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The Hollywood Switch-up
Impersonating her sister was the easy part. Falling for her sister's enemy wasn't.
Erika Morgan is used to being the wrong twin. The overlooked one. The shadow. So when a devastating accident puts her in her famous sister's spotlight, she does what any sensible person would panics, agrees to impersonate her, and prays no one notices she's not the sister they wanted.
Enter Stefan her sister's gorgeous, infuriating co-star with a grudge, a razor-sharp intuition, walls no one has breached in years—and absolutely no reason to keep Erika's secret when he discovers it. But he does. Worse, he keeps looking at her like she's someone worth finding.
Now she's stranded in paradise with a man who sees too much, a director who can end careers with a word—and wants something she's not willing to give, and a lie that could cost her everything—including the one person who finally sees her. The only way out is stop hiding in her sister's shadow and step into the light as herself.
Even if it burns.
This book is for you if you
⭐ Mistaken identity / Twin switch
⭐ Enemies to lovers
⭐ Forced proximity
⭐ He falls first
⭐ Protective hero
⭐ Hidden identity
⭐ Hollywood romance
⭐ Heroine who saves herself
Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Sally Thorne's The Hating Game, and and Ali Hazelwood—readers who want sharp wit, slow-burn tension, and love stories where the woman doesn't need rescuing.
The Hollywood Switch-Up is a Princess and the Pauper retelling and the first book in the Hollywood Fairytale Romance series. Each book is a standalone contemporary romance with interconnected characters and a guaranteed happily ever after.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Open door. Themes of identity, sisterhood, power dynamics, and reclaiming your voice.
Erika Morgan is used to being the wrong twin. The overlooked one. The shadow. So when a devastating accident puts her in her famous sister's spotlight, she does what any sensible person would panics, agrees to impersonate her, and prays no one notices she's not the sister they wanted.
Enter Stefan her sister's gorgeous, infuriating co-star with a grudge, a razor-sharp intuition, walls no one has breached in years—and absolutely no reason to keep Erika's secret when he discovers it. But he does. Worse, he keeps looking at her like she's someone worth finding.
Now she's stranded in paradise with a man who sees too much, a director who can end careers with a word—and wants something she's not willing to give, and a lie that could cost her everything—including the one person who finally sees her. The only way out is stop hiding in her sister's shadow and step into the light as herself.
Even if it burns.
This book is for you if you
⭐ Mistaken identity / Twin switch
⭐ Enemies to lovers
⭐ Forced proximity
⭐ He falls first
⭐ Protective hero
⭐ Hidden identity
⭐ Hollywood romance
⭐ Heroine who saves herself
Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Sally Thorne's The Hating Game, and and Ali Hazelwood—readers who want sharp wit, slow-burn tension, and love stories where the woman doesn't need rescuing.
The Hollywood Switch-Up is a Princess and the Pauper retelling and the first book in the Hollywood Fairytale Romance series. Each book is a standalone contemporary romance with interconnected characters and a guaranteed happily ever after.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Open door. Themes of identity, sisterhood, power dynamics, and reclaiming your voice.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating~ 3.5 stars rounded up
Annalise and Stefan are both famous actors who hate each other. When Annalise injures her ankle, she asks her twin sister, Erika, to step in for her by impersonating her in her upcoming film. Not only does Erika have to navigate acting and convincingly impersonate her sister, but she also finds out she has to act alongside her sister’s rival, Stefan. Little does she know, she’s not fooling him as easily as she thought she was.
I liked the premise of Stefan working with Erika and discovering that she was not actually her famous sister. It was interesting that he hated her sister but still found Erika attractive whenever he saw her at events. Honestly, I always liked his character. I think he was trying to do the best he could in the environment he was in, which was more inclined to brush issues under the rug.
Erika was in way over her head. I wondered how she was able to pull off the acting. Add in the creepy set director… sis was floundering. I think her relationship with Stefan helped. I get why her sister was always opposed to anything positive regarding Stefan, but it just felt like Erika was left out to dry. During the last quarter of the book, I was just morally disturbed. So much was at stake, but I also had fears for her character and what could happen to her.
I really liked the bilingual moments. They weren’t heavily done, but I enjoyed them and the uniqueness they brought to the characters’ backgrounds.
The ending was seriously next level. I honestly didn’t expect the book to go in that direction when I first started reading. I was bothered but really enjoyed the conflict resolution. It was definitely a wild ride!
Annalise and Stefan are both famous actors who hate each other. When Annalise injures her ankle, she asks her twin sister, Erika, to step in for her by impersonating her in her upcoming film. Not only does Erika have to navigate acting and convincingly impersonate her sister, but she also finds out she has to act alongside her sister’s rival, Stefan. Little does she know, she’s not fooling him as easily as she thought she was.
I liked the premise of Stefan working with Erika and discovering that she was not actually her famous sister. It was interesting that he hated her sister but still found Erika attractive whenever he saw her at events. Honestly, I always liked his character. I think he was trying to do the best he could in the environment he was in, which was more inclined to brush issues under the rug.
Erika was in way over her head. I wondered how she was able to pull off the acting. Add in the creepy set director… sis was floundering. I think her relationship with Stefan helped. I get why her sister was always opposed to anything positive regarding Stefan, but it just felt like Erika was left out to dry. During the last quarter of the book, I was just morally disturbed. So much was at stake, but I also had fears for her character and what could happen to her.
