It Only Happens in the Movies

It Only Happens in the Movies is a refreshing romance.

Audrey is going through some stuff and is very disillusioned with love, especially Hollywood's portrayal. Her commentary on different tropes in romance movies was beautiful and highlighted the differences and similarities in Audrey's own romance. (I loved the scene where she lectured Harry for telling her she's “not like other girls”)

Audrey's growth throughout the book was terrific. She's trying to handle the fallout from her parents' divorce, she feels humiliated by how her relationship ended, and she's depressed. She's drawn into herself. She starts to find her confidence and joy in the thing she loves again: acting. The Girls, as Audrey refers to her friends, were wonderful. Instead of being a source of conflict, they support her and are still there for her – I thought it was a great depiction of friendship.

It Only Happens in the Movies is honest, funny, sad, and heartwarming all at the same time. I couldn't put it down. I'll definitely be checking out the author's other books!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was ready to give the book 1 star and rage quit when it seemed like Audrey was going to give Harry another chance. Especially after seeing how her father leaving completely wrecked her mother. I'm glad I finished and had a huge smile when Audrey picked herself and realized she deserved much better. I really enjoyed the book ending with road trip to Wales with her mother. Showed her mother is slowly healing after her terrible ex. Her father is the worst...

This was very different from what I expected. I expected a regular trashy romance but what I actually got was some kind of teeny romance...I wrote quite a bit more, originally, but decided not to elaborate because I'd very likely do this book an injustice. 14-year-old me probably would have liked this. Thirty-one years later, I simply found a book I'm too old for. Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram

This was not the sweet fluffy romance I was expecting. There's a lot more heavy stuff here, especially Audrey's mother being recently divorced and suffering from extreme depression. Our hero, Harry, is charming but flawed. Ultimately it's a pretty good book, well-written, but not what I expected from the cover & blurb.