I love Serena Bell's books and her latest Hott family series has been the perfect mix of hilarious and romantic 💕

The concept itself is brilliant, and watching each Hott sibling be toyed with by grumpy Grandad from Beyond the grave (with the help of his lawyer) gave me all the giggles. Seeing actors Shane and Ivy fake date their way to a legally binding marriage (with all the obstacles you can imagine) was such a fun story and I love the way the Author writes her HEAs 💕

Thank you to Author Serena Bell and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC! I can't wait for book 3!

I'm really enjoying this series. Is it quirky? Yes, but in such a good way.

The premise of each Hott brother having a stipulation in their grandfather's will which must be met in order for their sister to keep the family business. Shane Hott is given the task of planning a celebrity wedding in a set time period. This creates all kinds of insanity until he meets the new resident in town, Ivy and he's instantly smitten. Now he's not necessarily trying to find another couple to get married. He might just want for it to be us.

This was a cute, fun read with a little spice thrown in to keep me alert. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

4 stars. This book was another good, fun read. This series has been pretty fun to read and I have really enjoyed them. This one follows Ivy and Shane. In the will from his grandfather, Shane's requirement is to get married to a celebrity in order to bring more people in to help Hanna. This is a fake dating/ fake engagement. While I liked both Ivy and Shane I did want a little more from them and from the book in general. While it was good, I didn't like it as much as the first book and once again I find myself just wanting a bit more from the book, the characters, and from the romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Author Collective 20 and Serena Bell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book 2 in this series. For his part of the will Shane needs to organise a celebrity wedding but with his celebrity couple on the rocks can be convince Ivy to step in and marry him instead? I liked how it was told from both points of view. Looking forward to the next books in this series.

Hott Take reads like an early 2000s romcom. It's fast paced, heartwarming, filled with witty banter, a ridiculous toxic ex, and a full cast of characters the reader can't help but connect with. Ivy and Shane's romance starts off as a way for them to each get something they need and turns into so much more. They've each filmed spicy scenes while working in Hollywood and they watch each other on screen...

Dual POV, Spicy, Celebrity Romance, Fake Engagement, Jealous MMC, Found Family, Small Town

I really like this author's books, but HOTT TAKE didn't quits do it for me for one reason alone: all chemistry, no connection.

Ivy and Shane gave chemistry off the charts, but these characters have no meaningful conversation or quality time spent together until 70% into the book and only after they have sex. Then they have a meaningful convo in a bar and one might of exchanging childhood stories much later.

I just didn't buy that Ivy and Shane were deeply in love by the end of the book. Horny first each other? Yes. In love? No.

If you want a light and fun romance, without you much drama, and with mad chemistry, you'll love HOTT TAKE. But I was looking for a lot more emotional connection and meaningful moments.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: Rated R / 2-4 descriptive sex scenes, may have harsh language.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: past death of parent, emotionally distant parent
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗦: 2/5 - A bit of drama, but still a pretty light read.

This is another lovely love story from Hott Spring. Another brother has his orders from his grandfather's will. Shane a famous actor is just a step away from fulfilling his part when everything falls apart. So he fakes an engagement with a former actor Ivy. The story with very quick pace so everything happens very quickly. So I can say this is an Insta-love romance sweet and easy to read.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgalley

When it comes to the main characters of this story, Shane and Ivy, they are fantastic. Ivy is kind and smart with an understated sense of humor. Shane has the persona of a rake, but that’s not who he is inside. Since this is a dual-POV story, we see the real Shane and how much he cares for his family and Ivy.

I love the concept of this book since I love a marriage of convenience story. Shane and Ivy have amazing chemistry, but they’re both actors. That means both are unsure of what is real and what isn’t when they see emotions in the other. When there is a tender touch, is it because there are cameras around? There is always doubt in the back of their minds. Shane needs their relationship to be believable because of his grandfather’s will or his sister may lose her land and her business. He’s running out of time to fulfill his task so everything is riding on this fake relationship and, ultimately, their wedding.

Here’s where I have a big problem with this story. Ivy’s reason for giving in and doing this for Shane is her theater group of teenagers. They lost their space and needed a new place to practice and perform. They will get the use of a refurbished barn that will be used for weddings for 6 months in exchange for her marrying Shane. Once the deal is made, we seldom see or hear about this group of kids. It’s rarely even brought up in conversation. It’s not that I expected or even wanted long scenes with these kids, but it could have been mentioned that she was at work with the kids or just getting home from the theater. It was like she was never there anymore when, as far as I can tell, it was her only job. Then there is an event that takes place in the epilogue that is unnecessary and actually made the story feel a bit ridiculous to me. It seemed like it was put in for word count that could have been used in rounding out Ivy’s connection to the kids and the theater.

