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This is a familiar theme in which two super-successful entertainers, Audrey and Harlow, meet and fall in love. Of course, their careers get in the way of having a “normal” relationship, but they are committed to making the relationship work. However, the relationship cannot withstand Harlow’s brother’s betrayals.
The characters in this book are well drawn and likable, but the book is seriously flawed by the author’s plotting skills. There are at least two improbable results of Harlow’s brother’s perfidy, i.e., major breakthroughs after two weeks of therapy and forgiveness too easily and too soon given. Then there are the pages and pages of the author telling us what the characters are thinking/feeling – undoubtedly readers will find themselves zoning out and skimming along until the characters reappear.
While this isn’t the best book in LesFic for 2021, but isn’t the worse book, not by a long shot.
My thanks to Bold Strokes Books for an eARC.
The characters in this book are well drawn and likable, but the book is seriously flawed by the author’s plotting skills. There are at least two improbable results of Harlow’s brother’s perfidy, i.e., major breakthroughs after two weeks of therapy and forgiveness too easily and too soon given. Then there are the pages and pages of the author telling us what the characters are thinking/feeling – undoubtedly readers will find themselves zoning out and skimming along until the characters reappear.
While this isn’t the best book in LesFic for 2021, but isn’t the worse book, not by a long shot.
My thanks to Bold Strokes Books for an eARC.
Nice storyline but unengaging storytelling
I really wanted to like this but the writing was unfortunately not great. An interesting storyline and love the added dash of mystery and kink but I got so sick of her "writers brain" and a lot of useless repetition or spelling out of stuff that was easily understood. Promising story and characters but could have used better editing.
I really wanted to like this but the writing was unfortunately not great. An interesting storyline and love the added dash of mystery and kink but I got so sick of her "writers brain" and a lot of useless repetition or spelling out of stuff that was easily understood. Promising story and characters but could have used better editing.
Heartwarming romcom, with light angst. This is the first book I have read from this author, other than the collaborative book Swift Vengeance, and well I do love a celebrity romance.
Audrey Knox, America’s Sweetheart, is everything she appears to be. After a public break up, a run in encounter with "bad girl" pop queen Harlow Thorne sparks a connection both women don't feel entirely ready for.
This book starts really fast, and for the first part of the book I had trouble keeping up with the emotions of the ladies. Both are career focused, busy women, who spend their lives in the public eye. They seemed to be getting to attached too quickly, however there are a few short time jumps to aid the story arc. Then the family drama kicked in and it hooked me. Harlow's character arc and her relationship with her brother brings an interesting layer to the story, and not how I thought it was going to go.
Something I really enjoyed about this book is the maturity of the characters, Harlow has a lot of past trauma to work through and she recognizes that. Even when she is running from her problems she sets clear boundaries for those around her. Audrey grew up in a more stable home than Harlow, and through her support system has managed to not let the fame go to her head. She takes great care to provide support without telling Harlow how to feel, but still stands up for herself.
Audrey Knox, America’s Sweetheart, is everything she appears to be. After a public break up, a run in encounter with "bad girl" pop queen Harlow Thorne sparks a connection both women don't feel entirely ready for.
This book starts really fast, and for the first part of the book I had trouble keeping up with the emotions of the ladies. Both are career focused, busy women, who spend their lives in the public eye. They seemed to be getting to attached too quickly, however there are a few short time jumps to aid the story arc. Then the family drama kicked in and it hooked me. Harlow's character arc and her relationship with her brother brings an interesting layer to the story, and not how I thought it was going to go.
Something I really enjoyed about this book is the maturity of the characters, Harlow has a lot of past trauma to work through and she recognizes that. Even when she is running from her problems she sets clear boundaries for those around her. Audrey grew up in a more stable home than Harlow, and through her support system has managed to not let the fame go to her head. She takes great care to provide support without telling Harlow how to feel, but still stands up for herself.
This was a quick celebrity romancing. Nothing too outstanding but nothing offensive. Probably won't remember it in a few weeks but enjoyable too.
3.5 stars
This book made for an easy casual read on a busy day. It’s short simple and cute.
Unfortunately that’s also the reason for my 1.5 star down rate. The book was too simple.