I really liked the bilingual moments. They weren’t heavily done, but I enjoyed them and the uniqueness they brought to the characters’ backgrounds.
The ending was seriously next level. I honestly didn’t expect the book to go in that direction when I first started reading. I was bothered but really enjoyed the conflict resolution. It was definitely a wild ride!
September 11, 2026
3.25🌟 | 1.5🌶️
The twin-switch premise gave me such fun Parent Trap vibes, and it was easily one of my favorite parts of the story.
Erika and Stefan had sweet chemistry, and Stefan being completely enamored with her was adorable. I also liked watching Erika slowly step out of her sister’s shadow and become more confident in what she wanted for herself.
The romance worked best for me, while some of the heavier Hollywood elements felt less seamless. I appreciated the book tackling such a serious subject and showing how deeply it affected Erika, but I wish those issues had been addressed more openly rather than mostly through implication. I also struggled a little with Erika keeping everything to herself when there were people around her willing to help, which made some of the later decisions harder for me to understand.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a fun premise, a sweet romance, and a character arc I was glad to see unfold. Annalise could be a little difficult for me at times, and I think the story could have benefited from being slightly tighter, but the chemistry, twin-switch chaos, and Erika’s personal growth kept me invested.
There was still plenty here to make this a solid romance for me.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Hallie Katherine and her Team for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
The twin-switch premise gave me such fun Parent Trap vibes, and it was easily one of my favorite parts of the story.
Erika and Stefan had sweet chemistry, and Stefan being completely enamored with her was adorable. I also liked watching Erika slowly step out of her sister’s shadow and become more confident in what she wanted for herself.
The romance worked best for me, while some of the heavier Hollywood elements felt less seamless. I appreciated the book tackling such a serious subject and showing how deeply it affected Erika, but I wish those issues had been addressed more openly rather than mostly through implication. I also struggled a little with Erika keeping everything to herself when there were people around her willing to help, which made some of the later decisions harder for me to understand.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a fun premise, a sweet romance, and a character arc I was glad to see unfold. Annalise could be a little difficult for me at times, and I think the story could have benefited from being slightly tighter, but the chemistry, twin-switch chaos, and Erika’s personal growth kept me invested.
There was still plenty here to make this a solid romance for me.
~~~~
A sincere thank you to Hallie Katherine and her Team for the ARC! 🥰📚
I’m so grateful for the early read. As always, all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. ✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overall cute but I felt that some things felt inconsistent.
I didn't really like Anneliese, she felt really diva-ish and self-centered. With that said, I don't understand why Erika felt overshadowed besides her own insecurity. Her sister and family seemed overall supportive of her endeavors.
There were some things that weakened the story - Stefan didn't put together the birthmark even though he clearly pointed it out earlier. Characters repeat things that were just said a page or two before. That should be cleaned up to help with the believability and continuity of the story.
In the story, there are hints at r*pe and s*xual a**ualt but it's never explicitly stated. I'm not sure that this was the way to handle that. If the book is making a statement about powerful rich men getting away with anything, then I think you should really own that and state things plainly. I think the author needs to also prepare people for this element of the book better. I was not getting "dark humor" and think we started veering out of rom-com genre territory as Erika collapsed under psychological pressure. I'm not sure that this element felt necessary to the story and it did cause a major shift within the feel of the book as it was incorporated.
My last issue was the miscommunication and back and forth of Erika. I feel that she was really not paying attention or using the resources around her. She knew the mmc saw what was happening and she knew that there had been allegations against the director and that the was an on-going case. So it didn't really make sense to me that instead of going to anybody and saying, hey, this is happening, she just chooses to isolate. I understand the hesitation to come forward because of identity fraud, but with the existing allegations I don't think that's a strong enough reason to stay quiet. It almost made her feel just as complicit in being silent as everybody else. And that is not trying to victim shame, it just felt like that could have been written better. Like she didn't even attempt to discuss it with her sister or her sisters agent, who were supposedly on her side. I feel like I would have needed a lot more to understand why she felt the need to completely isolate herself given everything we knew. I really don't know that this aspect to the story was needed and I feel like it maybe detracted from the overall plot.
The stronger aspects of this were the actual romance and the moments of Erika finding her footing as her own person throughout the journey. I think if this story focused more on Erika navigating her own growth and desires while maintaining her sister's secret, without the a**ault aspects, this would have been a stronger book.
Overall 3.5 for me
I didn't really like Anneliese, she felt really diva-ish and self-centered. With that said, I don't understand why Erika felt overshadowed besides her own insecurity. Her sister and family seemed overall supportive of her endeavors.
There were some things that weakened the story - Stefan didn't put together the birthmark even though he clearly pointed it out earlier. Characters repeat things that were just said a page or two before. That should be cleaned up to help with the believability and continuity of the story.
In the story, there are hints at r*pe and s*xual a**ualt but it's never explicitly stated. I'm not sure that this was the way to handle that. If the book is making a statement about powerful rich men getting away with anything, then I think you should really own that and state things plainly. I think the author needs to also prepare people for this element of the book better. I was not getting "dark humor" and think we started veering out of rom-com genre territory as Erika collapsed under psychological pressure. I'm not sure that this element felt necessary to the story and it did cause a major shift within the feel of the book as it was incorporated.