The emotional walls Shane and Ivy had to overcome were well written and helped to cement their relationship when they shared their pasts. That helped to hold this story up and keep it a solid read. I just wish it would have been more fleshed out overall.

Once again, I really enjoy this books, brilliant to create a second series and , omg the crazy things their granddad are putting them thru , loving it, i cant wait for more of the brothers

This series just keeps getting better and better! I loved Shane and Ivy and how great they are for each other. They had me smiling and laughing but also so sad for them. I also loved all the cameos from other characters we love.

I loved this book, it’s such an enjoyable read. The Hott family patriarch died and his will specifies tasks for each grandchild in order for them to inherit the estate, including the wedding venue that Hanna, one of the grandchildren, runs.
Shane left Rush Springs for Hollywood and became a famous, and extremely good looking, star. His task is to find a celebrity couple, who are actually in love, to get married at the wedding ranch. Shane thinks he’s done it, but the couple splits after a tabloid story.
Now, to save the ranch, Shane has to find another celebrity to marry him and convince his grandfather’s estate attorney that they’re truly in love.
Ivy Scofield recently starred in a TV series, but she came to Rush Springs after her boyfriend dumped her and got her character written off the show. She teaches theatre to kids, but needs a place to hold rehearsals and performances.
Shane convinces her to get fake married to him in exchange for use of a barn for her theatre program. They start dating and spending time together, and soon Shane is actually falling for Ivy but doesn’t know how she feels. They have some spicy scenes while they explore their relationship.
This is a well done fake/maybe not so fake dating story and I couldn’t get enough. I highly recommend this book, 5 stars. 9

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was honestly hooked and laughing throughout the whole book. It is such a fun feel good romance and I always love a good fake romance trope. I honestly loved how the character of Ivy was written and wished we could have had more of her backstory in the book. For those that love a good rom-com with some spice in it, then this book is for you. I am excited to read more of Serene Bell’s books in the future.

3.75stars-HOTT TAKE is the second instalment in Serena Bell’s contemporary, adult HOTT SPRINGS ETERNAL erotic, romance series focusing on the HOTT siblings: Quinn, Shane, Preston, Tucker, Rhys, and their sister Hanna (Wilder at Last 5/ Wilder Adventures)-a spin off from the author’s WILDER ADVENTURES series. This is actors Shane HOTT, and Ivy Scofield’s story line.

SOME BACKGROUND: The HOTT Springs Eternal series focuses in the aftermath of the death of the Hott family patriarch. Grandfather Hott has a number of stipulations and guidelines if the siblings are to inherit the family fortune. Each sibling is required to honor their late grandfather’s request if their sister Hanna is to keep the HOTT Springs resort.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ivy and Shane) HOTT TAKE focuses on Shane Hott. Grandfather Hott has demanded that Shane contract a celebrity wedding for the family owned Hott Springs Resort but with only a six month window, Shane’s chosen couple are not necessarily a guaranteed affair. Meanwhile Ivy Scofield, whose own acting career has stalled in the face of betrayal and lies, runs a community theatre for troubled children but without a venue, Ivy is struggling to keep the theatre afloat until an offer from fellow actor Shane Hott pulls Ivy into a fake relationship and marriage with our story line hero. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between our story line couple, and the potential fall-out when Shane and Ivy’s time together comes to an end.

The world building continues to focus on the demands of their grandfather’s will. The stipulations and directives are overseen by someone who is hoping the siblings fail but Shane is determined to provided a celebrity wedding even if he is one-half of the couple in question.

The relationship between Ivy and Shane begins as a business arrangement: marry Shane, and Ivy’s theatre company can use the Hott family ‘barn’ but from the outset Ivy is determined to keep their relationship from becoming too real, and in the end, heart break will pull Ivy out of Shane’s life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the Hott siblings. We are introduced to Ivy’s ex-Anthony, attorney Weggers, and Ivy’s sister Nia.

HOTT TAKE is an another story of loss, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is captivating yet familiar; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate yet determined.



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Hott Take is book two in the sizzling Hott Springs Eternal Series by Serena Bell which is a wonderful, movie star, marriage of convenience, fake relationship standalone romantic comedy set in the beloved small town of Rush Creek.
Ivy and Shane and their forced proximity, sizzling chemistry, and witty banter made the romance truly enjoyable.
The small town community and its members were all charming and welcoming!
The storyline is simple but really well done with some fantastic humour. The writing is great and I couldn't put the book down!
Hott Take is a fun, easy to read, adult romance with a dash of spice and I really enjoyed it.
Im looking forward to reading more books in this series.

