reviews

Thank God and Tom Hanks — Celebrity Crush by Christy Swift

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I promised I’d be back, and for once, I’m on time! I’m so thrilled this week to bring you another exceptional romance novel — one that manages to sneak sci-fi quotes and references into a contemporary story (you know I’m a sucker for that!).

Summary

A romance writer’s wildest dreams—the bestseller list, a movie deal, and a date with the real-life inspiration for her Hollywood hero—are all within her grasp if only she can hold it all together.    

Author Emmy Ellison is a sucker for a page-turning happy ending, but she’s no longer counting on one for herself. If she stays focused on her career goals instead of her love life, she just might find success. And now that her latest novel is about to become a movie, she’s determined to become the latest social media sensation.

When her secret celebrity crush (the real-life inspiration for her romantic hero) accepts the starring role in the big-screen adaptation of her book, she’s determined to team up with a fake dating scheme—now that he’s in need of some good PR of his own. Ideally, she can ride the wave of popularity all the way to the top of the bestseller lists. But when the harsh spotlight of fame exposes the truth, will they try to turn their on-camera chemistry into a real-life relationship?

What happens when your biggest celebrity crush stars in the movie adaptation of your book—and you start catching real feelings?

My Thoughts

Emmy Ellison is living the ultimate author fantasy. Her novel, Hashtag, CelebrityCrush, goes viral after the internet speculates which real-life celebrity inspired her leading man. Cue an even bigger dream come true—her book gets a movie deal, and none other than Jason Harlow, the actual muse behind her fictional Hollywood hero, signs on for the role. Suddenly Emmy’s at fancy Hollywood parties as her book skyrockets to the top of the bestseller list. What could possibly go wrong?

Well… emotions, for starters! When the lines between fiction and reality blur, and Emmy and Jason start falling for each other for real, the pressures of Hollywood, social media, and their own pasts make it nearly impossible to tell what’s genuine and what’s scripted.

The moment this book dropped a Star Trek reference in the first line, I knew I was in for a treat. If you’ve ever been obsessed with a sci-fi series and the leading actors who bring those characters to life (cough David Tennant’s hair cough), then this book is for you. And even if sci-fi isn’t your thing, don’t worry—the references are balanced enough that non-nerds will still absolutely love it. Also, can we talk about Lost Star Dance Troupe Saves the Universe? I need this to be a real show immediately. Imagine Firefly but with a ridiculously attractive cast and dance numbers? Get a producer on the line STAT!

But what makes Celebrity Crush truly shine is how authentic the characters feel. Emmy is more than just a dreamy, starstruck romance writer—she’s a single mom working tirelessly to build the life she and her daughter deserve. Jason, meanwhile, is a single dad trying to make the right choices for his son while navigating the exhausting world of fame. Their chemistry is undeniable, but what really makes their love story hit home is how real it feels. They’re both navigating the pressure of public life, surrounded by people who constantly push them to use each other for their own gain. In a world of PR-driven relationships and social media scrutiny, trusting your heart isn’t easy. Their slow-burn connection—full of longing, hesitation, and genuine tenderness—makes you root for them at every turn. Just two people searching for something authentic in a world built on illusion.

Something I thought was pretty brilliant was the mise en abyme —or to avoid using a French term I can’t properly translate, Celebrity-Crush-Ception. The book is about Emmy’s celebrity crush, who plays the character based on himself in the movie adaptation of her book, #CelebrityCrush. So clever!

Just when you think you know where the story is going, Swift throws in a curveball that completely upends your expectations. The pacing is spot-on, with just the right balance of romantic tension, humor, and jaw-dropping surprises. Every time I thought I had the story figured out, something unexpected happened—and I loved it. The HEA is so satisfying, and I was grinning from ear to ear by the final chapters. While the leaked photo scandal wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking, that’s just a minor nitpick.

Also: I listened to the audiobook, and the dual narration really elevated the story. Having separate narrators for Emmy and Jason brought both perspectives to life, and the snippets of celebrity news, gossip blogs, and interviews were hilariously well done. The over-the-top Hollywood personalities were chef’s kiss perfect.

Celebrity Crush is the kind of book that gives you all the warm, fuzzy, heart-fluttering feelings. It’s fun, clever, and packed with swoon-worthy moments—plus, the fake dating trope is executed so well. The side characters are also fantastic (I need a Val in my life—when will my royalties start rolling in so I can afford a professional stylist?). If you’re looking for a romance that’s equal parts smart, sexy, and full of heart, this is it. And if it’s a little wish-fulfill-y? So what! That’s exactly what I needed. Highly recommended for fans of Hollywood romances and sci-fi-loving heroines who finally get their happily-ever-after.

