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This was a cute rom com. Emmy is a writer who has written a book about her celebrity crush, a guy she hasn’t revealed yet. When she is brought on to a talk show to promote the book she gets to reveal who the celebrity crush is, and meet the guy and give him a hug. Jason is a star on Emmy’s favorite show, and is one disaster away from losing his job. Jason has had a string of bad press, and has found himself in hot water for his antics too many times. After all the positive press from the talk show, Jason is picked to star in Emmy’s book turned movie, and has to do lots of promo with Emmy to play the crush up. Emmy’s PR people want her to act steamy with Jason to sell books and the movie, and Jason’s PR people want him to behave or he might lose his TV job. And while these two are both trying to please their people, real feelings start brewing between them and complicating it all even more. This was a cute quick read with a satisfying ending. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

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Celebrity Crush is a witty romance that explores the complexities of celebrity culture, personal identity, and the unexpected magic of love. The story follows Harper, an ordinary woman who finds herself falling for her favorite celebrity, actor Noah Bishop. What starts as a harmless infatuation quickly turns into something more complicated when Harper unexpectedly crosses paths with Noah, leading to a whirlwind romance that challenges both their lives in surprising ways.

Read if you like:
- Enemies-to-lovers or opposites attract dynamics
- Celebrity romance and hidden identities
- Small-town charm mixed with big-time glamour
- Unexpected, heartwarming love stories
- Humor and banter-filled dialogue
- Characters finding themselves in unexpected situations
- Relationships blossoming from unlikely connections

Harper is a lovable, down-to-earth character, balancing her regular life with the overwhelming emotions that come with meeting someone she’s admired for years. Noah, on the other hand, is a charming but complex figure, dealing with the pressures of fame and the constant scrutiny of his personal life. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the tension that builds between them, fueled by their different worlds, adds depth and excitement to their relationship.

Celebrity Crush is a fun, heartwarming rom-com that cleverly pokes at the absurdities of celebrity life while still delivering a sweet, relatable love story. It’s a perfect choice for fans of humorous romance novels that offer a mix of wit, charm, and heart.

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted ARC!

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This book was such a swoonfest! It gave me all the feels, plus lots of belly laughs. Emmy Ellison is such a quirky, relatable MC, and I enjoyed seeing her confront and overcome her past Hollywood demons. I could not have adored this title character, Jason Conner, more! He’s the total package for a memorable rom-com leading guy—charming, flawed, sensitive, and, of course, HOT! I totally got Chris Pratt vibes from him. Emmy and Jason’s chemistry was spot on, and I thoroughly enjoyed their adorable banter. Rating: All the stars! I’ll definitely put Christy’s next rom-com on my TBR stack. Many thanks to #NetGalley & @readforeverpub for the ARC for my honest opinion.

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I adored the pop culture references sprinkled throughout this book! After writing a romance novel inspired by her real-life celebrity crush, Emmy gets the chance to meet him in person. I love how sweet the love interest (Jason) was, and how much personality all of the characters had. I ate up this novel and can't wait until February when it's released!

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I wanted to love this one, but I just couldn't get into it. The writing felt like a YA book and the characters were unlikable. I found myself skipping to the end so I could be done with it. I would not recommend this one, unfortunately.

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This was such a fun and light rom com about a normal woman (Emmy) whose dream of becoming a New York Times best selling author comes true! Her novel is based on her celebrity crush and during a PR television event she comes face to face with her celebrity crush, a Hollywood actor. When the actor is asked to star in the movie adaption of Emmy's novel, the two are forced together to promote the novel & the movie. The chemistry can be felt between the two characters instantly and you can't help but cheer for their happily ever after.

The novel is dual POV, which I love for romances and I fell in love with both main characters from the first few chapters 🥰 I will admit that the "conflict" felt shallow to me but I'm not sure the age of the main characters. If you enjoy Hollywood/celebrity romance and are looking for a light read this novel is for you!

Tropes of this novel include: forced proximity, single parents, Hollywood

Thank you Forever for the ARC

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This book is so much fun! Loooved our messy but relatable MC's - both Emmy and Jason are flawed and lovable people who are doing their best to navigate the complications of life, which is made even tougher when all eyes are on them. The Hollywood setting makes this story extra entertaining, and the pop culture references sprinkled throughout are a delight. The romance between Emmy and Jason is sweet, sexy, and complicated at times, but I was rooting for them the whole time. Such a terrific debut romance!

