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rachelshubin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’d read another one of Ava Wilder’s books because she’s a decent writer. The story just didn’t work for me.
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Abandonment
headinthepages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Addiction, Alcoholism, Car accident, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Mental illness, and Sexual content
theespressoedition's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
How to Fake it in Hollywood really wasn't what I expected. It continued to surprise me the further I read into the book. The beginning was cute, flirty, and filled with angst. The middle was romantic, steamy, and filled with conflict. The end? Well, I don't want to spoil anything, but it definitely sent me on an emotional rollercoaster.
If you have any difficulty reading about alcoholism, you will want to avoid this book. It's a major theme and takes up a great deal of the story. I personally believe it's handled really well. There's nothing fluffy about it. There's a lot of depth and discussion that I haven't seen in many other books that handle the topic of addiction. I appreciated it a lot.
All of the characters have struggles, but they're ones you'll want to root for. Even the secondary characters are wonderful. If the author decides to write companion novels, you can be sure I'll be reading them!
Graphic: Cursing, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Addiction
Moderate: Grief, Car accident, Drug abuse, Bullying, and Vomit
Minor: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
kfmcf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, appreciated the candid look at what being a celebrity living in LA is like and the toll fame has on the human psyche. I think Grey was layered and fleshed out to feel like you really knew her but I think Ethan was missing just one layer more.
I do think this book was too long. It was a 5 act story which isn't inherently bad, but the last act felt a bit phony. The continuation between the 3rd and 4th acts also felt a little too contrived but I like that it felt like fresh pacing overall.
This book is funny, but it gets pretty dark in its depictions of addiction and mental health - which I appreciate but do encourage those with triggers to tread carefully.
Graphic: Sexual content, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, and Stalking
Minor: Drug use, Abandonment, Car accident, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, and Drug abuse
libraryinthecountry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, and Drug abuse
Minor: Car accident