I was so excited reading this one because of all the reviews I’ve seen for it but I just couldn’t get myself to finish reading it :/

I initially really liked the banter and I flew through the first 50 pages quickly but I just got so distracted from the constant flashbacks that were usually a chapter long. It felt like I was reading two books and really couldnt connect to the characters.

I find myself skim reading just so I could finish the book and that’s when I realized that I’m just forcing myself to finish and decided to DNF at 58%. I guess I couldve kept reading it but there are just so much more books that I was more interested in reading. So 🤷‍♀️ And I really think that celebrity romance might be my least fave romance trope? But then I really liked When In Rome so we’ll see.. 😂

That being said, I’m probably in the minority in this. This one had so manyyy 5 star reviews!! So it might just be a me thing. Definitely still try to read this if you like second chance romance, enemies to lovers, fake dating, and celebrity romance!!

Thank you @atriabooks for sending me this book!

This book. Under Your Spell was my favorite book of last year so when I got an advanced copy of this one I legit squealed & well, it didn't let me down at all. It was romantic & funny & just written in the perfect cheeky but lovely way that had me turning pages late into the night. I don't wanna say too much about it because it is fun to just read it & experience it but easily solidifies Laura Wood as one of my top fav authors. Pick this one up & fall in love with Jack & Cynthie just like I did!!

It's a perfect pick for anyone looking for a feel-good novel with a touch of theatrical flair and a whole lot of charm.

This was a bit of a struggle for me to get through - to be honest. The character development wasn't that great and the plot was kind of boring. There was nothing really going on except the two didn't like each other and then they started to like each other.

Thank you to Atria for the advance reader copy and to Simon Audio and LibroFM for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

A friend had recommended I read Under Your Spell. I loved it and immediately wanted to read this as well. Let's Make a Scene includes cameos from Under Your Spell, but you can read it as a standalone.

In this novel, we focus on Cynthie. Thirteen years ago, she was in a movie with Jack. They were awful to each other, but ended up fake dating for publicity. And somehow history is repeated, as they are asked to star in the sequel and fake date again.

This was fun and steamy and kept my attention throughout. Aspects I particularly enjoyed included Jack's slutty glasses (LOL) and the found family of the crew. It really did feel like I was behind the scenes of a movie set.

The pacing and development of the second chance felt authentic. And I highly recommend the audio for this book. Heather Long did an amazing job adjusting the pitch of her voice to indicate the current or younger timeline. Sam Stafford also narrated quite well.

4.5 stars rounded up

Oh how I love a book with witty banter! I’ll take all the sarcasm…and this book delivered! “Let’s Make a Scene” was the perfect amount of enemies-to-lovers with a very relatable amount of miscommunication! Add in real talk of mental health and *chef’s kiss*! Overall, this book was a great read!

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for the advanced copy!

I was lucky enough to get the ARC from netgalley. This was such a fun light enemy’s to lovers read! The characters are so well formed and complex, it was so fun to follow their journey and see where it would take them!

Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood
Theo & Cynthie series #2. Contemporary romance. Multi-timeline. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Thirteen years in the past - Cynthie Taylor gets her first professional acting job on a historical British movie opposite costar Jack Turner-Jones. There are sparks between them but they tend towards bickering. She thinks he’s arrogant. He’s under a lot of pressure to have a successful film. The studio says they need to fake a romance to draw crowds. They do it. Both are attracted and interested in more but they end up going their separate ways.
Thirteen years later - Cynthie and Jack agree to a sequel. More mature, more experienced and again willing to put on a show for the public, they start production.
Can they make it real this time or are they destined to walk away from each other?

I loved the depth of this story and the fact it didn’t just include the stars at the time. It includes friendships, made family, women’s issues, self analysis and acceptance all over and above the second chance romance. Laughed at the horse running for Hannah. Cried at the abuse. Swooned at the leaning.
Because of the timeline shift, you do have to pay attention to chapter beginnings since settings are pretty much the same.
A dream come true Enchanting.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley

This was just so fun! Enemies to Lovers and forced proximity AND he falls first!? Sign me up! The dual timeline and dual POV also made this story so much more fun and enjoyable! The banter was on point and the pranks were hilarious! Cynthie and Jack were so perfect together! Thank you so much to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!

I really enjoyed the story of Cynthie and Jack. I had every intention of reading Under your spell but I didn’t get to it.

I rated it 4 stars because I wasn’t in LOVE with their falling out. But the rest of it was very enjoyable. Jack and Cynthie really put in the work in the end. I loved Jack’s growth and Cynthie’s self discovery.

I loved the found family trope as well.

Read if you love:
-enemies to lovers
-second chance
-fake dating
-celebrity/actors
-dual POV

Thoughts:
Thank you @atria and @netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely adored this one! Enemies to lovers is a favorite trope of mine, and I loved the backstory of the two characters and finding out their past. I loved the banter, the steamy scenes, and the sweet moments. I found myself laughing out loud and I loved it.

Fave Quote:
“You’re just going to make me feel safe and cared for and heart until I start believing in true love and fairy tales and happy endings, aren’t you?”

