The Lie of Having It All: A Standalone Grumpy Sunshine Small Town Forbidden Romance

4.5 ⭐️

Oh I have been waiting for Willa and Leo’s story and Morgan certainly didn’t disappoint 🤭.

If you have been reading the series you will know that Willa is a famous pop star and Leo is her publicist. These two were definitely experiencing a burn out so to speak, Leo was tired of working for a company with corrupt morals and just wanted to retreat for a small while and he actually buys a house in Holly Ridge. Similar to Leo, Willa has never deviated from her routine and it is starting to cause some issues, mainly that she is encountering writers block. When suggested by her agent and Leo for her to lay low for a little while Willa takes the opportunity but she finds herself also wanting to get away from the big city and that is how she finds herself also in Holly Ridge.

Now Leo and Willa actually met before he became her publicist and to say these two were taken with one another would be an understatement but of course Leo couldn’t act on this due to the fraternisation clause in his contract, and oh boy did these two yearn for one another.

During her time in Holly Ridge, Willa leaves her guard down completely and she experiences all things that life has to offer. This is mainly the simplistic things like nights out with friends, town events etc, all things a pop star doesn’t get to experience and honestly I loved seeing Willa so carefree. Now everyone around Leo and Willa could see what was brewing between them before it even occurred and I found it hilarious.

Leo did keep an eye on Willa but without the constant supervision of the public eye both these characters let their guard down and those feelings they couldn’t act on before oh well that completely just went out the window🤭

Of course these two cannot hide in the town of Holly Ridge for forever and eventually must return to the real world but now that they got a taste of how good life can be without that pressure the pair decide they will never return to how they previously were. In no world would Willa and Leo give up each other and my heart was ever so full😭.

I absolutely loved this couple, Leo worshipped the ground Willa walked on and he was determined that Willa would experience everything she missed out on. I love how Willas confidence grew throughout the book and wasnt afraid to take what she wanted. She pushed Leo’s buttons early on in the book and this added to a lovely tension that brew between the pair🤭.

Morgan Elizabeth definitely lined up some future couples in this book and I cannot wait until we return to Holly Ridge for our next couple.

Thank you to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭

Sabrina | thebookishspot

334 reviews13 followers

✨️ARC Review✨️

4.5⭐️ for The Lie of Having it All by Morgan Elizabeth

This book was exactly what I needed right now, a lighthearted romcom with banter, spice and a hint of yearning, it hit the spot just right.

Willa's journey from people pleaser to self-confident queen was so relatable, I loved seeing her growth; I'm not a popstar by any means but the journey still felt authentic and when she finally stood up to her manager, I was cheering for her.

Leo is such a sweetheart, the way he falls first and hard for Willa was just perfect! The way he wants to give her all the "firsts" she's never had made me melt into a swooning puddle.

I did find the yearning to be more talked about then actually showed, but the essence of it was still there and made me root for them to get together.

The spice was spicing in this one, even when the two MCs had to be in different cities, they found creative ways to ~be together~ and I ate it all up. Plus, there's no unecessary third act breakup in this story, which I appreciated so much.

Read if you enjoy small town, found family, forbidden romance vibes with a grumpy/sunshine twist.

Thank you to Morgan Elizabeth for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Trixie

151 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

badass-female-lead book-boyfriend favorites

Heart is so full after a trip back in Holly Ridge again. I have always loved how Morgan was always able to write her characters to reflect things and attributes that were very very easy to relate to in real life. In a way, as I was reading this, it felt like it was showing me how my life would turn out if I did or did not make a certain choice, and obviously, after seeing how Willa and Leo's story turned out, I knew what I was going to choose. It was something that should have been so clear to me, but it is only because its Willa in the story that I was able to see it crystal clear now.

