This was a quick and cutsie read. The characters definitely had a lot of miscommunication to the point it was a bit distracting, but overall 3 stars.

This book flew by really fast. It’s just the right amount of drama and swoon. I really loved the way that John was appreciative of Anna when she was undermined in her field. I was kinda disappointed when John had to sell his cabin but it just showed how much Anna was important to him. But I was hoping for a flash-forward of them in the cabin just being cozy and getting their peace and quiet.

2.5 stars/ spice level: 🌶️
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.

This was cute, easy read. The chemistry and pacing between Anna and John was just repeatedly off and there wasn't much to their relationship. Anna took awhile to grow on me as she came across as a victim repeatedly and I don't think did much to show her relationship with her ex-husband who did some shady things (still unclear in the book).

There were many moments of poor communication and just awful assumptions about the other person. This had the potential but was a bit rushed in delivery. 2.5 stars because it delivered the basics for a romance but I was hoping for more, esp. w/ an older woman vs. younger man.

This was a cute, quick read. Unfortunately, it didn't keep me as invested in the characters as I would have like to have been. If you are looking for something that is quick and easy to read, I would recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC.

This story was hard to get into... it was slow and the characters were very one dimensional.

The only thing that was different than other romance books, to me, was that it was an age gap where the woman was the one that was older. I know there are plenty of books like that out there, this one was just the first one I have encountered with that trope.

It was a very quick read but definitely not one you need to pay attention to.

Thank you though to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

A quick and cute read!!

I enjoyed this book as much as I think I could have I enjoyed the plot even with it being a basic romance, I even enjoyed the characters.

The one issue I had with this book is the writing I found it to be sloppy and just not my favourite.

I’d definitely recommend this book if you are looking for something short and sweet to fill the time.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy!!

I found the story a little difficult to get into and felt there was too much internal thought between the dialogue that it made it confusing to know who was talking.
It felt like it was trying to tell me too much, and a lot felt unnecessary and the narrative could have moved along more smoothly without it. I wasn't overly interested in the characters or their relationship but I did like the unusual meeting and setting and the fact that the age gap came from the woman being older and it seemed to be a mutual attraction so no cougar stereotype.

Reel Love by Evie Browning is an interesting ride, let me tell you! 🌟 I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley via BooksGoSocial, and I’m giving it a solid 3 stars. It’s a cute, fun, Hollywood-set romance, but let’s be real—it didn’t blow my mind. Think of it as a B-list movie: entertaining, but not quite Oscar-worthy. 🎬✨

✨ Tropes & Themes ✨
✧ Reverse Age Gap 💫
✧ Workplace Romance 💗
✧ He Fell First 💕
✧ Slow Burn 🔥
✧ Forced Proximity 💖
✧ Forbidden Romance 💘
✧ Hollywood Drama 🎥

So, Anna, our down-on-her-luck director, meets John, the struggling screenwriter/bartender who has dabbled in some shirtless werewolf roles (yeah, you read that right 🐺). Their banter is super witty and had me chuckling! But OMG, that slow burn felt like we were stuck in the pre-production phase forever. 😅 I was just sitting there thinking, “Okay, when’s the romance actually gonna kick in?”

When it finally did, whoa, sparks flew—hello, steamy make-out sessions! Yes, please! But then... the fire kinda fizzled out. The initial tension was good, but as the story progressed, it just... faded. 🥲

Now, the Hollywood backdrop was fun—who doesn’t love a little behind-the-scenes drama? 🎥 But honestly, there was so much movie biz talk that it dragged a bit for me. I mean, I signed up for romance, not a masterclass in filmmaking! 😂 Plus, the third-person POV wasn’t my fave. It jumped between characters so much that I had to double-check who was who a few times. 😵‍💫

The age gap between Anna and John was well done! She’s 10 years older, and it didn’t feel forced at all. John’s persistence was adorable, and I loved Anna’s internal struggle over whether to give in to her feelings. Their romance was sweet but felt a bit rushed in parts and kinda lukewarm by the end. I was craving a deeper resolution; the ending felt a little surface-level. 💔

CWs:
- Workplace harassment
- Alcoholism and recovery discussions
- Leaked revealing photos

