Let’s Make a Scene is a book written for us! We absolutely loved the setting, the tropes, the main characters and supporting ones. It’s a book about making movies, Hollywood (good & bad), celebrity romance and all the publicity that surrounds it. But what we loved most of all was the love story between Cynthie and Jack.

We were totally into the dual POV, but the dual timeline was the cherry on top! Cynthie and Jack left a lot on the table the first time around and seeing both sides of the story for both timelines gave us the perfect complete picture. Fake dating really blurred the lines between love and hate and ended in heartbreak and unresolved feelings the first time around.

When Cynthie and Jack meet up again to make the sequel, their on-screen chemistry (and off-screen chemistry) is off the charts, and when these enemies turn into lovers, you can’t look away! Cynthie and Jack have to fight some demons towards happiness but it’s handled thoughtfully.

Throw in some really wonderful and lovable friends that become family and a movie being made that we want to see in real life which includes an epic kiss in the rain and a wet shirt period drama moment, this book is happiness.

Many thanks to @atriabooks for the e-book ARC in exchange for our honest review. Let’s Make a Scene is out NOW! (released: July 1st, 2025)

Read if you like:
▪️Second chance romance
▪️Fake dating
▪️Enemies to lovers
▪️Dual POV & dual timeline
▪️Found family
▪️No 3rd act breakup

This was a sweet, cute romance to tickle your fancy. I didn't feel super attached to the characters or their relationship, but I did enjoy the story. If you're looking for a short and sweet rom com, I'd recommend this!

Let’s Make a Scene is a fantastic follow-up to Laura Wood’s first companion novel, Under Your Spell, which I absolutely loved. I was very excited to dive into this one, and it did not disappoint. The story was funny and engaging, and I really enjoyed watching the relationship between Jack and Cynthie develop. Their chemistry and tension were described so well throughout the book, making the payoff at the end incredibly satisfying. If you’re a fan of the fake dating trope mixed with Hollywood actors, you will find this book thoroughly enjoyable. It’s a light, entertaining romance that keeps you hooked until the very last page.

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Laura Wood for granting me access to the ARC.

Cynthie Taylor and Jack Turner-Jones were in a cult classic movie thirteen years ago. It launched both of their careers. Their on screen chemistry sizzled but off came their dislike for each other made the headlines. Now both are in need of a career boost when along comes the opportunity to make a sequel to their original hit. And to top it off they have to pretend to fake date to help with the movie’s PR. The first half is a typical enemies to lovers romance. The story is told from both POV’s and in present and past timelines.

Of course it is clear that both are being stubborn and not admitting their longing or interest but that is half the fun of the story. So much happens near the end I wish it came a little sooner to see it play out more completely. I read this as a stand alone but it is a sequel to ‘Under Your Spell’ (June 2024). The MC’s from that book, Theo and Clemmie both make appearances in this story. And it did make me want to go back and read their romance.

I enjoyed the book, especially the present day scenes.

I need more books in this series!

LET'S MAKE A SCENE is a companion to last year's UNDER YOUR SPELL, which was one of my favorite romances of 2024. Both novels can be enjoyed as standalones, however.

LET'S MAKE A SCENE follows disgraced actress Cynthie Taylor as she reunites with her former costar (and nemesis) to film a sequel to the movie they made together over a decade prior.

I loved everything about this story. The setting, the characters, the dialogue...all of it. I've become such a fan of Laura Wood's adult romances. Her writing is charming without being cheesy, dynamic without being dramatic, and spicy without being smutty.

I ordered a signed deluxe edition of this book from the UK, and I will absolutely be preordering any additional installments in the series!

Let’s Make a Scene incorporates fake dating, second-chance, and enemies-to-lovers vibes in this dual timeline/dual POV story.

Admittedly, employing both dual timeline and POV can have it challenges, but author Laura Wood crafts a story where these tactics are mostly effective. And the setting leaps right off the page. I could easily see this being made into a movie.

I appreciated the chemistry between Cynthie and Jack, as well as their character growth. I read this novel in one sitting and have no regrets! I’m also interested in tapping into this author’s backlist!

Jack and Cynthie starred in their debut film together. They had incredible chemistry but things didn't end well between them. After 13 years of not talking to each other, they are set to reunite in the sequel. To promote the film, the studio asks them to again fake date each other.

