I think this book solidified for me why I despise the miscommunication trope.

Emmy is a screenwriter who took a break from the spotlight after the sudden death of her movie star father. Now that she has a script ready to go, her best friend convinces her that she should be the lead actress in this film. When the cast and crew are ready a film, a sudden casting change brings Emmy's old nemesis, Graysen, back into her life. She's determined to keep the relationship professional, but he is seemingly doing everything in his power to mess up her film.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I loved the background characters and I could easily see the scenes in my head playing out as they were happening.
However, I only want enemies to lovers if the two have real reasons to be enemies, which was definitely not the case here. I didn't love either main character. Emmy is the epitome of a victim and refuses to believe that she could be contributing to any of the problems happening throughout the story. Graysen is a huge jerk for 75% of the book for zero reason. He can't even be professional enough to do his job correctly.
Their love story was not all that believable for me. They had good sexual chemistry, and that's it. The ending made me want to throw my kindle and made me forget that these were 20 something year olds instead of teenagers.

The spice was great. The story was there. The relationship just wasn't for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putman for an eARC of this story! All opinions are my own!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-arc of this book in return for an honest review.

I so wanted to love this book because Fallon Ballard’s other books are some of my favorites, especially Lease on Love, but this book just wasn’t for me. I thought the story was just okay and I really didn’t care for Harper or Grayson at all.

My biggest issues with this book were that there was a lot of miscommunication between the two main characters and also that the two of them were super immature. I also didn’t love the whole friends with benefits aspect to the story.

Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me, but if you like enemies-to-lovers/friends with benefits romance then I think you’ll like this book.

I’ve been reading quite a few contemporary romance books lately, and Right on Cue by Falon Ballard quickly secured its spot as one of my favorites. The story follows Hollywood writer Emmy as she finds herself suddenly in front of the camera for the first time in a decade. What starts out as a seemingly good idea quickly derails though when the leading man is recast and her teenage nemesis is suddenly playing her love interest.

This story was absolutely adorable, and Emmy and Grayson sizzle on the page. I loved Emmy’s character and how she grows during the course of the book as she unpacks her baggage from the past. She is allowed to be flawed, and she is a character who is capable of navel gazing and learning from her mistakes. She is so incredibly relatable in her insecurities that I couldn’t help rooting for her from the beginning.

Grayson, Emmy’s love interest both on and off screen, is also an incredibly well written character, and is officially on my list of favorite book boyfriends. Through Emmy’s eyes at the beginning of the story he is the devil. He broke her heart and left her with major insecurities about herself and her acting. Yet, the real Grayson is kind, compassionate, and dependable. It’s easy to see why Emmy finds herself falling for his charms.

I keep coming back to the fact that this is such a sweet and heartwarming story. Both main characters have moments of vulnerability that add a bit of seriousness to the rom-com nature of the book. Watching both Emmy and Grayson grow throughout the course of the novel kept me smiling from start to finish, and I would highly recommend this book to any fan of rom-coms or just romantic fiction.

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

This book made me laugh out loud several times, but it also had tender moments that nearly broke me. This definitely has an enemies to lovers vibe that I was completely entranced by. There is so much to love in this book, so definitely check out Emmy and Grayson’s story in Right on Cue.

I really had mixed feelings about this one. I love Falon Ballards writing and I love the mfc I had a hard time getting behind the mmc. Grayson felt very immature to me with the way he was acting on set to the point it made me hard to push through the book.

I do look forward to the authors future work.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This might be my favorite from Falon Ballard (and that's saying something, because I loved Lease on Love and Just My Type, too).

This book is so fun and I loved the characters. From the moment we meet Emmy, we can tell she's ambitious and excited about her professional future, albeit a little scared to step into what's next for her. When she literally runs into her childhood arch-nemesis on the set of her screenplay, where she's also agreed to play the leading lady, this quickly moves into an enemies-to-lovers, second chance, work place, forced proximity drama between the two stars.

Grayson plays the sensitive actor jerk to Emmy's bubbly (yet angry) counterpart. These two and their drama makes the tension perfect.

