Admittedly I wasn’t the biggest fan of Ava wilder’s debut, but this one is fantastic. This has solidified me as a fan of Wilder and I cannot wait to see what she has in store next.

I’m gonna be honest, I loved this book a lot. I loved the idea of seeing behind the scenes of two super famous celebs. But I have to say, these two were SO toxic. For me, it didn’t detract from the story. I actually really enjoyed watching them both grow and become better versions of themselves. I also really loved seeing them fall so hard for each other once they stopped being so toxic to each other. I think the story worked well and plus, I really liked Shane’s character. Lilah took me some time to get used to. I also really enjoyed that it switched back and forth between their views. Also, the book has some spice. I wouldn’t say it’s as spicy as a Tessa Bailey book but there’s definitely some spicy scenes. Definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Ballantine for allowing me to read an early copy of this book!

I already really enjoyed Ava Wilder's first book, but this one was SO incredibly good. To be entirely honest, second chance romance is almost never a trope that works for me (is it the fact that I've never once had the urge to so much as hang out with an ex again? perhaps, but that's between me and my therapist!) but she managed to pull it off in a way that I really truly believed in.

Every character in this story, even adjacent characters, felt so incredibly real that I kind of missed them after finishing. In particular, the lead, Lilah, was a character I really felt connected to. but I suspect there's going to be a lot of people who find her difficult to enjoy—her decision making is often tough to read, and she lashes out frequently, but Ava Wilder managed to pull off the feat of still managing to make you understand her all the way through it. As someone with a LONG history of severe anxiety, I found this to be one of the most accurate displays of how anxiety can manifest in ugly ways that I've ever seen in a book, something that I've seen so many writers get wrong.

It was most definitely a slow burn, but hey, we covered almost a decade here, so I'll cut it some slack. I'm SO curious to see the general reaction to this one when it officially releases! Either way, very very excited to incessantly recommend this to passerby at my local bookstore.

Intense chemistry. Lots of angst. Will They or Won’t They has a fantastic premise (and title) and is an engaging and enjoyable read.

We follow Lilah and Shane, two beautiful celebrities, as they attract and repel one another (and repeat). Readers get both Lilah’s and Shane’s respective points of view which helps deepen our understanding of why and how they act in certain ways. I wish there had been a little less animosity between the characters at times but appreciated the way everything was worked out in the end. Lilah and Shane are clearly meant for each other and easy to root for (even if I didn’t love all of their decisions). It was great to see them interact and grow over the course of a decade.

The Hollywood/TV show setting adds a fun element and we even get a few of How to Fake It in Hollywood references! While second chance romance and miscommunication tropes are not my preferred genre, I love Ava Wilder’s writing style (her debut novel was one of my favorite reads of 2022).

I’m looking forward to reading whatever Ava Wilder writes next and recommend Will They or Won’t They to anyone looking for a push-pull celebrity romance with complex characters facing anxiety, insecurity, professional dilemmas, etc., even as things may appear to be perfect from the outside. 4.5 stars.

Thank you very much to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book. Ava Wilder is one to watch out for. Her prose and pacing was amazing! I was happily along for the ride and fell in love with Shane and Lilah. Her characters are real, flawed human beings and that's what makes the story so magical. It is realistic and a story of finding love as your true, authentic self and what that looks like.

*Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the ease of this book. The characters were well written and had me imaging this story taking place on a real tv show between real actors, rather than just the fictional ones between the pages of this book. This was my first book by Ava Wilder, but I’ll be looking for How to Fake It in Hollywood.

You won't put this book down till you are done!!! Dual POV and enemies-to-lovers story of Lilah and Shane. Absolutely loved this book from the start, it was captivating as heck!! The execution of the plot and characters was amazing truly made the whole book so enjoyable. Oh and the twist at the end wrecks you of course lol!!

Lilah Hunter has just returned, years after her departure, to act on the final season of the supernatural TV show, Intangible, where she had her big break. Returning to the show means interacting with her co-star and love interest on the show, Shane McCarthy, for the first time since her departure. After a brief off screen love affair while filming the first season of the show, Shane and Lilah spent the remaining seasons despising each other.

