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Out in Hollywood #4

In Her Spotlight

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For fans of Casey McQuiston, Alexis Hall, and Meryl Wilsner, an actually hilarious, sweetly sexy, gloriously relatable, second chance, sapphic rom-com from the acclaimed author of For Her Consideration, starring a franchise Hollywood actress aims to prove her chops in a theatrical production directed by her ex whose heart she broke a decade earlier.

Hollywood actor Tess Gardner is not the kind of famous she set out to be. She’s ready to show she’s more than Princess Platinum of the Vindicators series, a pretty face with CGI superpowers that literally sparkle. Tess wants to prove herself as an actor and that means theatre—the true calling of her thespian heart. But just when Tess lands a part working with an acclaimed stage director, a brewing scandal forces him out. His replacement? None other than hip, buzzy director Rebecca Frisch. The same Rebecca Frisch whose heart a firmly closeted Tess broke over a decade ago during summer stock . . .

As Tess wrestles with her lingering guilt and attraction to Rebecca, she also finds herself struggling to rein in her superstar status backstage. When things unexpectedly reignite with Rebecca, Tess bristles even more against the walls of her A-list life. Since the industry’s made it clear that girl-next-door superheroes can’t also be gay, coming out isn’t realistic for Tess. And ultimately, Rebecca will head back to New York and likely seek out a less complicated relationship anyway.

Will the curtain close on her chance for happiness or will Tess finally take a leading role in her own life?

336 pages, Unknown Binding

Expected publication February 24, 2026

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5223 people want to read

About the author

Amy Spalding

17 books930 followers
Amy Spalding is the author of several novels, including the bestselling For Her Consideration, We Used to Be Friends and The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles), which was named a best book of 2018 by NPR, the Boston Globe, Kirkus Reviews, and more. She is a recipient of the 2023 Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award for the authentic, funny, and diverse representation of the LGBTQ+ community in her books.

Amy grew up in St. Louis and now lives in Los Angeles. She has a B.A. in Advertising & Marketing Communications from Webster University and an M.A. in Media Studies from The New School. Amy studied longform improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for joe (hiatus).
145 reviews17 followers
Currently reading
December 8, 2025
pre-read:
im extremely sorry for my ARC updates girlies🎀 anyway, looking forward to this book, was such a fan of rwrb x
2,398 reviews87 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 20, 2026
📖 Title: In Her Spotlight- Out in Hollywood #4

✍🏾 Author: Amy Spalding- I've read all books in the series

📅Publication date: 2/24/26 | Read: 2/20/26

📃 Format: e-Book 336 pgs.

Genre:
*Contemporary Romance
*LGBTQIA+

Tropes:
*2nd chance romance
*sapphic romance
*workplace romance
*coming out

👆🏾POV:1st person single

⚠️TW: family neglect, homophobia, death of parents, Me Too movement mentioned

🌎 Setting: LA

Summary: It has been over a decade since Tess broke up with Rebecca in pursuit of an acting career in Hollywood. Tess gets the lead role in "Hometown" with her ex-girlfriend as the director, bringing up her guilt, and closeted sexuality. Rebecca starts off cool and professional, but later admits she was a wreck when Tess ended things. They start hooking up again though Tess knows things can't get serious because her superhero persona Princess Platinum can't be openly gay.

👩🏾 Heroine: Tess Gardner-30's, a movie franchise actress in Vindicators' as Princess Platinum (think Avengers) who wants to do theater

👩🏾 Heroine: Rebecca Frisch-30's, a writer from NYC replaced director Geoffrey Gordon who was fired after sexual harassment cases.

