Like They Do in the Movies captures the essence of a classic slow-burn romance set in the glamorous yet demanding world of celebrity life. The dynamics between Fran, a celebrity gossip writer turned personal assistant, and Chelsea, the famous actress, form the heart of the story. I went in expecting a plot revolving around Fran using her access to post awful things about Chelsea, but I was so glad this wasn't the case. Fran becomes super protective of Chelsea quickly and their connection feels authentic from the beginning.

I enjoyed the witty banter between Chelsea and Fran, as it provided both humour and depth. While some plot twists felt predictable, the narrative surprises with moments of genuine emotion and complexity. I liked the way the story navigates the perils of secrets and dishonesty, as Fran's initial portrayal evolved beautifully and showed a softer, more relatable side as she gets to know Chelsea.

Chelsea's character shines throughout, bridging the gap between her celebrity status and the audience's ability to relate to her. As a fan of the rom-com movie genre, I loved the inclusion of classic movie references - it added a nostalgic charm that complemented the romance.

For me, the latter part of the book is where this novel hit its stride. I loved the shift from Fran as Chelsea's PA to Fran as Chelsea's colleague - they were able to interact as equals and begin to build an honest relationship. Campbell's decision to allow time for healing and forgiveness adds a depth to the story that fans of celebrity romances will find both smart and satisfying. It's the delicious slow burn and the development towards an equal partnership that make this novel a captivating read.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

This one had all of the makings of a fantastic sapphic story. As epic as the sapphic movie in the novel.

It didn’t completely resonate with me. But I wouldn’t be opposed to reading more from this author in the future.

This book is about an aspiring writer who is also a journalist for a vicious gossip cite and a movie star
At the beginning I thought it was going to be an enemies-to-lovers kinda thing, and I wasn't trilled bc that trope I feel doesn't work in contemporary fiction, the relationship between Fran and Chelsea evolves really good, they get to know each other via the work Fran is doing with Chelsea, and I think the fact that us as readers get to know Chelsea trough Fran helps us connect with their bond and their relationship, even the conflict make sense, for a bit, the time it took to fix it was a little too long for my taste, in conclusion I enjoyed the book, I thing is one of the best wlw that I have read, the pacing is great, you don't get bored with the plot, I highly recommend, it made me giggle and kick my feet at the same time HAHAHA

I love when a good book feels long. When you binge a book in day, and too long into the night, and it feels like you’ve lived a year in just 288 pages. I have read all Nan Campbell’s books, and something I appreciate is the moments feel long even though the pacing is fast.

In Like They Do in the Movies Fran Underhill’s screenwriting career is floundering, well it never really got off the ground, a talented romcom writer who refuses to change her characters genders isn’t making producers or her agent happy. With her taste of Hollywood turned sour she turns to her side, main, hustle anonymous gossip writer for a trashy celebrity site and she has a plan. Become a PA for a celebrity, figure out what makes them suck, take them down, and advance her career. Too bad Chelsea Cartwright is nothing like the celebs she’s written about.

This is not an instalove story, mutual appreciation sure, but both women have their guards up due to current circumstances and it leads to a relationship steadily built on loyalty and wanting the other person to succeed. Inevitably it is also what makes the angst hit so much harder when the relationship fractures.

There were so many quotes I wanted to pull for this book, but they all felt like I was giving too much away. What i’ll say is while I love angst, and a “break up” (It’s my bookish red flag) it has to be done well, and this book does it well. Allowing the tension time to breath and settle, before mending the breaks.

Sidenote: Are we maybe getting a series? This book had too many single Queer girls not to.

Fran enjoys writing. Screenplays in fact. Only Hollywood isn't too keen on producing the ones she writes. Well, they do but with some details changed. Details she is not willing to let go. So she also writes for some shady gossip website about celebs. They enjoy any publicity right?!

Due to some circumstances Fran finds herself as Chelsea's PA. Chelsea is a big moviestar with an Oscar to her name but lately has been playing the wife mostly in her movies. Fran feels like there might be juicy stuff she can use for her shady side job and up her earnings a bit. She did not consider that Chelsea might actually be a kind human being.