My last issue was the miscommunication and back and forth of Erika. I feel that she was really not paying attention or using the resources around her. She knew the mmc saw what was happening and she knew that there had been allegations against the director and that the was an on-going case. So it didn't really make sense to me that instead of going to anybody and saying, hey, this is happening, she just chooses to isolate. I understand the hesitation to come forward because of identity fraud, but with the existing allegations I don't think that's a strong enough reason to stay quiet. It almost made her feel just as complicit in being silent as everybody else. And that is not trying to victim shame, it just felt like that could have been written better. Like she didn't even attempt to discuss it with her sister or her sisters agent, who were supposedly on her side. I feel like I would have needed a lot more to understand why she felt the need to completely isolate herself given everything we knew. I really don't know that this aspect to the story was needed and I feel like it maybe detracted from the overall plot.
The stronger aspects of this were the actual romance and the moments of Erika finding her footing as her own person throughout the journey. I think if this story focused more on Erika navigating her own growth and desires while maintaining her sister's secret, without the a**ault aspects, this would have been a stronger book.
Overall 3.5 for me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2026
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: September 8, 2026
Billed as a forced proximity, enemies to lovers, Hollywood romance…that’s really not what this was. While there were a number of steamy scenes, this book was more about SA and predatory men in Hollywood. I will say that the abuse was well written because it constantly made me feel ill while reading, but it’s really not what I wanted to read about.
Billed as a forced proximity, enemies to lovers, Hollywood romance…that’s really not what this was. While there were a number of steamy scenes, this book was more about SA and predatory men in Hollywood. I will say that the abuse was well written because it constantly made me feel ill while reading, but it’s really not what I wanted to read about.
Did Not Finish
June 13, 2026Her twin sister was so annoying and the feud with Stefan was so dumb I couldn't continue
September 8, 2026
2 ★
First of all, thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh well. I really, really wanted to love this one.
The premise is genuinely SO fun. The twin switch, the movie set vibes. Like hello?? The potential was right there.
And honestly that's probably what kept me reading, because unfortunately this was not it for me.
My biggest issue was the writing. It felt confusing quite often. And not to mention that it's extremely repetitive. There were so many moments where i felt like I was reading the same scenes, conversations and descriptions over and over again, and pretty quickly it started to drag a lot.
The characters also didn't fully grab my attention. Stefan came off more arrogant than charming or morally grey to me, although after a while I mostly just felt neutral about him. Erika was just kind of... there. And the sister really annoyed me, I'll just leave it at that.
I also had a hard time buying the movie set storyline. It felt way too unrealistic and unserious for what's supposed to be an actual professional film production. And there was some heavier plot stuff that felt a bit thrown in rather than fully developed.
That being said, I do think there's an interesting idea here. The concept has so much potential and it was enough to keep me curious, even if I did end up skimming through the last chapters.
Overall, fun concept, lots of potential, but sadly the execution wasn't for me.
First of all, thank you so much to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh well. I really, really wanted to love this one.
The premise is genuinely SO fun. The twin switch, the movie set vibes. Like hello?? The potential was right there.
And honestly that's probably what kept me reading, because unfortunately this was not it for me.
My biggest issue was the writing. It felt confusing quite often. And not to mention that it's extremely repetitive. There were so many moments where i felt like I was reading the same scenes, conversations and descriptions over and over again, and pretty quickly it started to drag a lot.
The characters also didn't fully grab my attention. Stefan came off more arrogant than charming or morally grey to me, although after a while I mostly just felt neutral about him. Erika was just kind of... there. And the sister really annoyed me, I'll just leave it at that.
I also had a hard time buying the movie set storyline. It felt way too unrealistic and unserious for what's supposed to be an actual professional film production. And there was some heavier plot stuff that felt a bit thrown in rather than fully developed.
That being said, I do think there's an interesting idea here. The concept has so much potential and it was enough to keep me curious, even if I did end up skimming through the last chapters.
Overall, fun concept, lots of potential, but sadly the execution wasn't for me.
September 22, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I definitely judged a book by its cover with this one. 😂 On the surface, The Hollywood Switch-Up looks like a cute, fun, glitzy, he-wines-and-dines-her romance… and it absolutely is, but it is so much deeper than that.
I don’t know if it’s just guys named Stefan, or if this MMC is simply that amazing, but I LOVED him. He definitely has his flaws, but what really stood out to me was how hard he tried to make up for them. His actions felt genuine and, honestly, real. He wasn’t perfect, but he was willing to acknowledge his mistakes and put in the effort.
I also really loved that this book touches on some of the uglier truths of Hollywood. It’s not all glitz, glamour, red carpets, and perfect lives. Some stars are put through the absolute wringer to get where they are, and this book does a great job of showing some of the darker side of the industry without making Hollywood the entire focus. It doesn’t glorify it, it sheds some light on what can happen behind the scenes.
BUT this book is definitely not all heavy! The moments between Stefan and Erika were SO precious. They had me kicking my feet and grinning like an idiot more than once. It was honestly such a breath of fresh air to thoroughly enjoy both the FMC and MMC. I was invested in them individually AND together, which is something I always appreciate.
