Reviews

Name Your Price by Holly James

thebookschack's review

3.25

Name Your Price is such a fun and unique premise for a book! I loved the idea of exs having to have forced proximity, especially without being able to touch each other. 

The beginning of the book, with their very public breakup, immediately had me hooked into seeing what kind of fun we would be reading about in the competition. The first 30% of the book was so fun, I loved seeing Olivia’s spicy side when it came to her dealing with Chuck. 

However, the competition and the relationship ended up falling pretty short for me. I ended up being more interested in the story behind Olivia’s parents, instead of wanting to see the relationship between her and Chuck. 

The sweet moments that pop up warmed my heart but there just wasn’t enough to keep me interested in seeing them end up together in a romance relationship. I just kept seeing them as friends, instead of something deeper. 

I definitely can tell there are going to be some romcom readers out there that are going to love this book, but it’s not quite there for me.  

Thank you to Net Gallery and Penguin Group for allowing me to do this arc read!

rsbrack's review

4.0

This was a fun second chance romance with a realty TV twist. I wasn’t sure about the coupling, but the writer does a great job fleshing out their backstories and really getting for you to root for them to get back together. The subplots were really interesting too. 

I received an ARC from netgalley and the publisher. 

caitdunc's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved this story! This slow-burn, enemies to lovers, second chance romance (with a bit of spice!) kept me captivated from start to finish. The chemistry between Chuck and Olivia jumped off the pages for me and kept enticing me to read just one more chapter (even though I'd said "one more chapter" two chapters ago and it was way past my bedtime). Olivia's internal struggles felt very relatable and real, while Chuck's character arc was beautiful. The conclusion was touching and fulfilling. It was one of those books I hugged at the end because I loved it so much!

Overall, this was a very unique and fun story, and I highly recommend this one. I look forward to reading more Holly James in the future!

jasnicole1995's review against another edition

4.0

This is a cute second chance romantic comedy. Olivia and Chuck have a big public blow up that someone captured on film. This video goes viral, and a reality tv show sees the footage and invite Olivia and Chuck to film for their show. This was giving The bachelor vibes and I always enjoy when tv shows are included in books storylines. I LOVED the tension and the banter between the two. If you are one who enjoys romance books without a lot of smut you will enjoy this.

My only main complaint is I didn’t like that this was written in 3rd person. I wish we had dual POVS.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ♥️⭐️

jbsoutiere's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

theworldyoulove's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

misslisa11's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.0

Book 52 of 2024: Name Your Price by Holly James

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Olivia and Chuck have chemistry—too much chemistry, perhaps. After a huge fight, they break up for good. But someone was filming their dramatic argument and because Olivia’s parents were Hollywood royalty and Chuck’s a rising actor, the video goes viral. When Name Your Price, a reality game show, sees the footage, they invite Olivia and Chuck to shoot a very unusual challenge: live locked in a house together for one month and they will be each paid a million dollars. Olivia really needs the money if she's going to keep her grandmother in her nursing home. So the game is on—even as the show tries to pluck every nerve with only one bed, one bathroom, and a set of rules that will lose them money if broken. With stakes that have never been higher and their explosive chemistry at a fever pitch, can Chuck and Olivia keep it together for one month?

Thank you so much @netgalley, @hellohollyjames, and @duttonbooks for the ARC! Holly James is the queen of Hollywood/superstar romcoms full of heart and this book was a fun one! This was a super entertaining and quick read for me and I was laughing out loud at many of the fiery fights between Chuck and Olivia. Forced proximity always makes for some dramatic and also steamy moments, and I loved how the relationship between Chuck and Olivia was rekindled. Their dialogue and banter was delicious and they had such great chemistry. I don’t usually enjoy second chance romances, but I found the trope in this book much more enjoyable as it really provided an insight into two imperfect people learning to understand one another and how to be present and love their partner despite differences. I also really loved Olivia’s back story and how she was able to learn more about her parents’ past and their story. And the grandma! She was adorable. Name Your Price will be the perfect summer read and it comes out July 30!

emcroll's review against another edition

4.0

Big thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for providing this eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and freely given.

Let's chat about "Name Your Price" by Holly James – a rom-com that throws Liv, a struggling reporter, and Chuck, a recently axed C-list actor, into the chaotic realm of reality TV romance. Their messy past and present fraught with tension explode when their viral breakup lands them on a reality show. With a million-dollar prize at stake and a strict "no touching" rule, they're in for a wild ride.

On the upside, the premise of "Name Your Price" is seriously intriguing, giving off vibes of popular reality shows like "Too Hot to Handle" and "Big Brother." Watching Chuck's family dynamics unfold and seeing Liv's unwavering commitment to her grandma added depth to the storyline. Plus, the closure Liv found from confronting her past gave the whole plot an extra layer of feels.

But, there were a few hiccups along the way. The pacing felt a bit wonky, taking forever to get into the competition and then wrapping up too quickly. I was hoping for more build-up in the competition department – you know, some nail-biting tension to really amp things up! The last 20% felt like it came out of nowhere, leaving me skimming through in search of more satisfying closure. Also, a dual POV would've been killer, giving us a deeper dive into Chuck's side of the story.

Even with its flaws, "Name Your Price" still delivers on the romantic tension and laugh-out-loud moments. It's a wild ride of emotions that'll keep you hooked until the end. So, if you're up for a fun escape into the world of reality TV romance, give it a shot!

Overall rating: 3.75 stars/ 1 chili pepper
Tropes: forced proximity, second chance

readwithkait's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really enjoyed the first 80% of this book. I thought the premise was unique - while I’ve read (and loved) a bunch of reality show or second chance romances, this was the first that combined it in this way. It was VERY angst and slow burn, but the author did a great job not making it feel boring or repetitive. 

I didn’t love the back half. I though the reality show

exit was underwhelming and a disappointing and abrupt finish

. I also had a hard time rooting for the MCs to get together - it felt like they really only had good chemistry, but on an emotional and partner level didn’t mesh. And for the conclusion with Olivia’s parents,

it was interesting but felt really rushed.

 

I was provided a complimentary ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. 

ladyalireadsalot's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

• 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

4.5