Willa Stone is America's very own pop star princess who's in her greatest writer's block era in her life. She was the one who instilled confidence back into Adam when he was in his own slump and introduced him to Leo, who ended up helping him kickstart his career again on a healthy mental note. It was extremely wholesome to see him doing the exact same to one of his friends in the music industry that he knows to be genuine, by inviting her to Holly Ridge, a place where he found purpose in his life again, out of all the glamour and superficiality of showbiz, and a place where relationships were genuine and the community was very close-knit. I have been saying this ever since the start and in all of my highlights about Jackie, it has always been somewhere along the lines of 'when is this sweet child going to fire her manipulative manager?'. Jackie is definitely an artist's worst nightmare, especially when she has been in charge of Willa since she was young and the things that she would say or infer has unfortunately shaped Willa into the person she is underneath Willa Stone TM. In fact, I think that deep down, she is unhappy that Willa is finding happiness somewhere other than in her career because this means that she has lesser leverage against her when she needs to manipulate her for her greed and to thinking that she has to give in a bit more 'for her brand'. Like Leo, I have always been damn confused because isn't who she is that is the brand? Rather than what is carefully curated by the people who only decided to do it that way to maximise their profits? From Willa Stone TM at the beginning of the book to just Willa Stone at the end, she has slowly found herself beneath the light blonde, blue eyed girl, neutral colours all of them wanted her to become. It's just so fascinating that one way Morgan chose to do this was by starting to let Willa control her narrative once again by making her own decisions about how she decided to appear before people. Dying her hair back to her darker blonde, not wearing coloured contacts, not putting her hair up on a ironclad ponytail, adding more colours to her wardrobe instead of her authorised neutrals. Because Willa Stone isn't someone who is bland, she was someone who used to be so vibrant, so genuine, so bright, until they decided that she needed to shrink herself to 'adhere to the brand', removing colours from her life, where she could get coffee, not allowing her to defend herself when she was constantly getting harassed by paparazzis, forcing her to drink that disgusting goo of green everyday and ohmygod, stopping her to enjoy all the experiences a normal child or person would have growing up. So glad that at the end of the day, her time at Holly Ridge with the girls, with Leo showed her what it was like to be truly cared for from people who always have your best interest in mind. Leo was right in the sense that she wouldn't be able to confirm that what Jackie was doing to her was wrong, because no one has ever treated her as she should have been, and now that the clique did, she immediately realised how she was manipulated her whole life now that she has a benchmark to compare it to!

Absolutely loved how girlhood was portrayed here!! It was amazing to see how Wren, Hallie and Nat just welcomed Willa with open arms and quite literally dropped everything they had on their hands the moment they heard Willa needed something. The ever kind and thoughtful Wren, the always unhinged Hallie and wow the lifesaver stylist Nat!! They ensured Willa would feel so safe when they were out in Colton's bar, they dolled her up for her first date with Leo, and when they heard she was missing, they immediately rounded up the gang to look for her. They say its never about the quantity, but the quality of friendships. I bet she would have known many people in the music industry, but who ever reached out to her and checked in on her? But these group of friends in Holly Ridge? They brought her on teenage activities she has never got the privilege to experience, bombed her phone to check if she got home alright, and of course, ever so thirsty for details of her and Leo HAHAHAH credits to Hallie for that!! The Holly Ridge community is so ever wholesome, in the sense that everyone is protective of whoever they consider to be part of their community. In the 3 months that Willa was 'hiding' there, no one sold her out even though that would definitely earn them so much money that they would never have to work in decades, ironically, it was her own manager of decades that sold her out for a petty scheme just to get her engaged to an asshole, just utterly disgusting. It was also so funny that all of them there were just placing bets on how long it would take for them to finally admit that they are head over heels over each other HAHAHAH right in front of the 2 people in question.

