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anasatticbookblog's review against another edition
4.0
Hollywood Playboy by Natasha Madison
Narrated by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross
Standalone in a series. Contemporary Romance
"He's beautiful, but it's nothing new. After all, he's Hollywood's golden boy."
Tyler Becket is about to embark on a month-long press junket around the world to promote his new movie, and some of the world’s top reporters are invited along on the tour. Jessica Hawthorn is one of the top entertainment reporters, and she’s number one on the list. Unfortunately, she and Tyler can’t stand each other.
“It’s pretty safe to say you know that I don’t want you here,” he says, folding his arms over his chest and puffing it out more.
“It’s safe to say I don’t want to be here any more than you want me here.” I lean in to him, trying not to hiss. “The last thing I thought I would ever do was be stuck with you for thirty seconds, much less thirty gruelling days.”
Squeee! A Hollywood story AND enemies-to-lovers? Score!
At first you’re tempted to take Jessica’s side, because, you know, women’s solidarity or something, but then you quickly realize that Tyler Beckett, despite being a heart-throb star, is a good, down-to-earth guy.
“How can I let you be when I can’t breathe without you? How can I let you be when half of my soul is missing when I’m not near you? Tell me how, Jessica, and I’ll leave you and never come back.”
I loved the behind-the-scenes Hollywood stuff, and I love that they had to keep their relationship under wraps. Though a few parts were a little bit predictable, it didn’t matter because I enjoyed the ride getting there. Their journey from hate to love didn’t happen overnight, and I love how it took it’s time as they got to know each others’ truths.
Told in dual point of view, I loved getting both sides. Natasha tends to repeat huge scenes from the end of one chapter to the next with the other character’s POV of the same exact scene. While I liked it to a point, when I started the next in the series right after, that style got a bit tiresome and repetitive.
Likes:
- •Duet style.
- •Tyler is so down-to-earth and sweet.
- •Jessica a a strong, independent female lead.
- •I just loved the whole behind the scenes of Hollywood thing.
- •It took time to go from hate to love.
- •Wonderful supporting cast.
- •Good sexy times :)
Dislikes:
•The style of the book is basically a chapter from her, then the same events from him. Sometimes it got repetitive and I thought I accidentally rewound for a second until I realize it’s the same event told from his POV. I loved getting his POV, but all of the events didn’t have to repeat.
The Narration:
Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross are a power duo and I love both of their voices. This book seemed a tiny bit slower than usual and I did have to speed it up. But this got on my nerves: The male narrator (Wen Ross) fake laughed too much, every time she says 'he chuckles'. Especially because she never laughs, it stands out. If you SAY “he chuckles” you don’t need to chuckle. Putting that mirth in your voice is enough, or get rid of the descriptive tags.
The Down & Dirty:
I actually listened to Hollywood Playboy twice. The first time, I waited too long to review and didn’t feel like I could give a good enough review. I listened again when I got Hollywood Princess, thinking that for some reason, it was a trilogy and I would get more of the same story. I was wrong, Hollywood Playboy stands completely alone. I’m not usually a Hollywood gossip kind of girl, but I just love books that take place in that world, and Hollywood Playboy was a sexy, slow-build enemies-to-lovers novel that checked all my boxes. On to the next!
Rating: 4 Stars, 4 Heat, 4 Narration
Purchase Hollywood Playboy by Natasha Madison
riri8's review
3.0
3.25 stars
Nando’s Spice Rating: Medium
If you like close proximity, this is a really good one.
I love the enemies to lovers vibes but I wouldn’t classify that as the books’s trope.
I liked the drama in this plot.
This is a good book to read quickly.
Nando’s Spice Rating: Medium
If you like close proximity, this is a really good one.
I love the enemies to lovers vibes but I wouldn’t classify that as the books’s trope.
I liked the drama in this plot.