I will say, there were quite a few filler moments that felt slow and made parts of the book drag a little. But honestly? The overall plot and characters overshadowed that for me.
AND THE “TEAM STEFAN” REFERENCE. 👀😂 Hallie… do we watch TVD? Are we actually on the same team?! Because if not, it was still hilarious either way. 😂
I really, really loved this book. The romance, the characters, the Hollywood backdrop, the darker realities mixed with the fun and swoony moments… it all worked for me.
5 ⭐️
I definitely judged a book by its cover with this one. 😂 On the surface, The Hollywood Switch-Up looks like a cute, fun, glitzy, he-wines-and-dines-her romance… and it absolutely is, but it is so much deeper than that.
I don’t know if it’s just guys named Stefan, or if this MMC is simply that amazing, but I LOVED him. He definitely has his flaws, but what really stood out to me was how hard he tried to make up for them. His actions felt genuine and, honestly, real. He wasn’t perfect, but he was willing to acknowledge his mistakes and put in the effort.
I also really loved that this book touches on some of the uglier truths of Hollywood. It’s not all glitz, glamour, red carpets, and perfect lives. Some stars are put through the absolute wringer to get where they are, and this book does a great job of showing some of the darker side of the industry without making Hollywood the entire focus. It doesn’t glorify it, it sheds some light on what can happen behind the scenes.
BUT this book is definitely not all heavy! The moments between Stefan and Erika were SO precious. They had me kicking my feet and grinning like an idiot more than once. It was honestly such a breath of fresh air to thoroughly enjoy both the FMC and MMC. I was invested in them individually AND together, which is something I always appreciate.
I will say, there were quite a few filler moments that felt slow and made parts of the book drag a little. But honestly? The overall plot and characters overshadowed that for me.
AND THE “TEAM STEFAN” REFERENCE. 👀😂 Hallie… do we watch TVD? Are we actually on the same team?! Because if not, it was still hilarious either way. 😂
I really, really loved this book. The romance, the characters, the Hollywood backdrop, the darker realities mixed with the fun and swoony moments… it all worked for me.
5 ⭐️
September 10, 2026
I thought the premise was really good and had a good message about s*xual *ssault and r*pe in Hollywood, etc.
I just don't think this had any business being 440 pages long and parts felt repetitive. There were also some inconsistencies with the characters and events as things progressed.
I also don't fully understand why it felt like Stefan was the only one being demonized for being a "complicit bystander". In the beginning he was actively stepping in to protect Erika from Morgan and she told him she didn't need protecting. Later on when things were ramping up, how many times did Stefan or the girls offer help to Erika or try to get her to tell them what was going on and she wouldn't and then she completely cut Stefan off and pushed him away. He also had his whole plot with Vance and Stasia to go public about Morgan so it wasn't like he wasn't doing anything. He was doing more than most others on that set. And then for Erika to say "I didn't need safe. I needed to be believed" irritated me because I'm pretty sure EVERYONE would have believed her but she wouldn't let herself be helped. I'm really not trying to victim blame and I can understand how scary and hard it could be to come forward. I just don't agree with how Stefan was portrayed after it all went down.
I just don't think this had any business being 440 pages long and parts felt repetitive. There were also some inconsistencies with the characters and events as things progressed.
I also don't fully understand why it felt like Stefan was the only one being demonized for being a "complicit bystander". In the beginning he was actively stepping in to protect Erika from Morgan and she told him she didn't need protecting. Later on when things were ramping up, how many times did Stefan or the girls offer help to Erika or try to get her to tell them what was going on and she wouldn't and then she completely cut Stefan off and pushed him away. He also had his whole plot with Vance and Stasia to go public about Morgan so it wasn't like he wasn't doing anything. He was doing more than most others on that set. And then for Erika to say "I didn't need safe. I needed to be believed" irritated me because I'm pretty sure EVERYONE would have believed her but she wouldn't let herself be helped. I'm really not trying to victim blame and I can understand how scary and hard it could be to come forward. I just don't agree with how Stefan was portrayed after it all went down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2026
A twin switch-up and a Hollywood setting made for an engaging premise. I was instantly hooked on the story and characters. Annelies and Erika couldn’t be more opposite: one is a famous influencer and actor, and the other is a laid-back artist hiding behind the spotlight. I found myself really sympathizing with Erika and rooting for her to find her HEA. The MMC Stefan was hilarious to me. I loved his sense of humor and genuine care. As the story develops, it quickly becomes much deeper than just a romance. Check trigger warnings! I went in blind, so I was a bit shocked by the heavy topics, although they are very important. I had a harder time pushing through to the end, but I’m glad I did so I could hear the author's final words and epilogue. The ending was satisfying.
Thank you to the author for the arc!
Thank you to the author for the arc!
