A Star is Scorned

by Maureen Lee Lenker

When movie star and notorious womanizer Flynn Banks finds his reputation in serious trouble, his studio insists he publicly date his new co-star, Liv De Lesseps, to save it―except Liv might swashbuckle her way into his heart for real.

Genres: Romance, Historical, Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction, Rom Com, Historical Romance, Adult

384 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!

This is the second book I've read in this series...although I haven't read the first book..Yet!

I enjoyed this book a little more than His Girl Hollywood. The romance was just okay but I liked the characters and the vibes. Classic Hollywood is a favorite setting of mine and I'm happy that the author tells us which real life actors (Errol Flynn/ Douglas Fairbanks and Olivia de Havilland) I'm also happy she acknowledged that Errol Flynn was a sexual predator in real life(our male main character Flynn is not). This book does contain sexual assault but its not super graphic and there is a Content Warning at the beginning of the book.

I like this series, even if the romance is just fine( I'm a tough critic when it comes to Romance). I've been dealing with a bit of a reading slump and this book really helped me get my reading mojo back.

I would still recommend this series! It's fun!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delight to revisit this fictional Old Hollywood world! I’ve now loved all three of Maureen’s romances in this trilogy. Somehow, they just keep getting better and better.

This one explores the fake dating trope, and I fell in love with both main characters. Hoping Captain Blood makes an appearance sometime soon on TCM.

What really enhanced the book for me was a few mentions of Catalina island. I had the opportunity to visit earlier this year aboard a Disney Cruise vacation out of San Diego (during which I was reading “His Girl Hollywood” of all things), and we toured the Casino mentioned a few times in this book. A fun full circle moment for me as I finished the latest book, which I hope isn’t her last.

Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Casablanca, for the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Beatriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 39 of 2025 - ✅! Thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca | Sourcebooks Casablanca & Maureen Lee Lenker for an ARC of A Star is Scorned in exchange for my honest review.

When I attended Maureen Lee Lenker’s book event earlier this year for her 2nd book - His Girl Hollywood - she announced her 3rd book: A Star is Scorned. The cherry on top was that the book was going to be released in October of 2025, so the moment it popped up on NetGalley, I requested it, expeditiously.

Like the rest of her Old Hollywood series - A Star is Scorned is a fun rom-com set during the Studio System days of Hollywood. As someone who works in the industry and lives in LA, it’s easy to see that Lenker’s books are a love-letter to both classic movies and Los Angeles.

In A Star is Scorned, one of Hollywood’s hottest stars, Flynn Banks, is not only known for his swoon-worthy roles in large Evett’s Studios films, but also (and to the chagrin of those in charge of enforcing the Hayes code) for his rakish ways off-screen. Olivia “Livvy” Blount has recently moved to LA with her younger sister, Judy. It’s always been Judy’s dream to be on the big screen as a dancer, and while Livvy was always interested in becoming a writer, she’s been positioned to star opposite Flynn in an upcoming pirate film. Prior to her silver screen debut, Evett’s Studios has given Livvy the stage name of Liv De Lesseps. Livvy had been crushing on Flynn prior to her first job in Hollywood, and soon after meeting at a bar, they’re asked by the head of the studio to start dating, in effort to save Flynn’s reputation.

Lenker once again shows that she knows all of our favorite tropes as romance readers, in this lovely fake dating story. I’ve read all of the books in the series, and while the first - It Happened One Fight - remains my favorite, A Star is Scorned is a close second. This was an enjoyable book, that I got through quickly. Note that physical abuse & non-consent are spoken about in the book, but not as it relates to the romance.

4/5 ⭐️ overall, and 2.5/5 🌶️ on the pepper scale for the open door scenes, which were well-written, as usual. 📽️🐒🏴‍☠️ #NetGalley #AStarisScorned

[annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the early copy of this book!

Full transparency (as much as I loved Dash and Joan), it was almost difficult for me to get through the first installment of this series (It Happened One Fight) because I was so preoccupied by thinking about a book centered around one rogue Flynn Banks. And now here we are, and I loved it even more than I thought I would!

