Famous people... it's a trope that i have a tendency to love for some reason. Not sure why but I think its the same reason we get captivated by real famous people. Anyway, loved this book for those reasons. I hadn't ready anything by this author before but I think I will now!

An enjoyable second chance romance for anyone who has ever wondered about how the actors who comprise their favorite onscreen duo feel about each other when the cameras aren't rolling. The story is smartly told from both perspectives, main characters Lilah and Shane are multifaceted with relatable insecurities, and Wilder wisely doles out flashbacks to major events during their time together in the past. The showbiz setting is rich and so much fun; I found the set of the paranormal drama Intangible to be wildly entertaining, with every new nugget of information dropped making me wish that I could watch it. Having Lilah and Shane attend therapy sessions together due to their ongoing friction is a perfect way to explore the issues that they grapple with individually as well as with each other, and the tale displays a remarkable amount of restraint by merely flirting with a romantic reunion several times before the ideal moment crystallizes at the right time for both emotionally. It was effortless to become invested in this relationship, especially after the two share a lovely holiday call that reveals so much about their personal lives and history. Wilder throws in a truly devious and clever twist near the end that had me gasping aloud with the consequences that it would have on the characters, but fear not, there is indeed a happy ending in store for these costars.

Will They or Won't They follows the years that costars Lilah and Shane have spent together, which would be lovely except for the fact that they have a history and now hate each other... The dual timeline of the story flashes between past and present as Lilah and Shane try to film the last season of their show, Intangible. The two characters have to work through their differences and work together but with all the animosity, it's a little difficult.

This twist on a enemies to lovers trope is so unique and interesting, I've never read a book with this same twist! I also loved that there was a history between Lilah and Shane and that their story was more complex. Another unique aspect of this book is the fact that it does not have dual POV because it is all in third person BUT there is a bit of a switch between the overviews/focus on the characters, like one chapter will focus on Lilah, what she's doing, how she's feeling, etc. while the next chapter might focus on Shane, or on both characters! Most contemporary romance books are in dual POV so it was kind of refreshing to have a different angle!

To be honest, I did struggle to get into this book at first because there was so much bad blood and hatred after the character's past (which we don't learn about for a while) BUT after we learn their history and the characters start to warm up to each other, it makes for a very enjoyable read!

I loved and hated the ending! It was like a plot twist jump scare! I just couldn't believe it and I was so angry and frustrated and then it was like a plot twist on the plot twist! It was crazy!

I will be posting this review on or around June 27th on my instagram @mandj_bookalicious

Ava Wilder dazzled me with her debut novel, How to Fake It in Hollywood, but she’s proven with Will They Or Won’t They, her sophomore novel, that she’s here to stay as one of the top romance authors worth reading.

This romance was the perfect blend of enemies to lovers and second chance romance that gives you ALL the feels.

I was hooked from the start, wondering what drove these two co-stars apart and spurred their years-long feud of despising one another and how they’d possibly survive filming an entire season of a TV show where they were supposed to be madly in love with each other.

What totally grabbed me about this book was the portrayal of these characters.

The romance book genre gets a bad wrap for portraying “idealistic” or “unrealistic” storylines and perfect characters that really just don’t exist in real life. Maybe that’s true in some cases but I love authors who write the messy, vulnerable and real characters the best and that’s what Wilder did in Will They Or Won’t They.

There were times I just wanted to knock some sense into Shane and Lilah and say stop being your own worst enemies or stop being so pigheaded and yet I LOVED that they weren’t two perfect people.

They were stubborn, they made assumptions, they didn’t communicate and they acted petty but I understood every word said or not said and every action or inaction because Wilder showed me who these characters were and I was so for it.

Another writer could have written a similar romance about two actors forced to work together on a TV show and made it more lighthearted but I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much as reading this one. It would have been just another romance for the pile, but this book and these characters I will remember.

I’m such a sucker for enemies to lovers romance books because the tension creates the best between love and hate creates the best chemistry.

While I really don’t understand why they let their relationship implode to the point it did and for the length of time they held onto their hurt and anger, I went with it.

