"He loved who he was around her, the version of himself he saw reflected back at him when she opened her eyes in the morning, when he made her laugh, when he was inside her. He wanted to be that man all the time. That was what she deserved."
When I pick up a new book, I want to read something that is going to make me think and make me feel. I want strong character arcs that bring depth and growth throughout. How To Fake It In Hollywood could have easily been a surface level story about two actors fake dating to get ahead in their careers, but thank goodness it wasn't. This book is full of emotion, steam, and struggles. The characters felt incredibly real and even though they were messy and a bit broken, I wanted them to find their happily ever after.
How to Fake It in Hollywood is a slow burn, steamy fake dating, age-gap romance. It follows actress Grey, who is completely lost in her career after her last show ended. After her publicist suggests a fabricated relationship with her pre-teen crush, Ethan Atkins, who has been near reclusive after the death of his best friend five years ago. The pair keep to their contractual obligations to benefit their perspective careers, but when the forced proximity leads to sparks flying, Grey and Ethan must decide if their feelings are true or if it's just something to keep them busy until their next big break comes along.
I cannot begin to articulate just how much I loved this book. How to Fake It in Hollywood was raw, emotional, and steamy. I loved every trope and the slow burn sexual tension between the pair was incredibly well done. Their first few interactions were adorably awkward as the two fight their attraction and try to find their footing in the new reality they share. Both feel as though there is an imbalance of power and they are paranoid of each others' intentions, which leaves them slow to trust. Yet once they let their guards down, the book is full of tender, emotional moments full of true vulnerability.
Ethan was an absolute mess for most of the book, yet my heart continued to break for him. He's been wallowing in his grief for the past five years, depending on alcohol to numb the pain. He has heavy demons to fight and lacks the confidence to pull himself out of his destructive ways. His recent divorce has left him feeling broken and he's unsure of what his path forward should be when it comes to his career. When he meets Grey, he's terrified of his feelings for her.
Grey was an amazing heroine. Strong-willed and gritty, Grey wants to be seen as an equal in the business and strives to push for more with her work ethic. Grey is the perfect match for Ethan, even though he fights their chemistry at every turn. She calls him out on his shit and is unafraid to rock the boat to help Ethan to become a better version of himself. I loved how she didn't try to "fix" Ethan, but rather wanted to support his struggles so the true Ethan, the one buried underneath the pain, can emerge.
How to Fake It in Hollywood is a phenomenal debut novel full of heart. I loved the pacing of the story, especially how unconventional the last 30% of the book was. Unafraid to delve into heavy topics, the book broaches grief, alcoholism, and toxic familial relationships with care. Do not sleep on this book! I could not put it down and devoured it in less than 24 hours.