This was one of those reading experiences where it felt like somehow the author has been inside your head and wrote every word specifically for you. The banter between Flynn and Livvy was EVERYTHING. I loved everything about the way their story unfolded from beginning to end. I’m not usually a fan of sister books either, but I loved the dynamic between Judy and Livvy it was very White Christmas. This one is for the Catholic guilt girlies also, Livvy was so personal to me 😭

I’m absolutely devastated I missed the book event for this at the ripped bodice, but I’m actually about weather the current LA storm so I can go see if they still have any signed books left! Definitely will be purchasing a physical copy of this one! Also I need to go back and read HIs Girl Hollywood now because I skipped straight past it to get to Flynn. I cannot thank Maureen Lenker enough for writing this, because it is a new favorite and one I will definitely go back and reread. Also I feel like this series would make the PERFECT TV adaptation, Maureen girl call me when it inevitably gets picked up and you need someone to play Olivia.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

📖 Title: A Star is Scorned

✍🏾 Author: Maureen Lee Lenker- I've read It Happened One Fight 5⭐ and His Girl Hollywood 4⭐

📅Publication date: 10/14/25 | Read: 10/14/25

📃 Format: e-Book 384 pgs.

Genre:
*Historical Romance
*Rom-Com

Tropes:
*Old Hollywood
*fake dating
*book lover-h
*workplace romance
*family drama
*secret identity

👆🏾POV: 3rd person dual

⚠️TW: attempted SA, child abuse-H, physical abuse, death of parents-h, parental abandonment-H, virgin h

🌎 Setting: Hollywood/Malibu

Summary: Liv and her sister Judy came to Hollywood for fortune and fame. Liv gets hired by Harry Evets to co-star with her idol Flynn Banks. He has wronged another woman and is forced to change his scoundrel ways. Both agree to pretend to fall in love for publicity and clean up Flynn's reputation. Flynn and Liv fall for each other but are scared to get their hearts broken.


👩🏾 Heroine: Liv De Lesseps/Olivia Blount-22

👨🏾 Hero: Flynn Banks-part of the British aristocracy

🎭 Other Characters:

* Judy Blount-18, Liv's younger sister, a dancer @ The Sphinx
*Billy Wilkes-owner of the Spinx, Judy's boss
*Dash Howard + Joann Davis-Flynn's married BFFs
*Arlene Morgan + Don Lamont-Flynn's married friends
*Viscount Banks-Flynn's father
*Edgar Banks-Flynn's older brother
*Harry Evets-Studio head, Flynn and Liv's boss
*Rhonda Powers-one of Flynn's exes-went to the gossip mags about him
*Violet-Flynn's mother
*Rallo-the monkey

🤔 My Thoughts: I loved the reformed bad boy getting the innocent girl. Flynn drank, slept around, and didn't care what anyone said. Liv had the responsibility of taking care of her sister. She was a little naive but that endeared her to Flynn and made me root for her. Dash and Joan and Arlene and Don made an appearance- both couples from the previous books. You don't have to read them to enjoy this!


Rating: 4/5 ✨
Spice level: 3/5 🌶️ kissing, 1 s-x scene

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Maureen Lee Lenker for this ARC💙! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

[Jeanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven’t read the first two books, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was really excited by the setting, 1930’s Hollywood, a time when modern technologies mixed with pre-modern sensibilities. And the first third of the book sort of captures it. The studio system of early Hollywood was rather notorious for exploiting its actors, so I was curious to see how this book would deal with that. To which the answer is, it doesn’t deal with it at all. I… don’t know how to feel about that.

Also, it was 1934. There’s such a thing as the Dust Bowl and The Great Depression going on. I know that Hollywood was one of the few places that were insulated from the devastation, but it seems odd that they didn’t mention it at all. Especially Livvy and Judy having left wherever they came from. They didn’t want to go back because their parents were dead… but what about the lack of jobs and economic hardships?

And what was the deal with Livvy and Judy’s parents being so religious and strict? What was the point of them being like that? And the whole thing with Flynn’s father dying and such… what was the point? I mean, I get that it was supposed to sort of explain Flynn’s commitment-phobia, but him being abusive, but on his deathbed with a secret, but he was actually just gonna be an asshole to him, but also what? And something with his brother too? What’s the point of him being the second son of a viscount?

The banter was really cute and fun in the beginning, but it got really cheesy once Flynn and Livvy started declaring their love for each other. Ugh. And they just started word vomiting out their love for each other.

The smut scenes were nice, though. Very romantic and sweet. Nothing too explicit.

[Darcy DecantingBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Releasing October 14, 2025
Rating: LOVED

Old Hollywood glamour, age gaps, a naïve LA newbie and an established playboy—this book had me from Page One.

