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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
I'm a big fan of cute, funny romance novels that give me the warm and fuzzies, and this one is no exception. However, this one is a 5-star banger for me because there is much more depth than most of the romcoms on the market.
"Will They or Won't They" is about two stars of a popular primetime television show whose characters fall in love with each other, but in real life they can't stand to be in the same room with one another. When Lilah, one of the stars of the show, comes back after being gone for a few seasons to focus on her movie career, old feelings come bubbling back to the surface for the two actors, and they must navigate through the many conflicting emotions they bring out of each other.
This novel resonated deep with me because I related so much to the main character Lilah. Like her, I have the same struggles we see her experience throughout the book. I really liked how the author handled Lilah's mental health and normalized getting help by utilizing tools like therapy. It was a breath of fresh air. It was even a delightful surprise to find out she wasn't the only one to do so.
The pacing of the book kept me thinking, "Just one more chapter..." until 2AM because I needed to know Lilah and Shane's history. I could feel the loathing these two had for each other, and it was delicious because the love they had for each other was simmering just underneath that layer of disdain. It was intriguing to see their story laid out through flashbacks and little morsels of information from different characters. Their dislike stemmed from more than just "They took my job promotion" or "We had a terrible first date" or "They're so beautiful I hate it" kind of "hatred" you see in most romcom-style novels. These two had good reasons to dislike each other, but the chemistry and heat between them was just too much to ignore. The self-sabotage of their relationship should've frustrated me but instead I felt genuine empathy for the characters as well as a visceral emotion that had my heart screaming "must protect at all costs."
Shane's vulnerability about whether he can make it as an actor once the show is over and Lilah doing everything she can to keep her heart hidden in a gilded cage with thorny vines surrounding it is heartbreaking to see, but the way the ending played out shows that while deeper issues aren't fully resolved, there is an air of hope for the two of them. After all, having everything tied up in a neat little bow is something for movies and TV, not real life, so it was refreshing to see that while it may not be absolutely perfect, it's perfect enough.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication: June 27, 2023
"Will They or Won't They" is about two stars of a popular primetime television show whose characters fall in love with each other, but in real life they can't stand to be in the same room with one another. When Lilah, one of the stars of the show, comes back after being gone for a few seasons to focus on her movie career, old feelings come bubbling back to the surface for the two actors, and they must navigate through the many conflicting emotions they bring out of each other.
This novel resonated deep with me because I related so much to the main character Lilah. Like her, I have the same struggles we see her experience throughout the book. I really liked how the author handled Lilah's mental health and normalized getting help by utilizing tools like therapy. It was a breath of fresh air. It was even a delightful surprise to find out she wasn't the only one to do so.
The pacing of the book kept me thinking, "Just one more chapter..." until 2AM because I needed to know Lilah and Shane's history. I could feel the loathing these two had for each other, and it was delicious because the love they had for each other was simmering just underneath that layer of disdain. It was intriguing to see their story laid out through flashbacks and little morsels of information from different characters. Their dislike stemmed from more than just "They took my job promotion" or "We had a terrible first date" or "They're so beautiful I hate it" kind of "hatred" you see in most romcom-style novels. These two had good reasons to dislike each other, but the chemistry and heat between them was just too much to ignore. The self-sabotage of their relationship should've frustrated me but instead I felt genuine empathy for the characters as well as a visceral emotion that had my heart screaming "must protect at all costs."
Shane's vulnerability about whether he can make it as an actor once the show is over and Lilah doing everything she can to keep her heart hidden in a gilded cage with thorny vines surrounding it is heartbreaking to see, but the way the ending played out shows that while deeper issues aren't fully resolved, there is an air of hope for the two of them. After all, having everything tied up in a neat little bow is something for movies and TV, not real life, so it was refreshing to see that while it may not be absolutely perfect, it's perfect enough.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication: June 27, 2023
I dnf’d
It’s in third person, thought I could over look because it was like dual pov but in third person. Idk how to explain it.
Anyway- I got to a spicy scene. Came out of no where, kind of. The whole time they were just being insufferable- made me not wanna read anymore
It’s also full of miscommunication!!! Stop being children- you’re literally 30 year old actors
It’s in third person, thought I could over look because it was like dual pov but in third person. Idk how to explain it.
Anyway- I got to a spicy scene. Came out of no where, kind of. The whole time they were just being insufferable- made me not wanna read anymore
It’s also full of miscommunication!!! Stop being children- you’re literally 30 year old actors
What I read: Will They or Won’t They by Ava Wilder
Why I picked it up: I got this as an ARC from Netgalley for free in exchange for a review with my honest opinion.
How I read it: On eGalley.
What it’s about: The book follows a couple who met on the audition for a tv pilot nine years ago. They were in a relationship during the very successful first season that ended poorly, followed by years of angsty relationships, then a couple of years of no relationship, and now they’re back on the show together again. It really follows the two of them as they figure out if they want to be in a relationship and how to do that.
What I liked: There are some aspects of mental health, processing past traumas, seeing the reality of anxiety – I really liked those.
What I disliked: I did not realize this was quite so spicy when I started, which was a little much for me. The not dealing with past trauma got to be a bit much.
