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amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
100% catnip for me. British, theatre people, a hero and heroine with genuine reasons to attempt to stay away from each other and a genuine attraction and liking for each other. Witty banter. Everyone playing at the top of their intelligence. There's even a bit over Christmas. Loved it.
gillenwaaah's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alwynduffy90's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
teatime_and_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Lucy Parker is the queen of the "grumpy x sunshine" trope.
readsbylaura's review against another edition
4.0
At first, the book starts off slow for me, but once I get into more of the book and the characters start showing who they are more I get into the book so much. I don't know what it is, but Lucy Parker has a way of grabbing you and making you listen and pay attention to her characters. You see each character make progress within themselves and that's what I enjoyed about Pretty Face. The characters in her books are my favorites! I love them.
rebroxannape's review against another edition
4.0
“As he marched her to the second level, he heard muttering behind him. She really was going to have to work on her vocal range. If she wanted to make an impact when she called someone a “bossy prat,” she needed to project.”
"I'm not bossy."
He actually sounded like he believed that.
"Okay, Captain Von Trapp. Keep telling yourself that."
She'd broken the stern director facade again. He was grinning.”
I was a little disappointed in this one, but only because my expectations were so high. It is generally accounted to be her best book, and I just loved the other three in The London Celebrities series. The setting of London’s West end Theatre scene was just as glamorous and the witty quite sophisticated banter didn’t falter either. It is one of the main appeals. I love the way Lucy Parker’s amusing use of pop culture includes references from Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and Star Wars characters to even Harper Lee’s controversial Go Set a Watchman. It lends authenticity and immediacy to conversations and inner thoughts. Plus it’s very funny.
Sadly, the romance, maybe because it was so similar to the others, did not engage me as much. Luc Savage (that name!) hires Lily Lamprey (that name!) as one of the actors in his latest production, 1553, about Princess Elizabeth, Princess Mary, and Lady Jane Grey. It is to open his own historic theatre which he is also renovating. He has to be talked into even considering Lily for the role of Elizabeth I because although very high-profile as the sexy bombshell in a very popular prime-time soap opera, she has no experience in the theatre, and has a very soft breathy voice like Marilyn Monroe. Not exactly Virgin Queen material. However, he needs the publicity her casting will bring, and gives her the part when he sees her surprising acting talent in her audition tape. Also, he quickly learns she is not the empty-headed floozy she looks like and plays so well on TV. Lucy Parker does opposites attract romance very very well. In my experience, her heroines are usually sweet girl-next-door types and her heroes are powerful and cantankerous. In addition to the unlikely romance between the protagonists set to the drama of putting on the play that will open Luc’s new theatre, we have some side stories. Lily has to come to terms with problematic parents which have saddled her with abandonment issues. As a TV actress with a weak voice, she is under a lot of pressure to defeat expectations and prove herself to the company and the public. To complicate matters we have a prominent tabloid with a personal vendetta against Luc and by association, Lily. Towards the end, there are two crises that rear up. One cements their relationship and then the other (temporarily of course) tears them apart.
My problem with the romance was with the hero. He got on my bad side right away with his prejudging of Lily who is lovable from the get-go. It was not only sexist, snooty, and stupid but considering we are told that he returned to the London *Thee-uh-Tuh* only after selling out in order to direct Hollywood blockbusters, it was exceedingly hypocritical. Also, he was just so “above it all.” I mean, he could barely bring himself to pull a cracker at Christmas dinner with his nice family! And then he removes himself from the room when they start their traditional game of charades. Come on now. He has a lot in common with her heroes in other books, In fact, they, as well as her heroines, are almost interchangeable. Almost. But the others are made more palatable by some vulnerability and more of a sense of humor.
So whether it was the hero or I was just tired of the nice girl having to bring to heel a mean boy in an uneven power dynamic, this one was just a shade below the others in the series for me. It was still very good.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings.com/
caseroo7's review against another edition
4.0
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
Pretty Face is the first book that I have from Lucy Parker, but it definitely won't be my last. I really enjoyed this story and the characters, and I was drawn in right away. Pretty Face is book two in the London Celebrities series, but each book is a standalone story. I definitely recommend checking this one out!
Actress Lily Lamprey wants to prove that she is an actress to be taken seriously. She knows she has talent, so when she hears that well known director Luc Savage is renovating a legendary theater for a new production, she knows that this is her chance. But Luc and Lily find themselves drawn to one another and though they try to fight it, things between them continue to grow. But their relationship threatens both of their futures as Luc's reputation comes into question as well as Lily's sudden rising career. Can Lily and Luc have their careers and a future together?
I really loved these two. I found them interesting and felt invested in them right away. Luc had been through a lot that changed the way he was, but he was so much more than he first appears to be. I loved getting to know him better and seeing the kind of man he really was, warm and sweet. Both were passionate and hardworking, determined to make the most of their careers. Their relationship was a bit of a slow burn as both of them were wanting to remain professional. But I loved their chemistry and the connection forming between them. These two were so good together and I couldn't get enough of them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story from start to finish. It was funny and sweet, emotional and heartfelt. I really felt connected to these characters and their story. Their relationship was on the forbidden side and that is always one of my favorites, but there was so much more to Luc and Lily and I had a great time reading this book. If you love theater romance stories this is definitely one you are going to want to pick up, but really if you just love a good romance this is a story that I think more romance readers will love just as much as I did.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
Pretty Face is the first book that I have from Lucy Parker, but it definitely won't be my last. I really enjoyed this story and the characters, and I was drawn in right away. Pretty Face is book two in the London Celebrities series, but each book is a standalone story. I definitely recommend checking this one out!
Actress Lily Lamprey wants to prove that she is an actress to be taken seriously. She knows she has talent, so when she hears that well known director Luc Savage is renovating a legendary theater for a new production, she knows that this is her chance. But Luc and Lily find themselves drawn to one another and though they try to fight it, things between them continue to grow. But their relationship threatens both of their futures as Luc's reputation comes into question as well as Lily's sudden rising career. Can Lily and Luc have their careers and a future together?
I really loved these two. I found them interesting and felt invested in them right away. Luc had been through a lot that changed the way he was, but he was so much more than he first appears to be. I loved getting to know him better and seeing the kind of man he really was, warm and sweet. Both were passionate and hardworking, determined to make the most of their careers. Their relationship was a bit of a slow burn as both of them were wanting to remain professional. But I loved their chemistry and the connection forming between them. These two were so good together and I couldn't get enough of them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story from start to finish. It was funny and sweet, emotional and heartfelt. I really felt connected to these characters and their story. Their relationship was on the forbidden side and that is always one of my favorites, but there was so much more to Luc and Lily and I had a great time reading this book. If you love theater romance stories this is definitely one you are going to want to pick up, but really if you just love a good romance this is a story that I think more romance readers will love just as much as I did.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
perjacxis's review against another edition
4.0
This might be closer to a 4.5 stars I think. Lily was just bloody amazing and they are so cute together.