Right on Cue is perfect if you're looking for a cute rom com and a fast, easy read. Emmy and Grayson's chemistry and banter (once they weren't being immature and fighting) was good. I really enjoyed the scenes when Emmy or Grayson's guard would come down and they were soft and sweet with each other. But I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope, so it's not really a surprise that I didn't enjoy it in this book. There were two instances where it occurred, first when the FMC and MMC were younger and then again during the third-act breakup. The first instance (even though I don't like it) is understandable. They were young. But you'd think they'd learn from their mistakes. But nope, not Emmy. She is stupid and jumps to conclusions without trusting Grayson or even asking him (even though they just had a very serious conversation about moving in together, which you'd think there would be trust in place to be at that level of the relationship?!). So that annoyed me. Then when the characters confronted each other about it and Emmy tried to resolve things with Grayson, he says he can't forgive her (which is fair). But then later he magically does forgive her. The ending just seemed to happen very quickly. That being said, I still flew through this book and had a great time reading it! Thank you to NetGalley and Falon Ballard for the free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

“Right on Cue” follows Hollywood royalty and nepo baby, Emmy Harper, who didn’t follow in the footsteps of her legendary parents as an actor, but went the writer’s route. As she begins her next romantic comedy project, she and the team are in search for the perfect leading lady.

But, when they can’t find it, everyone decides that Emmy would be the best fit. She hasn’t acted since a messy incident with her first on screen kiss at 15 left her scarred.

It’s hard enough for her to get back into it and say ‘yes.’ And it’s even more difficult after she finds out that the leading man she thought she’d be starring opposite with had to back out. In his place? The very same reason that she quit acting — Grayson West.

Will they be able to put their hate and differences aside for the good of the movie? Or will it all blow up in their faces, like the last thing they did together years ago?

Come along for the ride.

+++

There was so much to love about this book.
I was instantly hooked from the beginning.

Not only does it make you feel like you’re part of the plot, but there are just some books that effortlessly make you feel like you’re watching a movie. This was one of them.

I loved the banter between Emmy and Grayson as they learn to work together as adults and reflect on that bitter memory from long ago.

The chemistry was palpable and jumping off the pages, in your face. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, biting your nails in anxious and giddy excitement at what happens next and how it all unfolds, in a big, cinematic way.

There’s learning to live after loss. Giving people second chances, because we’re human and hurt others. A little behind-the-scenes of movie magic and Hollywood glamour. Shooting on location in a Hallmark-like town.

What else could you possibly need?

Read “Right on Cue” when it’s released in February 2024. In the meantime, read Falon Ballard’s other books because they’re a treat.

- Celebrity romance
- Enemies to lovers
- Small town setting

Brief plot: Emmy is a well established screen writing getting back into the game after losing a loved one. Due to a myriad of events she ends up cast as the leading lady to the script she wrote. After a decade of not acting. However, her romantic co-star ends up being the very man that pushed her to stop pursuing acting. Now her and Grayson have to not only get along but try to convince the world their chemistry is legit!

Falon has quickly become one of my favorite writers. I love the depth of her characters and the quirks they have that make them unique. It is easy to find similarities and reasons to root for the MC. While I am not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope I found it fitting for the plot based on the celebrity status and how Hollywood actually works.
Would definitely recommend!!

This was my first Falon Ballard book. I went in blind to her and with no expectation and didn’t really know what I was going to get. It was wonderfully written and entertaining! I have a love/hate relationship with single POV books and this was no different. I loved the story and Grayson so much that I wanted to know what he was thinking and feeling. But I love Emmy’s internal monologue! She is snarky and funny! Being from Emmy’s perspective, I understood and empathized with her barrage of emotions, vulnerabilities, insecurities, and fears but it still made me really sad for Grayson. It seemed he was more willing to jump in and give his all to Emmy and their relationship but with our his POV it’s hard to know how all in and when he really was. He cared so much for Emmy that he was willing to be hurt to let her process everything in her own time. And a book that makes Twilight references should automatically get a great review! Some people do not enjoy miscommunication and/or 3rd act break up but I have no problem with them. this was a book they worked well in considering the MC’s personality and storyline. I look forward to checking out other Falon Ballard books!