🎭 Other Characters:
*Andy-Tess's brother-has a landscaping business
*Aisha-Tess's BFF, former actress turned teacher
*Michael, Henry, Kathleen, and Ashlee-the actors in the play
*Joyce-Tess's agent
*Max +Riley-Tess's managers
*Erica- Tess's theatrical agent
*Rosie-Tess's dog

🤔 My Thoughts: I didn't connect with Tess or Rebecca in the beginning. Tess came off spoiled and entitled driving a Porsche and expecting to be waited on hand and foot. Rebecca seemed very nonchalant about working with Tess when she later confessed to being heart broken. I would have liked more background on Tess and Aisha's relationship, and for Tess and Rebecca to have gotten real with each other sooner. Tess wanted to keep their hookups secret and had her handlers make decisions for her. Rebecca lost out again when they broke up because Tess's about to start Vindicators 4. There was also the underlying misogyny by producers not wanting Rebecca to be celebrated as the play's director.

Rating: 3/5 ✨
Spice level: 3/5 🌶️ open door

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing| Kensington, and Amy Spalding for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kaye.
4,406 reviews74 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 23, 2026
(4.5 Stars) Tess Gardner is a Hollywood actress known for her role in a big CGI action series. The Juilliard trained actress wants to get back to her theater roots and jumps at the chance to work on stage with a famed director. Days before she begins rehearsals he resigns because of #MeToo issues and an up and coming director is brought in to replace him. The director happens to be Rebecca Frisch who has been Tony nominated. They spent one blissful season doing summer stock theater as roommates that turned into more. Rebecca had wanted Tess to follow her to NYC but she already had planned to move to Hollywood with her brother and left without warning. It is now a decade later and Tess who is very, very closeted still feels that draw to Rebecca.

The story is told from Tess’s POV. Beginning in the theater she comes off pampered because in movies doing things for herself can be taking away someone's job or messing up shot set ups. She is somewhat self aware but at times can forget to check in on the needs or her best friend and brother. I like that Rebecca is talented as a director. Honestly, the romance felt secondary to me but memorable. I think what raises the bar for Spalding’s books is all the details of working in Hollywood and in this case the stage too. This reads to me as women’s fiction with a romance. It shines in seeing Tess go from her closed off self to working well with her new theater friends. There are lots of details about the work of agents, publicists, stylists and more. Tess has them all working for her and often they are in control and are pushing for the next big movie deal instead of listening to her wants. It is nice to see Tess grow into herself as she becomes authentic. I didn’t see as big of a story arch for Rebecca but I liked her character.

This is the fourth in the Out In Hollywood series and I have read them all. I appreciated appearances from other MCs, but this can be read as a stand alone novel. I really liked several of the side characters and of course Rosie the Pug. I also love all the details of the clothes and outfits they are wearing. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Cole.
146 reviews61 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️ very mild

Professional Actress Tess Gardner™ didn’t set out to be a star in an Avengers-esque action superhero movie, but she feels like it’s cramping her style. She much prefers the theatre, and agrees to be in the starring role of an LA production of a new play. But when a last-minute director shake up happens, Tess is confronted with a secret from her past. A decade ago, Tess broke Rebecca’s heart; Tess went on to superhero movies, and Rebecca went on to becoming a buzz-worthy director. With Tess’s career on the line, can she risk coming out to the world, or risk breaking Rebecca’s heart all over again?

This is the fourth book in Amy Spalding's Out In Hollywood series, and fans of this sapphic series will love this book just as much as the previous books in the series (including some favorite characters dropping in like Max and Ari!). The difference with this installment though is that coming out is a major plot line, as Tess thinks she must stay closeted for her career. It’s not that I didn’t like it, but I think the beauty of the other books in the series is that their queer identity is the starting point, allowing room for romance in the plot; in this book, romance is almost the secondary plot. It’s a good coming out story, and I love the integration of the Second Chance, Workplace, and Forced Proximity tropes into a theater production. It’s a heartwarming sapphic love story, full of pop culture references that any fan would adore, and a good coming out story nonetheless. Fans of the series will definitely appreciate this latest installment!

Just a warning: there is a #MeToo element in the plot, without any direct mention or personal experience described.

Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #Booksparks and #NetGalley. Many thanks to Kensington Books for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. #WRC2026 #HibernateWithBookSparks

Read this book if:
🍟 your go-to order at In-N-Out is fries and a vanilla milkshake
🍨 you would never turn down butterscotch pudding
🌽 you love a shout-out to the queer kids in the Midwest

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2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 4, 2026
🎭 In Her Spotlight by Amy Spalding 🎭 ARC review 🎭 pub date Feb 24, 2026 🎭

Amy has done it again - between relatable lead characters and the colourful array of supporting characters, she’s created another facet to her Out in Hollywood series that draws readers in and takes them on a wild adventure.

The 4th instalment in the series tells the story of Tess Gardner, an actress known for blockbuster movies, returning to her happy place: theatre.

Much to the annoyance of her team (agents, publicists, managers, etc), who see it as a less lucrative option for her, Tess longs to tread the boards like she did before her star rose on the silver screen. She’s cast in a new play with a world renowned director that she’s admired for years - only for him to be forced to step down after allegations are made against him by several actresses throughout his career.

What Tess didn’t expect, was that her ex would be his replacement. Her female ex. Which she’s told not a soul about. Not even her brother or best friend. Or her adorable snort goblin of a pug, Rosie.

The re-introduction of Rebecca Frisch to Tess’s world send the actress for a loop.

Her feelings are still very much there for Rebecca, but with everything else going on in her life (trying to adjust to theatre instead of movie sets, wanting desperately to fit in with her cast members while her publicist keeps forcing her to stand out in front of them), Tess starts to question the life that she has versus the life that she so desperately wants but doesn’t think she deserves. Because of what she did to Rebecca the first time they were together.

As Tess lets herself feel for Rebecca again, and Rebecca lets her, the journey they have is a beautiful one.

Amy creates such well-rounded characters, detailed locations you feel you could step right in to, and lead characters you can’t help but root for.

I had read book 1 and 2 of the Out in Hollywood series, but hadn’t yet read book 3, and that was absolutely fine as characters from the first 2 books made appearances in this one - so if you’re like me, jump straight in!
Profile Image for Siegrist.
199 reviews22 followers
December 10, 2025
The ‘Out in Hollywood’ series by Amy Spalding has been one of my absolute reading joys this year. How perfect then to finish off the year with her new one ‘In her Spotlight’. I found this one especially lovely as it’s set in the world of theatre making and it’s also one of my favourite sub-genres ( as Jane Austen would say) ‘the second attachment’. This series of standalone books is interconnected by queer ‘ladies who brunch’ a warm network of creative, diverse and witty friends who have their own love stories but then pop up as minor characters in the other books.

This one is about ‘professional actress Tess Gardner’ and Tess herself who has lost herself in this public persona. Wildly successful for her role as Princess Platinum, Tess has lobbied her control-freak team for the opportunity to take on a theatre role. The complication? The director is Tess’ first, lost and only love Rebecca Frisch.

From their first interaction it’s obvious that there’s still chemistry between Tess and ‘effortlessly competent, unsettlingly attractive’ Rebecca. There’s a lovely friendship with fellow cast members Ashlee and Kathleen, a redemption arc for sometimes brusque theatre snob Michael, excellent fashion including ‘a glossy black Chloe leather jacket’ that help the reemerging real Tess ‘feel like a badass’. At one point I wondered where are the ladies who brunch but then they arrive like a sapphic cavalry. Of course there is Amy Spading’s warmth, perfect dialogue and quirky LA vibes. In Her Spotlight is my kind of book and I hope it will be yours too.


Profile Image for Mal.
577 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 19, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced reader copy.

3.5 stars

Tess Gardner is famous. She's a lead in the franchise Vindicators superhero movies, has a beautiful house, and a cute (and famous in her own right) pug named Rosie. But she isn't satisfied; she wants more from her career. When she's given the chance to go back to her theater roots, to be in a female-written play, she jumps at it, even if her team isn't enthusiastic. But then the director gets taken down by the #MeToo movement and Tess' ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Frisch steps in. Tess is even more thrown by the fact that Rebecca doesn't seem to have any particular emotion toward Tess--even though Tess ghosted her when they were dating. As the two are forced to work together closely, can they move beyond the terrible way their relationship ended and start over?

