I really wish I liked this book. I have such a soft spot for Hollywood romances and a behind the scenes second chance romance seemed like exactly the kind of thing I’d enjoy.

I only wish that had been the case.

Emilia (who goes by Emmy for the entirety of the book without a real indication as to why) is Hollywood royalty and Grayson is a dumb jock archetype who first starred together in a shlocky rom com when they were teenagers that was universally panned because of their terrible chemistry. Now years later they’re thrown together for plot contrivances that just barely pass my suspension of belief, only to have enough of a difficult start that I really struggled to understand why Grayson wasn’t recast.

Emmy is an annoying character that acts much younger than her stated age though she’s evenly matched with a love interest in Grayson. Their chemistry and relationship feels both incredibly forced and unbelievable, with their hard switch from hate to love feeling as if it was one page to the next. Adding in spicy scenes that read more as clunky than coherent didn’t help much.

Miscommunication is one of the tropes I like the least and Right on Cue has it over and over and over again. The one redeeming quality is the potential of the world, along with the conceit of a behind the scenes look into showmances, but it’s a potential that in its current iteration that feels poorly handled at best and wasted at worst.

4 stars!

I love Falon Ballard's writing so, so much! "Right on Cue" is such a wonderful book. I enjoyed every single page of it. What it lacks in originality it makes up for with its witty banter, perfect chemistry between the main characters, Emmy and Grayson, and simmering slow-burn. I found this book to be comforting in all the right places, sexy when it needed to be, with just a little bit of movie magic sprinkled in for good measure. When the sizzle between the two of them starts, it's hard to stop it! There is so much connection there, and though they seemingly begin as enemies, there's more going on than meets the eye. As a bond is formed between the two of them slowly but surely as they film a new movie together, long-held misunderstandings are eventually cleared up, and the two of them embark on a friends-with-benefits-type of arrangement... and wouldn't you know it, oopsie, they caught feelings! I love this type of story, and I think Ballard handles it in an endearing, sensual, sassy, fun manner. Emmy and Grayson both have their moments of immaturity, but they eventually grow and come together when they reach a mutual respect and understanding for their shared situation. And the steam! And the caretaking! *swoon* The ending is very convenient and predictable, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the heck out of this one. Falon Ballard is an auto-buy author for me, and I don't see that changing. Love her stuff!

Thank you to NetGalley, Falon Ballard, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Right on Cue is definitely Falon Ballard's best novel so far. The progression of the relationship was sweet and I think it was good to hold Emmy accountable for her part in their past. It's difficult to write a character being willfully ignorant in their hurt and how they come to terms with that without making the character unlikeable, but I think it's done well. I don't love a third act break up but it was handled well.

Unexpected in all the best ways.

This is my first Ballard book, and I hope it won’t be my last. For starters, the backdrop is a movie set featuring a comeback of sorts for our FMC (female main character) Emmy Harper. Daughter of two Hollywood icons and no stranger to being in front of or behind the camera, she’s penned a new script. One that will put her back into making rom-coms, which she hasn’t done in quite a while.

Everything is coming up perfect for Emmy. Her best friend is the director. They have the perfect cast selected. Even the ideal location. Except, no leading lady. She’s got no choice but to take the role, a role she’s crafted with herself in mind. Then another disaster strikes when her male lead is injured. The replacement is none other than the very man who sent her hiding behind the camera more than a decade prior, Grayson West.

Can I say sparks? Umpteen times. Emmy and Grayson are enemies, and from the start, nothing goes right. But we all know hate is just one step away from love if the pendulum swings hard enough. I will say this book was rougher for me since it was only told from Emmy’s point of view. I hated not knowing what was happening in Grayson’s head. This also stayed at four stars because of Emmy herself. She’s probably the most stubborn person ever, and there are a couple of situations in this book that would have played out a bit differently if she decided not to jump the gun.

But if you like slow burns that turn into scorching romps, this one is definitely for you. There’s this sizzle of buildup between these two that was a joy to read. I also really enjoyed how both Emmy and Grayson have all these stereotypes surrounding them based on their history or the type of actors they are, and it’s enlightening as those things fall away over the course of the book. The reality is people are always more than just the one thing they may be famous for.

If you’re looking for a Hollywood rom-com, this one definitely fits the bill, though it is more rommy than commy. It is for readers who enjoy Emily Henry.

~ Landra

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.

It's no secret that Falon is a favorite of @aotmbookclub. Lease on Love was one of our first group buddy reads and played a big part in starting it all. So I was so excited to get an early listening copy to Right on Cue, especially because it had all new-to-me narrators. And y'all, it did not disappoint.

