Thank you so much Ava Wilder, Random House Publishing & NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This book will be published on June 14th. 

What a stellar debut from Ava Wilder! Hollywood romance is one of my top tropes for 2022 and I am here for it! 

Quick take: Coming off of a six year stint on the show "Poison Paradise" the roles weren't coming in hot for Grey Brooks. She is hoping that she kills her audition for possibility a multi movie deal with the upcoming movie "Golden City". Her publicist Audrey had a brilliant idea of having Grey fake date a recluse actor Ethan Atkins in hopes this would up her chance of getting the role. The couple have a contract drawn out that specifies where they need to make appearance and how often they need to be seen at each other's houses. Naturally sparks are there between the two characters. Without major spoilers, the couple goes through many highs and many many lows that are displayed throughout the book. 

The idea of PR relationships is still so fascinating to me. I am big on pop culture including follow blind items and its very often that the blind items deal with PR relationships. I just am always in denial that a couple would fake date. ESPECIALLY when it's a long time frame. I just want everyone to be in happily in love. I really love the quote in this that said "Everyone knew celebrities' developed permanently arrested the age they became famous." I have heard this so many the times over the years and I truly this does happen to many celebs especially those that start as child stars. 

"Maybe that was what fame did to you: made you paranoid that none of your private moments would ever be private again." 

This is one that the cartoon cover fooled everyone who read this. Yes there was romance but beyond the romance was a story of a man suffering from alcoholism while dealing with grief and the woman who didn't know how to help. The chemistry between the two actors was felt off the page and you rooted for them. But you also couldn't avoid the serious issues that Ethan was dealing with.  One moment in the book where Ethan was on a panel for the 15th anniversary of Dirtbags that reminded me of a scene in A Star is Born where Bradley Cooper peed himself on stage during the Grammys. Just made me so sad to think of how the power of alcohol has over some. 

I can't pinpoint why I loved this book so much. I think the Hollywood aspect of it was a big drawn, fake dating is always fun, age-gap (okay it's only 10 years but still!) and the fact that neither party was perfect. There was even some slow burn element as well. I love their banter and with that brought the sexual tension. They just worked so well together in through conflict. 

I am looking forward to what is next for Ava!