Let's Make a Scene was a fun, tension-filled second-chance romance packed with sharp banter, sizzling chemistry, and just the right amount of behind-the-scenes Hollywood drama. Cynthie and Jack’s history gave their dynamic plenty of bite, making every interaction a delicious mix of old grudges, unresolved tension, and undeniable attraction. Their fake relationship (round two) felt like the perfect stage for sparks to fly, and watching them navigate their complicated past while putting on a show for the cameras made for an addictive read.
The author’s writing was witty and engaging, capturing the chaos of fame and the emotional depth beneath the characters’ carefully curated facades. While the slow-burn romance was satisfying, the pacing occasionally dragged in the middle, and some of the external conflicts felt a little underdeveloped. That said, the payoff was worth it—full of heart, humor, and just the right amount of drama.
For fans of Hollywood enemies-to-lovers and fake dating with a side of emotional growth, this book delivered in spades.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Our story begins as Cynthie is hiding from the world. She’s just been caught in somewhat of a scandal, as this actress slept with her married director. He told her they were separated, and on the way to divorce, but you know how that story goes.

Her agent tells her that unfortunately, she has been removed from the newest Marvel film, but there’s a good opportunity here. She can star in a sequel to a film that she was the romantic lead in 13 years ago. The only problem is, her costar Jack is going to be reprising his role as well. Back then, they put together a fake dating publicity relationship. And the studio would like them to repeat this and do fake dating again. And he is her sworn enemy!

I like this book, I didn’t love it. Your tropes here are enemies to lovers, Second Chance, romance, and fake dating. All of those things have all of the little subtleties that they imply. This book takes place in the same universe as the authors former novel, and those characters have supporting roles in this novel as well. It’s fun to catch up with Theo and Clemmie.

There is no shortage of references to Jane Austin, pride and prejudice – the original enemies to lovers romance. I counted 12 in total. I love it when an author pays homage to the classics.

The book also has good pacing, but some of the characters motivations were a little bit confusing. I can’t honestly understand why they didn’t like each other, except that they did? There are a few cute scenes, one involving ice cream and the other involving Steve Carell. There was a lot of yearning in this novel, which is always good. It was a cute relationship with cute side characters. I’m just not sure it was necessary for them to not speak for 13 years. Except that it created a second chance romance situation

Thanks to NetGalley and atria books for the ARC. Book to be published July 1, 2025.

Cynthie was so excited to start her first acting gig until she met her co-star. On camera their chemistry is electric but behind the scenes they despise each other. Thirteen years later Cynthie and Jack are back together to film the sequel. And that means also rekindling their fake romance. Will they be able to stay in character or will the lines get blurred?

I adore Laura Wood and was so excited when I received this arc. Everything about it sounds great. Enemies to lovers, fake dating and a long history between the characters.

The dual timeline was a great choice by the author. Getting parts of their history throughout the production of the sequel instead of a flashback or two. Genius!

The characters are likable and have great chemistry. It’s a good book but it misses that special something too put it over the edge.

Read this if you like
💫Enemies to lovers
🩷Fake dating
📖Dual timeline
🎬Hollywood setting

I was into the story , I always love good flashback moments. At times it felt like it too much and took away from the present and all the drama that I loved. It was a lovely story and I enjoyed the characters.

4.5 stars 🌟 I loved it! The chemistry was there. I love a dual POV and fake dating trope. This was just my cup of tea all the way around!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An incredibly romantic and heartfelt romance, to the point that for once I didn't actually despise a dual timeline. I cannot recommend this enough for romance lovers, and hope that others will love it as much as I did

So I started by absolutely loving this story! I loved the main characters and the dramatic side of Hollywood and tabloids. Obviously I knew there was going to be flashbacks between what happened then that brought us to where we are now however; I didn’t expect the past to become its own story.

Unfortunately that really lost me and became quite boring in my opinion. I think either timeline could have been a great story but trying to mesh them lost me.