This book was sexy, heartwarming, and a fun inside look at making a movie. A small town setting with big-time celebrities is a fun combination and Falon nailed the nuances of set life. I liked that this wasn't a torturous slow burn and almost the reverse - we saw them start to fall in love as they were intimate as if that allowed them to peel back the layers in a more unassuming way. Unlike Falon's previous books the friends group wasn't as central (I did miss her amazing skill at group text messages) but it worked for me as this felt truly about Emmy and Grayson "xxx" West's journey together, and through their insecurities and hang-ups. I wish we got a little more from Grayson's big sweet, cinnamon roll side. The miscommunication trope is not a fave of mine and while I wanted to shake Emmy at the end, the narrating through the dark moment and happy ending brought out ALL the feels and it worked for me. If you like celeb romances - and showmances/workplace romances - definitely pick this one up.

First off, thank you Putnam and Netgalley for the advanced copy. I was so excited by the premise of this one; I'm a sucker for a Hollywood romance.

That said, I had trouble with this one because I found Emmy to be incredibly immature. Perhaps it's because I myself am an actor that I was so unable to overlook this, but the lack of professionalism she displayed just felt so inexcusable, especially given her privilege in the industry. Maybe that's too deep for what is meant to be a sweet, light rom com, but I personally couldn't get past it enough to really root for her and Grayson.

They did have excellent chemistry though, so if you're looking for a steamy rom com, this one is fun for that.

Omg! First, there’s an enemies to lovers, show-mance. Second, it’s a celebrity romance with fluffy movie lovliness. And THEN- HE TAKES CARE OF HER ON HER PERIOD??? A plus. No notes this was a delight from start to finish. It was truly so much fun and I loved how they grew as characters through out the story.

Falon Ballard returns to the romance scene with her newest novel Right on Cue. Set to be released on February 27th, this celebrity romance you need to pick up!

I honestly had such a fun time reading this book! This was my first Falon Ballard book and I’m honestly really excited to explore her backlist after reading this one!

Watching these two characters go from enemies to costars to FWB to lovers was just so endearing! Plus, having a real love story occur while filming a fake love story in a small town was the kind of romcom inception I didn’t know I needed!

While I did find the ending a bit predictable, I still appreciated these characters learning to overcome their insecurities and finally just allow themselves to fall in love.

Fans of celebrity romances, enemies to lovers trope, or seeing behind the scenes of Hollywood are going to love this book!

*I received an ARC from Putnam Books in exchange for my honest opinion.

This fast paced rom-com will leave you wanting more! I have read all of Falon Ballard's books and this one is my favorite by far!

Emmy Harper is convinced to play the leading role in her newest movie after not acting in over a decade. She doesn't mind working on the project until she realizes that her male co-star is Grayson West, the man who she blames for ending her short lived acting career. Emmy does not want to jeopardize her movie, so she has to find a way to work through the hatred they feel for each other.

This rom-com set in a celebrity world shows us the process behind the scenes of filmmaking. It is a well written enemies to lovers that got even better once the characters got together. I could not recommend this book enough!

Emmy Harper is a rom-com movie writer who suddenly and unexpectedly finds herself as the female lead in her own movie. This isn't what she wanted, and to make matters even worse the male lead is her childhood nemesis, Grayson West. But in order for the movie to stand a chance at success, the two will have to figure out how to get over what happened in the past and fake a believable on-screen relationship.

This was such a cute book! I enjoyed the tension between the two of them and watching their relationship develop as they went from enemies to lovers. This was a bit steamier than I typically read, but it definitely made sense in context and enhanced the storyline.

This was somewhere between 4 and 4.5 stars for me as it had a bit more substance than a typical rom com.

I really love Falon Ballard's work. It's just cute and fun and a nice time. I thought Lease on Love and Just My Type were fantastic and couldn't wait to get my hands on Right On Cue.

Tinseltown daughter and acclaimed writer decides to jump (gets thrown?) back into acting and who is her co-star? None other than the guy who caused her to quit acting in the first place. Ugh, THE WORST. But somehow, Falon Ballard made this a super cute story that I really, really enjoyed. I just really LOVED this and thought it was an adorable story and loved the characters and UGH. Way to go, Falon.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Emmy Harper is Hollywood royalty. Her parents were Hollywood actors (very famous ones), and she's in Hollywood herself. She tried acting once, but it ended pretty badly for her.

She's doing awesome, though. She's been writing some of the most popular movies released. Her latest one is giving her problems. She's got her leading man, but she doesn't have her leading lady yet. She gets recruited to take the lead.

And then the heroes change, and it's not her friend anymore. It's Grayson West. Big-time action star and the one Emmy blames for making her leave acting.

Whew y'all, the tension between these two. There's some real dislike going on. Emmy's been dealing with some pain in her life and now she's got to act (which she hasn't done in years) with the man she believes ran her out of being in front of the screen?! While I'm reading it, I kept thinking, these two won't be able to work it out! The bickering!

There's some real great relationships in this book, with Emmy, her mom, and best friend. Emmy and her BFF really have each other's back. And we get some behind the scenes with making movies. Emmy comes from Hollywood, and Grayson is definitely not.

