With Fake dating, real chemistry, and the chaotic bliss of chasing both dreams and love—this one had me grinning like a fool. As a romance reader who enjoys celebrity crush tropes and behind-the-scenes Hollywood drama, this book delivered all the juicy vibes. Emmy Ellison, a romance author on the cusp of everything she’s ever wanted—fame, a movie deal, and maybe even love—is impossible not to root for. She’s funny, ambitious, a little neurotic in the best way, and totally aware that her "fake dating" scheme with her longtime celebrity crush is probably a bad idea. But that's exactly what makes it so fun!

The chemistry between Emmy and her Hollywood heartthrob is slow-burn delicious and their banter is on point. Their emotional arc is light and frothy, but also surprisingly heartfelt. It also explores the pressure of social media stardom, artistic integrity, and what it means to love when the cameras stop rolling.

I read this in ebook format and also listened to the audiobook. The writing is sharp, witty, and flows easily. It reads like a dream for anyone who enjoys books about writers, celebrity culture, and the hilarity of trying to stay professional while falling in love. The audiobook enhances the whole experience. The narrators, absolutely nail the dialogue, really making Emmy’s inner monologue and the subtle romantic tension come alive. Great pacing, natural delivery, and a few LOL moments that hit even harder when heard out loud.
A great experience on both fronts!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and Hachette Audio and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Romance author Emmy Ellison has it all... almost. Her book is becoming a movie, and the actor cast as the lead? None other than her long-time secret celebrity crush… who just so happens to be the real-life inspiration for her swoonworthy hero. When a fake dating opportunity arises, Emmy jumps at the chance, not just for the proximity, but to boost her social media presence and bestseller status. But playing pretend starts to feel all too real when sparks fly off-screen, too. Can she balance career dreams with a shot at true love under the blinding lights of Hollywood?

Tropes
* Fake dating
* Author x actor
* Celebrity crush turned real romance
* Behind-the-scenes Hollywood
* Dream come true vibes
* Forced proximity
* Grumpy/sunshine undertones
* Mutual pining
* Classic fake dating hijinks with heart
* Just enough angst to tug at your heartstrings

Celebrity Crush is every romance reader’s fantasy come true. Christy Swift blends wit, charm, and emotional depth in this story of a writer who gets to fake-date the man who inspired her fictional happily-ever-after. Emmy is relatable and lovable as a career-driven creative who slowly lets herself believe she’s worthy of her own epic romance. The chemistry with her broody, camera-shy hero is off the charts and the slow-burn payoff is 'chef’s kiss'. If you love books about books, celebrity love stories, and sweet, swoony tension with a dash of glitz, this one’s for you.

DNF @ 40% - Woof. That is all I can say. I’ve never hated two MCs so much, so quickly. And they just get worse as the book progresses. This is a no for me.

Really cute premise for a book that became a bit more meh by the end. I enjoyed the build up and banter between the two main characters, but it was so unrealistic that you really had to suspend your disbelief to get through it. A leading man actor falling for a first time author who also happens to be gaining quick success… it’s a lot to believe in. The fact that the MMC has a child with the woman who is now having a child with the father of the FMC’s daughter was also quite a disbelieving coincidence. Then, to me, the ending felt super rushed and tied up with a bow very quickly. Almost like the author was on a deadline and couldn’t finish fast enough. So meh in my opinion.

This was a cute and easy listen! The narrator did a great job of telling the story. It was lighthearted and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book.

This was such a sweet, feel good romance! I listened to the audiobook and thought it was really well done, easy to follow and super engaging. The banter between the characters was so fun, and the chemistry totally worked for me. It’s a clean romance, but still gave me all the butterflies and warm fuzzies. If you’re looking for something light, heartwarming, and just plain enjoyable, this one’s a great pick!

Jason is Emmy's celebrity crush and the subject of her NYT bestselling book, #CelebrityCrush. It is veiled portrayal and easily comes out that Jason, who is a TV superhero Hollywood star, is who her novel is based on. Emmy's dream comes true when her agent sells the movie rights and Jason's part will be played by Jason. To add to the truly miraculous fantasy, Jason and Emmy will do marketing together for the film. And they play up their relationship for the cameras. So we have forced proximity, insta-love, single mom/dad as our main tropes.

