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The Fame Game
Luna Kirkman has been in the limelight since she was six years old. A child of Hollywood, she's known both great success and great struggle. Now, after a long stint in rehab, she's back on her feet. There's only one problem. Her love life. As she nears her fortieth birthday, her heart, as well as her management, want her to settle down. So when her manager sets her up with fellow actor and heartthrob, Beau Paget, Luna is game but a bit hesitant. Beau has the looks and the reputation she needs for her image, but it's his sister she's interested in.
Chloe Paget hates everything the fuss, the fame, and even the fortune. And for the most part, she avoids it at all costs. Unfortunately, her brother Beau is one of Hollywood's biggest stars. So she's less than thrilled to hear that he's dating Luna Kirkman, Hollywood's most notorious wild child. But as she tries her best to warn her brother off Luna, she discovers there's more to Luna than her image. A lot more.
Chloe Paget hates everything the fuss, the fame, and even the fortune. And for the most part, she avoids it at all costs. Unfortunately, her brother Beau is one of Hollywood's biggest stars. So she's less than thrilled to hear that he's dating Luna Kirkman, Hollywood's most notorious wild child. But as she tries her best to warn her brother off Luna, she discovers there's more to Luna than her image. A lot more.
Audible Audio
Published March 10, 2026
About the author
Ronica Black
41 books145 followersRonica Black is an award-winning author and a three-time Lambda Literary Award finalist. Her books range from romance and erotica to mystery and intrigue, and she enjoys trying her hand at all. Ronica also enjoys drawing, painting, and sculpting. She lives in Glendale, Arizona, with her partner, where she relishes a rich family life and raising a menagerie of pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 7, 2025
Well, this book leaves me with mixed feelings. The first 20 percent was really great, but then it just felt off. The chemistry, which I really liked, became much less apparent and the tension was simply gone.
I missed the character development. Luna and Chloe remained rather bland and went round and round in circles. There was no tingle and the slow burn didn't really burn, if you know what I mean.
The conflict, or rather the conflicts, were always the same, and I found the last argument in particular a bit sudden. Where was the romance? The big emotions? Considering that Luna had been dating men the whole time and suddenly developed feelings for a woman, I expected more struggle and reflection.
The plot itself had a lot of potential. I mean, a forbidden love at first – that alone creates tension, right? The writing was decent and the cornerstones of the romance were good. But somehow... I felt like something was missing. I also found the book quite short, and for me, the ending was really just the beginning for Chloe and Luna, and I wanted to know how it continued. An epilogue would have been nice. That might have answered many of my questions.
However, I liked the portrayal of the tabloid press. All the negative aspects, crossing boundaries, lying in wait, and always feeling like you have to turn around and check if someone is there. I think that was portrayed very realistically.
A book that I can only recommend to a limited extent.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I missed the character development. Luna and Chloe remained rather bland and went round and round in circles. There was no tingle and the slow burn didn't really burn, if you know what I mean.
The conflict, or rather the conflicts, were always the same, and I found the last argument in particular a bit sudden. Where was the romance? The big emotions? Considering that Luna had been dating men the whole time and suddenly developed feelings for a woman, I expected more struggle and reflection.
The plot itself had a lot of potential. I mean, a forbidden love at first – that alone creates tension, right? The writing was decent and the cornerstones of the romance were good. But somehow... I felt like something was missing. I also found the book quite short, and for me, the ending was really just the beginning for Chloe and Luna, and I wanted to know how it continued. An epilogue would have been nice. That might have answered many of my questions.
However, I liked the portrayal of the tabloid press. All the negative aspects, crossing boundaries, lying in wait, and always feeling like you have to turn around and check if someone is there. I think that was portrayed very realistically.
A book that I can only recommend to a limited extent.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
May 12, 2026
Honestly? Kind of awful. Instead of ranting ill try to be concise:
-Is there a single likable or intelligent character in this book? I disliked everyone, and they perpetually made obviously awful decisions at every opportunity.
-All of these characters problems were directly and predictably caused by their actions. The protagonist who doesn’t want any fame or attention decides to date the most famous woman in America…..with predictable results. Characters who cause a media storm anytime they are seen together…..choose to publicly go out together and repeatedly kiss in public?
-The brother was simply the worst, and nothing whatsoever came of that either?
-What was this plot? It ran in circles without anything actually happening for the duration of the novel and then abruptly ended by simply abandoning the entire story up until that point. Also, two people can only “coincidentally run into each other” in a city that size so many times before it stretches my suspension of disbelief a bit too far. Same thing with the endless misunderstandings and refusal to communicate properly about anything.
-Nonsensical actions/decisions/events aplenty. Someone runs you off the road and you don’t call the police? People keep climbing into your private property and you just accept it and do nothing? The utter shock that two people who are fake dating… go on a fake date….that you knew was planned in advance….. I’m also fairly sure that someone as rich as these people are can manage to have security or see each other without media attention.
-THE ENDING!!! Maybe the worst part? What was that?? Let’s just drop every single plotline and move to a farm I guess. Nothing whatsoever was resolved? At all???
-Is there a single likable or intelligent character in this book? I disliked everyone, and they perpetually made obviously awful decisions at every opportunity.
-All of these characters problems were directly and predictably caused by their actions. The protagonist who doesn’t want any fame or attention decides to date the most famous woman in America…..with predictable results. Characters who cause a media storm anytime they are seen together…..choose to publicly go out together and repeatedly kiss in public?
-The brother was simply the worst, and nothing whatsoever came of that either?
-What was this plot? It ran in circles without anything actually happening for the duration of the novel and then abruptly ended by simply abandoning the entire story up until that point. Also, two people can only “coincidentally run into each other” in a city that size so many times before it stretches my suspension of disbelief a bit too far. Same thing with the endless misunderstandings and refusal to communicate properly about anything.
-Nonsensical actions/decisions/events aplenty. Someone runs you off the road and you don’t call the police? People keep climbing into your private property and you just accept it and do nothing? The utter shock that two people who are fake dating… go on a fake date….that you knew was planned in advance….. I’m also fairly sure that someone as rich as these people are can manage to have security or see each other without media attention.