Leo. Sinclaire. Gosh I love that name so much and it absolutely does not help that this guy, is a true man in itself?? Someone who is so competent in his field, someone who isn't afraid to acknowledge his imperfections and instead decides to embrace it in order to become a better version of himself, his principle about putting his client's best interest first and THE PINING THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 8 YEARS!!! It was revealed much later in his POV about this and I was just so stunned there like, imagine you are coming back late at night from a boy's night out that you half willingly went to, saw your house being toilet-papered by a group of hysterical girls and chases after them only to find your dream girl of 8 years being a completely different version of herself that you have never seen in the glamour before WHILST in the sweatshirt that you have given her 8 years ago the first time you saw her because you spilled her own coffee on her. I would have went crazy. because it meant that the feelings have been mutual, she clearly feels the same, and that suddenly the professional boundaries and his contract are the only ones holding him back from pursuing her. Leo has always made sure that decisions were made to Willa's best interest in every decision he had the opportunity to partake in. He has never been fond of Jackie (for very good reasons) and as fate would put it, his very own words sent her to Holly Ridge where the two real individuals beneath their shield would have a reason to be taken off!! He has always been so observant, as if he has spent the past 8 years cataloging all of her emotions and reactions to be able to tell which is genuine and which is trained just like how she was cataloging him. He was there for every single time she was told to hide a part of herself that would be deemed 'harmful' for the brand, and because my man has been taking down notes, he acts on everything she says she missed out on. Leo Sinclaire never just say 'I love you' but he shows it over time through his actions. His very first reactions to anything would be always pointing out how her interests were never put first AGAIN. and telling her that this isn't right and should not be tolerated. He gave her the confidence and showed her the standards of what a person who actually cares about you deeply would do, and that was how Willa was finally able to admit to herself that her mother and Jackie have always been manipulating her to further their own selfish conquests. Idk how Chris, Jackie and Jefferson expected Willa to buy the story that it was Leo who leaked the pictures out. Are you kidding me?? Are you talking about the guy who only has eyes on her girl whenever they are in the same room?? Idk whether to call these people stupid or just downright insane.

I think whatever that was between Willa and Leo would be what I would define as a healthy relationship. Because of the 8 years they spent pretending they didn't want each other and denying their attraction, they knew how strongly they felt about each other. They were also on the same page as each other at each phase of the relationship. When they got to Holly Ridge, they had the same purpose, to get a life and to find out who they really stand for beneath the professional exterior and shield they put up for show everyday, so obviously when they finally confessed about their feelings, they were ready to put in all the effort they could in order to preserve something as real and genuine as each other going because they are sick and tired of the loneliness they have gone through for their careers. Leo was going for marriage and starting a family with her from the getgo, and I loved how he just told Willa because he wanted to consolidate the fact that she is his endgame from the start. He doesn't propose on a whim but he tells her so that she knows that this is the direction this relationship is going for, and that they are both on the same page. He knows that a girl, especially for a hopeless romantic like Willa, a marriage proposal has to be well-planned so kudos to him for that one. He also planned out an unforgettable date belonging just to them when they first got together, because he wanted her to have memories of that, along with the countless 'firsts' that he was going to have with Willa. Just like how he was rebuilding the house he bought at the beginning of the book like he was rebuilding his life, with Willa actively helping out on it, they are indirectly building their home together! in Holly Ridge!! I kid you not, I was squealing out loud especially when Leo designed a whole music room for her to have her own, custom-made space to write music in ACCORDING TO THE VISUAL SHE HAS ALWAYS HAD FOR HER WORKSPACE. Never in my life would I have imagined someone to ask for help in order to stalk someone's pinterest just to find out what her ideal workspace would be. It was so cute seeing how the whole group took turns over the 4 weeks that she was away from Holly Ridge to sneak in questions to be so sure that the final product was what she would enjoy. It was as if this was Leo's coping mechanism other than working and fixing up the rest of the house when she was gone so that it would feel that this time was only another time he had to go through to 'have it all' with Willa, she was spending time away for her career and he was using that time to build their future together. Just like how Willa rotated between his 3 shirts during those weeks. I think to be able to appreciate what your other half does for a living is so insanely hot. How Willa is completely in awe of Leo when he is in his tailor made expensive suit that makes him look and I quote 'illegally hot' and when he is making ironclad statements that are not meant to be refuted. How Leo is completely gone when Willa plays her drafts and is lost in her own world scribbling down lyrics. And of course, him completely respecting her decision of wanting to continue her career saying that he would never be in the way of it. wow. Leo Sinclaire. you truly are something else.