Aubrey is an actor and Harlow is a singer. When they meet there’s an instant chemistry. Later in the book Casper’s brother makes some mistakes than ultimately relate to conflict in the main relationship
Admittedly Aubrey and Harlow do have undeniable represented chemistry but there wasn’t any build up or anything special. Even their conflict was boring and the reconciliation was blueprinted by the classic cliche best friend interference and serenade trope. The reconciliation was a bit half assed
In the beginning of the book we have small appearances from Aubrey’s ex which could’ve been a source of entertainment in this book but it seemed as though the author forgot they existed. Which was a bit weird since she was the Kickstarter.
Also something that I realized seconds after finishing the book was- it’s not funny. There’s no humor in this book. Not a single thing that struck me as humor. Regardless of subjectivity.
Casper’s ending also left me annoyed. How could someone who caused so much trouble get a good job in a field he was previously shown to be untrustworthy in?
Seems like the author wrote an unrealistic fairytale to be honest. Aubrey and Harlows achievements at their age and their ending was totally far fetched- not that I’m opposed to walking the line of realism, this is a work of fiction after all. But in this book it felt a bit overdone.
Now this book can be described as a light read and if that’s what you want, a sweet, easy, cliche light read. Then I do recommend.
But if you’re looking for something with entertainment, depth and characters you relate to and can grow to love. Then no I do not recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in return for a honest review.
This book made for an easy casual read on a busy day. It’s short simple and cute.
Unfortunately that’s also the reason for my 1.5 star down rate. The book was too simple.
Aubrey is an actor and Harlow is a singer. When they meet there’s an instant chemistry. Later in the book Casper’s brother makes some mistakes than ultimately relate to conflict in the main relationship
Admittedly Aubrey and Harlow do have undeniable represented chemistry but there wasn’t any build up or anything special. Even their conflict was boring and the reconciliation was blueprinted by the classic cliche best friend interference and serenade trope. The reconciliation was a bit half assed
In the beginning of the book we have small appearances from Aubrey’s ex which could’ve been a source of entertainment in this book but it seemed as though the author forgot they existed. Which was a bit weird since she was the Kickstarter.
Also something that I realized seconds after finishing the book was- it’s not funny. There’s no humor in this book. Not a single thing that struck me as humor. Regardless of subjectivity.
Casper’s ending also left me annoyed. How could someone who caused so much trouble get a good job in a field he was previously shown to be untrustworthy in?
Seems like the author wrote an unrealistic fairytale to be honest. Aubrey and Harlows achievements at their age and their ending was totally far fetched- not that I’m opposed to walking the line of realism, this is a work of fiction after all. But in this book it felt a bit overdone.
Now this book can be described as a light read and if that’s what you want, a sweet, easy, cliche light read. Then I do recommend.
But if you’re looking for something with entertainment, depth and characters you relate to and can grow to love. Then no I do not recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in return for a honest review.
This was a quick celebrity romancing. Nothing too outstanding but nothing offensive. Probably won't remember it in a few weeks but enjoyable too.
I started this last night, just wanting to read a couple of chapters before bed. and the next thing I knew, it was 2:30 am and my eyes were glued to each page. Jackie D wrote some of the most tangible characters I’ve ever encountered. All of our characters feel like real, genuine, relatable people and, in the end, you really can’t help but root all of them. It’s one hell of a talent. VIP made me laugh, it made me cry, and feel all the feels. This book was everything!
I am sad to admit that I did not finish this book. I don't think it was a bad book but it just wasn't the book for me. I normally love stories about celebrities, about musicians and their lives but this one, I just couldn't connect with the characters. I tried for several weeks and it just didn't happen.
I thought this book was going to be full of glamour and fun. It's not. It's so boring. It's about two women who meet and then they go on a date and then they fall asleep together and then they have sex and then they are girlfriends. One is a movie star and the other a pop star, but there is no atmosphere, no glamour, no tension. It's sososo boring. There are so many passages explaining that "Audrey is this" and "Harlow is that" and "Tia (the ex) is the other" but you never see any of it, or feel anything. it's shallow, shallow shallow. And everyone feels things in their hearts, and other bits of their bodies.
I just never cared.
They do spend a lot of time in "the wet world" there are showers, and swimming and more showers. Also Audrey drinks a lot of wine and Harlow drinks whiskey in every second scene. That's the main way I could remember who was who. Disappointing.
I was given a free e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I just never cared.
They do spend a lot of time in "the wet world" there are showers, and swimming and more showers. Also Audrey drinks a lot of wine and Harlow drinks whiskey in every second scene. That's the main way I could remember who was who. Disappointing.
I was given a free e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.