-THE ENDING!!! Maybe the worst part? What was that?? Let’s just drop every single plotline and move to a farm I guess. Nothing whatsoever was resolved? At all???
March 11, 2026
The Fame Game by Ronica Black is an absorbing dive into the chaotic world of Hollywood celebrity as Luna, a former “wild child” is attempting to rehabilitate her image by fake-dating a fellow star, only to find herself genuinely falling for his sister, Chloe.
There’s much to admire here. I found the realistic portrayal of the tabloid press particularly good; Ronica Black perfectly captures the claustrophobia of being hounded by paparazzi and the constant pressure to manage one’s public image. The initial tension and chemistry between Luna and Chloe are palpable, making the first half of the book an addictive read. And I appreciated the nuanced exploration of Luna’s personal transformation following her time in rehab, which added a bit of emotional depth to the standard tropes.
The leads are good, but you might find Beau, who starts out fine, becomes a bit annoying and shallow. Also, after a good build-up, the lack of an epilogue giving us much of a glimpse into the couple’s life together is a bit of a missed opportunity. It’s a common trait of a lot of romance books, to be honest. In my experience, publishers can push you to pack all the tension into the build-up and payoff, and not to linger much thereafter and fit within a set word count. Despite this, the strong character development and engaging setting make this an engaging read for readers that enjoy the tug of stories that show the difficulty of having to hide your authentic self vs. living your better life.
I listened to the audiobook, and Fiona Vallen does a competent job.
Thank you to the author and publisher, the amazing Bold Strokes Books, and to NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy Luna and Chloe’s finding each other.
There’s much to admire here. I found the realistic portrayal of the tabloid press particularly good; Ronica Black perfectly captures the claustrophobia of being hounded by paparazzi and the constant pressure to manage one’s public image. The initial tension and chemistry between Luna and Chloe are palpable, making the first half of the book an addictive read. And I appreciated the nuanced exploration of Luna’s personal transformation following her time in rehab, which added a bit of emotional depth to the standard tropes.
The leads are good, but you might find Beau, who starts out fine, becomes a bit annoying and shallow. Also, after a good build-up, the lack of an epilogue giving us much of a glimpse into the couple’s life together is a bit of a missed opportunity. It’s a common trait of a lot of romance books, to be honest. In my experience, publishers can push you to pack all the tension into the build-up and payoff, and not to linger much thereafter and fit within a set word count. Despite this, the strong character development and engaging setting make this an engaging read for readers that enjoy the tug of stories that show the difficulty of having to hide your authentic self vs. living your better life.
I listened to the audiobook, and Fiona Vallen does a competent job.
Thank you to the author and publisher, the amazing Bold Strokes Books, and to NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy Luna and Chloe’s finding each other.
December 24, 2025
A believable depiction of the movie industry, to its extremes from best to worst. As to becoming famous, be careful what you wish for. However, a HEA after much heartache.
May 11, 2026
Content warnings: references to car accidents, parental deaths, toxic friends, paparazzi stalking, hospitalisation/visits, minor character death, toxic men.
Rep: Luna (MC) is cis, white, and sapphic (no label specified). Chloe (MC) is cis, white, and lesbian.
Rep: Luna (MC) is cis, white, and sapphic (no label specified). Chloe (MC) is cis, white, and lesbian.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
Luna is a well known Hollywood actress, currently in a long running serial. A few years before she was in rehab after bad problems with her boyfriend, and drugs and alcohol. Now she is clean, but still has to actively not drink. Still the memories of her fans are long, and so with help from her agent Mel she has to work to clean her image.
Chloe runs an event planning business, and since a bad breakup a few years before has kept away from relationships. Her younger brother Beau is a Hollywood actor, trying to keep his image clean. Some close calls recently means his agent contacts Mel, Luna’s agent, and arrange for them to ‘date’ for public consumption. However, Luna finds Chloe more interesting. Beau is a pig about that. He seems to be the squeaky clean one in the story, but he just becomes a complete ass.
This is a complicated and over-long story. The first half is really good, interesting and well written. The ending, however, is a cop out, as though the writer lost interest in the story, and just wanted to finish it. So many loose ends. Not every story needs a happy ending, not every loose end needs to be cleared up; life goes on. However, to craft a good story, writers usually have to follow a plan and towards the end this story loses the plot.
I really enjoyed the beginning, but hated the ending.
Chloe runs an event planning business, and since a bad breakup a few years before has kept away from relationships. Her younger brother Beau is a Hollywood actor, trying to keep his image clean. Some close calls recently means his agent contacts Mel, Luna’s agent, and arrange for them to ‘date’ for public consumption. However, Luna finds Chloe more interesting. Beau is a pig about that. He seems to be the squeaky clean one in the story, but he just becomes a complete ass.
This is a complicated and over-long story. The first half is really good, interesting and well written. The ending, however, is a cop out, as though the writer lost interest in the story, and just wanted to finish it. So many loose ends. Not every story needs a happy ending, not every loose end needs to be cleared up; life goes on. However, to craft a good story, writers usually have to follow a plan and towards the end this story loses the plot.
I really enjoyed the beginning, but hated the ending.
Read
March 12, 2026Books written by Ronica Black don’t always work for me. I did really enjoy this one. And it has a lovely cover
Celebrity romance is one of my favourite tropes. The narrator, Fiona Valen, has a pleasant listening voice and does great job. I’d never listened to a book narrated by this narrator before, I would do it again though. And this is high praise coming from someone with a mild dislike for audiobooks.
The books has some celebrity fake dating, I hate this part. I hate the hows and why’s and the continuation of it.
The whole being gay in Hollywood is not done is outdated, I didn’t like that being apart of the mix.
I’d also would have like to have seen of our main characters within a romantic relationship.
It’s a nice listen, perfect for your morning walks in the spring sunshine.(or whatever weather your having or whatever is your preferred listening activity)
Celebrity romance is one of my favourite tropes. The narrator, Fiona Valen, has a pleasant listening voice and does great job. I’d never listened to a book narrated by this narrator before, I would do it again though. And this is high praise coming from someone with a mild dislike for audiobooks.
