Let’s Make a Scene is a light-hearted, enemies-to-lovers romance. It follows Jack and Cynthie in the present and 13 years ago as they work on a movie together and navigate their complicated feelings.

4.5 Stars! I'm not usually a fan of second chances, but these 2 were so entertaining. I loved the prank wars, the eccentric cast of characters, and the behind the scenes movie stuff...it was fantastic! Plus, Jack and Cynthie's chemistry oozed off the page!!

Note - I haven't read the first book and I had no issues diving right in to this one.

**Thanks to S&S Atria via NetGalley for inviting me to read this arc!

DNF @22%

I don't like the way that the dual timelines were handled. I don't think we need chapters of information between the present day story. It felt like two separate stories in one book. I didn't like the dual perspectives either and I didn't care for Jack.

3.5 out of 5 stars rounded up!

It’s been 13 years since Jack and Cynthie have seen each other, but that’s all about to change when they start filming the sequel to the regency romance that brought them together.

I enjoyed this one, but there seemed to be something missing. I can’t quite put my finger on it! I enjoyed the characters and their relationship. Maybe it was the enemies to lovers arc in the past scenes? I’ve realized I’m not always the biggest fan of that trope!

Read if you like…
🎬 celebrity romance
⏰ dual timeline
👥 dual POV
💕 second chance romance
😤 enemies to lovers
🎞️ Hollywood setting

This book really hits a few of different big tropes. It’s has:
Second chance (kinda in my opinion)
Rivals to lovers
Fake dating
And though we do bounce back and forth between the 13 year time period between the original filming and promotion of the movie and the new documentary I found that the book really kept my attention and Lura Wood did so pretty seamlessly. I sometimes tend to have issues when there are time jumps back and forth and I didn’t really have those with this. I found the rivals and tension between the characters, Cynthia and Jack, to be very well done. I also like how the there was a path forward and more talk to the beginning reason of what happened with Cynthia and the present day situation she was going through. I also loved that ending! To me it was very satisfying and had me grinning from ear to ear.

Thank you Atria for the complimentary copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I lived bouncing between 13 yrs for jack and Cynthne and seeing how their chemistry grew and their love story evolved. This was a fun quick read and I loved all the supporting characters.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

This book surprised me. I don’t know what I expected but it was so good! Loved the characters, they hooked me from the start. Loved the banter. This book was so fun and such a good time! Can’t wait to read more from this author.

I loved this next installment from Laura Wood! Under Your Spell is one of my favorites, and I am glad to say Let's Make a Scene did not disappoint! While I think it missed some of the magical realism charm that really set UYS apart, I loved the character dynamics throughout this entire piece, and especially Cynthie's development arc. The chemistry and tension was wonderful, and unlike some enemies-to-lovers characters I actually genuinely felt the hate at the beginning! Wonderfully written and a very fun, escapist read.

I pretty much read this book with a perma-grin on my face. It was just the best surprise of a book! Two actors start off hating each other-get this-while they are filming a REGENCY ROMANCE movie!? Get out of town. I loved it so much. Jack and Cynthie were perfect for each other even though it took plenty of time for them to figure it out, let alone work out their issues. The characters were layered and complex but utterly charming! Read this for the:

-behind the scenes look at filming a movie (did I mention its a REGENCY)
-found family that honestly cracked me up so much. Adorably chaotic
-a horse with a 13 year long crush (its so cute)
-chemistry and tension for dayyys. These two are fighting each other, their feelings, their loved ones…and it leapt off the page. They were so fantastic!
-the sweetest ending. Seriously
-redemption and love and friendship and respect and just everything you would want in a romance

I loved it even more than Under Your Spell, and I cant wait to read more from this author!

⚠️:open door, swearing, past verbal abuse and hollywood trauma

Let’s make a scene was a perfect take on second chance romances. As someone who finds that trope to be very hit and miss this was a definite hit for me!

I wasn’t really expecting to spend as much time in the past as we did over the course of this book but I really enjoyed it. I thought there was a lot of great character building in both timelines that really helped bring a full picture together. I loved getting to see where Jack ended up after years of working on himself and how the experience impacted both of them for the long haul.

The other thing I really enjoyed was the background cast of characters and getting to see them in both timelines. Found family is great, getting to see where a character found them is even better.

All in all I really enjoyed this one. I think it’s a perfect summer read.

Meet Cynthie—a highly acclaimed actress whose flawless public image seems to be crashing down when a scandal threatens to derail her career. Suddenly a golden opportunity falls into her lap....similar to the one that launched her into stardom 13 years ago. Back then, she was just a girl with no film experience, handpicked for a breakout role opposite the notoriously charming Jack Turner-Jones. From co-stars to rivals, then reluctantly into a fake romance, their relationship was anything but predictable. Now, the chance to revive her career comes with one stipulation: fake date Jack Turner-Jones again as part of the long-awaited sequel’s press tour. It’s a risky move but maybe the line between fake and real was never as clear as they pretended it was.