Overall, Reel Love is a light and quick read that gives you a peek into the chaos of Hollywood with a sprinkle of romance. It’s not a blockbuster in my book, but if you’re in the mood for a cute, easy-to-digest romance with some on-set drama, definitely give it a go! 🎞

This book was okay. Without spoiling:
What I liked: the movie set/Hollywood setting was fun and unique. Not often in an age gap romance is the woman older so that was nice to see.
What I did not like so much: the beginning was a little slow to get into the story. I wasn't very invested in John and Anna's relationship and it felt rushed and forced. The 3rd act conflict was not my favourite. Overall, the story felt like it needed a few more rounds of editing. Read more like a rough draft than the finished product. For example, there was written in 3rd person, but there were a few random first person lines thrown in there.
I wish I had more to say but Reel Love fell flat for me.

Reel Love by Evie Browning is a light, slightly dramatic romance set in Hollywood. If you have always wondered a bit about the “behind the scenes” of movies and film production in general, I think this one would be for you.
Anna and John meet for the first time over a declined credit card at a bar and although their chemistry is hot from the beginning, Anna doesn't want to give something to the media to talk about, dating a younger man.
Anna Kovác’s career as a movie director is not in its best place right now. She just divorced a powerful Hollywood agent, who's messing with her and her career.
John is trying to get an agent to read his screenplay, but what everybody wants is for him to play shirtless dudes in movies.

I'll admit I'm not really a romance reader, but now and then I like to give them a try.
I saw this one, supposedly, had humour so I picked this one up.
It didn't really work for me. I did find it amusing at times, but most of the times it wasn't 'fun' or funny for my taste, and the characters sounded a little unrealistic too much.
I'm not disappointed. I just didn't have a good time like I hoped I would.

Book Review: Reel Love by Evie Browning

Reel Love by Evie Browning is an entertaining workplace romantic comedy that brings humor, heart, and a touch of Hollywood glamor to a slow-burn love story. Set against the chaotic backdrop of a doomed movie production, the novel follows Anna Kovacs, a 37-year-old down-on-her-luck director, and John Mills, a 27-year-old bartender-slash-struggling-screenwriter-slash-reluctant shirtless werewolf actor, as they stumble their way into romance.

The premise immediately grabs attention. Anna’s life is in shambles—freshly divorced, financially strained, and doubting her career in the cutthroat film industry. John is no better off, barely making rent while juggling side gigs, and desperately hoping his screenwriting ambitions come to fruition. They meet under less-than-ideal circumstances, culminating in a "hot hook-up" followed by a fiery argument. When they discover they have to work together to salvage a film project, the sparks—both romantic and combative—fly.

What stands out about Reel Love is its witty dialogue and delightful take on the “enemies-to-lovers” and “forced proximity” tropes. The age gap between Anna and John, a central theme, adds a refreshing layer to their dynamic. John is portrayed as falling first, head over heels for Anna, while she, hardened by past experiences and the pressures of her career, takes a more guarded approach. The age gap never feels like a gimmick but rather a thoughtful exploration of two people at different life stages trying to connect.

The setting of the novel, a chaotic film set, allows for plenty of “on set shenanigans.” Browning’s humor shines here, poking fun at the absurdities of the movie business, from diva actors to disastrous production setbacks. The industry backdrop adds a layer of authenticity to the story while also providing a source of tension that keeps Anna and John on their toes. Their journey feels real and relatable as they try to balance their professional lives with their growing attraction.

The pacing of the romance is more of a slow burn, which fits well with the “idiots-to-lovers” trope. There’s a sense that Anna and John keep getting in their own way, but that only makes their eventual coming together all the more satisfying. Their chemistry builds steadily, with plenty of playful banter and simmering tension along the way.

If you’re a fan of rom-coms with heart, Reel Love offers the perfect combination of romance, humor, and industry satire. The novel's blend of quirky yet relatable characters and fun workplace drama makes it a highly enjoyable read. The happily-ever-after ending feels earned, offering the perfect payoff for all the challenges Anna and John face.

Overall, Reel Love is a feel-good romantic comedy, perfect for readers who enjoy age-gap romances, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and a dash of Hollywood humor. Evie Browning delivers a charming story that will leave you rooting for the couple from start to finish.

