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Love on the D-List
Actor William Chapman is beyond canceled. He doesn’t remember attacking his handsome co-star, but he does remember waking up in handcuffs.
Now, ten years later, William hopes to mount a comeback and enlists the help of his mother’s hunky dog-sitter, James, who is all too happy to pretend to be William’s stable boyfriend.
William soon learns there’s more to James than swagger and a killer mustache, including a shameful secret. But if William can’t confront the demons of his own past, he stands to lose more than just his dreams for the future. Love is on the line.
Now, ten years later, William hopes to mount a comeback and enlists the help of his mother’s hunky dog-sitter, James, who is all too happy to pretend to be William’s stable boyfriend.
William soon learns there’s more to James than swagger and a killer mustache, including a shameful secret. But if William can’t confront the demons of his own past, he stands to lose more than just his dreams for the future. Love is on the line.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2023
62 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Barker
2 books18 followersJ.R. Barker writes quirky m/m romances with humor, heart, and heat. He graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and a concentration in creative writing. And before you ask, no, every spicy scene is not about thick columns of basalt and volcanos erupting.
J.R. spent twenty years as a classroom teacher, and now he writes full-time from his home in Portland, Oregon. When J.R. is not writing romantic dramedies and dramatic comedies, he hikes with his handsome dog, Orlando, who is a stereotypical chapter one romantic hero—cocky, willful, misunderstood, and, secretly, very sweet.
J.R. spends most of his free time parenting his young son—doing his best to voice every superhero and villain ever invented—but he will, on occasion, put himself out there on the dating scene for “research.”
To find out more about J.R. and join his mailing list. And if you message him on any dating apps, you best have a face picture.
J.R. spent twenty years as a classroom teacher, and now he writes full-time from his home in Portland, Oregon. When J.R. is not writing romantic dramedies and dramatic comedies, he hikes with his handsome dog, Orlando, who is a stereotypical chapter one romantic hero—cocky, willful, misunderstood, and, secretly, very sweet.
J.R. spends most of his free time parenting his young son—doing his best to voice every superhero and villain ever invented—but he will, on occasion, put himself out there on the dating scene for “research.”
To find out more about J.R. and join his mailing list. And if you message him on any dating apps, you best have a face picture.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
April 2, 2023
Love on the D-List is such a rollercoaster of a book. I genuinely loved it and I think that readers are going to love this story. One of the first things to note about this story is its slow burn. I was waiting and waiting and waiting..... However, the payoff is so worth it. This story was real and it felt so fleshed out and juicy.
Will is a reformed movie star. The son of a prominent actor, Will is much as you imagine, lost and a little aimless after a scandal previously in his life. James, our other protagonist, is a man of many trades (master of none). These two find themselves in a fake dating situation in order to present a more unified front to the media and the rest is as you say - love at first fight. I would highly recommend this story to any friends that love queer romance and those that enjoy a good fake dating trope. This is the first book that I have read by JR Barker but it definitely won't be my last!
Spicy Rating - 4/5
Will is a reformed movie star. The son of a prominent actor, Will is much as you imagine, lost and a little aimless after a scandal previously in his life. James, our other protagonist, is a man of many trades (master of none). These two find themselves in a fake dating situation in order to present a more unified front to the media and the rest is as you say - love at first fight. I would highly recommend this story to any friends that love queer romance and those that enjoy a good fake dating trope. This is the first book that I have read by JR Barker but it definitely won't be my last!
Spicy Rating - 4/5
October 19, 2023
Emotional and laugh-out-loud funny
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that can make my heart flutter in one scene, have a smoking, hot, sex scene, and then have me laughing out loud in the next.
Will and James’s story isn’t just another celebrity romance. It’s not just a story of redemption. It’s not just a story of a kid with famous parents trying to charge his own way in life. This is a book about overcoming the largest of obstacles, finding light in the dark, And learning to trust others when they tell you, you’re worthy.
J. R. Barker Has written a story that sometimes dark, sometimes hilarious, and always true to the characters. This is definitely a five star story.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that can make my heart flutter in one scene, have a smoking, hot, sex scene, and then have me laughing out loud in the next.
Will and James’s story isn’t just another celebrity romance. It’s not just a story of redemption. It’s not just a story of a kid with famous parents trying to charge his own way in life. This is a book about overcoming the largest of obstacles, finding light in the dark, And learning to trust others when they tell you, you’re worthy.
J. R. Barker Has written a story that sometimes dark, sometimes hilarious, and always true to the characters. This is definitely a five star story.