I would love to see more of Willa and Leo, especially now that they were openly PDA-ing in front of the cameras, definitely would love to hear how Willa's new album would sound like. How would their lives play out now that Willa Stone finally figured out who she is? Personally, I think she would blow up even more now that her persona isn't the same as everyone else's. More people would love her because of the love she has for her work, the impact she wants to make on other people's lives and of course, because she is so kind and sweet to her fans, to the people who love and supports her and of course, her new found family. It all clicked when I started playing to Britney Spear's Lucky as I am typing this out. Willa in so many ways reassembled Britney and Taylor, of course, as a Swiftie, I ate up the tiny references Morgan left about Taylor along the way.
A huge thank you to Morgan Elizabeth and House of Hearts for the gifted copy, the above are all opinions are my own and I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for showing me that it was possible to have it all, by living a life true to yourself. Still completely in a daze as I wrap this up because wdym I received an ARC from one of my fav authors of all time and it turned out to be such an enchanting read. Can't wait for this to hit the shelves in 5 days!!

Brina.readz

249 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Autorin bzw. Autor

Thank you to Morgan Elizabeth and House of Hearts for I a digital ARC of "The Lie of Having It All" in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited to be back in Holly Ridge and absolutely adored Willa and Leos story. I have read a few of Morgan's other books and loved knowing that Willa pops up in some I haven't read yet as well (I will definitely be reading those now).

The slow burn aspect of Leo and Willa dancing around each other for years and then reconnecting while they're back in Holly Ridge was perfection. Their hidden attraction and yearning practically jumped off the page. And once they gave in their chemistry was just insane! The men in Holly Ridge are something else! All of their little moments together were so thought out and beautiful.

Willa was such a beautifully strong and vulnerable (at times naive) character, going through such a great process and development throught the book that really tore at my heartstrings. The way she found her family among all our Holly Ridge girlies was beautiful and I will never get tired of Wren, Hallie or Nat (so ready for her HEA). You just know they have each other's backs 100%.

The Lie of Having It All Willa is constantly thinking about is the red string of this book and handled so beautifully (stating with that amazing note by the author).

"The world tells us the lie of having it all so that we keep going, of how to keep striving when life gets hard. But the people at the top, the ones who are the most successful, will all tell you the same thing— at some point, you have to choose. You have to choose what you want most of all and how to be okay with everything else falling behind."

"At the top of a Ferris wheel in a tiny town I’ve learned to call home, I finally have it all."

I cannot get enough of this little town, that friend group, those men throwing their women over their shoulder and all the adorable love stories!

Alicia

164 reviews1 follower

Review of advance copy received from Author

Thank you Morgan Elizabeth for an ARC of this book!

4.5/5 ⭐️

If you’ve read Morgan Elizabeth’s books, you know these two have been floating around the Morganverse forever, pop superstar Willa and her publicist Leo, so when I found out they were finally getting their own story I was so excited!

Leo has been Willa’s publicist for years, and neither of them realizes they’ve both been quietly harboring feelings for the other the entire time. When they both end up escaping to Holly Ridge, everything starts to shift.

Of course, the Holly Ridge crew wastes no time pulling them in. Wren, Hallie, Nat, Jesse, Madden, and Adam make it basically impossible for Willa and Leo not to get adopted into the chaos, and I loved every second of it.

Leo was perfect for Willa.

Without giving too much away, Willa is starting to realize how tightly controlled her life has been, how scheduled every moment is and how little say she’s had in the decisions shaping her career and future. Watching her begin to question what she actually wants for herself was such a powerful part of the story.

And Leo? Leo has always had Willa’s best interests at heart. But seeing him truly understand what she’s going through, support her, and give her the space she needs to figure things out on her own was everything.

Their relationship felt so genuine. They see each other clearly, love each other for exactly who they are, and would do anything for one another.

This book was heartfelt, romantic, and such a fun return to Holly Ridge. Morgan Elizabeth continues to build a world that feels like coming home, and getting Willa and Leo’s story was worth the wait.

Samantha Sullivan

312 reviews5 followers

Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers

I am absolutely obsessed with this book! From start to finish it had me hook, line and sinker! Honestly this book could’ve went on for another 300 pages and I wouldn’t have complained at all!

We have had snippets of both Willa and Leo in numerous other books of Morgan Elizabeth’s and honestly this might be my favourite book of hers. And I am absolutely obsessed with them being together and getting their happily ever after.