This wasn't my favorite of Amy Spalding's Out in Hollywood books. It had a slower start than the others and that threw me for a moment. Tess, as a main character wasn't as compelling as some of the other main characters, though Rebecca was a delight to read and Rosie the pug is one of my favorite canine characters that I've read. IN HER SPOTLIGHT is still worth diving into for the continued expansion of the Out in Hollywood world. I especially appreciate how each novel approaches the Hollywood machine from a different perspective.

In Her Spotlight is out February 24, 2026
Profile Image for Walter Underwood.
407 reviews35 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 24, 2025
Another lovely foray into LA and Hollywood. This one is a little slower to get into, mostly because Tess Gardner is not honest with herself, so it is harder for us to get to know her. We still care, though, and want her to figure herself out.

This one is set in the theater instead of in movies. I have a little bit of theater experience, I was Shep Henderson in Bell, Book, and Candle in high school, and from what I know, everything rings true. There is a special magic when the book stands up and starts walking around. Words on the page become movements on the stage.

If you are looking for a "Hollywood glamour" story, this might not be it. Tess has largely made her peace with the press and paparazzi, but her life is constrained by her fame. Yes, some fancy dresses show up, but just the right jeans might be more important in the story.

I appreciate the bits of good writing, quietly setting up later moments, whether it is grilled cheese or bathrobes.

I also like that this series doesn't take the lazy road where everyone in the friend group is gay and we march through them book by book. These books are all loosely coupled and could be read in any order, with a few minor spoilers, like a character being married in one book but single in an earlier one.

Just read all of them, in order or not.

Kensington Publishing was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via NetGalley for an honest review.
Profile Image for Heather Hogan.
180 reviews155 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 26, 2025
I think this is the last book in Amy Spalding’s Out in Hollywood collection, and if that’s true, goodness, she went out with a full-on fireworks finale. This was my favorite book in the whole series, which is really saying something.

Tess Gardner is this universe’s version of an A-list Marvel star — and she is miserable. Yeah, sure, she’s rich and famous, but these days she feels like nothing more than a brand that exists to make other people money. Her dream is to return to the stage, her first love, even though everyone on her team thinks it’s a terrible idea. She does it anyway, and immediately crashes into her other first love: hotshot theater director Rebecca Frisch. They fell hard for each other doing summer theater a million years ago and haven’t seen each other since.

Like all of Amy Spalding’s novels, this is a queer love story, and! It’s a story about a queer woman struggling to understand who she really is, what she really wants, to embrace her heart’s truest desires, and be brave enough to live a real life in an industry built on endless sleight of hand. Oh, and of course there’s an incredible pet who’s a supporting star! I’ve always been obsessed with theater, but I don’t have any actual experience with it; In Her Spotlight took me behind the scenes in the way I’ve always wanted to go. Also, if you loved Max from all the other books, as much as I loved Max from all the other books, you’re gonna end this series with an enormous grin on your face.
Profile Image for Cindy Stein.
806 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 22, 2026
In this author's latest Hollywood romance, Tess is the female member of The Vindicators, a Marvel Universe type series of films, who is looking to broaden her acting career. Much to her management team's unhappiness, she accepts the lead in an LA=produced play, which ends up with a last-minute change of directors. The new director is Rebecca, a woman with whom Tess had a passionate relationship when they both acted in summer stock, but who Tess left cold when she moved to LA.

The novel deals with Tess's insecurities about acting in a serious play given her reputation as a superhero character, her focus on her own image and the way her team controls it, and how she can interact with Rebecca both professionally and personally. The entire book is from Tess's POV.