This is a good book to read quickly.
read_on_reader's review
5.0
Guys this book was so good, I’m not going to lie but Hollywood stories are hard for me to get into and enjoy but Tyler and Jessica’s story was so good. I loved Tyler and I loved how they both hated each other at the beginning because it just added more to their chemistry. The storyline was great because we got so much detail and insight into the characters careers and lives. They had so much passion for each other that you could feel it. I also can’t wait for Kellie’s Story because you know she’s going to be a feisty one.
allibruns's review
2.0
This was just not my thing. I am clearly in the minority on this so this must just be a case it's just me.
archangelwings's review against another edition
3.0
<b>3 stars</b>
<i>reread</i> | <i>og rating : 3 stars</i>
<i>2024. Jan 11 | audiobook</i>
this book was pretty much how I remembered it: a quick and fun read (but had potential to be sm better)
I love the concept, a famous Hollywood actor x entertainment journalist, such a fun idea and potential for some great e2l angsty fun (if only lmao)
nah honestly the whole promo thing may have been a bit out there, but not at all beyond the realm of possibility, what was hard to believe tho: the fact that it was only him on that promo tour with the journalists like hello💀 no director, no fellow actors, nada. he had a love interest in the movie and the actress showed up for one (1) of the premiers, and it wasn't even the official premier at that, like💀 I get that he's the big star and all, but that's just not how these things work, so some suspense of belief was required. it struck me as odd when I first read it and it continued to baffle me now too xd
also the e2l, like. Jessica's dislike - I got where she was coming from, but it didn't feel all that warranted, it was v <i>ohh im trying run this story about his private life, but the bastard always addresses the situation before I can hit publish, what an asshole</i>. However on Tyler's end his dislike and wariness was legit and understandable and the idea of an actor getting chummy with one of the "vultures" just teemed with the angst potential.
alas Tyler got over his dislike of Jessica with spectacular ease and soon he was busy ogling her ass while she was running, thinking about kissing her, getting jealous and wanting to spend time with her, like things went from 0 to 100 v quick, especially given his initial issues, but oh well
the Cassie thing.. I ain't gonna begrudge it, cos ✨drama✨ but like.. ik she was in love with him and all, but originally she disliked Jess on behalf of Tyler and he jumped ship pretty quick, while she remained on board the <i>SSR the Jess is the devil</i> passengers : 1. and ofc her dislike branched into jealousy, but she stepped over boundaries left and right and Tyler was such a pussy when it came to her, he had ample opportunity to lay down the law and yeah he tried some, but not too hard and she clearly didn't take him seriously and I feel like all that stuff at the end could've been avoided had Tyler been clearer/stronger with Cassie. but like I said I live for the drama, so I could deal, I'm just sayin.. it all could've been avoided relatively easily
also lots of telling instead of showing😭
so yeah the book was far from perfect and I've been focusing on listing issues instead of the good, but I've actually enjoyed this, even if it might not seem like it😂 I liked Tyler, Jessica was fine, they were fun together and had some great moments - <b>epilogue no.2 was a particular fav🥺</b> I'm just lowkey a lil mad cos the concept had sm potential, but the execution was just okay
e n way, this was a quick and fun Hollywood romance, nothing groundbreaking, but it didn't have to be
also, the book may have been 3/5, but the audiobook? 5/5 it was phenom, I loved the narrators and it was DUET narration, my beloved
(Ax2, DUET
Ns💜)
__________________________________________
read: 2020. May 16-17
3 stars
kindle
<i>reread</i> | <i>og rating : 3 stars</i>
<i>2024. Jan 11 | audiobook</i>
this book was pretty much how I remembered it: a quick and fun read (but had potential to be sm better)
I love the concept, a famous Hollywood actor x entertainment journalist, such a fun idea and potential for some great e2l angsty fun (if only lmao)
nah honestly the whole promo thing may have been a bit out there, but not at all beyond the realm of possibility, what was hard to believe tho: the fact that it was only him on that promo tour with the journalists like hello💀 no director, no fellow actors, nada. he had a love interest in the movie and the actress showed up for one (1) of the premiers, and it wasn't even the official premier at that, like💀 I get that he's the big star and all, but that's just not how these things work, so some suspense of belief was required. it struck me as odd when I first read it and it continued to baffle me now too xd
also the e2l, like. Jessica's dislike - I got where she was coming from, but it didn't feel all that warranted, it was v <i>ohh im trying run this story about his private life, but the bastard always addresses the situation before I can hit publish, what an asshole</i>. However on Tyler's end his dislike and wariness was legit and understandable and the idea of an actor getting chummy with one of the "vultures" just teemed with the angst potential.