Willa is the sweetest person. I love that she is sweet but has a backbone and is sassy towards Leo. My heart breaks for her in wanting a normal life because honestly I wouldn’t blame her. I loved being there and watch her grow into someone she loves and truely is. I loved seeing that she was able to find a group of girls and bloom with being a part of the friend group.

I loved seeing Leo finally give him and soften towards Willa. I loved seeing him in relax mode and not just the sharp shoot PR guy. I also loved that he lets Willa just be herself and doesn’t try to dim her. I also absolutely loved that the guys pulled him in and wouldn’t let him back out of hang outs.

Holly Ridge is just magical and I keep getting more and more sucked in. I cannot wait for Nat’s book and I think I know who her MMC is or more hoping it is. But I am so excited to see where Morgan takes us next. This was an amazing book and I have nothing less than love it to bits!

2026

Briana smith

359 reviews49 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

4⭐️
arc review 💘

Leo

Boy oh Boy oh Boy this was so dang cute🥹 I absolutely love a popstar but then add in he's her publicist?! FREAKING SOLD!!!

Willa, oh sweet Willa. Having to put up a whole front to the world in being the best she can be down to having her day scheduled to a tee. It was so beautiful watching her blossum and grow from being so sheltered to having her whole life turned upside down🥹 How she turned to Leo was so beautiful, needing him as friend first before anything because she truly didn't have anyone.

Leo was such a MAN!!! The way this man stepped up and kicked everyones ass to the curb who disrespected Willa. ARF ARF!!👹💘 The yearning he had and the role he had to play? DONT MESS WITH ME. Thats my cup of tea right there😚 He was so gentle and kind, respecting her boundaries but was there to command and DAYUM.🙂‍↕️

I loved the dynamic these two have. The pop star/ Publicist is not something I read much, but this scratched an ITCH. The growth was beautiful. Being a doormat to being a boss ass B*TCH!!! I'm obsessed with them🥹

Also....the spice. lets say there was a spicy laptop call involved and I will forever think about that😀❤️

thank you Morgan for this earc💘

Danielle

318 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

I swear sometimes I don't think that Morgan's writing can get any better and then I am proven wrong. I think that Leo has almost nudged Nick out of his spot as top book boyfriend in the Morgan Elizabeth world and I didn't think that was possible!!!!

Willa is a pop-star who always does what she is told. She realized long ago that it was either her career or love and that she was never going to be able to have it all. She made the decision that she was lucky enough to have this career and she would not waste it.

Leo is her PR manager and had an event that made him realize that life is short and all he has to show for his life is his job. So he takes Adam (The Bright Side of Christmas) up on his offer to check out Holly Ridge.

Now life has a funny way of making us all look at what we think we want and shows us what we need. Willa is taking time to recharge and lay low and ends up also in Holly Ridge. She has never had life experiences and a set of girl gang!! Well Holly Ridge will provide!!

I loved the girl gang and getting to see the couples from the past. I feel like we are laying the foundation for the couples to come. The way that Leo shows his love!!! Chefs kiss!!!

Katie Thayer

378 reviews51 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

✨ARC Review✨
The Lie Of Having It All
By Morgan Elizabeth

That was the day I came to terms with the fact that the concept of having it all is a lie.

“You’re tied to me?”
“Knotted so tight, I don’t think I can ever undo it.”

“You look so f***ing pretty like this, all done up as your pretty princess version, but being my little slut.”

Oh these two!! Ahh! Leo and Willa are a power couple and they don’t even know it! Willa and Leo are both over worked and stressed out. And end up in the same small town together trying to decompress and let the stress and worry go. As the weeks go on these two who has a business relationship move to a romantic relationship and in doing so learn what is worth fighting for. When realty calls, choices need to be made. And in the end find out what truly having it all means.
I loved being back in Holly Ridge and with these characters and previous characters. The girl gang is top notch! And watching Willa find her badass girl boss confidence was so fun! I really enjoyed this book!

Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Mutual Pining
Forbidden
Protective MMC

Spice Starts at: 34%

Spice: 2.5/4
Stars: 4.5/5

Available March 19th

Megs

539 reviews8 followers

🎡🍑ARC Review🍑🎡

Thank you Morgan Elizabeth for this ARC of The Lie of Having it All!