Hollywood romances and second chance romances are two of my favorite tropes, so I was hoping to not get let down by this book. And I did not. On the whole, the writing was excellent, especially the dialogue between Tess and Rebecca. While Tess's insecurities and rigidity made her less likeable at the beginning, she became more likeable as her character arc progressed. Like the love interests in many romances, Rebecca felt a bit larger than life, which isn't a criticism since most of what we learn about comes from Tess.

Highly recommended.

I was provided an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.
Profile Image for KatesEndlessTBR.
44 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 21, 2025
Hollywood star Tess Gardner is desperate to shed her "sparkly superhero" image and prove her worth as a serious stage actor in a new theatrical production. However, her professional ambitions are upended when she discovers the play’s new director is Rebecca Frisch, the woman whose heart Tess broke a decade ago. As their old flame reignites, Tess must choose between the safety of her carefully closeted A-list career and the risk of finally living authentically.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole Out In Hollywood series and it could not have ended on a higher note. This was my favourite of the books so far. Which honestly was a surprise because I’m not usually a fan of second chance romances. But the amount of time between their first romance and the romance in the book allowed for growth in such a satisfying way.

I loved both Tess and Rebecca for entirely different reasons. Tess was messy and relatable hiding behind a put together image. Rebecca was smart and strong with a soft side she longed to be seen and nurtured. This was a rocky road for them but it felt all the more real as a result. I will be listening to the audiobook as soon as it is available because that is how I listened to all of the others and I’m not ready for the series to be over!
416 reviews16 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 11, 2026
I love second chance stories and if an actress is involved even better so that made me intrigued to read this book about the actress Tess meeting the director Rebecca meet again when Rebecca suddenly has been assigned to direct the play Tess is going to star in. Rebecca that Tess broke up with in the worst of ways a dozen years ago despite being so in love, Tess was not prepared to come out and risk her acting career then and Rebecca has every reason to still resent her for her action.

This is an intriguing setup for a story, the rekindling of what they had, can they find their way back to each other or still impossible. I like all the glances back in time, it would have been great to get even more about how they fell in love back then. Now the story is a bit to technical regarding their trades and a bit too little romance for me to really get invested in their story. The conclusion of the story is amazing so I cannot complain about that.

The 4th book in the series Out in Hollywood is not my favourite but still worth a read and I loved the cameos of former MCs.

I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave an honest review voluntarily.
Profile Image for V.
27 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 14, 2025
3.75/5 stars
Another delightful sapphic romance from Amy Spalding!
This book was a very sweet and entertaining second chance romance with good pacing. The two main characters had great chemistry and I really enjoyed seeing their story unfold. The ensemble of characters was entertaining and relatively likeable. The main character was at times unlikable / unrelatable due to her privilege, but the character also felt somewhat self-aware about this and I enjoyed how her character grew by the end of the story. Overall In Her Spotlight is a charming and entertaining sapphic contemporary romance.

What I Liked:
- Good pacing
- Great chemistry
- Sweet second chance romance
- Entertaining ensemble of characters

What I Didn’t Like:
- Not always the most likable main character, but realistic and fairly self-aware.

Thank you Kensington Publishing for providing me with a ARC of this ebook through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Raphidophora.
83 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 25, 2026
A wonderful sapphic love story set between a glamorous Hollywood lifestyle and the theatre stage!

The book starts a little slow with the first quarter having more rants about LA traffic than cute romance moments, but after that, it picks up the pace and is really enjoyable to read.

I liked not only the love story but also the story about the Main character, Tess Gardener, finding herself and connecting with new people.
I really wish I would be invited to one of her amazing-sounding dinners.

The best part about this book was the resolution at the end that was really satisfying,g and I kept having to remind myself that this is a fictional story and I can't Google these photos, because they don't exist (If you've read the book, you'll know what I'm talking about)
Also, great epilogue that really felt like tying the bow onto this lovely book.