September 8, 2026
Thank you to Hallie Katherine for providing me w this eARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 rounded up for Hollywood Switchup!!! ✨✨✨ First let me say, the romance in this was so sweet, I really enjoyed Erika and Stefans relationship, he was so patient with her and Erika needed someone to truly see her which Stefan did. Their little moments with each other made this story good. The premise behind this was also super fun, a twin switch up in Hollywood?! The reason behind my rating… now Im gonna try to explain without spoiling but I felt like there was alot of inconsistencies with this story . Between Erika and her sister being able to swap identities despite being extremely different personality wise, on set with the director Martin and the multiple other storylines happening within this left me almost confused and borderline not wanting to finish. The ending was good but the storyline lagged a bit in the middle. Also her sister Annelise was rude af despite all that Erika did to help her out and I didnt care for that. This was advertised as an enemies to lovers as well as grumpy x sunshine which I feel like these tropes are not accurate at all. Overall it was a cute story with a plot that had a lot of potential that fell a little flat to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2026
I went into this book pretty excited! I loved the idea of a twin sister switch up!! Overall, I think the book was a good idea and there were definitely some really cute points in the book! I personally struggled in some areas. Some areas felt rushed, I was confused in some other areas, and maybe this is just me, but I felt like there was a lot of repetition throughout the book? I still enjoyed reading the story and felt like it definitely had more potential in some areas. I am appreciative to have had the ability to read it and I'd still recommend it to a friend to read!
Did Not Finish
August 30, 2026There are multiple inconsistencies that I can’t get past. The biggest is at the beginning of the book Erika and her sister have obvious physical differences. It was mentioned so often I wondered if they were actually identical. Then after Erika dyed her hair no one could tell a difference.
There are more than this as well. I also didn’t feel any connection between the MCs. Cool concept but I think it needed more editing before being published.
Thank you to the author for an arc.
There are more than this as well. I also didn’t feel any connection between the MCs. Cool concept but I think it needed more editing before being published.
Thank you to the author for an arc.
August 29, 2026
If you like your MMCs down bad, your FMCs resilient, your romance swoony, your setting beachy, and the plot deep, this story is for you.
I went into this book and expected a fun romcom to end the Summer with, but what I read was so much more. This is a story of survival. It is the story of too many young woman who find themselves in Hollywood chasing their dreams and finding pain. It is a romcom, but it is also so much more. This one is going up there with Say You Swear and Please Don’t Go.
Thank you Love Story PR and Hallie Katherine for the chance to read and review this one!
I went into this book and expected a fun romcom to end the Summer with, but what I read was so much more. This is a story of survival. It is the story of too many young woman who find themselves in Hollywood chasing their dreams and finding pain. It is a romcom, but it is also so much more. This one is going up there with Say You Swear and Please Don’t Go.
Thank you Love Story PR and Hallie Katherine for the chance to read and review this one!
September 18, 2026
*Thank you Hallie Katherine for the opportunity to read and review this ARC*
What a good time! This was such a refreshing romance, especially since I feel like the romance intermingled with the storyline instead of taking the lead. Stefan was passionate and fell hard. Watching Erika bloom into a woman who knew what she wanted was worth all the heart ache!
What a good time! This was such a refreshing romance, especially since I feel like the romance intermingled with the storyline instead of taking the lead. Stefan was passionate and fell hard. Watching Erika bloom into a woman who knew what she wanted was worth all the heart ache!
August 11, 2026
I received a gifted copy from author and publisher in exchange for my honest review:
What a wonderful surprise this romance was!! Beneath Stefan and Erika’s obvious spark is something more sinister going on behind the scenes. A story that sparks debate and questions on “what would you do?” were always floating around as I read. The twin swap and age gap were fun tropes I normally don’t see, so the plot was engaging and refreshing!!!
The blogs and articles definitely enhanced the gossip celebrity aspect.
What a wonderful surprise this romance was!! Beneath Stefan and Erika’s obvious spark is something more sinister going on behind the scenes. A story that sparks debate and questions on “what would you do?” were always floating around as I read. The twin swap and age gap were fun tropes I normally don’t see, so the plot was engaging and refreshing!!!
The blogs and articles definitely enhanced the gossip celebrity aspect.
August 24, 2026
The idea of a Hollywood twin swap with romance really appealed to me and I was very excited to start this one. During reading, I felt that yes the twin swap was pretty well done but I thought calling the romance an enemies to lovers was a bit of a stretch. I personally felt that it was more of a dislike if anything.
Thank you to Hallie Katherine for the eARC :)
Thank you to Hallie Katherine for the eARC :)
September 8, 2026
Loved the old switching of twins really gave me a “parent trap “ vibe . Overall it was a good read, did feel at times Annalise was a bit of a spoiled brat and Erika put wayyyy too much pressure on her self for her sister.
Loved how Stefan instantly was enamored with Erika that was really cute.
I will say wish they discussed more upfront about the underlying tones of the book with the actress who had the problem with the director I feel as though it could have been more direct and not so in the undertones . That’s a heavy topic and should be discussed.
I do love how Erika found herself and then was able to put more confidence in what she wanted and how to go about things I do think she needed that for sure!!
Good read!
Loved how Stefan instantly was enamored with Erika that was really cute.
I will say wish they discussed more upfront about the underlying tones of the book with the actress who had the problem with the director I feel as though it could have been more direct and not so in the undertones . That’s a heavy topic and should be discussed.
I do love how Erika found herself and then was able to put more confidence in what she wanted and how to go about things I do think she needed that for sure!!