I could understand how each of their pasts had a part in their neuroses about love and Lilah really had me (and Shane) thinking…can you really love someone if they don’t really show you who they are?

But it was in the moments when we finally did see Lilah and Shane let down their walls and show who they truly were that I could see how there was hope they’d find their way back to one another.
If you love romance books with amazing writing and fantastic character development with characters who are flawed in the very best ways, then you’ll love this book.

It definitely deserves a spot on my list of best romance novels of 2023.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

WOW!! JUST WOW!! I absolutely loved this book so much!!! "Will They or Won't They" is my first read by Ava Wilder and it will not be my last! When I say that I was completely immersed in this story I mean full on obsession and I could not stop reading. My daughter even caught me reading on my kindle during my son's graduation ceremony 😬🤣! Yes, it is that good!! It has your enemies to lovers, second chance celebrity romance filled with angst, tension, jealously and sizzling chemistry. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Lilah Hunter and Shane McCarthy are co-stars on a paranormal TV series "Intangible" and on screen they are the sweetest romantic couple. However, behind scenes they can't stand each other. The banter between Lilah and Shane was entertaining and I found myself smiling and laughing while reading. Both of them had insecurities, personal struggles and real life issues that they had to tackle. I loved reading about how they grew individually and dealt with their struggles. The ending was just perfect!

Overall, it was an adorable read that I highly recommend and it deserves ALL the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!!!

I tried really hard but this book was really just dull and boring to me. There is more talk about filming and daily tasks that there's nothing about their relationship. Barely any dialogue between the two unless they're fighting. And the whole plotline of the book is that they couldn't communicate their feelings while hooking up. I dnfed at 130 pages.

4.5 stars!

I read Wilder's first release, How to Fake It in Hollywood, earlier this year, and while I still overall enjoyed the book, it was not my favorite. However, this one was a massive improvement to me!

This story follows two actors on the same TV show as they dance around each other for a decade. At certain points throughout the book, they are friends, lovers, or enemies. Lilah Hunter, our female protagonist, is returning to the show "Intangible" after being gone for three seasons. She will play the same character she abandoned after season five because she could not stand her co-star, Shane McCarthy. In the show, the two play two characters that the audience is rooting for to FINALLY get together. They are so obviously meant to be together! However, behind the scenes, they cannot STAND each other. But why? As the reader, we get to explore what went wrong in the past between these two and how it affects their present.

I absolutely loved seeing the development of Lilah and Shane. The progression of their relationship felt very natural and genuine. In the present, we see them go from two coworkers who can't stand each other, to reluctant friends, to lovers again. Through couples therapy, they learn to communicate see their past actions through the other person's perspective. The tension between these two is always so palpable - it definitely felt like I was watching a tv show when I was screaming at my tv "KISS! KISS! KISS!" This story is not just about their romance either, it's also about what the two of them want to do separately in their careers after the show ends, and I really appreciated that aspect.

Overall, this is story filled with jealousy, angst, misunderstandings, but also crackling tension and swoon worthy love. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher (Random house publishing group, Ballantine) for the ARC! This title releases June 27, 2023.

A great enemies to lovers Hollywood romance for fans of Funny You Should Ask!

Will They or Won't They, Wilder's sophomore novel, is a delight of a read-- the perfect book to pack in your beach bag this summer. This book is full of intense emotional drama, excellent banter, and a twist at the end that will leave readers surprised. Fans of Wilder's first novel, How to Fake it in Hollywood, will not be disappointed! I also loved getting the behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood/ production lifestyle.

THIS WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!! This book was a manifestation of everything I’d hoped for after reading the blurb! An amazing second-chance, enemies to lovers romance! The way that the tension was built up was so good, and also the characterization was super well done as I loved both Lilah and Shane, but was still able to see their flaws and what makes them human as they worked to be together. This was written in third person dual perspective (my favorite type to read!) and the writing still managed to give the audience a look into the characters thoughts and feelings. Lilah and Shane’s romance was drawn out and built up and this was literally so good and so cute!! I could genuinely believe that these characters were in love because I could feel their tenderness, and it didn’t feel like we were just being given empty words like some other books do. I absolutely LOVED the photoshoot scene and also the characters they’re playing feeling the exact same way that the other person feels <33 LIKE ARE YOU KIDDING THAT’S GENIUS!!! Also, this book totally had me guessing will they or won’t they throughout the entire book, so it definitely lived up to the title.

