This book was very sweet. I really enjoyed reading about Cynthie and Jack finding their way back to each other. Laura Wood is such a great romance writer, no matter if it’s YA or adult the characters are always so well-developed.

The banter was great and Jack was so swoonworthy and showed a lot of growth, but I do think that this book relies a little too heavily on the miscommunication trope. I get that it sort of has to for the premise and there’s something about finding each other again after leaving so many things unsaid for like 10 years, but it’s also frustrating.

Overall, a solid romcom, but I liked Under Your Spell more. Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like it was only a couple months ago that I read and loved the ARC of Under Your Spell, so I was thrilled to see another novel by Laura Wood focusing on Cynthie Taylor, a character readers may remember. While this book would be nearly just as enjoyable as a standalone it was fun seeing the callbacks to a few characters. Overall just a really fun to read enemies to lovers story with characters you root for. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Have you ever started a book, then proceeded to get about halfway through and realize you’re missing something?!?! No one just me excellent 😅 because that about sums up my reading journey with this book. So take note peeps, this is a spin off book to “Under Your Spell”. And I highly recommend you read this one first before tackling this one. Even though I know the publishing world will disagree with me.

I digress, my biggest struggle with this book was the time jumps. I feel like both timelines could’ve been there own separate book. But instead they were squished together kinda haphazardly making the story feel rushed and confusing. I think little snippets would’ve been better but that’s my two cents. My other big issue with the books was the characters themselves. I never liked Jack and Cynthia individually and I definitely didn’t enjoy them as a couple. Jack in particular rubbed me the wrong way especially with how he lashed out at Cynthia. Gives major red flag energy to me.

The only thing keeping me from DNFing was the supporting characters. They brought a breath of fresh air to the book. And the ending finale scene where they show up to support Jack & Cynthia was touching.

Overall, this spin off wasn’t for me. However, the original leads from book one made an appearance here and I am excited go backwards and read there book. Lastly big thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC review
Publication date 1 Jul 25

“Let's Make a Scene” by Laura Wood is the second book in the "Theo & Cynthie" series.
Even if it can be read as a standalone, I recommend also reading "Under Your Spell" as it is a good story.

I received an advance reader copy from Atria Books (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

Cynthie and Jack are both actors and they starred in a movie together.
That was Cynthie's first acting role and they were asked to fake a relationship even if they could not stand each other.
After 13 years, they received an offer to star in a sequel to cult classic that launched their careers.
The issue is that they also want to make a documentary about it and they need to pretend to be in an relationship again

What you can expect:
- fake relationship
- rivals to lovers
- dual timeline
- dual POV
- second chance romance
- slow burn

I liked that we get both POVs and that there is a balance between humour, romance and overall plot.
Also, with chapters alternating in the past and present, we get to see the development of the characters after 13 years.
The only thing that I do not like is the miscommunication, especially from the past.

It was nice to follow the slow development of the relationship in the present and I liked the interactions between Cynthie and Jack.
They have tension and chemistry even when they fight.

The book also gives some interesting insides related to the film industry, where things are not as glamourous as they seem.
It was also so good to have a Theo and Clemmie appearance.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of Let's Make a Scene by Laura Wood in exchange for an honest review.

Just starting out in their respective film careers, Cynthie Taylor and Jack Turner-Jones lit up the screen in a low-budget, British costume drama. A series of misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and general youthful inexperience let to a rocky off-screen relationship. For publicity purposes, Cynthie and Jack pretended to have a personal relationship, but after the requisite publicity tour and award show appearances, they did not speak again. The film, however, shot them to true stardom and both have enjoyed successful careers ever since.

Until thirteen years later, when a scandal has rocked Cynthie's reputation and her prospects are plummeting. Fortunately, the filmmakers responsible for launching her career have a new proposition: reunite with Jack and the most of the original crew to film a sequel. The script is great, her schedule is wide open, and she could use a real publicity boost. The only catch is that she'll have to not work with Jack again, but also pretend to have another off-screen romance. Cynthie's just desperate enough to say yes.

