Dramas & Plays
![Ava Wilder - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_ava_wilder.jpg)
How to Fake It in Hollywood: A Novel
A talented Hollywood starlet and a reclusive A-lister enter into a fake relationship . . . and discover that their feelings might be more than a PR stunt in this sexy debut for fans of Beach Read and The Unhoneymooners.
"A raw, character-driven, and heart-touching read . . . I absolutely loved it."-Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception
Grey Brooks is on a mission to keep her career afloat now that the end of her long-running teen TV show has her (unsuccessfully) pounding the pavement again. With a life-changing role on the line, she's finally desperate enough to agree to her publicist's scheme: fake a love affair with a disgraced Hollywood heartthrob who needs the publicity, but for very different reasons.
Ethan Atkins just wants to be left alone. Between his high-profile divorce, struggles with drinking, and grief over the death of his longtime creative partner and best friend, Ethan has slowly let himself fade into the background. But if he ever wants to produce the last movie he and his partner wrote together, Ethan needs to clean up his reputation and step back into the spotlight. A gossip-inducing affair with a gorgeous actress might be just the ticket, even if it's the last thing he wants to do.
Though their juicy public relationship is less than perfect behind the scenes, it doesn't take long before Grey and Ethan's sizzling chemistry starts to feel like more than just an act. But after decades in a ruthless industry that requires bulletproof emotional armor to survive, are they too used to faking it to open themselves up to the real thing?
"A raw, character-driven, and heart-touching read . . . I absolutely loved it."-Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception
Grey Brooks is on a mission to keep her career afloat now that the end of her long-running teen TV show has her (unsuccessfully) pounding the pavement again. With a life-changing role on the line, she's finally desperate enough to agree to her publicist's scheme: fake a love affair with a disgraced Hollywood heartthrob who needs the publicity, but for very different reasons.
Ethan Atkins just wants to be left alone. Between his high-profile divorce, struggles with drinking, and grief over the death of his longtime creative partner and best friend, Ethan has slowly let himself fade into the background. But if he ever wants to produce the last movie he and his partner wrote together, Ethan needs to clean up his reputation and step back into the spotlight. A gossip-inducing affair with a gorgeous actress might be just the ticket, even if it's the last thing he wants to do.
Though their juicy public relationship is less than perfect behind the scenes, it doesn't take long before Grey and Ethan's sizzling chemistry starts to feel like more than just an act. But after decades in a ruthless industry that requires bulletproof emotional armor to survive, are they too used to faking it to open themselves up to the real thing?
Editorial Reviews
"Readers won't be able to stop reading Wilder's debut novel."-USA Today
"This empathetic, sexy, utterly radiant book has my whole heart. With their red-hot chemistry, Grey and Ethan are easy to root for, both as a couple and as two creatives navigating rough patches in their careers. How to Fake It in Hollywood is the real deal."-Rachel Lynn Solomon, bestselling author of The Ex Talk
"The banter and sexual tension between Grey and Ethan is fire-emoji immaculate. Ava Wilder doesn't shy away from exploring the dark side of fame in such a cutthroat industry, and her unforgettable characters' growth shines all the brighter for it."-Lillie Vale, author of The Decoy Girlfriend
"How to Fake It in Hollywood is a fresh, witty, high-emotion story with compelling characters and stylish backdrops. Grey and Ethan's relationship feels genuine in its messiness and complications, and Ava Wilder's breathtaking depiction of their highs and lows had me totally invested in their fate. The perfect novel for fans of modern, smart romance."-Sarah Haywood, New York Times bestselling author of The Cactus
"With this witty, seductive romance, debut author Wilder transports readers to the flashy world of Hollywood. . . . Wilder's cinematic prose brings Grey and Ethan to life, and she sets their raw, sensitive love story against an alluring portrait of Hollywood glamour. Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"In her debut, Wilder creates an angsty and compelling love story that feels realistically Hollywood. Grey and Ethan's chemistry burns through the pages. . . . Full of drama, fun, and scorching love scenes, this love story is worthy of the silver screen."-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Wilder delivers an emotional punch in her debut novel. . . . Told in chapters alternating between her and him, this tale jumps right into the action in the first few pages when the two are recruited for a ...
