13 years ago, Cynthie and Jack filmed a cult classic together. He was uptight, arrogant, and came from an acting family with heavy expectations. She was an inexperienced ingenue learning as she went. It didn't go well. Now, she's fresh off a break-up with a dastardly director, and the studio has proposed a sequel. But there's a twist: on top of filming together, Cynthie and Jack need to fake a relationship to generate interest for the sequel.

Gotta say, I was not expecting a lot from the premise here. However, Laura Wood is a hilarious writer who gives us some lovely characters. I especially loved a MMC who isn't toxic and actually does the work to repair himself and his relationship with the FMC. This was such a cute, fun read. Unputtdownable and perfect for a summer escape.

I honestly just couldn't get into this one. I kept waiting for it to grab me, but it just never did. The writing wasn't terrible, it just wasn't appealing to me. Maybe I'm just not the right audience for this one.

This was a fun read with great banter and fun tropes including grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, and forced proximity. I liked the Hollywood setting, and I enjoyed the dynamic between Cynthie and Jack. I recommend this read if you like these tropes and a Hollywood setting! I haven't read the first in the series (Under your Spell), and didn't feel I needed to, but it would have provided some more context to the characters! I plan to go back and read it!

“She was pure joy whenever she was performing back then,”I say distractedly. “It was like looking at the sun come up.”


ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW


Yes it's been a long time coming but that doesn't mean I don't love jackcynthie with all my heart and that I miss them already!!!!

the books it's soooo good, their chemistry is amazing and always present, both in the past and present. It was obvious from the start how much they were into each other, but in the past they were also just growing up and dealing with their own stuff, too afraid of being vulnerable in that moment where the film was the most important thing.

In a way, the second time around is like a do over, very much “maybe this is wishful thinking, probably a mindless dream, but if we loved again I swear I'd love you right”

they for sure would love to go back to december (or 13 years before), but also those moments made them who they are and changed fundamental things in their persona. It was necessary for them to be who they are now and the universe did the rest in reunited them and showing them how meant to be they are.

The secondary characters are gold, fantastic, and I have already set my eyes on a future couple for a possible 3rd book of the series or a standalone... Please please please!!!!

Also, the cameo of theoclemmie was everything!!!


Now some of my favorite quotes, beware of spoilers below.



“the more time we spend together, the more time I want to spend with her. I’m ready to admit that Cynthie is firmly under my skin. I’m even ready to admit that she’s been there for thirteen years, but it doesn’t change our absolutely shocking timing.”



“I look up at him, and it feels like part of me is still flying. My heart beats hard and fast at our bodies being pressed so tightly together, and the way he looks at me . . . it’s as if there’s nothing pretend about what’s between us at all.”

After reading her first book in this series I know I need more by this author ! I love a good rivals to lovers take on an enemies to lovers vibe and actually fits the storyline well in this - it didn’t feel forced. Was a slow burn, and would have liked to see it become more “lovers” quicker but overall super super cute and sprinkles of humor and High chemistry ! I enjoyed the present day more than the flashbacks. Sweet moments and def be rec ! also obsessed with the cover

Cynthie Taylor hasn’t seen Jack Turner-Jones in 13 years, not since they filmed the wildly successful movie that launched her career, pretending to date as part of the publicity junket that followed. However, when they’re approached with an offer to co-star in the sequel—and revive their fauxmance to further both their careers—they have to confront the idea that their on-screen chemistry translates off-screen just as well.

Having enjoyed the precursor to this book, Under Your Spell, I was so excited to dive into Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood, and it did not disappoint. With Under Your Spell, I struggled to stay engaged at times due to inconsistent pacing. With this book, though, the pacing was spot-on at every moment. Wood captured my attention immediately, and it never wavered. She expertly navigated the past and present chapters, spending just enough time in each period to tell a story or describe an event, avoiding the jarring feeling that dual timelines can sometimes bring. In addition to the dual timeline, Wood also made the choice to alternate points of view; combined with the past and present, this could have been disastrously choppy, but Wood executed it nearly perfectly. Cynthie was beautifully human—flawed and self-conscious despite all of her success in Hollywood, and it was so refreshing. Jack brought a unique take to the idea of living in your parents’ shadow; however, I do wish we got to know more about what led him to finally break away from their suffocating expectations, but I also understand why it wasn’t a central focus of the story. From the slow-burn romance to the enemies-to-lovers and fake dating tropes, this is a book that hit every mark.

