Really disappointing. The premise is wonderfully engaging in a way the actual book is not. I don't believe that protagonists must be likable, but Advika's selfish naivete was wearing after a couple of chapters. The secondary characters are all much more interesting than she was. The central mystery was aggressively fine, and the ending was a let down.

3.5 stars. This was a very interesting story. It pulled me in more than I was expecting - I went in blind, so didn't really have a great idea what the book would be about aside from an assumption based on the cover (which does not give much away...). I was torn at first - I didn't know what to think about the two MCs and it took me a while to warm up to the story and what was going on. Even then, the FMC wasn't my favorite. She had some redeeming qualities as the story continued to progress.

It was a timely read, since I read this as the Oscars/awards season was going on - so the Hollywood and awards element was interesting and top of mind contextually. I ended up listening to the audio version of this book and the narration really did help the story to move along. At the end of the day, this was a really well crafted story - with an ending that I appreciated. The age gap (41-years) trope isn't my favorite and there were a few times that I got an ick factor while reading just because of that gap and also how Julian treated Advika during most of the story.

I think Kirthana is a talented writer and can definitely write stories that paint a picture and evoke some sort of emotion - even if it's negative - toward the main characters in the story. Thank you to Grand Central and NetGalley for the eARC of this story and also to Grand Central for the physical copy. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own!

I was excited about this book, but sadly it didn't meet my expectations. I enjoyed the parts where we went back into Hollywood past looking at the lives of Julian's ex-wives. I saw a lot of the story coming, which was fine. I got annoyed by the naivete of Advika. I know she hadn't been married before, but it was hard to believe she was so overcome with grief still to go through with all of the things she did with Julian, including marriage. The warning signs pertaining to his true nature were apparent almost from the beginning of their courtship.

Although this wasn't my favorite novel I've read, I did enjoy Ramisetti's storytelling ability. I'll definitely look into the books she publishes in the future.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Fiction, Women's Fiction, Fiction with Suspense Elements
Spice Level: Medium (mostly non-descriptive but sex is on the page)
Language: Low-Medium (some profanity but not prolific)
Theme: Coming of Age for adults

Sometimes, I pick a book out of my wheelhouse just because I want to read widely. This is one of those.

I actually found this book engaging. The main character is naive and still grieving her twin sister when she meets a famous Hollywood producer.

The first half of the book is the story of Advika also called Addi and her relationship with Julian. The second half was Advika figuring out what to do and searching for the truth.

I thought the ending was satisfying too.

If you like suspense-thriller vibes, this one is for you. Or if you love Hollywood, pick this one up.

I recommend this book.

Happy reading!

after loving DAVA SHASTRI'S LAST DAY, i was very excited to add ADVIKA AND THE HOLLYWOOD WIVES to my reading list. i fell in love with Kirthana's writing style and her unique premises in books (which are hard to find these days tbh!). i really liked her latest--if you're a fan of THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO or books surrounding Hollywood and the rich & elite, add ADVIKA AND THE HOLLYWOOD WIVES to your TBR!

i'm honestly surprised to see meh ratings for this book! i will say i enjoyed the first half a bit more than the second and the ending is one i definitely can't wait to talk to other readers/friends about. the first half was fascinating to me - i LOVE reading about "normies" that fall into the lifestyle of the rich and famous. i was surprised this couple ended up together and was looking forward to figuring out the reasons, which we get in the backhalf.

i will say the MC was a bit unlikeable - both of them really. i think the female MC (Advika) is unlikeable because she's dealing with a lot of grief and emotional trauma, whereas the male MC (Julian) is just another privileged white male in Hollywood, LOL.

i think this book would be a great book club selection. it's also great for new readers as it's very bingeworthy and easy to read - i found myself thinking about it when i wasn't and it gripped me right away. the backhalf will give you major SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO vibes which i think readers will identify with and enjoy!

i think i favor her debut novel a bit more (which is in the works as an HBO series adaptation as i type!!), but she has become an auto-buy author for me and i'm so excited to see what she writes in the future.

thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the early gifted copy!

I thought this book was an interesting read but it definitely took a long time to get anywhere. The beginning very much dragged on and I found myself wondering if it would ever get juicer. When it finally did I got pretty into it so stick with it if you are reading it right now and feeling the same!

The premise of this book appeared to be engaging and fun, but I felt disconnected from the story and the characters. I thought this book had a lot of potential, but there were too many narrative holes, and it took too long to get to the essential plot. I've heard great things about author Kirthana Ramisetti and plan to read more of her work in the future. Advika and the Hollywood Wives may be ideal for another reader, but sadly, it was not for me.

This novel focuses on the glamour and the dark facade of Hollywood. It was a very light and entertaining read! I especially love how it explored Indian values. There were times that I found the plot to be very far-fetched. Nevertheless, it reads like a soap opera! I recommend this for fans of Did you Hear about Kitty Karr!

This book is phenomenal. The author did an excellent job of writing a story I want to read over and over again. The book is so good. I pre-order a copy for my mom, who is a Hollywood and TCM buff, and told her to give it a read. She loved it too!

If you like stories about the dark side of Hollywood and its marital drama, this is worth a read. The pacing felt a bit off and I wanted more from the characters and the story. It felt both unfinished and rushed towards the end. Still worth a read if you like books similar to Evelyn Hugo and The Comeback.

What a disappointment.

Plot holes are the most abundant thing in this novel. Our MC makes horrible decisions, of her own free will, and yet claims to be stuck in a situation she cannot get out of.

Maybe there are scenes missing and that is why this story is so bad?