September 29, 2023
This book was the full banana and I loved it. The start was a little slow, but once this book picked up steam, it was a roller coaster I couldn’t put down.
Will is an actor who had a promising career until one drunken night ten years ago ruined everything. Now he teaches kindergarten, apologizes too much, and makes himself small. And then everything goes sideways, several times over, after a paparazzo captures the run-in between Will and the actor he allegedly attacked that night. Enter James, who is the reason that paparazzo was at Will’s brother’s bachelor party. James buys into the bad press about Will and doesn’t want Will playing his brother in the movie adaptation of the memoir his brother wrote before dying. James soon discovers Will isn’t a monster, just a sad boy, and sets about to help Will anyway he can, by getting him back into the movie, fake dating him, not putting up with Will’s self-loathing, and eventually solving the mystery of what happened ten years ago.
I love a group of dysfunctional side-characters and the ones in this book delivered. I didn’t expect to end up loving Will’s parents the way I did, but they had me in stitches with their antics and their plots. Speaking of plots, I think that’s what I loved most about this book—it took me on a ride. Not a lot of romances do that these days, but this one just kept getting crazier and crazier and I ate it up. Delightfully bonkers with a cast of characters who could pull it off while also putting me through all the feels.
I read through a few reviews before sitting down to write this one and a few people mentioned some problematic language. I think the author must have revised after those reviews, because I didn’t see the things they were talking about (and usually I notice stuff like that). There are definitely some trigger warnings (suicide, terminal illness, drinking, body image, among others) to take into account but overall I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a celebrity + normal person, fake dating, angst but also humor, rollercoaster of a book.
Will is an actor who had a promising career until one drunken night ten years ago ruined everything. Now he teaches kindergarten, apologizes too much, and makes himself small. And then everything goes sideways, several times over, after a paparazzo captures the run-in between Will and the actor he allegedly attacked that night. Enter James, who is the reason that paparazzo was at Will’s brother’s bachelor party. James buys into the bad press about Will and doesn’t want Will playing his brother in the movie adaptation of the memoir his brother wrote before dying. James soon discovers Will isn’t a monster, just a sad boy, and sets about to help Will anyway he can, by getting him back into the movie, fake dating him, not putting up with Will’s self-loathing, and eventually solving the mystery of what happened ten years ago.
I love a group of dysfunctional side-characters and the ones in this book delivered. I didn’t expect to end up loving Will’s parents the way I did, but they had me in stitches with their antics and their plots. Speaking of plots, I think that’s what I loved most about this book—it took me on a ride. Not a lot of romances do that these days, but this one just kept getting crazier and crazier and I ate it up. Delightfully bonkers with a cast of characters who could pull it off while also putting me through all the feels.
I read through a few reviews before sitting down to write this one and a few people mentioned some problematic language. I think the author must have revised after those reviews, because I didn’t see the things they were talking about (and usually I notice stuff like that). There are definitely some trigger warnings (suicide, terminal illness, drinking, body image, among others) to take into account but overall I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a celebrity + normal person, fake dating, angst but also humor, rollercoaster of a book.
October 7, 2023
This book was everything and then some! It is a romantic, dramatic, fun, exciting, spicy, queer novel that is long enough to feel like youve watched two or three seasons of a TV show (in a good way). Honestly most of the contemporary books I've read like this always feel too rushed in either the development of the relationship or the general plot and Love on the D-List was neither of those things.
J.R. Baker took his time giving us a very well thought out and deep plot with plenty of highs and lows and twists and turns. Its so much more than you would expect it to be from the title or cover and i really enjoyed it! Will is such a great MC that I just wanted to wrap up in a blanket and protect. I was rooting for him the entire book! Definitely a great read and I will be looking forward to checking out more of this authors work!
J.R. Baker took his time giving us a very well thought out and deep plot with plenty of highs and lows and twists and turns. Its so much more than you would expect it to be from the title or cover and i really enjoyed it! Will is such a great MC that I just wanted to wrap up in a blanket and protect. I was rooting for him the entire book! Definitely a great read and I will be looking forward to checking out more of this authors work!
March 24, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me to read an arc of this book.
When I first read the synopsis for this book, I was reminded of Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall, a book which I loved, and so I requested it right away. Unfortunately this book couldn’t be farther from that if it tried. I had to DNF this book. I made myself read 123 pages just to see if it ever got better, but in the end I had to stop.
This book uses ableist language and slurs, has frankly alarming levels of body shaming and unrealistic body standards. There are glib comments about mental health, eating disorders, Dissociative Identity Disorder (which was referred to as ‘multiple personality disorder’ which is an outdated term) autism (which was referred to as ‘Asperger’s syndrome’ which, again, is an outdated term) there was a Harry Potter reference, which has no place being mentioned in 2023, especially in a queer book.
