When a screenwriter finds herself in front of the camera opposite her teenage arch nemesis, she’s forced to confront why she really left acting behind. When their animosity begins to affect their work on camera, an unconventional approach leads to a lot more than they bargained for in this spicy rom com. Great choice for fans of Abby Jimenez and Jasmine Guillory!

What does this author put in her books? Pure crack?! I loved this so much. After reading her debut novel, I was so keen to see what else was in store for this author. Ballard’s writing has a way of captivating you from the word go and immersing you in a fictional world where the characters are real, flawed, complex, dreamy and with undeniable chemistry. I want this to be spoiler free because I went in blind and I want readers to do so too! Light, fun, I loved it!

"He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. 'Nothing about you is insignificant, Emmy.'"

I have to admit, as someone who wasn't blown away by Fallon Ballard's previous novel Just My Type, I went into Right on Cue apprehensive at best. Luckily, Ballard proved me wrong almost immediately. While I wasn't attached or invested in the relationship or main characters in Just My Type, I was hooked on Emmy and Grayson within the first 50 pages. Enemies to lovers is always a great trope, but adding in the second-chance romance from their childhood really elevated this book for me. I'm so glad I didn't write off Ballard completely, because Right On Cue was a great book to start off 2024!

Synopsis:
Emmy is the epitome of a nepo-baby. Both of her parents are famous, award-winning actors, and if that wasn't enough, the pair were the perfect Hollywood couple, demonstrating to Emmy and the world a soulmate level of love right up until her father's passing. As a nepo-adult, Emmy has made a successful name for herself as a romcom screenwriter, and even won an Oscar for her dramatic screenplay following the death of her father. Now, four years later, Emmy is back in the romcom game with her most personal screenplay yet: No Reservations, a classic small-town, opposites-attract romcom, directed by her best friend, Liz, and starring their friend Jonathon as the male lead. The only problem is that no actress feels right for the role of Isobel, leading Emmy to taking the female-lead position after much pressure and cajoling. After all, Emmy's first time acting when she was 15 was also her last, when her costar spread a nasty rumor about her on set, ending her career before it could begin.

Excited to reenter the acting field, Emmy arrives at the snowy inn the movie is shooting at for six weeks only to literally bump into Grayson West--the very same costar from all those years ago. As luck would have it, Grayson is now filling the spot of the male lead, and not only is he as arrogant as he was when he was 17, but he also doesn't seem to remember Emmy, which only furthers her rage. Now, with six weeks of romantic, coupley scenes ahead of them––including a steamy sex scene––Emmy and Grayson have to somehow demonstrate chemistry on camera, despite the extremely hostile energy that radiates between the two.

Can Emmy and Grayson be professionals and put the movie above their history, or will Emmy and Grayson's second movie together go down just like their first: in flames.

Thoughts:
I really liked the concept of this book. It almost felt like there was a romcom inside the romcom, even though we didn't spend too much time learning the actual plot of No Reservations. The cozy cabin setting, the snowy scenery, the undeniable sexual tension both on and off camera––honestly, no one should be shocked that Emmy and Grayson fell in love. I especially loved that Ballard didn't end the book when the shoot was over, but extended it back to Emmy and Grayson's lives in LA. Often movie and book romcoms will end right when the couple gets together, fading to black on their perfect moment, leaving the audience to imagine the rest of their lives together. I liked that Ballard acknowledged the trope and flipped it on its head, instead showing Emmy and Grayson's lives when they're not in the perfect conditions to fall in love, or acting out romantic scenes on camera before curling up in front of the fire. It added a level of realism to the Hollywood-ness of their relationship.

Nevertheless, we do get the classic third-act miscommunication and break-up, leading to the inevitable tearful reunion and fade-to-black moment. Even when breaking the mold, romcoms will always have a certain level of predictability, which is why they're so popular; the genre is safe and comfortable, and you always know you'll finish the book smiling.

I'm so glad to have thoroughly enjoyed Right on Cue after being mostly ambivalent about Just My Type, and I can't wait to start recommending it to readers in February! I look forward to Fallon Ballard's next novel, and I hope it's as good or better than this one!


Right on Cue by Fallon Ballard: February 27, 2024 (G.P. Putnam's Sons).

Thank you, GP Putnam Son's and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of Right on Cue.

Falon Ballard knows how to put a smile on the readers face. This was a one-sit-wonder, and I loved every moment of it. Enemies to lovers, co-stars, behind the scenes of a romcom, he falls first. Could you ask for more? There were times where I wanted to shake our FMC, but she came to her senses… eventually! This is a good one that you definitely don’t want to miss out on!!

