A romance author writes a book and bases the main character on her celebrity crush. This leads her to meeting him in real life and she agrees to help him with his bad guy image. I love it!

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Author Emmy’s flying high thanks to the success of her book #CelebrityCrush and the upcoming movie based on it. While promoting her book and movie she meets her actual Hollywood crush who’s the inspiration and hero of her book, Jason Connor. And he’s starring in the movie! This movie could be what Jason needs to improve his public image otherwise he’ll out of a job. When sparks fly between them Jason finds behaving himself to be hard and Emmy thinks that there could be something real between them. Never mind the complications in their personal lives that’d make this a bad idea.

This is a cotton candy romance replete with pop culture and a sci-fi references. Its cute premise starts off well before red flags pop up. I didn’t feel the immediate chemistry between the leads probably because Emmy’s crush on Jason seemed to blur the line between fiction and fantasy in her mind. As fun as some parts are, there are two things that irked me. One - the miscommunication trope. Or rather lack of that would’ve avoided any of the eventual fallout. Two - instead what follows are all the immature, cruel and destructive ways they publicly hurt and sabotage each other in response. It’s disturbing when it could easily have been addressed from the get go by just talking. By some miracle it turns around and things are rectified.

Highlights:
🍿 Romance, dual POV, HEA
🍿 Single parent FMC & MMC
🍿 Author, social media influencer
🍿 Gossip, social media posts & podcast bits
🍿 Low spice, closed door

Both narrators were good. I really liked Willing’s take on the two kind of ditzy podcasters. Those giggles cracked me up! Despite my reservations with some aspects of the story, it still managed to come through at end for me. Those Duran Duran references were a mood booster, and that HEA for the win!

Thank you @hachetteaudio & @netgalley for my ALC in exchange for an honest review. 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵 is out now!

Review: Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift

What’s a romance author to do when her celebrity crush signs on to play the hero in her book’s movie adaptation? Fake date him for PR, of course, or maybe for other reasons too. Celebrity Crush delivers a delightful mix of Hollywood glamour, fake dating, and sizzling chemistry between Emmy, a determined romance writer, and Jason, a bad-boy actor in need of an image boost.

This audiobook was an absolute rom-com dream. The story seamlessly blends forced proximity, single-parent dynamics, and sharp, laugh-out-loud banter. The pop culture references, particularly the niche sci-fi nods, added an extra layer of charm. The writing style fits the tone perfectly, with vivid descriptions that bring the characters to life. When Jason’s “vampire smile” was mentioned, I immediately pictured a certain Salvatore brother, and if you know, you know.

The narration was outstanding. Dual POV audiobooks always elevate the listening experience, and this one was no exception. Both narrators delivered performances that made the chemistry between Emmy and Jason feel real, enhanced the humour, and added depth to the emotional moments. The pacing was smooth, and there were no awkward edits or inconsistencies, just pure audiobook magic.

My only small critique? The overuse of “hashtag” in the dialogue. Some trends are best left in the past.

Overall, Celebrity Crush is a fun, heartwarming, and engaging rom-com with all the right ingredients: Hollywood drama, fake dating shenanigans, and undeniable chemistry. Fans of lighthearted romance audiobooks will thoroughly enjoy this one.

Thank you to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to this one on audiobook! It's a fun listen.

Emmy Ellison is a brand new author. Recently published, she's promoting her new book (whose main character is based on her celebrity crush). When she's on a show, she actually gets to MEET her celebrity crush, Jason.

Jason is having to walk a fine line after too many hiccups in public. He's made some pretty public mistakes and has been trying to clean up his act. His TV show is on the line.

So after run in Jason and Emmy become closer. Emmy, who's great at social media, realizes she can help Jason with the public opinion that seems to keep painting him as the playboy he used to be.

Emmy is hiding some major secrets herself. She hasn't been completely honest with Jason, and there's a really big personal secret she's been keeping... from everyone.

What happens when the help turns into hurt? Do you trust your gut, or what you see?

Oh, there were a few times I wanted to boink Jason on the head! But that's what makes him loveable. He has his heart in the right place. We just need that sense to kick in.

