Enemies to lovers but make them movie stars. This was cute and medium fast paced but I think I am just not the biggest fan of enemies to lovers trope.

3.5 stars but rounding down.

Thank you Netgalley & Atria Books for the advanced reader copy.

Cynthie is needing to mend her public image and her only option is to accept a role in a sequel film and rekindle a fake romance with her old costar, Jack... whom she hates and hasn't been around in 13 years. They are thrust back into the spotlight and the chemistry is definitely still there. The media and fans love them. Soon, lines between reality and fiction are blurred in their second chance romance.

Seriously, SWOON. I'm obsessed with Cynthie and Jack. I loved the flashbacks and seeing their love grow in the present, despite their rocky history. His love letters were chef's kiss. I'm not usually a huge second chance romance lover, but give me some Hollywood-type drama and I am SAT. I must immediately go read Theo and Clemmie's story!!

Thank you to Laura Wood, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy in exchange of my honest review.

Thank you for the arc!

2.5 but rounding up to 3.


It was good but not my favorite.

✨Second chance
✨Enemies to lovers (kinda) but secretly love each other the whole time
✨Dual POV which became a bit much, I feel one chapter (max 2) of this could have been fine.

The book didn’t hold my interest for long. I did a lot of putting down and coming back.

For romance readers, this has a little something for everyone:
Hollywood romance
Hate-to-love
Second chance romance
And even a little Historical Romance

Cynthie Taylor was new to the acting scene when she first met Jack Turner-Jones. And it didn't go very well. But one on screen kiss almost changed everything. Almost. Instead, the two actors spent most of the time filming A Lady of Quality, hating each other.

Fast forward years later when the two are offered the opportunity to do a sequel. Can they get along this time around?
Given that we get both characters' POVs, and had insight into how they really felt, I think they stood a chance. The obstacle ended up being an unexpected one.

While Jack is painted as the bad guy, mostly due to some poorly timed comments, it was clear he felt something deep for Cynthie. Question is, is he willing to put himself out there, and is she willing to take the risk as well. I personally got a little frustrated by Cynthie at times. It seemed everyone understood her better than herself, and thankfully for her, they were patient enough to help her along. With everything Jack did for her, how can she not fall in love with him?

While I enjoyed the storyline, the switching from past to present and alternating POVs made this book a bit longer than I think was warranted. I think it would have been better edited down. But overall, this was a sweet romance that showed one man's infinite patience ultimately paid off.

A solid 4.5⭐️!

The first book in this series, Under Your Spell, came out of nowhere and surprised me with how much I loved it - so I was very excited to receive an ARC for this one!

I enjoyed the then and now non-linear storytelling. Both Cynthie and Jack were so young and stupid and immature 13 years ago, so it was great to see their independent growth.

This book has some faults, obviously, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride this one took me on. At times the characters felt like completely different people from who they were 13 years ago - especially Jack - but I guess I can suspend disbelief and see how it makes sense because of how insecure he was with his acting abilities at the time.

Please tell me the next book we get from Laura will be Jack’s sister, Lee and his best friend! There’s definitely a story there to be told…

Thanks again to Netgalley and Atria for sending me an ARC of this one!

Let’s Make a Scene is filled with a few themes/tropes that usually don’t make a strong impression on me like romances where one or both characters are a celebrity or second chance romances or fake dating. But it’s testament to Laura Wood’s writing that I found myself giggling anyway. The slow-burn rivals-to-lovers evolution is done so well and flipping between the past and the present does a good job of illustrating why it’s a grown up romance this second time around (which is something that not a lot of second chance romances handle well). The ending was predictable but I still enjoyed the journey and it even made me want to go back and read Under Your Spell. If you get easily frustrated by female main characters who are the main obstacles to their own happy ending, this probably won’t be for you. But if you’re in the mood for a cute, light UK-based romance with a strong found family, you’ll have a great time.

I loved every piece of this book; the timeline, characters, jokes, and more. Specifically, I was happily surprised by how much I enjoyed Cynthie and Jack's dynamics throughout the 2 timelines. The chemistry off-screen and on-screen was INCREDIBLE to read!
Simply put, this book is fun and heartfelt, and stunning!

Tropes:
-enemies to lovers
-fake dating
-second chance
-actor/actress

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun Hollywood romance of two celebrities who fake date to help their careers. Mix it in with enemies to lovers and I ate this up with some of my favorite tropes in it!

