Overall I enjoyed this book, it was a bit slow at the start but it picked up in the second half of the book.

There was a subplot that I wished that was more touched on upon, I felt like it should have been more serious but it was just swept away. I also would've liked the family dynamics to have been more in depth, but then again its a romance book.

The romance was cute, I enjoyed how they inspired each other to work more on their personal lives and issues, but other than that it felt like every other romance book I've read.

I would recommend this book, and I will be reading more from this author.

(***) 3.5 Stars for me. I enjoyed that this book was set in Australia, we don't get enough books set in our own backyard so it was refreshing. I enjoyed the characters of Evie and Kye as the grumpy x sunshine pairing. Overall, this book was a lot heavier than I was expecting. It dealt with a lot more real world issues that I was expecting, which isn't a bad thing at all, but I kinda went into reading it with the thought of it being a light hearted rom com. I did like the fact that it dealt with those real world issues, but they could be triggering to some readers who weren't prepared for them - so maybe a trigger warning at the start might be an idea. Evie and Kye felt like kindred spirits in an almost heartbreaking kinda way. They were almost two sides of the same coin with their shared traumas and similar histories. I found Kye's relationship with Austin to be an interesting display of unhealthy codependent relationships that I think could relate to many. I also picked the little secret there about halfway through. I liked the fact, that even with all the heavy subject matter, there was a continuing element of hope woven through the entire story. I liked that both Kye and Evie took time to heal their wounds independently instead of launching into a potentially codependent relationship to further those patterns we see them discover through their story. All in all, I really enjoyed this book but it was a lot heavier than I was expecting.

(***) I received an ARC of this book for review. All opinions are my own and are not at all influenced by outside sources.

Lights, Camera, Love by Natalie Murray
Release date: 29 July 2025
ARC read through NetGalley. Thanks to @AllenAndUnwin for approving my request.

This book is Natalie’s second solo contemporary romance.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – I loved it!
🌶️🌶️🌶️ – vanilla romantic scenes

Evie Scott is a dance teacher who gets cast in an Australian-made film, mostly because she can dance and is attractive.

Kye Evans is the talent manager and publicist of Evie’s co-star, Austin Reynolds. On first meeting, Evie named him ‘Groucho’ in her head.

The supporting cast of characters were lively and fleshed out. I especially loved Rafael, Evie’s boss and best friend.

I had to force myself to put this book down a few times because I didn’t want it to be over too soon. This was a fun read that also touched on some heavy topics. I would absolutely recommend.

SPOILER This book does feature a third-act breakup, but I liked it. It made sense for the characters and wasn’t based on an idiotic miscommunication. Dreamy! SPOILER

Firstly thank you Natalie Murray, Allen & Unwin and Netgalley for my review copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is my second read of Murray’s, I absolutely adored Love, Just in .

Lights, Camera, Love follows Evie a successful dance teacher (Think Jessica Alba in Honey), who gets the opportunity to star in a dance movie alongside her ultimate crush Austin Reynolds. Meet Kye aka Groucho- Austin’s manager, he is broody and jaded and trying to keep Austin in line.

This novel focuses on the entertainment industry, including the ugly sides. It also explores difficult subjects, such as abandonment issues, foster system and being raised by absent parents.

I feel like this book didn’t wow me over all, but I really enjoyed reading it! I felt the last third really picked up in pace and the plot and i felt more engaged.

I definitely will continue to support Natalie’s writing and read her future works!

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5

I have been looking forward to this book for a very long time and it did not disappoint. The slow burn between Kye and Evie was so good, and Natalie Murray knows how to write a steamy sex scene. The banter was fabulous, and I loved the cast of supporting characters, who all played an important role in the development of the love story.

The book also dealt sensitively with some complicated themes, and I loved that the happily ever after wasn't what I expected.

Lights, Camera, Love by Natalie Murray
☀️☀️☀️⛅ (3.5 stars)

Big thanks to NetGalley + Allen & Unwin for this ARC copy!

This Aussie rom com felt like a book version of a Step Up movie. As someone who works in the Australian film industry it was nice to see us represented, and I'm pleased to say Murray got it pretty spot on - sleazebags included, unfortunately. The additional subplot of dance also appeals to me as a recreational dancer, so really, this book should have been absolutely perfect for me!

It definitely hit some high points in the character sense - Evie and Kye are both developed characters with distinct vibes. Evie in particular had a relatable arc, though it would have been nice to see her experience in the film world influence her career moving forward. I believed their chemistry, though I felt that the sex scenes themselves fell flat. Austin and Kye's relationship was well written and I liked the way Murray handled their dynamic throughout, and I'd say the same for Evie's with her mum. The third act complications for both characters were brilliant decisions that felt realistic to life and suited the situation - a very mature and thoughtful way to handle it.

The areas that appealed less to me are: the harassment storyline didn't hold as much gravity as I think it warranted, especially in its resolution. Kye's relationship history with a certain minor character felt brushed off in its importance. I didn't really vibe with the cutesy relationship nicknames, which felt repetitive. The epilogue was a bit too saccharine for my tastes following on from the tone of the third act.

Murray has done a lovely job of weaving together complicated characters at different stages of life into this larger than life scenario. Did it blow me away? No. Did I have a good time? You bet! It's so wonderful to see Australia represented in publishing, and Murray waves the flag well.


"Love is knowing that you can walk out the door at any moment and choose a different life, but you don't. Love is staying. Even when things get hard."

I devoured this book easily in one sitting, I couldn’t put it down. What was also lovely was reading a rom com set in the Australian movie industry (instead of Hollywood). I also really appreciated the way Natalie Murray carefully layered her characters with bittersweet backstories.

Kye and Evie were perfect for each other with their shared love of dance. Both are nurturing major parental abandonment issues, with Kye a foster kid who feels indebted to his best friend/client Austin, while Evie has grown up by a single mother who was abandoned by her movie megastar father. I really felt for Evie when she hears her father’s perspective and how he wasn’t the only person to blame. Her mother got off a bit too lightly in my opinion, but it was realistic that you can’t undo nearly 30 years of damage.

If I had any quibbles, it would be that the creepy director was handled a lot later than I think should’ve been to save the film – it just felt like an afterthought since filming had already finished. Also, I'd have liked to have seen Evie make use of the opportunities that arose from her role. I get her reasons, but it just seemed like a waste.

A heartwarming and poignant gem of a rom com. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Allen & Unwin and NetGalley for the ARC.