Thank You NetGalley and Jelsba Media Group for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

When the Hott siblings grandfather passed away and his will was read, it came with certain conditions that each sibling was going to have to accomplish in order for Hannah to keep the land for her bridal business. Up next is Shane Hott, the playboy movie star who has lived his life in the limelight but has always been terrified to need anyone. Shane's challenge is to find two celebrities who will get married at Hott Springs Eternal.....the catch....they need to actually be in love. Shane investigates all his possibilities and comes up empty. Instead he decides that he will get married and who better to pick than Ivy Scofield, also know as Eva Scott a former actress who is now living in Rush Creek. Ivy relocated to Rush Creek after a huge fall out with her former boyfriend and fellow actor Anthony Fessa and is running the local community theater with her sister, Nia.

When Ivy loses the old church they run their theater in, she is frantically trying to find a new place to perform. When she heads to Hott Springs Eternal to ask Hannah to use their barn, Hannah turns her down. Good thing Shane overhears this exchange because he then offers Ivy use of the barn in exchange for marrying him. He explains how everything will be fake and then after a certain time they will quietly divorce. Ivy quickly agrees to help save the theater.

As Shane and Ivy spend time planning their fake wedding, real feelings start to emerge. This player of an actor may have just found his forever if he could only get over his past and believe what is in front of him is actually real. In the end everything falls into place and Shane and Ivy do find their happy ever after.

I just adored this steamy, fake marriage of convenience. Ivy and Shane were both people running from things in their pasts and together they were finally both able to overcome their fears. These two characters had such scorching chemistry and it was fun once they finally caved in to it. Overall this was another perfect story in the wonderful series and we even get a sneak peak into Preston's story with a women named Natalie.

3.75 stars⭐️

Today is Tuesday, April 16, and that means publication day! I thought it would be the perfect time to post my Hott Take review on NetGalley, and also on Goodreads (linked down below).

This was my first time reading one of Serena Bell’s books, and I really liked it! The storyline was very appealing to me and I’m glad I got the chance to read it.

In an attempt to save the teacher's job she loves so much, the main character Ivy, a former Hollywood actress who moved to a small town to get away from the world of TV, decides to accept the false marriage proposal of a well-known Hollywood actor, Shane Hott, who offers his help in exchange for a little favor: obtaining his grandfather's legacy to protect his sister Hanna's lands, as required in his grandad’s will. The mission is apparently simple: to be fully in love and get married. No pressure. Ivy seems like the perfect choice and the attraction is right there on the surface. This marriage of convenience and fake dating starts off as an easy task at first, but soon the chemistry between these characters becomes more intense & apparent, so it’s hard to ignore the small gestures, the brief touches, and the longing stares, that gives this marriage of convenience a whole new meaning.

I really enjoyed the story. It was simple and fast paced, with an entertaining and fun banter between the two protagonists. The chapters were easy to read and they always left you wanting to read more, just like the rest of the characters. They were so lovable and I ended up getting really curious to know more about the rest of the brothers and their stories🤭🫶🏼

The fake dating/marriage of convenience trope always does it for me, so it was not difficult to become engaged with the plot. However, I personally think it lacked some depth when it came to character development. Shane came from a tough past with some family issues, which I believe made him more complex and let us readers connect with him, but even though Ivy had had a rough time too dealing with her past relationships with men, and she felt a bit lonely in life, I found myself needing more details, more background and information to work with. I think her character was built more in a surface level, and I personally would’ve liked to go into more detail about her whole personality and life experiences.

The spice was on point, I was giggling and blushing all the time!!!🤭😮‍💨 But maybe I would’ve liked to read more about their love story, because like I said, I felt like it was missing a bit of emotional depth between them. Other than that, the romance was great and so fun, and the idea well executed, so I’m excited to read more. I guess I’ll have to look for the rest of the series!

If you love a fast paced small town romance, the fake dating trope and a marriage of convenience, I would recommend reading this one!💌

Thank you so much NetGalley, Author Collective 20 and Serena Bell for this ARC!☺️

Fake Engagement/ Marriage of Convenience is my favorite. Ivy needs helps with her community theater and Shane needs a celebrity wedding, together they work together to achieve both goals. The attraction starts from the beginning and there’s no doubt they will end up wanting more of each other.

Thanks to @netgalley and #authorcollective20 for the eARC.

Hott Take (book 2 in the Hott Springs Eternal series)
By Serena Bell

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5)

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 My initial reaction: I used to say fake (trope) is my favorite. After this, I think it still might be. This is my most favorite fake engagement in a long while.
🤩 Captivating, fun, sweet, funny—it’s romcom perfection!
🤩 I love a “let’s make a deal.”
🤩 Fake engagement. “Let’s go get ourselves an Academy Award for Best Bullsh!t Wedding.”
🤩 Such cute and beautifully described unwanted physical attraction, sexual tension, and naughty thoughts.
🤩 Both Shane and Ivy are famous actors. I appreciate how they understand, support, and encourage each other in this.
🤩 The fake engagement video all for media/social media—so fun and fitting in costume from recent and different shows they were in.
🤩 Shane Hott in cowboy attire and with swagger!!
🤩 When a one single hand touch feels this good in a book. Don’t get me wrong, they get hot and steamy. But it feels so good even before that. Serena Bell brings ALL the flirty, fake fun in this one!
🤩 When Ivy thinks out loud! So fun and funny!
🤩 Best cake tasting scene I’ve ever read!
🤩 Finding a friend group, bachelorette party, and self-pleasure toy rep (I highly recommend Serena Bell’s Walk on the Wilder Side for more toy rep!).