Both Grayson and Emmy have some professional and personal issues they need to work through. The book explores parental expectations really well. How it affects us and how do we get over it.

I really did enjoy it.

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but I knew I LOVED Just My Type.

Fallon Ballard is such an underrated author and this book was so fun! I’m not usually a fan of romcoms with Hollywood stars in them but this was cute.

It was a great palette cleanser from more intense books and a great lighthearted fun read.

Falon Ballard does it again! In my opinion she is the queen of the Rom Com. This book has all the things I need in my Rom Com; likeable love interests, enemies to lovers, a steamy scene or two, and a sassy best friend.

I don't want to say too much about the plot because it gives away the story...THAT YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY READ!

Thank you Putnam for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! I have enjoyed everything that Falon Ballard has written, and Right on Cue was no exception. It's a fun, complex "will-they-or-won't-they" that leaves you wondering just which tropes she'll use to make it happen, a telltale sign of a well written romance story. Emmy and Grayson's tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife, and both of their personal growth journeys throughout the book are believable, enjoyable, and touching. Emmy is the perfect complex female lead for a romance-movie-within-a-romance-book and I just loved her! I'd definitely recommend if you're looking for something sweet but spicy, if you like forced proximity, or if you're like me and have loved Falon's other work!

I loved the vibes of this one! I loved the winter and film set setting and the spice was just-right.

I've come to the conclusion that Falon Ballard is a hit-or-miss author for me. I loved her first book and was let down by her second. I tried to come into this one with no preconceived notions or opinions, blank slate! But I have to be honest, that third-act breakup ruined any positive thoughts I had about this book. It dragged on for so long in a way that just frustrated me. I just couldn't connect well with the characters and then throw in them being stubborn and not just having a conversation - I couldn't take it.

Right on Cue is my third book of Fallon Ballard’s and it was a fun little romance.

There are no surprises in this book, it is the typical romance layout. There’s a loose enemies to lovers trope, some familial issues that cause some deep trust problems, a grumpy guy who is wild over our main character girl. It was comfortable and like a heated blanket in its familiarity.

However… spoilers ahead


The third act breakup was so annoying. Greyson never really admits fault in what he did-even if he was always in love with her and wasn’t faking a relationship, he had still been talking to his agent about it. His agent STILL had ideas that the relationship was fake. Emmy had every right to be upset and then he kind of like gaslit her a little bit about it? The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth and dropped this to a 3 star book for me. It just seemed so unnecessary and so icky. Especially so close to the end. I’m would’ve much rather there have been a different miscommunication in the TABU.

give me all the books set in hollywood because i eat them up!! emmy and grayson are the epitome of bad first impressions but the more you know them the more that impression changes. it had the glamour but still was down to earth focused more on their relationship

In Right On Cue two actors that had worked together in a movie a decade ago, where their failed almost romance tanked their performances and the movie, end up working together again in a romance. Even though they butt heads a lot initially, and almost ruin the movie once again, as they spend more time on romantic scenes, the romance between the two actors blossoms.

I really struggled with rating this because I had such polar opposite reactions to different aspects of this book. The middle part could have been as high as a 5⭐️ but the end was low as 2⭐️.

👍
I think Falon Ballard is great at writing a beautiful romance when things are going well. I loved this book and our couple once they started getting along. The romance was so adorable, and quite spicy (I think this is her spiciest book by far). I loved the setting: romance movie set, the premise: two actors falling in love even though they initially don’t like each other, the tropes: second chance, enemies to lovers, (kinda) secret romance, forced proximity, benefits to lovers. I especially enjoyed their ice skating scene.
I also really enjoyed the bits in between chapters with excerpts from tabloids, online groups etc. It added a level of authenticity and made it fun to know what the people on the outside were thinking.

👎
The parts that bugged me were mostly concentrated at the beginning and end.
First off this book would have MAJORLY benefited from the MMC POV. Their shared past is a big part of the story, but we never really find out how he feels about what happened then, or if it stayed with him at all. Even worse is that he’s a major asshole for a while to Emmy but we never really find out why. Lack of his POV, and also lack of conversations around it leave a lot of questions open for me, and make me hesitant to trust or fully like him.
I also didn’t appreciate how dismissive Grayson was of Emmy’s feelings on what happened in the past.
The third act breakup… Most of us don’t like it but at least maybe can see its usefulness in adding drama to a book. However, this one felt so unoriginal, and made the already immature seeming FMC look even more immature. And almost worse was the resolution of the third act breakup. It took forever, dragged on longer than necessary, but mainly, there didn’t seem to be any solid reason they forgave each other.
Finally, as much as I love steamy romances, I still prefer the emotional connection to be the main point (after they move on from being friends with benefits, of course). For me their romance was too focused on the physical attraction.

Rating: 3.4 ⭐

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the eARC!