There is also a sixteen year old boy who regularly makes extremely sexual comments and references, including wanting to ‘look swole’ for an actor he is attracted to, who is in his twenties and nobody seems to have a problem with this.
I tried so hard to find positives with this book, but reading passages like how James only had to deal with “gay or straight” as options, and now there was bisexual, pan, poly, asexual, aromatic, trans, gender nonconforming, cis…these sexualities and gender identities have always existed, and it’s extremely closed minded to think otherwise. There were also multiple uses of the phrase “be a man/like a man” which made me cringe.
I’m not sure if any of these characters have a sudden change and stop being offensive, but I couldn’t make myself read more to find out. I hate leaving negative reviews, but this book made me so uncomfortable that I found it impossible to find any good points.
When I first read the synopsis for this book, I was reminded of Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall, a book which I loved, and so I requested it right away. Unfortunately this book couldn’t be farther from that if it tried. I had to DNF this book. I made myself read 123 pages just to see if it ever got better, but in the end I had to stop.
This book uses ableist language and slurs, has frankly alarming levels of body shaming and unrealistic body standards. There are glib comments about mental health, eating disorders, Dissociative Identity Disorder (which was referred to as ‘multiple personality disorder’ which is an outdated term) autism (which was referred to as ‘Asperger’s syndrome’ which, again, is an outdated term) there was a Harry Potter reference, which has no place being mentioned in 2023, especially in a queer book.
There is also a sixteen year old boy who regularly makes extremely sexual comments and references, including wanting to ‘look swole’ for an actor he is attracted to, who is in his twenties and nobody seems to have a problem with this.
I tried so hard to find positives with this book, but reading passages like how James only had to deal with “gay or straight” as options, and now there was bisexual, pan, poly, asexual, aromatic, trans, gender nonconforming, cis…these sexualities and gender identities have always existed, and it’s extremely closed minded to think otherwise. There were also multiple uses of the phrase “be a man/like a man” which made me cringe.
I’m not sure if any of these characters have a sudden change and stop being offensive, but I couldn’t make myself read more to find out. I hate leaving negative reviews, but this book made me so uncomfortable that I found it impossible to find any good points.
June 23, 2023
I haven’t enjoyed a romance novel like this in years. So many interesting and complex characters but very easy to follow. I won’t give away any spoilers, but you will certainly cry reading this. Thanks Victory Editing for the advanced copy!
July 25, 2023
If you're looking for a slow burn romance that is spicy, this is the perfect book for you!!
This was my first time reading a book from this author, and I'll definitely keep my eye out for more future books from him. I'm lowkey hoping he may continue on with the side characters of this story because I'd definitely read a book about Theo 😂
Strap in for an emotional ride and be ready for the slow burn romance - the spice is worth it!
This was my first time reading a book from this author, and I'll definitely keep my eye out for more future books from him. I'm lowkey hoping he may continue on with the side characters of this story because I'd definitely read a book about Theo 😂
Strap in for an emotional ride and be ready for the slow burn romance - the spice is worth it!
May 10, 2023
2'75/5
Primero de todo, gracias a NetGalley y a la editorial por esta copia avanzada a cambio de una reseña honesta.
Sinceramente, creo que este libro no debería ser catalogado como romance. La sinopsis lo hace parecer un libro que es mínimo un 80% de romance y 20% de drama, pero más bien parece un 45-55. Por supuesto, un buen drama de vez en cuando nunca viene mal, sobre todo si es sobre chismes de famosos, pero es que yo pedí este libro pensando que era un romance...
La cuestión es que este libro está muy centrado en los dramas entorno al escándalo de uno de los protagonistas, y aunque la relación con el otro protagonista es esencial para que todo tenga sentido, siento que podría catalogarse de otra manera.
He de decir que la primera mitad me ha encantado, porque estaba mucho más centrada en la conformación de la pareja. Pero la segunda mitad se me ha hecho muy pesada porque ha llegado a parecerse a un thriller.
También he de decir que, al menos yo, no he visto en ninguna parte los TW (abuso sexual, mucha droga, alcohol, muerte, cáncer, suicidio, bullying...) y la verdad me habría pensado un poco más leerlo de haber sabido esto de antemano.
Para acabar con una nota positiva, me ha gustado mucho cómo escribe el autor! Los personajes también están muy bien construidos, aunque hay algunos personajes secundarios que inician una trama y no la acaban. Pero ha sido un libro interesante de leer.