I have loved all of Falon Ballard’s books so far so I was excited to read her latest. Her writing is fun and feel-good and her books are as sexy as they are sweet. Right On Cue was no exception and I enjoyed it. It was fun to follow Emmy and Grayson’s journey as they went from enemies, to friends with benefits, to lovers, and to see how their hurts and misconceptions came into play. I was hoping the history they shared as teenagers that made them enemies at the beginning of the book would be explained a bit more. It seemed like it was a big focal point of the first half of the book, but they never really addressed it together and Grayson didn’t explain himself adequately (in my opinion). I also tend to struggle a little bit with movie star characters because it adds another element to books that feels unrealistic, but I think this one was done pretty well. It’s just not my favorite trope/plot.
Overall Right On Cue is worth the read and will leave you feeling like you just watched a behind the scenes cozy Hallmark movie!

horoughly enjoyed the unique premise of this story, with Emmy and Grayson's complex history taking center stage. The right person, wrong time trope was skillfully executed, making for an engaging and spicy romance. However, the story could have benefited from more in-depth relationship development, as certain key events were referenced rather than fully explored on the page.

My only significant critique is the reliance on the miscommunication trope in the third act, which felt somewhat unrealistic. It seemed out of character for Emmy not to seek closure or confront Grayson about what she overheard, especially considering the passage of time. Nevertheless, I had a fun time reading this book.

Overall, this story offers an intriguing premise and plenty of romantic tension, making it a recommended read for fans of the right person, wrong time trope and spicy romances.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

“If faith in love were a source of energy, you could power a small planet.”

Emmy Harper, romance screenwriter and former actress, writes a movie and finds herself in an uncomfortable situation when faced with an enemy from her past, Grayson West (actor, Sexiest Man Alive). They are forced to work together AND do their jobs well amidst the tension of trying to unpack their history.

I don’t love the miscommunication trope, when so much of a storyline is based off something that could’ve been resolved with a conversation lol. But, I appreciated that they cleared the air as adults. And, clear the air, they did! This enemies-to-lovers felt like a steamy, small-town Hallmark movie and once it picked up, I was hooked! I also loved all of the characters, which doesn’t always happen lol.

Falon Ballad is a must-read author for me, I was so happy to read this ARC and provide an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for this advanced copy!

Oh how I loved this book! Emmy and Grayson’s story was everything! I’m not one normally for Hollywood romances but anything Ms. Ballard writes is a must read for me. Grayson was the definition of a book boyfriend. This was written from Emmy’s perspective but the small things that Grayson said and did made you know without him saying his feelings for her. She has been jaded by always being in the spotlight and it took time and reassurance by Grayson that it’s ok to share some things with the public. I loved their story even though there was a slight hiccup from a misunderstanding love prevailed! I wish there had been a reunion with his father but in the end all he needed was Emmy’s faith and love for him to feel worthy. I can’t wait until Fallon’s next book, she never disappoints. Thank you to Goodreads for this advanced copy. These are my opinions alone, but I encourage you to eat this one up!

Standing out with its humor and heart, this gem of a novel was a fun, albeit predictable, read.

Emmy, the narrator and writer of the rom-com she’s suddenly starring in, is intensely angry at being saddled with her new-but-old costar, Grayson. It’s her return to acting, and this man is quite literally *not* who she signed up to work with. To get through it, she reminds herself early on to just “close [her] eyes and pretend he’s Chris Hemsworth.” Ballard uses Emmy’s love of romantic writing tropes, tough love from her best friend, and a wonderfully fresh take on the classic mother-daughter relationship to steer Emmy through the obstacles of the romantic plot.

Recommended for anyone looking for a light winter romance outside of the Christmas genre, this enemies-to-lovers story is funny and full of heat.

If a cozy Hallmark movie had a baby with a spicy enemies to lovers book this would be the result!!!

I loved Just My Type but reading another of Falon Ballard's work and having it be as good if not better propels her to the top of my "will read anything this author puts out" list!

Loved Emmy & Greyson, swoonworthy and spicy all at once! Also loved all the nods to rom-com tropes since Emmy is an author!

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for this ARC

Guys, honestly. This was such a great romcom! I couldn’t put it down! Emmy and Grayson broke me out of my reading slump and I am so grateful.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll wish you had a cinnamon roll.

One other note: I love reading books where the MC is either an avid romance reader or a romance writer because they always break the forth wall with the reader. Emmy, who writes romantic comedies for a living, constantly calls out her favorite tropes and I loved it.

Falon Ballard, you’re officially an auto-buy author for me now. I loved JUST MY TYPE and I could not get enough of RIGHT ON CUE.

