Scan barcode
A review by beanith
How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I may be an outlier, but I loved this book! The writing was good but I really fell for the characters and the journey of their relationship. Ethan and Grey feel like real people - flawed but trying, balancing the hardships of life with the strange chaos of fame. The arcs their relationship goes through in 350-ish pages is impressive. I was gripped.
The main critique I saw from others is that the story was much heavier than they anticipated ( mainly Ethan’s substance abuse ). This is all a matter of personal taste - for me, having a serious issue, trauma, or emotional undercurrent can make a romance feel much more substantial and unifying. I like a little angst, drama, hurt-comfort, pining, yearning, etc. A little bitter for my sweet.
While a bit dramatic (although, it is Hollywood) I appreciated the exploration of the darker, sadder topics.
Grey: I pictured Vanessa Kirby (because of the cover). Grey is smart, funny and easy to empathize with. A hard worker who evolves from a nervous cw soap actress into a self-assured starlet.
Ethan: Pedro Pascal or Michiel Huisman (also because of the cover). He’s such a mess! And I love a mess! At one point I wrote in my notes "Ethan is down bad like no man has ever been down bad before". He’s like a more palatable Ben Affleck (also part of a Ben and Matt-esque duo).
Nora: Christy Turlington, but then learned that Nora is at least half Thai. I’m surprised how much I loved her! She’s a source of wisdom and stability for Grey. It is a little co-dependent perhaps, but it’s nice to have an older woman who has literally been there before.
I also really liked Grey’s relationship with her best friend Kamilah. Many romance authors have tried in recent years to include more female friendships in their works, to some mixed results. This felt more on par with Emily Henry (compliment) because they showed up for each other and didn’t have petty drama!
How to Fake it in Hollywood (Taylor’s Version)
1. Blank Space
2. Down Bad
3. "Slut!"
4. I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)
5. Anti-Hero
6. Do It With A Broken Heart
7. Style
The main critique I saw from others is that the story was much heavier than they anticipated (
While a bit dramatic (although, it is Hollywood) I appreciated the exploration of the darker, sadder topics.
Grey: I pictured Vanessa Kirby (because of the cover). Grey is smart, funny and easy to empathize with. A hard worker who evolves from a nervous cw soap actress into a self-assured starlet.
Ethan: Pedro Pascal or Michiel Huisman (also because of the cover). He’s such a mess! And I love a mess! At one point I wrote in my notes "Ethan is down bad like no man has ever been down bad before". He’s like a more palatable Ben Affleck (also part of a Ben and Matt-esque duo).
Nora: Christy Turlington, but then learned that Nora is at least half Thai. I’m surprised how much I loved her! She’s a source of wisdom and stability for Grey. It is a little co-dependent perhaps, but it’s nice to have an older woman who has literally been there before.
I also really liked Grey’s relationship with her best friend Kamilah. Many romance authors have tried in recent years to include more female friendships in their works, to some mixed results. This felt more on par with Emily Henry (compliment) because they showed up for each other and didn’t have petty drama!
How to Fake it in Hollywood (Taylor’s Version)
1. Blank Space
2. Down Bad
3. "Slut!"
4. I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)
5. Anti-Hero
6. Do It With A Broken Heart
7. Style
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Grief