Macy White has been living her best life as international pop star, Harper Bloom, for the last decade, and loving every second of it. The sparkly dresses, crazy parties, and never-ending sold out tours are exactly her idea of a good time. The only downside? That constant exposure of her escapades on gossip sites. When she accidentally finds herself the center of a celebrity sex tape scandal, her brother-slash-PR manager decides it's time for her to take a step back from the spotlight.
Back in Oaken, Minnesota, Brody McAllister has inherited the local paper from his late parents who poured their heart and soul into it every day. Brody? Not so much. Not only did he never imagine himself in this position, but his small hometown lacks any major stories worth telling, causing paper sales to decline. Now, Brody has to not only reconcile the loss of his beloved parents, but also their legacy if he can't find a way to boost sales.
Living in totally different worlds, these two opposites should have never found themselves working together. But after childhood feelings reignite, they find themselves drawn together and hatch a plan to help save Brody's dying paper. The only catch? It involves bringing the infamous Harper Bloom to town, and with her, the gossip journalists who always seem to catch her in the middle of a scandal.
Will Macy be forced to give up all of her secrets? Or can she find the best of both worlds with Brody by her side?
3.5⭐️ These two were so cute! This is a great read for any Hannah Montana fans. Has a few surprises I didn’t see coming! I only wish we saw more of them down the road..
Hannah Montana fans! This is a must read nostalgic and SPICY version based on one of our favorite characters growing up! I'm always a sucker for a brother's best friend romance, and the secret double life/hidden identity makes it such a well-rounded read! Macy and Brody have this sparking connection that is undeniable, and the bits of humor and spicy throughout are 100%! This will definitely be one of my comfort rereads throughout 2024!
This dcom inspired story was just what my former Disney channel kid/millennial soul needed! The nostalgia mixed with an adult/spicy twist was a fantastic combination! I can’t wait to see what other dcoms that Chelsie will throw a twist on!
Laugh out loud funny and deliciously spicy, this romance will hook you from the start and leave you turning pages until the end. We follow Macy White - a normal girl to anyone who knows her - except when she’s moonlighting as pop sensation Harper Bloom. After one too many Hollywood scandals, her brother/manager sends her home to the small Minnesota town she grew up in with strict instructions to lie low. Lying low for Macy just so happens to maybe include falling for her brother’s best friend.
Read this book if you like: -pop star x country boy -brother’s best friend -secret identity -spicy -dual POV
The Best of Both is OUT NOW and if it is not already on your tbr, it should be! . . . Special thanks to Chelsie for sharing a copy with me.
I’m all for some fluffy, nostalgic fun, and this definitely hit that mark. I loved Hannah Montana, especially the movie, so DCOM but make it spicy was a lot of fun. The author note/trigger page says the author intended for this to be light and fluffy, and I’d agree. There wasn’t a lot of conflict or very high stakes, but I enjoyed reading. I love that chapter titles are becoming more common because I always find them funny.
Highlights: - Romance: MF - Hannah Montana but make it spicy - Brother’s best friend - Forced proximity - Grumpy/sunshine - He falls first - Piercing 😏
Note: I received an advance copy from the author. Decision to read/review was my own. Opinion is my own.
Very much Disney channel meets adult spicy books. A fun & cute read. I really enjoyed Macy & Brody’s storyline and Brody was just an and hunk. I honestly thought Stella was extremely annoying and off putting, her friendship with Macy was very odd to me with the whole listening & watching her have sex (super weird IMO). Honestly other than Stella I had a good time reading this!
Macy has been living a double lifestyle. By day, she’s Macy, small town girl, but by night? She’s Harper Bloom, pop princess. But when her party lifestyle causes her to end up in the headlines once again, it’s decided she needs to take a step away, and go back to her small town roots. She is desperate to get back to LA, but when her brother’s best friend shows up, suddenly small town living isn’t so bad. But, Brody is head editor of the local newspaper, and Macy is having a hard time keeping her two lives separate….
Hannah Montana girlies. Here you go!!! This is the read for you!!! This book gives you all the small town vibes, while also giving you hidden identity and secrets! This is a fun debut that makes you nostalgic for HM!
I found that there were a few plot lines that were forgotten about, for example at the beginning Brody had a dog, and after chapter 10 the dog was never mentioned again. Things like this kept it from being a full four star read, but for the nostalgic Disney reader this is a fun read!
dnf'd at like 10% because the way every character talked about sex nonstop gave me the ick. how do you make a campy Hannah Montana fanfic this unpleasant lol
Did you grow up in the generation of DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) movies? Have you been longing for the unique feeling of the late 90s/ early 2000's television? Have you ever wondered what the DCOM Hannah Montana would be like if it was made for adults? If you answered yes to any/all of these questions then let me introduce you to Chelsie Lynn's debut novel The Best of Both, which is a Hannah Montana DCOM adult retelling.