Now they are reunited for the first time in years and under pressure to deliver the best ending for their show. The two slip into old ways of tormenting one another and the studio recommends they enter couples therapy to help improve their working relationship. As Lilah and Shane attend therapy, both their professional and personal relationships begin to improve. Have the two grown enough since the first time around to give a relationship a real shot?

I loved every aspect of this book and did not want to put it down once I started reading. The book alternates so naturally through the past and the present. The dual POV helps with understanding how Lilah and Shane’s relationship deteriorated so quickly. This book felt original from start to finish and I will definitely be rereading.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I'm sure this intense, angsty enemies-to-lovers story of Lilah and Shane has already ruined me. Their explosive chemistry is like the perfect dish, nothing can top that experience. From now on, I'll compare every love story to Lilah and Shane's and I doubt I'll find anything as strong, heart-wrenching, earth-shattering, and mind-blowing.

I don't know how many times I yelled at them to "stop bickering and kiss already!" Their high tension is palpable, and every time they're near each other, you can feel the electricity and strong chemistry.

Lilah Hunter, in her early thirties, is returning to the paranormal TV series "Intangible" with her tail between her legs after the failure of her last movie. She will play the same role she abandoned in season five because she couldn't stand her co-star. On-screen, Shane McCarthy and Lilah Hunter are America's sweethearts, the most adorable couple, but behind the scenes, they can't stand each other. They despise each other, but why? They had a brief fling after season one, but it was just sex, so nothing serious, right?

If nothing was serious, why did they continue to push each other's buttons for four more seasons until Lilah left without looking back?

Three years later, they're reunited for the final season of the show to give the audience the long-awaited happy ending, sealed with a passionate kiss.

If they can't stand to be in the same room, how can they act like they're in love?

With the world's eyes on them and their post-show careers at stake, they must do more than pretend. What if they don't need to pretend and all they have to do is be honest with each other and confront the issues they've buried in the past?

This whirlwind romance is filled with angst, jealousy, misunderstandings, and miscommunications. When they first fell in love, they were too young to handle the obligations of fame, being in a relationship in the spotlight, and committing to someone at a young age. But now, they're mature enough to see things from each other's perspectives. Will they have another chance or say goodbye to each other forever?

When I reached the end, the author shocked me with a twist that made me scream. Thankfully, she wrapped things up skillfully, so I didn't have to cry after finishing this fantastic read.

I loved this book more than "How to Fake it in Hollywood" and it's already taken its place in my top five romances of 2023. Thanks to Ava Wilder for writing it.

A special thanks to Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine for providing me with this amazing digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballatine, Dell and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review

The second book syndrome? Ms. Wilder doesn't know her!!

Lilah returns to the show she previously starred in after booking a flop of a movie project. Tensions are high as she has to get back in the groove of things, and that includes dealing with her former lover/costar. Told in dual POV with both the past and present, we really get to see both sides of the story and how they got to their current situation.

Lilah and Shane have such amazing chemistry. It seemed so effortless and made them feel extremely relatable. As the title suggests, there is some back and forth on both their sides regarding where they stand in their relationship, and while a lot of readers might dislike that particular part, I believe it was done in a way that made sense after all this time they had apart. I enjoyed reading their progression from basically strangers to friends to lovers, with their past sprinkled in here and there. I believe the author didn't rush it and that was so important for the characters to take their time.

I won't lie, I was super nervous going into this because I didn't know how it would compare to How to Fake it in Hollywood (which was one of my faves from last year). But I read that prologue and thought to myself that this would be a 5 star read - I was hooked instantly. I am very happy that this exceeded my expectations. I absolutely adore these characters, and with that Ethan Atkins mention, I can't wait to see what else Ava Wilder has in store for us readers in this....AWCU (Ava Wilder Cinematic Universe) ? Haha!

xposted on goodreads.