I love this story! The enemies to lovers but lovers on screen was so good. I loved the banter in this one.

Will They or Won't They is a pretty fantastic rom-com, set in the world of Hollywood (but written mostly authentically, which is a real feat!) with the enemies-to-lovers and second chance romance tropes. There was a lot well done here, and at the risk of boring anyone, I'm going to detail it.

First - we open 8 years earlier, when Lilah and Shane first meet at a chemistry read for the upcoming supernatural procedural TV series The Intangibles - where he'll play a ghost and she a psychic. Then we're sent to present day, at the upfronts for the upcoming ninth season - 8 years after they met, 7 years after their secret relationship exploded, and 3 years after Lilah left to do a movie that was pitched as Oscar bait but ended up sweeping the Razzies.

Books that play with timelines often get the device wrong - either the information is redundant, or comes at the wrong time, or otherwise takes the reader out of the story. Ava Wilder does none of that here. Each flashback is perfectly placed, tied exactly to the present storyline and - most crucially - further develops both the story and the chemistry between the two leads.

I mentioned the Hollywood of it all because I work in TV production and the vast majority of books about "Hollywood" are grievously incorrect. Here, that just isn't the case. From the upfronts, to the convention, to the episodic director who goes rogue, everything felt so authentic to the way it actually works in the industry. This is seriously a feat, and it's worth noting.

And the chemistry between Lilah and Shane is intense and simmering and ebbs and flows depending on the situation. But it's always there, and their relationship feels so deeply honest, even at its messiest. I was rooting for them from page one. And when I say enemies-to-lovers I mean it: these two were horrible to each other at moments, but as the story unfolded and we learned more about their past, it only clarified exactly how deep the connection between them was. And the ending!! Chef's kiss. No notes.

All of this to say: five stars. The perfect summer read. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.

i liked this one even better than how to fake it in hollywood, and that was my favorite romance of last year!

wilder is fantastic at taking moments that might feel trite -- lovers to enemies to lovers -- layer delicate, deliberate and tangible emotions until you have real people who are in a real predicament that you can't help but root for.

i'll never not be excited for her next endeavor.

thanks to netgalley for the arc.

I loved How to Fake It In Hollywood and couldn't wait to dive into Ava Wilder's latest!!

Will they or won't they, that is the question! This story has so much angst, and banter, and we get to watch Lilah and Shane see if they're ready to fight FOR each other. Amidst all of the enemies to lovers, there are some tender moments between them. And y'all!! 🫠🥰🫠🥰 I about melted. I feel like it's rare to find a couple that is truly watching their hearts to make sure they're ready for what's real and this story showed that and more. It was just SO GOOD.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my review!

As someone who is constantly frustrated by the will they wont they kind of trope, I have absolutely no idea why I was so drawn to this book. And yet, I am so glad I requested it! The perfect dramatic romantic comedy to read as a break from finals. Loved every second of it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC!

How to Fake it in Hollywood was such an incredible debut from Ava Wilder and Will They or Won't They was an amazing way to follow it up. You still get the Hollywood setting with celebrities and award shows and drama which is perfect if you loved How to Fake it in Hollywood. The main characters Lilah and Shane were relatable and complex which made their relationship more compelling. If you're a fan of a more slow-burn romance with a lot of tension and chemistry and longing glances from across the room, then Will They or Won't They is perfect for you!
I can't wait to see what Ava Wilder will put out next!

This second chance, enemies to lovers romance was simply fantastic! I loved How to Fake it in Hollywood, so when I saw this new book, I was so excited. It definitely lived up to my expectations! Highly recommend and a great summer read.

I loved this book — Ava Wilder does it again! While this is also set in a celebrity/Hollywood plot, this story is more angsty, right person wrong time, friends to enemies to friends to lovers (but lovers really the whole time).