I love how we see the attraction and yearning from both of these MC's. They have great dialogue and the writer is smart about how they are put in different situations that put them and their feelings to the test. Definitely a cute romance.

An ARC was provided to me via Netgalley in return of an honest review.

Sapphic movies aren’t as easy to sell as the “classic” romcom, even if they aren’t nearly as overdone. When LA doesn’t seem to care though, and Fran’s spent the last 8 years trying, it’s time to try to dig up some celebrity dirt by becoming their personal assistant. Not for no reason. She has to pay the bills somehow, and celebrity gossip can raise a lot more interest if there’s drama, and Chelsea is that lucky celebrity.
This is a witty sapphic rom com style romance, with wonderful character development and plot pacing. I would absolutely read it again and recommend it!

Setting: California
Rep: bisexual & lesbian protagonists

I'm a sucker for age gap sapphic romance and the fame trope, so this was a great book for me! 30-year-old Fran is a down-on-her-luck screenwriter who ends up as an assistant to Chelsea, 41-year-old actress and divorced mother of two and former Hollywood favourite. There's pining and repression of feelings and it was a great read!

I wish all authors in the lesbian romance genre would read this book. I'd like to tell them, this is how it's done! This book grabbed me from the beginning and the story just got better and better. The angst had me tied up in knots and I just kept reading, hoping for that happy ending.

Extremely well done overall. The character development was top-notch. I got to know each character and thanks to the author, had a basic visual of them. Unlike with some other books, I didn't find myself rolling my eyes at any of the dialogue or the characters' actions.

This is going on my "to be read again" list and I'll be reading this author's other books. Thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes for helping me discover this gem!

I’ve come to rely on Nan Campbell to deliver thoroughly entertaining stories with substance. I enjoyed reading this book very much, and would probably have read it in one sitting if life hadn’t got in the way.

Secrets that threaten to come out and ruin everything are usually very uncomfortable for me, especially when they’re about a character misrepresenting themselves, or hiding part of themselves, but Campbell writes it in a way that made the unpleasantness take a backseat, in huge part because I came to like the characters so much. Which was not a given, as the first word I wrote in my notes concerning Fran was that she was obnoxious. That’s probably my main criticism about this book, that Fran seems to have undergone a personality change in a few pages that, while welcome, happens too quickly to count as character growth. It made rooting for her a lot easier, however, and I chalked up her arrogance at the beginning to frustration with her life and bitterness that disappeared as she got to know Chelsea and see beyond the movie star.

Chelsea on the other hand is lovely from the very beginning, which doesn’t mean the character doesn’t have flaws. One of the things I love about celebrity romances is when I feel like I can relate to someone whose life couldn’t be more different from mine. The “they’re people, just like us” factor. Chelsea may be a movie star, she may be rich and famous, she’s still struggling with her job, her ex, her kids.

If you enjoy romcoms and old movies—there are mentions of quite a few of my favourites—give this book a chance. It’s sweet and funny, with some unexpected twists and some more predictable ones that make it both exciting and familiar. I can see it become a comfort read over the years.

I enjoyed the dialogue in this book. Right from the start the interaction between the flatmates is fun and engaging. The story continues to be sassy and sharp as the two leads meet. A good Hollywood romance. I always think a romance works when you are rooting for them. For once I would have preferred more from the kids, who were important to the plot, but didn’t say much. Overall, I would say this is a good all

Unfortunately for me the description hooked me more than the actual story itself. It was a DNF for me

Like they do in the Movies is a fantastic and swoon-worthy novel. I love celebrity romances... I love them even more when the premise focuses on the disgruntled employee who wants to write dirt (gossip journalism) on the boss but then turns out to fall in love with her.

This book was fantastic in the sense that it took a well worn trope and gave it a little pizzaz. Enough to where I was glued from the first page. I loved to see how Fran's dreams of fame and fortune clashed with the harsh reality of celebrity culture, and Hollywood in general!

Fran is such a genuine character and I found myself totally on her side from the beginning... Yes! Let's take down Hollywood from the inside. If we hurt Chelsea Cartwright, so be it. But Chelsea won my heart by being this genuine and loving character. Their interactions at the beginning of the book were so awkward and yet so sincere! Swoon! That's all I can say.