This book was SWOONY to the MAX‼️
I love and adored everything about Willa and Leo. From their initial meet cute to the way he talks to her and makes her do the opposite of what he said to the way that he absolutely loves Willa with a full heart🥹

The way Morgan took us on this journey, immersing us with Willa and seeing and feeling what Willa was, even when it came to Jackie, I would say I was just as brainwashed as Willa was there in the beginning 🫣

I couldn’t get enough of this book! Just with how everything sort of centered around them working on the house together, it becoming their home and the music room Leo created for her 🥹

This book had me needing more but also being fully satisfied at the same time, I love Willa and Leo so much. Plus the bonus of ALL the characters from the previous books was amazing! This book absolutely gave of Friends vibes but put the setting in a small town 😆.

Tropes:
🎡Pop-Star FMC
🍑He’s her Publicist MMC
🎡Forbidden
🍑He falls first
🎡It’s always been you
🍑No 3rd Act Break-up
🎡Secret Relationship

Maggan

283 reviews3 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

March 11, 2026

4.5 stars!

I thought this was a beautiful story of two people finding themselves and each other.
First of all... my god do I go feral for pining and yearning hehehehehehe.
I absolutely love how we see Willa find herself and her voice more and more, and the way Leo supports her and gives her the 'normal' she so desperately wants... gahhhhhh I love them. And of course Willa brings out a carefree (well sometimes lol) and soft side in Leo that is absolutely swoon worthy. That man would have me folded like a lawn chair hello?????
Of course, I was so happy to be back with the entire Holly Ridge crew (I'm so excited for the next books :))) and the way they're just so... them. Leo was never getting away from them ever hahahaha.
The last part of the book was exactly what I'd hoped with everybody getting what they deserved (in a positive and a negative sense lol).

Thank you Morgan Elizabeth for the ARC!!!

Beth (bethsbookshelfx)

457 reviews11 followers

“𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢, 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘶𝘴."
———————————————————————
I enjoy every single Morgan book I read. Her writing is so easy to read and so engaging. Her characters are always so well thought out and complex which helps with making you fall in love with them. Leo and Willa may be one of my favourite ME couples to date. I am so completely fucked is probably one of my favourite lines in a book. Cause we know that true. I also loved Nat in this book. She’s actually hilarious and I loved the scenes between her and Madden 👀 I shall just wait me thinks.
———————————————————————
“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵. 𝘏𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘙𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘦𝘰 𝘣𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵—𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱—𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵.”
———————————————————————
🎤 Popstar x Publicist
🏠 Grumpy x Sunshine
🎤 Forced Proximity
🏠 Forbidden Romance
🎤 Mutual Pining
🏠 Found Family

arcs ku

Lesa Stewart

191 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

ARC review

I loved this so much!! From the first chapter the whole Holly Ridge gang is back in action. I love that Willa gets her time to shine. The dynamics between Leo and Willa are sheer perfection.

I know Morgan loves Taylor Swift and so everytime Leo called Willa, Honey, in my head played “you can call me honey if you want, cause I’m the one you want.” Then I looked and saw that exact song on the playlist.

I loved their first time meeting a definite meet cute. I loved how he was dead set on helping her achieve all her first. Being a childhood pop star and never getting to experience things like s’mores or toilet papering houses. He didn’t care what it was he wanted her to experience it.

The spice was spicing too. His little spicy gift for her was great. But come on Leo you could have done her wishes in that Ferris Wheel.

Great Job and I hope the next book is Nat and Madden because there is something brewing there.

Gabby

141 reviews2 followers

arc enemies-to-lovers famous-media-music

Thank you to House of Hearts and Morgan Elizabeth for selecting me as an ARC reader of another amazing book.

Willa Stone has been in the spotlight since a child. No decisions for her life she’s been in control of. After a rough interaction with the press and told to lay low she on a whim decides to go to Holly Ridge to work through a writers block. At the same time her publicist that she had an incredible meet cute with 8 years ago before he realized she was a pop star is renovating a new house in Holly Ridge. Quickly their friend group intertwined and she imbedded herself to help him renovate his house. He starts to take her on the mundane firsts everyone has experienced both revealing they’ve always had something for eachother. She learns that you don’t need everything to be happy, you just need your friends who show up without being asked.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Kristen

728 reviews9 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

“The world tells us the lie of having it all so that we keep going, of how to keep striving when life gets hard.”

