I really enjoyed this book. It was a pretty simple for a celebrity lesbian romance. I liked both of the characters and some of the side characters were interesting as well.

I'm a sucker for Hollywood romances and this one was a fun read. In Media Darling, the stage is set with an A List celebrity, Emerson, and the reluctant gossip columnist, Hayley. Trying to get ahead of a scandal and get her side of the story out first, Emerson draws Hayley into her world with the promise of and exclusive. There's a really good push and pull between the two as Emerson tries to keep her distance and Hayley tries to keep objectivity. Riley writes great characters and dialogue and she is a master at setting up and keeping up chemistry between her characters. Definitely recommended - this is one of the better Hollywood romance books that have come out recently.

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I really love Hollywood romances, and this one had a great unique twist. A movie star and a gossip magazine writer. Emerson was a very in-depth character that was a pleasure of getting to know as Hayley spent more time with her. This was a delightful read, and I will be definitely picking up more of Riley's writings.

I was actually shocked how well-written the sex scenes were. I'm not sure if I just don't read enough f/f stuff or if YA is flimsy when it comes down to that stuff, but I was very impressed. I really enjoyed the characters. I generally don't enjoy celebrity reads but I really liked the plot of this book. It makes me want to branch out and give celebrity books another chance. Very well written in general and kept me entertained.

This book was super cute and definitely one of my favourite romances i've read in a while. Riley created a world that was filled with fleshed out characters and high drama. Emerson and Hayley were super cute together and the story took us on their journey which was lovely to watch. A part of me did think that Rachel Blanche would have been a love rival given how the synopsis is written and that kind of made me sad but she was still a strong character. I'm so glad to have a romance that I actually enjoyed!

I really enjoyed this book. It was a pretty standard celebrity lesbian romance, but it was well-executed and the sex was well-written. I liked both of the characters and the plot held my interest. Some of the side characters were interesting as well.

Although I thought I would enjoy Media Darling, I was mistaken. I could not connect with this story because I disliked the content. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Lots of chemistry... took forever to get to that first kiss!!! But it was worth it! I feel like I just got off a roller coaster, and I don’t ride them or I get motion sickness. But you know that thrill and anxiety and rapid heart rate, this book gave me all that! The banter between not only the main characters but the supporting characters is great. Even the banter with inanimate objects was great and funny. I laughed at times. I also had to fan myself during a couple of sex scenes! Phew HOT!

Hayley and Emerson were both very likeable and well-developed characters, and their chemistry was sizzling. The romance was well paced and the dialogue well written. The premise was unique and intriguing from the start. One of the best books I’ve read all year. Highly recommended!

This book has so many things I go nuts over. Hollywood life? Check. Lesbian romance? Check. I was ecstatic when Netgalley approved my request for an ARC.

Told in dual perspective, the story follows celebrity gossip journalist Hayley Carpenter and Hollywood bad girl Emerson Sterling. Emerson hopes her new role will help her finally clean up her image. But then rumors swirl that she and her co-star, America’s Sweetheart Rachel Blanche, had an affair on set that caused Rachel to quit the film, and Emerson is the villain once again.

When Hayley is sent to cover the Red Carpet at an award show, she overhears a conversation between Emerson and Rachel that could be the scoop of her career. But, as she gets to know Emerson and forms an irresistible attraction to her, she’s not sure she can bring herself to follow the story. Can the girls bury the past and find love?

This book is so bad. Just… so bad. The writing is poor and the characters don’t feel like real people. I found myself laughing at lines and scenes that are not meant to be funny. Not a good sign, kids.

I didn’t even make it to the gay part. And you all know I’ll do almost anything for F/F content. I just… I couldn’t, guys. I thought about trying to finish the book so I could include it on my Worst Books of 2018 list, but that just seemed cruel. Not to Fiona Riley— to me.

Emerson has a friend who happens to be a gay man. I think he’s her stylist or publicist or something. The problem with him is his characterization. Imagine a stereotypical gay man. That’s him. For a writer who supposedly cares so much about representing queer people, you’d think she’d know better. Her focus has always been on sapphic women, but that shouldn’t make a difference. You can’t call yourself progressive and then pull this shit.

It always feels like a knife through the heart when a novel featuring a F/F romance sucks. We get so little. We deserve well-written romances. Out of all the media that disappointed me this year, this one is the most personal.

If you are a fan of actresses, this is a book for you. The main characters, Hayley and Emerson are fully fleshed out and the plot is very believable. There are many ups and downs throughout the story and it kept my attention from beginning to end. Well written and would recommend.

A good read, but it dragged a bit. The whole waiting for the other shoe to drop plot device just wasnt riveting enough due to the slow pacing, but the chemistry between the leads was palpible and I enjoyed watching the love story develop. Plus Hollywood storylines are always fun :)

The book was written well, and there were no problems with the story apart from the fact that once I began reading, I just lost interest. At one point, the story just seemed to be a cliche love story. Writing was good, story just wasn't original enough.

Once again Fiona Riley has written an amazing book. I relished in the journey of our two leading ladies. The push and pull of the relationship was absolutely delightful. Once I started reading this one there was no putting it down.

