I couldn’t get into this book, it was honestly just not my vibe. I feel like it was very superficial and J need deep character building as well as a slow burn usually.

2.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Reel Love had me ready to grab popcorn and settle in for a rom-com romp full of steamy chemistry, industry chaos, and love behind the camera. And while the setup promised a behind-the-scenes blockbuster, what I got felt more like a first draft that needed a few more script revisions.

Let’s start with the positives: the concept? Delightful. A struggling, down-on-her-luck director and a baby screenwriter/part-time werewolf extra fall into a messy, age-gapped, enemies-to-lovers slow burn while trying to save a sinking movie? That’s catnip. Throw in a charming cast of supporting characters, some chaotic film set hijinks, and a little commentary on Hollywood burnout, and I was in.

But unfortunately, this one didn’t quite stick the landing. The banter tried hard to be snappy and screwball, but often ended up feeling forced—or worse, repetitive. Anna and John had great potential as leads, but I found myself more frustrated than invested in their dynamic. Anna’s bitterness veered toward joyless cynicism, and John’s puppyish charm wore thin as he ricocheted between earnest heartthrob and, well, kind of a doormat.

Also: pacing. This was a slow burn, but by the time the romance actually burned, I’d already emotionally checked out. It felt like wading through pages of script rewrites and “will they/won’t they” tension that never quite paid off in the way I hoped. The chemistry simmered, but never quite sizzled. It’s like they were in different genres half the time—one in a rom-com, the other in an indie drama.

Still, Reel Love isn’t without its charm. The behind-the-scenes of indie filmmaking felt fresh and fun, and there were flashes of clever dialogue and heartfelt moments that reminded me what this book could’ve been with a tighter edit and a bit more emotional depth.

If you’re a fan of film-set romance and love a messy, chaotic duo trying to stumble into love, this might still hit the spot for you!

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

When a struggling indie filmmaker and a charming yet grumpy Hollywood star collide, sparks fly both on and off set in Reel Love. What starts as a professional collaboration soon turns into a whirlwind of chemistry, misunderstandings, and reluctant attraction, leading to a love story neither of them saw coming.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS! What is Evie Browning even onto???

This book found me at the perfect time, reminding me that love, like filmmaking, is messy, unpredictable, and absolutely worth the risk. Sam taught me that chasing your dreams sometimes means breaking a few rules (and hearts) along the way, and Ellie made me believe in the magic of unexpected second chances.

I love how Sam is both cocky and secretly soft, how his walls come down bit by bit around Ellie. And Ellie? She’s the definition of resilience; Sharp-witted, passionate, and just chaotic enough to make every moment with her feel electric. Their banter, their stolen glances, the push and pull; it was everything!

can't wait to read more!

Themes & Tropes: Grumpy vs. Sunshine, Hollywood & Indie Film Worlds Collide, Slow burn romance with electric chemistry and Second chances & chasing dreams

Highly recommended for readers who love: Witty banter and sizzling chemistry, Strong, ambitious heroines and guarded heroes, A behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking and Romance with emotional depth and heartwarming moments

Thank you, Evie Browning, for giving me an advance review copy of this book! I absolutely loved every second of it.

Reel Love by Evie Browning is a sweet and heartwarming romance set against the backdrop of a charming coastal town. The story follows Mia, a woman searching for a fresh start, and Jake, a local fisherman with a troubled past. As their paths cross, sparks fly, and they begin to uncover what really matters in life and love.

Browning's writing is engaging and easy to fall into, and the chemistry between Mia and Jake is undeniable. The setting of the small town by the sea adds a cozy, inviting element to the story, making it the perfect escape for romance lovers. With well-developed characters, emotional depth, and a satisfying love story, Reel Love is a delightful read.

If you enjoy a romance with heart, charm, and a touch of personal growth, Reel Love is a must-read.

An age gap.romance, the story of Anna and John. After a night in the bar together the never expect to be working together, so what will happen next?

Anna Kovác, eine 35-jährige Filmregisseurin, kämpft nach ihrer Scheidung von einem einflussreichen Hollywood-Agenten mit ihrer Karriere. Bei einem zufälligen Treffen in einer Bar lernt sie den 27-jährigen John Mills kennen, einen aufstrebenden Drehbuchautor, der nebenbei als Barkeeper arbeitet. Ihre Wege kreuzen sich erneut, als sie gemeinsam an einem Filmprojekt in Italien arbeiten. Was als professionelle Zusammenarbeit beginnt, entwickelt sich zu einer romantischen Beziehung, die jedoch durch persönliche Unsicherheiten und äussere Einflüsse auf die Probe gestellt wird.​

Besonders am Buch:
- Hollywood-Kulisse: Das Buch bietet einen interessanten Einblick in die Welt des Filmemachens und beleuchtet die Herausforderungen, denen Frauen in der Branche begegnen. ​
- Altersunterschied: Die Dynamik zwischen der älteren Anna und dem jüngeren John bringt frischen Wind in das Genre und thematisiert gesellschaftliche Vorurteile gegenüber solchen Beziehungen.​
- Themenvielfalt: Neben der Liebesgeschichte werden Themen wie beruflicher Ehrgeiz, Selbstzweifel und die Suche nach Anerkennung behandelt.​

Fazit: eine unterhaltsame Lektüre für alle, die romantische Geschichten mit einem Hauch von Hollywood-Flair schätzen.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a fun workplace romance. Not going to lie it wasn’t my favorite but I think that is mostly that it was a little too close to my real profession so I was critical of that.