Right on Cue is a classic enemies-to-lovers romance. It is set in the movie industries and revolves around an actor/screenwriter and another actor who don’t seem to get along. Of course feelings happen, cute and witty banter, and sweet romance but I found myself having a hard time getting into the story and enemies-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes.. Overall it’s not a bad book, it just didn’t keep my attention.

Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam Books and Penguin for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Falon Ballard does not disappoint with Right on Cue. Emmy is having a couple of bad weeks, she can't find the right actress to lead her movie and something happens to her male lead. Just when things couldn't get any worse she has to step up to lead the movie with her nemesis and the whole reason she stopped acting in the first place. Classic enemies-to-lovers story, what kept me reading was trying to figure out what happened between these two to start and why were they, enemies now. All I can say is Greyson will make you laugh and smile with his dialog. Once you start reading this book you will not want to stop until you're done.

3.5 stars rounded up! I am always a sucker for a sweet romance! Right on Cue focuses on a famous screenwriter filming and starring in her own rom-com. However, she will have to work alongside her enemy.
I am a sucker for any enemies-to-lovers story. The first half of the book was absolutely fantastic; things were progressing at a quick, yet believable pace. I think the last half felt a little less believable to me. The romance felt a little rushed. Overall, it was an enjoyable and quick read!

This book was so joyful to read. The characters were fun, the plot was balanced, and I loved the enemies to lovers plot while filming a rom-com! Emmy and Grayson were really well-rounded characters that were multi-dimensional. Their tension and chemistry was built well throughout the story and the flashbacks were incorporated really well. I didn’t love the third act breakup, but see where it was necessary for the plot. Overall, another fantastic book by Falon Ballard! 4.75⭐️, 2🌶

Hands down my favorite by Falon Ballard to date!!!! The chemistry between Emmy and Grayson was sizzling and the rivals-to-lovers trope was well played!! I do think that the “third act” drama was a bit angsty, I appreciated the genuine communication between the characters and it made them easier to connect with. Many thanks for the e-ARC, I enjoyed this one so much!!!

Thank you to @putnambooks and @netgalley for the advanced copy of #RightOnCue. 💕

Let me start by saying, I love Falon Ballard as an author. Her books always feel different and special no matter the plot. Her debut, Lease on Love, is one of my favorite romances.

I really enjoyed most of Right On Cue. The celebrity romance, the filming of a movie, the enemies to lovers, the side characters. I LOVED IT. But, while the mmc was a true golden retriever, the fmc felt a bit childish and left me annoyed a lot of the book.

The conflict was also a little frustrating, but without sharing spoilers, I can’t say much more there 😅

Andddd, hot take, but if you change the cover and tweak the setting a little bit it would make such a great holiday read. ❤️

You’ll love:
+ celebrity romance
+ small mountain town setting
+ meddling side characters
+ enemies to lovers
+ second chance romance
+ spicy 🌶️

Just want to start by saying thank you to Net galley and Penguin Group for this arc in exchange for an honest book review!

It took some time for me to get into this book, I did enjoy the Female Main character by the Male Main Character kind of annoyed me in the beginning of the book. The thing that really gave it the 3 star review for me was the 3rd act breakup, it just threw this whole book off for me in the way that Emmy handled the whole situation with the things she overheard about Grayson, idk this just fell flat for me. This was my first Falcon Ballard, I would definitely give her other books a chance though!

Some of the tropes include:
- right person, wrong time
- he fall first
- forced proximity
- spice
- third act breakup

Right on Cue by Falon Ballard follows Emmy Harper, Hollywood's screenwriting sensation whose latest movie is about to be a dud. She can't find a lead actress and when her investor is ready to pull the plug, she makes a decision to dust off her acting skills and star in her own movie. But then, the day before shooting starts, her lead man is re-cast without her knowledge. Her new co-star is Grayson West, Hollywood's latest heartthrob. But the two of them have a history she'd rather forget.

The tension between Emmy and Grayson threatens to tank the movie and neither can afford that professionally. Filled with loads of miscommunication, on-screen chemistry and off-screen friction, this pair needs to sort out their old grudges and figure out what the real issue is.

Falon Ballard is a new auto-buy author for me. This is super cute enemies-to-lovers/second chance rom-com. Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Look for this 2.27.24.

This is the perfect read for the holiday season!

Right on Cue is a steamy rom-com that does the enemies to lovers trope very, very well. Emmy Harper is a talented and well known screenwriter. Giving acting a second chance, she agrees to play the leading role in her newest film when no one else seems to do the part justice. Unsurprisingly, fate has a sense of humor and things don’t go to plan when her arch nemesis has to take the place of the male lead at the last minute.