The books has some celebrity fake dating, I hate this part. I hate the hows and why’s and the continuation of it.
The whole being gay in Hollywood is not done is outdated, I didn’t like that being apart of the mix.
I’d also would have like to have seen of our main characters within a romantic relationship.
It’s a nice listen, perfect for your morning walks in the spring sunshine.(or whatever weather your having or whatever is your preferred listening activity)
July 3, 2026
I do like how this novel touches on mental illness and recovery after rehab. I enjoyed watching the FMCs development towards recovery and forming healthier relationships. The reason I didn't give the book a higher rating is because I found the writing style and plot to be predictable and basic - nothing special or unique. But it was still an enjoyable enough read!
Thank you to Tantor Media and Tantor Audio for the gifted ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Tantor Media and Tantor Audio for the gifted ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
September 20, 2025
I was so excited about this one, the premise really interested me BUT it just ended up infuriating me for the most part. Beau was super annoying, I just wanted him to shut up every time he spoke. I loved Chloe and Luna’s characters but the back and forth of “I want to be with you” to “I can’t handle this” just got tiresome after the third time!!!!! It just took way too long for the story to actually get where it needed to go but I was rooting for them the whole time despite it all 😅
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book!
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book!
May 12, 2026
The Fame Game left me with mixed feelings.
The premise has a lot of potential - celebrity image management, fake dating, toxic tabloids, and a Hollywood setting that should be brimming with tension. I also appreciated the exploration of the pressure actors face to maintain a certain public narrative. The portrayal of the paparazzi culture and the way reputations can be manipulated felt realistic and timely.
That said, the story didn’t fully land for me. While I initially enjoyed the setup and the chemistry between Luna and Chloe, the dialogue often felt stilted, and the tension seemed to fade rather than build. The conflicts circled around similar issues without much progression, and I found myself wishing for deeper character development- especially around Luna’s evolving sense of identity.
The fake dating angle and some of the interpersonal dynamics felt a little repetitive, and I would have loved more time actually seeing Luna and Chloe in a relationship rather than orbiting around the idea of one. An epilogue or more grounded resolution might have strengthened the ending.
Overall, it’s an easy, dramatic read with an engaging Hollywood backdrop and strong themes around media and image. While it wasn’t quite the right fit for me, there’s plenty here for readers who enjoy celebrity romance with a touch of behind-the-scenes intrigue.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Tandor Audio for a copy of this audiobook. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
The premise has a lot of potential - celebrity image management, fake dating, toxic tabloids, and a Hollywood setting that should be brimming with tension. I also appreciated the exploration of the pressure actors face to maintain a certain public narrative. The portrayal of the paparazzi culture and the way reputations can be manipulated felt realistic and timely.
That said, the story didn’t fully land for me. While I initially enjoyed the setup and the chemistry between Luna and Chloe, the dialogue often felt stilted, and the tension seemed to fade rather than build. The conflicts circled around similar issues without much progression, and I found myself wishing for deeper character development- especially around Luna’s evolving sense of identity.
The fake dating angle and some of the interpersonal dynamics felt a little repetitive, and I would have loved more time actually seeing Luna and Chloe in a relationship rather than orbiting around the idea of one. An epilogue or more grounded resolution might have strengthened the ending.
Overall, it’s an easy, dramatic read with an engaging Hollywood backdrop and strong themes around media and image. While it wasn’t quite the right fit for me, there’s plenty here for readers who enjoy celebrity romance with a touch of behind-the-scenes intrigue.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Tandor Audio for a copy of this audiobook. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2025
Celebrity drama at its finest!
Luna is getting her life back on the straight and narrow after being a Hollywood wild child. She is set up to go out with Beau, who needs to improve his reputation with a stable relationship. Beau’s sister Chloe is just trying to be successful in her catering ventures and is not interested in any of the fortune and fame, but meeting Luna messes with some of her plans.
The tension between Luna and Chloe at the start was what really got me hooked. Chloe had thoughts about Luna that when they had an incident on a set, Chloe was certain they were all valid. She wasn’t too pleased to find Luna and Beau dating but as she got to know Luna she learned she had perhaps judged her too quickly. In getting to know Chloe, we really got the opportunity to learn just how Luna had changed for good and had similar thoughts about Hollywood and fame herself.
Naturally the setting led to lots of drama and tension throughout the whole story, and not just with Chloe and Luna. Chloe and Beau had been through so much, and it explained a lot about why Beau and Chloe were both unhappy about each other being with Luna. I felt all that emotion and completely empathised with all their actions, and completely understood the reasons for how they were feeling and how they all reacted to things.
I loved every second of this and really recommend it! Just great!
Luna is getting her life back on the straight and narrow after being a Hollywood wild child. She is set up to go out with Beau, who needs to improve his reputation with a stable relationship. Beau’s sister Chloe is just trying to be successful in her catering ventures and is not interested in any of the fortune and fame, but meeting Luna messes with some of her plans.
The tension between Luna and Chloe at the start was what really got me hooked. Chloe had thoughts about Luna that when they had an incident on a set, Chloe was certain they were all valid. She wasn’t too pleased to find Luna and Beau dating but as she got to know Luna she learned she had perhaps judged her too quickly. In getting to know Chloe, we really got the opportunity to learn just how Luna had changed for good and had similar thoughts about Hollywood and fame herself.
Naturally the setting led to lots of drama and tension throughout the whole story, and not just with Chloe and Luna. Chloe and Beau had been through so much, and it explained a lot about why Beau and Chloe were both unhappy about each other being with Luna. I felt all that emotion and completely empathised with all their actions, and completely understood the reasons for how they were feeling and how they all reacted to things.
I loved every second of this and really recommend it! Just great!