I really appreciated the character depth in this, as well as the growth (we love a good therapy example). Ava Wilder manages to make her books fun and thoughtful, while her characters are flawed but lovable, and Shane and Lilah did not disappoint.

I’m so glad I got to read this arc so I can recommend this!!

I think that I enjoyed this one more than the first - How to Fake It in Hollywood - although it has been a while since I read the first book. Why did I like this one better? It was because, from the start, I liked both of the main characters and was rooting for them to find their way through the antagonism to admit their feelings and be a couple. Ethan's drinking in the first book made him pretty unlikeable for quite a while.

The writing is well done and there are some great lines and great banter between the characters. I wanted a bit more time with the Hags and some of the cast and crew, but they stayed very much secondary and I guess that's ok. I mean, you don't want to have to follow 10+ characters because then you don't get to know the leads. The one thing that I maybe found a bit less awesome was how long things took to evolve. There was more will they or won't they than was strictly necessary to get things moving, because in the end, you totally know they will because, hey, it's a romance and how often do alternating POVs (even if third person) not end up with the leads in a relationship?! I think I can count on half a hand how many times that's happened.

The two characters are believable as stars and human beings, and the plot isn't so far fetched. I also REALLY appreciated that there was no major drama moment that felt forced in order to cause a break and reunite scene.

A good read. A good romance. Happy to see where Wilder goes next.

Will They or Won't They covers Shane's and Lilah's very turbulent relationship over the course of nine long years. Co-stars in a network TV series, their working and personal relationship is intense; "almost like an arranged marriage." Romantic partners for the first season, then adversaries for the next four seasons, this is their second chance / enemies to lovers romance. After leaving the show at the end of Season 5, Lilah is returning for the ninth and final season of the show.

When they met in their early twenties, Shane and Lilah had a unique bond. Between the pressures of work and fame, their relationship cracks. Finally reunited, they need to figure out how to work together and whether they can open themselves up to each other again.

In some ways, the roles are flipped in this story. A perpetual optimist, Shane opens his heart to love. As someone who copes with pervasive anxiety, Lilah is fearful of relationships because she worries about getting hurt. Shane is a warm, insightful and charismatic hero. Lilah is extremely vulnerable and talented, brave and caring. I was moved by the journeys both characters needed to take to be ready for each other.

I received an ARC and this is an honest review.

*Posted on Goodreads on 5/4/2023*

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Will They or Won’t They tells the story of 10 year long second-chance secret romance between two main actors on a popular supernatural drama. It’s the last season on their show, and not only do they hate each other, but they can hardly stand to be in the same room. The novel takes us through their present, with flashbacks to their secret relationship and what went wrong.

This one was a tough rating. Ava Wilder is undoubtably a phenomenal writer, and she writes characters that are very captivating. I also love that she sets her books with a “Hollywood” framework, those concepts are just so intriguing to me and I love seeing behind the curtain of the entertainment industry. There’s no doubt in my mind that I generally enjoyed this book!

The reason I didn’t rate this higher, is because of the characters and relationships. I think that Lilah was very likeable - to every single character except Shane. This makes things iffy, because 90% of interactions and conversations are between Lilah and Shane. I was just so frustrated by her immaturity. The self sabotage was running RAMPANT, and I felt that the first “breakup” between Lilah and Shane was so random and flimsy. I also hated how she disregarded and downplayed Shane’s feelings. That was a huge no-go for me. Shane was better, but not by much. In general, neither characters seemed like they were in their thirties… I would guess early 20’s at best. At a certain point, reading about their repeated toxicity was a bit of a downer. I’m all for flawed characters and development, but that needs to be paired with a growing self-awareness, and ANY sort of acknowledgment of taking responsibility for actions.

Another thing was the enemies-to-lovers trope. I LOVE this trope, but in this book, it was definitely more depressing. The remarks between the leads were less banter-y and humorous, and more cutting and destructive.

All in all, I don’t think this one was for me. It was entertaining and had incredible chemistry, but the toxic behavior was a little too much for my liking.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher (Random House - Ballantine) for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!