We revisit the world Laura Wood established in her previous novel for adults, 'Under Your Spell'. Like that book our protagonists are surrounded by a fantastic cast of supporting players, all of whom deserve their own spin-off novels as they are so well-written. We jump between two time periods, seeing both the first cinematic pairing of Cynthie (a first-time actress) and Jack (a well-known nepo baby from an acting dynasty) and then their return to make a sequel when the trajectory of their careers has been quite different. For fairly contrived reasons, Cynthie and Jack are persuaded to pretend they are a couple when in fact they parted bitterly at the end of the first film and drama ensues from then on.

I thoroughly enjoyed 'Let's Make a Scence' and was particularly fond of the loving references to Emma Thompson's sublime diary of the making of Sense and Sensibility. Overall I didn't feel this quite matched 'Under Your Spell', perhaps because the supporting characters felt a little crowded out by the main storyline, but it was a fantastic read and I look forward to many more to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Laura Wood is one of my absolute favourite writers in the whole world, so I was thrilled to get my hands on an early copy of Let's Make a Scene. This story was everything I hoped it would be, shamelessly romantic, sprinkled with humour and heart and so so sizzling. The chemistry between Cynthie and Jack burns off every single page, making you desperate for them to get together. I loved how it was told through two different timelines and through the point of view of both characters and that Laura made these transitions so seamlessly. It referenced so many of my favourite films, particularly loved 'the lean' and the 'caviar is a garnish' moment. It's very rare that a book can make me laugh out loud, swoon and cry at the same time. It's not all romance and fun, it touches on the themes of abandonment, growing up under the gaze of over critical parents and references the 'Me Too' movement in a meaningful way. The added bonus was a delve back into the world of 'Under Your Spell,' Clemmie and Theo, I adore when books let characters collide from previous stories. It's the perfect blend of romantic comedy that will appeal to fans of Richard Curtis, Nora Ephron, and Emily Henry. Another absolute triumph from the fabulous Laura Wood!

"I am incandescent. A tornado made of lust and fury. I want to rip all Jack’s clothes off here and now, but I also want to punch him right in the nose."

Thank you so much to HarperCollins & Netgalley for allowing me to read Let's Make a Scene by Laura Wood in exchange for honest feedback.

I absolutely loved Theo & Clemmie's story in Under Your Spell by Laura, so I JUMPED on the chance to request Let's Make a Scene!

I'm not normally a fan of dual timeline but I really enjoyed reading Cynthie & Jack's, especially from both of their POV - my only slight negative is that I wish we had a wee bit more of the current day relationship, rather than 13 years ago, but I understand it's setting the scene. You can definitely see the character growth in the 13 years since Cynthie and Jack last spoke - Laura portrays this really well & it's noticeable!

I LOVED the cameo from Theo & Clemmie and the supporting characters (excluding Jack's parents...!) and their banter were great throughout!

If you like any of the below, you're gonna love Let's Make a Scene...

A Dual POV / Timeline
Enemies to Lovers
Second Chance Romance
A Wee Bit of Spice!
Character Growth
Fake Dating
Awesome Supporting Characters

If you're looking for a light romcom, this is the one for you. There is mention of panic attacks and a d*ck of an ex, just as a wee heads up for anyone who may find it triggering x

Aaaaaagh I LOVE Laura Wood. But I think I am just a bit over this style of trope heavy romance.
It’s as well written as any of these books could hope to be, and Laura always adds her own signature warmth. But everything just felt a bit tired. Compared to her gorgeous YA books, this just lacked a lot of spark for me

This ticks ALL the boxes:
*enemies to lovers
*fake dating
*sexy sex
*hot man tap dancing (maybe that one is just me)
Laura Wood has done it again. Sumptuous romance and all the feels. Plus Clemmie!

I've been feeling like every book I read lately is the same and then Let's Make a Scene by Laura Wood came along and blew me away. I loved the ferocious enemies-to-lovers story line. I loved the Dual POV, the friendship dynamics and the very real depictions of anxiety. If you're looking for a book to get you out of a book slump this year, this is the read. Intelligent world-building mixed with just the right amount of romance. 5 stars from me.

Actor Cynthie's life has blown up in a massive scandal. In an effort to get her life and image back on track, she's offered a chance to star in the sequel of her first film, made 13 years previously, which was a massive success. The only problem with this is Jack, her on screen romantic interest in that film. To say the two of them got off on the wrong foot would be an understatement. When film wrapped all those years ago, she vowed to never see Jack again. Along with the offer to star in the sequel, Cynthie must also be part of the behind the scenes documentary and agree to rekindle her fake romance to Jack off screen too. Can Cynthie and Jack put the past behind them and work together? Or is the mistrust and hurt all these years later still too much?