Good read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Being a fan of Ali Hazelwood, I was excited to dive into this one after the book blurb said it was perfect for fans of her and Emily Henry. Other than that, I really didn't know what to expect going in and I kind of loved that. It felt like every twist in the story was that much more surprising and kept me glued to my seat throughout the entire thing. It is easy to fall for the characters and feel for them as things progress through the story...you love the ones who are lovable and it is so easy to despise those who aren't worth loving.
It's impossible to review this book without mentioning the content warnings. There is quite a bit of spice in this book, so you need to be ready for that. But more importantly, there is a LOT of talk about manipulation and sexual assault. Please make sure that you are taking care of yourself while reading this one.
All in all, I enjoyed this one and was beyond excited to learn that this was the first in the series. You can bet I will be following along with Katherine's work and reading the rest of the series as soon as I can!
Last little thing...I read it on my Kindle and I highly recommend doing so. I was able to use the translate feature when Stefan switched to speaking Soanish and it was nice to be able to easily know what he was saying.
Being a fan of Ali Hazelwood, I was excited to dive into this one after the book blurb said it was perfect for fans of her and Emily Henry. Other than that, I really didn't know what to expect going in and I kind of loved that. It felt like every twist in the story was that much more surprising and kept me glued to my seat throughout the entire thing. It is easy to fall for the characters and feel for them as things progress through the story...you love the ones who are lovable and it is so easy to despise those who aren't worth loving.
It's impossible to review this book without mentioning the content warnings. There is quite a bit of spice in this book, so you need to be ready for that. But more importantly, there is a LOT of talk about manipulation and sexual assault. Please make sure that you are taking care of yourself while reading this one.
All in all, I enjoyed this one and was beyond excited to learn that this was the first in the series. You can bet I will be following along with Katherine's work and reading the rest of the series as soon as I can!
Last little thing...I read it on my Kindle and I highly recommend doing so. I was able to use the translate feature when Stefan switched to speaking Soanish and it was nice to be able to easily know what he was saying.
Review of advance copy
I picked up The Hollywood Switch-Up expecting a fun celebrity romance with a twin-switch twist, but what I got was so much more. Beneath the glamorous Hollywood setting and swoony romance is a surprisingly emotional story about identity, self-worth, family expectations, and finding the courage to step out of someone else's shadow.
The premise immediately hooked me. Erika has spent most of her life being overlooked while her twin sister, Annalise, lives in the spotlight. When an injury prevents Annalise from filming her big movie role, Erika is persuaded to step in and pretend to be her on set. What starts as a temporary solution quickly spirals into something far more complicated when Erika finds herself working alongside Stefan Cruz, her sister's co-star and supposed rival.
I absolutely loved Erika's character. From the beginning, it's easy to see how much of her life has been spent putting herself second. She constantly doubts her own abilities and struggles to recognize her own worth, which made her journey throughout the book incredibly satisfying. Watching her slowly gain confidence and discover that she deserves to be seen for who she truly is was one of my favorite parts of the story.
Stefan completely won me over.
At first, he comes across as the stereotypical arrogant Hollywood actor, but it doesn't take long to realize there's much more beneath the surface. He's observant, intelligent, protective, and far more genuine than his reputation suggests. What I loved most was how quickly he saw through the façade. While everyone else was focused on the famous twin, Stefan seemed genuinely interested in Erika herself.
Their chemistry was fantastic.
The banter between them felt natural, and I loved the tension that developed as Erika tried to keep her secret while growing closer to someone who made her feel seen for the first time in years. Some of my favorite scenes were the quieter moments between them, where the attraction took a backseat to genuine connection. Those conversations did more to sell the romance for me than any grand gesture could have.
That said, this book isn't the lighthearted rom-com the cover and premise might initially suggest.
Without giving away spoilers, the story explores some very serious themes involving manipulation, abuse of power, and sexual misconduct within the entertainment industry. These elements add significant emotional weight to the story and create genuine tension throughout the second half of the book. I appreciated that these topics weren't treated lightly, but I'd definitely recommend checking content warnings beforehand if those subjects are difficult for you.
One thing that stood out to me was how effectively Hallie Katherine balanced multiple genres. On one hand, there's the fun celebrity romance complete with mistaken identity, forced proximity, and Hollywood drama. On the other hand, there's a deeper story about personal growth and standing up against toxic systems. Somehow, both aspects worked together without one overshadowing the other.
I also really enjoyed the Hollywood backdrop. The behind-the-scenes glimpses of filmmaking, celebrity culture, media scrutiny, and public perception added an interesting layer to the story. There was always this underlying tension of wondering whether Erika's deception would be discovered and what the consequences would be when it inevitably came to light.
The supporting cast contributed a lot as well. Some characters were easy to love, while others made my blood pressure rise every time they appeared on the page, which is usually a sign that the author did their job well. There were several moments where I found myself getting genuinely angry on Erika's behalf, and that emotional investment kept me turning pages long into the night.
I also loved the little snippets of media coverage and news updates sprinkled throughout the book. They helped build suspense and gave the story a realistic celebrity-world feel. More than once, I found myself reading "just one more chapter" because I needed to know how everything would unfold.
