Let’s Make a Scene

 

Happy Monday friends! Thank you Simone & Schuster Audio for the #gifted audiobook! What’s your favorite romance trope? Laura Wood’s latest book Let’s Make a Scene is a fun and engaging romance. Two British actors, Cynthie and Jack, start their movie careers starring in a period piece romance playing lovers, but they hate each other on day one. They’re also very much attracted to each other. The studio wants them to pretend they’re in a relationship to boost publicity for the movie. None of it ends well-except for the movie itself. 

Fast forward 13 years. Jack and Cynthie are both successful actors. Cynthie has just come out of a bad relationship with the married director of her last film. The media firestorm is merciless. She’s offered a lifeline. She and Jack reunite on screen to star in the sequel the movie that launched their careers. And fake date again to drum up publicity. Here’s the full summary from the publisher: 

When Cynthie Taylor gets her first real acting job, starring in a small British movie, she is over the moon. There is only one problem…Cynthie’s arrogant and annoyingly handsome costar Jack hates her, and the feeling is definitely mutual. While they may be at war behind the scenes, their on-screen chemistry is palpable, and the studio sees an opportunity—have the two young stars fake a romance that will charm fans and draw crowds.

Thirteen years later, Cynthie and Jack have successfully kept their promise to stay far away from one another, until a surprising offer comes to make a sequel to the cult classic that launched their careers. But there’s a catch: they must also rekindle their pretend relationship…and this time there’s a documentary crew following their every move.

Cynthie and Jack both desperately need this film to work, but can two ex-rivals ever really trust each other? And what happens when the roles they’re playing start to feel all too real?

This was such a fantastic read! I really enjoyed the characters. Jack and Cynthie are great main characters. I also liked the supporting characters who offered some comic relief and really enriched the story. There’s also character development. During their first movie, Jack is pretty much an entitled jerk. There are moments where he’s a fun and decent guy, but most of the time he’s worried about his own career. When they reunite for the sequel, Jack has matured. He’s happy with his career, and has benefited from therapy. Cynthie has also gone through big changes especially concerning trauma she experienced working the director she had an affair with. Jack’s and Cynthie’s characters both grew and had emotional depth that really strengthened the story. 

The narration by Heather Long and Sam Stafford is pitch perfect. Their voices complemented each other on the alternating POV chapters. Pick this one up if you love: 

✅ enemies to lovers

✅fake dating

✅found family

✅second chance love

✅the grand gesture 

✅ dual POV

✅shifting timeline

This all makes for fantastic story you won’t be able to put down. 

About the Author

Laura Wood is a bestselling and acclaimed author of children’s and young adult novels. She is also the author of the adult novels Under Your Spell and Let’s Make a Scene. With a PhD in 19th-century literature, Laura lives in Warwickshire, England, with her husband, and their dog, Bea.