Laura Wood's "Let's Make a Scene" presents a delicious enemies-to-lovers tale that proves sometimes the best chemistry comes from the most combustible relationships. Both Cynthie and Jack desperately need their upcoming sequel to be a massive success, but there's one major obstacle: they absolutely cannot stand each other.
Despite not having read "Under Your Spell" first, I found myself completely captivated by this standalone story. Wood brilliantly structures the narrative by revealing Cynthie and Jack's relationship through dual timelines—their present-day antagonistic interactions alongside flashbacks to their complicated past. The contrast between who they were thirteen years ago during their first film together and who they've become creates a compelling puzzle that kept me invested throughout.
What makes this novel exceptional is Wood's masterful character development. Both Cynthie and Jack initially seem to be bristling with animosity and wounded pride. However, as Wood methodically peels back their defensive layers, revealing the vulnerabilities and past hurts that shaped their current behavior, I found myself not only understanding both characters but genuinely loving them.
The author's skill lies in showing how past misunderstandings and unresolved emotions can poison present relationships, while simultaneously demonstrating how truth and vulnerability can heal old wounds. The movie setting provides the perfect backdrop for exploring themes of public personas versus private truths, and the pressure of maintaining careers built on image.
Wood has crafted a romance that feels both entertaining and emotionally authentic, proving that the best love stories often emerge from the most unlikely circumstances.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing an advance copy of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this. I couldn't stop reading it. I liked how it went between the past (13 years ago) and the present, and how the decisions made in the past can influence our present. I am hoping for another addition to the set.

I thought I would enjoy the fake dating, second chance (although they only slept with each other once 13 years ago), and enemies to lovers troupes more than I did. They both seemed to be stuck in the past for way longer than they should have been. The dynamic between Cynthie and Jack was there but present day was a slow burn. There was decent chemistry between them, I just wasn’t feeling it. Each character, including the secondary ones had positives and negatives aspects. I did enjoy the dual POVs and dual timelines. I was hoping for more of an emotional pull, but it just wasn’t there.

I enjoyed this but not as much as the first one. I didn’t like the reasons they disliked each other and I felt like it dragged a bit.

Laura Wood has given us everything in her second romance novel: electric chemistry, A+ banter, and a delicious mix of tropes—celebrity romance, fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, second chance, and a very clear “he falls first” hero who is charming, swoony, and never corny.

Thirteen years ago, Cynthie Taylor (an unknown actress at the time) starred alongside acting royalty Jack Turner-Jones in a period romance film that would go on to become a cult classic. Cynthie’s career took off, Jack’s did too—but now, after a personal scandal knocks Cynthie down and Jack’s hit show faces renewal challenges, the two are offered a chance to film a sequel. The catch? They must pretend to date, and everything will be documented behind the scenes.

Cue the cameras, the chemistry, and the chaos.

This book is an absolute delight. Cynthie and Jack’s dynamic—both then and now—is filled with layered tension, unspoken history, and crackling attraction. Their banter is sharp, their emotional journey is heartfelt, and the fake dating premise feels fresh and exciting. I especially loved how Laura Wood avoided tired third-act breakup drama and instead gave us real emotional growth and vulnerability.

Bonus points for the return of Theo and Clemmie from Under Your Spell, and for creating side characters who add depth and warmth without overshadowing the central romance.

A standout hit for fans of clever romcoms, swoony Hollywood settings, and all the tropes that make our romance-loving hearts happy.

Read if you like:
🎬 Celebrity romance
💘 Second chance
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🎭 Fake dating on film sets
❤️‍🔥 He falls first energy
🎥 Behind-the-scenes romance with no unnecessary third-act drama

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book had me hooked from the first page! I loved how much time the story spent on Cynthie and Jack’s first meeting and the slow-burn tension that built from there. Their chemistry was off the charts—both on and off screen—and the second chance/fake dating combo was perfection. The behind-the-scenes movie drama and the added documentary twist made it even juicier. Plus, the found family element gave the story so much heart. I laughed, swooned, and couldn’t put it down. A total 4.5-star read and a must for fans of enemies-to-lovers with real emotional payoff.

