The story unfolds through the dual perspectives of Harley and Rachael which makes it especially engaging. I enjoyed how each character’s viewpoint added layers to the story and helped reveal the complicated nature of their relationship.

Harley is a young actress desperate for fame who sees her estranged aunt Rachael a reclusive former Hollywood star as her ticket to success. When Harley gets the chance to play Rachael in a biopic she is determined to seize it even if it means bending the truth. Rachael’s chapters take us back to her own rise and fall in the film industry exposing the darker side of celebrity and the cost of ambition. The dual timeline works well and I found myself invested in both women’s journeys and flaws.

The writing is compelling and the audiobook narration brings out the tension and emotion between the characters. The story explores themes of nepotism toxic relationships and the price of fame without shying away from the messiness of family ties. Both Harley and Rachael are complex and not always likeable but that only made the story feel more real.

Overall Born For This is a thought provoking and well crafted novel that kept me hooked from start to finish. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories about ambition, secrets and the realities behind the glamour. For me this was a solid four-star book

3.5 stars

Right from the start, we get what sounds like an interview with one of our main characters, Harley. Then it shifts into her narrating and talking directly to us about herself. But don’t worry about trying to follow either of those, because we never really circle back.

I listened to the audiobook, and both narrators did a great job. They nailed the tone of these wealthy London women—or at least how I imagine they’d sound.

Harley is in her twenties, rich, and hoping to become an actress, but she’s determined to make it on her own instead of riding her family’s coattails. Then there’s Rachel, Harley’s estranged aunt and a very famous actress.

Without giving too much away, Harley decides to meet her aunt for the first time because someone she knows wants to make a movie about her. The story flips between perspectives and timelines. It’s a long book, but I didn’t mind that. It kept me entertained throughout, even if I found all of the characters pretty unlikable.

My biggest issue was the ending. Rachel’s story wraps up, but Harley’s feels unfinished. Remember that opening interview? Probably not at this point, which is fine because it’s never addressed again.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, didn’t see the twist coming, and thought it was a solid read, but revisiting the beginning at the end would’ve made the whole thing feel more complete.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing, and Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

I was really excited for this one, but honestly, it just didn’t meet any of my expectations. It was very predictable, and I just really needed MORE from this.

3.75 stars
Thank you Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for this audiobook ALC. I have followed Caitlin on TikTok prior to this book’s publication, but does not affect the honesty in this review.

Harley wants acting acclaim but does she have what it takes to claim it for herself and at what cost? Caitlin Devlin explores nepotism in this new adult fiction set in the limelight of Hollywood.

To start, I enjoyed the narration from Fiona Hardingham and Candice Moll respectively. They do speak at two different paces, so I did slow the narration down for Rachel’s chapters.

The story and pacing felt adequate and kept my attention from beginning to end. I did proportionally prefer Rachel’s POV versus Harley, as did not like her as a character. I just didn’t feel too much growth aside from the very tail end I think. In general, none of these characters appealed to me aside from Rachel and Adam. They just all felt too shallow—in character and development—when they popped in and out, but maybe that’s the point to a degree.
The conversation of nepotism is discussed fairly enough as show and also told/monologued by the characters. I did somewhat wish that the Rachel’s flashback journal entries aligned a smidge closer to when Harley’s chapters discussed them as I sometimes felt the delay.

Writing style was alright and flowed fine. It read in more in a young adult tone—in actual years versus publishing category—given the characters age. Fourth wall breaking narration style didn’t grab me and sometimes I felt like I was being told too repetitively that [insert actions] were done by the rich. Historically, as some other reviewers pointed out, there are inaccuracies of when certain pop culture and technology were introduced.

A fun quick read!

Tried LemonyReads Rating System for the first time:
Characters/Depth/Growth - 6
Atmosphere - 8
World Building/Historical Accuracy - 6
Writing Style - 7
Pacing - 7
Plot / Conflict - 8
Dialogue - 6
Intrigue/Creativity - 7
Romance/Relationships - 6
Enjoyment - 6
Total: 67 - 6.7 - 3.75 stars

3.75 stars

This pulpy novel was a quick little listen that I flew through in the car. It concerns a nepo baby actress in the modern day and her 90s actress aunt. The younger relative wants to make a movie about some controversies in her aunt's life and to play the aunt. The aunt's story is told through flashbacks, there are lots of twists, partying and outfits, as well as some darkness and deception. I've seen it categorized as a thriller and it super isn't. But it's great for what it is, I had such a nice time listening and would recommend it for any gossip lovers looking for something fun and light!

Loved it on audio--the one nit is that I didn't think the voices of the two narrators who played the characters were as different as I would have preferred.

Thank you to Brilliance Audio for an advance listening copy of this book for an unbiased review.

I wanted to love this book, especially since I’d heard it was perfect for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and I loved the vibes of that.

I will say that I appreciate that the plot aimed for something more nuanced. That said, the execution didn’t quite land for me, and I wondered if the simpler route might have been more satisfying.

What ultimately held me back from fully connecting with the story was how unlikable, and at times bratty, racist and privileged, the characters came across. It got to the point where I nearly DNFed the book. Still, I suspect this was an intentional choice by the author to reflect certain dynamics, even if it made it harder for me to stay emotionally invested.