It's a really, really funny story! Emmy has a heart of gold (and is a nerd, which I LOVED!) and Jason... well read to see!

3 Stars

This had such a fun premise—fake dating, a celebrity crush, and a book-to-movie adaptation? Sign me up. But while the setup was great, the execution didn’t fully deliver for me. The romance was cute, but it felt a little surface-level, and I wanted more depth between the characters. The social media/fame angle had potential, but at times, it overshadowed the emotional connection. I also got the ick for the MMC on chapter 16.

It’s a quick, lighthearted read with some enjoyable moments, but I didn’t find myself fully invested in the relationship. If you’re in the mood for something easy and entertaining, it’s worth a shot, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

This book reminded me of an old ABC Family movie. You know the ones, not quite Hallmark and not quite Lifetime, somewhere in between starring someone from a TV show you used to watch as a kid. I'm definitely picturing Zac Efron as Jason. (Who am I kidding though, I'm always picturing Zac Efron or Henry Cavill as the mmc.) This was quirky and fun with many laugh out loud moments with pop culture references like the author was inspired by Gilmore Girls. I loved every minute of the listen. The narrators were both excellent choices. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced listen.

If you know me a little you know my absolute LOVE for celebrity romance/hollywood style books so I was excited!

Emmy is the author of a bestselling romance that is based off of her real life celebrity crush. When that celebrity is “outed” as her inspiration - the book sales soar and a movie deal is optioned. To promote the book and movie, Emmy and her celebrity crush play into the romance a bit for the cameras… little to they know they aren’t acting.

This one was a bit disappointing at the end because the MMC was being soo mean to the FMC during the third act breakup I almost didn’t want them to get back together. It turned itself around but unfortunately it colored my perception a little too much.

It took me longer than expected to get through this audio book, but it was worth every minute of listening time. The narrators were great, especially Stephanie Willing. Her voice was perfect for Emmy, and she did such a great job with the different female side characters voices as well.

Overall, the actual content of this book was a humorous and wild ride. I loved the interactions between the characters & the way the story transpired. The story had its curtsey moments but also moments where you just wanted to shake the main characters for their behavior. I feel like any good book has moments like that. There were things that Jason did that I feel like many people would not agree with but overall, without being in the limelight you don't know how you would react or act in any of those situations. I think that Christy did a wonderful job showing that actors, even fictional ones in a book, are just human & screw up royally like the rest of us do.

Celebrity Crush was a solid book and listening to it as an audiobook made it so much fun.

3.5 stars rounded up

I found myself kind of bored and as I was listening to the audiobook I found my mind wandering instead of listening. I just didn't like the main characters and I wasn't rooting for them at all. I found them kind of annoying. The narrators and the audiobook definitely redeemed the book. This book wasn't my cup of tea.

This was a fun premise when an author bases a character in her novel on her celebrity crush! While I liked the initial premise, I had a hard time getting into the story. I struggled to truly root for either of the main characters, but still enjoyed the overall story!

The audio narration was great and I would recommend this format!

This book made me wonder how I would act if I had been in the FMC's place. There were so many awkward moments between her and the MMC. I wouldn't have been able to handle it, but it was so fun to read. However, there were many times when I felt secondhand embarrassment. It had the perfect amount of cute moments while also throwing some drama. The narrators did a fantastic job bringing the main characters to life!

Thanks to Hachette Audio and Forever for the ALC!

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, Celebrity Crush. I think the concept of writing your celebrity crush into a book that he stars in is a great hook. I felt that the audio performance of the FMC (Stephanie Willing) was much better than the MMC (Andrew Eiden). It took me a few chapter to kinda of start enjoying his voice. I enjoyed the gossip podcast and the different voices that went with those sections.

I felt that some of the choices that the main characters make were a bit childish and lacked maturity. It’s due to these poor decisions that they have their falling out and are miserable for months.

The one weekend that they had together was great and had their cute moments. I wish there was a longer epilogue so we could see them being cute together.

I would give this a three and a half, but I always round up.

I received the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my review.

