In the land of Hollywood, bright lights cover lies, truths hide in shadows, and the lives of the rich and famous are illusions created by smoke and mirrors.
When costume designer Josie Bane first lays eyes on Anders Ellis, she hates him instantly. Conceited and arrogant, he’s the epitome of a Hollywood playboy. So it’s much to Josie’s dismay when he becomes the star of her sexual fantasies.
… fantasies.
Never expecting to see him again, she gives in to her desires for a night she’ll never forget. However, Josie soon learns that life is full of surprises. When their paths cross again, sparks fly. With three little words, Anders changes everything.
He’s after one thing.
She refuses to give it to him… again.
When Josie realizes she’s falling for a man that will never let her in but refuses to let her go, she must decide if the risk is worth the reward.
With a relationship shrouded in secrets and outside forces poised to tear them apart, did they ever stand a chance? Before the smoke clears and the curtain falls, Josie and Anders must distinguish between what’s fact and what’s fiction in a place where the truth is never black and white.
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* A review copy was provided by the author *
This book was brought to my attention by a beta reader for the book who couldn’t stop raving about this debut novel. I have to say I was intrigued because I’m a sucker for that movie/rock star type storyline. This was a movie star story but it was still unique and entertaining. For being a debut novel I was truly impressed with how well written this book was. She created characters who were captivating and entertaining. The banter between Anders and Josie had me smiling quite a bit.
This story had a little bit of everything in it. It had drama, angst, lies, secrets, betrayals, sex, humor and romance. This was definitely a roller coaster for my emotions. I was all over the place. I went from laughing one minute to yelling and cursing the next, but then we found out about Anders past and I had tears in my eyes. I love when a book can tap into all my emotions. To me that is what makes a book a 5 star read!!!
I have seen in other reviews that people considered Anders an a$$hole…I would tend to agree but he wasn’t an obnoxious one. Yes he said things that he probably shouldn’t have to Josie, but she wasn’t a push over. Josie gave as good as she got. I thought her and Anders were the perfect match and I loved watching these two break down their walls and let each other in.
“I’m not an a$$hole, Ivy. People just can’t handle that I make no apologies for who I am. What you see is what you get”…. Anders
This biggest problem these two characters had was a communication problem and a lack of trust. A lot of their problems could’ve been solved if they would’ve just sat down and talked some things out before jumping the gun and leaving. My only real negative of the book was I wish we would’ve gotten an epilogue. I know this book was really long, but I wish she would’ve finished their story a little more. I would’ve liked to see where these characters were a couple years down the line. Even with saying that, this book was still extremely enjoyable for me and I am not a huge fan of a lot of angst and drama in a book.
I would definitely say that this book is MUST READ book. If you love a movie star storyline with a cocky and arrogant Hero and a heroine who can hold her own, that is filled with lust, drama and angst….then this is the book for you. It is on the longer side of books but once you get into it, I had a hard time putting it down and the pages just flew by. I am looking forward to reading more books by Olivia Evans in the future.
Anders Ellis is a Hollywood bad boy, box office hit, playboy, and all around ass hole. He is conceited and never does anything unless it benefits him. After being burned in the past it is his way or no way. He has a strict “no repeats” policy when it comes to women. There is so many lined up for him that this is not a problem for him. Anders fucks up more than he does right and he is probably the worst choice you could make for a boyfriend. This is why I love him. He is who he is. I love men like that.
“I love a good challenge.”
“You’re an asshole.” He nodded.
“I’ve never denied that, but it doesn’t change the fact that you want me as much as I want you.”
Josie Bane is a costume designer and works on a couple of the movies that Ander does. After the first one she works on with him, one where she avoided him at all costs, she knows his one time only policy. Josie approaches him at wrap party and gets her time with him. She knows she will never see him again so its a win win for her.
“It was inevitable-they would never last. He didn’t believe in fairytales or happily ever after. Life sucked and people were assholes. Everything came at a price. He wondered what price he would pay for keeping her around.”
When they run into each other on the second movie, he doesn’t remember her. What started out as Anders pursuing her because she wanted nothing to do with him, turned into him just wanting to be around her. They argued a lot, she challenged him at every turn, but for whatever reason he wanted her around. They seemed like the worst possible match for each other but yet they were so perfect for each other.
“Since the day she crashed back into his life, she had more control than he ever wanted to acknowledge. And as much as he hated to admit it- as much as he wanted to tell her to go to hell- he wanted her to come back.”
One of the things I think Olivia nailed in this book is that Anders stayed true to himself throughout the whole book. He was who he was yet he was able to evolve. He didn’t do the 180 and become someone completely different. For that alone, I loved this book.
“Don’t think just because I am begging you for your forgiveness and another chance that I’m going to act like a pussy and let you walk all over me. I’m still a man.”
*standing ovation from me*
This book is a stand alone. It is refreshing to get a whole story in one book. A looooong book at that. My book loving heart fell in love with that. A full, complete, non rushed story in one book. This is Olivia’s first published story. I think she has a great future ahead of her. I loved this book. It was one I couldn’t put down. When I had to it wasn’t for long. I finished it at 2:30 this morning because I was so wrapped up in the story I NEEDED to finish it. The writing is great, the story flow is perfect, the characters are able to make you feel what they are feeling. READ THIS. NOW. Olivia has made it to my list of authors that I will automatically buy from, no synopsis needed.
It doesn’t happen very often that you open a new book by an author you’ve never read before and you find magic. That’s exactly what is was like when I first read Hollywood & Vine. I was instantly pulled into the story within the first few pages. The thing I noticed right away was the author’s writing style. Hollywood & Vine is written in the third person pov which the majority of romance novels are not. This is my favorite pov when reading so I was already excited about that.
Olivia has some of the best dialogue I have ever read. It is so well written and realistic you can pretty much see the scenes playing out before you. This book has wonderful character development, sharp, witty banter, sizzling bedroom scenes and just the right amount of angst to pull it all together.
Anders is one of those guys that you will love to hate while Josie is a strong independent woman, who guards her heart with all she has and together you will be rooting for them to somehow make it all work.
I honestly cannot say enough good things about this book or it’s author. My only regret was not reading it sooner.
Angsty, Adorable, Frustrating, Funny…just a few things I felt while reading this book. This is my first Olivia Evans book and it wont be my last. Easy writing style had me loving how she transitioned characters and scenes. The heat coming from Anders and Josie relationship was HOT!!! I loved their banter.