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 My interest is totally peaked for Preston’s story.

Looking for a light, fun read? Hott Take is a cute, relaxing comfort read--it's the second book in the Hott Springs Eternal series and takes place in beautiful Rush Creek, Oregon.

This is Shane and Ivy’s story, both Hollywood actors that have returned home to Rush Creek. The story opens with the Hott family gathering together to hear what their grand dad chose as a task for Shane. (Their grandad’s will stipulates that each brother must complete a specific task to save the family's land and business from being sold to a mining company.) Shane’s task is to organize a celebrity couple’s wedding at The Hott Springs Spa which is owned by the Hott family. The Spa was a working ranch until a few years ago when Hanna (Shane’s sister) and her granddad decided to convert it into a wedding venue and spa.

Shane and Ivy were both actors in different popular fantasy shows. Shane is very popular right now and has paparazzi following him all over. He’s trying to decide which part to choose for his next project. Ivy is currently disillusioned with Hollywood. She's happy in Hott Springs where she and her sister run a children’s theater in town. Shane is having trouble finding a celebrity couple willing to marry at the Hott Springs Spa and when he meets Ivy, and she needs a favor from him, he thinks she might be the perfect fake bride to help him with a celebrity wedding - she's an actress so she can play the part, plus she's beautiful. In exchange for being his bride, Ivy and her sister can use the wedding venue for their children’s plays.

As they stage publicity shots their attraction builds and they make each other laugh. When they decide to be fake fiancés with benefits, they enjoy some spicy times together especially when they reenact some steamy scenes from their fantasy shows. Shane tells Ivy that he doesn’t believe he is made for love because of past relationships and he doesn’t think he can ever fall in love. This was my least favorite part of the story – most romance readers quickly realize he just needed to meet the right person (Ivy).

They are a perfect match together but they have some things to work through. Ivy has another reason to say yes to Shane’s scheme and I don’t want to say too much but she has an ex from her past that is pressuring her to return to Hollywood. She loves being near her family in Rush Creek and has no interest in returning to L.A. Meanwhile, Shane has issues with his father, who is Shane's manager. The two disagree on what Shane should do with his stardom.

While this book stands well on its own, I do think it’s helpful to have read the first book in the series, Hott Shot, to get familiar with Shane’s family first - plus it’s fun! I actually liked Hott Shot just a little bit more than this one, but Hott Take is an easy, fun read. I think readers who like romcoms with weddings and those who enjoyed the Wilder Series will have fun reading this steamy, light romance.

When Shane Hott was summoned back to his hometown, Rush Creek, he had no idea what was in store for him. His grandfather, who recently passed, has a requirement of all the Hott brothers that they must fulfill to keep their sister's business (a wedding venue) and family land safe. Shane's requirement: host a celebrity wedding at his sister's place. As a high profile celebrity himself, it should be easy to track down a celebrity couple to get married there. There is only one stipulation...the couple must be in love, and that is determined their grandpa's curmudgeon lawyer. This might make things a tad bit harder.

Unbeknownst to Shane, there is another Hollywood star in Rush Creek, Ivy Schofield. She has retreated from the fast and furious life in LA after a breakup and torturous boot from the show she stared in. Feeling free and happy, she works with kids interested in theater with her sister. Life seems to have settled down, until her landlord says she is selling the place, and Ivy needs to move out. She now needs to find a new spot or her dreams of a theater school and quiet life are over.

The book then begins to intertwine Ivy and Shane's life. When the couple Shane gets to agree to marry at his sister's venue drops out, he scrambles to make a deal with Ivy where they both benefit. Queue the missed/mixed signals, resistance to acknowledging true feelings, and some steamy "fake" kisses. All the makings of a cute, small town romance.

This book had the perfect amount of sweet and spicy. The characters were engaging and the scenery made me want to go to Rush Creek. While the Hott brothers have their own issues (with themselves and each other), the all love their sister and will do anything they can for her. I loved the sense of family that was always underlying in the Hotts and in Ivy's family. They all meshed so easily together. I was a little worried i might be a little lost (this is book 2 in a series) since I didn't read the first book, but this can definitely be read as a standalone. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I will go back and read book 1 and will for sure read the next books!