liked this book. I think it had a neat premise and setting. This was definitely a fun comfy rom com. Though predictable, there was a few interesting twists and turns to keep things interesting.

I am not a huge fan on insta love but I felt it myself slightly warming to the idea during this book. I did want a little more from the conflict overall as everything just happened very fast. I think there was a good deep dive into celebrity life and the pressures / chaos that comes with it. I enjoyed to duel POV and how it showed real & flawed main characters.

I had a decent time with this book. The leads Emmy and Jason had great chemistry. I loved the way the book opened with the talk show and revelation of who Emmy's secret celebrity crush was. The biggest downside was being able to see the eventual conflict being set up from a mile away. Something that could easily be resolved with a conversation but instead the characters don't actually talk. Back to the plus side I really enjoyed Emmy's relationship with her daughter and friends. This is my first Christy Swift book. I would be interested in trying another book from her to see if it worked a little better for me.

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

Rating: ⭐️⭐️.💫5 (2.5 Stars)
Steam: closed door, just kissing

This was an okay read. I enjoyed the first bit and loved the hugging contests ect,however my loving of this changed fast.
The miscommunication trope was way overdone. I wanted to scream at both characters to just talk. I didn’t feel the romance but did laugh a few times. I enjoyed some moments so giving. this 2.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley, Hachette Audio and forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift in quick, rapid-fire thoughts.

-sneak inside the book publishing world with Emmy Ellison
-peak behind the celebrity curtain with Jason Connor
-witty and clever banter
-actual funny moments
-all the pop culture movie references
-both main characters have a child
-fade to black steamy scenes

Audiobook notes: Andrew Eiden (cough, cough, cough, aka Teddy Hamilton) was exactly the voice needed for Jason; sassy, smug, and sexy all came across! (I may have had some excitedly explicit language during his opening chapter!) Stephanie Willing was perfect, too! Quirky, relatable, and endearing - a wonderful choice to voice Emmy!

This is such a fun and funny read that's a bit nerdy!

Thank you NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and Hachette Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

Unfortunately, this was a major miss for me.
The blurb and tropes had a set up for success, but this fell so flat on many levels.
Not only were the MCs unlikeable, all the way to the point where I was not rooting for them in the third act break up. They were wildly immature. But this read like someone took a bunch of pop culture references and plugged them into ChatGPT and toss them on a wall to see what sticks. Also the TikTok dances and social media references read like someone trying to be current with the younger generation, but the characters are in their 30s with kids.

Amazing romcom romance with that right amount of spice in it.

Loved the caracters, story and everything else.

Really enjoyed!! The writing made it a quick read and I loved the characters. I was immediately drawn in! The angst leading up between Jason and Emmy was great and the closed door romance epicures perfectly! This is a book that I would love to see on the big screen!!

"Celebrity Crush" was all the sweet and swoony rom-com without the spice. It had the infusion of the hashtags and TikTok influence, which kept it relevant for younger readers but the FMC and MMC are both single parents (which likely appeals to some of us 'older' readers). The FMC is also an author, and who doesn't love a 'book about books'!!?? This is a fun, romantic read that kept me interested the entire time. 4 stars! *I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

This is exactly the type of book that I love to read. I loved everything about it: Emmy and Jason, the supporting cast, the writing, the pacing, the plot, everything! Also all the references and name drops are a millennial’s dream!

I’ve never read anything by Christy Swift before but now it’s a name that’s swiftly moved to the top of my must read authors. Can’t wait to see what’s next!!

I really wanted to like this book as the premise seems really cute. It had a lot of potential but there were a few things that I felt got in the way:
- both characters weren't super likeable to me but that could be their own self loathing and selfishness
- relationship was confusing even for us as readers. There seems to be mainly physical chemistry with the readers, which led to some funny scenes (photoshoot and party). Emmy does seem to really care about him, more than a crush but the relationship development felt off and sometimes rushed, given a lot of it seemed physical and then when there was the realization of emotions for Jason it was about how she benefitted him somehow vs what he admired about her... It kind of came off as being codependent
- this might be judgey of me but for someone who wants to have more time with his son, he seems to use a babysitter a lot
- also, I'm not sure what was up with Emmy's whole "I want to make it in LA" but it was really vague and I recall thinking "to do what? What does that even mean?"
- ending seemed really rushed given a lot of twists coming in, and they were good twists for a celebrity romances

Some things I enjoyed:
- I do love that Jason loves singing and dancing, which makes for some fun scenes
- Val and the Hunger Games references. Love them and him!
- Family cuteness. Gotta love the kids!
- the whole concept of the show. Super creative!

Thank you for the advanced copy

Steam: 🔥🔥
Heart Flutters: ❤️

Fake dating your celebrity crush? Where do I sign up?!

I loved the author's approach to a relatable, realistic, and funny FMC in this so much. I was laughing out loud in several different moments of this book and the FMC's voice captured me and kept engaged. The Hollywood element was cool to read about and I felt like I was learning so much about the industry that I didn't know about. The mixed media elements integrated with the story beautifully and created an amazing storytelling element since it was centered around the Hollywood scene. I also enjoyed the focus on single parenting? It was a surprise I didn't know going in, but I loved by the ending. I would love to see the other voice Christy Swift brings to the romance comedy genre in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Pub) for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This wasn’t for me but I’ll still be happy to recommend. I am probably not the target demographic as the characters felt really immature to me.

What a fun, adorable debut rom com! Emmy is such a relatable FMC, and Jason was so swoonworthy. I had the best time reading these two.

