Author Laura Wood’s debut, Let’s Make a Scene, introduces a new favorite love story to look out for in the realm of romance. Wood creates a wonderfully vivid world that dives into debut actresses and broody actors in this glamorous novel. It follows a new actress dealing with the ups and downs of the media while shooting a movie with the man she despises after avoiding him for 13 years. To make matters worse, she also has to fake a relationship with him! This sweet and savory novel delivers laughter and tears from cover to cover. The book debuted on July 1, so here’s all you need to know before picking it up!
Synopsis
Cynthie Taylor has always dreamed of becoming an actress, so when she gets a callback for a small Regency-era English movie, she is ecstatic — and also absolutely terrified. When she meets her co-star, Jack Jones-Turner, the son of a famous actress and actor, things take a not-so-lovely turn after she hears him trying to get her fired from the movie for being inexperienced.
Thirteen years later, Cynthie is caught up in a scandal with a married man and desperately needs something to save her English Rose image. Then, her agent tells her they want to do a reboot of the movie that launched her career. Of course, this would save her, but she is now faced with confronting her hunk of a nemesis who hurt her all those years ago. Oh, and to add even more icing to the cake, her manager wants her to fake a relationship with him. What could possibly go wrong?
A Memorable and Motivational Heroine
Cynthie had come in, crackling with an energy that left me feeling like I’d been struck by lightning. Or hit by a truck.
Laura Wood, Let’s Make a Scene
Cynthie has one goal: to become a respected and remembered actress. Unfortunately, due to her ongoing affair with a cheating liar who told her he was leaving his wife, the media has clawed its talons into her and is tearing her apart. Reading about the choices Cynthie is faced with and the things she’s endured was both engaging and inspiring. While she was a motivational heroine and never gave up, she also learned to balance her needs and emotions. She did what she needed to do to overcome her hardships and learned that life and love are not like the movies.
A Rousing Journey of Self-Development
‘And I won’t be satisfied until you’re on your knees begging me to stop.’
Laura Wood, Let’s Make a Scene
Nepo baby Jack Turner-Jones has had pressure on his shoulders since he was a child. Being the son of a famous actress and actor comes at a cost. After being overheard disparaging rookie actress Cynthie Taylor, he knows he’s messed up, and that mess-up leads to a 13-year-long feud. Since the start of his prank war with Cynthie, Jack can’t seem to shake her from his thoughts. The character development Jack earns is the best part of the book. He goes from a grade-A jerk to a sweetheart who communicates to the best of his ability. He learns that by breaking free of his family’s judgmental eye, he can be what they never could: happy. Jack quickly became one of my new favorite book boyfriends!
A Hilarious Movie-Star Romance
Things can hardly get worse. Why not throw a fake relationship with my nemesis into the mix?
Laura Wood, Let’s Make a Scene
With their prank wars and witty comments, the main characters of this book take the cake in banter and hold onto their identities doing so. Their individual personalities shine bright when they are bickering like an old married couple, and even better, they bring it out of each other. With so many unspoken words, Cynthie and Jack inspire humor and laughter in each other.
There was little to nothing I didn’t enjoy about this book. It was well-thought-out, written to its full potential, and added the perfect sense of found family that I absolutely adored. Let’s Make a Scene brought tears of laughter to my eyes, and I couldn’t stop talking about it. I’m extremely thankful I got to review it!
Final Thoughts
Let’s Make a Scene was such a wild ride that I simply had to hop on board. The complexity of Cynthie and Jack regarding mental health and standing up for injustices toward women in media had me captivated. Not to mention their 13-year-long love story that kept getting juicer and spicier as it unfolded. Laura Wood knocked it out of the park with this novel. It’s one you won’t want to miss!
If you love Laura Wood, you’ll also love:
- For the Record by Emma Lord
- Chance of Heart by Fallon Ballard
- The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson
Kyla’s Dream Cast
Now, this book isn’t a movie, but if it were, I think I’ve found the perfect main character castings. I hope you agree!
Emily Ratajkowski as Cynthie Taylor
From her stunning looks to her feisty aura, Emily is a perfect fit for this role! I can’t think of a better person to portray the lovely Cynthie Taylor.
Kit Harington as Jack Turner-Jones
Kit Harington is a dead ringer for Jack Turner-Jones. As long as his hair is long and luscious and he has a suit on, it’s almost like Jack stepped out of the pages!
Final Score: 4/5
Spice Level: 3/5
If you want to add Let’s Make a Scene to your TBR, you can order it on Bookshop, Amazon, Books-A-Million, and Barnes & Noble! Thank you to Simon & Schuster for gifting us an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For more starred reviews, click here!
To browse more books like this, check out Bookstr’s Love is in the Air: Contemporary Romance shelf on Bookshop!