Just finished this one — I’d give it a solid 4 out of 5. It wasn’t a “devour in one sitting” kind of read, and while it had some problematic elements (flipping the gender dynamic doesn’t magically fix workplace romance issues — and no, the age gap isn’t the core problem), I still genuinely enjoyed it. It definitely pushes you to think about stereotypes around age, power, and toxic relationships. But in a digestible way because it's still an easy romance read.

Funny, romantic, insightful. I enjoyed the chemistry and the banter. Would definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy a celebrity, age gap romance

Review: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Title: Reel Love
Author: Evie Browning
Thank you to NetGalley and McKinley Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Reel Love is a charming, fast-paced romance set against the glitzy (and chaotic) backdrop of Hollywood. I really enjoyed the unique take on the reverse age-gap trope—Anna and John had some genuinely sweet and funny moments, and their chemistry definitely had its sparks.

The film industry setting added an interesting layer, and Anna’s experience as a female director brought depth and real-world relevance to the story. The banter was flirty and fun, and I appreciated the commentary on creative ambition and navigating insecurities, especially for women in leadership roles.

While some of the drama between the leads felt a bit exaggerated at times, and the third-act conflict could’ve been stronger, the overall vibe was light, romantic, and entertaining. It’s a fun read for fans of workplace rom-coms and slow-burn tension, especially if you enjoy stories about second chances and unexpected connection.

Perfect for a weekend read or a palate cleanser between heavier books!

This had potential but fell flat. The female character came off one way but acted another. The fights were over stupid things and the chemistry felt forced

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
A sparkling age-gap rom-com that delivers laughs, tension, and surprising emotional depth. Evie Browning nails the workplace banter and builds a relationship that feels both hot and heartfelt. Flirty, fun, and surprisingly poignant.

Super cute, fast-paced, fun, and romatic read! The cover drew me in, but the story is super fun and goes by in a flash. Thank you to McKinley Press for the advanced e copy in exchange for an honest review!

Reel Love offers readers a glimpse into the glamorous yet challenging world of Hollywood, focusing on the evolving relationship between Anna Kovác, a film director in her late 30s, and John Mills, a 27-year-old aspiring screenwriter and bartender.


The novel provides an engaging look behind the scenes of the film industry, highlighting the intricacies of movie production and the challenges faced by female directors. Anna and John's initial interactions are filled with potential, offering moments of genuine connection and flirtation.
Anna's caracther didnt have much personal growth and John lacks the depth needed to fully care about his character.​

Some plot became predictable and made the story lose the tension it had, the 3 POV and shifts in characters made it difficult for me to immerse in the story and keep up with what was happening,

Although this book is not bad, it becomes confusing a little predictable and bland at times.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

This charming workplace romance has a lot of potential but ultimately fell short for me. The concept was intriguing, and the setup initially drew me in, offering a glimpse of Hollywood’s behind the scene. I particularly enjoyed the scenes where Anna was in her work environment; it was here that she truly came to life. In these moments, we saw her shine, displaying a confidence that contrasted sharply with the insecurity she exhibited in her personal life.

John, the romantic interest, was sweet, and while I appreciated some of the romantic moments, the third-act breakup didn’t sit well with me. It felt forced and seemed like a step backward in the development of the characters' relationship.

While this book has promise, it just missed the mark for me. But if you want a light read with some cute moments, this might be for you!

A charming and nostalgic romance with the perfect dose of cinematic magic. Browning captures the thrill of love, movies, and second chances beautifully.

This was overall an interesting and entertaining book. I was just not obsessed with it. Like I was okay and having a good time.

I found it a little confusing I’m not sure if it because of the film references which I didn’t know or what but I was really confused throughout it. I also didn’t really like the miscommunication troupe but that’s more of a personal issue than the books. I did like the romance between the two characters I love the age gap with her being old that’s by favourite type of age gap

Well first off thank you to the publishing company and Net Galley for the ARC version of this book!

Finally going through my arc books, and little upset I only just now am reading this! It was a cute first time reverse age gap book! But I also feel as though this is becoming more normal! Both in books and real life.

There was definitely some miss communication going on, and I feel like if she’d just sat down and listened, and him be able to just swallow his self pity they both could’ve avoided so much!

I could probably see myself giving it a reread later on.