I really enjoyed this! It's a enemies-to-lovers and (almost) second chance romance rolled into one. I'm not a big fan of second chance romance but the author does a great job with this. And the hate really does come through for the enemies part of the plot! But as they say, hate and love have a thin line, which is done well in this. Cynthie is someone you really feel for, she's very vulnerable, especially when we learn part of what happened to cause the big scandal she's running from. Jack comes from an acting family, with both his parents actors who look down on his choices for roles and shows that not everyone is how they seem on the outside.

There is chemistry between the pair but if you like your romance steamy or physical, there isn't a lot in this book. This is probably because the book alternates between current timeline and the past timeline of shooting the original film. It makes the book long, the past timeline is almost an entire book plot in itself, rather than just a recap of what happened to get you up to speed on how things went down between the characters previously. The descriptions of the films are fun, it brought Bridgerton or Jane Austen to mind. I loved the found family aspect in this too, the side characters were great!

Overall a fun, rivals to lovers story, full of the glitz and glamour of show biz.

I would - and will - read anything Laura Wood writes. She always creates the most gorgeous worlds and characters and Let’s Make A Scene is no exception. Romantic, sexy, tender, funny, with one of the hottest heroes I’ve ever read. I’m so glad she writes fast because I can’t get enough of her books.

Laura Wood has done it again! I really fell for Laura's previous book, Under Your Spell, and have recommended it to many, many people so I was excited to hear that there was a new rom-com coming this year. While Under Your Spell is set against the music industry, Let's Make a Scene was gloriously set in the film industry, and follows Cynthie - a major movie star caught in a scandal and Jack, a TV star who's facing an uncertain future. 13 years ago, Cynthie was a talented, untrained actress in her first ever lead role in a film, starring opposite Jack, who came to the industry via RADA, with parents who are practically royalty in the thespian world. Jack immediately seems to have a major problem with Cynth, and before long sparks fly on set as they love to hate each other. The novel moves between the past and the present seamlessly, with satisfying dual POVs as we find out exactly what happened with Jack and Cynthie all those years ago, and whether they can overcome this past when they are once again thrown together.

This had everything that I love in a rom-com- fantastic characters- including a fabulous found-family; smart, funny dialogue and of course lots of yearning and smoking hot chemistry. I also loved the fact that Theo and Clemmie from Under Your Spell pop up in a great scene at an LA charity gala like old friends! If you like Beth O'Leary or Mhairi McFarlane then you'd love this book- Laura Wood is a brilliantly funny, romantic writer and I've already pre-ordered a physical copy of this one to keep. Thanks Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this early.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Let’s Make a Scene follows Cynthie Taylor and Jack Turner-Jones, two actors who reunite after thirteen years to make a sequel to the movie that made them both stars (and made them enemies!) To promote their new film, they’re asked to fake being in a relationship - just like they did for their first film. However, this time there’s a documentary crew filming their every move.

This was my second Laura Wood book, and definitely my favourite from this author! This book is both dual POV and dual timeline, which I absolutely loved. It was so interesting reading about Jack and Cynthie’s first movie and how they became rivals, as well as reading their love story happening in the present. The flashback chapters added so much to the story, and really showed how much the characters had grown up and developed over time.

Cynthie and Jack couldn’t have had more different backgrounds. Jack is practically acting royalty, with two famous actor parents, and had tons of professional training. On the other hand, Cynthie has a raw talent for acting, but lacked experience when they filmed their first movie together. I loved the dynamic between the two of them. Their banter (and bickering!) was fantastic, and the chemistry and tension was palpable. I loved seeing their fake relationship turn into more; it felt genuine and organic. The intimate scenes were also very hot and didn’t make me cringe like a lot of books tend to do!

The filming and acting chapters were really interesting and added a fun element to the story. I really appreciated how the author explored the topic of the abuse of power within the industry, and some of the issues women can face when filming. Mental health and trauma were also explored really thoughtfully, and I loved how the characters supported each other.

As well as rivals to lovers, second chance romance, and fake dating, this book also has another one of my favourite tropes - found family! Jack and Cynthie had some great people around them, and the friendships were so lovely to read about. I particularly loved Cynthie’s friendship with her best friend, Hannah. We also got a cameo from Theo and Clemmie from Laura Woods’ previous book, Under Your Spell!