I made it to 40% before I had to DNF

This was such a fun romance book. The story was a lot of fun and their banter was so entertaining. The plot was well thought out as well.

Cynthie and Jack met 13 years ago on the set of a romantic regency era movie. Jack, who has famous actor parents, took a dislike to Cynthie as she was brand new and this was her first movie. This book is a second chance romance told from dual POV and dual timelines. I found it easy to read as it bounced into the past and the present. The relationship between Jack and Cynthie begins as an enemies to lovers with some fake dating and a little bit of grumpy sunshine but it all works. I enjoyed the story and the romance. I was definitely rooting for them as a couple!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️🌶️ Spice

Just when Cynthie Taylor thinks she’s hit rock bottom, life proves her wrong—because guess what? It can get worse.

Fresh off a breakup with a man who claimed to be separated (spoiler: he wasn’t), Cynthie gets another blow—her longtime publicist, Gayle, informs her she’s been dropped from her upcoming role due to the scandal. Never mind that she had no idea he was lying.

But they say when you hit bottom, the only way to go is up, right? That upward turn begins when Gayle presents a game-changing opportunity: a surprise sequel to A Lady of Quality, the movie that launched Cynthie’s career 13 years ago. Thanks to its recent resurgence on Netflix, the public wants more—and Hollywood is listening.

Great news, right? Well… it’s complicated.

Enter Jack Turner-Jones—Cynthie’s former co-star, longtime nemesis, and mortal enemy. He’s also the man she once swore to never see again.
It’ll have to be fine, after all, it’s just while on set… except this time, the studio also wants an all-access behind-the-scenes documentary. Great.

Told from both Cynthie and Jack’s perspectives, this book checks a few trope boxes:

✅ Fake relationship
✅ Enemies to lovers
✅ Forced proximity

Throw in laugh-out-loud moments, sexual tension, and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood, and you’ve got an entertaining, must-read romance!

Thanks Atria and NetGalley for the ARC

IG post to be completed close to pub day 😍

HOLY TOLEDO I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was so darn cute. I’m not usually huge on second chance romances or flashbacks, but this one hit just right!!

Jack and Cynthia are the absolutely cutest, and their angst is top notch! I absolutely adored the growth of their relationship and the side characters we meet along the way!

I definitely recommend if you’re looking for a cute, lighthearted, spicy romcom!

I really enjoyed this book! Although I am not a huge fan of dual timelines as it can be jarring to go from one timeline to the other. Honestly, I felt the past timeline could have been its own story without adding 13 years. I did truly enjoy the characters and the side characters though and was invested in Jack and Cynthies love story.

After falling in love with Laura's writing in Under Your Spell, I was so excited to receive a copy of this book early. And I can say for certain, I was not disappointed in this book. I do think it dragged a little when going back in time and going over Jack and Cynthie's history. I was wishing for more in the now and think some of it could be cut out or made shorter. I also absolutely loved that Theo and Clemmie made an appearance too but didn't take away from this book at all.

Jack and Cynthie made a movie 13 years ago together and then haven't talked since. They are being brought back together to film a sequel to their first movie and Cynthie isn't sure that she can be around Jack. This book goes back 13 years to tell their story while at the same time, we are in the present and we are watching them try to be around one another again. The tension, the chemistry and the love story will draw you in and you might finish it in one sitting like I did.

Can't wait to see what is next for Laura Wood.

ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || LET’S MAKE A SCENE [thank you to Atria and @netgalley for my #gifted copy!]

Title: Let’s Make a Scene
Author: Laura Wood
Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
Star Rating: ★★★★★

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
Thirteen years after their breakout film—and the fake romance that made them stars—Cynthie Taylor and Jack are forced to reunite for a sequel. With a documentary crew tracking their every move, they must sell their former chemistry to the world. But between old grudges, unexpected sparks, and the mounting pressure to deliver a hit, Cynthie and Jack start blurring the lines between acting and reality. When the cameras stop rolling, will they still be playing pretend?