--
First of all, thanks to NetGalley and the editors for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
I think this book shouldn't be catalogued as a romance. The blurb makes it seem like it's an 80% romance an 20% drama, but it's more like 45-55. Of course, a dose of drama once in a while is great, more so if it's celebrity gossip. But I asked for this ARC because it was a romance...
The thing is that this book is too centered around one of the MC's scandal, and even though the relationship between the MC's is essential for it to make sense, I feel like it should be labeled as something else, not romance.
That being said, I enjoyed a lot the first half of this book, because it's more about the couple. But then, the second half was very dense for me because it almost seems like a thriller.
I must say that I haven't seen anywhere the TW (SA, a lot of drugs, alcohol, death, cancer, suicide, bullying...) myself, and tbh I would've thought about reading it in the first place if I knew.
To end up with a positive note, I liked a lot the author's writing! The characters are also very well written, even though there are some side characters that start a plot and never finish. But overall, it was an interesting book to read.
Primero de todo, gracias a NetGalley y a la editorial por esta copia avanzada a cambio de una reseña honesta.
Sinceramente, creo que este libro no debería ser catalogado como romance. La sinopsis lo hace parecer un libro que es mínimo un 80% de romance y 20% de drama, pero más bien parece un 45-55. Por supuesto, un buen drama de vez en cuando nunca viene mal, sobre todo si es sobre chismes de famosos, pero es que yo pedí este libro pensando que era un romance...
La cuestión es que este libro está muy centrado en los dramas entorno al escándalo de uno de los protagonistas, y aunque la relación con el otro protagonista es esencial para que todo tenga sentido, siento que podría catalogarse de otra manera.
He de decir que la primera mitad me ha encantado, porque estaba mucho más centrada en la conformación de la pareja. Pero la segunda mitad se me ha hecho muy pesada porque ha llegado a parecerse a un thriller.
También he de decir que, al menos yo, no he visto en ninguna parte los TW (abuso sexual, mucha droga, alcohol, muerte, cáncer, suicidio, bullying...) y la verdad me habría pensado un poco más leerlo de haber sabido esto de antemano.
Para acabar con una nota positiva, me ha gustado mucho cómo escribe el autor! Los personajes también están muy bien construidos, aunque hay algunos personajes secundarios que inician una trama y no la acaban. Pero ha sido un libro interesante de leer.
--
First of all, thanks to NetGalley and the editors for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
I think this book shouldn't be catalogued as a romance. The blurb makes it seem like it's an 80% romance an 20% drama, but it's more like 45-55. Of course, a dose of drama once in a while is great, more so if it's celebrity gossip. But I asked for this ARC because it was a romance...
The thing is that this book is too centered around one of the MC's scandal, and even though the relationship between the MC's is essential for it to make sense, I feel like it should be labeled as something else, not romance.
That being said, I enjoyed a lot the first half of this book, because it's more about the couple. But then, the second half was very dense for me because it almost seems like a thriller.
I must say that I haven't seen anywhere the TW (SA, a lot of drugs, alcohol, death, cancer, suicide, bullying...) myself, and tbh I would've thought about reading it in the first place if I knew.
To end up with a positive note, I liked a lot the author's writing! The characters are also very well written, even though there are some side characters that start a plot and never finish. But overall, it was an interesting book to read.
July 24, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫/ 4.5 stars!
This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I can easily say I will be looking for more of his work. 🖤
When I tell you this book had me snifflin’ and tearing up (pages 385-387 may have broke me). I really loved following not only William’s battles with himself and the event ten years ago but also from James, Theo, and Travis’s story.
Very much a slow burn, but I was on board and invested to see it through! Also is it wrong if I now want some more of Theo…? I just want to know if he continues to live life to the fullest not knowing if he carries the gene OR if he does take the test. Then if he takes it, is it positive or negative?! Like my heart would fully break if it was positive for him, but ya girl wants to know. Does he find love? Have kids? Get over his crush on Ryan…or not? I know I am spiraling, but I have questions! 🤣🌀
This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I can easily say I will be looking for more of his work. 🖤
When I tell you this book had me snifflin’ and tearing up (pages 385-387 may have broke me). I really loved following not only William’s battles with himself and the event ten years ago but also from James, Theo, and Travis’s story.
