Act Like it (London Celebrities, #1)

by Lucy Parker

This just in: romance takes center stage as West End theatre's Richard Troy steps out with none other than castmate Elaine Graham

Richard Troy used to be the hottest actor in London, but the only thing firing up lately is his temper. We all love to love a bad boy, but Richard's antics have made him Enemy Number One, breaking the hearts of fans across the city.

Have the tides turned? Has English rose Lainie Graham made him into a new man?

Sources say the mismatched pair has been spotted at multiple events, arm in arm and hip to hip. From fits of jealousy to longing looks and heated whispers, onlookers are stunned by this blooming romance.

Could the rumors be

• ISBN10: 0373004117
• ISBN13: 9780373004119
• Publish Date: 5 July 2016 (first published 31 May 2016)
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Imprint: Carina Press
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 295
• Language: English

Reviews

[Leigha]

Theater actress Lainie Graham must pretend to be in a relationship with surly actor Richard Troy in this incredibly cute contemporary romance.

The “pretending to date my enemy” trope is done to perfection in this adorable romance. Lainie is the sweetheart of the stage, but she is not a doormat to Richard’s broody and snarly personality. I loved her always calling him on his shit, even when she wanted to let it go. While their chemistry is off the charts, their sex scenes could have used a little more spice.

The setting pulled me into the story. I do not know much about theater (or, for that matter, acting), but it seems like so much work. It was fascinating reading about all the behind the scenes work that goes into making a successful production. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the Celebrities in London series!

tl;dr This “pretending to date my enemy” romance is a must read from fans enjoying a good enemies to lovers story.

[stacey_is_sassy]

There is no way I could kiss someone I hate...

I really admire stage actors. I don’t know how they memorise so many lines or remember the exact spot they’re supposed to stand. Sure, I get that if you do it enough times you’ll remember but I would find the audience very distracting. I also don’t know how actors can be intimate…without the intimate feelings attached. You kiss the same bloke every night for months, and not feel anything? How do you do that? You kiss the same bloke every night, who also happens to be your ex who cheated on you…without feeling a need to throw up/stab him in the eye/kick him in the groin? How the hell do you do that? I guess I was never meant for the stage.

Did I ever tell you that my siblings are both into drama? Well, it’s a bit of a joke in my family that I am the complete opposite of them. Growing up, I still remember the drama teacher at school shaking her head at me and saying, “You’re not at all like your sisters, are you?” Probably seems a little harsh but the facts are the facts, I couldn’t act to save myself.

With my experience with my sisters, I found that I could relate to the characters in the story better. There is one thing I found myself agreeing with, without even realising I felt that way until I read it. It’s very hard to tell when an actor is not acting. Are they genuinely upbeat and happy all the time or are they putting on a front? Is their appearance of interest in my rants about stuff, genuine, or are they thinking about their own stuff? I suppose we can all put on an act when dealing with people but I guess we are more suspect when we KNOW they can put on a good performance.

I really enjoyed Act Like It. I’m in a reading group that has been RAVING about Lucy Parker for ages. I was keen to check this new author to me out, but I kept getting distracted. Up to date with stuff and FINALLY having some free reading time, I bought my first Lucy Parker and settled in to see what all the fuss was about.

I think I was supposed to dislike Richard at first. I’ll be honest here and say that I REALLY GOT RICHARD. Oh boy, would I love to have enough money and clout to actually be free to call out STUPID people. Wouldn’t it be awesome to just walk away from people who annoy you? What I wouldn’t give to be able to tell someone their wrong and give them a detailed accounting of where, how and why they're so stupid. Sure, Richard’s reputation was a little tarnished and he may be a wee bit lonely…but for 5 seconds, I wanted that freedom.

I liked Lainie from the start but I couldn’t fathom how she could work with her ex, Will, and be intimate with him on stage? I also struggled with her acceptance to step in and help get Richard’s reputation cleaned up. So, she was expected to kiss her ex in front of her new man. It’s all an act of course, but geez, how do you turn off feelings? Again, I guess I was never meant for the stage.

This story was very engaging. I really liked the characters, found the storyline interesting and loved seeing the slow burn romance develop between Lainie and Richard. I would describe the intimate scenes as…watching through a filmy curtain. You’re given the shapes, know what is really happening but don’t have all the details. I wouldn’t say I was satisfied, but at least I didn’t have the door slammed in my face.

I’m so glad that I’ve met Lucy Parker’s characters and I will definitely go back for more of her entertaining style of writing.

[Rowena]

This was a solid contemporary romance. It took me a little to warm up to the story but in the end, both Richard and Lainie won me over. I was impressed with Parker's writing voice and am going to jump into my second Lucy Parker book immediately.

[Sam@WLABB]

This book was so fun and adorable. A great friends to lover story which pulled on my heartstrings.

In an effort to rehab his reputation, Richard begins pretending to date his co-star and the West End's sweetheart, Lainie. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow and change into something real. As they got to know each other, the rough layers of Richard's persona are pulled back to reveal the hidden wonderful that lies beneath. There were so many sweet moments that made me fall in love with Richard, I could totally understand what Lainie saw in him.

A funny and sweet romance with an awesome heroine.

[Lynn]

What a hoot! Act Like It is a fun, witty and sexy inside view of actors' working within London's West End theatre-land.

Lainie Graham is the new darling of the West End stage and already making headlines as much for her private life as her professional one. After the humiliation of being dumped by her real-life, cheating co-star, she's definitely not looking to hook up with another actor, least of all the drop-dead gorgeous Thespian playing the villain in her current play.

Richard Troy is like a member of acting royalty with an impressive pedigree. He has aspirations to use his connections to cement a move into politics, only he's not at all media friendly. He's a PR's worst nightmare come true and his petulant behaviour is impacting on ticket sales. Cue, a plan to turn Richard into a charming, likeable, marketable heart-throb...He has the looks, so just needs a personality to match and a willing leading lady to help the cause!

The dialogue between the protagonists is witty and clever as we wade through back-handed humorous comments with sarcastic undertones. Lainie and Richard are real West End “luvvies,” hamming up their “Showmance” for the benefit of the ticket paying public, only the lines between acting and reality quickly become blurred. Lainie is a true darling by seeing right through Richard's prickly persona by finding a caring, loving man lurking under years of heartache and painful memories. Their backgrounds are worlds apart, but yet they complement each other perfectly.

I enjoyed the playful, light-hearted banter in this highly entertaining romance. The theatre backdrop is a refreshing change for me and is further enhanced by the colourful supporting cast, including the leading man, Will Farmer a.k.a Lainie's cheating ex and Richard's theatrical rival.

I'm, impressed this is a début novel and will be looking out for future books by this author.

***arc generously received in exchange for an honest review***