Furthermore, can we talk about Nan's writing for a second? Campbell's writing style is a breath of fresh air, offering readers a realistic and immersive experience. The characters are well-developed, and the dialogue crackles with wit, adding layers to the narrative. Fran's internal conflict is palpable, and the chemistry between her and Chelsea is electric, setting the stage for a complex and forbidden romance. She captures the reader in a way that literally envelops your senses and makes you forget for a second that you're reading a novel.

The banter between characters, as highlighted by other reviewers, is a standout element, creating moments of humor and tension that keep the pages turning. The book effortlessly balances the allure of celebrity romance with genuine emotional depth, making it a captivating read.

Like They Do in the Movies transcends expectations, delivering a compelling story filled with witty banter, well-developed characters, and a nuanced exploration of the highs and lows of Hollywood. Despite its glamorous backdrop, the novel dives deep into the human experience, making it a standout addition to the genre. Readers beware: once you enter the world of Fran and Chelsea, you won't want to leave.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nan Campbell and Bold Stroke Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for approving this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A thoughtful sapphic celebrity romance with a slow burn and delicious spice.

Frustrated by yet another rejected script and sick of her low-paying job writing celebrity gossip, Fran Underhill decides to try her luck with a PA gig… hoping she’ll be able to dig enough dirt to renegotiate her rates. But she didn’t expect her client to be gorgeous, queerbait teenage crush Chelsea Cartwright, who is just now recovering from a series of betrayals.

I really appreciated that this book was a proper slow burn. One of my biggest romance pet peeves is when we’re halfway through the book and the main characters confess they’ve been in love with each other since the moment they met… and only a few weeks/couple of months have passed. Here, the work relationship spans several months over which we see the characters grow closer as well as their attraction for each other. There’s an even longer period before they actually get together, although with plenty of UST.

I thought Chelsea and Fran were fleshed out nicely, and I enjoyed the way the employer/employee conflict was handled. The falling out between the characters was also believable enough. That said, it was a bit frustrating that Chelsea almost kept toying with Fran when Fran was all in.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to anyone looking for a sapphic take on the celebrity romance trope!

This is my 2nd book from Nan Campbell and i can definitly say after this she is far up on my favorite authors list. Im madly in love with this book, why because it has my favorite troop celebrity meets "normal girl".
Screenplaywriter Fran is in desperate need to finally make it in Hollywood, so far all her plays were reacted or people wanted her to rewrite so much it wouldnt be her again. To make a living she writes for a gosip website and when the chance arise to go "undercover" Fran takes the job as a personal assistant to Chelsea Cartwright.
The Fran works for Chelsea the more she realizes she is not what she always thought about people living in the limelight - at least its not correct when it comes to Chelsea. We get to see a lot of very cute moments between the two mainprotagonist, its interessting as reader because we know what Fran "is up to" and i rooted the whole time for her to come clean but also for them to fall in love.
This story is so very well written, the ups and the downs, little situations, trust and issues both out main character come with and overcome along the way.

The more i read from Nan Campbell ‘s the more i fall in love with her style of writing, the details she put into and that it feels so real and absolutly not flat. I liked the pace of the book. Fran is a charakter that you first love to hate and than totally fall in love with.

Thanks to Nan, the publisher, and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

How much did I love this book? So, so much. To the moon and back. So much.

You know how when you're reading a book and you love it so much that you feel sad knowing you're getting close to the end? That's what happened to me while reading Like They Do in the Movies. I want Chelsea and Fran to be real. I want them to be my friends so I can bask in their love and humor.

Okay, that might be a touch melodramatic but I really did love the characters and the story and, well, every single thing about the book.

Nan Campbell has cemented her spot on my "must read everything she publishes" list. And Like They Do in the Movies has earned its spot on my reread list.

Thanks to BSB and NetGalley for the ARC. And an even bigger thanks to Nan Campbell for writing such a wonderful book.

This is a gorgeous book, the heartbreak is wonderful and honestly made more powerful by the fact that the characters don't get together at all before that moment. The slow rebuilding of trust and a relationship is so well done, this is one of my favorite's of 2023!!