Thank you NetGalley and KensingtonBooks for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Profile Image for Andrea.
327 reviews1 follower
Read
January 16, 2026
i really wanted to like this book. the first book in this series was one of my first arc books ever and I loved it- i even have a physical copy of it, but this one? I couldn’t get into it at all :(

dnf @32%

i appreciate the opportunity to receive an arc copy of this book through netgalley. I unfortunately just couldn’t connect with the main character at all, I felt the storyline just wasn’t for me & being this far in the book with nothing having happened yet is too slow of a burn for me. I also feel someone you loved in college, and are now a grown woman, it would have to be a really bad thing you did to still feel so incredibly guilty about it so many years later. I do get it was her only real relationship with a woman but, idno

felt a lot like a rich actress trying to be down to earth :/
Profile Image for Katie.
599 reviews38 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 22, 2026
I am so so sad that this series is ending, but it was a great ending!

I really loved Tess, I loved seeing some old faves like Max and Ari and Sadie, I really enjoyed the theatre aspect of this one- just so many good things. Also, why did she have to make Rebecca so hot??? I love the way Spalding uses fashion in these books- especially because she has such great personal style! (I love reading her newsletter and seeing what she wore for the week!)

For real though, I loved seeing Tess and Rebecca reconnect and fall in love again! I will say, I do wish we got more of them being together (this is a thing I say A LOT). There was a lot of Tess fretting and worrying about it leading up- which was good too!- but I would've liked more of them together.

I feel like a series reread might be on the horizon.....
9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 13, 2026
I adore the Out in Hollywood Series, (a world of LA movie stars that I know nothing about but also feels like such a warm hug), and In Her Spotlight is my new Amy Spalding favorite!

Going on this second chance romance + coming out journey with Tess had me getting emotional in a way that I don’t typically feel with this genre, but I loved every second of it and felt so supported by these characters. By this point I feel like I’m in their group chat.

I love the way Tess and every other character are at their best when they’re being their authentic selves, and it really makes me want to get off my couch and take over the world as a girlboss. It’s a very fun and uplifting read that had me LAUGHING (re: pug jokes and the singular line from Tess’ brothers’ kid).

It truly is the perfect read for theater kids (or theater fans) and midwestern queers. LOVED LOVED LOVED❤️
Profile Image for Jillian.
330 reviews3 followers
February 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing & Amy Spalding for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Theater nerds- I think you'll like this one. Hollywood celeb gossip nerd- I also think you'll like this one. Folks that love sapphic second chance romance, found family, identity growth, calling problematic people to the carpet (among many other poignant topics of misogyny that plague our world today)- I think you'll like this one. I loved it.

This is book four in a series but can 10000000000% be read as a standalone!

Characters 9
Atmosphere/Setting 9
Writing Style 9
Plot 9
Intrigue 9
Logic/Relationships 9
Enjoyment 9
Average Score: 9
CAWPILE rating method used. All credit to creator Book Roast on YouTube!
Does the title make sense to the story?
Yes! Especially on brand/pace/theme with the other series titles!
Profile Image for Nia.
188 reviews7 followers
Want to read
February 15, 2026
3.75 ⭐
• I love a good celebrity romance and this book served!! Loved the perspective of the breaking heart party and all the guilt and remorse that comes with it, it felt really refreshing!

• Watching Tess spiral due to Rebecca because she's not over her and trying so hard to deny that was soo hilarious!

• I loved the supportive family and really enjoyed how Tess realised her shortcomings in maintaining friendships and social interactions and worked on it.

• The celebrity part and the theatre scenes were really done well, I really enjoyed the writing and chemistry between the characters - it had me giggling because ofc!