Very much a slow burn, but I was on board and invested to see it through! Also is it wrong if I now want some more of Theo…? I just want to know if he continues to live life to the fullest not knowing if he carries the gene OR if he does take the test. Then if he takes it, is it positive or negative?! Like my heart would fully break if it was positive for him, but ya girl wants to know. Does he find love? Have kids? Get over his crush on Ryan…or not? I know I am spiraling, but I have questions! 🤣🌀
July 29, 2023
I saw a TikTok about this book and thought I’d give it a shot. I’m so glad I did! This book is so so good. It takes a little bit of time to get into the romance but I fell right into the story and characters. There’s a little bit of mystery about what really happened in Will’s past. Lots of passion between James and Will all wrapped up in some fake dating and real sweet tenderness too (love forehead touches. Swoon.) The book is well written. There’s a lot of depth and layers that are fun to explore. I’m definitely going to reading more by this author.
August 31, 2023
I absolutely devoured and loved this book! Will and James are both amazing characters that I couldn’t help but to fall in love with them. This book has two of my favorite tropes…fake dating and forced proximity! And I love a good slow burn! This book is so well written and I am looking forward to more from this author. I am really hoping we get stories on some of the side characters, especially Theo! I have so many questions about him! Overall, I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend!
August 24, 2023
this book is on the A list
The novel is wonderfully complex. A mystery interwoven with a love story. Characters with secrets and flaws, but still they are lovable! Yet, they are more. They are layered and intricate. If you loved the queer intricacy of characters like the characters in Red, White, and Royale Blue, then read this novel.
The novel is wonderfully complex. A mystery interwoven with a love story. Characters with secrets and flaws, but still they are lovable! Yet, they are more. They are layered and intricate. If you loved the queer intricacy of characters like the characters in Red, White, and Royale Blue, then read this novel.
November 28, 2023
I'm not really sure how I feel about this. I didn't love it, but I can't really pin point why I didn't love it.
This books is VERY long - almost 500 pages - and I found the first 30% SO boring. It took so long for the story to get to the point. The plot also gets very convoluted at times. I'm still not really sure why the big bad guy at the end did what he did or even what he actually did, and what happened after they stopped him. And there were a few plot points that never got tied up fully, like there was a scene missing between the last chapter and the epilogue.
I don't think the humour in this is for me, either, and there's a lot of lines that are just gross? Like a lot of piss and shit and there's a line about firefly guts, and just. Very weird humour sometimes. And a lot of that humour revolves around sex, drinking, and weird body image stuff.
Then there's all the drinking. My God every single character in this book is either a huge asshole, or a drunkard, or both. Will drinks to the point of being black-out drunk multiple times. There's just SO much drinking and it's said in passing that it might be a problem, but it's never addressed. I complained in my review of Delilah Green Doesn't Care that there was too much drinking in that book, but this book makes Delilah Green look like a teetotaler.
In terms of things I did like? I did like Will as a character, and I liked Theo too. And the first sex scenes was good. I don't know, there's a lot about this book that on paper I would usually love, but it just didn't really do it for me.
This books is VERY long - almost 500 pages - and I found the first 30% SO boring. It took so long for the story to get to the point. The plot also gets very convoluted at times. I'm still not really sure why the big bad guy at the end did what he did or even what he actually did, and what happened after they stopped him. And there were a few plot points that never got tied up fully, like there was a scene missing between the last chapter and the epilogue.
I don't think the humour in this is for me, either, and there's a lot of lines that are just gross? Like a lot of piss and shit and there's a line about firefly guts, and just. Very weird humour sometimes. And a lot of that humour revolves around sex, drinking, and weird body image stuff.
Then there's all the drinking. My God every single character in this book is either a huge asshole, or a drunkard, or both. Will drinks to the point of being black-out drunk multiple times. There's just SO much drinking and it's said in passing that it might be a problem, but it's never addressed. I complained in my review of Delilah Green Doesn't Care that there was too much drinking in that book, but this book makes Delilah Green look like a teetotaler.
In terms of things I did like? I did like Will as a character, and I liked Theo too. And the first sex scenes was good. I don't know, there's a lot about this book that on paper I would usually love, but it just didn't really do it for me.
October 4, 2023
I got this eARC through Netgally, thanks to the author and publisher for making this available!
This book might just be the longest, sweetest queer romance book I've read to date! I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and I yelled at this book, and I think that is a pretty cool feat of the author. The main characters were awesome, but the side characters were harder to keep apart. I'm still only 75% sure I know the difference between Ryan and Andy.
I loved that there was a mystery strewn throughout, the question of what happened that night 10 years ago, that so thoroughly derailed Will's acting career. I think at the half-way point, I started to figure it out, and I'm so proud of myself for having done so! Still, I feel like the ending was a bit rushed, and I'm still not sure what exactly happened with the drugging and why it happened the way it happened...I feel like this book could've used a little bit more critical editing. But most of the things I tripped on were minor, easily overcome, and most of all I enjoyed myself immensely, reading this wonderfully queer, Hollywood romance. I can recommend this book to anyone!
