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shaunashares's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent
emmas_bookshelf's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love Falon Ballard's couples and characters. In this book, while Emmy's inability to communicate sometimes irked me, I found her and Grayson to be lovable and believable enemies to lovers. I loved the RomCom of it all, Falon always has excellent pop culture references, and the book was really enjoyable! Would recommend if you're in the mood for a romcom!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
takarakei's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This is probably the most boring romance I've read. I've read one other book by this author and I also didn't care for that female MC in that book (but at least in that one the guy was interesting). These were just like the two blandest people with no personality. Truly do not understand what these people liked about each other. Insta-attraction, but it's also kind of second chance romance?? (they knew each other briefly as teenagers). They are “enemies” 🙄 (at least in her mind) based on a dumb teenager thing that happened and Emmy has held this grudge since then (like please get over yourself!). She just like decides things and jumps to conclusions which is why she “hates” this guy to begin with. Then they’re just f'ing (literally to get over how much she dislikes him, her solution is just to have sex with him) and all of a sudden are in love cause the sex is so good? I’ll be honest I skimmed the latter 50% of this. The third act break up was also incredibly infuriating, not even miscommunication because she just AGAIN overhears PART of a conversation bc she is dumb and just leaves without the full context and then ghosts him! Besides them being on a movie set together it's not even like a "celebrity romance" in any of the good way that trope usually allows either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I feel like this book would’ve benefitted from being dual POV. I think we needed Grayson’s perspective to balance out Emmy’s. Their poor communication could have been softened if we knew what was going on in his head. Also I have to be honest I hated the 3rd act conflict, there was no reason for her to not give him the benefit of the doubt or at least have a conversation. It was a super frustrating plot point. Despite all of this I did enjoy the book, it was a quick and easy read. If you are a pop culture girlie you will enjoy this romance between costars with a dramatic past.
*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Grief
jelkebooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I received a galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I picked up this book because I really loved Falon Ballard last release "Just My Type", and I was hoping for yet another fun romcom. I ended up being royally dissapointed though. This just didn't work for me, and I really wanted it to. This has several of my favourite tropes so I was almost sure it was going to work for me but it just didn't.
The set up for this book was decent. I liked our main character, I thought the history between our main character and her love interest was well explained, and I could really feel the mixed emotions between them. I also liked the cast of side characters, and the setting of a small town mixed with a movie set was really fun as well. However, I very quickly got turned of by the love interest, Grayson. He was just an ass. I can't say it any other way. I feel like this book would have benefited from having his POV. I just never felt like I had a grasp on who he is or what he's feeling. So his switch from being an ass to a nice boyfriend who has loved our main character from the start just feels off to me.
The whole romance just didn't work for me. Yes, there was some sexual tension between them, but that's where it ends. Even our main character's switch from "I hate him, but I'm kind of attracted to him" to "I'm madly in love" is kind of abrupt and underdeveloped. Therefore I just didn't end up caring about them. The third act conflict, and resolution were also just extremely lackluster and felt a bit unnececary. I didn't absolutely hate my time reading this book, but it definitely ended up being a massive let down.
I picked up this book because I really loved Falon Ballard last release "Just My Type", and I was hoping for yet another fun romcom. I ended up being royally dissapointed though. This just didn't work for me, and I really wanted it to. This has several of my favourite tropes so I was almost sure it was going to work for me but it just didn't.
The set up for this book was decent. I liked our main character, I thought the history between our main character and her love interest was well explained, and I could really feel the mixed emotions between them. I also liked the cast of side characters, and the setting of a small town mixed with a movie set was really fun as well. However, I very quickly got turned of by the love interest, Grayson. He was just an ass. I can't say it any other way. I feel like this book would have benefited from having his POV. I just never felt like I had a grasp on who he is or what he's feeling. So his switch from being an ass to a nice boyfriend who has loved our main character from the start just feels off to me.
The whole romance just didn't work for me. Yes, there was some sexual tension between them, but that's where it ends. Even our main character's switch from "I hate him, but I'm kind of attracted to him" to "I'm madly in love" is kind of abrupt and underdeveloped. Therefore I just didn't end up caring about them. The third act conflict, and resolution were also just extremely lackluster and felt a bit unnececary. I didn't absolutely hate my time reading this book, but it definitely ended up being a massive let down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
jennastopreading's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me access to an eARC via Netgalley!
January is traditionally the slumpiest month of the year for me both book wise and personal life wise, and I am so glad that I had this little ray of sunshine in my pocket to cheer me up! RIGHT ON CUE is the Ballard's third novel, and what a fun ride they've all been. I knew that this one would be perfect for me to read when I needed a pick me up.
4 things I loved about this book:
1. The book taking place on a movie set was pretty unique to me as a reader. I don't recall ever having read one before! Along with the setting, some lovely side characters were introduced (Sam being my favorite).