I LOVED this. I ate it up. I flew through the book and will definitely be rereading it. Jack, the man that you are today. Yes both Cynthie and Jack were a little rough around the edges during their first movie but they had their reasons. Similarly relative fresh on the scene, they just didn't know how to handle that type of thing. Anyway love love. Loved the flashbacks and they way the story flowed through the book. Loved the current day POVs so much and I could feel the love through the pages I cried. I just love love love "found family" They were all iconic! I love Jacks protectiveness and attentiveness and the ending was just perf perf perf!

Thank you to NetGalley and Laura Wood for allowing me to read an eARC of "Let's Make a Scene" in exchange for my honest opinions.

Let's Make a Scene is a dual POV, dual timeline book about two actors making (not great) first impressions then growing separately on their own journeys (while still loving/being attracted to the other). For *reasons*, they're thrown back together to not only make a movie where they reprise their roles, but they'll also be recorded for a documentary--while fake dating. I love when the lines of real and fake blur and this did it so well.
And that kiss! And the recreation at the award's ceremony! Swoon!

I will say, it wasn't my favorite style. Most of the book felt slow until maybe the 75% mark where we were in the past less.
I did like the found family (what a great group of characters!), the humor, and the second chance romance.
The setting aspects, like being on set, were fun as well, and I liked the documentary piece and how that was handled at the end.

I'll be checking out Laura's other books.

Rivals to lovers is a favorite trope of mine. I loved the flashbacks in the story. I feel like it gave a better look at them with their anger toward each other but also the underlying banter. They had great chemistry and I liked that we were able to see it.

I think the book did a great job at balancing the tension between the character plus the humor of it. And then the super tender moments. It was very cute.

Cynthie and Jack are back 13 years later for a sequel to their breakout movie. However, the last time, they hated each other and had full on war - while having to fake date. How, they’re re-doing the fake dating to help her scandal and his renewal for his show.

I loved the second book in the series. I also loved that Theo and Clemmie made appearances. The dual POV and flip-flopping between the past and present is always a favorite of mine when done right. Again, I can’t stress enough how much I enjoy a no third act breakup!

Cynthie is brand new to acting - gets her first big break from an open audition, starring in a regency era romance alongside seasoned professional, Jack. Their table read? A disaster. After he essentially tries to get her fired, Jack does not go out of his way to make Cynthie feel welcome. Their chemistry on set, however, is undeniable and it becomes difficult to distinguish acting from reality. When a fake relationship is requested to boost promotion of the movie, they reluctantly agree. Things do not end well and they literally do not speak for 13 years. Cue the sequel! Now a "cult classic," the two are back on set and in a much better place professionally, though Cynthie recently has been in the tabloids due to an "affair" with a director. Once again faking a relationship, it's now even harder to fake their real feelings.

Celebrities, gossip, found family, "it's always been you," - say less! This one was filled with great banter, just enough spice, and all the pining. I loved that they were reunited after 13 years and that they got a second chance once they grew up. They both had so much to learn when they first met, and not that they were perfect versions of themselves later, but they were so much more mature and capable of communicating. I loved that therapy was not something to be ashamed of, and that both Jack and Cynthie had friends that were family to rely on and who supported them. Cynthie had kind of stopped believing in love and romance in the real world and if you love a grand gesture, get ready! Romance readers - add this one to the TBR! The perfect summer beach read.

This. Book. THIS BOOK!! I am absolutely feral for it. Just giddy, start to finish. It’s a love letter to found family and second chances — and it is a cozy, laugh out loud delight of a thing. I adored Under Your Spell and was excited for Cynthie’s book — but I was NOT prepared for one Jack Turner-Jones. This. Man. THIS MAN!! I just — sigh. I am ruined, happily.

Let’s Make A Scene has everything I crave in a modern day romance — messy feelings, characters who get in their own way, insanely perfect pop culture references, friendships I’d take a bullet for and a love story that roots in your own chest while you read it. It’s clever and kind-hearted and lovely top to end.

It comes out 7/1!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was tough to get through and fell short for me. I think it was because the dual pov and timeline didn’t flow smoothly to me. I would have enjoyed it more had we stuck with one time line and worked through.

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.

no one was more disappointed by this book than me i swear. the fact that i have like 5% left in the book and can't bring myself to finish it says really everything that needs to be said

Let's Make a Scene was a beautiful second-chance romance, and I loved it. Cynthie and Jack went from colleagues to enemies to pretend lovers and everything in between. Needless to say, I was here for it and quite enjoyed the timeline of their relationship. Not only was it a second chance, but they were also actors, and I love a celebrity-esque romance. The writing was engaging, and I enjoyed the book's style, which alternated between the past and the present. I liked how much time was spent in the past because it really gave readers the proper backstory for Cynthie and Jack. The side characters were also incredible. They all felt developed and helped contribute to the overall love story. I couldn't stop reading, and I was swooning, kicking my feet, and waiting on the edge of my seat for them to give in to their chemistry. The story also felt like multiple Taylor Swift songs, which I loved. This was so good, and I can't wait to see what Laura does next. Thank you Atria for the ARC to read and review!