The pacing slowed slightly in the middle for me, but once the story entered the final stretch, I couldn't put it down. The stakes kept rising, the emotional tension intensified, and the final third of the book completely hooked me.
What surprised me most was how empowering the overall message felt. At its core, this is a story about a woman who has spent years believing she was the supporting character in someone else's life finally realizing she's worthy of being the main character in her own.
If you enjoy: 🎬 Hollywood romance
👯 Twin-switch stories
⭐ Celebrity × non-celeb dynamics
❤️ Forced proximity
🎭 Hidden identity
🔥 Chemistry and spice
✨ Strong character growth
📸 Behind-the-scenes movie-set drama
💔 Emotional themes with a hopeful payoff
...then The Hollywood Switch-Up is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Funny, emotional, romantic, and surprisingly impactful, The Hollywood Switch-Up is far more than a celebrity romance. Erika and Stefan's story is about finding your voice, claiming your place, and realizing that you've been the main character all along. 🎬❤️📚✨
Thankyou Hallie and Love Story PR for this ARC!!
The premise immediately hooked me. Erika has spent most of her life being overlooked while her twin sister, Annalise, lives in the spotlight. When an injury prevents Annalise from filming her big movie role, Erika is persuaded to step in and pretend to be her on set. What starts as a temporary solution quickly spirals into something far more complicated when Erika finds herself working alongside Stefan Cruz, her sister's co-star and supposed rival.
I absolutely loved Erika's character. From the beginning, it's easy to see how much of her life has been spent putting herself second. She constantly doubts her own abilities and struggles to recognize her own worth, which made her journey throughout the book incredibly satisfying. Watching her slowly gain confidence and discover that she deserves to be seen for who she truly is was one of my favorite parts of the story.
Stefan completely won me over.
At first, he comes across as the stereotypical arrogant Hollywood actor, but it doesn't take long to realize there's much more beneath the surface. He's observant, intelligent, protective, and far more genuine than his reputation suggests. What I loved most was how quickly he saw through the façade. While everyone else was focused on the famous twin, Stefan seemed genuinely interested in Erika herself.
Their chemistry was fantastic.
The banter between them felt natural, and I loved the tension that developed as Erika tried to keep her secret while growing closer to someone who made her feel seen for the first time in years. Some of my favorite scenes were the quieter moments between them, where the attraction took a backseat to genuine connection. Those conversations did more to sell the romance for me than any grand gesture could have.
That said, this book isn't the lighthearted rom-com the cover and premise might initially suggest.
Without giving away spoilers, the story explores some very serious themes involving manipulation, abuse of power, and sexual misconduct within the entertainment industry. These elements add significant emotional weight to the story and create genuine tension throughout the second half of the book. I appreciated that these topics weren't treated lightly, but I'd definitely recommend checking content warnings beforehand if those subjects are difficult for you.
One thing that stood out to me was how effectively Hallie Katherine balanced multiple genres. On one hand, there's the fun celebrity romance complete with mistaken identity, forced proximity, and Hollywood drama. On the other hand, there's a deeper story about personal growth and standing up against toxic systems. Somehow, both aspects worked together without one overshadowing the other.
I also really enjoyed the Hollywood backdrop. The behind-the-scenes glimpses of filmmaking, celebrity culture, media scrutiny, and public perception added an interesting layer to the story. There was always this underlying tension of wondering whether Erika's deception would be discovered and what the consequences would be when it inevitably came to light.
The supporting cast contributed a lot as well. Some characters were easy to love, while others made my blood pressure rise every time they appeared on the page, which is usually a sign that the author did their job well. There were several moments where I found myself getting genuinely angry on Erika's behalf, and that emotional investment kept me turning pages long into the night.
I also loved the little snippets of media coverage and news updates sprinkled throughout the book. They helped build suspense and gave the story a realistic celebrity-world feel. More than once, I found myself reading "just one more chapter" because I needed to know how everything would unfold.
The pacing slowed slightly in the middle for me, but once the story entered the final stretch, I couldn't put it down. The stakes kept rising, the emotional tension intensified, and the final third of the book completely hooked me.
What surprised me most was how empowering the overall message felt. At its core, this is a story about a woman who has spent years believing she was the supporting character in someone else's life finally realizing she's worthy of being the main character in her own.
If you enjoy: 🎬 Hollywood romance
👯 Twin-switch stories
⭐ Celebrity × non-celeb dynamics
❤️ Forced proximity
🎭 Hidden identity
🔥 Chemistry and spice
✨ Strong character growth
📸 Behind-the-scenes movie-set drama
💔 Emotional themes with a hopeful payoff
...then The Hollywood Switch-Up is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Funny, emotional, romantic, and surprisingly impactful, The Hollywood Switch-Up is far more than a celebrity romance. Erika and Stefan's story is about finding your voice, claiming your place, and realizing that you've been the main character all along. 🎬❤️📚✨
Thankyou Hallie and Love Story PR for this ARC!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
— Arc Review 🌌
>> ⭐️⭐️
• General Thoughts•
I don’t really know where to start with this review as, for me, I didn’t really enjoy this book and I wasn’t hooked. I thought that the book showed potential from the plot to the characters, but unfortunately (in my opinion) it fell flat. I really loved Stefan and I think that Stefan as a character and also Lily (side character) had some great moments. I loved how Stefan was doing meaningful things for Erika and I could see the chemistry from his side towards Erika, but I couldn’t see it from Erika towards Stefan.