"This empathetic, sexy, utterly radiant book has my whole heart. With their red-hot chemistry, Grey and Ethan are easy to root for, both as a couple and as two creatives navigating rough patches in their careers. How to Fake It in Hollywood is the real deal."-Rachel Lynn Solomon, bestselling author of The Ex Talk
"The banter and sexual tension between Grey and Ethan is fire-emoji immaculate. Ava Wilder doesn't shy away from exploring the dark side of fame in such a cutthroat industry, and her unforgettable characters' growth shines all the brighter for it."-Lillie Vale, author of The Decoy Girlfriend
"How to Fake It in Hollywood is a fresh, witty, high-emotion story with compelling characters and stylish backdrops. Grey and Ethan's relationship feels genuine in its messiness and complications, and Ava Wilder's breathtaking depiction of their highs and lows had me totally invested in their fate. The perfect novel for fans of modern, smart romance."-Sarah Haywood, New York Times bestselling author of The Cactus
"With this witty, seductive romance, debut author Wilder transports readers to the flashy world of Hollywood. . . . Wilder's cinematic prose brings Grey and Ethan to life, and she sets their raw, sensitive love story against an alluring portrait of Hollywood glamour. Readers won't be able to turn the pages fast enough."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"In her debut, Wilder creates an angsty and compelling love story that feels realistically Hollywood. Grey and Ethan's chemistry burns through the pages. . . . Full of drama, fun, and scorching love scenes, this love story is worthy of the silver screen."-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Wilder delivers an emotional punch in her debut novel. . . . Told in chapters alternating between her and him, this tale jumps right into the action in the first few pages when the two are recruited for a ...
Readers Top Reviews
sel
First and foremost, don't let the fun rom com cover fool you, this is a deep emotional book that will make you feel/think. The main trope of this book is fake relationship. Ethan and Grey sign a contract to be in a relationship to help their careers. Grey is still trying to break out in Hollywood after starting out as a child star and Ethan is an old A Lister who is pretty much a recluse these days after a tragic accident took his best friend. They both have different reasons, but once they meet the attraction and chemistry insane. They both fight their feelings and their is a ton of mutual pining. I think once they get together that almost too much happens. They hit a ton of road blocks all coming down to Ethan's insecurities and drinking. You feel for Ethan who doesn't know how to be in a relationship and Grey who is worried and just wants to be there for him. The Hollywood aspect of the book was a lot of fun. I enjoyed learning more about movies and how actors worked. It seemed all very accurate. 4/5
Heather Harringtondi
Grey Brooks is struggling to find work now that her hit teen drama show ended but has been unsuccessful. When the opportunity arises to audition for a life-changing role, Grey will do anything to help her chances of landing the gig-- even if that means agreeing to let her publicist set her up in a fake relationship. Ethan Atkins was once a Hollywood heartthrob. But after a nasty (and very public) divorce, substance abuse issues, and the tragic loss of his best friend and creative partner, Sam, Ethan has taken a step back from the limelight. Ethan has always wanted to make the last film he and Sam had been working on, but before he can, he needs to clean up his act and show the world he's stable. It doesn't take long for the gossip columns to latch on to Hollywood's newest It couple, but will Grey and Ethan be able to keep up the charade once real feelings start getting involved? My biggest takeaway from this was that I kind of love the celebrity romance trope. I haven't read much of them, but what I have I've enjoyed. I liked the characters and thought they had great chemistry. I liked getting a little peek behind the scenes of Hollywood, and how the characters handled what was thrown at them. At times, this felt less about the romance and more about someone knowing they've reached rock bottom and deciding to get help. I liked watching Ethan realize it was finally time to face his grief and addictions, and Grey supporting him was sweet. That said, I think there was a smidge too much drama in here that led to way too many conflicts. One would happen, and you'd think that was it, but then you'd get hit with another, and then another. It made the story feel a lot longer than it is. Aside from that, I enjoyed it.
Short Excerpt Teaser
1
"Lucy?"