I appreciated the lack of a third act breakup, and how well the characters communicated towards the end of the book. The grand gesture made me shed a tear or two, and I adored the epilogue.

If you’re looking for a sexy, funny, swoony second chance romance with great characters and a little grit, I think you will really enjoy this one! I can’t wait to read whatever this author comes out with next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh I am now definitely addicted to Laura Woods books!!!

Can I first just say that I couldn't imagine anyone other than Jonathan Bailey for Jack?! I will not accept any other candidates for any adaptation. It was wonderful to see Theo and Clem again. And do I get a hint of Jack's sister Lee and best friend Nico being our next romantic heroes?!

Great lighthearted fun, a boon with spirit and passion. Just what I needed!

I AM OBSESSED !! I requested this on a whim because the cover was lovely and I enjoy romances about actors and the complex, layered dynamics these types of stories can explore.

I wasn’t aware this would be dual timeline story and normally I dread this format because it’s rarely ever done right… Laura Wood made it effortless. I found myself loving both timelines and both versions of our wonderful Jack and Cynthie. The key to Wood’s success here was how different both of them were in each timeline. You could feel the palpable intensity of their newfound feud in the past chapters, the burning chemistry between them filled with barbs, pranks and steam. You could feel their immaturity and how green they were, trying to find themselves while being thrown into the limelight and battling with all the inner demons they had. Then in the present chapters, the tonal shift really made you feel like they’d grown up and changed. Jack was more laidback and settled, Cynthie a bit jaded and reserved after all she’d been through. I found myself loving both versions of them as individual and as a couple, and that rarely happens for me with dual timelines. I often favour one timeline exponentially more than the other but here I found myself getting so so sooooo excited whenever we switched back to the past or present, because both versions of Cynthie and Jack brought something brand new to the story.

I could gush about the book forever. I loved the writing style too, fully of humour that wasn’t too overdone (oftentimes pretty British which I love as a Brit since American humour can sometimes just make me cringe), the side characters were delightful, especially Hannah, Patty and Arjun. And I just adored the way Jack loved Cynthie. Every version of her.

I can’t wait for the book to release so I can buy myself a copy for my bookshelf🩷

Let's Make a Scene is a light hearted, witty, enemies-to-lovers story that had me smiling throughout!
I adored the banter between Cynthie and Jack, and the way in which their relationship developed throughout was utter perfection.
This book had everything I could possibly want from a rom-com, a witty storyline, a captivating cast of characters and the dreamiest slow burn romance... I adored this book.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

The story of Cynthie and Jack ticks so many boxes. Enemies to lovers, found family, second chances, mealth health issues, as well as consent and MeToo within the acting industry being featured. It's the tangible chemistry between Cynthie a deemed 'natural' and Jack from acting royalty that has a large part to play in their being selected as the lead roles for the film "A Lady of Quality". An actor walking inadvertently into a conversation they weren't supposed to hear, on set pranks, a night out, a kitchen encounter, a bonfire conversation, and a film kiss that goes viral are significant points in their story. It accumulates in a fake dating relationship to promote the film, being pushed by film executives, until it is released and then they quietly go their separate ways. Thirteen years later, older and wiser these two leads are to appear in a sequel, with not just a fake dating plan which is beneficial to both careers to contend with, but also the paparazzi, and the added complication of a documentary crew filming behind the movie scenes. Can they keep it together, will history repeat itself or will there be a different ending?
I wonder if the first thirteen years were paid too much attention, but this is also where the film crew and directors are given their depth, and I really hope we are going to follow the stories of Hannah, Nico and Lee soon. The found family in this book are funny individuals and really add to the story. You can read this book as a standalone; Clemmie's story is first however, and she does cameo in this book. I enjoyed this story immensely and I was rooting for both characters all the way!

4*!!! Let's Make a Scene was absollutely fabulous. I laughed out loud a few times when reading and it's 'kick your feet' cute. The plot itself is about Cynthie and Jack, two actoes who made a movie together 13 years ago and are now reuniting for a sequel.

There are a lot of flashbacks between the original filming process and the current time, which can be a bit disorientating but, I believe, the author made the indicators for the time shifts clear. The romance between Jack and Cynthie is sweet, a little spicy (there were 2 major sex scenes and a smattering of lusty thoughts throughout), and a whole lot of funny. One thing that really stood out in this book, to me, was that Cynthie had a female best friend who we spent a decent amount of time with and I LOVED it.