alas Tyler got over his dislike of Jessica with spectacular ease and soon he was busy ogling her ass while she was running, thinking about kissing her, getting jealous and wanting to spend time with her, like things went from 0 to 100 v quick, especially given his initial issues, but oh well
the Cassie thing.. I ain't gonna begrudge it, cos ✨drama✨ but like.. ik she was in love with him and all, but originally she disliked Jess on behalf of Tyler and he jumped ship pretty quick, while she remained on board the <i>SSR the Jess is the devil</i> passengers : 1. and ofc her dislike branched into jealousy, but she stepped over boundaries left and right and Tyler was such a pussy when it came to her, he had ample opportunity to lay down the law and yeah he tried some, but not too hard and she clearly didn't take him seriously and I feel like all that stuff at the end could've been avoided had Tyler been clearer/stronger with Cassie. but like I said I live for the drama, so I could deal, I'm just sayin.. it all could've been avoided relatively easily
also lots of telling instead of showing😭
so yeah the book was far from perfect and I've been focusing on listing issues instead of the good, but I've actually enjoyed this, even if it might not seem like it😂 I liked Tyler, Jessica was fine, they were fun together and had some great moments - <b>epilogue no.2 was a particular fav🥺</b> I'm just lowkey a lil mad cos the concept had sm potential, but the execution was just okay
e n way, this was a quick and fun Hollywood romance, nothing groundbreaking, but it didn't have to be
also, the book may have been 3/5, but the audiobook? 5/5 it was phenom, I loved the narrators and it was DUET narration, my beloved
(Ax2, DUET
Ns💜)
__________________________________________
read: 2020. May 16-17
3 stars
kindle
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review
5.0
I loved this book. The animosity between these 2 at the start made their relationship changing so satisfying. Tyler was perfect and Jessica was the perfect woman for him (since she didn't care who he was...she called him on his crap).
astriareclipse's review
3.0
Natasha Madison always goint to be my safe place it doesnt matther what.
Natasha Madison siempre va a ser mi lugar seguro no importa que.
Natasha Madison siempre va a ser mi lugar seguro no importa que.
cmsawyer65's review
4.0
I love a good enemies to lovers! With these two the tension could be cut by a knife. I enjoyed this book a lot. I read it to get ready for Made for Romeo. I know why Romeo is such an ass he gets it honestly from his parents!
kidisitor's review
5.0
This is a fun story (for the most part.) I liked how the characters were smart and mature, but still had their little tiffs like they were in high school. Jessica was a successful journalist, even if she just covered celebrity gossip. Tyler was a A list actor and known playboy. He hated her for the stories she was always writing about him. She hated him for always seeming to have the upper hand on said stories. Forced together for a month and watch the tension flair. Despite her career choice, she isn't manipulative or sly. Despite his playboy status, he is kind-hearted and generous. The side characters are entertaining as well. There's the witch who thinks she controls him. The best friend who will do anything to help her. The loving parents. The 'ditsy blondes who throw a wrench in their plans... to name a few. The story isn't new... two enemies who fall in love, but the way it all plays out is a little surprising to me. I anticipated things happening, and some came true, some came true but totally opposite how I expected, and some didn't come true at all. I can't say too much without spoiling it, but I was pleasantly surprised by the whole 'big breakup' and who was the 'victim.' There are a few laughs, not what I would classify as rom-com material, but for the most part this is a lighter read. There is some sexual content. It reads easily and smoothly and alternates between POVs.
*I received an ARC of this book.
*I received an ARC of this book.