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wintergirl94's review
4.0
I do love a grumpy hero! This is one of the grumpiest I have encountered in a long time.
Richard and Elaine were wonderful, bickering and beautiful.
Richard starts as a grumpy arse and ends that way too, he’s only nice to Elaine - my DREAM
Richard and Elaine were wonderful, bickering and beautiful.
Richard starts as a grumpy arse and ends that way too, he’s only nice to Elaine - my DREAM
mary_elizabeth's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rebroxannape's review
5.0
I sunk into this book like a favorite easy chair after a hard day's work. I don’t know what it is about this series by Lucy Parker. It’s light and funny but in a natural authentic way. The writing is sparkly and clever. And although the setting (the West End theatre scene in London) is glamorous, Lucy makes the reader feel part of it all. Romance is job #1 but everything else: the setting, the writing, the characters, and the journey are so exceptional, nothing else is needed. If you need a break from darkness, tension, family drama, shocking secrets and angsty love, Lucy Parker is your girl.
Lainie is a likable, nice, and funny woman from a large happy family. Richard Troy is "an intolerable prick” who had a troubled childhood. Not that that’s any excuse for his behavior. Richard is angling for the presidency of the conservative and influential RSPA, but his only press is bad press due to his rude behavior, terrible temper, and lack of tact. In order to soften his sharp edges and create some good buzz for a change, it is arranged for Richard and Lainie, who is popular, wholesome, and scandal-free to fake a relationship while castmates in a play. Because anyone Lainie likes can't be all bad, can he?
Together, they navigate a pesky jerk of an ex-boyfriend, red carpets, morning show appearances, and an important dinner with the board of the RSPA which features Richard rescuing Lainie from the clutches of a horny vice-president. Meanwhile, Richard is victimized by village fetes including leaking babies, blue-ribbon pigs, and giant gourds, a 5-k race for charity, and Lainie’s large protective brothers and their unruly children. The inevitable opposites attract thing happens, and the fake relationship turns into the real thing.
Also inevitable is the break-up before the (inevitable) happy ending. I really liked Lucy Parker’s fresh approach to the big crisis. Lainie forthrightly admits her mistake and apologizes while explaining how it happened. When Richard (being the temperamental diva he is) does not choose to forgive her, instead of getting all depressed and taking to her bed with a carton of ice cream (as any self-respecting romantic heroine would do), she rolls her sleeves up and goes on a mission to get him back.
He actually turns out to be no match for Lainie or his own tender if reluctant feelings for her. But fair warning: Blood and a Hospital are involved before we get to the happily ever after. And we know it is "ever after" because the happy couple makes appearances in at least 3 more of the series
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings.com/
Lainie is a likable, nice, and funny woman from a large happy family. Richard Troy is "an intolerable prick” who had a troubled childhood. Not that that’s any excuse for his behavior. Richard is angling for the presidency of the conservative and influential RSPA, but his only press is bad press due to his rude behavior, terrible temper, and lack of tact. In order to soften his sharp edges and create some good buzz for a change, it is arranged for Richard and Lainie, who is popular, wholesome, and scandal-free to fake a relationship while castmates in a play. Because anyone Lainie likes can't be all bad, can he?
“Do you really think you’re the political type?” [Lainie] ventured, trying to think of a way to put it tactfully.
“Meaning?” the inquiry was frosty.
Screw it. “Meaning you have the diplomatic abilities of a tea bag, and a tendency to go off like a rocket at the slightest provocation.”
“I’m aware I’ll have to work on controlling my temper,” he said even more stiffly.…“I wouldn’t have to lose my temper if people weren’t such morons.”
"I would suggest going with a different quote when you open your campaign speech.”
Together, they navigate a pesky jerk of an ex-boyfriend, red carpets, morning show appearances, and an important dinner with the board of the RSPA which features Richard rescuing Lainie from the clutches of a horny vice-president. Meanwhile, Richard is victimized by village fetes including leaking babies, blue-ribbon pigs, and giant gourds, a 5-k race for charity, and Lainie’s large protective brothers and their unruly children. The inevitable opposites attract thing happens, and the fake relationship turns into the real thing.
Also inevitable is the break-up before the (inevitable) happy ending. I really liked Lucy Parker’s fresh approach to the big crisis. Lainie forthrightly admits her mistake and apologizes while explaining how it happened. When Richard (being the temperamental diva he is) does not choose to forgive her, instead of getting all depressed and taking to her bed with a carton of ice cream (as any self-respecting romantic heroine would do), she rolls her sleeves up and goes on a mission to get him back.
The woman she was now knew what she wanted-and she intended to have him. She would pit her personality against his any day. But he had a right to be seriously pissed. And she knew him. Even on his best day Richard couldn't be described as charitably forgiving. He wasn't going to make it easy for her.
He actually turns out to be no match for Lainie or his own tender if reluctant feelings for her. But fair warning: Blood and a Hospital are involved before we get to the happily ever after. And we know it is "ever after" because the happy couple makes appearances in at least 3 more of the series
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings.com/
hermioneigh's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
flowersofquiethappiness's review against another edition
4.0
I've had this one on my radar for quite some time, but had forgotten about it until the Modern Mrs. Darcy blog reminded me. I'm so glad I tried it! Lainie and Richard and their adventures together make for fabulous chemistry. But I loved the natural way their romance developed. They began to see beyond the initial facade each wears in public and then proceeded to fall in love. Cuteness galore! Now I am off to see if I will enjoy the rest of the books in the series...see you when I see you! ;)
whendles's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
So damn adorable. Radiohead quote. Yes please. 🙌
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
Act Like It introduces you to Richard and Elaine. They are both actors and in the middle of faking a relationship. Mostly because Richard doesn't have a good reputation and Elaine is super clean. So, people are hoping that she will help ease him into a better light with the fans. Plus, ratings could be a bit higher too.
Long story short, any kind of relationship that starts off fake always ends up being real. Feelings start to develop and two people get closer and closer to one another. Sure, things were awkward in the beginning but these two, sort of, grew on me.
Throughout the book, these two were likable. He broke her out of her goodie two shoes shell and she made him less of an asshole. Was I surprised by anything that happened between them? Heck no. It was bound to happen the way that it did.
In the end, they were cute, and I think I might jump into the sequel.
Long story short, any kind of relationship that starts off fake always ends up being real. Feelings start to develop and two people get closer and closer to one another. Sure, things were awkward in the beginning but these two, sort of, grew on me.
Throughout the book, these two were likable. He broke her out of her goodie two shoes shell and she made him less of an asshole. Was I surprised by anything that happened between them? Heck no. It was bound to happen the way that it did.
In the end, they were cute, and I think I might jump into the sequel.
katie_chandler's review against another edition
3.0
Modern Mrs. Darcy recommended this as a "not-so-steamy romance", and I would say that this is steamy, but not explicit romance. The book wasn't as "closed-door" as I was hoping it would be and language included several f-bombs. It was a very quick read, to the point that I didn't feel like the plot was fully developed, but I did like the characters.