⭐️ rating: 4.5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
📖 genre: romance
🔥 steam: it’s a spicy one! Multiple open door scenes
🗓️ release date: 2/26/2024

Read if you like:
✨ “You burned me once but maybe I’ll let you do it again” romances
✨ A little bit of Instalove
✨ Hollywood Romance
✨ Witty Banter
✨ Lots of smirking
✨ Enemies to Lovers meets Second Chance Romance
✨ A healthy mix of The Reunion and Will They Won’t They

Does it mean anything that I kinda forgot I read this book? I'm choosing to say no since I'm forgetting everything i read now.
First off, I was somewhat disappointed to see this book kind of followed the same vein as the author's last: guy has some sort of negative effect on woman's career and doesn't really care? It's not as simple as that in either book, but this MMC especially didn't have a whole lot of remorse for what he said considering he blamed it on his youth and said he couldn't apologize for her insecurities. Otherwise, I liked the chemistry between the MMC and FMC. They were both relatively likable, except for the fact that he wouldn't do his job just because she was around. Maybe it was just her biased narrative, but he seemed so insufferable considering she was willing to work with him and he was just flat and annoyed for however many pages. I thought the third-act breakup was stupid, but besides that, I was having fun and didn't want to stop reading this one. Did I love it? No, the characters were pretty much all not my cup of tea, but I did enjoy reading it most of the time.

4.5 Stars Each book I've read by Falon Ballard has been better than the last. I didn't think this one could top Just My Type, but it absolutely did. I loved pretty much everything about the storyline and the main characters. This reminded me a lot of Ava Wilder's Will They or Won't They, but with a small-town holiday feel since they are shooting on location for most of the story. The chemistry and banter between Emmy and Grayson was perfect and so entertaining. Seriously, the chemistry and sexual tension between the two was palpable and really elevated the enemies-to-lovers part of the story. Even though it was a celebrity romance, I loved that it was also second chance and small town, which are two of my favorite tropes. The only thing that didn't make this a perfect 5 stars for me was the third act breakup. It felt like Emmy would've already built up enough trust in Grayson by that point to believe that he wasn't faking his feelings for her. Loved this read and highly recommend!

If you're looking for a quick, fairly predictable rom-com, this is the book for you! It is what it purports to be. Enjoyed the characters (especially Emmy) and the setting. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

Grayson and Em, I love you both so much! Basically, what it all comes down to between these to is communication or rather lack of. They were both in their heads when they were still teenagers doing their first movie together. I really enjoyed seeing how both Grayson and Emmy opened up to each other about their personal lives and in doing so were able to truly understand who each other are and how it lead them to where they are now. Sure, I’d be scared to jump in just like Em and think about how it can all come tumbling down but I really liked how her mom and her bestie Liz helped her to try and see the positive instead of the negative.

A spicy hallmark movie book, yes please!!
I loved the setting! I would have enjoyed reading from Greysons perspective, especially because I was curious about his view and reasoning for saying those mean things about their first kiss.
This is my 3rd book by Falon Ballard and I will definitely read whatever comes next!

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for this ARC!

3.5 stars, rounded up.

A tricky read for me because the plot is exactly the kind of story I would go for. And at times I was screaming over how much I was loving it. But the other times I was cringing at either how cheesy it was or the absolutely atrocious miscommunication.

It wasn’t my favorite rom-com but it was still fun and a good book to grab for if you want a quick read!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is like the making of a Hallmark movie… but with more spice.

Screenwriter Emmy Harper is the daughter of Hollywood royalty. Grayson West is People Magazine’s Sexiest Man (twice!) and a mega-action star. Emmy hasn’t stepped in front of the camera since she was a teenager and co-started with Grayson in a film that would have swept the Razzies. He went on to become an action star… she shied away from ever being on camera. When she reluctantly agrees to take the lead role in her latest screenplay she never expected to have to act opposite her teenage crush turn nemesis. Sparks fly as Emmy has to set aside her animosity towards her co-star before the movie goes down in flames.

This was a quick, enjoyable rom com - very Hallmarky (but I’m not complaining). Emmy’s character definitely grew on me as the story progressed. I found her to be a bit whiny and selfish as the beginning. Her character become a lot more tolerable (in my opinion) as she and Grayson opened up to each other and their relationship progressed. I would have loved a dual perspective to see Grayson’s side of the story!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

A quick cute read! Normally the blurbs of rom coms provide all the excitement for a book and then reading it usually falls short of what is expected but thankfully this book beats that. Their get together felt natural and the dialogue wasn't cringe-y which is usually a personal reading "ick" of mine in rom com books but it was such a quick sweet read I was able to finish in a day. Still wavering between a 3.5 to 4 stars, Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam Books and Netgalley for the arc!

This is my second Falon Ballard book and it did not disappoint. This rom-com is a lovely mix of tit for tat banter, falling in love, a dash of spice all with a cozy winter back drop. Falon makes it easy to not only enjoy our MC’s but our side characters as well (Liz and mom for the win lol)

If you enjoy (or just need) an easy, cozy rom-coms I definitely think you should give this book a shot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the ARC