This book surprised me in the best way. It’s messy, fun, and full of chemistry that crackles from page one. Cynthie and Jack are actors with history, and not the good kind, thrown back together for a sequel and forced to fake a romance for the cameras. What could go wrong?

I loved the back-and-forth timeline, the tension that never lets up, and the way their relationship slowly shifts from petty to personal. The pacing dips a bit in the middle, but the emotional payoff is worth it. The writing feels modern and sharp, and the story balances humor and heart really well.

If you love fake dating, unresolved drama, and characters who are stubbornly meant for each other, this one’s for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a lot of fun and an easy quick read. I liked that this was a mix of enemies to lovers and it's always been you tropes. I also really enjoyed seeing the two timelines. Especially seeing how everything went down in the past including the filming of the movie.

I also loved all the little touches that shows how the two of them have grown in the 13 years they've been apart.

Let’s Make a Scene kept me pulled in and cheering for these two and their fake dating to real romance! Told in two timelines, Cynthie and Jack are former (and current) costars starring in a sequel to their career-making regency romance from 13 years ago.

There’s fake dating with hidden feelings, the very best found family (since both of their bio families are trash), some great swoon-worthy scenes, and a bit of spice, too! It’s a second book in a series (and I loved book one, Under Your Spell, so I recommend it!) but it does read as a standalone, too. I highly recommend it to fans of fake dating, celebrity romances.
I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Laura Wood's is a new author for me. Let's Make a Scene, talk about adorable, this book is definitely adorable. The story is set in all the glamour of Hollywood with the two lead characters who are both actors and Jack and Cynthie’s chemistry was sizzling. I loved the witty pop culture references, the sharp, laugh-out-loud banter, and the wonderfully quirky supporting cast. The story does have some heavy topics, so please read trigger warnings. When I started this book, I had no idea it was the second book in a series. I have already downloaded book one, Under Your Spell to catch up. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Let’s Make A Scene: 🎬 🎥🎞️⁣
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A million thanks to @atriabooks and @simon.audio for my gifted copy! #AtriaPartner ⁣
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I LOVED Under Your Spell and I adored Let’s Make A Scene. It read as an early 2000s romcom and I have no complaints on that. ⁣
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This goes “before” where they are co-stars in a hit regency as Cynthie’s debut acting. I loved the before scenes because they were so needed for the backdrop and love for ALL the side characters. Omg the karaoke and going out scenes were epitome of nostalgic and it had me in the biggest feels. ⁣
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There’s also the present day where there’s basically like a re-boot. Sometimes I got confused on if we were in present or past, but regardless, it was wonderful. It plays into a lot of our reboot love and hype for pieces we previously adored. ⁣
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Now while this was a fun 00s romcom, it was not PG, ok? The audio was phenomenal and had me blushing while driving to work (and turning it a bit down in the parking lot to not get a side eye) Highly recommend if you’re an audiobook reader and it was perfect.⁣
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Overall, Laura Wood is 2 for 2 for me. Adored and can’t wait to see what’s next.⁣
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QOTD: What show/movie do you wish would have a reboot or revival?

To be honest, I am not usually a fan of the enemies to lovers trope in romance books. I find that I many times think the reason the characters are “rivals” is trivial. While I felt like the reason in this book was an okay reason to be enemies, the chemistry between the characters more than made up for any issues I had with that. I loved the fake dating involved and the tension that came with it! I finished this book so quickly and was sad when done because I loved it so much! Such a fun read.

Not a boring moment with this read!

This was a book that just kept giving and it kept me up till the early hours of the day.

I was torn between finding out what would happen and putting the book down so that it would never end! It was a real page turner that I enjoyed and I'm glad I decided to pick up this book.

I'm a sucker for a good second chance-ish romance and an enemies to lovers! I love the take on this story and I wish the author all the success with this book!

I really enjoyed following Jack and Cynthi’s love story, while the plot sells it as a fake-dating, enemies to lovers romance, it really stood out to me as a second chance romance. I loved getting to watch the deep dive into the characters history from 13 years ago and see how it played out into their current situation and ultimately love story. I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book and loved how it all came together in the end! Definitely an enjoyable read!