2. The FMC Emmy felt very down to earth and humble. Throughout the story, when she messes up, she admits it. She's never too proud to own her mistakes.
3. The MMC had a unique softness to him that made my heart swell. Any man that not only says, "You can trust me" but PROVES it with his actions is a winner in my book.
4. The third act break up (while in itself is trope-y) was not constructed in a way that made me want to pull my hair out. This breakup made sense, and I sympathized with both Grayson and Emmy.
This book was a bit steamier than I typically prefer, and while I don't knock stars off for steam in romance novels (unless it's terribly overdone), I still like those reading my reviews to be aware. The main reason I didn't give this one 5 stars is because I felt the ending was far too rushed - I wish the story were another 15-20 pages longer! I guess of all things to complain about, this isn't the worst, since I'm basically saying that I loved the characters so much that I wanted to see more of them.
Overall, another knockout from Falon Ballard, and she will remain on my auto-read list!
January is traditionally the slumpiest month of the year for me both book wise and personal life wise, and I am so glad that I had this little ray of sunshine in my pocket to cheer me up! RIGHT ON CUE is the Ballard's third novel, and what a fun ride they've all been. I knew that this one would be perfect for me to read when I needed a pick me up.
4 things I loved about this book:
1. The book taking place on a movie set was pretty unique to me as a reader. I don't recall ever having read one before! Along with the setting, some lovely side characters were introduced (Sam being my favorite).
2. The FMC Emmy felt very down to earth and humble. Throughout the story, when she messes up, she admits it. She's never too proud to own her mistakes.
3. The MMC had a unique softness to him that made my heart swell. Any man that not only says, "You can trust me" but PROVES it with his actions is a winner in my book.
4. The third act break up (while in itself is trope-y) was not constructed in a way that made me want to pull my hair out. This breakup made sense, and I sympathized with both Grayson and Emmy.
This book was a bit steamier than I typically prefer, and while I don't knock stars off for steam in romance novels (unless it's terribly overdone), I still like those reading my reviews to be aware. The main reason I didn't give this one 5 stars is because I felt the ending was far too rushed - I wish the story were another 15-20 pages longer! I guess of all things to complain about, this isn't the worst, since I'm basically saying that I loved the characters so much that I wanted to see more of them.
Overall, another knockout from Falon Ballard, and she will remain on my auto-read list!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol
kdscolley's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.0
Grayson and Emmy get a second chance at love and boy was it cute. I adored their snarky back and forth that eventually turns into more. Grayson was honestly my favorite and I’d have preferred to be more in his head than Emmy’s.
The way that grief is represented was done so well. I loved her mom in here too. She’s everything you want in a motherly figure. “You’re never too old to need your mom” really hit me because I’m 33 and still call my mom to remind me what meat makes the best roast. (…I should really write that down.)
There’s a bit of miscommunication trope (or no communication) which isn’t my personal favorite and left me yelling at my kindle “JUST TALK YOU CRAZY PANTS!”
Most of the side characters were amazing too. Sam was unexpectedly just a sweetie pie and I want one of my own. I didn’t really like Liz for some reason that I can’t put my finger on, but otherwise everyone was so good.
Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC!
The way that grief is represented was done so well. I loved her mom in here too. She’s everything you want in a motherly figure. “You’re never too old to need your mom” really hit me because I’m 33 and still call my mom to remind me what meat makes the best roast. (…I should really write that down.)
There’s a bit of miscommunication trope (or no communication) which isn’t my personal favorite and left me yelling at my kindle “JUST TALK YOU CRAZY PANTS!”
Most of the side characters were amazing too. Sam was unexpectedly just a sweetie pie and I want one of my own. I didn’t really like Liz for some reason that I can’t put my finger on, but otherwise everyone was so good.
Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC!
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
readwithria's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Right on Cue was absolutely adorable! It brightened my day, and was exactly what I needed.
The actor in me was so glad to see that there was obviously research put into this book! I could gush about the scene with the intimacy coordinator for ages, but suffice it to say that I was very glad to see my chosen field reflected so well.
Okay, now on to the really important things - Emmy and Grayson! They are so adorable, and I loved seeing them learn about each other and grow with each other. I’m also very glad that everyone told Emmy exactly how silly she was being, because they were 100% correct 😂
Read Right on Cue if you love
🎬 Workplace romance
🎬 Forced proximity
🎬 Enemies to lovers
🎬 Friends with benefits
🎬 Caregiving
🎬 MMCs who have big strong feelings and aren’t afraid to share them
Falon Ballard has never disappointed me, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next! 4.5 stars
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to leave a voluntary, honest review.
The actor in me was so glad to see that there was obviously research put into this book! I could gush about the scene with the intimacy coordinator for ages, but suffice it to say that I was very glad to see my chosen field reflected so well.
