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Fake dating. Enemies to lovers. SIGN ME UP! This book was adorable. I loved every second of it and it was such a fun read. The intertwined storylines worked so well, and the writing was spectacular. Will be recommending it to everyone!

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This book delivers on a true rivals to lovers / second chance romance. 13 years ago Cynthie and Jack filmed a movie that launched their careers now they’re being asked to film the sequel the only problem? 13 years ago they couldn’t stand each other and now they have to film a movie and pretend to be in a relationship for publicity, but a lot has happened since they filmed the first movie and they’re not the same people they used to be, with both having a reason for needing this film to be a success, they must work together to make sure the movie and the documentary goes without a hitch but their rocky past and growing attraction keeps getting in the way.



I love that this book is told from dual point of view we get in the head of both characters and it helps us know what really goes on when all their miscommunication and misinterpretation happen, because yes they honestly started on the wrong foot *cough cough* Jack. It’s understandable as they’re both young with something to prove, they get in their own way and this leads for the hostility to continue (in the past timeline). As the reader I’m glad we don’t see that hatred carried into their adulthood, caution sure but that’s understandable. It puts into perspective that they have matured in the present, they aren’t the young insecure actors that starred in the first movie, but the adults that are dealing with their on challenges now and learn to lean on one another.



Solid 4 stars



Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

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One of the best executed second chance romances I've ever read. I usually hate flashbacks intertwined with the present plotline, but it was done so well here. You instantly feel for Cynthie Taylor, a self made actress brought into the industry as an optimistic 20 year old working on her first film. But things don't begin smoothly, as working with Jack Taylor who is struggling under the weight of his parent's expectations, proves to be a challenge that has them at each other's throats. But despite their mutual hatred for one another, it's clear that they're aware on some level of deeper feelings beneath the surface that they're afraid to name. But those feelings are pushed aside for 13 years until Cynthie finds herself in Jack's sphere again and they get a chance to start again. I adored how their love story progresses after they've both grown up again, this time starting with friendship. I especially loved how deeper topics like anxiety, manipulation, and the #metoo movement are explored. Overall 4/5 ⭐ I love Laura Wood's work and this is an excellent sequel to Under Your Spell. Crossing my fingers that she explores the relationship between Nico and Daisy next 🤞

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This was so fun. I loved the first book in this companion duology and this one wasn't quite a five star for me, BUT I still devoured this book in like a day.

The back and forth timeline was done in such a seamless way I wasn't ever really confused about which timeline we were in or why it was important to know the back story. I also loved that he fell first and that she actually thought they hated each other the whole time, meanwhile he's over here pining.

I really enjoyed this and can't wait to see what this author publishes in the future.

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This was so much fun! Cynthie and Jack had such fabulous chemistry and I loved their second chance romance. The dual timeline/dual POV setup really lent itself well to a slow reveal of their history and everything that went down between them. I think I really liked that the then/now chapters were chunked into little sections. It made it much easier to follow, especially with the alternating POVs. Sometimes swapping timeline and POV every chapter gets me disoriented within the story, but that wasn't the case here! There wasn't a timeline I preferred over the other, either--I felt equally greedy for each one, which was so nice! It was great seeing how Cynthie and Jack both matured over the years and watching them reacquaint themselves with the true version of the other was a delight. My only hangup was a little bit of pacing: I wish the work on the sequel started sooner and that the documentary crew had been introduced a bit earlier. However, I think the couple dates pre-filming helped Jack and Cynthie get in the right mindset for work, so I can see why it was done this way. I LOVED the ending, what a sweet grand gesture! Now-Jack was so secure in his feelings and that was so refreshing. This was a great read!!

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Let’s Make A Scene is interconnected with Under Your Spell. I have not read UYS and didn’t feel like I missed much with LMAS not having read it first.

This book is a dual POV, first-person narrator, dual timeline romance. I gotta say, it was a bit confusing to read. Although I know whose chapter is whose when starting it, it’s a lot of back and forth between essentially 4 characters. I used context clues to remind myself who was talking and in what timeline. I’m sure this is indicative of the industry, but there were so many little side characters I forget who is who doing what where in the library with a hammer.

This was a fun read. I enjoyed Cynthie and Jack, but my favorite character was 100% Arjun. He was so adorable and cute and funny!

Thank you Netgalley and Atria for the ARC!

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Although this is the second book in a series, I really don't think you had to read the first one (like I said) to appreciate the second. There is a little crossover but not much. I thought this was a pretty standard chic lit. Cynthie and Jack are sweet, it's predictable, the story isn't especially creative.

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I thought this book was ok. There were definitely some steamy scenes in it that I did not expect. But I listened to the audiobook and I hate when male narrators create a female voice. I don't know why they don't just use the female actor's voice. They have two voices......use them. There were parts I really liked in the book and other parts just dragged.

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Fake dating. Enemies to lovers. SIGN ME UP! This book was adorable. I loved every second of it and it was such a fun read. The intertwined storylines worked so well and the writing was spectacular. Will be recommending to everyone!

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4.75 stars

After <i>Under Your Spell</i>, I felt better prepared to love this book, too. And I do, very much so!

The dual PoV, dual timeline narrative is lovely. The story unfolds in a charmingly chaotic way, meandering back and forth through Cynthie and Jack's current relationship to the first time they met and worked together and everything else that can happen in thirteen years. It built up slowly -- almost too slowly for me -- and with enough detail to have me completely, 100% sold on the miscommunication between them. Because the miscommunication and their respective traumas were done so well, the rivals aspect of their relationship felt so real and truthful!