If I had to make a criticism, it would be that the references to memes really aged the book and took me out of the story. There was one particularly egregious one which made me put the book down for 24hours and really force myself to come back to. If it wasn't an obligation for the ARC, I probably would have DNF'd. I'm glad I stuck with it, as it was a fabulous read.
Another point was the epilogue. I know lots of people like a happily ever after, so I'm not saying it shouldn't exist, I'm just saying it wasn't for me. I don't think I learnt anything about the characters or their relationship in it. It seemed unnecessary, except to emphasise the happy ever after. I thought that came across clearly in the main aspect of the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. I struggled to put it down, the banter was exquisite, the characters were flawed and human, and I had an amazing time in the world. I'll definitely read another book by this author, and have already marked this book to purchase for a future reread.

I loved this, like I have loved everything Laura Wood has ever written. Fun, cute and hot. Perfect romance reading.

Under Your Spell by Laura Wood was one of My 10 x Favourite Books of 2024 so as soon as I saw that Let’s Make A Scene was on NetGalley, I think I sprained a finger I clicked Request so fast. I’d forgotten that Cynthie is Theo’s ex-girlfriend from Under Your Spell and I love that we get to catch up with Theo and Clemmie from UYS in Let’s Make A Scene.

Cynthie and Jack are great characters and I liked getting both perspectives. It’s obvious from the very beginning that there’s a fiery chemistry between them but neither of them are mature enough to handle it and a series of misunderstandings lead to them becoming enemies.

When they’re brought together again to film a sequel 13 years later, it’s interesting to read about how they’ve developed both personally and professionally. Then Jack was insecure and suffered from panic attacks because of pressure from his actor parents whereas now he’s secure in himself and he’s supportive of Cynthie instead of on the defensive all the time.

Cynthie’s been through a lot and I appreciated how Let’s Make A Scene covered the #MeToo movement and how the industry has changed (or not so much) in the 13 years since the first film.

One of the things I enjoyed most about UYS was the relationship between Clemmie and her sisters and Let’s Make A Scene doesn’t just have a great enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance between Cynthie and Jack but there’s also a strong sisterhood with Hannah (Cynthie’s bestie and PA), Petra (who steals every scene she’s in making untranslatable threats in Serbian and listening to Julie Andrews’ back catalogue), Patty, Jasmine (Cynthie’s reluctant mentor) and Brooke (the filmmaker shooting a behind-the-scenes documentary about the reunion).

If the author’s reading this, pretty please can we have a book about Jack’s sister, Lee and Nico next?

This is a very amusing book with a huge cast of charming characters. The dialogue is witty, the family vibe of the group of friends is perfect the romance is sizzling and the info about filming is really interesting. However I felt that the jumping between past and present was a little jarring at times and Cynthie and Jack's voices (particularly in the past) were so similar that at times I felt a real jolt when I'd thought I was reading Cynthie's voice and realised that it was Jack's and vice versa.

Sadly the inclusion of fairly graphic sex scenes means that it's denying itself a younger audience who could really appreciate the wonderful romance and witty repartee, plus it's not everyone who wants to read spice. Laura Wood's previous adult romance 'Under Your Spell' was superb but unfortunately this just doesn't match up.

Let’s Make a Scene is an absolute delight—witty, fun, and packed with just the right amount of sizzling tension. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Cynthie and Jack is laugh-out-loud hilarious, full of banter that keeps you grinning and moments so charged they’ll have you kicking your feet. Their forced proximity, both on and off set, creates a slow build that’s agonizing in the best way, making every moment feel earned.

Beyond the romance, the story weaves in an authentic found family element, adding warmth and depth that makes it even more compelling. While the shifting between past and present was occasionally a bit jarring, the emotional payoff was more than worth it. This book is one you’ll be thinking about for days—and one you’ll want to recommend to literally everyone. Five stars, no question!

‘Let’s Make a Scene’ is SUCH a fun romcom filled with witty banter and sizzling tension that will keep you thinking about the book for DAYSSS.

The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Cynthie and Jack is both hilarious and feet kicking, and their forced proximity on and off set makes is truly a memorable one because it was exactly what a forced proximity trope should be doing. The slow build-up was truly agonizing but also worth every single page I read because the emotional depth between them was so perfect I need 15 more of this right now.

I love this book so much and I’m going to make everyone and their mother read it . 5 star for sure and definitely worth it for fans who love fake relationships hehe👏👏