Except that when they do meet again, Jack isn't quite how she remembers. He's still brilliant and devastatingly handsome, but he's not nearly as antagonistic. He's caring, attentive, and respectful. He's no longer the callow young man who infuriated her so long ago. This sequel might actually work out.

Oh gracious, this book! It's wonderful. The chemistry between Cynthie and Jack is REAL. They crackle on the page as much as they do in their films. The character growth, so critical for a satisfying romantic relationship, is genuine and believable. The cast of side characters are delightful (except the ones who aren't supposed to be) and added film element makes it all that much more fun.

Highly recommended for fans of British costume dramas (looking at you, North and South fans), romance readers who love a legit and deserved second chance style romance, and anyone who wants a solid, read-in-one-sitting book.

The book was in dual POV and timelines – this made reading more enjoyable. And believe me, there were things happening now and then. I’m not going to say it was a quick read; it didn’t keep me on my toes to find out what happens next, but it was perfect for slow enjoyment. Character development was great, side characters were amazing, and it was easy to imagine all the environments.

What bothered me most was full name usage a lot. I think I will remember the name Jack Turner-Jones for a long time.

This book was adorable!

Cynthie Taylor, to whom we are briefly introduced in UNDER YOUR SPELL, is a gorgeous, sensitive actress. Jack Turner-Jones is acting royalty, as the son of two British legends. On sight, they both loathe and are attracted to each other. When forced on screen together, their chemistry is legendary. Off-screen, they are bitter enemies. Guess what happens? (Oh, you know what happens.)

The characters really make the story sing in this book. This could have easily been a two-dimensional romance, but the author brings heart and depth to the characters, their backstories, and the found family that supports them along the way. (There is a lot of sex in it, if that is or is not your thing. It was very steamy!!)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an engaging read! I enjoyed the plot and would read it again.

As far as romance goes, Cynthia and Jack's story is great! You have enemies-to- lovers, second chance romance, forced proximity, and excellent chemistry. Their relationship begins in turmoil 13 years prior when they both star in A Lady of Quality. The rivalry and banter is well done. They return to help sell another movie and improve PR for them both. I think the dual timelines on this one makes the pacing off. It could be tighted up in some areas to improve the storyline.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria books for this ARC!

This is a fun enemies to lovers rom com that was such a joy to read. Cynthie and Jack have history, 13 years ago they stared together on a hit show that gave Cynthie her big break. Now 13 years later, Cynthie's reputation is in the dumps after a scandalous relationship and her PR team has a solution. . . Rekindle her "relationship" with Jack as they begin to shoot a comeback show together. The witty banter was so fun and the tension was evident between the two characters from the very first meeting.

This novel was told from dual timelines (past and present), which I really enjoyed for this novel as it read like a second chance and enemies to lovers. I felt that it added depth not only to the individuals but also to their relationship having those brief glimpses into their past relationship & the start of their acting careers.

Thank you Atria for the ARC.

I received this arc for Let’s Make A Scene by Laura Wood from NetGalley and Artia Books. The book started off really slow for me. The author flips back and forth between past and present, and while I see it was necessary for the story, I kind of wish it was done differently because I got lost along the way in some parts. The story of Cynthie and Jack is a really sweet story and by the end chapters I was giddy to find out what would happen next. There are some sensitive subjects in here but in my opinion it doesn’t go into deep details, just brushes the subjects and feelings. In the end, I did end up enjoying the book and being caught up in the love story.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗:
Cynthia’s reputation is in ruins due to a scandal, so her agent suggests she fake date her enemy while shooting a new movie with him to revamp her image.

𝙼𝚢 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎:
This was my first book by this author & now I need to go grab her debut so that I can read that one too!

I really enjoyed this one. It was fun & sweet & swoony while also being snarky. I’m not really a celebrity romance trope fan, but I liked the peek behind the curtain in this one. All of the secondary characters were great & I loved the found family we got!

While I did like the flashbacks, I felt like there was a bit too much of it. We spent chunks of time in the past & I found myself craving the present time instead. While I did enjoy seeing how Jack & Cynthia met & how they became enemies, I found myself craving more time in the present tense.

Overall though, I think this book is super fun! There is definite character growth and dimensions to both the MCs & the enemies to lovers aspect along with fake dating was done really well!

𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚖𝚎😂
“I lift my chin and smile, like everything is totally normal and I am not distracted by his very ordinary arms. What are arms anyway? Just a pair of meat sticks. Nothing to get worked up over.”

𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚖𝚎🙃

“…she’s not delicate like a flower; she’s delicate like a scalpel - and twice as sharp.”

𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚖𝚎🥹

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

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁:
🎥second chance
🎥enemies to lovers
🎥fake dating
🎥he falls first & hard
🎥flashbacks
🎥prank wars
🎥Petra the personal trainer
🎥dirty dancing lift
🎥MTV best kiss award
🎥found family

I was a little hesitant with this book, since the premise is similar to a few other books I have read, but I loved how this book turned out. The romance in this book really had the feel of a perfect movie romance come to life, and with the depth needed to really have it stand out. I don’t know if I would call this book a true second chance romance, since not much romance happened the first time around, but I’d say it was more of a second chance at love, which really made it stand out from others like it.

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

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Cynthie and Jack, former enemies, rivals, and costars come together to film the long awaited sequel to their hit classic movie that came out 13 years prior.

However, the stakes are much higher for Cynthie this time around in the public eye, and she and Jack plan to pretend date for the cameras to stir up the right amount of publicity.

Fun and an endearing read.

Thirteen years ago Theo and Cynthie filmed a bestselling movie and fake dated to help promote it despite hating one another. Now, they’re being asked to do it again to make the sequel. Will they be able to survive working together again?

Fake dating! Enemies to lovers! Forced proximity! All the absolutely delicious tropes blended into one to create a whimsical, light but still addressing tough themes, book. I can’t recommend this enough to anyone who loves a regency period book/movie. I fell in love with these two and bet you will as well!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.

4.3 but I’m rounding it to 5 because 4 just doesn’t feel good enough. Okay okay I actually adored this book. The banter was cute, the plot was great, I really enjoyed it. I loved the dual time line and trying to figure out the main characters’ history as it jumped back and forth. I love love loved the character development. I also loved that it wasn’t just a few weeks romance. You saw it span months (and honestly years) and could seriously feel the chemistry through the page. The quiet pining. The dual pov. So good. I love these characters and honestly loved all of the supporting characters. Justice for Lee though, time for a spin off to get her man and enjoy fun character updates.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the E-ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced reader copy.

The last thing Cynthie Taylor wants to do is leave her home. She's just been publicly shamed as the other woman when a relationship with her last movie director gets leaked (she thought they were separated!). In order to revamp her image, she's asked to make a sequel to the movie that made her a star. The only problem is that she not only has to work with her arrogant co-star, Jack, again, but the powers that be want them to pretend to be in a relationship to drum up interest for the project. As Cynthie and Jack spend more time together they might just realize that they don't hate each other as much as they thought.

This was a romp of a time. If you like enemies-to-lovers and fake dating tropes, this one could be for you. Cynthie and Jack are great, fully realized characters, but I think what really makes this novel shine are the secondary characters. They are quirky and Cynthie's ride-or-die friends, who feel they they could each have their own novel.

Let's Make a Scene is out July 1, 2025

Let's Make A Scene is great for readers who enjoy:

- a true enemies to lovers story
- the glamour of Hollywood/acting
- Dual POV
- nods to regency era films
- "He falls first" stories
- Flashbacks
- Found family friendships

While I didn't love this one as much as Under Your Spell, I still many aspects (the prank wars and friendships) and read it in one sitting. Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

I am a complete sucker for a fake dating, enemies to lovers romance and this was no exception! I loved the tension and chemistry between the characters. Did not want to put it down!!

I loved UNDER YOUR SPELL by Laura Wood so when I received the arc for LETS MAKE A SCENE I was so excited to dive in!

What I loved:
-fake dating & celebrity romance
-past/present timeline
-dual POV between FMC and MMC
-getting an update on the couple from UNDER YOUR SPELL
-slow burn worked & made the relationship seem realistic

I highly recommend you pick up bot of these books by Laura Wood! She does such a good job of mixing depth and humor and her characters seem so relatable 🩷

Thank you Netgalley and Atria for the arc!