This book might just be the longest, sweetest queer romance book I've read to date! I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and I yelled at this book, and I think that is a pretty cool feat of the author. The main characters were awesome, but the side characters were harder to keep apart. I'm still only 75% sure I know the difference between Ryan and Andy.
I loved that there was a mystery strewn throughout, the question of what happened that night 10 years ago, that so thoroughly derailed Will's acting career. I think at the half-way point, I started to figure it out, and I'm so proud of myself for having done so! Still, I feel like the ending was a bit rushed, and I'm still not sure what exactly happened with the drugging and why it happened the way it happened...I feel like this book could've used a little bit more critical editing. But most of the things I tripped on were minor, easily overcome, and most of all I enjoyed myself immensely, reading this wonderfully queer, Hollywood romance. I can recommend this book to anyone!
October 11, 2023
4.5 Stars!!
This book was so incredible. From the beginning I felt like I was entering not just the main story but the lives of Travis and James and William from their most heartbreaking moments to their best hours. Im so happy that Will finally found the love he deserved and seeing him go through the process of forgiving himself was so real and raw that I cried. Overall the book is amazing and I reccomend it to anyone who is interested in reading about two men who finally find their soulmate and have to go through hell and bsck to realize it.
This book was so incredible. From the beginning I felt like I was entering not just the main story but the lives of Travis and James and William from their most heartbreaking moments to their best hours. Im so happy that Will finally found the love he deserved and seeing him go through the process of forgiving himself was so real and raw that I cried. Overall the book is amazing and I reccomend it to anyone who is interested in reading about two men who finally find their soulmate and have to go through hell and bsck to realize it.
August 29, 2023
I am not gonna lie, thought i was going to hate this book. After guessing the big plot twist in the early chapters, I became so enthralled in the journey of the story. this book made me laugh, cry, fell, and many parts made me full of rage. This book deserves a lot more credit than it currently has and the rollercoaster of the last 10% of it. Even if you knew the ending, you would never guess what happened in between.
October 29, 2023
This book was SO beautifully written with a great and well-thought-out plot that worked so well. It brought up so many emotions, and I found myself with tears in my eyes so many times through the course of the book. Just beautiful, and I can’t wait to read more by this author. Highly recommend.
October 27, 2023
This author is scare-the-dog-with-lol hilarious! But at the same time their writing is complex and understated. Amazing character development and arc - clearly a well versed and well read author, can't wait to read more!
April 16, 2023
It took me a little bit to get into this book, but I'm glad I stuck it out. I loved Will as a character and James and Theo too. The Chapman family and their friends were entertaining side characters.
October 26, 2023
I was hanging in every word!
October 29, 2023
This is another case of ‘I’d never have read this if it wasn’t for a Facebook recommendation’ - because yes, I judge books by both their covers and their titles. This was a very enjoyable read and a lot deeper than either the cover or title make it out to be. It was possibly a bit convoluted / over complicated at times - but I enjoyed it and I was invested in the characters. I’d love a sequel centring on Theo.
October 30, 2023
I loved this so much. This took a lot of romance favourite tropes and managed to make them fresh with deep and layered characterisation and fantastic writing. It had me laughing and crying and completely invested in the story and all the characters. This deserves all the love and attention. Cannot recommend it highly enough.
May 25, 2025
3+
Zadziwiająco, to całkiem niezła książka.
Ale nie zaokrąglę w górę, bo:
* nie byłam jakąś wielką fanką Jamesa
* wszystko niby zostało wyjaśnione, ale mimo wszystko nie jestem do końca tym usatysfakcjonowana
* Nie podobało mi się to wcale a wcale...
Zadziwiająco, to całkiem niezła książka.
Ale nie zaokrąglę w górę, bo:
* nie byłam jakąś wielką fanką Jamesa
* wszystko niby zostało wyjaśnione, ale mimo wszystko nie jestem do końca tym usatysfakcjonowana
* Nie podobało mi się to wcale a wcale...
September 11, 2023
I was so invested in the first half and I feel like it had really good pacing. I wanted to know what had happened between Will and Derek so badly and I really liked how Will and James slowly grew closer to each other. The whole setup with the movie shoot was very intruiging.