I adored this! It was very cute and fun. The narration was wonderful. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

2.75. Emmy is a romance writer whose book is being made into a movie. She knows she can use social media to promote herself and decides to reveal her celebrity crush to her following. He’s also starring in her movie. The PR is too good to pass up but she wasn’t joking about the crush and a crush turns into feelings as they work together to promote.

This was a fun listen and had really charming parts. There were a lot of corny parts as well that got old quickly. Jason was not a very likable character for me personally and didn’t seem to develop into one over the course of the story. Emmy wasn’t likable enough to redeem both of them either. The entire story fell a little flat for me towards the middle.

The narrators did great at portraying the characters.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Christy Swift, and Hachette Audio for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review. This published on February 11th.

I had so much fun listening to this hilarious, and heartfelt romance! Swift's delightful debut slow burn rom-com is filled with witty banter, awkward and hilarious situations, and a sweet and moving storyline with lots of heart. Emily Ellison wrote a hit romance called Celebrity Crush, that is being made into a movie staring her celebrity crush, Jason Connor. She tried to be a screen writer originally, but had to settle as a social media manager. As she promotes her book, she and Jason finally meet. Jason's career is at risk after an unfortunate incident and he is in need of a PR makeover. When Emily offers to help, they begin to spend time together. Feelings and fiery attraction begins to grow between them. They are from two different worlds and they each have a child to consider. Can they trust that their feelings are real, or are they using each other to further both their careers? I really fell hard and cared for both Emily and Jason, as I cheered for their HEA. They were so endearingly sweet, funny, and genuine together, with great chemistry. I was a bit frustrated with some of the miscommunication that added some angst to the story, but there were so many laugh out loud moments, some emotional, and some sweet and tender moments that made me so very happy. I also loved all the secondary characters who added so much heartfelt quirkiness, and fun to this story as well.
Andrew Eiden and Stephanie Willing's narration was spectacular! They just bring that little something extra to their performance. The way they developed and expressed each of these characters, and their struggles so intimately, making each character come alive was completely captivating. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves slow-burn, romantic comedies, with witty banter and great characters.

Cute story about an author who writes a story based on her celebrity crush. Her book becomes optioned for a movie and he stars in it! The pair do a whole PR tour. Cute read, I love that it was 2 single parents. Single parent trope is one of my favorites!

I think the overall story has potential but there seems to be an over-the-topness that I can't ignore. Don't get me wrong I love cutesy banter but this was over-the-top cring. I think if the ages were modified to make it more of a teen romance or young 20s then it would make more sense to me, but with the main character being a 30-year-old mom fan girl is a little hard to understand or connect with. I also think the inner dialogue is weird and feels forced as well as the jokes themselves. I do like the young mom who is trying to find love aspect but they way she talks to the guys in the music group is off putting as a 30 year old.

I want to thank Netgalley for the audiobook ARC.

If you like cheesy romcoms this one is for you. The romance was cute although it felt kind of too much YA-ish for my taste. The main characters felt kinda one dimensional and the romance felt rushed. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it to every one who likes the romcom genre.

This is the story of Emmy Ellison, rom-com author and social media influencer, who gets caught up with a Hollywood Star. As someone who is not really into social media, this story fell a little flat to me as I didn't feel I was able to connect with the characters.

Emmy is a romance author whose most recent book centers around a fictional character based on her real life celebrity crush. When one of her videos promoting the book goes viral, she ends up on a talk show where she meets her crush. Jason is a famous actor on a TV show and a well known Hollywood womanizer. Emmy and Jason team up when they realize he can help promote her book and she can help him win back the public's hearts.

I was excited by the premise of this book, but the execution fell flat for me. I just did not fall for either main character. They both felt immature to me and I had a hard time believing their romance. I did like the friendship that developed between them, but there was not spark. Also, this was NOT a fake dating romance as the blurb suggests. I don't know that effected my view of it, but I don't like when the advertising of the book is false. I did find some of the social media and celebrity blog part of it entertaining and funny, particularly because the audiobook narrator did an excellent job in those scenes.

Tropes
* Single Mom/Single Dad
* Actor/Author
* Fantasy Fulfillment
* Hollywood Drama
* Closed Door

3 stars