Livvy’s a promising actress brand-new to the LA scene and cast in a movie opposite Flynn, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars and a walking scandal. It’s gotten so bad that he’s caught the attention of the morality police and is in danger of losing his movie contracts. So a fake dating scheme is hatched.

Despite Livvy’s inexperience and youth, she’s not going to let Flynn intimidate her, and she’s willing to push and challenge him—something he’s not used to AT ALL. And he loves it. There’s something about a beautiful, talented, young woman who’s willing to go toe to toe with him where everyone else just kisses up and bows down to him. Flynn is forced to confront the emptiness of his life and think about what he really wants; Livvy is forced to learn the ways of Hollywood and figure out what she wants too.

The banter and wit sold me—I adore the author’s writing style and the fantastic dialogue throughout. And the characters? So much fun! We get cameos from Dash and Joan (It Happened One Fight), and I just love the way Flynn and Livvy developed. Plus, yes please to the Hollywood glamour and style—so iconic! And finally, there’s the cutest pet monkey sidekick!

Highly recommend!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for my advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay! My friends from the golden age are back! Maureen Lee Lenker’s trilogy has ended with the best book yet. I was shocked to read in the Author’s Note that she felt this was the hardest of the three books to write. I loved this from start to finish. She’s built a beautiful world around Evett’s Studios with characters who are developed after amalgamations of real people from that time period.

In her third book, we get to know Flynn Banks as more than just Dash’s best friend and we’re introduced to Livvy and her sister Judy. While the story starts out setting Livvy and Flynn up on fake dates to rehab his womanizing ways, in true fashion they fall madly in love. While plot A runs, Lenker does a great job of introducing subplots surrounding the Hays Production Code and the sisterly bond between Livvy and Judy. Lenker always ties the plots beautifully together with an outrageous conclusion and this one had me in giggles featuring Rallo the monkey. The story wouldn’t be complete without cameos from Dash, Joan, Arlene and Don from the previous two books.

I’ll say it again, I wish these were movies or a limited series based on each book. Despite the challenges Lenker may have had writing this book, I hope she keeps writing from this world. I would love to see another Flynn & Livvy book or one surrounding Judy. Honestly, I’ll ready anything Lenker puts out next!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah Weiland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.3/5

Flynn Banks, Hollywood's British Womanizer, is trying to escape of his previous needy conquests when he hops into a stranger's car, expecting it to be a taxi. Ironically, it was Hollywood newcomer, Olivia Blount's car he hops into. Little does Flynn know, Olivia is going to be his new co-actor in the film he will be starting the next week. Olivia tries her best not to fangirl at the man who just hopped into her car, Flynn Banks. She has had a celebrity crush on him for as long as she could remember. But, to play it cool, she acts as though she has never heard of the heartthrob. To promote the upcoming movie and to help improve Banks' reputation, the agency wants Olivia and Flynn to fake date. While doing this, Olivia gets a glance of the man behind the movie screen. The two of them realize they are more alike than they thought, bringing them closer together.

This was a fun, old Hollywood steamy romance. I loved the Hollywood Bad Boy falling for the sweet innocent Hollywood Newcomer. This book was entertaining and kept me engaged the entire story. The book was almost 400 pages, but it was a quick read. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a good quality romance book!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by Maureen Lenker and I must say that I was very impressed with what I read. I will say reading books that are set in old Hollywood are always a thrill because there is so much intrigue and back then getting information about the facts was slower than it is today! I will say anyone who is given the opportunity to read this book needs to take it because it is wonderful!

We are introduced to Livvy who is just starting out in the movie business and she is already having to deal with a difficult costar. Flynn is a all around ladies man who can get any woman he wants but Livvy here is the only one who can't seem to be hooked by him. However, there are some circumstances threatening Flynn's career so he and Livvy agree to a fake dating scheme in hopes it can save his career.

Overall this was a very exciting book to read and it comes out next week so be sure to pick up a copy if this is something that interests you!

[Denise Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked from the beginning of this Golden Age of Hollywood-inspired story. Flynn Banks is the pirate actor of his time, scandalous on and off the screen. When he jumps into the roadster owned by Olivia, aka Liz De Lesseps, he thinks he's gotten away from a sticky situation with the driver not knowing his infamous reputation.  
Olivia knows Flynn is her co-star in the swashbuckler movie production. She didn't come to Hollywood to be an actress--her sister is a dancer and needed help getting into the studios. But as Olivia and Flynn fake a relationship and parry with each other on the set and in the public eye, feelings develop. Flynn is a playboy, and Olivia has no intention of being a name in his black book. But the sparks are real, and at a certain point, the fake dating doesn't feel like pretending.
A dangerous situation involving her sister means taking on an unsavory man in the decency group enforcing the Hays Code. Love, sacrifice, glamour, and more make this romance a hit!

