If you’re looking for hilariously British contemporary rom-com, you can’t do better than Lucy Parker’s London Celebrities series. Besides the sarcastic (and very British) banter, it’s a trope fest of enemies-to-lovers with a dash of roommate thrown in. I’ve very much enjoyed the first two books, and this one was no exception. While it is the third in a series, you could possibly read it as a standalone.
“Don’t even.” Trix was goaded, against her better judgment. “This is not a ‘we-bicker-because-we-want- to-bang’ situation. It’s a ‘he’s-a-tosspot-and-I’ve-learned-my-lesson’ situation.”
“I don’t believe I mentioned sex,” Lily said sweetly. “What an interesting direction your mind took.”
Ms. Parker excels at wonderful characters and witty banter, and Trix and Leo are no exception. They’ve been enemies since attending the same drama high school, and while they’re not exactly in the same orbit (Trix is a circus aerialist and Leo is a makeup artist), they end up working together – and rooming together – on the same production. The sarcastic banter between the two of them is absolutely hilarious, and it just serves to ratchet up the sexual tension. Thankfully, they get to the bottom of the source of their enmity rather quickly in the book, though they still need to deal with angry bitchy sisters, hedgehogs, a reality TV show crew, and a cosplay convention. One of the cutest parts of the book is that they’re both huge nerds for a particular TV show and it was just so spectacular to watch them bond over it.
“I’m getting in character. Channelling Doralina and her incredibly useful ability to make men disappear.”
“Something you have in common lately, from what I’ve heard.” His voice was light, but there was a note in it that made her look up.
“Excuse me?” she said dangerously.
His firm lips tilted at one corner. “People keep assuming I’m avidly interested in your love life. Three-date rule, is it? Before you apparently kick them so hard into the friend-zone that Manchester United’s talent scout comes knocking on the door.”
Trix is still recovering from an emotionally abusive relationship that has badly affected her self-confidence. While, quite obviously, it’s made her prickly about any new relationships, it’s also affected her professionally. Due to another performer’s injury, Trix has to take over one of the main parts, one that is much more technically difficult than her current role. While it’s something she certainly would have been capable of in the past, her ex has her second-guessing her talent, to the point where she even questions whether she wants what was once her dream role. Leo’s also struggling professionally after a client didn’t disclose an allergy and had a pretty bad reaction to his makeup. He’s pinning his hopes of a Hollywood career on winning an SFX competition. Unfortunately, he’s distracted by his sister who, since her return from school in America, has been angry and dismissive, and suffering his own anxiety about his future.
“Exes, anxiety, bad days at work, pain-in-the-arse sisters, awful bosses. It’s all part of the package, isn’t it? Life, in all its occasional shittiness. There’s nothing that needs to be magically fixed before it’s somehow okay for us to be together.”
I was very pleased with how the aftermath of Trix’s relationship was dealt with. Both Trix and Leo suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, and one of the first signs of the change in their relationship is when Leo helps Trix through a panic attack at work. One of the threads running through the story is that, contrary to some self-help magazines, you don’t need to have all your ducks in a row before you start a relationship. Failing at a relationship – or getting involved with a complete jerk – doesn’t mean that there’s something intrinsically wrong with you that you have to fix before you deserve love. Life is messy, and it’s ok to hold on to the good things in the midst of everything else.
As for the rest, the secondary characters were also well done, though I think there were too many unlikeable ones. Leo’s sister Cat was just absolutely awful, and honestly I cringed a bit every time I realized a scene would have her in it. Add in Trix’s extremely negative boss and Leo’s competitor in the makeup competition, and there were just so many people to dislike. Also, I’m not usually a huge fan of epilogues, but this one made me squee a bit.
Overall, this was absolutely delightful, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a hilarious and angsty romance! I cannot wait for Ms. Parker’s next book!
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.