August 28, 2025
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
luna kirkman is a child of hollywood.... she is also known as a wild child but since rehab she has turned her life around for the better .... if only the pap would leave her alone
her manager comes up with an idea .... which is to date beau paget the latestheartthrob of hollywood ...she cant really say no so against her wishes a date is arranged
chloe is doing a massive favour for her friend and has undertaken getting the lunches ready for tv company.... shes not in her element and when an accident happens that sees her and luna on the floor covered in food ...her day cant get any worse... yeah it can....
so imagine her horror whilst out on a blind date when she comes face to face with her brother and luna .... its not the ideal situation or the fact that her blind date has the hots for luna....
a fun light read about the lives of the rich and famous and what they have to put up with in regards to their personal lives and the way the pap are always in their face
chose your friends wisely i will take from this book
luna kirkman is a child of hollywood.... she is also known as a wild child but since rehab she has turned her life around for the better .... if only the pap would leave her alone
her manager comes up with an idea .... which is to date beau paget the latestheartthrob of hollywood ...she cant really say no so against her wishes a date is arranged
chloe is doing a massive favour for her friend and has undertaken getting the lunches ready for tv company.... shes not in her element and when an accident happens that sees her and luna on the floor covered in food ...her day cant get any worse... yeah it can....
so imagine her horror whilst out on a blind date when she comes face to face with her brother and luna .... its not the ideal situation or the fact that her blind date has the hots for luna....
a fun light read about the lives of the rich and famous and what they have to put up with in regards to their personal lives and the way the pap are always in their face
chose your friends wisely i will take from this book
March 12, 2026
When in Hollywood, are you willing to play the fame game to be at the top?
Read this book for fans of the will they/won’t they trope! We love a yearning queen or two. I was so pleased to finally read a romance with zero smut.
I would rate this book 3.75 for ease of read and cute concept.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for this audio copy of The Fame Game
Read this book for fans of the will they/won’t they trope! We love a yearning queen or two. I was so pleased to finally read a romance with zero smut.
I would rate this book 3.75 for ease of read and cute concept.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for this audio copy of The Fame Game
Did Not Finish
September 16, 2026I liked the setup, but the average rating is terrible, most non-ARC reviews point to common problems, and there's shaming of sex workers.
April 14, 2026
This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me, but overall still a good read.
Going in, I was really intrigued by the whole celebrity / Hollywood setup, and that part definitely delivered. There’s something always a little addictive about stories set in that world, the image, the pressure, the behind-the-scenes dynamics... and I really appreciated the realism of the bad parts. So I liked how this book played with that. It felt immersive without being over the top.
The characters were interesting. They’re not perfect, they make questionable decisions, they carry their own baggage… which made them feel real, even when they were frustrating at times.
The romance itself worked… but didn’t fully sweep me away. There were moments where I felt the connection, and others where I was a bit more on the outside looking in. I think I was missing just a little more emotional build-up to really believe in them as a couple.
That said, I did enjoy the dynamic overall, and I liked that the story didn’t rely only on romance the romance itself. There’s also this underlying reflection on fame, image, and what it means to live under constant scrutiny, which added a nice layer to the narrative. Though, it's still a romance so I would have liked a bit more of it...
The pacing was decent, even if it dragged slightly in places, but nothing that completely pulled me out of the story. The end felt a bit rushed though, that last "conflict" between them felt kind of out of place...
So yeah, not a full-on favorite, but definitely a nice read. The kind of book that’s easy to get into, keeps you engaged, and leaves you mostly satisfied.
Going in, I was really intrigued by the whole celebrity / Hollywood setup, and that part definitely delivered. There’s something always a little addictive about stories set in that world, the image, the pressure, the behind-the-scenes dynamics... and I really appreciated the realism of the bad parts. So I liked how this book played with that. It felt immersive without being over the top.
The characters were interesting. They’re not perfect, they make questionable decisions, they carry their own baggage… which made them feel real, even when they were frustrating at times.
The romance itself worked… but didn’t fully sweep me away. There were moments where I felt the connection, and others where I was a bit more on the outside looking in. I think I was missing just a little more emotional build-up to really believe in them as a couple.
That said, I did enjoy the dynamic overall, and I liked that the story didn’t rely only on romance the romance itself. There’s also this underlying reflection on fame, image, and what it means to live under constant scrutiny, which added a nice layer to the narrative. Though, it's still a romance so I would have liked a bit more of it...
The pacing was decent, even if it dragged slightly in places, but nothing that completely pulled me out of the story. The end felt a bit rushed though, that last "conflict" between them felt kind of out of place...
So yeah, not a full-on favorite, but definitely a nice read. The kind of book that’s easy to get into, keeps you engaged, and leaves you mostly satisfied.
September 16, 2025
This is a tough book to review because overall it was a great book so I read it all in one day. I really liked the theme of this book: Straight A-list actress falls for working class lesbian. My only real issue with the book was the ending. *spoilers* The book ends when our 2 MCs decide to give a relationship a chance so we never get to see them as a couple. Epilogues have become so standard that I was shocked this book didn’t have one since it absolutely needs one (in my opinion). This was a 5 star book for me until the end where I was left disappointed and wanting more.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
In this book, the story revolves around a well-known star who, after going through rehab, picked up the pieces and started living differently. The struggles of not drinking or using drugs may have been a little underrepresented, but the personal transformation and the impact it has on both the person and their surroundings, and vice versa, are beautifully described. Not everything fits the way it used to.
I also appreciated how the emphasis on image was portrayed—what you have to sacrifice for fame, what the outside world gets to see, and how stories, even if they’re not true, keep being repeated for the sake of sales.
In the book, I didn’t really feel that being a lesbian was the main issue; rather, it was more about the overall image, which I found refreshing. The main characters share a strong connection, they understand each other, but paparazzi and fame create challenges. Following the heart while walking a path that isn’t always desired, along with personal and sometimes strained relationships, makes for a well-balanced whole.
The only thing I missed was a bit more intimacy—a full-body hug, holding hands, or sleeping and waking up together. That would have made the love feel even more convincing to me. I would rate this book 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book and chose to write this review voluntarily.
I also appreciated how the emphasis on image was portrayed—what you have to sacrifice for fame, what the outside world gets to see, and how stories, even if they’re not true, keep being repeated for the sake of sales.
