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 … 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.ÿFrom fits of jealousy to longing looks and heated whispers, onlookers are stunned by this blooming romance.
Could the rumors be right? Could this unlikely romance be the real thing? Or are these gifted stage actors playing us all?
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I LOVED this book. If you’re looking for a sexy and fun contemporary romance that feels fresh in a crowded genre, this is a must-read. Parker’s voice is exquisite and makes this one a compelling, easy read. The chemistry between the hero and heroine is off the charts. I’m a sucker for really well-written banter and this book has it in spades.
In addition to the comedic moments, Act Like It develops from enemies-to-lovers into a really poignant and beautiful romance. The characters are so well developed and their motivations are relatable and endearing. Richard is the ultimate grumpy but sexy hero and Elaine is a funny and smart heroine readers will root for from page one.
This book really hit all of the contemporary romance notes. Plus bonus points for the setting. London is wonderfully depicted and the perfect backdrop for this lovely theater romance. I highly recommend this one!
I loved this book! I loved the London theater scene, the characters, and the chemistry! It was a slow-burn romance, which I totally love, and juuuuuust steamy enough without going over my personal line (which can be a little conservative). Lucy Parker, if you’re reading this, AWESOME BOOK! Will be picking up all the others in this series!
Without a doubt, one of the best contemporary romances I’ve read in recent times. A lovely slow burn romance between three-dimensional characters. Bonus points for being set in the theater world. Fake relationships so the show can go on is like catnip to me!
Pure. FUN. This is the first book that I’ve read by this author. It happens to be her debut novel. It definitely won’t be the last book I read from her. If you’re looking for a suitably entertaining read with characters that exude character, check this one out. The British sense of humor and snark is exceptional and shows up on nearly every page. OH, and the British spellings add a bit of charm to the story. So, grab your cuppa and settle down for a smashing read.
I enjoyed this grumpy meets sunshine romance. It was funny and charming and I enjoyed both main characters sarcastic humor!
I love this series! Great characters in a fascinating setting. Heaps of humour and chemistry. And it was so cool to read about the theatre scene in London, especially as my own new book is about an actor at the Globe.
I loved Act Like It. The romance took it’s time to ignite, but I like that about this story. I loved the hate/indifference that builds into more. Lanie is a great lead character and I like her dynamic with Richard. Richard is a grouch but in an endearing way. He definitely grew on me. I am excited to read more from Lucy Parker.
Excellent patter/dialogue; smart and well-written.
5 STARS!
(1st Read: 12/12/17)
I’m completely and deliriously happy with this book. It’s funny, smart, and romantic with the perfect amount of conflict. Both the H/h were fun characters and engaged in the best banter. This will definitely go on my keeper shelf for future re-reads.
This is one of my favorite romances of all time. Loved the development of the characters and their relationship. Author is now an autobuy for me on the strength of this book.
Love this book! Lucy Parker nails the romance genre with a brooding hero you have to love and a witty, strong female lead. Highly recommend!
When Richard Troy’s temper makes him front page news again, his team wants him to fake a romance with one of his leading ladies, golden girl Lainie Graham. Lainie has had her share of bad press after her most recent romance with another actor was played out in the headlines, so agreeing to “play” leading lady to Richard’s growly leading man, umm no way! When his team offers to make a donation to her favorite charity she shrugs off her misgivings and gives in, then is surprised that underneath his surly facade is a not so bad person, and their chemistry catches fire.
Act Like it takes place in London’s West End theater district which is a fun change in scenery for a slow burn romance. There is plenty of great dialog and I really enjoyed Lainie’s sassy personality. She isn’t the pushover either Richard or I were expecting! When he gives her a tough time she gives it right back and he comes to respect that he can’t push her around. As the story progresses their chemistry ignites yet it isn’t just their hormones that get involved. They come to actually like each other and I really started to root for them to get past the pretend relationship and get down to the real thing.
This could easily have played out like a cheesy Hallmark Channel romance movie, and I’m not really sure why it didn’t strike that chord with me. Maybe it was their fun dialog, the villain to root against in Lainie’s previous boyfriend (who is also a star in their play), or Richard’s lone wolf persona. I do really like that Alpha male attitude! This one hit all of my triggers and I just really enjoyed it while I was reading it. It’s a simple as that! So, if you are looking for a fun romance with great characters then I recommend you pick up Act Like It. It’s the first in the series and I bet, like me, you’ll immediately pick up the second!