This story is about Pop Princess Harper Bloom, who is in a bit of trouble with her label as she has been living it up in the celebrity party lifestyle. Unfortunately for Harper, the tabloids seem to be able to get all the details on her escapades but the latest one may just cost her everything. A sex tape has been leaked and though she didn't consent to it, her label may just drop her. Chase, her brother and publicist has come up with an idea, it's time for Harper to return to her roots for a little while to try and reconnect with herself. You would think this wouldn't matter right? she's mega famous no matter where she goes she'll be recognized. Well, Harper has a little secret, and that's she's living a double life. Her really name is Macy, and returning home away from the glitz and glam of Harper is the last thing she wants to do. That is until she runs into her brothers ex best friend at the karaoke bar back home.
This was such a fun read, if, like me, you grew up watching Disney Channel original movies or really any tv during the 90s and 2000s, you'll be familiar with their level of light hearted charm that's a little cheesy but in the best way. My only notes was that I wanted their to be a bit more tension and scandalousness when it came to the brothers best friend topic of the story. It felt like it went over really quickly and it was just done with. Just a little more building up to the spice, a little more depth to the side characters. But overall, especially for a debut novel I think Chelsie did great, it was a super quick fun read and I can't wait to see what other DCOM movies she branches off into for retellings.
Thank you Chelsie Lynn for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was a little apprehensive about reading this book. I’ve been burned by Tiktok authors that are self publishing their debut novel. I didn’t want to read yet another badly written book. But my curiosity overruled my rational brain (again) and I downloaded it.
I loved this book! My cold Millennial heart was giddy at the thought of a Hannah Montana inspired, spicy romcom. Was this a literary masterpiece? Not by any stretch of the imagination. Was it a good, entertaining read? Heck yes it was!
“If I’m not careful, I’m going to fall in love with this man, and right now, I honestly can’t think of a good reason why I shouldn’t.”
Macy’s alter ego Harper Bloom has been a pop star since she was 17. With some help from her brother, Chance and her best friend, Stella, Macy has kept her identity a secret. But lately, she’s been spending too much time as Harper and not enough time as Macy. After an embarrassing sex tape leak, Chance drags Macy back to her hometown. She gets reacquainted with her childhood crush, Brodie. Brodie is trying to keep the local paper going after the death of his parents. He’s looking for a hot new story that will turn everything around.
“I have never and will never love anyone the way I love you, Macy. I crave you every second of every day, and I know that my life will never be complete if you’re not in the center of it.”
Holy hell, Chelsie Lynn can write some spice. I was pleasantly surprised by all the dirty talk in this book. I was entertained and turned on at the same time.
“Did I scare you songbird? Care to share where your wicked thoughts took you just now?”
I loved Macy character. The quirky girl can become over-the-top and cringe worthy quickly in a lot of books. Not Macy. Or Harper.
Tropes included: Grumpy/Sunshine He falls harder Brothers best friend Childhood crust Secret identity He has a … piercing.
I just finished this ARC that author Chelsie Lynn sent me and I couldn't be more satisfied than this! Since it was inspired by Hannah Montana I was so curious to see how this book will be and my expectation was met they went even over than I imagine. Macy lives a double life, as the country ordinary girl and as the popular Pop Star Harper Bloom, after a scandal her brother Chase, also her manager decides to make her take a break from the spotlight and they go to their homecountry where they grew with the excuse to visit their grandma, and waiting in the mean time that the scandal will be forgotten, once they arrived they met Brody McAllister, ex former bestfriend of Chase and Macy's childhood crush. The chemistry between Macy and Brody is immediately seen, and wow their scene are really really hot, so be ready for a lot of spicy scenes! Personally I loved this story! The plot is simple but very focusing on the main characters which I loved it, Brody is definetely going in my boyfriend crush list! It's impossible to not fall in love with him.. especially at the end.. I would have loved actually to see what happens if Macy secret were discovered but the end actually satisfied me because I would have not expected Brody to leave everything for being with Macy, and that he also need to have a costume, but it was a worth and lovely ending! I can't wait to see what Chelsey have in store for her future books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book was really fun and nostalgic. I enjoyed the DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) based story line and the added spice. This book was fast paced and I did enjoy reading it. And did I mention that the MMC has a pierced... I had a smile on my face while reading and had many fun flashbacks to being a kid and getting to stay up late on the weekend to catch the newest movie as it aired. This book was like a cozy romance book that had very little conflict. Everything was kind of easy, but I guess that's kinda how DCOMs are as well so I didn't mind it too much here. This book definitely achieved it's goal of being a nostalgic retelling of a well loved DCOM, but make it spicy.
I wish this book would have been just a bit more though. When I hear brother's best friend I think angst and forbidden romance, but that wasn't the case here. The love interest and the brother were friends in high school but haven't spoken in years. They also don't have any friendship throughout this storyline. The relationship is also never a secret from the brother, so there isn't any tension or angst. I was also craving more from the side characters. The side characters were just kind of there in the story and didn't really have any moments where they stood out as their own characters.
