights:
- Characters (size diversity! legitimately discussing complex feelings! complex backgrounds!)
- Romance tropes (we love a trope within romance books, and this one does fake-dating SO SO well)
- Writing (listen - it can be a mixed bag out here in the romance world. The writing here is legitimately fantastic, and embodies a show don't tell approach)

Overall, I thought this book was a blast. It had hints of "You Had Me at Hola", and I think is a great book for anyone who obsessively checks DeuxMoi and who watched Pete and Miley's New Years Special and overanalyzed every comedy sketch.

I read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, I did not expect to be thrown into the dark side of fame. It felt real and honest and a little scary.
The chemistry between Grey and Ethan was really well done. I thought once they got together it’d be straight forward, and it really wasn’t. So many different events happened after.
I really enjoyed the real relationship Grey had with Nora, and the messages that were hidden expertly within the story.
4.5 stars

I adored this book—read it in one day. I'm not usually a big fake dating fan, but this was the best and most believable fake dating scenario I've read.

Grey and Ethan are two actors in different stages of their lives—Grey has recently wrapped up a TV series that she'd been on for 6 or 7 years and is trying to launch into the next phase of her career, while A-lister Ethan has spent years as a recluse following the death of his best friend and creative partner, Sam, and his divorce from his ex-wife, Nora. Grey and Ethan have the same publicist, who suggests a mutually-beneficial arrangement for the two of them: they date for publicity. Grey gets clout by association and will hopefully book more roles; Ethan looks like he's healthy and stable and ready to work again after being out of the limelight for so long.

What starts as a fun and exciting read becomes surprisingly heartfelt and moving as the two navigate their relationship, forcing Ethan to confront his past before it permanently ruins his future.

The writing was straightforward, the dialogue was believable, and the timeline felt natural.

If you've ever found yourself caught up in celebrity culture, if you love to theorize about which celeb relationships are for publicity (Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas, anyone?), or if you just want a good read that will leave you with a smile on your face and an ache in your chest, then this book is for you. I was hooked from start to finish. Absolutely recommend!

CW: grief, alcoholism

3/5 for How to Fake It in Hollywood by @avawilderwrites

Grey Brooks was to take on Hollywood, but Hollywood won't take her on. People still treat her as a child star, not as a young woman ready to take the industry by storm. A PR stunt with one of the most reclusive men in Hollywood might help thou...

Ethan Atkins is that man, well, now was that man. After a personal loss, a divorce and drinking problems there is no way he can make a comeback into Hollywood, unless of course his track record becomes clean again. A certain actress may be able to help with...

I liked the ideas presented in this book. A lot of Hollywood stars not only struggle with the transition from child to adult star, but also fame in general. However, while the author's writing style was good, I simply did not like the characters. Character development was nonexistent for most of the book and I felt like the majority of the book was just whinnying. Like why did they not try to do SOMETHING. I was just very frustrated by the end. Grey was way too forgiving, that I felt like others were just taking advantage of her. The romance didn't really burn for me either. It still just felt like a convenience relationship at the end. What did really save the book for me was that this was realistic and gave me an almost "insider's" view. Needless to say, you won't be finding me in Hollywood anything soon.

Thank you to @avawilderwrites @netgalley and @randomhouse for the copy in exchange for an honest review!

One of the few post-baby, pre-pandemic movie dates my husband and I got to go on was to see A Star Is Born. I went in knowing nothing about it and whew, what a downer. It left a little sad hole in my heart all these years, and I am glad to say it has now been mended by the wonderful HEA of Ava Wilder's HOW TO FAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD.

Grey Brooks is an actress best known for starring in a now-over teen soap. Ethan Atkins is an A-lister screenwriter/actor/director whose life imploded after the death of his best friend and creative partner. When their mutual publicist suggests a fake dating scheme to get them both back in the public eye, Grey and Ethan realize they have very real chemistry.

The author handles Ethan's addiction issues so well, never falling into the trap of A Star Is Born and other similar narratives that puts the onus on the heroine to "fix" or "save" the hero. Their HEA is hard earned and well deserved on both sides, and the reader is left feeling optimistic that it will be a healthy and warm relationship going forward.

I am not a person who thrives on angst in my romances, and I think the author has done something amazing here that allows the reader to experience the full scope of emotions along with the characters without it becoming too heavy for people like me. A big part of that is her sense of humor, which shines through in Grey's POV especially. This isn't a romcom, but I definitely laughed a few times.

So if you were also personally victimized by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (or if you just enjoy well-written contemporary romance), this is the book for you.