This was my first Lucy Parker read, and I loved it. I love Lanie’s character arch, starting out wounded and full of self-doubts and finding confidence as she becomes the one who can handle Richard’s ego and baggage. Funny, fresh, and full of feeling.
I really love the dialogue in this book. Fantastic chemistry.
I’m feeling a tad sheepish that’s it taken so long to read one of Lucy Parker’s books. I bought ACT LIKE IT ages ago and it’s been sitting in my TBR pile since. The book is set in London – my fave city in the world. The main characters are theatre actors – and I love live theatre. So what was I waiting for? The ol’ grey matter must have been on the blink because this proved to be such a satisfying read.
Lainie Graham is a great character. She’s level-headed, a tad snarky, is quick witted and she has no illusions when it comes to Richard Troy, her infamous co-star. Richard’s personality is somewhat of the toffee-nosed variety but that’s as much to keep a distance between himself and others as it is a result of his privileged yet sorrowful upbringing.
Together, these two are just so good! The dialogue is excellent, the banter is exceptional, and the humour frequent. The conflicts between them feel true-to-life; they experience some intense situations and their reactions always feel true to the character. The chemistry between them is delightful and I loved how they came together and came to care about each other.
I highly recommend ACT LIKE IT and I’ll definitely be reading other books in the author’s London Celebrities series.
Stellar debut. Lucy Parker’s voice and storytelling talent will have me looking for more. I laughed at some of the younger reviewers comments that it was slow to start, a slow burn or that they’d like more heat. I think it’s perfect the way it is. This is a real, believable relationship between two fully developed, clever, witty and charming characters. Even the arrogant grouchy Richard is more true to life than so many of the cardboard macho fictitious alpha Heroes we often read about in so much of the edgy NA romance these days. I loved how the pair slowly discovered each other. And instead of blatant erotica, the million small looks and intimate, hungry, possessive touches conveyed true love and desire in a much more realistic and believable way, building real sexual tension and propelling the story forward. Perhaps some readers prefer wild fantasy fulfillment but I’d rather read Lucy Parker’s sensitive rendering of a blossoming romantic love any day.
4,5 stars
‘Act like it’ is the debut book from Lucy Parker and after reading and loving it, I’m so looking forward to her next book that will also take place in the West End world .
If there is one thing Richard Troy isn’t, it is a nice person. He may be hot and good-looking but his personality doesn’t make him very popular. Being a famous actor in the West End in London means that everything you do on and off the stage is news for the magazines and newspapers but nowadays with the internet, you have to be extra careful because now everyone is watching you and everything can be shared within 5 seconds after it happened! And unfortunately, the journalists don’t always have all the facts when they write a story, so after the last ‘bad’ story, Richard’s agent Lynette, the Metronome’s PR manager and the stage manager of Metronome (Metronome is the theatre where Richard is playing now) have come up with a plan to improve Richard’s not so good reputation. And the one thing that the public really love reading about is…….love! So they came up with the plan to fake a love affair between Richard and his castmate Elaine Graham. Eliane or Lainie like everyone calls her, has a really good reputation and is known for her friendliness and her involvement with many charities. And the publicity would also be good for the Metronome. In their eyes it’s a win-win situation. But both Lainie and Richard aren’t so sure about this plan! But after a conversation they both agree with it, each for their own reasons.
At first it doesn’t go well but the more they get to know each other, the closer Richard and Lainie become. It isn’t always easy because everyone is watching them and guessing about their relationship and then you have Lainie’s ex-boyfriend Will who’s also an actor in their play and who Lainie has to kiss every day during their play. But just when they both think that there’s something more in this ‘fake’ relationship, something bad happens that makes Richard doubt Lainie and his feelings. But Lainie has no intention to let Richard walk away from her or their feelings. Their love affair may have started as a publicity stunt but along the way it became so much more. She will fight for him and for their love. She only hopes that Richard will give her a chance to prove her love to him.
I had heard many great things about this book before I read it and after reading it I must agree with all the other readers. ‘Act like it’ is a fun read. For a debut book, it was really good writing, I only found the beginning of the book a bit confusing. As a reader you are introduced to a lot of new characters in a short amount of time. But the moment I knew who everyone was, I really got into the story and I just loved it. Lainie was a really lovely character, she was nice but she didn’t let people walk all over her. The relationship between Lainie and Richard is slowly built and I really liked that. Through the story you get to know Richard better and you can understand why he is, who he is. I like the fact that the story takes place in the West End, it’s a nice difference from the Hollywood scene.
The story is told from both POV’s, there’s no cheating and it’s just a fun and lovely story.