I loved this book. It was not an easy romance - this book tackles a lot of intense issues: alcoholism, intimate photo leak, death of a partner (not on page), difficult family dynamics, and the ethical dilemma of child actors and labor for media consumption. Also, this is a fake dating romance, so we are constantly on edge, waiting for the damn characters to admit they have actual feelings not pretend ones (which I absolutely love). I appreciate the depth of the side characters - and how Ethan's ex is not made out to be a mean, controlling ex-wife but a former partner, co-parent and sometime collaborator.

Anyway - it's an intense book and it took a lot of work to get these two mc's on equal ground to be vulnerable and open but the struggles were worth it. ( )

Recommended by Ella S.

Actress Grey Brooks is looking for work after her long-running teen show ends. Much-more-famous actor Ethan Atkins has been wallowing since the death of his best friend and collaborator Sam about five years ago. Grey and Ethan's mutual publicist sets them up for a six-month fake relationship, but it gets off to a bumpy start...then seems to go well...then turns into a huge disaster when nude photos are leaked and Grey loses the job she'd just gotten. Ethan's struggles with alcoholism are constant throughout, and after he ruins a public panel and his private relationship in one day, he goes into rehab and therapy, reconnecting with Grey sixteen months later.

Grey and Ethan's chemistry is wholly believable, and Grey in particular is a compelling character who has her own flaws and insecurities but also a lot of self-confidence and a refusal to take anyone's bullshit, even Ethan Atkins' (on whom she had a tween crush; he's about ten years older).

Secondary characters like Grey's friend Kamilah, her agent Renata (who also appears in Will They Or Won't They), and Ethan's ex-wife Nora add depth and interest to the story.

Quotes

Maybe that was what fame did to you: made you paranoid that none of your private moments would ever be private again. (85)

Everyone knew celebrities' development permanently arrested at the age they became famous. (104)

He'd made his life as small as possible so he'd hurt as little as possible. (299) ( )

Phew! That was a read.
How to fake it in Hollywood is the story of Grey and Ethan who need some Hollywood-faux romance pairing to get back/stay in the public eye. Of course stuff happens and they end up falling for each other.

I really liked Grey our FL. She didn't take any BS and I liked how in tune with herself she was. She didn't lie to herself and was a very level character. Ethan the ML was okay but Grey was the real star.

More importantly, this book was not a romcom. It dealt with heavy loss and alcoholism unflinchingly. This was surprising for me because from the blurb (and cover) I expected a lighter read and wouldn't want anyone else not knowing what they were getting into.

Overall, it was a quick read. There were no heinous characters minus Greys' mangy ex. Nora was so fun! I truly liked the other characters too.

A huge thanks to Random house and NetGalley for the ARC. ( )

With the very cute and carefree cover, I expected a light hearted fake to real romance. This book did not disappoint, but did get heavier in tone than I expected. I did think that the book could have been a little shorter with the same details/ending. I would recommend this book but would add trigger warnings of addiction. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )

was a really really big fan of this book. The work people put into relationships, running from their problems, facing their problems, etc. And with a sharp-witted heroine that keeps her somehow real and vulnerable rather than mean. The humor was, appropriately, light touch but very effective for this romance that was about two people working hard to love each other and themselves. Just well done. Grey gets a place on the fortitude shelf, because she rocks. ( )