thanks so much to netgalley and atria for the e-arc!!!

if you know me, you know that early 2000s teen television is the core of who i am. so when i heard that this was about two cast members from one of these shows falling in love at their 20 year reunion…. i was so in.

there’s a lot i enjoyed about this book - the scenes that were scenes from the show (they’re filming a reunion special), the inserts of articles and interviews, and the just the fact that i will always adore a second-chance romance ESPECIALLY set in the glitzy world of hollywood.

however!!! the main relationship between liv and ransom is supposed to be a best friends to strangers to lovers type of thing. and i just couldn’t understand how they basically went 20 years without speaking and then the insta-love was COMPLETELY INTACT. i was obviously anticipating a spark, but the fact that they were so open about their feelings from literally page one made this feel way too low stakes and also frustrated me because wdym they couldn’t have found any other time to talk about this???

the ending was super satisfying, the side characters were likable, and because it was only from livs pov i felt like i really got to know her. i just needed more of a reason to buy them being in love so quickly - maybe flashbacks? just more of something!

overall, i just needed MORE. more reason to root for everyone, more chemistry, more something. which is a shame because everything we did get was so good!!!!!!

(except the big reveal about one of the other actress’s rubbed me soooo the wrong way and everyone’s reaction was even worse)

also, i kinda wish they didn’t set up a romance for ford because i would soooo read his book what a cutie pie!

anyway 3 stars…. and i think i’m off to watch the oc!!!

This second-chance romance sizzled with heat every time Liv and Ransom came within two feet of each other, but I agree with other reviewers who mentioned there was too much tell and not enough show. I get that this pair had a lot of history together but instead of Liv telling the reader, I would have preferred more flashback scenes or some other exposition that made me feel it more.

I did love Liv’e character and enjoyed seeing all the inner struggle in which she sought to find her own way with her career in a job that can be ruthless with attacks upon everything from her appearance to her love life.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

THE REUNION is a standalone contemporary second-chance romance by Kayla Olson. This story is perfect for readers who enjoy second-chance romances. About a million years ago, Liv Latimer and Ransom Joel were on a teen drama, Girl on the Verge. Adolescence makes forming romantic relationships hard enough, but the added pressure of fame made Liv and Ransom’s burgeoning romance implode. Liv’s response was to kind of duck and cover and generally avoid Ransom for the past twenty years. Now there’s a show reunion and possible reboot. When these two people meet again, after so many years and such a complicated history, the sexual tension, and feelings of being haunted by their past promise a tantalizing present.

For me, so much of this story is about trust and separating what’s real from fantasy. Years ago, when the relationship between Liv and Ransom was a friendship and mild flirtation (with secret longing), the way things ended made Liv question if everything was just all in her head. She thought things might have all been one-sided and she was the fool. Instead of a regular cold case mystery dealing with something like murder or a disappearance, THE REUNION deals with a cold case romance. What really happened years ago that stopped things before they really ever got started? Who was to blame? Can things be put right? I like how Kayla Olson only gives Liv’s perspective. Having only her perspective makes her more sympathetic to the reader and keeps Ransom just as enigmatic to the reader as he can be with Liv. As the story progresses and the chemistry between the two main characters becomes intense and undeniable, you want them to find their way to be happy and be together, but you also see what makes Liv understandably cautious.

THE REUNION is both an epic romance and a wonderfully written character-driven story. I love stories with “making of” or “behind the scenes” elements. Kayla Olson does a phenomenal job of breathing life into these characters. By the end, I was so caught up in the characters that I was teary-eyed near the end. I would love to read stories featuring one or two of the supporting characters in this story. Although Kayla Olson is a new-to-me author, I can’t wait to dive into her next book.

I was so excited for this one, but something just fell flat for me. There was a lack of emotion in there somewhere, and while I enjoyed the characters, I didn't enjoy the romance.

A second-chance love story that was a bit predictable and not that in depth. It was fun and entertaining.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ebook copy.

Had an enjoyable time reading this book.

this only futher cements my love for celebrity romance, it is the perfect read for fans of how to fake it in hollywood by ava wilder! super fun I really enjoyed

A sweet, contemporary second chance romance. A former teen actress returns to the set for a reunion special of the popular show she starred in ten years ago. Liv is reunited with her former flame who broke her heart. Some great side characters add richness to the story. Well written and executed, evenly paced and entertaining. The romance is easy to get invested in, low steam but interesting intensity and chemistry.