A mix of then and now chapters, the chemistry was sparkling between Cynthie and Jack. I really felt it in all their kisses. It was sprinkled throughout with simple touches, the necklace scene, the lean, the lift and the grand gesture. There were some pretty funny one-liners and side characters, especially Cynthie's fitness trainer.

I preferred the chapters set in the present day. The characters were more mature and the communication was better between them. The past chapters felt too messy at times and I was not a fan of those childish pranks. I didn't care for the "enemies" portion even though enemies to lovers is my favorite trope. Honestly it was hard to get through the chapters set in the past and they took up a majority of the first part of the book.

This was so incredibly fun! I’m now 2 for 2 on enjoying this author’s work and will be keeping an eye out for her future releases.

Dual POV, second chance romance, no third act breakup, then/now timeline. I'm not usually into actor romances, but this was soo good!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!

This is the story of two young new coming actors who start off on the wrong foot and 13 years later they are filming a sequel to their hit movie. Can they deal with the fallout of their fake dating situation 13 years ago while also being forced to fake date once again?

I think the idea behind this book is great. I have always loved fake dating as a trope and they do it twice in this book. I think that Jack and Cynthie are both very strong characters. They both have good reasons for behaving the way they do and they help each other grow so much.

Unfortunately I think this book did try to do just a little too much. I think the dual timeline and dual perspective was just a little too much. For me I think it should have been more focused on the present time or more focused on the past. I think trying to balance the time you spent in both times on top of the dual perspective made it a little hard to follow.

As a whole I think this was a good story, with faults. I think people will still like this story if you like a yearning man and character growth.

🎬✨ Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood is pure joy from start to finish!

This heartwarming story is a reminder to believe in love, second chances, and—maybe most importantly—yourself. Set against the charming backdrop of a Regency-era film set, it brings a fun and clever twist to a classic love story.

The chemistry between the characters sparkles, the setting is swoony, and the themes of self-discovery and stepping into your own spotlight are beautifully done.

It’s a story that feels like a hug—romantic, uplifting, and full of charm. If you’re a fan of behind-the-scenes drama, slow burn romance, and stories that make you smile long after you’ve turned the last page, this one’s for you! 💕🎥📚

Wow, I loved this! It was so fun, and felt really fresh and unique and I just couldn’t put it down. I actually surprised myself with how much I loved this, I was reading up until 2 AM because I needed more Cynthie and Jack!

I came into this story blind, without having read the first book and while I will absolutely be reading Theo and Clemmie’s story, Cynthie and Jack’s story feels totally separate, so I didn’t feel out of the loop or feel like I had missed anything major.

Cynthie and Jack are reuniting after 13 years to film a sequel to their wildly successful historical romance (I WISH I could see this movie!!) and have to embark on (another!!) PR relationship in order to help boost both of their careers. Only, the last time they tried this it didn’t go so well!!

Second chance romance and time jumps are not something I typically gravitate towards, but it was done SO excellently here that I am obsessed. I was genuinely giggling like a fool and Jack and Cynthie’s interactions, both 13 years ago and today. It’s so clear to us as the reader that the passion that sparked when they were younger is still alive and is so important to each of them, even if they can’t admit it.

The banter here was just absolutely perfect. And I loved the found family/cast of characters that were Cynthie’s support system.

Also, this book touches on some heavy topics! Cynthie and Jack are both successful actors, with Jack getting pressure and abuse from his successful parents and Cynthie coming out of an abuse working relationship. This causes each of them to doubt their own ability and worth as both actors, but also people.

I massively enjoyed both the story and the writing here, and I can’t wait to read more from Laura Wood!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for this eARC, I absolutely loved it!!

I really enjoyed the actor/actress trope in this, especially with them being coworkers. However the different time lines were a bit confusing and at times I couldn’t remember if I was reading the past or present.

Other than that, I really enjoyed the story. The chemistry between Jack and Cynthie was undeniable even through their bickering moments. I also want to point out the amazing side characters in this, every single one of them were written so perfectly and added the perfect amount of humor.

The aspect of them coming back together after 13 years allowed for such good character growth for both of them it made the ending that much more sweet. Which gave me literal goosebumps!! Overall really cute story and highly recommend!

Let’s Make a Scene is now available!

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC.

Second Chance Romance
Dual Timeline
Hollywood

This had all the elements to work for me, and somehow it didn't. I really struggled with our main characters throughout.

1⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of Let’s Make A Scene.

Cynthie and Jack made a deal over a decade ago to stay away from each other because neither one of them could stand the other. Now they have the chance of a lifetime it have to work together again.

