I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Let's Make a Scene by Laura Wood Published by Simon & Schuster UK on 1st July 2025
Genres: Chicklit, Contemporary, Romance, RomCom, Women's Literary Fiction
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: from Netgalley
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The companion novel to Laura Wood’s Under Your Spell follows Theo Eliott’s best friend Cynthie Taylor as she’s pulled back into a fake PR relationship with Jack Turner-Jones, the one costar she swore she’d never work with again.
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?
I was lucky enough to attend the Books and the City 2025 Showcase back in February this year and not only got told all about this book but also heard an extract read by Laura herself.
When I first heard about this book I knew I HAD to read it. This book has so many of my favourite elements. Dual POV and dual timelines, enemies to lovers and fake dating! What more could a girl ask for?
I find dual POV really immerses you into the story. You get to see things from so many angles and to really get inside the characters’ headspace. I also love a dual timeline. I love to flick between now and then and see what has changed and what things have happened that are affecting the now. I love seeing it all unfold.
This book is also full of so many funny moments. I had many occasions where I literally laughed out loud at some of the scenes. Laura also deals with some really delicate and sensitive topics and she does this with care and compassion.
I loved the two main characters Cynthie and Jack. The chemistry between these two is off the charts! It’s so intense and I loved every second of it!
It’s not just the stars of the show that are great characters either. There is a fantastic ensemble cast in this book that you instantly love. From Patty and Liam to the sibling directors Logan and Jasmine. I really did love them all.
If you are looking for a romcom with a side of Hollywood drama then this is the book for you!
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and the Books and the City team for my copy of this book.
About Laura Wood
Laura Wood is the winner of the Montegrappa Scholastic Prize for New Children’s Writing and the author of the ‘Poppy Pym’ and ‘Vote for Effie’ middle-grade series and YA novels, A Sky Painted Gold and Under a Dancing Star.
She loves Georgette Heyer novels, Fred Astaire films, travelling to far flung places, recipe books, Jilly Cooper, poetry, cosy woollen jumpers, Edith Nesbit, crisp autumn leaves, Jack Gilbert, new stationery, sensation fiction, salted caramel, feminism, Rufus Sewell’s cheek-bones, dogs, and drinking lashings of ginger beer.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2025 Netgalley Challenge
- 2025 Reading Challenge
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