Grey Brooks almost didn't hear the timid voice behind her. She had slipped into a trancelike state while staring at the coffee shop menu, weighing the wisdom of a medium versus large cold brew: did she merely want to spend the next few hours uncomfortably jittery, or was she in the market for a full-blown caffeine-induced panic attack?
She shifted in her clogs and didn't react. They probably weren't talking to her. Lucy was a fairly common name. She'd finally broken the embarrassing habit of whirling around expectantly every time she heard it, and she wasn't about to relapse now.
Grey's eyes flicked over the other inhabitants of the coffee shop. It was sparsely populated, with only a few tables occupied. Still, it was possible that Lucy was the stylish woman sipping an Americano and flipping through Variety over by the ficus.
The voice spoke again, louder and closer this time.
"Lucy LaVey?"
Well, that settled that. Grey pushed her sunglasses to her forehead and plastered on a toothy smile as she turned to face the voice: a bespectacled teenage girl clutching a blended iced mocha (extra whip). The girl's mouth dropped open when their eyes met.
"Hey! How's it going?" Grey made her tone as warm as possible. The girl covered her mouth with her free hand and squealed. A few heads turned at her outburst.
"Ohmigod, it is you! I'm sooo sorry to bother you, I know you're just, like, trying to live your life or whatever. I just-I'm literally obsessed with Poison Paradise. I'm such a big fan."
The first time Grey had been called by her character's name, it thrilled her. The next few times, it had bruised her ego a little. Now, six seasons and 132 episodes of Poison Paradise later, she took it in stride. It was better than not being recognized at all.
"Thank you, that's so sweet! Do you want a selfie?"
The fan's eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her head as she nodded, fumbling through her purse for her phone and swiping the camera open. Grey looped an arm over the girl's shoulder as they grinned at the screen. She snapped a couple of pictures, then scrolled back through them to make sure they were satisfactory.
"Should we do a fun one?" Grey suggested. The girl nodded again and stuck her tongue out as Grey crossed her eyes.
"Thank you soooo much," the fan breathed, overwhelmed, as she slid her phone back into her bag.
"My pleasure. What's your name?"
"Kelly."
"Nice to meet you, Kelly. I'm Grey."
Kelly blushed.
"Grey. Ohmigod. Of course! Sorry!"
Grey laughed. "Don't worry about it."
"It's just, like, I feel like I grew up with Lucy, you know? Like, I started watching the show when I was in, like, elementary school. You were, like . . . my big sister." Kelly turned her face up at Grey with a look of such naked vulnerability that Grey's heart ached a little. She felt guilty for being annoyed at the interruption.
"Thank you. That really means a lot. She kind of felt like my sister, too."
"So what are you doing now that it's over?"
Over. It had been eight months since the last episode of Poison Paradise aired, but the reminder still sent a jolt of anxiety through Grey's body. The teen soap had its share of devoted fans, and pulled in solid enough ratings on its small cable network to keep getting renewed, but had never achieved the mainstream crossover success that Grey had naïvely hoped for back when she shot the pilot. Sure, she'd worked a little in between seasons-a bad studio slasher here, a Hallmark Christmas movie there-but her last few auditions had gone nowhere. In her most self-pitying moments, sweating in her bed in the middle of the night, she worried her career was in the same place it had been before she booked the show-only now she was seven years older. Seven years she could not afford to lose.
Grey forced a breezy smile.
"Oh, you know, I'm just taking some time for myself right now." She saw the disappointment creeping over Kelly's face and hastily added, "But I do have a few things coming up that I can't really talk about yet. Too early." She winked, then immediately felt embarrassed. Who winks? Lying made her corny.
It worked, though. Kelly beamed.
"That's so awesome! I literally can't wait. You're so talented."
Grey suddenly felt very tired. She still hadn't ordered her coffee. "Thanks. It was really nice to meet you, Kelly." She flashed her another smile and turned back toward the menu. Kelly squeaked out a few more words of gratitude before scurrying back to her friends, who were doing a terrible job of pretending not to watch intently from a corner table. They broke ...