I love an enemies to lovers book but this one was just all over the place. I almost felt like I was reading two different books with the jumping back and forth to different timelines. That really took away from the story. I also could not like either character.

After making some bad dating decisions and needing some positive publicity, Cynthie must consider reuniting on screen with Jack for a sequel to the movie they made 13 years earlier. The only problem is they hate each other and they must pretend to be dating now. The chemistry is there, but will the past cloud the future? You must read for the answers!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐️Jack and Cynthie have grown a lot in the last 13 year, time has given them both perspective, but what has not changed is their amazing chemistry on and off the screen. This one read more as do over than second chance.

I struggled with the flashbacks in the beginning as the tone felt so different and neither came off particularly likeable. But the more I read and got to know them the more they grew on me.

Every time we got to current day I fell a little more for them.

“Her perfume surrounds me, and it’s different now. No longer the sweet citrus scent she used to wear, but something more grown up, more sultry, like dark, ripe berries. She smells like incredibly sexy jam and I fight the urge to bury my face in her neck and inhale.”😍

After absolutely loving Under Your Spell, this solidified Laura as a new favourite author for me. Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author Laura Wood for the advanced reading copy, all my opinions are my own.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to complete the book in time as some life events have prevented reading time I am sure audiences will love the book and hope to return to it at a different time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this E-ARC.

One of my favorite romance tropes is fake dating! I love it. It’s just delicious. Enemies to lovers trope is okay too. I do enjoy the absolutely delicious tension in this book because of that trope. It is done nicely.

It’s written in a past and present timeline but not in a way that is confusing. It’s easy to follow along and the timeline makes sense.
Jack is a very intense person who feels passionately about things. Mostly hate. But also everything else. He is delicious.

This book is amazing! Go read it right now.

I really enjoyed this book, and now I plan to read the first one. My only complaint is that this second chance romance had too long and interval, I cannot imagine 13 years of a crush!!
I loved the Regency theme and the quotes from Jane Austen.
Cynthie Taylor has always wanted to be an actress, and when she is called back for a reading, she and Jack have off the charts chemistry. When they begin to film a Regency era movie, the sparks turn to an adversarial relationship. Now 13 years later, when they are both successful actors who have not interacted in all this time, they are going to make a sequel.
Every character in this book is well drawn and the banter and dialogue is witty and fun.
As in all romances, Cynthie and Jack have a lot of baggage to get through to get to their happy ending.Jack has grown a lot in 13 years, Cynthie not so much.
The book goes back and forth in time between the 13 years and we see how friendships and careers have evolved. The ending was a beautiful romantic gesture that had me in tears.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for the EARC. This is my honest review. I am so glad I read this book as this is a new author for me. You do not have to have read the first in the series as this can be a standalone.

3.5 stars rounded up.

There is no romance trope I love more than a second-chance romance, and this was a good one!

Cynthie and Jack are actors who met on the set of a movie where they played the lead roles. Being that Jack is a well-connected nepobaby and Cynthie was plucked from an open casting call with no prior training or experience, they butted heads almost immediately. After vexing each other all throughout filming, they were talked into faking a relationship for the promotion of the movie. But once that was over, they went their separate ways, vowing to never speak to each other again. That is, until thirteen years later, when the studio was once again asking them to fake date, this time to garner excitement over a sequel to the movie that started it all. With Cynthie and Jack both in need of some good PR, they agree, but this time it won't be so easy for them to deny the attraction that has always been there.

I really enjoyed the romance between Cythie and Jack! I thought their characters had a lot of chemistry and growth throughout the book. The reason why I love second-chance romances so much is because I love it when two people can go their separate ways, grow and change, and then find their way back to each other, and this really did feel like a case of right person, wrong time. It was clear how much Cythie and Jack had matured in the years between when their paths crossed. I loved seeing them both apologize for their previous behavior and show grace for one another.

That being said, I did think the pacing of the book was a little off. The story is told in a dual timeline, and we spend a lot of time in the past in the first half of the book. Which was great in that we got to see how their relationship started, but there were some scenes that I didn't think contributed a lot to the overall plot, and therefore slowed the pace of the book down quite a bit. I was much more invested in their reunion in the present-day timeline. I also felt like the ending was drawn out; everything after about the 85% mark felt superfluous.

This is a companion novel to Under Your Spell, but I wouldn't say it's necessary to read it before reading Let's Make a Scene.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.