Okay, now on to the really important things - Emmy and Grayson! They are so adorable, and I loved seeing them learn about each other and grow with each other. I’m also very glad that everyone told Emmy exactly how silly she was being, because they were 100% correct 😂
Read Right on Cue if you love
🎬 Workplace romance
🎬 Forced proximity
🎬 Enemies to lovers
🎬 Friends with benefits
🎬 Caregiving
🎬 MMCs who have big strong feelings and aren’t afraid to share them
Falon Ballard has never disappointed me, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next! 4.5 stars
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to leave a voluntary, honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Cursing, and Alcohol
maceyberndt's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Pros
- Love the mixed media from articles, online comments, etc! So much fun and brought more of the celebrity aspect into the book - sometimes it was easy to forget they were as famous as they were!
- Relationship between Emmy and her mom seems so genuine and real - it really feels like this is something the author pulled from her own life experience.
- Grief aspect (both for Emmy and in his own way, Grayson) was effective in making the book more well rounded.
- The spice was spicing! There are 3 explicit scenes that can be skipped if you prefer closed-door romance
Cons
- I’m personally not a huge fan of the friends/coworkers with benefits trope because I just can never believe there aren’t feelings involved… and this fell into what I usually don’t like in this trope. There were obviously feelings involved from the very beginning. It never actually felt like a “with benefits” situation… it just felt like a relationship with some baggage and a lot of banter.
- I didn’t fall in love with Emmy and Grayson as characters separately because they seemed a little immature. But once they got together and in their relationships with the supporting characters, they seemed much more mature and likeable.
Ideas
- Grayson’s POV - help us see more of his struggle with his family, his struggle with being perceived as a “himbo” in the industry, his internal feelings for Emmy despite being a jerk on the outside
- Timeline including previous movie together?!?!? Would have been a cool aspect to the book to get flashback chapters rather than just memories
- Would loooooveeeee to hear more about Emmy’s parents love story!!!! Maybe a future book? 😏
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Grief
girldetectives's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Emmy Harper is the next Nora Ephron of romantic comedies, the daughter of a true Hollywood power couple, and a recent Oscar winner. Grayson West is an action star and Emmy's archnemesis.
Well... sort of.
When there are no other suitable options, Emmy is forced to take her first on-camera role since she was a teenager. This time around she'll be starring in her own romcom. But how is she supposed to ace her return to the screen when a last minute casting change means that she'll have to convey anything but hostility towards the man who broke her heart when they were teens? Will her second movie with Grayson West be as big of a disaster as the first?
I love a good Hollywood romance and I really loved Falon Ballard's Just My Type, so I was super excited to get an advanced copy of Right on Cue. While this one wasn't my favorite, I do think there's a lot to love about it. Emmy and Grayson have a lot of chemistry and the small town setting for the majority of their love story is a nice change of pace from some of the other Hollywood-set romances I've read lately. I also appreciated the moments where Emmy and Grayson connected about their fathers - Emmy working through the grief of her father's death (parental death tw) and Grayson with the complicated feelings of not meeting parental expectations.
However, the tropes in this one just weren't for me. Though they didn't get along at the beginning, I wouldn't classify this as enemies to lovers - it's much more ended-on-bad-terms-exes to lovers. I wish there'd been more breathing room with the third act conflict, more bonding moments between Emmy and Grayson where they got to know each other again, and that we'd been able to see more of Emmy's friendship with Liz, the director, during filming.
If you're in the market for a wintry Hollywood romance featuring right person, wrong time/second chance romance, miscommunication, friends with benefits who catch feelings, forced proximity, and a fair amount of spice, this one might just be for you.
Well... sort of.
When there are no other suitable options, Emmy is forced to take her first on-camera role since she was a teenager. This time around she'll be starring in her own romcom. But how is she supposed to ace her return to the screen when a last minute casting change means that she'll have to convey anything but hostility towards the man who broke her heart when they were teens? Will her second movie with Grayson West be as big of a disaster as the first?
I love a good Hollywood romance and I really loved Falon Ballard's Just My Type, so I was super excited to get an advanced copy of Right on Cue. While this one wasn't my favorite, I do think there's a lot to love about it. Emmy and Grayson have a lot of chemistry and the small town setting for the majority of their love story is a nice change of pace from some of the other Hollywood-set romances I've read lately. I also appreciated the moments where Emmy and Grayson connected about their fathers - Emmy working through the grief of her father's death (parental death tw) and Grayson with the complicated feelings of not meeting parental expectations.
However, the tropes in this one just weren't for me. Though they didn't get along at the beginning, I wouldn't classify this as enemies to lovers - it's much more ended-on-bad-terms-exes to lovers. I wish there'd been more breathing room with the third act conflict, more bonding moments between Emmy and Grayson where they got to know each other again, and that we'd been able to see more of Emmy's friendship with Liz, the director, during filming.
If you're in the market for a wintry Hollywood romance featuring right person, wrong time/second chance romance, miscommunication, friends with benefits who catch feelings, forced proximity, and a fair amount of spice, this one might just be for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the e-ARC.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Death of parent