Hayley Carpenter wants more out of her career, a hell of a lot more. This Ivy League grad has ambitions to be a Hollywood screenwriter but to pay the bills she works as a gossip columnist. She loathes her job! At a red carpet event, Hayley sees an indecent by two of Tinseltown’s leading ladies. This info would be a hot ticket but Hayley is honorable and keeps the info to herself, drawing the attention of Emerson Sterling.

Emerson has been a successful actress since childhood. Her dream role is just wrapping, one that will catapult her career to the next leave, but that doesn’t mean her life is peachy. It’s rocky as hell with a mega secret that she long ago buried are threating to leak. After Emerson and Haley meet, Emerson reaches out to Hayley to write the true story about her past and what happened with her ex co-star/lover.

The chemistry between these two is fabulous. It pushes the story and is really the touchstone of the book. Riley is a master of weaving a story but always keeping the focus on the prize, the romance. She builds their relationship and lets the sparks fly. A fabulous read filled with chemistry and fabulous dialogue. As always Fiona Riley brings the heat.

This was an entertaining read. Emerson is a high profile Hollywood actress who is being smeared by an angry ex (costar). She meets Hayley (an aspiring screenwriter) who is working for tabloid to make ends meet. Emerson hires Hayley to write her story. During all of the hours they spend together, they naturally develop feelings which progresses to a relationship. Their time together is really sweet and Fiona did an amazing job of describing their time in Maine. There was a lot of underlying drama and angst which caused me as a reader to be on edge waiting for the other shoe to drop which of course there is. The ending is wrapped neatly and dare I say a little to easily but overall this was another great Fiona Riley read!

What an enjoyable read with characters that are easy to like and you want to see happy. Emerson Sterling, is a successful screen actress with a "bad girl" image and a big secret. Haley Carpenter, dreams of being a screenwriter. This was such a fun read with mild angst throughout and engaging dialogue. Hayley overhears an argument between Rachel (bad news with a grudge) and Emerson. Hayley comes to Emerson's defense in a very unique way. Emerson appreciates and remembers her. From there, with witty dialogue and supportive family and friends, the two women grow closer. The behind the screen look at the life of a celebrity and the workings of the gossip columnist was interesting yet unsettling.

I have enjoyed all of Riley’s previous books. I especially loved her Miss Match series. When I first picked this book up I was so excited, because I knew I would enjoy it. She hasn’t let me down once. I did enjoy this one, but I didn’t love it. It is my least favorite of her books. I enjoyed both Hayley and Emerson, but I didn’t love either. Romance was fantastic as always, and had steamy scenes, which Riley does very well. The conflict for me felt forced, and as I wasn’t overly fond of either character I didn’t have as big a buy in. Usually if I love the characters I do not care if it is weak conflict, but for me this one just didn’t get me to care much in the future of the two mains. Please do not let this keep you from reading this or any of Riley’s books. This was a 3.5 star rounded to 4. Riley still writes a great read, but for me it just wasn’t as good as her previous works.

Emerson Sterling has grown up in Hollywood and because of a rough patch when she was younger and just starting her acting career she has gained a reputation. One she is constantly trying to overcome. Her latest movie could change all that but for her unfortunate relationship with her co-star, Rachel Blanche that didn’t end well. She shared too much with Rachel and now Rachel is getting her revenge by telling all of Emerson’s secrets. Hayley Carpenter want to work as a screenwriter but getting a break isn’t an easy thing to come by. So she writes for a paper that specialises in Hollywood gossip. Has to pay her bill somehow, right. By accident she comes to Emerson’s attention and is asked to do a interview with her. Getting to know each other leads them into a relationship but when Hayley overhears what secret Rachel has on Emerson does she decide to report it or does her relationship with Emerson come first. Ms Riley tell us a really good story. Very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley

3 Stars. I enjoyed this novel, but it has some flaws. This book is about Hayley, a reporter who works for a gossip magazine, who winds up hearing a private conversation from Emerson Sterling, an actress who was arguing with a co-star Rachel. Rachel is threatening to tell all of Emerson's secrets so Emerson requests Hayley to write an expose on her. Hayley and Emerson start to send a lot of time together and learn more about each other. They start to flirt and feel things for each other as they spend more time. Hayley starts to see the real Emerson and how Rachel is just trying to hurt her and destroy her career. Emerson had had Rachel kicked off her next big project due to differences and replaced with someone else.

This book had great tension, I loved the tension between the two characters. I really liked the built up between the two. The only thing I did not like was how the story ended and how they dealt with the drama at the end of the book (without giving the ending away). I thought the characters had some good development and it felt somewhat believable. That is one of the flaws I had with this book, is that their quick moving relationship felt somewhat unbelievable. It bothered me a little. I also thought some of the story line with Emerson was not as dramatic as it seemed. Otherwise, a good novel, I would recommend..

Media Darling is a very good and well-written romance. Reclusive but amazingly talented star Emerson has a secret that might get leaked to the tabloid celebrity press. When she meets tabloid writer Hayley in a stressful moment, sparks fly, and Emerson sees the chance to control the narrative…
Emerson and especially Hayley are great characters, and the story develops well. The writing is excellent. There is the right blend of slowly building friendship turning to romance with some steamy moments, and the ending is just right. The only slight negative is the inevitable moment of conflict and doubt between the main characters, and its aftermath. I have to ask; would Hayley really react that way?
Nevertheless, very enjoyable and a solid recommendation. I liked it a lot, maybe even loved it, so four-and-a-half stars rounded to 5.