For fans of Tessa Bailey, similar tropes, similar character-types and spice level.

This book had a lot of heart but I didn't love either of the main characters, they came across as whiny and entitled and simplistic. I could do without his chapters that kept describing her "muscular and curvy" body and her suntan. Her internal dialogue referred a lot to his "rock hard body"- I dont know, it was just heavy on the lust language. I liked the book a lot until around 30% but the conflicts were contrived and it went downhill from there.

I would read another book by the author and liked the setting but this one wasn't a big win.

Audiobook narrators did well- particularly the performance of the male narrator, I found it easy to follow. This story does have good pacing so it lends itself well to the audio format.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC.

This was a super cute and lighthearted read centered around a novelist and lead actor. When the FMC gets her big break with her novel being adapted into a movie starring her celebrity crush, she decides to fake date the star in order to build up both parties PR. This book talks about the pros and cons of fame while the two slowly grow real feelings for one another. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the characters in it!

Freaking fantastic.

I loved this book so much! It's truly the epitome of a romcom and was the most fun to read/listen to -- I had the book & audio so I did both. The narrators, Andrew Eiden and Stephanie Willing, really do our MCs justice and I found it so easy to listen to them for hours at time without even realizing it. They truly brought the characters to life -- and the snippets of podcasts, vlogs, shows, etc. were AMAZING. I still hear the giggles from Isla and Amil when I think of the book! Very over the top, but very fitting. The pacing is perfect and they really pull off both the humorous scenes and the tender, heart wrenching ones. 10/10 recommend the audio if you enjoy that format!

Now onto the book itself. Christy Swift mastered the will they won't they, celebrity x fan romantic comedy! I love that this is a romance book about a romance book that's being turned into a film, and I think it's only right that this book also be turned into a movie so that we can really appreciate it (: The banter is a lot of fun, even when they aren't on the best of terms, their barbs still hit, making it a super quick read/listen. Both Emmy and Jason are single parents, bringing a bit more vulnerability to their characters and definitely some potential barriers to any ideas for an easy romance or fling. Their kids are a big part of their story and are woven in perfectly with just enough presence for the reader to feel like they know them and care for them and to show how each character is as a parent without preventing more serious adult only scenes that build the romance. And the side characters! I love Emmy's best friend and Jason's castmates. They all had so much personality and were really there to support the MCs. The ending has me hopeful for a book two about two certain side characters...

It's a really cute book for fans of pop culture, celebrity romance, reformed bad boys, and a bit of Hollywood drama. I highly recommend Celebrity Crush to all the romcom readers out there and anyone who's looking for a good quick read to end the month on a high note! Or if you're looking for a good book to delude you into thinking you too can find the love of your life in your celebrity crush😝

Thank you Forever & Hachette Audio for the arc and alc via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is perfect for fans of celebrity gossip. It shows the truth behind the photos and what you read online. This was a fun, sweet, laugh out loud romance that I could not put down The audio was absolute perfection and kept me in the story completely. Highly recommended!

Not just your average celebrity crush, but the fame, fashion, and lights meet romance in this unlikely pairing. A feel good romance with fun characters and flashy scenes.

Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift is a fun, fast-paced rom-com that blends humor, heart, and a dash of Hollywood glam. The witty banter and relatable characters make it an easy and enjoyable read, perfect for anyone who loves a good celebrity romance with a refreshing twist. Swift delivers a story that’s as sweet as it is entertaining, leaving readers with a smile long after the last page. A delightful pick for fans of light-hearted fiction!

I enjoyed the banter between our FMC and MMC, Emmy and Jason. When there wasn’t conflict between them, their chemistry was great! However, there was a lot in this story that felt either glossed over too quickly or spent too much emotion on. The matter of Peyton’s paternity and the situation where it came about was one of those, there was more time spent on describing a creepy doll than something as important as that. Jason was also fairly unlikeable at some parts during their arguments. Like I understand being upset but he acted like a full-on douche at times that she acted like he barely had to be forgiven. I liked the side characters constantly being around them, it made them feel more authentic and like “real” life was actually involved throughout their relationship. Overall, it was a fun listen and the narrators they chose encompassed the personalities completely!