Genre: Open door romance, mental health, anxiety, celebrity.
Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I’d skip it. It releases on June 27th.
Why I picked it up: I got this as an ARC from Netgalley for free in exchange for a review with my honest opinion.
How I read it: On eGalley.
What it’s about: The book follows a couple who met on the audition for a tv pilot nine years ago. They were in a relationship during the very successful first season that ended poorly, followed by years of angsty relationships, then a couple of years of no relationship, and now they’re back on the show together again. It really follows the two of them as they figure out if they want to be in a relationship and how to do that.
What I liked: There are some aspects of mental health, processing past traumas, seeing the reality of anxiety – I really liked those.
What I disliked: I did not realize this was quite so spicy when I started, which was a little much for me. The not dealing with past trauma got to be a bit much.
Genre: Open door romance, mental health, anxiety, celebrity.
Rating & Recommendation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I’d skip it. It releases on June 27th.
I have to be honest and admit that enemies to lovers is not my favorite genre so it can be hit or miss for me. I’m sure people who like the genre will have a more enthusiastic review! I was worried when the book started because I don’t like the main characters fighting all the time so I kept an open mind as the story unfolded. The book was both dual timeline and dual point of view so we got the backstory from both characters’ perspectives about what happened in the past and how things were different in the present timeline. On the whole, this book was heavy on the inner thoughts from both characters, which kept the drama and miscommunications lower than usual for the genre. I liked how their relationship developed in the present timeline!
*Thanks to Dell and NetGalley for the advance reader copy for review.
*Thanks to Dell and NetGalley for the advance reader copy for review.
I have been desperately hoping to get approved for this book because I was SO excited for it! I love Hollywood romances and I was really looking forward to this one after enjoying How to Fake It in Hollywood.
Overall, this was very very fun! I loved Lilah and Shane. The tension was SO HIGH throughout nearly the entire book which was stressful but thrilling. Miscommunication trope made an unfortunate appearance near the middle but I’m glad it was smoothed over quickly.
I will say that the drama of the ending seemed absolutely unnecessary to me. I was sent into a panic spiral and was questioning my entire rating but I’ll stick with the 4 stars. For the most part, very cute and fun.
Overall, this was very very fun! I loved Lilah and Shane. The tension was SO HIGH throughout nearly the entire book which was stressful but thrilling. Miscommunication trope made an unfortunate appearance near the middle but I’m glad it was smoothed over quickly.
I will say that the drama of the ending seemed absolutely unnecessary to me. I was sent into a panic spiral and was questioning my entire rating but I’ll stick with the 4 stars. For the most part, very cute and fun.
I actually really liked this. I thought it was well done, so I'm surprised by the low average rating. I never got bored, and I don't think I cringed a single cringe during the whole audiobook. The cover looks rom-commy but the contents are not. It's a realistic, drama-filled, almost gritty romance. The kind where you don't necessarily ship the couple but you're so invested in their drama that you can't look away.
Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for this eARC (even if I'm VERY late with the review).
I loved Shane and Lilah's chemistry! Their connection was evident from the very beginning with a well-executed meet cute that set the tone for the rest of the story. I appreciated that the level of angst was slightly lower than Ava Wilder's "How to Fake It In Hollywood" but there was still a substantial amount of drama to work through and kept me engaged.
There were a lot of times where I felt like yelling at them, "Just kiss already!" But I enjoyed how both of the main characters' arcs felt complete with each other and in their careers. As always, Wilder writes people who feel lived in and raw in their emotions, making her a must-buy for me moving forward.
I loved Shane and Lilah's chemistry! Their connection was evident from the very beginning with a well-executed meet cute that set the tone for the rest of the story. I appreciated that the level of angst was slightly lower than Ava Wilder's "How to Fake It In Hollywood" but there was still a substantial amount of drama to work through and kept me engaged.
There were a lot of times where I felt like yelling at them, "Just kiss already!" But I enjoyed how both of the main characters' arcs felt complete with each other and in their careers. As always, Wilder writes people who feel lived in and raw in their emotions, making her a must-buy for me moving forward.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you write a celebrity romance novel, I’m reading it - that’s just the rule. And I really enjoyed this one!
Lilah Hunter and Shane McCarthy play the leads on a hit paranormal show. From the time they were cast, their chemistry was palpable and passionate, but at the end of the first season, they had a messy break-up and haven’t been on speaking terms off-set ever since. Lilah comes back to film the 9th and final season, where they’re reunited for the first time in years and have to face each other finally.
I loved Ava Wilder’s debut last year, so I was really anticipating this release. The banter was great, there was lots of tension throughout (with payoff obv!), and I loved following their relationship.
This one is out June 27th - Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Publishing Group for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Lilah Hunter and Shane McCarthy play the leads on a hit paranormal show. From the time they were cast, their chemistry was palpable and passionate, but at the end of the first season, they had a messy break-up and haven’t been on speaking terms off-set ever since. Lilah comes back to film the 9th and final season, where they’re reunited for the first time in years and have to face each other finally.
I loved Ava Wilder’s debut last year, so I was really anticipating this release. The banter was great, there was lots of tension throughout (with payoff obv!), and I loved following their relationship.
This one is out June 27th - Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Publishing Group for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.