How to fake it in Hollywood: a novel

Book Cover
Average Rating
Publisher
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Publication Date
2022.
Language
English

Description

A talented Hollywood starlet and a reclusive A-lister enter into a fake relationship . . . and discover that their feelings might be more than a PR stunt in this sexy debut for fans of Beach Read and The Unhoneymooners.“A raw, character-driven, and heart-touching read . . . I absolutely loved it.”—Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love DeceptionGrey Brooks is on a mission to keep her career afloat now that the end of her long-running teen TV show has her (unsuccessfully) pounding the pavement again. With a life-changing role on the line, she’s finally desperate enough to agree to her publicist’s scheme: fake a love affair with a disgraced Hollywood heartthrob who needs the publicity, but for very different reasons. Ethan Atkins just wants to be left alone. Between his high-profile divorce, struggles with drinking, and grief over the death of his longtime creative partner and best friend, Ethan has slowly let himself fade into the background. But if he ever wants to produce the last movie he and his partner wrote together, Ethan needs to clean up his reputation and step back into the spotlight. A gossip-inducing affair with a gorgeous actress might be just the ticket, even if it’s the last thing he wants to do. Though their juicy public relationship is less than perfect behind the scenes, it doesn’t take long before Grey and Ethan’s sizzling chemistry starts to feel like more than just an act. But after decades in a ruthless industry that requires bulletproof emotional armor to survive, are they too used to faking it to open themselves up to the real thing?

More Details

Contributors
Eiden, Andrew Narrator
Plummer, Thérèse Narrator
Wilder, Ava Author
ISBN
9780593358955
9780593358962
9780593587522

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Published Reviews

Booklist Review

Don't be fooled by the lighthearted title and fun cover. Wilder delivers an emotional punch in her debut novel. The story follows former teen soap-opera star, Grey Brooks, and reclusive megastar Ethan Atkins. Grey has been out of work since her show wrapped after a long run, and Ethan hasn't worked in years in the aftermath of a tragic event. In short, they're both just trying to stay afloat, albeit with very different back stories. Told in chapters alternating between her and him, this tale jumps right into the action in the first few pages when the two are recruited for a PR stunt by their mutual publicist. The premise sounds simple enough: two very different but waning celebrities enter a fake relationship to boost their visibility and status. However, there is much more depth to this romance as Wilder successfully tackles tough issues like alcoholism and grief. This strong debut is perfect for readers who enjoy romances with intense feelings, complex issues, and steamy love scenes.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

With this witty, seductive romance, debut author Wilder transports readers to the flashy world of Hollywood. Rising actor Grey Brooks is best known for starring in teen soap Poison Paradise, but she's struggled to find work since the show ended nearly a year ago. Former A-list movie star Ethan Atkins has been out of the spotlight for five years, drowning his grief over the death of his best friend in alcohol and misanthropy. When their shared PR team pitches the idea of a fake relationship that would boost both their careers, the strangers grudgingly agree. Grey and Ethan's searing chemistry doesn't take long to feel like more than just an act, but the demands of Hollywood, endless invasions of their privacy, and Ethan's drinking test their budding romance. Wilder's cinematic prose brings Grey and Ethan to life, and she sets their raw, sensitive love story against an alluring portrait of Hollywood glamour. Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough. Agent: Jessica Mileo and Claire Friedman, InkWell. (June)

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Kirkus Book Review

A fake relationship between an up-and-coming starlet and a down-on-his-luck actor threatens to turn into something real. Grey Brooks has been acting since she was a child, but her career isn't exactly where she wants it to be. Fresh off a campy teen soap and hoping for more, she's writing a script with her best friend and trying to get cast in a new franchise. When her publicist brings up the idea of starting a fake relationship to get press, she's skeptical--and then she hears the name of her proposed fake boyfriend. It's Ethan Atkins, a former heartthrob who fell on hard times after his best friend died in an accident years ago. Ethan turned to alcohol, went through a divorce, got dropped from the big movie he'd been filming, and hasn't acted since. Their publicist thinks that a few strategic outings could be good for both of them--Ethan could show that he's more stable, and Grey could get attention for being on the arm of a major star. Ethan isn't sure about the idea, either, but as soon as he meets Grey, he can't deny his attraction. The two of them enter into a highly choreographed "relationship," complete with scheduled paparazzi run-ins, mandatory public dates, and a strict nondisclosure agreement. But what they don't count on is falling for each other for real, and soon they're juggling their feelings, their careers, and their pasts. Ethan, in particular, struggles to cope with the loss of his best friend and his relationship with alcohol. Can he overcome his demons, or will his relationship with Grey become just another casualty of his self-destructive behavior? In her debut, Wilder creates an angst-y and compelling love story that feels realistically Hollywood. Grey and Ethan's chemistry burns through the pages, especially in the numerous steamy scenes. Both actors come across sympathetically as humans who are trying their best to have creative careers they're proud of. Wilder also populates their world with a cadre of richly drawn side characters, like Grey's no-nonsense agent and Ethan's supportive ex-wife. Full of drama, fun, and scorching love scenes, this love story is worthy of the silver screen. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

Don't be fooled by the lighthearted title and fun cover. Wilder delivers an emotional punch in her debut novel. The story follows former teen soap-opera star, Grey Brooks, and reclusive megastar Ethan Atkins. Grey has been out of work since her show wrapped after a long run, and Ethan hasn't worked in years in the aftermath of a tragic event. In short, they're both just trying to stay afloat, albeit with very different back stories. Told in chapters alternating between her and him, this tale jumps right into the action in the first few pages when the two are recruited for a PR stunt by their mutual publicist. The premise sounds simple enough: two very different but waning celebrities enter a fake relationship to boost their visibility and status. However, there is much more depth to this romance as Wilder successfully tackles tough issues like alcoholism and grief. This strong debut is perfect for readers who enjoy romances with intense feelings, complex issues, and steamy love scenes. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

With this witty, seductive romance, debut author Wilder transports readers to the flashy world of Hollywood. Rising actor Grey Brooks is best known for starring in teen soap Poison Paradise, but she's struggled to find work since the show ended nearly a year ago. Former A-list movie star Ethan Atkins has been out of the spotlight for five years, drowning his grief over the death of his best friend in alcohol and misanthropy. When their shared PR team pitches the idea of a fake relationship that would boost both their careers, the strangers grudgingly agree. Grey and Ethan's searing chemistry doesn't take long to feel like more than just an act, but the demands of Hollywood, endless invasions of their privacy, and Ethan's drinking test their budding romance. Wilder's cinematic prose brings Grey and Ethan to life, and she sets their raw, sensitive love story against an alluring portrait of Hollywood glamour. Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough. Agent: Jessica Mileo and Claire Friedman, InkWell. (June)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly.

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly.
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