I listened to it as an audiobook and truly enjoyed that experience. The narrators brought Harley and Rachael to life beautifully, adding emotional depth through their tone, pacing, and clear distinction between the characters. It elevated the story. I also really enjoyed the storytelling. I found it to be really well written.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Born for This
By Caitlin Devlin
Narrated by Fiona Hardingham and Candice Moll

Published Feb 11,2025

I really wanted to love this book because the description was so good but something just made it a struggle for me to finish listening to. There was something about a few of the characters that I could not stand. There were some discrepancies in dates and things that the dates didn’t match up to the things the characters were talking about, like watching Friends in 1991 and checking emails in 1988. I feel that if these were better fact checked it could have been better. There was a lot of talk about nepotism in the acting industry. I almost DNF this but I had to follow it to the end just to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was fine. I enjoyed the parts with Rachel, and finding out more of her story. Harley got on my nerves but it was probably pretty accurate to how Hollywood and those type of families would act or be.

The writing was really good, and the back and forth and dynamics were good as well.

Oh and Greg is terrible, and a predator.

If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a famous actor, Born For This might make you pause and reconsider. This stunning and thought-provoking novel tells the story of Harley Carmichael-Roth, a young woman born into privilege but still chasing the one thing that’s eluded her—a successful acting career. When she’s cast to play her estranged, Oscar-nominated aunt Rachael Carmichael in a biopic, Harley finds herself stepping into far more than just a role.

This was my first read by Caitlin Devlin, and I was instantly drawn in by the dual timeline and dual POV narrative structure. It’s the kind of storytelling that pulls you in gradually, revealing truths layer by layer. As Harley gets to know the aunt she’s never met, what starts out as a golden opportunity soon becomes a tangled web of secrets, painful family history, and the darker side of fame.

Devlin doesn’t shy away from portraying the movie industry’s glitz and glamour, but also its toxicity, moral compromises, and the emotional cost of chasing celebrity. Both Harley and Rachael are deeply flawed—ambitious, self-absorbed, and at times unlikeable—but their complexity is what makes their stories feel so real.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook, performed brilliantly by Fiona Hardingham and Candice Moll. Their voices brought Harley and Rachael to life in a way that enhanced the story’s emotional depth. The pacing, tone, and distinction between the two characters were spot-on. If you’re an audiobook fan, this one’s well worth adding to your list.

Final Thoughts:

Born For This is a compelling look at fame, family, and the price we pay for chasing dreams. It’s addictive, emotional, and laced with just the right amount of mystery.

I received an ARC of this audiobook from the publisher but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

To be honest, I really wanted to enjoy this more.
It started off well and the characters were unlikeable but intriguing.
A book with two timelines, I definitely enjoyed one more than the other.

The conversation around nepotism in the acting industry was peppered throughout and gave good insight to both sides.

However, I found my attention waning past the half way mark.

I will congratulate it on not going for the easy twist and the direction I thought it was heading in! However the execution left it lacking for me and I almost wish it had gone the easier route.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.
3/5 ⭐️

Loved this book! It gave vibes like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo but was still very much its own story. It kept me gripped the entire time and I did NOT expect that ending!! When I think back to this book, I wish I could read it for the first time all over again.

Born For This is a story of an aspiring actress Harley. Her aunt happens to be a famous actress but they are estranged. She doesn't know why. When an opportunity comes about for a movie about her aunt, Harley reaches out to her aunt and over time, learns more about her and hard show biz lessons. And is her aunt really her mom?!?!

Born This Way by Caitlin Devlin is a family drama, coming of age women's fiction that easily grabbed my attention and because I'm nosey I just couldn't get enough.

Fiona Hardingham and Candice Moll do a fantastic job of narrating this book. Both voices are easy to identify which is Harley and which is Rachael. Both voice actresses add the perfect voice to the character and add to the captivation of the story.

If you like wealthy, bratty, messy women with a smidge of suspense this is the perfect novel for you. I ate it up and loved every second of it.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to arc this audiobook.

Loved the narrators! Harley plans on gently manipulating her famous aunt Rachel to get herself a starring role in her biopic. The book explores the journeys to fame of both women and the family dynamics that join them. While Harley comes from money and connection, her aunt Rachel had a more independent rise to fame and their different backgrounds mirror the divide in the two sides of their family tree. It was a pretty standard Hollywood story featuring betrayal, love affairs, trickery, and art but this felt so long and despite all the exposition, the betrayal at the end didn't feel very significant or surprising.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Born for This by Caitlin Devlin (Narrated by Fiona Hardingham & Candice Moll) was a fast read about a famous aunt (Rachael) and her wants-to-be-famous niece (Harley), whom she’s never met. The story alternates between their POVs and two timelines (Rachael from her diary as she’s becoming famous and Harley from present day).

I have to say I thought I knew just where the story was going and was enjoying it and then there were some unexpected moments that made the entire book stronger and even more interesting. There are some themes (eg nepotism, the ugly side of film) but it’s not an “issues” book.

The narrators were excellent and made the listening experience that much more enjoyable for me. Strongly recommend.

3.5/5. I enjoyed the audiobook of this story. Rachel's parts were interesting. Her dynamic with her sister made this fictional celebrity story stand out from the countless comps I have been reading recently. Harley's storyline was less interesting, but one thing I really appreciated was that other characters would call Harley out when she was in the wrong.