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Emmy writes a book where the main character is inspired by her celebrity crush Jason. She never thought that people would make the connection between her book character and the actor who inspired him but then Emmy has the opportunity to meet Jason and sparks start to fly. This closed door romance has all the bookish girl vibes to it and I love that the characters are matured adults who get to live out the fantasy of not only meeting your celebrity crush but also dating them. The only critiques I have would be that the ending is a little rushed and that the sci-fi references are not my cup of tea but over all I enjoyed the premise of this book and the fun thoughts of what it would be like to meet my own celebrity crushes.

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3.5 rounded to 4!

The plot and characters were great! I just couldn't get past the never ending references to today's trends and TikTok. I guess I'm not ~that~ into contemporary romance lol I need my romance to be a few years behind my IRL life.

Thank you Christy, Forever, and NetGalley for the eARC! ❤️

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Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift is an absolute delight! This charming story pulls you in with its relatable characters, swoon-worthy romance, and just the right amount of humor. Packed with some of my favorite tropes—fake dating and celebrity romance—it’s the perfect escape. The romance is sweet and closed-door, making it a heartwarming read that focuses on emotional connection and chemistry. You can’t help but root for the romance and the characters as they navigate their journey filled with heartfelt moments and personal growth. Swift’s writing is captivating and brimming with emotion, making it impossible to put the book down. If you’re looking for a feel-good, uplifting romance, this one is a must-read!

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This book had me hooked from the very beginning. This is something that only happens in movies and it was beautiful to read it as a story. The story follows Emmy who writes a novel inspired by her celebrity crush, Jason. Amidst all the chaos surrounding her book she ends up meeting Jason and his costars on a talk show for her book. Their love story blossoms from there. But it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. I loved this book. I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future. Highly recommend if you are looking for a fast paced rom com read! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

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A romance writer’s wildest dreams—the bestseller list, a movie deal, and a date with the real-life inspiration for her Hollywood hero—are all within her grasp if only she can hold it all together.

Author Emmy Ellison is a sucker for a page-turning happy ending, but she’s no longer counting on one for herself. If she stays focused on her career goals instead of her love life, she just might find success. And now that her latest novel is about to become a movie, she’s determined to become the latest social media sensation.

Enter her plan for her secret celebrity crush, the real-life inspiration for her romantic hero. When he accepts the starring role in the big-screen adaptation of her book, she’s determined to team up with a fake dating scheme—now that he’s in need of some good PR of his own. Ideally, she can ride the wave of popularity all the way to the top of the bestseller lists. But when the harsh spotlight of fame exposes the truth, will they try to turn their on-camera chemistry into a real-life relationship?

Loved it. Will recommend to others

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If you love nerdy pop culture references, a sweet & swoony love interest, and a dash of glitzy Hollywood glamour, this book is for you! Christy really put the COM in romcom and I had a blast being in the mind of relatable, loveable Emmy and too-good-for-this-world Jason. Christy is a master at creating voice-y characters with tons of personality and charm, and the humor was spot on - I was giggling from start to finish. There’s everything from obscure sci fi humor to dry, sarcastic wit to physical comedy (the pool scene comes to mind lol) that I just ate up. Perfect for fans of Kate Spencer, Katherine Center, and Erin Hahn.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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The synopsis appealed but the execution left me cold.

I very quickly realized that I was obviously not the correct age demographic for this romance.
*it read more YA than adult - both MC’s are painfully juvenile
*both MC’s are dishonest and awful while also not being fleshed out enough
*TikTok influencers galore

I didn’t enjoy this one.




Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the DRC

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DNF 68%

I just severely disliked how dishonest both main characters were with each other in order to keep a ruse going. I’m not one to judge anyone. But wow. Not only did the MMC humiliate his ex in public in order to “win” an argument because he couldn’t see his way out of being manipulated but then turns around and invites a near stranger into his home to stay with him, meeting his kid, because he is attracted to her and, if he is lucky, wants to sleep with her. His people around him are right when they say he is an a hole, but HER friends should have been better at checking in, and her manager is GROSS for shoving her at someone to make a show of it. This entire book made me feel gross. Both Jason and Emmy felt like rushed characters, using flair for drama and “witty catchphrases” thrown together with insta-lust to create a book. And that really just doesn’t sit well with me.

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Christy Swift’s *Celebrity Crush* is a sparkling rom-com that brings the ultimate fantasy to life: what if the dream guy you created in your head—and on the page—turned out to be real? With humor, heart, and a delicious dash of Hollywood glitz, Swift crafts a story that is as swoon-worthy as it is delightfully chaotic.

Emmy Ellison is the kind of heroine every reader can root for. A romance author with big dreams but no illusions about her own love life, Emmy has her eyes firmly set on professional success. When her latest novel gets the movie deal of a lifetime, and her celebrity crush—the very inspiration for her fictional hero—takes on the lead role, Emmy is suddenly thrust into a world of red carpets and PR nightmares. Determined to capitalize on the moment, she agrees to a fake dating arrangement with her Hollywood heartthrob, setting the stage for plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and sizzling chemistry.