In the book, I didn’t really feel that being a lesbian was the main issue; rather, it was more about the overall image, which I found refreshing. The main characters share a strong connection, they understand each other, but paparazzi and fame create challenges. Following the heart while walking a path that isn’t always desired, along with personal and sometimes strained relationships, makes for a well-balanced whole.
The only thing I missed was a bit more intimacy—a full-body hug, holding hands, or sleeping and waking up together. That would have made the love feel even more convincing to me. I would rate this book 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book and chose to write this review voluntarily.
August 26, 2025
🌟3🌟 Honestly, I wish we got more from this book…
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing this ARC!
The Fame Game follows the chaotic, celebrity life of Hollywood “wild child” Luna Kirkman as she forms a publicity relationship with fellow Hollywood star Beau Paget, but instead finds herself falling madly for his sister, Chloe Paget…
By no means do I think this book was necessarily “bad”, just maybe underdeveloped. My main reasoning for feeling this way stems from the characters themselves and how hugely disconnected I felt from both Chloe and Luna. Although I’ve read over 200 pages of their love story, I still feel as though I don’t know them as characters. Aside from their jobs, what makes them genuinely happy in life? How did Luna get into acting? What motivates them to continue to pursue the lives they currently lead? Personas aside, I have a very vague idea of what these characters look like. At various moments along the narrative, we’re drip fed information on their appearance and features, like hair colour and eye colour, but everything else feels rather nondescript.
Throughout the book, potentially due to my own disconnection from the characters, I couldn’t help but equate the storytelling to when a friend is reciting the happenings of another friend group that you’re not apart of and thus don’t feel as connected to the story as your friend does (if that makes sense). In other words, the characters were likeable enough for me to root for them, but it felt as though I was rooting for them because they were likeable enough and less so because I felt any connection to them.
Zeroing in on Luna, I would have loved to see her own mental reflections on her sexuality as well as what her romantic feelings for Chloe have made her realise about herself. This isn’t to say that she needed to be completely drowned in realisations about her sexuality, but her having a moment to sit back and think about what her feelings for Chloe mean for herself - especially because it was stated that Luna had never dated outside of men before - would’ve been nice to see.
Additionally, the end felt very abrupt and I wasn’t necessarily expecting the story to end where it did. Although we know that Luna’s life of fame was becoming a huge stressor for her, I never expected her to run away from said life so quickly and I can’t recall us getting any introspective perspective into potential thoughts of hers to run away. In the same vein, we also don’t get to see much on how Chloe comes to her decision on deciding to stay with Luna despite Luna’s busy and chaotic life - it feels like she just up and decided that she was ready to take on what comes with Luna’s lifestyle.
Lastly, the homophobia and lesbophobia was rife from all the side characters and it felt like none of it was really called out head on. Maybe it’s a reflection of how Hollywood regards queer identities at this time, but it was still shocking to see. The only character who had a moment of not being so homophobic was Mel, but that was on his death bed…so I’m undecided on whether that felt authentic. Generally, it would have been nice to see at least one person not be so immediately homophobic at the mere mention of Luna liking Chloe or vice versa.
With that being said, I did enjoy the author’s writing of dialogue - it felt natural and I could genuinely picture these conversations and interactions playing out in real life. And, the narrative itself wasn’t too bad, I just wish it was fleshed out a bit more to found a better connection with the characters.
(P.S. I spotted some errors, mistyped words and potentially missing words from the text, so some more editing would be useful.)
TW: Cursing, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical Content, (Minor Mentions of:) Drunk Driving; Car Crash, Alcoholism
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing this ARC!
The Fame Game follows the chaotic, celebrity life of Hollywood “wild child” Luna Kirkman as she forms a publicity relationship with fellow Hollywood star Beau Paget, but instead finds herself falling madly for his sister, Chloe Paget…
By no means do I think this book was necessarily “bad”, just maybe underdeveloped. My main reasoning for feeling this way stems from the characters themselves and how hugely disconnected I felt from both Chloe and Luna. Although I’ve read over 200 pages of their love story, I still feel as though I don’t know them as characters. Aside from their jobs, what makes them genuinely happy in life? How did Luna get into acting? What motivates them to continue to pursue the lives they currently lead? Personas aside, I have a very vague idea of what these characters look like. At various moments along the narrative, we’re drip fed information on their appearance and features, like hair colour and eye colour, but everything else feels rather nondescript.
Throughout the book, potentially due to my own disconnection from the characters, I couldn’t help but equate the storytelling to when a friend is reciting the happenings of another friend group that you’re not apart of and thus don’t feel as connected to the story as your friend does (if that makes sense). In other words, the characters were likeable enough for me to root for them, but it felt as though I was rooting for them because they were likeable enough and less so because I felt any connection to them.
Zeroing in on Luna, I would have loved to see her own mental reflections on her sexuality as well as what her romantic feelings for Chloe have made her realise about herself. This isn’t to say that she needed to be completely drowned in realisations about her sexuality, but her having a moment to sit back and think about what her feelings for Chloe mean for herself - especially because it was stated that Luna had never dated outside of men before - would’ve been nice to see.
Additionally, the end felt very abrupt and I wasn’t necessarily expecting the story to end where it did. Although we know that Luna’s life of fame was becoming a huge stressor for her, I never expected her to run away from said life so quickly and I can’t recall us getting any introspective perspective into potential thoughts of hers to run away. In the same vein, we also don’t get to see much on how Chloe comes to her decision on deciding to stay with Luna despite Luna’s busy and chaotic life - it feels like she just up and decided that she was ready to take on what comes with Luna’s lifestyle.
Lastly, the homophobia and lesbophobia was rife from all the side characters and it felt like none of it was really called out head on. Maybe it’s a reflection of how Hollywood regards queer identities at this time, but it was still shocking to see. The only character who had a moment of not being so homophobic was Mel, but that was on his death bed…so I’m undecided on whether that felt authentic. Generally, it would have been nice to see at least one person not be so immediately homophobic at the mere mention of Luna liking Chloe or vice versa.
With that being said, I did enjoy the author’s writing of dialogue - it felt natural and I could genuinely picture these conversations and interactions playing out in real life. And, the narrative itself wasn’t too bad, I just wish it was fleshed out a bit more to found a better connection with the characters.