💖 I totally enjoyed this, thanks NetGalley for the ARC all opinions are my own!
Profile Image for Sara Toerner.
94 reviews
February 24, 2026
“In Her Spotlight” is book 4 of Amy Spalding’s Out in Hollywood series and I loved it! As odd as it sounds, since she’s a famous actor in the book, Tess feels relatable as she tries to navigate “professional actor Tess” with actual person Tess. Figuring out who you truly are instead of who society or the people around you think you should be is the crux of Tess’ issues. Mix in Rebecca who has history with Tess and you’ve got the perfect Hollywood second chance romance. Not only did the characters feel human and fleshed out, but the atmosphere felt genuine (as someone in the LA area I definitely discovered some places I’ll be checking out!). All of which made for a fantastic read you’ll definitely want to pick up!
Profile Image for Jasmine Shouse.
Author 6 books88 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 22, 2026
I'm so sad this series is over! 

This book is more about Tess growing into her final form rather than the actual romance, but I enjoyed that. While the first half was a little slow in pace, I loved everything about Tess going back to stage theater. I devoured the second half, when the character arc really picked up. 

It was fun seeing some of the previous characters though my favorite part about previous books was the friend group which was mostly absent here. I have to reiterate that I love Tess's growth and the way she regained control and worked on herself. 

Thank you to Kensington for the opportunity to read and review. 
Profile Image for Heloise.
347 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 22, 2026
"Villains Shouldn't get happy endings anyway." I do tend to love a villain, and I will say she was not as much of a Villain as she thought until it came to Aisha. I really enjoyed this thoroughly, I liked the bonds formed, the friendships which were unexpected the way Tess found herself and became comfortable in her own body when she came out. The pressure of trying to be the best job you and your most present self were key, I think she was given some harsh truths by her friends but they stayed as they knew she would pull through.

Thank you netgalley for this e arc.
33 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
December 24, 2025
thank you to netgalley for a copy of this arc!

i enjoyed the book, overall. sometimes i found tess’ character annoying because of her insistence on being a professional actor but then throwing that all away randomly midway through the book?

however, the romance and the relationship between the characters were enjoyable and for that, i give the book four stars! would definitely recommend to a friend!
Profile Image for LeeAnn.
1,852 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 2, 2026
Amy Spalding's Out in Hollywood series never misses.

This story is so good! The characters feel so real, and the reader gets that behind-the-scenes peek that makes actor romcoms so delightful. And the author's description of Taylor Swift as a patron saint just seemed spot on.

I most appreciated the character growth. Trust me when I say, this author has such a deft hand.

If you haven't seen this series before, this book is your personal invitation to jump in.
Profile Image for JXR.
4,060 reviews24 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 12, 2026
Really cute romance with some great main characters. Our main protagonist was really sympathetic and her main goal, to become an actor taken seriously with all the awards that comes with, makes sense. Our LI was fun too, and their chemistry was incredible. the romance is good, too.

If you want to get honest reviews of some of the most exciting books coming out every week from a top-5 US Goodreads Reviewer, sign up for my mailing list here!
Profile Image for tara • tarasbookworld.
481 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 16, 2026
A very cute and well done sapphic romance. I haven't read any of the other books in this series but didn't feel like I was missing anything. Tess really had to do some soul searching and work on herself for me to be a fan of her by the end of the book, but thankfully she did. Really enjoyed her standing up for herself, and being okay with who she is as a person. A delightful romance.
Profile Image for Jessie.
28 reviews
January 13, 2026
Obsessed! I have loved every book in this series and this one was no exception.

I am a sucker for second chance romances and this was such a good one. I think there is so much to this book from being scared and vulnerable, not knowing what the right move is to standing up for what you want to do and how you want to live your life. I love that they had real conversations about the past and didn't just brush everything under the rug.

The chemistry between these two was clearly there, but there was also this understanding of each other and willingness to see each other for who they are now, not who they were back then. I loved the roller coaster of thoughts and emotions and stepping into yourself and who you want to be at the end of the day.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy!
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Author 2 books1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 27, 2026
It's actually quite rude of Amy to make cry at yet another one of her books. Just kidding (about the rude part not about the crying - seriously why am I so emotional affected by the Out in Hollywood universe). I absolutely love them all but these most recent two have hit on another level for me
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