By: Ava Wilder
Ava Wilder’s How To Fake It in Hollywood was one of my favorite books of 2022. When I saw this ARC waiting for me, I actually gasped aloud in excitement. I am thrilled to share that Wilder’s second novel, Will They Or Won’t They, is another really, really good celebrity romance novel. I made a point to read it slowly so I could savor it. Wilder writes realistic, but flawed characters that also just happen to be famous. For those who read How To, there are several Easter eggs from it, so that was a fun surprise as a reader as well.
For five television seasons, Lilah Hunter and Shane McCarthy were the romantic leads on a popular, Emmy nominated science fiction television show, Intangible. Unfortunately, behind the scenes, Lilah and Shane could barely stand each other. Juilliard trained Lilah refused to renew her contract after the fifth season, so Shane, who had never considered an acting career before being discovered by Intangible’s casting director while waiting tables, carried the show for another three seasons. However, after her movie career flops, in an effort to reignite her career, Lilah returns to Intangible for the ninth and final season. Shane and Lilah’s continued disruptive antics force the showrunner to send them to an employer mandated counselor to resolve their issues. These counseling sessions force them to finally discuss their past and see if there is still anything between them to create a new future. This dual POV novel involves time jumps between their then, their first meeting at the show’s chemistry read to their now, their caustic behavior fueling rumors and endangering the reputation of the show.
This book was trope heavy and I was here for it! I am a huge fan of second chance romance and the lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers was really well done. In other works, sometimes the “hate” part is so superficial. In Will They, however, you could feel the antagonism between the characters. Their hatred, while based on misunderstandings, miscommunications, and immaturity, felt genuine and real.
I also enjoyed that in this novel Lilah was the “grumpy” and Shane the “sunshine.” I feel the female character is not often given the latitude to do something unlikeable or at least say imperfect things. Books usually leave that to the male character, so this was refreshing. While their different personalities initially led to their troubles, in the end, Shane’s incessant need to be a people pleaser meshed well with Lilah’s more guarded personality.
However, I am a little worried about the ending; I don’t see how this will be a long-term solution for them and I do wish Shane had a more fleshed out resolution. That being said, I am fully aware that this is an extremely nitpicky thing to say and it should not take away from the pleasure of reading this book.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. I plan on trying to snag myself a signed copy when Will They Or Won’t They is released on June 27, 2023 and I suggest you do the same!
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Or an independent bookstore! Try Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon. https://www.powells.com