(P.S. I spotted some errors, mistyped words and potentially missing words from the text, so some more editing would be useful.)
TW: Cursing, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical Content, (Minor Mentions of:) Drunk Driving; Car Crash, Alcoholism
March 17, 2026
Spice Level: 0/5 Sweet / Just Kissing
Luna Kirkman has grown up in the spotlights of Hollywood since the age of six. After some recent struggles, she finds herself back in the spotlight. Her manager has set her up with fellow actor and Hollywood hottie, Beau Paget. She understands this will help both of their careers but she still has her reservations, and for good reasons.
Chloe Paget is the sister of Beau and literally runs into Luna on set one day while helping a friend with her catering business. She later goes on a double-date with a woman her brother sets her up with and her brother and Luna. Chloe and Luna form a friendship that slowly evolves into more. Can it work out between them with Luna’s lifestyle and dating Chloe’s brother?
I received this audiobook from NetGalley and the Author in return for my honest review. Not going to lie, I had listened to another of Ronica Black’s books not too long ago and I really enjoyed the story. It was very engaging and kept me very interested. This book, the story was there, but the execution just fell short for me. The plot concept felt like something that could have really been knocked out of the park. Everything kind of moved at a snail’s pace and then all of a sudden everything was wrapped up and it was the end, which also didn’t really feel wrapped up.
The blurb about the book mentions that Luna is back in the spotlight after a stint in rehab. That bit of the character is completely eluded until the very end of the book. If it was mentioned earlier, I missed it. Something that could have been worked into conversations or the plot even more. You know the character avoids alcohol but you kind of figure it’s a personal choice, which it kind of is, but there’s a reason behind it and you don’t know it which would give more depth to the character. This wasn’t my cup of tea, but if this sounds like something for you, by all means give it a read.
The audiobook is narrated by Fiona Valen. The narration was “meh” for me. She has tone and inflection in her voice but at the same time sounded very mechanical. There were two PoVs in the book but were read the same so it didn’t really give you a sense of two different people.
🎬 Sapphic Romance
🎬 Actress
🎬 Hollywood Setting
🎬 Hidden Romance
🎬 Fake Dating
🎬 Toxic Masculinity
🎬 Mention of Alcohol Usage
Luna Kirkman has grown up in the spotlights of Hollywood since the age of six. After some recent struggles, she finds herself back in the spotlight. Her manager has set her up with fellow actor and Hollywood hottie, Beau Paget. She understands this will help both of their careers but she still has her reservations, and for good reasons.
Chloe Paget is the sister of Beau and literally runs into Luna on set one day while helping a friend with her catering business. She later goes on a double-date with a woman her brother sets her up with and her brother and Luna. Chloe and Luna form a friendship that slowly evolves into more. Can it work out between them with Luna’s lifestyle and dating Chloe’s brother?
I received this audiobook from NetGalley and the Author in return for my honest review. Not going to lie, I had listened to another of Ronica Black’s books not too long ago and I really enjoyed the story. It was very engaging and kept me very interested. This book, the story was there, but the execution just fell short for me. The plot concept felt like something that could have really been knocked out of the park. Everything kind of moved at a snail’s pace and then all of a sudden everything was wrapped up and it was the end, which also didn’t really feel wrapped up.
The blurb about the book mentions that Luna is back in the spotlight after a stint in rehab. That bit of the character is completely eluded until the very end of the book. If it was mentioned earlier, I missed it. Something that could have been worked into conversations or the plot even more. You know the character avoids alcohol but you kind of figure it’s a personal choice, which it kind of is, but there’s a reason behind it and you don’t know it which would give more depth to the character. This wasn’t my cup of tea, but if this sounds like something for you, by all means give it a read.
The audiobook is narrated by Fiona Valen. The narration was “meh” for me. She has tone and inflection in her voice but at the same time sounded very mechanical. There were two PoVs in the book but were read the same so it didn’t really give you a sense of two different people.
🎬 Sapphic Romance
🎬 Actress
🎬 Hollywood Setting
🎬 Hidden Romance
🎬 Fake Dating
🎬 Toxic Masculinity
🎬 Mention of Alcohol Usage
March 8, 2026
3.25 ⭐️
The Fame Game by Ronica Black follows famous actress Luna Kirkman, who agrees to a publicity relationship with actor Beau Paget—only to realize she’s actually drawn to his sister Chloe, who wants nothing to do with Hollywood.
The story was okay. The chemistry between Luna and Chloe was good in the beginning, but soon felt flat for the majority of the book. There was no character development whatsoever, which made the relationship feel a bit shallow.
The characters were not my favourites. I didn’t completely like them. Luna and Chloe were interesting enough, but I never fully connected with them. Beau, on the other hand, drove me insane. Every single scene with him annoyed me and half the time he didn’t even make sense as a character. His intentions were stupid and unlogical.
The book was also a little too fast-paced for me. The characters were switiching moods so fast, and some moments and conflicts didn’t really have time to breathe. No—honestly, all of the conflicts were just plain stupid, it all didn't make sense, and I didn’t understand a few of the decisions the characters made.
Overall, the romance was good half of the time. I wouldn't exactly recommend it to everyone, but I still enjoyed for the most part. I think I have a thing for celebreties. And I’m really happy I got granted a wish by the publisher.
Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Fame Game by Ronica Black follows famous actress Luna Kirkman, who agrees to a publicity relationship with actor Beau Paget—only to realize she’s actually drawn to his sister Chloe, who wants nothing to do with Hollywood.
The story was okay. The chemistry between Luna and Chloe was good in the beginning, but soon felt flat for the majority of the book. There was no character development whatsoever, which made the relationship feel a bit shallow.
The characters were not my favourites. I didn’t completely like them. Luna and Chloe were interesting enough, but I never fully connected with them. Beau, on the other hand, drove me insane. Every single scene with him annoyed me and half the time he didn’t even make sense as a character. His intentions were stupid and unlogical.