I love these characters. I want to live in this world. Am I an emotional mess after? Yes. Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY. Theo is still my fave but I'd let Jack lean any day.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

<i>Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria, and the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>

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I cannot say enough good things about this one… the bottom line: I loved it!

This second-chance romance referenced so many favorites of mine, it’s no wonder I loved it:
—While You Were Sleeping
—Dirty Dancing
—You’ve Got Mail
—Gene Kelly
—Tap Dancing
—Mr. Darcy
—Love letters
… need I go on???

I absolutely loved the banter that filled these pages, and I appreciated that the story didn’t shy away from some “tough stuff”, too (read the trigger warnings to know more).

Y’all know second chance romance is a favorite in these parts, and Cynthie and Jack’s story was a great one. I listened to the audio while also reading the digital version, and the narration was perfection, in my book. Heather Long, in particular, was so, so good!

If you can’t tell already, this was a 5⭐️ for me and had me kicking my feet up for these two cuties. What’s the last book that gave you that “kick your legs up” feeling?

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This was unexpected and original, I loved watching this relationship unfold as we went back and forth in time. While set in the glamour of Hollywood with a dash of upper crust England, the characters and their lives feel grounded and real. I loved going along for the ride!

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This book is split between the past and the present, from when Cynthie and Jack first met and the hatred that ensued between them, to 13 years later when they fake date for pr reasons. I enjoyed the present storyline and seeing Cynthie and Jack reunite. But I didn’t like the past chapters. There were too many and felt that it didn’t add to the story of their current relationship. Maybe one or two chapters would’ve been fine, but I wanted to read about the current fake turned real relationship. Also having so many chapter sent he past took away from chapters in the present where the relationship could’ve been developed more and we could’ve seen more of their chemistry.

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Let's Make a Scene was a mixed bag for me. I loved that i centered around the stars of a regency movie, and the enemies-to-lovers set up was well done. However, the story was bogged down by scenes from the past and I didn't fully buy into the romance.

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Last year, I read and loved Under Your Spell, so I was very excited to pick up Let's Make Scene. I am happy to say Let's Make a Scene didn't disappoint. I loved Jack and Cyntie's second-chance romance. I appreciated the personal growth that they both showed, especially Jack. He knew that he hadn't treated Cynthie right when they first met, so thirteen years later, he made sure to right all the wrongs. Because Cynthie and Jack were young and inexperienced when they first met, there was a lot of miscommunication, which destroyed their relationship. I was pleased to see that, the second time around, this was not an issue.

Also, I adored Cynthie's friends, her found family, and the way they supported and protected her. I hope we get more books in the series so we can revisit these lovely characters. I highly recommend both Under Your Spell and Let's Make a Scene to all romance readers.

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I absolutely adored this book.

Jack and Cyn were both wonderfully fleshed out through their respective point-of-view chapters. The way the story jumps between their present and their past was brilliant, showing us exactly why there was so much anger, hurt, and fear between them, despite their obvious and palpable chemistry.

It was a great way to fully understand why their relationship didn't work out the first time, while also making it clear why it should work out now. They felt so right for each other, but the timing and their younger, less-sure selves meant they simply weren't ready. You could see the marked differences in their older selves, even with more work needed to deal with recent traumas.

The chemistry between Jack and Cyn was sizzling, and the book was filled with so many swoon-worthy, romantic moments. Rounded out by a great supporting cast of funny, supportive characters and an amazing found family, this story was a true delight.

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Swoony and fun! This is a perfect beach or vacation read.

Cynthie Taylor’s acting agent has brought good news and bad news….and more bad news! She has been cut from the current project she has been working on. But she is being offered a leading role in a huge new film, the sequel to the movie that launched her career thirteen years ago. And she will be costarring with Jack Turner-Jones, her love interest from the first movie. The problem is, she and Jack hate each other….they really, really HATE each other! The catch? They, once again, need to behave like real life lovers while filming the project. And no faking it! There will be a documentary crew following them around because real life romance sells movie tickets.

Laura Wood has written us another delightful romance to brighten our summer days! Under Your Spell was my favorite romance last year and this is a great follow up. While this is a sequel, it can easily be read as a stand alone. But if you haven’t read Under Your Spell yet, run to the bookstore!

Thank you Netgalley, Atria books, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book is available now

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It took me a minute to get into this book but once I was in it, I really enjoyed it! The last 25% is so so good! The dual timeline was a fun way to see how they were handling the same challenges 13 years later. Cynthie & Jack’s chemistry was fantastic. I also loved the gang of misfits that became their friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for this ARC!

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This book was so fun! I loved the couple and the premise. Two actors falling in love on a movie set was so unique and the chemistry had me hooked.

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Cynthia and Jack launched their careers with a movie that became a cult classic. Thirteen years later, the studio wants them to make a sequel. The problem? They cannot stand each other, and their relationship during the first movie was a PR stunt. Now, to make the sequel, they have to rekindle the fake relationship with a film crew following them around! What if they cannot distinguish between real and fake?

Why Kirsten loves it
This romance reminded me of the pr stunts around the filming of Bridgerton. You know, when they put the season’s leads on the red carpet and have them make googly eyes at each other? Well, given that Cynthia and Jack are filming a period romance just like Bridgerton and doing the same thing, it’s not hard to make the stretch. I found it enjoyable – a perfect story to get me through until the next Bridgerton season!

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