“Celebrity Crush” by Christy Swift is a closed door rom-com about an author, Emmy, who wrote a book inspired by her celebrity crush, Jason.

When an online poll guessing just who the celebrity is goes viral, Emmy is not only thrust in the spotlight, but gets to meet said crush. Chaos and a media frenzy ensues. While a lot of the book felt a little too predictable, it was still such a fun read. I finished it in one day.

The audiobook was a lot of fun as the dual narration by Andrew Eiden and Stephanie Willing, really brought the characters and the story alive.

Thank you Hachette Audio for selecting me for this ALC, I enjoyed it.

I’m usually not a fan of romcoms, but this one completely won me over! The humor, character development, and attention to detail kept me hooked from start to finish. I also loved the audiobook. The narrators did an amazing job bringing the story to life!

This book/audiobook was fantastic! It is narrated by Andrew Eiden and Stephanie Willings, who truly brought the main characters to life. Their narration made the story feel so real that I was completely swept up in the storyline.

The story itself is a romantic comedy that will have you holding your sides with laughter. I found the plot setup to be unique compared to other romcoms I've read recently. It's about a romance novel being made into a movie—how often do you see that? Most of the recent books have been dark mafia romances. The banter between the characters was amazing, and I love a good witty exchange, even when there's tension between them. This made the book go by quickly, which was both a good and bad thing!

Overall, this book was incredibly cute and delivered the plot exceptionally well. It cleverly incorporated elements of pop culture and celebrity romance, including the classic trope of a reformed bad boy. If you're looking for a funny romcom that will lighten your day, make you laugh, and offer depth with its characters, I highly recommend you pick up this book!

Thank you Forever & Hachette Audio for the audio book via NetGalley.

Okay look, is this book deep & life changing? No. Is it a cute, fun read? Yes. It’s the equivalent of a Hallmark movie: it’s not going to win any awards but it’s the perfect thing to bring a smile to my face.

The narrator did a good job, but I couldn't get into this book. I love celebrity romance, and there were some insights that I found spot-on, but I don't know if it was me or the book, but I wasn't super compelled to finish it.

What a cute and fun debut! I absolutely loved the premise—an author using her real-life celebrity crush as inspiration for her novel, only for it to manifest in reality. Such a fun setup with so many great moments! One thing I especially enjoyed was that both Emmy and Jason were single parents, but in completely different phases of their parenting journeys. Their experiences gave them unique perspectives while also allowing them to connect on a deeper level. And Emmy’s relationship with her daughter was such a highlight. Since she’s older, she’s not just along for the ride—she’s actively invested in her mom’s happiness, which added so much charm and humor to the story. The pop culture references and humor were another standout, especially with how the book playfully pokes fun at the Hollywood scene. From industry quirks to the chaos of celebrity PR, it struck the perfect balance between lighthearted fun and heartfelt moments.

Andrew Eiden and Stephanie Willing did a fantastic job narrating, bringing Emmy and Jason to life in such a vivid way. Their performances really enhanced the experience and made the characters feel even more real. The audiobook was especially fun with its blend of podcast and TV interview segments, which added a unique layer to the story and made it feel even more immersive.

REVIEW✨
Celebrity Crush
By Christy Swift

This one fell a little flat, I loved the idea behind it but I didn’t find it well executed. I didn’t enjoy either of the main characters, nor was it realistic. I loved that both the main characters were single parents, and trying to find love again. But kinda everything else of the plot didn’t work for me, I didn’t feel any connection to the characters and felt like if the main characters did a little more communicating there would’ve be any issues.

I did really love the voices via the auto book,
Plot points: 💥💥💥
Spice Level:🔥
Romance level: ❤️❤️
Stars: ⭐️⭐️

Thanks so much to Readforever and Nergalley for the free book in exchange for an honest review.