Lilah Hunter and Shane McCarthy have just been given their big Hollywood break. Both have been cast in Intangible, a supernatural drama, that soon becomes a huge hit. As their show rises in popularity, Lilah and Shane begin a secret relationship that implodes after the first season, making their professional relationship extremely strained. Cut to nine years later, Lilah, who left the show after season five, is returning for the ninth and final season. The only issue? Lilah and Shane still hate each other. However, as they begin to work with each other for the first time in years, they start to realize that their feelings from nine years ago might still be there.

This book combines two tropes that I am a sucker for: second chance romances and dual timelines. Lilah and Shane are the literal definition of “right person, wrong time”. Their chemistry is undeniable - even when they are goading each other. I really loved that the flashback chapters gave us insight into the insecurities and feelings they felt when they were in their 20s - how naive they were. Everything happened so fast for them, and since they never really talked anything through, it makes sense that the pressure made them crash and burn. The present chapters then come to alleviate the past because they both have grown in their 30s. Even though they are still dancing around each other and their feelings like fools, it feels good to know that they have grown and that maybe this time it will work - if only they can talk and be honest with each other.

I had such a hard time putting this book down! I kept telling myself that Lilah and Shane were done hurting each other, that there can’t possibly be any more drama. Even with all the ups and downs, it’s quite obvious that Lilah and Shane are meant to be together. And it’s Ava Wilder’s great writing that keeps you rooting for their relationship. I liked that their relationship wasn’t fixed in a day and that they had to put in hard work for there to be a payoff.

I loved this book and will definitely be picking up Wilder’s debut novel How To Fake It In Hollywood!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for giving me an ARC copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I just didn’t love it. There was a lot of story here that just seemed to go in circles and never led me anywhere new or surprising. Even with all the words I consumed I don’t feel like I really got to know the main characters for who they are at their core. Where they end up at the end of the book is fine but like…. I’m not convinced that’s what will make them the happiest? I’m not sold? It was a good read but just not one I would put at the top of my recommendations for the year.

Absolutely LOVED this book! My favorite trope of enemies to lovers with a Hollywood background is my perfect book summed up. Lilah’s and Shane’s relationship was a rollercoaster and I was here for it!

Ava, you’ve done it again - this may just be my favorite book of 2023. If you haven’t already, please check out her first novel, How to fake it in Hollywood - it was my 2022 fav read. 💕

⭐️: 5
🌶️: 3.5

Ava Wilder did it again! If you loved How to Fake it in Hollywood, you will love Will They or Won’t They. I loved every second of this book. Even though it was a “lovers to enemies to lovers” trope, it felt fresh. The dialogue was great—Shane and Lilah had so much chemistry. Highly recommend!

I'm a big fan of cute, funny romance novels that give me the warm and fuzzies, and this one is no exception. However, this one is a 5-star banger for me because there is much more depth than most of the romcoms on the market.

Will They or Won't They is about two stars of a popular primetime television show whose characters fall in love with each other, but in real life they can't stand to be in the same room with one another. When Lilah, one of the stars of the show, comes back after being gone for a few seasons to focus on her movie career, old feelings come bubbling back to the surface for the two actors, and they must navigate through the many conflicting emotions they bring out of each other.

This novel resonated deep with me because I related so much to the main character Lilah. Like her, I have the same struggles we see her experience throughout the book. I really liked how the author handled Lilah's mental health and normalized getting help by utilizing tools like therapy. It was a breath of fresh air. It was even a delightful surprise to find out she wasn't the only one to do so.

The pacing of the book kept me thinking, "Just one more chapter..." until 2AM because I needed to know Lilah and Shane's history. I could feel the loathing these two had for each other, and it was delicious because the love they had for each other was simmering just underneath that layer of disdain. It was intriguing to see their story laid out through flashbacks and little morsels of information from different characters. Their dislike stemmed from more than just "They took my job promotion" or "We had a terrible first date" or "They're so beautiful I hate it" kind of "hatred" you see in most romcom-style novels. These two had good reasons to dislike each other, but the chemistry and heat between them was just too much to ignore. The self-sabotage of their relationship should've frustrated me but instead I felt genuine empathy for the characters as well as a visceral emotion that had my heart screaming "must protect at all costs."