Swift nails the fake-dating trope, blending playful banter and undeniable tension with just the right amount of emotional vulnerability. Emmy and her movie-star crush are both navigating the pitfalls of public life, and their shared struggles bring authenticity to their otherwise glitzy romance. As their on-screen and off-screen connections blur, their relationship becomes a heartwarming mix of passion and poignancy.

What makes *Celebrity Crush* truly stand out is its balance of humor and depth. Swift infuses Emmy’s journey with moments of self-reflection, exploring themes of self-worth, the cost of fame, and the courage it takes to pursue your dreams while staying true to yourself. Emmy’s determination to control her narrative—both in her career and her personal life—is as inspiring as it is relatable, making her a refreshingly grounded protagonist in a larger-than-life story.

The Hollywood setting adds plenty of sparkle, from glamorous premieres to the behind-the-scenes drama of adapting a book into a film. Swift peppers the narrative with sharp insights into the entertainment industry, adding an extra layer of intrigue and authenticity to Emmy’s rollercoaster ride of fame and romance.

The pacing is breezy and engaging, with enough twists and turns to keep readers hooked without losing sight of the emotional core of the story. Supporting characters, from meddling agents to quirky friends, add color and humor to the narrative, making Emmy’s world feel as vibrant and messy as real life.

*Celebrity Crush* is a must-read for fans of lighthearted romance with a touch of glitz and a lot of heart. Christy Swift delivers a story that’s equal parts fun and heartfelt, reminding us that even when life feels like a whirlwind, love has a way of bringing us back to what truly matters. With its laugh-out-loud moments, swoony romance, and relatable heroine, this book is a five-star escape that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

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Thanks to Netgalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for access to this E-ARC! So cute!! Loved the characters & the celebrity setting. Will definitely read more from this author.

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What person, at some time in their life, hasn't had the fantasy crush and dreamed of the "what-ifs"? Seriously just about everyone! "Celebrate Crush" will take you there! Emmy Ellison writes a book with the likes of her celebrity crush in mind (amongst a few other influencer jobs she has) & when book & dream life collide with real life- there is a whole lot of real life "what- ifs" and "what am I doing?"!
All this makes for a lighthearted, fun read that really catapulted me back to my teens and 20s when I would spend countless hours dreamy of those actors and rock stars that filled my daydreams and nighttime dreams as well!
I definitely see myself re-reading this book just for the fun, lightheartedness of it!

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Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift is a fun, fast-paced romcom that delivers the perfect dose of escapism. Thepremise of an author getting to meet her celebrity crush- who just so happens to be the inspiration for the romantic hero in her NYT bestselling book- is pure fantasy, and Swift does a great job making it both humorous and heartwarming.

The chemistry between Emmy and Jason is undeniable. Their interactions are funny, frustrating, and at times, utterly delightful. Emmy is a single mom turned author and social media influencer. I appreciated her unique personality and the way she juggles her career and personal life. Jason is a nice guy with a troubled past, and while he and Emmy share undeniable chemistry, their baggage makes their connection complicated. Their journey is filled with tension and emotion.

The supporting characters were another highlight of the book. Their relationships with the main characters were engaging and brought a lot of warmth to the story. I especially loved the family dynamic and would’ve liked to see more of it!

The pop culture references added a fun and relatable layer to the story. I can see how some readers might find them a bit dated, but I found them to be a quirky and enjoyable part of the narrative.

While the romance was sweet, I did wish for more buildup at the beginning to explain why Emmy and Jason were so drawn to each other right away. The relationship felt like it moved at a fast pace but worked well with the storyline. I thought the book could have benefited from a bit more world-building and background, particularly around the book that Emmy wrote and how it fit into the bigger picture.

Celebrity Crush is an entertaining read with plenty of humor, heart, and chemistry. It’s an easy, cozy read that keeps you invested in the characters and their journey. If you're looking for a lighthearted, feel-good romance with a dash of celebrity glamour, this one’s definitely worth the read.

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This was cute… Elly’s book is going viral, with everyone taking guesses as to who the celebrity is that she gives clues to having a crush on inside it. When she actually gets a chance to meet him in real life, she has to make a lots of life-changing decisions. If you like tik-tok, social media influencers, dancing celebrities, you’ll love this book. It’s adorable and fun. I had a tough time staying engaged and really getting absorbed in the story however, so it took me a longer time to finish this than usual. I had to step away and come back to it. It is funny and romantic though, so I would say worth the read.

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