✨ Move over fairy tale retellings, we now have DCOM retellings ✨
If you had to google DCOM like me, it stands for Disney Channel Original Movie. 😂
Macy lives a double life as popstar called Harper, when her record label decides that she need a break from her party lifestyle and to get back to her roots by visiting her hometown.
This was a fun relaxed read with mega Hannah Motana vibes except make it spicy. Just replace the blonde wig with a red wig and you’re good to go. Just kidding, I actually found the double lifestyle is where the similarities end. Don’t go in thinking this is young adult like a dcom, it’s definitely new adult. It’s light hearted, got good banter and has loveable side characters too. C’mon a Stella spin off 🙌 Definitely recommend
Thank you Chelsie for sending me an arc of this book
I absolutely loved this book! I was living for the Hannah Montana vibes but of course, SPICY, smutty goodness. For her debut, this book was so well written and I loved that the side characters were so fleshed out.
Harper was such a hot mess with her tequila induced karaoke it cracked me up every time she partied with her girls and was so confidently HER & how Brody loved her for every piece of who she was as both Harper & Macy.
ALSO!!!! The roller rink scene?! I loved that so much and the T Swift was the perfect touch.
I know Chelsie Lynn is developing more DCOM stories but I would also totally be into spin-offs of these characters!! (Hello? A Chase/Stella story - enemies-to-lovers with banter and a best friend’s brother trope?!? Sign me up!!!)
The moment I received this arc, I immediately jumped straight in, living for the Hannah Montana vibes but with major SPICE!
Macy is living a double life as the world queen of pop, Harper when it’s decided that she needs a break from her crazy lifestyle after she’s yet again in the headlines! Macy and her brother head back to their hometown to stay low and get back to their roots.
This book is absolute magic. It’s spicy, smutty, cute, full of banter, great side characters and fantastic character development. I just loved it so much!
I’m so excited for more DCOM stories by the lovely Chelsie, I adored this one and can’t wait for more!
I was exceptionally lucky to receive this copy as an ARC and it was a lovely way to end 2023 🥰
I absolutely love the FMC in this story, she had me laughing several times throughout the book! This is an absolute MUST READ if you loved Hannah Montana: The Movie 😍 as it screams this film, just with lots of spice! 🔥
You NEED to get this when it is released, I loved this book! Only reason I dropped a star was simply because I found the middle of the book repetitive but that is personal choice! It wasn't too slow burn and had the perfect level of spice for me!
This book brought so much nostalgia to me. It definitely has Hannah Montana vibes, but for adults. I loved the different take on which main character was in the party scene. Usually we get a male reformed player and I was obsessed that instead we got this strong, sex positive female character. I loved the conflict of her keeping her identity a secret and how he eventually found out. His nickname for her is so cute! The ending was so satisfying and I absolutely loved it. I am hoping for more stories in this world and would love to see both Chase and Stella find their people!
This was such a great read. It was a feel-good cozy story with all the spice sprinkled into the most perfect places. Also, the fact that there is no third act breakup here is a winner for me. And Holy crap! I was not expecting Brody to have such a dirty mouth on him. In love!
Disney movie channel, Hannah Montana but adult version. If you enjoyed the Hannah Montana movie then you will enjoy this story. It’s the same but adult version with spice and smex. The story was good and very wholesome minus the spice which did make it interesting.
I got slight Hannah Montana vibes reading this, but with spice. Macy lives a double life, she isn’t a pops toe and small town girl. It was a fun enjoyable read. I liked Macy and Brody’s storyline. It was overall a great debut album for Chelsie.
This book was absolute perfection! Growing up as a DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) kid, this story hit me in all of the feels and nostalgia! I was on the cusp of being a hormonal teenager when I saw most of these PG stories on the Disney Channel. Always filled with angst and wanting more to the story from the crushes on the FMC/MMC. Chelsie did what I, and I’m sure a lot of other DCOM kids, wanted and made one of my favorite stories into an adult-appropriate, realistic reimagining of “Hannah Montana”. Chelsie has created a fun-filled story full of magnetic characters, laugh-out-loud moments and thigh clenching spicy scenes! This gave me everything I could have wanted and more. From the broody, dominant, gorgeous MMC; to the adoring, quirky grandma; to the instigating, sex-crazed, partner-in-crime best friend; to the over-protective older brother and the meddling paparazzi; this story has it all! Do yourself a favor and read it!
This book came to me as an ARC on kindle. It was my first ever ARC and i was so excited to read it. It’s Hannah Montana meets 🌶️🌶️. This book was so good, following Macy who lives a double life as a small town girl who doubles as a famous Singer. She faces a scandal and her career is on the line. She has to go back to her home town and try and lay low, where she meets her childhood friend Brody, who’s a journalist helping her salvage her career. Such a sweet romance, but also V spicy. 5 ✨
This book made me feel all the feels omg. The nostalgia, the DCOM vibes, the spice!!!
I had so much fun with this book and loved being able to read an adult version of the trope I loved so much as a kid (aka me living a double life and being a pop sensation).
And man oh man the spice was HOT. Overall this book was super fun and a GREAT debut by a new author.