3/5 stars

This was a really sweet and dynamic romance story set in Hollywood. I have a definite soft spot for celebrity romance stories so I feel like I have read many, but this story still felt unique and complex in the way it dealt with being a celebrity. It explored ideas of privacy and power within Hollywood but did so in such a genuine and down-to-earth way. It really did feel like I was reading about two real people navigating a romance amidst the complexity around them.

The first half of this book was definitely the strongest. I absolutely loved the getting to know each other stage of the story where we learnt lots about the characters individually and together. The romance in this story is definitely more slow burn, but the tension and the feelings really build right from the beginning which I loved. With Fran and Chelsea working so close together there was a lot of opportunity for sexual tension to build between them, which it definitely did.

I was much less of a fan of the middle book where the pacing seemed to be completely thrown off. The characters felt separated before they were even really together, which made this part of the book feel very slow and with little payoff. In saying that, I did love the soul searching and individual development of Fran and Chelsea at this stage of the story. Both characters really went for the dreams and had a lot of character development before they came together again under completely different circumstances. I just wish that this part of the book didn’t drag in for as long as it did with so little payoff.

Overall I think this was a super enjoyable read and a really unique take on the Hollywood romance trope. In saying that, I think the romance aspect could have been stronger towards the middle of the novel.

This didn't knock me off my feet but I still enjoyed this celebrity romance. It was cute but there wasn't a whole lot of chemistry. I was more focused on the non-romance subplot.

This is a story about Fran who’s a screenwriter trying to get a script accepted and falls back into a writing celebrity gossip columns. Chelsea Cartwright is a big time movie star with two kids who’s divorced from an alcoholic husband. She needs a PA and Fran gets the job.

I really enjoyed this book and Nan Campbell ‘s writing style, which seems very realistic and fresh. Her characters are well developed and the dialogue is fun.

If you are a celebrity fan, this book fills the bill The supporting characters added to the story and there were several hot scenes too.

ARC received from Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.

I knew when Nan Campbell’s debut novel, The Rules of Forever, was chosen for a Lambda Literary Award, she would be one to watch. Three books later, that theory still holds true. Her talent continues to drive her to the top and make her a fast favorite among sapphic romance readers. Her newest book is a testament to that.

Like They Do in the Movies’s storyline involves an often-used trope—a celebrity falling in love with a non-celebrity. Sapphic romance readers seem to enjoy this trope because it provides a glimpse into the glamorous and often mysterious world of Hollywood. Their themes of fame and fortune provide readers with a place to enjoy the challenges of navigating a relationship that circles the public eye and the media. The interplay between the characters’ public and private personas also supplies built-in conflict for the narrative. This conflict ultimately paves the way to exposing vulnerabilities, increasing the emotional depth of the story. It’s pure escapism, and Campbell understands how to capitalize on it big time, enabling her to deliver something special for her readers.

Like They Do in the Movies is a romance that needs to be savored, though. It’s a slow burn, and Campbell uses the pace effectively, letting the romance between Chelsea and Fran unfold organically. Using time and space, she gradually builds the anticipation, tension, and chemistry. This is smart writing, especially considering the trope. Portraying the relationship in an unhurried manner fosters a deeper connection between the characters, ultimately making the romance feel more authentic. What’s more, it paves the way for reader investment, inviting readers to care about Chelsea and Fran. When the end comes, the resolution resonates in a satisfying and meaningful way.

With the completion of book three, it’s clear that Campbell is a skilled writer. It appears she works hard to hone her craft and make each book better than the last. Her research is strong, and her use of literary devices is on the money. As far as Like They Do in the Movies goes, it’s the secondary characters that nudge readers’ attention. Helen, Petal, and Lorraine subtly stir growth within Chelsea and Fran, making their change appear genuine. When all is said and done, these creative decisions benefit not only the development of the characters but the overall story.

Final remarks…

Like They Do in the Movies is a real treat for fans of celebrity romances. It contains all the necessary elements that make it entertaining—fame, glamour, media intrusion, and undeniable chemistry. This romance resonates; it’s skillfully written, immersive and sure to delight. If you’re a fan of Tinseltown romances, it needs to be on your reading list.

Strengths…

Well-written, compelling narrative
Well-scripted dialogue
Well-constructed, likable characters
Immersive, entertaining story world
Original twist on an old trope
A solid 4.5 book