[Sarah Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

The Old Hollywood setting was fun, and the romance was solidly cute. The story opens with two sisters looking out for each other. Livvy is just breaking into acting and immediately finds herself dealing with a difficult costar. Enter Flynn: full-blown playboy, charming scoundrel, reputation on thin ice.

Their meet-cute is adorable, and when Flynn’s career needs damage control, the two agree to a fake-dating arrangement to clean up his image. From there, the story rolls forward predictably.

Running alongside the romance is Livvy’s younger sister, Judy, whose storyline shows the darker side of 1930s Hollywood and how easily young women were chewed up by the system. That thread added some needed weight and tension.

Was it a little cheesy? Yes. A bit slow in places? Also yes. But overall, it was an enjoyable, easy read with a fun setting and enough heart to keep me engaged.

[Luv2TrvlLuvBks · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the women were glamorous and the men were debonair….

Take a stroll with me, fellow reader, to the Golden Age of Hollywood. Listen along with Liv and Flynn as they dance to the music of the Big Band. Join them on the movie set as the costume designer fits them for their next scene together.

This is the third in a series and having read the first had high expectations. And the author did not disappoint. Her description of the time period as well as the characters’ vernacular was spot on. Whomever chooses her covers does an excellent job. The antics of the animal sidekick and Liv’s athletic prowess sealed the deal.

This ARC was provided by the publisher,
SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca | Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lovely Loveday]

I delved into A Star Is Scorned by Maureen Lee Lenker and found myself swept up in the glamorous yet gritty world of Hollywood. I loved how Flynn Banks, the charming rogue with an actor’s swagger, and Liv De Lesseps, the fresh-faced newcomer with unexpected steel, tangled themselves into a fake-dating mess that feels all too real. The tension between their public personas and private selves pulled me in, and watching them drop their masks bit by bit kept me turning pages long after I meant to stop. Lenker’s detail shines, from the glare of flashbulbs to the underbelly of studio politics and sisterly sacrifice, it all felt vivid and alive. My only little wish was that the wrap-up let me linger a bit longer in that golden-age glow before the curtain fell.

[Janèt A · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.” ✨ My love for Golden Age movies and all the glamour of old Hollywood had me instantly intrigued by A Star Is Scorned. I can never resist a good fake dating trope, and this one delivered with plenty of charm, humor, and behind-the-scenes drama. The banter sparkled just like a classic screwball comedy, and I loved how the story leaned into that vintage movie magic. One of my favorite touches was the list of movies at the end that you can pair with the book—it felt like the perfect bow to tie it all together.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this delightful book.

[Galatea Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

****possible spoilers ****


I think when you know too much about a topic, it is difficult to suspend disbelief and enjoy the fantasy. As a mega fan of Olivia Dehavilland, I have read all the biographies and autobiography. The book never promised veracity but I just couldn't help correcting details whilest

The book itself is ok. Very formula. I will skip the other books in the series.


Ps. Olivia's autobiography, every Frenchman has a liver, not a wife as the author states in the notes.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d already read one of this author’s books earlier this year and loved it, so I was excited to dive back in and I still think Old Hollywood is such an original setting for romance
This one has it all: Golden Age glamour, an age-gap pairing, a naïve LA newcomer, and a notorious playboy actor in desperate need of image rehab.
I adored Livvy’s mix of innocence and grit and how she refuses to let Flynn steamroll her, and that challenge is exactly what shakes him out of his playboy ways.
And the pet monkey absolutely stole the show.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Tami Fidler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic! Another fun adventure in Hollywood in the 30s. Loved Flynn and Livvy. They complemented each other so well, and their chemistry was superb! I had the best time reading this and I know I will read it again!

[Margaret Solit · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dazzling return to Old Hollywood with my two favorite characters so far in Maureen Lee Lenker’s books! The build up of Livvy and Flynn’s story is excellently crafted, I couldn’t put this book down.

[Miranda Reads6 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute romance set in the golden era in LA. It was a nice change of pace being set in the past. I enjoyed the witty banter 😄

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, lighthearted, sassy, charming and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

[Bekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars- it was ok. Not sure I would recommend it.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I wish we got more of the fake dating tbh