The book was also a little too fast-paced for me. The characters were switiching moods so fast, and some moments and conflicts didn’t really have time to breathe. No—honestly, all of the conflicts were just plain stupid, it all didn't make sense, and I didn’t understand a few of the decisions the characters made.
Overall, the romance was good half of the time. I wouldn't exactly recommend it to everyone, but I still enjoyed for the most part. I think I have a thing for celebreties. And I’m really happy I got granted a wish by the publisher.
Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2025
The Fame Game isn’t going to win any awards for originality. A Hollywood star who is dating an actor for publicity, but finds herself attracted to the star’s sister? I’ve definitely read that one before. However, if a story is well-told, it doesn’t have to necessarily be original. The romance between Luna and Chloe (sister of Beau) is okay, although for too long it seems like Chloe has one foot ready to run away from the relationship. I understand it, story-wise, but her reluctance makes Luna feel a little pushy at times.
But neither Luna nor Chloe is the problem in the novel. Their romance isn’t particularly interesting, but it’s also not bad. No, the problem is Beau and the lack of resolution with Beau. Beau, like the actor brothers in other novels like this I’ve read, is also dating someone else. That’s where the similarity ends. Quite honestly, the way Beau acts in this book makes him seem like he might be abusive to Luna and his sister, or at the very least dangerously controlling, and it’s not really touched upon near the end of the book. The entire Beau plot and lack of resolution leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth. I personally rated this a 2.5, but will reluctantly give it a 3 star, as I think a 2 star is too harsh.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books for this ARC.
But neither Luna nor Chloe is the problem in the novel. Their romance isn’t particularly interesting, but it’s also not bad. No, the problem is Beau and the lack of resolution with Beau. Beau, like the actor brothers in other novels like this I’ve read, is also dating someone else. That’s where the similarity ends. Quite honestly, the way Beau acts in this book makes him seem like he might be abusive to Luna and his sister, or at the very least dangerously controlling, and it’s not really touched upon near the end of the book. The entire Beau plot and lack of resolution leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth. I personally rated this a 2.5, but will reluctantly give it a 3 star, as I think a 2 star is too harsh.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books for this ARC.
September 27, 2025
Luna Kirkman is a successful actress almost growing up before the camera. She is happy and her career has recovered after a stint in rehab and two years of sobriety. Her manager lines her up with Beau Paget, a handsome leading man, hoping that being seen together will give a boost to both of their careers with positive press. Beau runs into his sister Chloe while they are out together. And Luna finds herself intrigued by Chloe more than Beau. Chloe is an event planner but doesn’t love all the press and publicity in Beau and Luna’s world.
The story is okay but was missing a few things. Luna seemingly has never been attracted to a woman before but there is no discussion of that. There is very little build up between the two. And the constant paparazzi is bad and the game of it all with the actors careers felt very one note. And paparazzi is and should be a villain but the pair choose to interact in public places and the disguises never worked so whose fault is it that they get their photos in the press. It was surprising there were very few good people in the book other than the female leads. And I was genuinely shocked at the feelings declaration as I felt there had been no build up to it. I am going to give three stars for the basic story but I thought there were missed opportunities on the romance side.
The story is okay but was missing a few things. Luna seemingly has never been attracted to a woman before but there is no discussion of that. There is very little build up between the two. And the constant paparazzi is bad and the game of it all with the actors careers felt very one note. And paparazzi is and should be a villain but the pair choose to interact in public places and the disguises never worked so whose fault is it that they get their photos in the press. It was surprising there were very few good people in the book other than the female leads. And I was genuinely shocked at the feelings declaration as I felt there had been no build up to it. I am going to give three stars for the basic story but I thought there were missed opportunities on the romance side.
September 1, 2025
Hollywood star Luna has been advised to improve her image by dating a male heartthrob actor. On their first date, Luna meets Chloe, the actor's sister and has an immediate attraction. Chloe, an event planner, isn't a fan of the Hollywood star culture but has to admit that she finds Luna attractive. Chloe and her brother have a very close relationship, cemented after their parents' deaths when the siblings were in their teens. So any possible relationship between Luna and Chloe has many built-in complications.
This is a good story set up and the book does a good job of portraying the madness of Hollywood star culture, including being stalked and chased by the paparazzi. Although I liked the book, there were a couple of plot issues I had. First, if Luna is a recovering alcoholic who's been through treatment and is working the 12 steps, why doesn't she ever go to any AA meetings? Second, the plot probably has one too many coincidences, including the hiking meet-up. And, finally, the resolution of the book in the final chapter is incredibly rush and could have really used an additional chapter to explain the changes that took place, including how Chloe ends up finding out where Luna is living.
I was provided an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.
This is a good story set up and the book does a good job of portraying the madness of Hollywood star culture, including being stalked and chased by the paparazzi. Although I liked the book, there were a couple of plot issues I had. First, if Luna is a recovering alcoholic who's been through treatment and is working the 12 steps, why doesn't she ever go to any AA meetings? Second, the plot probably has one too many coincidences, including the hiking meet-up. And, finally, the resolution of the book in the final chapter is incredibly rush and could have really used an additional chapter to explain the changes that took place, including how Chloe ends up finding out where Luna is living.
I was provided an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.
August 25, 2025
From my perspective, The Fame Game, was a tale of two halves. For the first half of the book, I was excited about the story, fully engaged with both of the main characters, and the story seemed to be moving in a cohesive direction. In the second half, the action seemed to focus on wash, rinse, and repeat. The reader continued to hear about Chloe's brother's (Beau) disregard for her possible relationship with Luna, as Beau continued to fake date Luna to further his career. Luna's friends, Hillary and Jo, were also a major source of irritation to Luna and to the reader for their lack of support when Luna needed it the most following a tragic event. The book was categorized as a "contemporary romance", but realistically should have been characterized as a book about co-dependency since the theme was continually prevalent. Finally, this book could use some editing. There were multiple errors found throughout the book which thankfully isn't a common occurrence for most Bold Strokes books. 3 stars
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2025
The premise of this book sounded really fun - a Hollywood romance where the IT girl doesn’t fall for the IT boy…she falls for his sister. Something no one ever sees coming.