Laura Wood's LET'S MAKE A SCENE is a charming romcom with a fun twist. The story follows Cynthie Taylor, a former rising star who is cast in a sequel to the movie that started her career. For publicity purposes, she's asked to fake a romance with her annoying ex-costar Jack Turner-Jones, whom she hasn’t spoken to in 13 years.

Wood excels at creating a fast-paced, breezy, and bingeable story, while also giving the characters enough emotional depth to make them feel real. There is delightful tension between Cynthie and Jack, and watching their dynamic shift from resentment to something deeper is very satisfying. There is also a "behind-the-scenes" documentary element that adds just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

This is the type of feel-good, witty romance that’s perfect for a weekend read, and fans of similar tropes (fake dating, enemies to lovers, and second chance romance) will surely love this. LET'S MAKE A SCENE contains heart, humor, and heat, and readers will find themselves cheering for Cynthie and Jack.

Cute. Very cute. Did it change my life, no. Did my heart swoon? Also no. But I did laugh and enjoy it. If you are looking for a modern day Hollywood fantasy, with super fun characters. Check it it. Absolutely a fun beach read!

This sequel to Clemmie and Theo is just as wonderful, if not better, than the authors debut adult novel. Relatable characters, swoony love scenes, hilarious best friends, and exciting behind the scenes of Hollywood life make this novel one I would not only read again, but wish I could erase from my memory to read anew. Highly highly recommend!

This was such a sweet read! After really enjoying Under Your Spell, I couldn’t wait to see what Laura Wood had in store next. This companion novel definitely did not disappoint!

I loved how Wood utilizes dual timelines throughout the story. Readers get to see main characters Cynthie Taylor and Jack Turner-Jones 13 years earlier, when they get off on the wrong foot at a table read for their first movie together, which becomes an all-out rivalry on set, (complete with prank wars!) despite the fact that they’re playing two people in love…and that they have undeniable chemistry. Then, in the present, Cynthie and Jack are forced to reunite to film a sequel to their hit film, and pretend to be dating in the process. Both timelines had unique, fleshed-out storylines, yet complemented each other well—sometimes with dual timelines, it can feel like you’re reading two different books or like more attention is given to one than the other, but here, everything felt perfectly balanced!

Two of my favorite tropes in a romance are rivals-to-lovers and celebrity romance, and both were used in such a creative way. The tension and chemistry between Cynthie and Jack was palpable at every moment, yet you could also understand why they disliked each other on the surface and why it took them a while to overcome their initial preconceptions of each other. Beyond their love story, I also thought the side characters were super fun to read about (and if you’ve read Under Your Spell, you might spot a few familiar faces)!

Speaking of Under Your Spell, while Let’s Make a Scene does feature some of the same characters, you don’t necessarily have to read the books in order, and they both work as standalone novels, too. I would recommend reading both, and think it only adds to the reading experience, but thought it was important to mention!

If you’re a fan of second-chance romance, dual timelines, rivals-to-lovers, fake-dating, and/or celebrity romance, you won’t want to miss Let’s Make a Scene! Definitely add it to your TBR this summer. I’m excited to see what Laura Wood writes next! Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC, provided in exchange for an honest review.

Let’s Make a Scene is about two actors in London. Dual timeline and dual POV. One timeline is 13 years prior when the two actors are making a regency film. However, Cynthie has never acted before and landed this role in an open call. Jack is unhappy because he is a season actor and doesn’t think she can hack it. Cue the rivals to lovers trope. The film does well and we watch as they go from the start of making it up to when it wins awards. Now fast forward to the present where they are remaking the film plus a documentary for behind the scenes. They must reunite and fake date in order to garner press. I think a lot of people will enjoy this book. It read very slow for me. It took me a long time to get through. I feel like not much happens. I really enjoyed the present day timeline way more. I was more invested in them as characters. It was a more interesting storyline. However, what I loved about Woods writing is you feel like you are watching the scenes play out in real time. I loved feeling like I was up close and in person.

This book is just as enchanting as Under Your Spell was <3

“I'm excited about the us we'll be in ten years, in twenty, in fifty. I can't wait to know every single version of you, if you'll let me”

This book is a perfect celebrity, dual timeline, second chance, rivals to lovers, found family composition!!

What a fun cast of characters! Laura Wood composes such a beautiful group that you don’t just fall in love with the main couple but every single friend they have and how their interactions impacted the couples journey too. The antics of every single friend in their corner just brought everything to life.

Jack is a therapy icon. Poster child for growth and development. I love him so much. It is spectacular to witness the way Cyn learns to love and trust herself again and how empowering and supportive Jack is in that journey !!! I love them.