The Reunion was cute, but not perfect.

Don't get me wrong, I did love Liv and Ransom. Their ending was super satisfying and very sweet. I think what I needed was more time with them together. Their relationship fired up quickly, but I think once there were clearly feelings involved, I needed more development in order to fully invest.

In the end, this was a good story. I would have liked more from the romance, but the story itself was solid and entertaining, and ultimately rewarding. It was worth the read.

Another book that leaves me asking the question… am I obsessed with Second Chance love???

There’s just something about a romance riddled with history that makes me forget all of my life problems and focus on those of the characters instead.

For Ransom and Liv, they were child stars together which leads me to another one of my favorite tropes THEY’RE CELEBRITIES!

I loved this snap shot into child stars being forced back together for a reboot and the tension and their chemistry was tangible from the beginning.

This one was so incredibly cute and I did so enjoy it. This is one you read for the cute moments. We have teen heart throbs holding kittens and newer adults discovering what it means to move forward.

This one has no spice, which is truly sad, BUT nevertheless I loved it and highly recommend to fans of second chance love and CELEBRITIES.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️

This was so freaking cute my heart couldn’t handle it properly!

The tension was very well done and didn’t leave me wanting or craving spicy details on what happened. It was all about the leading up to it and their connection. It was a well done romance (until the endish because as with any friends to lovers the miscommunication between the characters always leaves me angry but that’s a me problem) but I do wish the MMC had fought harder for her. The book was well written and was very cohesive throughout. The flow was very well executed.

Overall I really enjoyed the book, I just truly wish there had been more depth to the MMC and their romance. It was light and funny and had me on edge gritting my teeth with the interruptions and tension but I live for that part 🤭😮‍💨

First and foremost, thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Overall, I thought this was a cute, quick romance read. I enjoyed the movie star, celebrity setting and the idea of a second chance romance that takes place on a reunion show filming. But, I felt that the book was very "surface level" -the plot, the emotions, and the characters. I didn't really care or connect with any characters, and while I liked Liv and Ransom together, I wanted more emotion in their romance. I just didn't feel it.

First time read by this author. I read this for my local book club as it’s our February selection. I really enjoyed it. It was a light hearted fun read. I would recommend if you want a book that focuses on the tv world and is a rom-com book. Now to check out other titles by this author. Thanks to #NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #TheReunion

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I sweet book about two child stars who reunite for a twenty years later reunion special of their show “Girl on the Verge.” With a little bit of tabloids and a lot more of backstage Hollywood, “The Reunion” is a sweet story of discovering that your perfect someone has been there for a long time.

Themes: 📺🎬🎞🎥💗

My thought: 😁😍🥰😘

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I tried so hard with this book but I finally had to "DNF" it. The premise seemed entirely up my alley but I couldn't get through more than a few pages at a time before falling asleep. I didn't get or feel the chemistry between Ransom and Lily.

Loved the behind the scenes vibes of this, and all the excitement of your favorite teenage show coming back for a reunion. Estranged Best friends to lovers, snappy writing, a total winner for me!

Two former teen stars—Liv and Ransom—were always best friends, and the line between their on-screen chemistry and off-screen chemistry was often blurry. They are about to find out if feelings like that ever go away (after being out of contact for fourteen years) when a popular teen drama has a long awaited reunion.

I love a second chance romance with tons of tension and "will they won’t they" and "who is in love with who" and "for how long", so I loved this book. Did I wish that some scenes did not fade to black? Perhaps, but this book is still full of tons of steamy, slow burn goodness, and Ransom is just the dreamiest of dreamboats.

Kayla Olson does a brilliant job of hooking you quickly and writing inside of a glamorous world that we can relate to our own lives. Liv and Ransom are likable characters, and all the other characters in the book are well-rounded and have their own thought out storylines.

The Reunion by Kayla Olson was written for you if:
1) You are a fan of Christina Lauren
2) You love a second chance romance
3) You had a teen drama you used to obsessively watch

Hollywood Romance is one of my favorite romance tropes but this one felt like it just needed more—more tension, more actual romance—to make it stand out. & the miscommunication made me not trust the main guy until the very very end.

fun & quick, but not the best i’ve ever read sadly.

It as a typical rom-com. It’s cute and easy to read and I enjoyed the story. It’s a nice read for when you’re wanting something light and relaxing.

I love a good second chance romance. But these characters never stopped loving each other to begin with. I wanted more conflict and less insta-love.