The things I loved about this book.... a lot:
- all of the tropes were done so well! I enjoyed each for what they were.
- the fact that the director was Emmy's best friend and therefore nothing shady happened
- it didn't feel like an icky Hollywood romance; there was one yucky thing that was very on-brand for men in Hollywood, but it didn't stem from any of the primary characters, and I appreciated that so much!
- Emmy's relationship with her mom
- Emmy's belief in doing the right thing by people, even if those people were mean or had hurt her in the past
- Grayson showing us in tiny little moments how much Emmy means to him
- for being a story about literal dramatics, it had such good drama
- miscommunication without the frustration, in my opinion
- characters who appreciate, apologize, respect, and trust each other

My final thoughts: this book was compelling, I kept wanting to read it, I smiled, I laughed, I felt all the emotions Emmy went through, and I was so happy for the HEA at the end. 5 stars based on the *5 star feelies* and the fact that Falon is now an auto-buy author in my world!

Thanks to the publisher G.P. Putnam Son's, NetGalley, and the author for early access to this one! Out today!

Emmy Harper gave up acting long ago. She put that dream behind her and has gone on to make a successful career as a screenwriter. After a few dark years, she’s returning to what she is known for: romantic comedy. The problem is they just can’t seem to find the right actress to play the leading lady…except for her. She gives into the pressure and agrees to take a crack at acting once again. At the last minute an incident sidelines her intended co-star, who is then replaced by Grayson West, and A-list star most women would be thrilled work with. But not Emmy. You see Emmy and Grayson have history. What Taylor Swift might call bad blood, lol. Now forced to work together again the sparks begin to fly…on screen and off. I really liked these characters and the chemistry they had and would definitely recommend this fun second chance, enemies to lovers story. I’d like to thank Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Right on Cue.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RHJYRUC9V428X/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

This was a refreshing read for me. It has been sometime since I read about characters that are actors and ones that are on set. Movie writer ends up being lead female with lead male whom she has a past with! What can possibly go wrong right?! I especially liked the setting of where they are filming their present movie. When I was younger my family used to run a B & B once a week every year so the owners, our friends, could go on vacation. There were a lot of parallels description wise and I enjoyed being able to place myself right into the book. I enjoyed the driven, career oriented female character who also had her own normal flaws. He personality was a great fit for the story. While parts of it were predictable in my opinion it did not take away from the story.

This is my first book by our author Falon Ballard. I know of a couple other books that are really loved by readers and I think this one will be quickly added to the stack.

Thank you to our author, Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam Books for providing me with an advanced eGalley copy of the book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is available now, I hope if you choose to read it you enjoy it as much as I did.

I loved the moments of vulnerability between Grayson and Emmy. I think one or two more scenes of them connection on a personal level rather than the sheets, even some pillow talk would’ve solidified their connection more. I think the author missed exploring a bit more of Emmy understanding that her giving up on her acting career as a teenager was not something to blame on Grayson, I feel like that got brushed off and shouldn’t have since it was the reason Emmy didn’t like him. It was a solid 4 starts but had these two little things been addressed, it would’ve been 5 starts.

I did like that after Emmy apologized to Grayson, he didn’t immediately forgive her. That would’ve been a bit too easy to write because it was what it’s be expected.

I enjoyed reading this book! It is such a sweet and sentimental book. A classic enemies to lovers trope that is very much a fast paste open door romance. The characters of Emmy and Grayson are well developed and I came to care about their story very much. My only complaint is how the third act breakup was blown out of proportion. Although, I am always annoyed a bit with miscommunication that would be easily resolved causing a dramatic break up. But I have to say the ending makes up for everything!

Overall, Fallon Ballard has written another very entertaining book and, as always, I am looking forward to her next book! I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

I am extremely grateful to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this fun rom-com in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC!

I love Falon Ballard so much! She does a great job of mixing humor and swoon and you can count on great banter with her characters.

Right on Cue had a lot of really sweet and tender moments before the MCs that I loved. The ice skating, the quieting of insecurities, the support. I loved it.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the miscommunication that caused the third act breakup but I did like that they took some time apart to work on forgiving each other.

The steam in this one was fantastic. Very well written and really showed the chemistry between the characters!

You can count on me to be a fan of Falon!