I liked this book. I think it had a neat premise and setting. This was definitely a fun comfy rom com. Though predictable, there was a few interesting twists and turns to keep things interesting.

I am not a huge fan on insta love but I felt it myself slightly warming to the idea during this book. I did want a little more from the conflict overall as everything just happened very fast. I think there was a good deep dive into celebrity life and the pressures / chaos that comes with it. I enjoyed to duel POV and how it showed real & flawed main characters.

I absolutely loved all the deep cuts and pop culture references throughout. There were a few marvel references that had me cackling.

#cute #romantic #funny There's an old saying that if you meet your idol you'll be disappointed, they turn out to be human after all. Emmy gets lucky and Jason turns out to be human but in no way a disappointment. I like the idea of an influencer plot; I haven't run into this before. She does such interesting things. My Instagram is mostly about my dog. Emmy is having the most amazing time, a published book that becomes a movie, a chance to get to know the stars of her favorite show, Lost Star Dance Troupe Saves the Universe. Is that a hysterical name or what; a kids show set in outer space with dancing astronauts. Jason got into a bit of trouble when he wasn't happy with his life or himself. Very understandable. He's not having an amazing time. We get a look into what being in the spotlight does to your personal life and how hard Jason has to work to keep the press from trashing him. It messes with his mind making him paranoid but he's actually right. Poor guy. I enjoyed the book from start to finish.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing and Hachette Book Group.

Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift was a delightful debut rom-com!
Emmy & Jason are very likable characters. I loved their chemistry and connection.
This was such an adorable story and I absolutely cannot wait to read more from this author.
I am so happy to have had a chance to read an early copy of this book, and will be recommending it to everybody and certainly purchasing for my library.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁: I loved all the pop culture references as an Aliens girlie, huge appreciation there! This book was really fun, MCs had lots of chemistry and I loved they were in their 30s. I liked that the FMC was social media savvy and operation Keanu Reeves was one of favorite parts other than the “sandwich incident” iykyk. This is just an enjoyable book and I was shocked to find out it was a Debut from the author, well done!

Emmy wrote a romance novel with her MMC being inspired by her real life celebrity crush. She never thought the book would become popular and get made into a movie. Then that said crush accepts the leading role to her movie. Now she is sitting on a talk show promoting her book and is having a hugging contest with her crush and few other celebrities - how is this real life!

Jason is about to loose his role and is in dire need of some good PR. So he branched out and signed up to do a new movie playing the romantic lead, he knows the movie is based on him but he’s not aware to what extent. Things are not going to plan and he is in more hot water than before and he’s in need of an image makeover.

Emmy and Jason have been thrust together a few times for publicity for her upcoming book and movie. They are on friendly terms so Jason recruits her to help him with his image as she is a social media guru. But can these two keep it professional or will the lines blur. Hollywood isn’t meant for everyone and feuds can start easily and ruin lives.

This one is a fun read be sure to check it out when it debuts in February 11th.

𝑭𝒂𝒗 𝑸𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆: “This whole thing is like a dream that I know I'll have to wake up from. It's torture.” - Emmy

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

Author
* Author & Social Media Influencer FMC
* Bad Reputation Celebrity MMC
* Cinderella Story
* Single Parents
* MCs in Their 30s
* She Based MC in Her Book on Him
* Pop Culture References
* Dual POV
* Fade to Black

👽📚⭐️ 👽📚⭐️ 👽📚⭐️ 👽📚⭐️ 👽📚⭐️

Other quotes I loved:

"It's the only way to be sure."
Oh, to the snap. He finished my favorite Aliens quote. I've been waiting my whole life for someone to do that.
He stares at me as I sit, frozen. "Is everything okay?"
"You Michael Biehned me," I finally say.
"You Sigourney Weavered me first."

"That's for you, Emmy Ellison, for choosing me.'
A warm zinging sensation flutters over me, like I imagine it feels when your spaceship is scanned by aliens with one of those humming sweeps of blue light. "I'll always choose you, Jason Connor."

This was a very cute, well-written rom-com with fun characters who were easy to root for. I enjoyed the main character’s laugh-out-loud antics, and there was just enough tension sprinkled in to make it exciting. Looking forward to more from this author!

I really liked these characters and thought their stories were both very strong and worked well with the storyline. When it comes to the romance part i thought their love story was sweet. It was a naturally chemistry that felt true to the characters. I just felt the storyline at times didnt match with the characters if that makes sense. Some of the actions they’d take didn’t seem authentic to them and also i think i might just not be a fan of the power dynamic of a celebrity and their crush. But with that being said, i think it speaks to the authors writing and characters that i still liked it with finding out i dont like that trope.

Nerdy, slightly cheesy romantic comedy ✨

Plot: After being pushed out of Hollywood 13 years ago, Emmy is back with a NY Time best seller based on her real life celebrity crush! Emmy’s book is climbing the charts fast, and after a real life meeting with Jason, the celebrity crush the book is based on, the two being a friendship to promote the book and upcoming movie based on the book. We see a lot of ups and downs, as well as some fun dances and singing.

My Thoughts: To be frank, I liked parts of this book and disliked parts. Emmy and Jason were fun at times, but also drove me absolutely crazy. They were both extremely immature especially in the third act. The dancing and signing was fun, but other than that I didn’t feel any connection to the story. The interview and social media chapters didn’t really add anything to the story. Honestly this would be a great movie.

Thank you Forever Publishing and Netgalley for an advanced (e-arc) copy in exchange for an honest review.

Tags
-Fake Dating (sort of)
- Single Parents
-Social Media Influencers
-Clean Romance (closed door)