However, this story didn’t end up feeling entirely fleshed out to me. By the end of the book I still didn’t really know much about who the characters actually are as people and while Luna and Chloe had chemistry from the beginning, it seemed to taper off a bit.
My other issue with this book was the number of times both Chloe and Luna speak aloud to themselves. I don’t know about anyone else, but very rarely am I saying full paragraphs of thought out loud to myself. I also felt that the dialogue itself was a little unrealistic sometimes - and a lot of conversation between characters felt far too forced and not natural enough. I struggled with the flow of conversation.
I did really enjoy the Hollywood backdrop and the fact that the pressure of the media and of the fame machine really can push people into doing crazy things to protect their image and their career but overall, this book just wasn’t the one for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books for this ARC!
However, this story didn’t end up feeling entirely fleshed out to me. By the end of the book I still didn’t really know much about who the characters actually are as people and while Luna and Chloe had chemistry from the beginning, it seemed to taper off a bit.
My other issue with this book was the number of times both Chloe and Luna speak aloud to themselves. I don’t know about anyone else, but very rarely am I saying full paragraphs of thought out loud to myself. I also felt that the dialogue itself was a little unrealistic sometimes - and a lot of conversation between characters felt far too forced and not natural enough. I struggled with the flow of conversation.
I did really enjoy the Hollywood backdrop and the fact that the pressure of the media and of the fame machine really can push people into doing crazy things to protect their image and their career but overall, this book just wasn’t the one for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books for this ARC!
April 8, 2026
The Fame Game is a light and fluffy romance about an actress and the sister of the guy she's supposed to be fake-dating.
I loved the main characters. They've got great chemistry and are very easy to root for. The way they supported each other was touching, and I love that Luna knows what she wants and goes for it. There is enough tension to hold the story together and keep things engaging. You wanna knock some sense into some characters and get their act together, but really, that was why I got so invested(lol)
I 'read' this as an audiobook and the narrator was fine. Nothing that really stands out but not distracting either. She differentiated the characters well without making it sound too cartoony.
I do think that the ending was a bit rushed. Without spoiling anything--I would have liked there to be more to the conclusion. It felt a bit like a Hallmark movie ending.
(ARC received from Netgalley)
I loved the main characters. They've got great chemistry and are very easy to root for. The way they supported each other was touching, and I love that Luna knows what she wants and goes for it. There is enough tension to hold the story together and keep things engaging. You wanna knock some sense into some characters and get their act together, but really, that was why I got so invested(lol)
I 'read' this as an audiobook and the narrator was fine. Nothing that really stands out but not distracting either. She differentiated the characters well without making it sound too cartoony.
I do think that the ending was a bit rushed. Without spoiling anything--I would have liked there to be more to the conclusion. It felt a bit like a Hallmark movie ending.
(ARC received from Netgalley)
August 26, 2025
The Fame Game by Ronica Black is a sapphic romance that appeals to those readers that loves a Hollywood fake dating trope but with a twist. Luna is a Hollywood actress who has had her fair share of media drama as she dealt with alcoholism in the spotlight. She's put in the work, completed rehab, and is ready to turn her reputation in the industry around. Beau is a Hollywood heartthrob and notorious bachelor who is looking for his Mrs. Right. Luna and Beau's management collaborate to push the two together, making a darling Hollywood couple that will help boost Beau's project and Luna's reputation. There is only one problem, Luna and Beau aren't really attracted to each other, and to make it more complicated, Luna is more interested in Beau's sister, event planner, Chloe.
This read is won't contain a lot of surprises but it is a fairly quick read that provides the reader with an array of topics to relate to. Black does a great job of incorporating the life challenges of addiction, codependency, trauma, anxiety, and loss that plague more than just the Hollywood elite without the book feeling too heavy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldstroke Books for the ARC.
September 9, 2025
Luna been in the limelight since she was a child she known for her success and title of wild child. Luna after having completed her stint in rehab she wants to continue with her life if only the paparazzi would leave her alone. Luna wants to focus on her love life when her manager convinced her to date a fellow actor Beau who can help with image but things gets complicated when she meets his sister Chloe who she feels drawn to. Chloe doesn’t like fame a fortune but her brother Beau is famous and she not exactly thrill about him dating Luna who could damage his image but as she starts to spend time with Luna she realizes there more to her then she thought. I enjoy this read I didn’t really like Luna friends Hillary and Jo and their lack of support at time Luna needed them.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
March 6, 2026
So I enjoyed this read, which haven’t really found any female female books that I’ve enjoyed. I felt like the ending was very rushed and wish there was epilogue and Beau & Chloe’s relationship had an ending and didn’t leave me with so much questions. Also, Luna and Chloe‘s relationship left me with a lot of questions. Luna is a famous actress who is sober she is fake dating Beau who is also a famous actor so that they have a positive spin on themselves. Chloe is Beau’s sister. Chloe and Luna feel something towards each other, but Chloe doesn’t like the spotlight. I feel like the beginning of the book had a good storyline and a plot and the whole story was good. I just felt like it was rushed. I wish that Lun,Chloe and Beau set boundaries with people in their lives, including each other before the end of the book. Otherwise, I was happy with the read.
March 11, 2026
Hated this! Very heavily plot-based with little interest in the romance. Luna and Chloe have no chemistry. They spend the whole book in conflict, don't ever actually resolve anything, then profess their love at the end. Black showed absolutely no interest in convincing the readers that these two characters even KNEW each other, let alone liked each other.
I didn't come to the romance novel for the plot, I come for the interpersonal relationships. This book fumbles all of them. None of them were rich enough to be even somewhat interesting.
The least misogynistic character in this book is a Man, and it's a sapphic love story. I really hated that both our main characters were consistently misogynistic. I don't want to read about women who hate women !!!!!!!!!!
I didn't come to the romance novel for the plot, I come for the interpersonal relationships. This book fumbles all of them. None of them were rich enough to be even somewhat interesting.
The least misogynistic character in this book is a Man, and it's a sapphic love story. I really hated that both our main characters were consistently misogynistic. I don't want to read about women who hate women !!!!!!!!!!
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