Also, that cover! 😎😎

I absolutely adored this book SO MUCH. At first I thought this would just be the 'Hollywood' or 'American' version of Act Like It by Lucy Parker (which I thoroughly enjoyed), but while the setup is quite similar, the issues the FMC and MMC deal with and the relationship progression tackles much darker and deeper issues and felt so much more raw.

The book starts off with Grey Brooks, coming off her teen drama, looking for new work to make sure her acting career doesn't end. Her PR person convinces her to enter in a fake relationship with once-famous Ethan Atkins to help both of their careers. Going in, Ethan has no plan to agree to the ruse, but once he actually meets Grey, he's charmed by her willingness to cut through his bs. As they learn more about each other's issues and problems, Grey and Ethan begin to realize they're no longer faking anything.

Both Grey and Ethan are such lovable and understandable characters dealing with their problems in such a realistic manner. The relationship that develops between them is so beautiful, and the sexual tension between them is 🥵🥵🥵 After (unintentionally) reading a bunch of closed-door romances, I'm so glad this provided the needed spice in my life. The perfect combo of both sweet and sexy, love and pain, this relationship hit all the right spots. (not to mention one particular ~moment def ranks in the top three sexiest masturbation scenes of ALL TIME 😫😫😫)

I found the ending to be so fitting for the character arcs, and seeing how each person developed and grew on their own was really a beautiful journey. For a debut novel, Ava Wilder really knocks it out of the park with this book, and I'm super excited to see how much further she'll go.

Thank you to Random House-Ballantine and Netgalley for the ARC.

HOW TO FAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD isn’t your typical fake dating story. First, it’s a romance between two celebrities, something I’ve had a difficult time finding even though I’ve been craving it! And second, Ava Wilder infuses the story with some tough topics including addiction, death of a close friend, and difficult familial relationships. Though all of those topics combined might result in a heavy story, there were also moments of humor and sweetness that made HOW TO FAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD unlike anything I’ve read before.

Following Grey and Ethan, actors who agree to a fake dating relationship to benefit both of their careers: Grey is hoping to boost her popularity in order to get more jobs after wrapping up a long-running series and Ethan is trying to break back into the acting world after a tumultuous few years out of the spotlight. However, their arrangement becomes less pretend and more reality as they get to know each other better.

HOW TO FAKE IT IN HOLLYWOOD was so addicting—like the soapy teen drama Grey starred in—that for the first time in a long time, I had to stop reading so I wouldn’t devour the final chapters which included a completely satisfying epilogue. It was heart-wrenching and funny and the romantic moments were incredibly sweet.

I’ve already followed Ava Wilder on Goodreads and I’m so excited to see what she puts out next!

What happens when rising starlet Grey and reclusive, former megastar Ethan are thrown together by their publicist into a fake relationship? Does it help their careers or hurt them? Do real feelings get involved? Do they get more than they bargained for? While Ava Wilder’s “How To Fake It In Hollywood” may seem like your traditional fake dating romantic comedy, there is SO much more beneath the surface. With every chapter, I watched another layer of this story unfold. It’s a brilliantly written BEAUTIFUL story, and while yes, the main plot points center around a fake dating scenario, the story also offers a window into the harrowing world of show biz, while providing poignant commentary on love, life, grief, and substance abuse. I never thought it was possible for a story to be both swoony and heartbreaking, but this is, and in the absolute best way possible.

TW: themes of substance abuse

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Ballantine, and Ava Wilder for an arc in exchange for an honest review! How to Fake It in Hollywood is a cute and fun story that I devoured in one day. I absolutely loved Grey as a main character and I enjoyed that the book described her past as well as Ethan's to give us a more rounded look at their personalities. She's independent, sarcastic, and super entertaining to read about and I rooted for her the entire time. Ethan falls into the "lovable grump" category and it was sweet seeing their romance play out.

This book has some mature themes, which readers should keep in mind. One of the biggest themes is addiction (specifically alcoholism) so make sure you are comfortable reading about that before picking it up. However, it's done in a realistic way.

I really enjoyed reading this book and my 3.5 rating is due to a couple of reasons. First, their relationship did feel very insta-lovey, but it was still sweet. I feel like the middle dragged a little bit as well, but I absolutely loved the ending and how Wilder wrote it. The book reminds me a lot of "Funny You Should Ask" - if you enjoy this one I recommend picking that one up too! Overall, this was a good read and I'm thankful for the copy I was gifted. I recommend it for romance fans :)