This was a sweet read overall. I absolutely loved the MMC, and bonus points for featuring an older woman-younger man dynamic, which I surprisingly enjoyed since it was my first time reading that. While the start was a bit slow, it really picked up towards the end and turned into a fun, heartwarming story!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC

#ReelLoveAstandaloneagegapworkplaceromanticcomedy #NetGalley

This book was such a cute and easy read. I have been reading a lot of heavy stuff recently and this was just the pallet cleanser that I needed.

Anna is a woman in a male dominated field and has to fight for everything she wants by being a female director. John is a screenwriter/bartender who wants his movie to be made. Anna and John meet by happen chance at the bar he’s working at. They get along smashingly well and even and up making out a little bit before parting ways.

Anna’s ex-husband pulls some not great strings behind the scene and get John and Anna on a movie set together, but Anna doesn’t know it’s because of her ex. She just thinks it’s a coincidence.

I don’t want to give too much away but the ending of the book was really satisfying. Anna stuck it to her ex and also got a happily ever after, even after she didn’t think she deserved one. This was a great book!

This book delivers a light, age-gap workplace romance with plenty of humor. While the premise is fun, the story didn’t quite hit all the marks for me, but it’s still an enjoyable read for rom-com fans.

I really enjoyed this book. The plot made you feel involved in the directing industry as Browning included a mass of details about the work life. The two main characters John and Anna were the perfect characters and the cover portrayed them so fully. I love it!

John and Anna meet at the bar one day but expect to never see each other again. However they are both thrown back together due to being the director and co director of a vampire movie.

John the MMC has written a screenplay however it isn’t going anywhere. Therefore he works at the bar. I loved seeing his character evolve through the book.

Anna is stuck in the shadow of her ex husband. This makes her career much harder.

Definitely recommend this book it was a really fun read but also had some very meaningful parts.

I chose to read Reel Love because of the captivating cover design by Leni Kauffman and then I fell in love with the premise. I’m a sucker for books that challenge the status quo and place strong women in male-dominated roles. Add in some slow-burn tension and a captivating unique plot and I’m SOLD!!

3.5 ⭐'s with Lots to Love:
Age Gap (she’s older 👏🏻)
Female Movie Director (in a male-dominated world) 🎥
He falls first 💙
Enemies to Lovers ⚔️
Slow burn with plenty of steam once ya wait for it 🧯
Compelling dialogue and verbal sparring 💬
Well-developed side characters 👯

“When did I stop taking chances?” “I don’t know, friend, but it’s not too late. It’s never too late. Besides, we need some good stories for when we end up in an old folks’ home together, eating mushy peas and racing in our wheelchairs down the hallway.” 🤣 <b><< Perfect BFF real-talk </b>

This was my first Evie Browning book and I loved learning more about her in her bio:
Evie Browning writes romantic comedies when she's not working for a living, parenting her two children or taking her dog for a walk. So, not as often as she would like. Her MMCs look like they could kill you, but are cinnamon rolls. Her FMCs look like they are cinnamon rolls, but could kill you.

The only reason it’s not 5 stars for me is that it was a little slow building to 35% and once the forced proximity kicked in then the book hit its stride. Also, this eARC copy had some pretty obvious errors that should be caught in editing, so hopefully, that’s all smoothed out in the final version.
THANK YOU to Evie Browning, NetGalley, and BooksGoSocial for the Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed reading this in the hectic days that is college. It was a lovely escape being in Anna and John’s world for a bit and getting to see their romance blossom. I would recommend to anyone who wants to read a quick, fun, lighthearted romance book.

This was a cute tale of will they won’t they. Although there’s an age gap Anna is only 10 years older that John and they are both over the age of 27 so it’s not a big deal in real life but the setting of Hollywood would make it so.

Some of the arguments felt a bit forced to fit the storyline, as did the coming to realise they were arguing over nothing. Needed more omph to get me to believe that arc at the end.

Otherwise it was really sweet romance on and off a movie set. More about the movie business could have been included. The ex-husband drama was engaging but since a lot of it happened off the pages it was a little hard to follow, some cuts to Tom might have worked better.

Thank you NetGalley for this e-ARC!

Reel Love by Evie Browning is quick and quirky read that is a standalone book where a film director and bartender are tasked to save a movie.

I really enjoyed this read, it was simple and fun. But I felt like most things were predictable. There are positive developments in society indicated in this book which madee love it more!