What happens when you combine second-chance romance, enemies to lovers, and a Hollywood setting? You have three of my favorite tropes and a recipe for a good time! The main thing that keeps this book from being five stars is that the story hinges on more than one instance of the miscommunication trope and that can feel repetitive and derivative which I don't always love--especially when the third act breakup felt unnecessary because of the trope!

I loved Emmy and Grayson once we got to know them together, but I wish we'd seen a little more of them growing back together and bonding. Showing and not telling is such a hard line to walk and I know sometimes the pacing of the story doesn't allow for it but that's just a small gripe for me, personally.

I feel like I may have more thoughts later when I sit with this for a bit but it was a quick, fun, and spicy read that I'd recommend giving a shot!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Right on Cue by Falon Ballard - Book Review

What it’s about:

Right on Cue introduces us to Emmy Harper, a one time child actress-turned-screenwriter and Grayson West, her teenage on-screen love interest and present-day nemesis. After Emmy becomes her latest screenplay’s leading lady and her preferred on-screen partner is replaced none other than Mr. West, sparks fly as these two navigate their tumultuous history and try to rewrite the script.

What I liked:

I had ALL THE FEELS for Emmy and Grayson! I loved watching their chemistry unfold and the way their past dynamic impacted their current situation. And of course watching old unresolved feelings and insecurities playing into their relationship… ahhh, I was just rooting for these two to get out of their own ways and get together. After all, we all know anyone who suggests doing it “just this once” to get it out of their system is secretly asking for trouble.

Of course, it wasn’t completely without its issues, such a good old 3rd act miscommunication conflict.

“You could have told me.”
“I swear I was going to, when the time was right.”

Sigh… of course you were Grayson.

Nonetheless, these two had me hooked early on and eagerly cheering for their HEA. A bonus about their celebrity status: although the FMC and MMC are both famous, their celebrity isn’t a main focus of their story. Sure, it plays a small role, considering it’s their profession, being actors, but Emmy and Grayson could be any workplace couple throwing caution to the wind and betting on each other.


Stars: 4/5
Spice: 2/5

Read if you like:
Workplace Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chances
Forced Proximity


Falon, this was your best yet! Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

One thing about me? I love a Hollywood-set romance. And whew this delivered!! Emmy and Grayson’s chemistry was undeniable from the start, I love them!! This was so much fun.

Emmy Harper is a romantic comedy writer who gets roped into acting in her most recent movie, after not acting for more than a decade. A last minute casting change, has Grayson West, a blockbuster action star, replacing her original love interest. But Emmy and Grayson have a history – they filmed their first movie ever together back when they were teenagers (Emmy’s last acting gig). With an unresolved past and lots of sexual tension, will they be able to put aside their issues and make a great movie?

I could not put this one down – it reminded me of Will They or Won’t They by Ava Wilder. I loved the premise of co-stars being enemies to lovers. The characters had great chemistry, and when the characters were getting along, things were SO good. I loved the side characters, specifically the nosy hair and makeup crew, and her meddling best friend/director and mother. I think the while the characters moved fast from co-star with benefits to lovers, the forced proximity was realistic. They both opened up to one another and I could see the connection they were creating was more than physical.

I would have liked to have Grayson’s POV, I think that would clear up a lot of confusion and explanations about the past, as well as make the miscommunication at the end get more of a resolution. There was a miscommunication trope, which most people hate (including myself), but at least it didn’t last long. Both the characters could be immature and had bad communication – especially in the beginning and end of the book. Even with these annoyances, I really enjoyed this book and it was a quick, easy read! The story contained a lot of my favorite tropes and I felt a connection to the characters. Can’t wait for the next Falon Ballard book!

Highly recommend for those who love:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Forced Proximity
- Celebrity Romance
- A bit of Second Chance
- Co-stars with Benefits

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC!

The story is centered around Emmy Harper's reluctant return to acting alongside her least favorite co-star, Grayson West, and is a whirlwind of emotions, humor, and undeniable chemistry. Their tumultuous journey from adversaries to potential lovers against the vibrant backdrop of Hollywood kept me hooked from start to finish. Ballard blends the tension of past conflicts with the spark of rekindled connection, making every page a delight. This book is a testament to the magic that can happen when you mix a well-crafted enemies-to-lovers trope with the allure of showbiz. It is a truly engaging read that I couldn't put down, and I would highly recommend it to any rom-com enthusiast.