Jacks love letters???? Insane. Swoon fest. But how can I leave a comprehensive review without stating the biggest fact of all: this book’s grand gesture was the best grand gesture to end all grand gestures. <3

A Hollywood/second-chance love story between two actors reuniting in a fake-dating scheme to sell their TV Show. So many tropes, so little time.

It was a great concept! I love a second chance romance. Add in the backdrop of filming a TV Show and I was sold. I wish I could say I loved it but the truth is I could never get into the story. It was cute enough and it did have some back and forth which I enjoyed. I just think something about switching between past/present just threw me off. I never connected with the characters or plot. It had some redeeming moments and the background of filming a TV Show was fun. Just not a total winner for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this book. All thoughts are mine alone.

Cynthie and Jack are EVERYTHING to me!! Wow, I absolutely loved ‘Let’s Make A Scene.’ The rivalry, the found family, the tension, angst, and chemistry between our two main characters…everything was chefs kiss!

Cynthie and Jack are both actors who met 13 years ago on their first movie where they played the lead roles. We follow the narrative of their messy, enemies to lovers beginning as well as their lives in present times. I really enjoyed seeing both timelines, at times it felt like two separate books because the changes in the characters are so big. It was great seeing how much these two grew and changed from all those years ago when they were first starting out!

Cyn and Jack were well built characters. They weren’t always picture perfect, and we got to see how their insecurities affected them and their attitudes. Something I particularly liked reading about is Jack’s want to break out of the box he was put in. In the present chapters, so many things that were perceived one way were finally revealed through thoughtful, open conversations that things weren’t always how they seemed.

There were a few times I wished for more insights or depth on the situation Cyn was dealing with in the present timeline as well as the growth Jack made in those thirteen years but overall I feel we got a good amount and the topics were handled well. I just love deep diving into characters brains😅

I loved the chemistry between Cynthie and Jack. It was truly electric in both the past and present chapters. Even when they were going at it they’d both have these heated stare downs or one of them would look at the other a touch too long. Ugh, the tension was so good😮‍💨 And their romance in the present was so amazing!! I liked that we got a slow build up, it made it that much sweeter in the end. That last chapter before the epilogue?! I was grinning from ear to ear🤭

Besides the romance, one of my favorite parts of this book was the friendships made along the way! Cynthia found her people and was able to create a loving and safe environment within them. The pranks in the past and the dirty dancing chapter were the best😂

Overall, for my first actress x actor novel and my first book from this author, it was amazing! I would highly recommend checking Let’s Make A Scene out! I can’t wait to look into Theo’s story next because he seemed so sweet :)

Thank you to Atria Books, NetGalley, and the author for gifting me with an ARC copy of this book!

This book is a charming, slow-burn romance that blends Hollywood glitz with heartfelt vulnerability. When Cynthie and Jack, former co-stars turned sworn enemies, are forced to fake a relationship for a film sequel thirteen years later, sparks fly in all the wrong and right ways. With witty banter, simmering tension, and a dash of behind-the-scenes drama, this story delivers a satisfying second-chance romance that feels both glamorous and deeply human. A delightful read for fans of fake dating and enemies-to-lovers tropes.

Cynthie has to do a sequel with a documentary to her first movie!

Actor Cynthie Taylor never expected to be dropped from her next movie after she made the tabloids with an affair with a married man even though he had told her he was separated. With the gap in her schedule she has been asked to do a sequel to her first movie A Lady of Quality where she got her start. Now Cynthie has to reunite with her original costar Jack Turner-Jones from thirteen years ago because they can’t stand each other.

Let's Make a Scene is a second chance romance with flash backs to things that happened during the first movie and what is going on during the second where Cynthie and Jack have to deal with the past with a documentary and their future with friends that are family. Plus you really get to understand Jack during the book.

Now I want to read Under Your Spell (Theo & Cynthie #1)!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thought this was a cute story set in the celebrity, movie-making world. The story started out a little slow, but the pace was better once the characters started liking each other. Loved that Theo and Clemmie from the first book make an appearance and are referenced throughout the story. Hannah should be the main character in the next book, if the series continues.

This book was so cute and when I got the netgalley widget I was so excited and then annoyed I had to wait months for my libby hold for the first book in the series - which was also incredible. I loved the dual timelines where we got to watch them fall in love both times. Cynthie & Jack have my heart and I loved the cameos of Theo & Clemmie. Costars fake dating as PR for their movie always eats up (in books) and this was no different. Tysm to Atria books for the earc!

tropes:
second chance
celebrity romance
workplace romance
forced proximity
fake dating
dual timeline
dual pov