Pub Date Feb 11 2025

Cursed in Love by Emily Colin — and Sweet Purple Ponies, has it been that long?

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Heya, dear readers. Did you miss me?

I hopped on the blog to write up this review and… when I saw the date of my last post… well, I cringed. Or did a bit more than cringe. Because when it’s been a whole YEAR since I promised a new post, well, I don’t particularly know what to think. Suffice to say that 2024 was a YEAR. 2025 is promising to be one too, but hey, there are some great books coming out, and I’ll try to tell you all about them. Starting this week with Emily Colin’s latest novel, Cursed in Love!

Blurb

Stars Hollow meets Charmed in this darkly funny, small-town paranormal romcom… Love doesn’t get much more forbidden than this.

In the quirky, tight-knit town of Sapphire Springs, beloved for its chocolate-caramel milkshakes and spicy senior citizens’ book club, Rune Whitlock has always felt like an outsider. Gifted with the ability to see the future but cursed to have no one believe her premonitions, she’s accepted that romance isn’t in the cards. She’s got a cozy cottage, a fulfilling graphic design career, a loyal best friend, and Valentine—the sweet rescue kitty who is definitely not her familiar. So what if she’s sometimes lonely?

But everything changes when she meets Donovan Frost. A brilliant, brooding data engineer, Donovan is everything Rune is not: methodical, reserved, logical. He’s also grumpy, judgmental, and 5-chili-peppers hot. Thrown together on a mysterious work project, the two clash spectacularly—until an unexpected connection ignites between them.

Then, Rune’s gift reveals a chilling truth: they are destined for each other, but their love story is doomed to end in tragedy on their wedding day. To protect Donovan, Rune must push him away, even if it breaks her heart. But the harder she tries, the more entangled they become. As dark forces conspire against them and secrets come to light, Rune must unravel the mystery of her curse…before it’s too late.

✨A woman who’s cursed to see the future but never have anyone believe her premonitions falls in love with a man who’s destined to die on their wedding day. ✨

Sweet Purple Ponies! When I picked up Cursed in Love, I was expecting a cozy romcom with a dash of magic, but Emily Colin delivered so much more. While the book is packed with charm, humor, and swoon-worthy romance, it also has serious stakes and emotional depth that completely took me by surprise. Rune’s backstory is tough—there’s real pain and loss behind her quirky exterior—and the content warnings are definitely there for a reason. These moments, however, never detract from the magic of the story. Instead, they make Rune’s journey feel that much more powerful and real. So expect more of a paranormal romance set in a rom-com world.

Rune Whitlock is the kind of protagonist you can’t help but root for: quirky, fiercely independent, and delightfully awkward in all the right ways. But in Sapphire Springs—a town where the gossip blogs are practically Big Brother-level invasive—Rune can’t so much as slip without the whole town knowing. (Honestly, I could never live there. Rune deserves a medal for surviving it!) Her curse, the ability to see the future but never be believed, is fascinating and perfectly integrated into the plot. It shapes her relationships, her choices, and the quiet loneliness that defines so much of her life.

And then there’s Donovan Frost. Let me just say this: if you’ve ever wanted Henry Cavill as a grumpy data engineer with a spreadsheet obsession (turns out, that’s kinda my type), you’re in for a treat. Rune and Donovan’s chemistry practically jumps off the page—it’s that good. Their dynamic is a delightful mix of opposites attracting, with Rune’s messy, magical unpredictability clashing with Donovan’s buttoned-up, logical approach to life. Yet beneath the surface, they share a connection that feels both inevitable and electric. No wonder the town is shipping them so hard! And speaking of the town, I adore the Sinsters (the senior women’s romantasy book club). They might be a little obsessed with social media gossip, but Hot Yoga Grandma makes up for it.

What really sets Cursed in Love apart, though, is how it constantly keeps you guessing. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, Colin threw in a twist that had me gasping out loud. The way all the threads come together at the end? Absolutely brilliant.

As someone who’s loved Emily Colin’s romantasy (The Sword of the Seven Sins trilogy, Fate and Fury), I was curious to see how her signature style would translate to a contemporary setting. Let me tell you—she nailed it. This book has all her trademarks: magical curses, badass female leads, heart-pounding twists, and those beautiful moments of self-discovery. It’s like she took the essence of romantasy and seamlessly wove it into a small-town paranormal romcom. She may just be the queen of forbidden love.

Cursed in Love truly has it all: romance, magic, high stakes, low stakes, and a heartfelt story about a woman learning to come into her own power—all while falling for her grumpy, reluctant coworker. If you’re a fan of Charmed, quirky small towns, or love stories that make you laugh, cry, and believe in magic, then you’re going to love this book.

Pub Date Feb 14 2025 from Black Orchid Books