Reviews

Difficult by Brianne Gillen

lenchi's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

nerdyholler's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25

I bought this book and it sat in my TBR for way too long. Once I started reading, I was instantly kicking myself for having not read it earlier. There was so much I liked about this book! The 1940s old Hollywood setting was a nice change of pace from other romances and both leads were very likeable. I love how independent Lois was and her desire to try and maintain control over her career and story after being labeled as "difficult" years ago. Nick was great as someone who was in her corner but also didn't try to stifle her independence or become her knight in shining armor. The friendship and mutual respect as the basis of their relationship was so nice, even if there was a bit of love/lust at first sight. Fake marriage isn't my favorite trope but it absolutely works here as part of the Hollywood publicity machine where everyone but the general public is aware of what's going on. 

This is a low spice work with just a couple of sex scenes. The focus is definitely more on the relationship than the sex with just a little heat sprinkled around.

sungmemoonstruck's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

A charming marriage of convenience romance set against the backdrop of 1940's Hollywood, featuring an actress whose diva reputation has dogged her entire career and a former golden boy arrested for smoking marijuana who are forced to team up on a guaranteed disaster of a picture and decide to rewrite their story entirely. I quite liked Lois and Nick both individually and together, especially Lois' determination to rewrite her career on her own terms, Nick's sweet and supportive loyalty to her, and their sparkling chemistry. I did want a bit more conflict between them, to really make the dark moment land with a bit of emotional heft, but I'm curious to see what Gillen does with the rest of the series. 

elenisofia's review

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

this book was really good!! lois and nick had amazing chemistry and their dynamic was so cute! if you like the marriage of convenience and golden retriever bf and black cat gf tropes, you’ll love this book!!

machadofam8's review

4.0

Thank you to BookSirens for an ARC of Difficult.

I felt as though the book started out a little slowly. But then it took off and I was able to breeze through it.

The characters of Lois and were written very well. They felt like they belonged in 1947. I recently watched the movie Trumbo which also takes place in the Hollywood of the late 1940s and early 1950s. Lois and Nick could absolutely live in that movie.

I enjoyed the details of how things work in Hollywood. Studios and contracts and personalities were described well. Nothing felt forced about this book.

I'm very happy this will be a series because it will be great to find out what is in store for Phoenix Pitctures.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

gillenwaaah's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Very fun little world to live in for a while, does a great job of depicting classic Hollywood without being too exclusionary

tnaimpally's review

4.0

Rating: 4 stars

What an utter treat, this was a confection of a book and I enjoyed every minute I was reading it.

wilybooklover's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

A lovely low-angst romance between two actors who enter into a marriage of convenience to improve their reputation. Very refreshing to read a historical set in Golden Age Hollywood, which I think is an extremely underutilised setting in romance!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Misogyny

Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, Outing, and Sexual harassment

kitkatpattywhack's review

funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

friend_of_sappho's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.25