Shane's vulnerability about whether he can make it as an actor once the show is over and Lilah doing everything she can to keep her heart hidden in a gilded cage with thorny vines surrounding it is heartbreaking to see, but the way the ending played out shows that while deeper issues aren't fully resolved, there is an air of hope for the two of them. After all, having everything tied up in a neat little bow is something for movies and TV, not real life, so it was refreshing to see that while it may not be absolutely perfect, it's perfect enough.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication: June 27, 2023

There were parts I liked and lines I highlighted, but on the whole, the romance's enemies-to-lovers was too
toxic for my enjoyment.

Just like her debut, what Ava is able to capitalize on is her snappy dialogue that is endlessly smooth. I loved reading Shane and Lilah’s back and forth, their surface level animosity that when peeled back is revealed to be yearning and heartbreak from what could’ve been.

There was one scene especially where clothes weren’t optional and had me salivating for more.

But unfortunately outside of that, this story became more of a passive read than anything else. There were certain plot elements that I wished Ava expanded on, and it was hard to contend with our main characters as love interests to excitedly root for.

3.5 stars

Ava Wilder had me asking "will they or won't they" and then "won't they?????" all throughout this book. Lilah's and Shane's connection is felt through the highs and lows of their relationship. I love how intimacy is shown as they grow closer together in their second chance romance. They still have a lot of healing to do after years of hating each other, not to mention the pressure of the last season of their show. Every aspect of this book was exceptionally done.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

✔️ second chance
✔️ celebrity romance
✔️ flashbacks
✔️ I hate you but I also love you

Y’all know how much I loved How to Fake It In Hollywood. I loved Will They or Won’t They even MORE.

Will They or Won’t They is packed with everything I love: second chance, slow burn, overloaded with chemistry all in a Hollywood setting. Some of my favorite parts of this book was how Wilder seamlessly intertwined a romance while also giving an inside look at how shooting a tv show is done.

It only took a few pages to feel the chemistry between Lilah and Shane. Even when these two despised each other, you could still feel the residual love between the two.

Lilah is an ambitious and talented heroine whose vulnerabilities make her that much relatable. But Shane… protect Shane and his caring, patient, insecuret all costs. These two had many moments of growth and understanding both as a couple and as just friends which lead to a solid and believable attempt at a second chance.

And for fans of How to Fake It… keep your eyes peeled for a few cameos which made me smile for hours.

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After reading and really enjoying How to Fake it in Hollywood I was so excited to be approved for an ARC for Will They or Won't They. This book is such a strong follow-up, and improves on many of the points that I had issues with in HTFIIN.

Will They or Won't They follows Lilah and Shane, the two co-leads on long-running network sci-fi show Intangible. Lilah graduated from Julliard and left the show after season 4 to try more serious acting work, while Shane was plucked from being a waiter to act on the show and would keep acting on it forever for the stability. Lilah comes back to do the ninth and final season, and we learn that she and Shane can't stand each other. We know they had hooked up early in the series before their relationship came to a fiery end, but it's slowly revealed over the course of the book what led to their initial break-up, and how they're still attracted to and drawn to each other. It's a real enemies-to-lovers, but with tons of communication along the way.

I loved the relationship arc of this book so much. It's realistic, it shows them building real trust, and their communication is top notch because they go to THERAPY. What a concept!! By the time they actually do get together, you feel that it's at a realistic point for the course of their friendship and trust. I love how Ava Wilder shows the relationship after the initial HEA, and shows the growth that must come with deciding to be long-term with someone. One of my main quibbles with How to Fake it in Hollywood was the conflict that occurred after the HEA -- I found it a touch dramatic -- but here Ava Wilder has found her stride. The conflict, and resulting communication, are both super believable.

Overall this is even better than How to Fake it in Hollywood, and I'm so glad I get to keep reading Ava Wilder's works! Side note my favorite part of the book is that RENATA is back!! I hope the next book continues to follow her clients!

Thanks so much to Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to review. I'm so looking forward to the next book from the author!