The second half of this book, however, really lost the thread, in my opinion. It didn't help that this book is, in general, way too long. There were so many different things happening in the second half, with different schemes from different people, plans that were made and later discarded. Characters would want one thing one day and then a completely different thing another day. Especially Robert (Will's father) didn't make a lot of sense to me. I really feel like this book could have profited from throwing out a couple of the different plot threads that all happened in the second half. It also didn't help that the conflict between James and Will happened so early and was then drawn out until basically the end of the book. And then in the last third, people started monologuing at these two. I felt like they tried to get the same point across 4 or 5 different times, by having other people monologue at Will and James and that really got on my nerves after a while.
It didn't help that I was way more intrigued about Will and Derek's past relationship than Will and James's current one. Even towards the middle of the book when you learn about what happened in their past, I just couldn't help but find their story a lot more interesting. But the book also makes it very clear that you're not supposed to root for Will and Derek together, especially in the second half. Also some smaller nitpicks, way too much alcohol consumption in this book. I'm not a baby, characters can drink alcohol, but the amount of times people were drunk in this book and how it was almost normalized really rubbed me the wrong way. Also, urgh, way too much talk about piss and shit? The running joke about everyone having advice for how James can bottom also got old really fast, and wasn't all that funny in the first place.
I know this all sounds like I hated the book, but that's not quite right. I definitely wouldn't have finished it if I did. I was just really saddened by the fact that I began liking it less and less towards the end. For all the intrigue I was feeling for the mystery of what actually happened between Derek and Will, it was actually not that hard to figure out, which was also kind of a bummer. For how interesting the climax was, there really wasn't a lot of resolution for anything and that's kinda disappointing, since that was the most interesting part in my opinion.
Anyway, I definitely wouldn't discourage anyone from reading this book if you're interested. It had it's good and impactful moments, but it really lost me in the second half and, like I said, it was just too damn long for what it was trying to do.
The second half of this book, however, really lost the thread, in my opinion. It didn't help that this book is, in general, way too long. There were so many different things happening in the second half, with different schemes from different people, plans that were made and later discarded. Characters would want one thing one day and then a completely different thing another day. Especially Robert (Will's father) didn't make a lot of sense to me. I really feel like this book could have profited from throwing out a couple of the different plot threads that all happened in the second half. It also didn't help that the conflict between James and Will happened so early and was then drawn out until basically the end of the book. And then in the last third, people started monologuing at these two. I felt like they tried to get the same point across 4 or 5 different times, by having other people monologue at Will and James and that really got on my nerves after a while.
It didn't help that I was way more intrigued about Will and Derek's past relationship than Will and James's current one. Even towards the middle of the book when you learn about what happened in their past, I just couldn't help but find their story a lot more interesting. But the book also makes it very clear that you're not supposed to root for Will and Derek together, especially in the second half. Also some smaller nitpicks, way too much alcohol consumption in this book. I'm not a baby, characters can drink alcohol, but the amount of times people were drunk in this book and how it was almost normalized really rubbed me the wrong way. Also, urgh, way too much talk about piss and shit? The running joke about everyone having advice for how James can bottom also got old really fast, and wasn't all that funny in the first place.
I know this all sounds like I hated the book, but that's not quite right. I definitely wouldn't have finished it if I did. I was just really saddened by the fact that I began liking it less and less towards the end. For all the intrigue I was feeling for the mystery of what actually happened between Derek and Will, it was actually not that hard to figure out, which was also kind of a bummer. For how interesting the climax was, there really wasn't a lot of resolution for anything and that's kinda disappointing, since that was the most interesting part in my opinion.
Anyway, I definitely wouldn't discourage anyone from reading this book if you're interested. It had it's good and impactful moments, but it really lost me in the second half and, like I said, it was just too damn long for what it was trying to do.
November 11, 2023
Lies, betrayal, selfishness, indifference and abiding hurt are all Will Chapman has known for most of his life. From his parents, his brother, his bosses and pretty much everyone else. He has two people in his corner, his best friend Miles and his co-worker Tiffany.
The story begins ten years after Will was disgraced publicly and he has blamed himself ever since. His selfish family are extremely cavalier regarding the setbacks of his life. A lesser man would have given up long ago, but our MC is strong in ways he doesn’t even comprehend.
Enter our other main character, who is working to disgrace him further and ruin him for good this time. After he brings about further humiliation and brings Will even lower than before, he begins to see he has not done a good thing and sets out to fix it. Will our downtrodden hero finally find the thing he has never had but is desperately in need of – unconditional love?
This novel is outstanding. The writing is superb, and the character development is excellent. Ultimately, this is a story of redemption and facing that which we don't like in ourselves. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. You will laugh, cry, be frustrated, get angry and have “swoony” moments. When I go through all these emotions in the span of a few minutes, I know I’ve found something special.