Willa Stone and Leo Sinclair are a fun forbidden romance. Pop star x publicist, for 8 years they have kept their relationship strictly work. However now they have both escaped to the same small town for some peace and quiet and when they discover the other is there it’s impossible to grow the pull.

They were a spicy duo as well, Leo had a mouth on him! Loved every second of it. They were a good addition to Holly Ridge as well!

“I like playing, Willa. Even if you don’t come on my tongue, I promise you, we’re both going to enjoy the ride.”

Than you House of Hearts and Morgan Elizabeth for the ARC!

Brynley Hope

712 reviews10 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

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✨Grumpy x sunshine
✨PR manager x pop star
✨Forbidden
✨Found family

Wow wow wow this was SO beautiful!!! Morgan has been putting out books lately that feel so incredibly special to me to the point where I almost have no words. Seeing Willa go from being so sheltered to standing up for herself & experiencing firsts with Leo that she never could have imagined made me emotional! The found family aspect was so all consuming & I'm about to pack up and move to Holly Ridge too! If Morgan writes it, i will read it as early as I can get my hands on it, full stop.

Thank you so much to Morgan Elizabeth for allowing me to be on her ARC & content team!!!

Kari Byron

402 reviews3 followers

Oh these two had me swooning! Willa is your quintessential pop star icon and Leo is your grumpy standoffish PR manager for her. When Willa shows up in the cute little town Leo is not happy to see who his new neighbor is… I loved every minute of their love story. His protective and caring nature, her learning to be just Willa and stand up for herself. It was pure gold. Plus we get to see all of our favorites from the first two books. This girl group cracks me up. I just want to hang with them so bad! This town and every story has been so fantastic like the perfect hug. I love this town and group of friends.

Brie W.

39 reviews

Review of advance copy

Morgan just keeps getting better and better! Loved how down bad Leo was for Hallie 🥰 I don’t know how Morgan made a pop star FMC feel so relatable, but she really knocked it out of the park! I don’t know a single woman who hasn’t struggled with the idea of “having it all” in some way or another and this was such a beautiful reminder that everyone’s ‘all’s’ are so different but that anything can be possible- especially with the right partner and by surrounding yourself with the most supportive version of family (found or blood!). Thanks to Morgan Elizabeth and House of Hearts Lit for the opportunity to read this as an ARC! As usual, all opinions are my own. ❤️

claireesbookshelf

537 reviews14 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

o.m.g. This book was honestly so amazing, and I cannot believe this is my first Morgan Elizabeth book because I WILL be reading her backlist ASAP. I did have a hard time keeping some of the characters straight, but that was definitely because I hadn't read the previous 2 books in the series. Overall, I loved how grumpy Leo was UNTIL he turned into a total sap for Willa. The meet cute and 8 years of yearning, yea that's what I like to see. The found family aspect was also so amazing and funny to read and I loved seeing Willa grow into herself and not just the pop star princess version.

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Amber

1,108 reviews47 followers

Review of advance copy

I just love grumpy protective Leo. He was so supportive and loving. He always has Willa's best interest in mind. He knew what she needed and did everything in his power to give it to her. Willa becomes so much stronger throughout the book. She finds herself again and stands up for herself against her manager and team that only care for the brand. Holly Ridge and its fun cast of characters were full of banter and laughs.

Michelle Ferrel

57 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

Absolutely loved this book. It was such a great addition to the series. The found family that Willa has in Holly Ridge is just top tier. Her trauma is so heart breaking to me and I loved that her and Hallie bonded over that. She meshed well with everyone and her and Leo are amazinggggggg.

Gennaskindletbr 🩶

171 reviews3 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

I loved this. I loved Leo & Willa.

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Sarah

106 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

Thank you for the ARC! I enjoyed this book.

Emma

840 reviews2 followers

Review of advance copy received from Publisher