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
Just go read this book. Honestly. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I loved seeing both timelines of Cynthie and Jack as they both struggled to find their place in Hollywood AND struggled against their feelings for each other. They started out on a wrong foot, so they both assumed that they were mortal enemies — but slowly realized that maybe that assumption wasn’t right at all…but it was too late to change.

Fast forward to the second timeline and they’re both older, more mature, and more sure of themselves. They’re stepping back into roles they’re familiar with - but with a whole differnet perspective on love and life. And they’re finally (spoiler alert) in a place to explore their true feelings.

I LOVE dual POV romance novels because I think it helps to eliminate the miscommunication trope from the lvoe story. Because you, as the reader, can see both sides, it’s almost as if the MCs work through their feelings and thoughts faster too and they’re able to overcome any misunderstandings or setbacks.

Plus, you get to see swoon-worthy men fall in love, and that’s always a good time.

The banter was on point. The steam was on point. The friendships were on point. The setting and overall movie plot was on point. LOVED IT. Can’t wait for everyone else to read it.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Enemies-to-Lovers
Hollywood Romance
Dual POV
Dual Timelines
Open Door Spice
Amazing Banter
Found Family

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 4.20
# of Pages: 352
Pub Date: July 1, 2025

This book is a whole cinematic experience. We’ve got enemies to lovers, fake dating, second chance romance, and a time jump that actually works—with a behind-the-scenes documentary crew filming their every move. The stress! The longing! The pining!

Thirteen years ago, Cynthie and Jack were prickly young stars filming their first lead roles in a small British indie, and they couldn’t stand each other. Present-day? They still can’t. But when they’re brought back together for a sequel, they’re forced to fake a relationship all over again—and this time, the chemistry is undeniable (and being captured on camera).

I loved the dual timeline and how it showed just how much both characters had grown (and not). There’s so much delicious tension, slow-burn angst, and those small emotional moments that hit. Cynthie and Jack gave “we never stopped caring” energy, and I ate it up. I will say the past timeline had a little too much miscommunication for me at times, but the present day scenes absolutely delivered. Also, Jack with his glasses and handkerchief? Say less.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I feel like I need to make a scene about how good this book was!! I ADORED Under Your Spell, Laura Wood's adult debut and I guess she can go ahead and teach the masterclass on how to write your sophomore novel, because this one HIT! I think I liked it even better than Under Your Spell.

Laura Wood has easily cemented herself as a top romance author for me and autobuy for sure. Because this book is written in dual timeline, she was able to twist some classic tropes into an enemies-to-lovers, fake dating (x2!), second chance romance that was totally fresh. The tattoo?! The Grand Gesture?! Even some Bridgerton vibes? YES.

The character arcs for both Cynthie and Jack were mature and relatable, the anxiety and panic disorder rep was well done. While the central relationship was delicious, I loved the entire cast of characters (pun intended).

This book made me laugh, giggle and kick my feet, swoon and ultimately cry. 5 stars, no notes.

-A love hate relationship spanning more than a decade between two actors

This is a standalone but also shares characters with the author’s debut, Under Your Spell (which you should definitely read.) I liked the synopsis and thought the characters were sweet. It was a bit boring, but I still enjoyed it and think this book duo is worth reading for romance lovers. Thank you NetGalley for this arc- due out in July!

I have previously read Under Your Spell and really enjoyed it, but this story by Laura Wood is even better. The enemies to lovers trope is funny, sweet, swoony, and while the ending is predictable, it was still delightful. I don’t know why, but I kept picturing the scene in Notting Hill when Julia Roberts’ character was filling the regency film.

This was a 4.5⭐️ romance.

Thank you publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

Loved this book. Wish there was less flashbacks. I get why they are there but felt like there was too much info and not needed much. There was good pining and sweet Freindships.

Thank you so much to Laura Wood and Atria Books for the eARC of this title. This was a mid paced read for me took a minute to get into it. It is a second chance enemies to lovers book. Im not the biggest fan of second chance romance so it was harder for me to get through.