I thought I would enjoy this novel more than I actually did. I found it difficult to root for Advika, the protagonist, due to her extremely poor decision-making throughout the novel. A major plot point only works if the reader wants to see Advika be successful and when I got to that part, I truly did not care about what happened to her. With that being said, I did like the setting of this book. I love reading about fictional celebrities (ex. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or Something To Talk About) especially when they are navigating the complexities of Hollywood. With some minor adjustments to the character of Advika, this novel would have been better.

This book is a dark horse. I went in not knowing what I was in for and the first 75 pages or so had me thinking one way only to be pleasantly surprised with the direction it turned for the rest of the book. I wish I had gotten to this on my shelf sooner— not to be missed!

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I would definitely read more from this author!

Advika's life has been a tailspin since her twin sister, Ann, died tragically. Tending bar to make ends meet, she ends up working the bar at the 2015 Oscar Governor's Ball. When Julian Zelding, a renowned Hollywood producer begins to flirt with her, she is shocked. Could this famous man be interested in her, 40 years his junior? This story sounds like a rom com plot, but it isn't, although pop culture references are peppered throughout the novel. Instead, this is a look at a young woman who makes an impulsive decision that comes back to haunt her. I really enjoyed this book, although at times I couldn't figure out where it was leading and the main character was a little off-putting. Overall, though, it was a good summer read.

Thank you to GCP and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. Advika Srinivasan is an aspiring screenwriter working as a bartender for high-profile events attended by those whose company she hopes to one day join. While she is bartending an Oscars afterparty, she catches the eye of astronomically popular film producer, Julian Zelding. The two establish a connection (never mind the DECADES that separate their ages) and eventually, a romance. After some time, Advika's idyllic Hollywood life begins to sour as she dives into Julian's past, and the lives and downfalls of his past wives.

I was very nearly turned away by the 60-something-year-old-falling-for-the-20-something-year-old element of this book... but I am sincerely happy that I stuck with it, because I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think it perfectly captures the two-facedness of much of Hollywood (speaking as someone who has never been, and never will be, anywhere near that echelon of society). It would've been easy to make Advika a relatively static character that rides into the elite level of Hollywood on the coattails of a white man, but she's so dynamic. There's an element of danger and suspense to this book. You're rooting for Advika the whole way through, but you're holding your breath for her at the same time. The intricacies of Julian's life that are slowly unraveled are simultaneously fascinating and harrowing. Ramisetti's characters were all wonderfully crafted. I'm very glad Advika amended things with Olive and the Oakies (I would've been sad....) I obviously don't want to spoil too much. Just go read it.

Advika is working a Hollywood party when she meets Julian, an Oscar-winning producer who is immediately taken by her. Although she feels an attraction to this older man, she also feels a sense of “why me?” He’s been married a few times before, but doesn’t talk a lot about his past, just the future he wants to provide for Advika. After a whirlwind romance, they elope, with a bright future ahead. But Advika quickly realizes that Julian wants her only in a certain way, and she wants more than to just be his pretty wife on the red carpet. When she starts to hear some things about his past, she starts to do a little digging of her own into his past relationships, and what happened to them. The links between her and his ex-wives start to become completely unavoidable as Advika has to decide what to do about her future.

I really liked the character of Advika. She was complicated, with her dynamic with her friends and family, the loss of her sister, and her goals and ambitions to be a screenwriter. In my head, I couldn’t picture Julian as a handsome older man. To me it seemed more like Blair’s stepfather in Gossip Girl…a lot of power, but he couldn’t possibly have it all.

I felt that the overall story was a little long and boring in parts. But as the moments lead up to the climax, I was excited to see what was going to happen. The second half of the book I had a hard time putting it down.

Overall, I’d give it 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3. It was enjoyable, but probably not something I’d go back to read again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of this book!

CW: misogyny, grief, gaslighting, toxic relationship

Thank you @grandcentralpub and @netgalley for my ARC of Advika and the Hollywood Wives - out today in the US!!

Advika falls for Julian hard and fast. He sweeps her off her feet immediately despite the age difference between them. His glamorous lifestyle as an Oscar winning movie producer adds to Advika’s intrigue as she has always wanted to be a screenwriter.

Before Advika can even take breath, her and Julian are married. But Julian’s five precious wives are secretly nagging her. Julian requested that Advika never Google him, but now that’s all she can think about doing….

This was an enjoyable read that had me anxious to figure out everything about Julian’s previous wives along with Advika. It gave the reader a peak into old Hollywood and all the glamour we associate with it. A quick read that was easy to follow with a very unexpected ending.

I loved this author's previous novel and high hopes for this one, but unfortunately, this book has a plot that makes little sense. The main character makes terrible choices again and again, and the reasons presented don't ring true . The story does not deliver, and there's no real payoff at the end.

26 year old Advika is an aspiring screenwriter who is very close to giving up on her dream. As she is bartending for an Oscars after party, she meets legendary producer Julian Zelding. Despite a 41 year age difference, Advika and Julian strike up a romance and eventually get married. A few months into their marriage, one of Julian’s ex wives dies and in her will leaves a film reel and 1 million dollars to “Julian’s latest child bride” if she divorces him first. Advika decides to look more into her husband and his past relationships and begins to learn more about her husband, and in turn looks more into her own relationship with him.

This book is filled with Old Hollywood glamour and a touch of mysteriousness. I loved the writing and thought this made for a very interesting plot. However, I wanted a bit more drama. It was such a slow burn I found myself struggling to stay interested at times. I also was frustrated with the main character for most of the book - why on earth would she marry a man she just met and not even Google him? Maybe it’s just me but I could not understand her thought process there. I wanted to love this one, but in the end felt it was just okay.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.