I believe this is J.R. Barker’s debut novel and if this is anything to go by, he will go far. I highly encourage everyone to read this novel. You will not regret it!
The story begins ten years after Will was disgraced publicly and he has blamed himself ever since. His selfish family are extremely cavalier regarding the setbacks of his life. A lesser man would have given up long ago, but our MC is strong in ways he doesn’t even comprehend.
Enter our other main character, who is working to disgrace him further and ruin him for good this time. After he brings about further humiliation and brings Will even lower than before, he begins to see he has not done a good thing and sets out to fix it. Will our downtrodden hero finally find the thing he has never had but is desperately in need of – unconditional love?
This novel is outstanding. The writing is superb, and the character development is excellent. Ultimately, this is a story of redemption and facing that which we don't like in ourselves. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. You will laugh, cry, be frustrated, get angry and have “swoony” moments. When I go through all these emotions in the span of a few minutes, I know I’ve found something special.
I believe this is J.R. Barker’s debut novel and if this is anything to go by, he will go far. I highly encourage everyone to read this novel. You will not regret it!
September 7, 2023
Tearjerker
Hallmark could make this. It probably has more gay characters than they would be comfortable with, but it would fit their HEA approach.
At my age I skip over the bedroom scenes. I really enjoy the story more. (Sorry folks, that’s just me!) but the chaos and intrigue here really pulls you in and you start rooting for characters.
Hallmark could make this. It probably has more gay characters than they would be comfortable with, but it would fit their HEA approach.
At my age I skip over the bedroom scenes. I really enjoy the story more. (Sorry folks, that’s just me!) but the chaos and intrigue here really pulls you in and you start rooting for characters.
January 22, 2024
I just don't like it. It's not poorly written, exactly, just sloppily written and I don't particularly care about anyone or anything in it.
December 30, 2023
Definitely not a D-list story
A-list all the way. I loved this book. Just the right amount of angst. Just the right amount of steam and just the right amount of amazing storytelling and pacing. This book is on my top 10 for 2023. I will recommend this and look for more from this author in the future.
A-list all the way. I loved this book. Just the right amount of angst. Just the right amount of steam and just the right amount of amazing storytelling and pacing. This book is on my top 10 for 2023. I will recommend this and look for more from this author in the future.
December 18, 2023
This book was so much more than I was hoping for. I was hoping for a cute rom-com with some hijinks around a comeback, some secrets and hidden identity. What Barker has crafted in Love on the D-List is a very emotional and deep exploration of some really heavy topics - cancer, suicide, illness, trauma and forgiveness.
William Chapman comes from a dynasty of actors. He got his own big break as a teenager, but after attacking his handsome co-star, his career plummeted, ignoring the fact he has no memory whatsoever of the attack. When his father tries to rope him into a role for his upcoming movie, he's reluctant, having left Hollywood behind. James is desperate to get on set of the movie - it is based on the memoir of his late brother and he just knows William Chapman is going to fuck it up. He gets himself close by working as the dog walker for William's mother. And may have accidentally lied and said his nephew was his son.
First off, despite my opening paragraph, the book is very funny. It's witty, it's charming. William and James, and really the whole ensemble of characters, feel fully formed and real, without being carbon copies of actual Hollywood celebrities. The book is riddled with character growth and depths, and facing truly challenging emotional situations. I cried once or twice.
Love on the D-List just ended up being so much more than I bargained for, and I feel so grateful to have read it.
William Chapman comes from a dynasty of actors. He got his own big break as a teenager, but after attacking his handsome co-star, his career plummeted, ignoring the fact he has no memory whatsoever of the attack. When his father tries to rope him into a role for his upcoming movie, he's reluctant, having left Hollywood behind. James is desperate to get on set of the movie - it is based on the memoir of his late brother and he just knows William Chapman is going to fuck it up. He gets himself close by working as the dog walker for William's mother. And may have accidentally lied and said his nephew was his son.
First off, despite my opening paragraph, the book is very funny. It's witty, it's charming. William and James, and really the whole ensemble of characters, feel fully formed and real, without being carbon copies of actual Hollywood celebrities. The book is riddled with character growth and depths, and facing truly challenging emotional situations. I cried once or twice.
Love on the D-List just ended up being so much more than I bargained for, and I feel so grateful to have read it.
January 16, 2025
3.75 ⭐ rounded up
couple was nice but it was LONG and needed 47 fewer subplots
couple was nice but it was LONG and needed 47 fewer subplots
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