"Lucy?"
Grey Brooks almost didn't hear the timid voice behind her. She had slipped into a trancelike state while staring at the coffee shop menu, weighing the wisdom of a medium versus large cold brew: did she merely want to spend the next few hours uncomfortably jittery, or was she in the market for a full-blown caffeine-induced panic attack?
She shifted in her clogs and didn't react. They probably weren't talking to her. Lucy was a fairly common name. She'd finally broken the embarrassing habit of whirling around expectantly every time she heard it, and she wasn't about to relapse now.
Grey's eyes flicked over the other inhabitants of the coffee shop. It was sparsely populated, with only a few tables occupied. Still, it was possible that Lucy was the stylish woman sipping an Americano and flipping through Variety over by the ficus.
The voice spoke again, louder and closer this time.
"Lucy LaVey?"
Well, that settled that. Grey pushed her sunglasses to her forehead and plastered on a toothy smile as she turned to face the voice: a bespectacled teenage girl clutching a blended iced mocha (extra whip). The girl's mouth dropped open when their eyes met.
"Hey! How's it going?" Grey made her tone as warm as possible. The girl covered her mouth with her free hand and squealed. A few heads turned at her outburst.
"Ohmigod, it is you! I'm sooo sorry to bother you, I know you're just, like, trying to live your life or whatever. I just-I'm literally obsessed with Poison Paradise. I'm such a big fan."
The first time Grey had been called by her character's name, it thrilled her. The next few times, it had bruised her ego a little. Now, six seasons and 132 episodes of Poison Paradise later, she took it in stride. It was better than not being recognized at all.
"Thank you, that's so sweet! Do you want a selfie?"
The fan's eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her head as she nodded, fumbling through her purse for her phone and swiping the camera open. Grey looped an arm over the girl's shoulder as they grinned at the screen. She snapped a couple of pictures, then scrolled back through them to make sure they were satisfactory.
"Should we do a fun one?" Grey suggested. The girl nodded again and stuck her tongue out as Grey crossed her eyes.
"Thank you soooo much," the fan breathed, overwhelmed, as she slid her phone back into her bag.
"My pleasure. What's your name?"
"Kelly."
"Nice to meet you, Kelly. I'm Grey."
Kelly blushed.
"Grey. Ohmigod. Of course! Sorry!"
Grey laughed. "Don't worry about it."
"It's just, like, I feel like I grew up with Lucy, you know? Like, I started watching the show when I was in, like, elementary school. You were, like . . . my big sister." Kelly turned her face up at Grey with a look of such naked vulnerability that Grey's heart ached a little. She felt guilty for being annoyed at the interruption.
"Thank you. That really means a lot. She kind of felt like my sister, too."
"So what are you doing now that it's over?"
Over. It had been eight months since the last episode of Poison Paradise aired, but the reminder still sent a jolt of anxiety through Grey's body. The teen soap had its share of devoted fans, and pulled in solid enough ratings on its small cable network to keep getting renewed, but had never achieved the mainstream crossover success that Grey had naïvely hoped for back when she shot the pilot. Sure, she'd worked a little in between seasons-a bad studio slasher here, a Hallmark Christmas movie there-but her last few auditions had gone nowhere. In her most self-pitying moments, sweating in her bed in the middle of the night, she worried her career was in the same place it had been before she booked the show-only now she was seven years older. Seven years she could not afford to lose.
Grey forced a breezy smile.
"Oh, you know, I'm just taking some time for myself right now." She saw the disappointment creeping over Kelly's face and hastily added, "But I do have a few things coming up that I can't really talk about yet. Too early." She winked, then immediately felt embarrassed. Who winks? Lying made her corny.
It worked, though. Kelly beamed.
"That's so awesome! I literally can't wait. You're so talented."
Grey suddenly felt very tired. She still hadn't ordered her coffee. "Thanks. It was really nice to meet you, Kelly." She flashed her another smile and turned back toward the menu. Kelly squeaked out a few more words of gratitude before scurrying back to her friends, who were doing a terrible job of pretending not to watch intently from a corner table. They broke ...