Thank you to PRHAudio for my complimentary audiobook, and to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for my complimentary eARC.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Right on Cue was my first Falon Ballard novel.
I truly enjoy enemies to lovers and this one stays true to form. I will overlook the thread of miscommunication that runs through the first part of the book because once those lines opened up I fell head over heels for Emmy and Grayson.
Grayson could do no wrong in my eyes when he helped Emmy with her cramps. I felt so seen in that moment. I also suffered debilitating cramps when I was younger and would have given anything for someone to take care of me.

In spite of the dreaded third act break up caused by that darn miscommunication, I am still giving Right on Cue all the stars.

“Love is only complicated when we make it complicated.”

I paired the audio with the eARC. Curt, Rachel, Gail and Andera did an amazing job. They worked together seamlessly to provide an engaging and entertaining listening experience.

Thank you @prhaudio and @putnam for the gifted copy of the physical and audio book.

I have enjoyed Fallon Ballard's first two novels and this one didn't disappoint either!

4/5

Emmy Harper is an Oscar winning screenwriter who is struggling to find the female lead for her upcoming rom com. Her best friend is directing the movie and convinces her to act in the movie even though it's been a long time since Emmy has been in front of the camera. Turns out at the last minute Emmy's nemesis is cast to play the leading man. Grayson is the reason Emmy stopped acting to begin with. They must put aside their differences and tension to make a good movie.

I love a celebrity normal person romance, and this was kind of two celebrities but still along that vein. The setting of the movie/book was so sweet, and I loved the insight into the filming world. I really felt immersed in the story and in Emmy and Grayson's relationship/annoyance with each other. I also absolutely loved Emmy's mom and best friend Liz. They got a lot of page time, but I could have even had more, that's how much I enjoyed them.

My few complaints - Emmy felt a little self centered and like she never gave Grayson a chance from the get go. This does play a part into the story so by the end I understood, but it was annoying to read. I also could not get over how many times she referred to him as Grayson F****** West. It was overkill. This book was a little predictable, but it didn't put me off.

Overall, I would recommend this book and can't wait for Ballard's next read.

A straight-forward, easy read. I suppose you could call it enemies-to-lovers, but I wouldn't quite say there's enough animosity for them to be enemies enemies.

The one thing that I noticed was the resolution of the third-act breakup. Usually, this section gives me so much anxiety because the characters are acting like they've learned how to communicate for the first time, but this one was not that bad!

Overall, a fun, goofy, pretty expected read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

“‘How did you know that? We’ve literally never spoken about that.’

‘Maybe I know you better than you think, Harper.’”

Happy Publication Day to this absolute gem of a book!!!

I love, love, love a celebrity romance and any plot that is centered around creating a film/being on a film set, and this book delivered. I’m in college studying to be a screenwriter so when I say I JUMPED at the chance to request this ARC, I mean it! (A main character named Emmy who’s a screenwriter for rom-coms??? I needed this book in my hands immediately.)

This story takes place on a film set for Emmy’s first rom-com in years, and her first acting role—that she begrudgingly agreed to— in over a decade, and Grayson’s first role in a non-action film. One of my favorite things about this book is how it felt very visual, like a behind-the-scenes look at an already existing movie, and we’re just getting an exclusive look into how the organic relationship formed between the costars when the cameras weren’t rolling. It was like watching your two favorite people, in addition to your comfort characters, fall in love, make mistakes, and find their way back. <3

Falon did a wonderful job making this story feel cozy and natural, building some great tension and faux animosity between the main characters, as well as crafting fantastic banter!!!! and sweet moments of vulnerability that let Emmy and Grayson slowly trust one another.

Oh and Falon Ballard, I’ll read your grocery lists!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this eARC!! (:

I had a really fun time reading this one! I loved the forced proximity element of the characters staying at the inn during the weeks of filming. I thought the romance was easy in the best possible way and liked them together. I liked how the author included the bits of media in between chapters as well. There was some predictability in the plot in the last half that left me a little less invested in the conflict and resolution.