I really enjoy Falon Ballard’s writing. I loved the behind the scenes of movie-making moments. I thought that was fascinating. I love that it is set in a cozy small town and has a great holiday romance vibe. I did enjoy the characters' chemistry and banter. Some things even had me laughing out loud. It was almost a perfect story.

The one thing I didn’t entirely enjoy was the third act conflict. I’m a fight for what you love kind of person. To keep things spoiler free, I’ll leave it at that.

This was a really cute book and I can’t wait to see what else this author will put out.

*I was provided an advance reader ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* Thank you to NetGalley & Putnam Books

Right on Cue....

I really did enjoy this book. The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars is that these two characters had such attitude problems through half of the book. I do get it is an enemies to lovers type book but they both acted so immature for the first half. It affected the movie they were shooting. Until they decided to become "costars with benefits". Once they seem to get over the attitude they have towards each other, you can start to really feel the love that Emmy and Grayson share for each other. Some misunderstandings come again at the end but the love they share for each other is pretty strong and can seem to overcome. You don't get to much second hand characters. Liz I think should have her own story some day. Not only is she Emmy's best friend but a kick butt director. I also liked the love Emmy and her mother shared.
I would defiantly recommend reading this book. You won't regret it.

Net Galley Arc:
Absolutely loved Right on Cue. It’s the first book I’ve read from Fallon Ballard, but definitely going to read more from her.

This is the second book I’ve read by Falon Ballard and it did not disappoint.

Right on Cue is a fun and cute enemies-to-lovers story that follows Emmy and Grayson, two actors who previously worked together but had a falling out, who are forced to work together again on the set of a movie.

I did like the plot and the setting of the book, but I do wish this book would have been dual POV. I think this would have helped flesh Grayson’s character out more and maybe made the characters not seem so petty at the beginning. Nonetheless, I enjoyed Emmy’s POV.

This book does include a lot of miscommunication. This isn’t my favorite trope so it was a little frustrating that the characters had an issue with communication not once, but twice. They really just needed to have a conversation which would have shown how much they actually grew.

Overall, this was a quick read with a fun plot. Emmy and Grayson make a cute couple, they just needed to be better at communicating.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

Falon Ballard is an auto-buy author for me and I adored this sweet celebrity romance. Emmy, a former actress turned famous screenwriter, is trying to get her new (and highly anticipated) romcom filmed. However, when a casting shake-up ends with her being forced into the leading role opposite her nemesis, Grayson, they must work through their issues to make their movie. Surprising no one other than them, they fall in love.

This was such an easy read and the perfect escape in book form. I loved the Nora Ephron nods and the setting. Emmy and Grayson have sizzling chemistry and the Hollywood drama is *chef’s kiss*. Overall, an entertaining and steamy romance.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cute enemies to lovers rom-com based in Hollywood. I liked the main characters and enjoyed the setting of filming a movie on location. This was an entertaining quick read perfect for anyone who enjoys an easy romance and would for sire recommend if you've enjoyed other books by Falon Ballard. I would give this one 3/3.5 stars. I want to thank NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This romcom book came at a perfect time for me and was a delightful, funny romance. When Emily, a movie screenwriter is cast as the female star of her book she is appalled to discover the male lead is Grayson West. They had a previous, disastrous encounter in their teenage years that she has never forgotten or forgiven. The story development is fun and all the characters are nicely crafted and very relatable. This is a book that is sexy, funny and keeps your attention for the entire story. Can they get past their history? Read it and see. I loved the movie setting. I highly recommend this book as a total escape during cold weather, indoor reading while curled up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa or a beach read in the summer.
I wish to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group, Putnam, GP Putman and Sons Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This author has been on my TBR for years, moving her other two releases up on my TBR after reading Right on Cue.

Enemies to lovers
Co-stars with benefits
Workplace proximity
Second chance
Miscommunication
Single POV

The designated filming location at the inn has a yellow front door, and there is a special place in my soul for yellow doors.

Emmy (nepo baby) and Grayson (branded himbo) have history early on in their Hollywood careers and managed to successfully avoid another until he’s recasted last minute as the lead in her new romcom. You could feel the hate coming off the page from Emmy, and confusion as to why Grayson acts out the way he does in scenes with her.

Their reasoning for being assholes to another is understandable, but I felt it was poorly hashed out and resolved on page. Third act breakups are common, but the fact that it happens due to another miscommunication between Emmy and Grayson frustrated me as a reader. This took away from the story for me and I struggled to get back into it; may have benefited from Grayson’s POV. 3.50 stars (rounding up!).

There were laugh out loud moments like Emmy’s mom commenting how anyone could have chemistry with a 2D cardboard cutout of Zac Efron facts and referencing the kombucha girl meme at the most perfect time.

Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.