Only one star rating as I did not finish, but of slow paste. Did not interest me like the blurb did.. I’m at 39%, I still love the concept and the idea of the plot, however the story just isn’t grabbing my attention. Sometimes it happens, might not just a book for me.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC of this book inc exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. It is a enemies to lovers trope. The two main characters have a. Falling out but casted to star in the same movie together. Loved the characters and loved the story.

After reading the book I realized it was the 2nd in the series. I already have the first book requested from my library.

This romance covered quite a few tropes; enemies to lovers, second chance romance, and forced proximity to name a few. Jack and Cynthie had good, funny banter and pulled my attention in right away. This story had two timelines and focused on the sequel to the movie they stared in together 13 years ago. They both did not have supportive/loving families so they were able to bond over that and support each other in the ways their family different.

Enemies to lovers who have insane chemistry and are forced to fake date? It's one of the best romance tropes out there.

I loved Cynthie and Jack. While I enjoyed the switching between current and 13 years ago, I really wanted to shake both of them for their behavior 13 years ago. This book pulled me in, I got way too invested in the characters and it was just awesome.

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC of the book to read and review.

Themes/Tropes: Forced Proximity, Fake Relationship, Second Chance, Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Miscommunication-- Anxiety, Panic Attacks

Read this... it was so good... I could've read this in a day if I had time.

Jack and Cynthie were just like so much fun to read. The dual timeline was different in a romance book but I really think it fleshed out the relationship between the two MCs. You needed the backstory from 13 years ago to really understand their growth and how much they cared about each other- like WHY did they deny themselves for so long.

It was also nice to read a story where the characters were not in their 20s the entire time. In the Past POV Cynthie is 20 and Jack is 24, so they are both in their 30's for the current timeline.

I laughed, I cried, I wanted to shake both of them and make them sit down and have an honest conversation with each other. The prank scene with the balloons- I could visualize it in my head and it did not disappoint. I would 100% watch this as a movie... and the movie that they were making in the book.

I loved that Cynthie had a "sexy Librarian" thing and that is what Jack's character was on his TV show- just little details about the story made it so enjoyable.

The found family aspect of this book was so good- both of the MCs did not grow up with supportive families so I loved that they did get it eventually through their movie. The dynamic between Hannah and Cynthie was amazing, Patty and Arjun warmed my heart, and I just enjoyed all of the main secondary characters in the story.

This is a companion novel but I did not read the first book ( I probably will now) but I was not confused with the story in any way.

Let's Make a Scene is a captivating second-chance romance that intertwines humor and heartfelt moments, showcasing Laura Wood's talent for storytelling.

Cynthie and Jack's growth is a highlight, as they transition from rivals to partners. The dual perspectives allow readers to understand their insecurities and motivations, adding depth to their relationship. Supporting characters enrich the narrative, providing a sense of community and humor throughout the story. The plot cleverly alternates between past and present, revealing the complexities of Cynthie and Jack's initial animosity and their current fake relationship. While the pacing is slow at the beginning, it builds tension effectively, leading to a satisfying climax. Themes of personal growth, trust, and the impact of past experiences are woven seamlessly into the storyline.

Overall, Let's Make a Scene is a delightful read that balances lighthearted moments with deeper emotional themes. The combination of witty banter, romantic tension, and character development makes it a compelling addition to the contemporary romance genre.
This book is highly recommended for fans of second-chance romances and those who enjoy a good enemies-to-lovers story.

This was a fun, juicy one that had several tropes I love. Actors Jack and Cynthie hate each other, and they have history. Now with Cynthie getting her first big role alongside Jack, they are expected to “act” like they are dating to draw in more press and PR.

Whew! These two put the emphasis on “enemies” in enemies-to-lovers, with pranking one another and scowls and snarky banter, but you can feel the sexual tension between them as they are forced to fake date for the cameras. It was a slow burn, with the embers of anger not wanting to give in to desire or maybe… even something more.

I didn’t realize this was a sequel to Cynthie’s story, but I wasn’t lost at all. For the most part, the story is funny, sassy, and sexy. However, it does touch on topics such as panic attacks, family expectations, and a toxic work environment, which I felt gave it depth and moments of tenderness. I had a great time with Jack, Cynthie, the cast, and production crew, and I found the ending to be sweet and satisfying.

Thank you @atriabooks for this gifted ebook via #NetGalley.

I really, really enjoyed this book. From fake dating to time lapses to dual POVs to second chance romance, I loved it all. I love the writing style in this book, and I can’t wait to read more by this author! Jack and Cynthie were so cute, and I thought the pacing of the plot was perfect.

Even though I did not read the first book, I knew I had to read this based on the description! Happy to have received this as an ARC.

This book is so good and so cute! Loved that timeless top movies were referenced throughout, including While You Were Sleeping, which is one of my top movies of all time.

Tropes: enemies to lovers; second chance romance; coworkers. We get cool behind the scenes of Hollywood that felt real. Also appreciated the mental health representation.

Talk about TENSION.

This review will be posted on my booksta, toomanyfivestarreads.