This romance had real promise - fake dating and a bit of a hate to love setup, which are both my secret vices. The beginning made me hopeful, but unfortunately it became quite clear quite fast that the story wasn't very well written. The one word that best describes this reading experience is 'whiplash'. On multiple occasions the characters went from lovey dovey to banging doors and raging within a single scene and without any outside input, just flipping out because of their own thought patterns. The conflicts were completely made up and mostly based on lack of communication, and everything was overly melodramatic. This book also had too much tell and too little show. I have no idea why this is rated so high on Goodreads. ( )

It took me a few weeks to finish another book. For whatever reason, I had a lot of trouble concentrating and none of the stories I started interested me. All the better that I started AND finished "Casting Lacey". A book that is very well known in the community. So I ended up devouring it.

This story is about two main characters named Quinn Kincaid and Lacey Matthews. Both are in their 30s and are actresses. While Quinn is the star of a drama series called "Jordan's Appeal", Lacey is a well-known soap opera actress. As "coincidence" would have it, their paths cross. *surprise*

Anyway, I just finished the book, and my feelings and thoughts are all mixed up. At first, I didn't understand the mixed reviews because I was totally in love with the characters halfway through the book. I also laughed a lot at their crazy dialogues. But then it got frustrating. There was a lot of back and forth between Quinn and Lacey that drove me crazy towards the end. And how much drama can actually take place between 2 people?!

Unfortunately, the ending came up short because of all the drama. It felt rushed, and I found that very, very unfortunate.

I think I will have a love-hate relationship with this book. However, I have to admit that I enjoyed Quinn and Lacey. As well as their witty dialogues and also their development as characters.

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This is the first book I've read by the author, and I'm impressed. Casting Lacey is a page-turner of the classic fake relationship tale. The story is formulaic; however, what makes this book an entertaining read is the steady balance of banter, "fake" flirtations, humor, and angst (2X). I immediately wanted to read more scenes with Lacey and Quinn because their chemistry became evident from their first meeting at a Starbucks. At times they both became a "jumbled-up mess of emotions" making some scenes frustrating to read (all me not the author). My only gripe is that I wish the sex scene was little more steamy. Lacey and Quinn talked a good game throughout the story, but their sex scenes left me wanting. ( )

Fake relationships, done well, are so much fun. Casting Lacey, is most certainly a fake relationship done very well. The two MCs are so real and their banter is so much fun.

Quinn Kincaid is the star of TV’s highest rated legal drama. She has figured out that she is gay and want to come out. However, she wants to out herself in a planned and controlled manner. While there is no pressing urgency for her to do it, she wants to be true to herself and feels that coming out will be better and more effective if she has a girlfriend. Since she doesn’t have anyone currently, her publicist identifies Lacey Matthews, star of a daytime soap, winner of some awards in the past, thrown out of her serial when she came out and wandering the audition wasteland for work, as a potential fake girlfriend. The NDA and contract are signed, and Lacey is cast in the role of Quinn’s girlfriend.

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