• Plot •
Now, description for the plot of this book is what initially drew me in to request it and again, the plot had so much potential but I thought it wasn’t portrayed deeply and with complexity like it could have. Erika, for example, she has always been living in her sister’s shadow. Apart from her saying she is invisible and she is her sister’s shadow, you never really understood how she felt and how isolating that could be apart from the author literally saying it here and there. Erika’s character development could have been something more complex than what it was, and I think that’s what the author was trying to go for, but the execution just wasn’t there and I couldn’t find her relatable. I also found it hard to stay interested as the same thing every day kept happening. The most enjoyable parts of this book for me were when Stefan and Erika were alone together and Stefan was doing romantic stuff for her, I wish there were more moments like that and more stolen moments in between them just acting on set which felt repetitive. I wasn’t a fan of the miscommunication that was going on either. An important thing I’d like to mention as well is that in the author’s note it mentions that Erika’s journey became about survival and her experience with assault, but I didn’t like how this topic was handled throughout the book. The perpetrator had done this in the past to a woman named Stasia, and this was mentioned throughout the book, but the words assault, sexual assault, harassment etc was never mentioned or even hinted at. It was a very “hush, hush” type of talk which for the purpose of the plot I understand it couldn’t be out in the public. But when the characters were talking privately about it, it felt like them words were “dirty” and couldn’t be said. It was more like oh this situation that happened, like no let’s tell it how it is which is raw and brutal. This was another way for the author to have an opportunity to connect with the reader but it fell flat and honestly I thought it was quite disrespectful to people who have survived something like that.
• Writing •
Writing isn’t something I usually mention in reviews, ironically, but this time I felt it was necessary. There seemed to be plot holes or maybe miscommunications from the author to the reader which made a few parts of the story not make sense. It read like the author didn’t fully plan out this sub plot with Martin and it was a last second thing. Another thing I do need to mention which felt quite frustrating is the fact a lot of the descriptors used were reused….. a lot. And there were a lot of recycled lines being said throughout the entirety of the book. On multiple occasions there was also characters forgetting what they already said to each other so it was repeated like they didn’t already know the information, when it was already revealed a little bit previously. This also made it quite frustrating to read and unenjoyable.
• The Characters •
Honestly, the MMC and FMC didn’t have any real depth or development. Their individual backstories had such potential to have been an inspiration to develop a complex character and have us grow with them, and I could see the seeds of the author trying to plant that, but it just didn’t blossom in my opinion. Out of the two MC’s, I would say Stefan was the “better” character. I thought he was wrote better and you could really see he cared and the hints of his backstory that got dropped in were really nice and you could see that he wasn’t the person the media portrayed him to be. These characters could have grew so beautifully together as they were both pretending to be something they weren’t, but I just couldn’t feel it or develop alongside them. I didn’t feel connected to them.
• Conclusion •
This book could definitely be enjoyed by others, but unfortunately it wasn’t for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for this arc!
>> ⭐️⭐️
• General Thoughts•
I don’t really know where to start with this review as, for me, I didn’t really enjoy this book and I wasn’t hooked. I thought that the book showed potential from the plot to the characters, but unfortunately (in my opinion) it fell flat. I really loved Stefan and I think that Stefan as a character and also Lily (side character) had some great moments. I loved how Stefan was doing meaningful things for Erika and I could see the chemistry from his side towards Erika, but I couldn’t see it from Erika towards Stefan.
• Plot •
Now, description for the plot of this book is what initially drew me in to request it and again, the plot had so much potential but I thought it wasn’t portrayed deeply and with complexity like it could have. Erika, for example, she has always been living in her sister’s shadow. Apart from her saying she is invisible and she is her sister’s shadow, you never really understood how she felt and how isolating that could be apart from the author literally saying it here and there. Erika’s character development could have been something more complex than what it was, and I think that’s what the author was trying to go for, but the execution just wasn’t there and I couldn’t find her relatable. I also found it hard to stay interested as the same thing every day kept happening. The most enjoyable parts of this book for me were when Stefan and Erika were alone together and Stefan was doing romantic stuff for her, I wish there were more moments like that and more stolen moments in between them just acting on set which felt repetitive. I wasn’t a fan of the miscommunication that was going on either. An important thing I’d like to mention as well is that in the author’s note it mentions that Erika’s journey became about survival and her experience with assault, but I didn’t like how this topic was handled throughout the book. The perpetrator had done this in the past to a woman named Stasia, and this was mentioned throughout the book, but the words assault, sexual assault, harassment etc was never mentioned or even hinted at. It was a very “hush, hush” type of talk which for the purpose of the plot I understand it couldn’t be out in the public. But when the characters were talking privately about it, it felt like them words were “dirty” and couldn’t be said. It was more like oh this situation that happened, like no let’s tell it how it is which is raw and brutal. This was another way for the author to have an opportunity to connect with the reader but it fell flat and honestly I thought it was quite disrespectful to people who have survived something like that.
• Writing •
Writing isn’t something I usually mention in reviews, ironically, but this time I felt it was necessary. There seemed to be plot holes or maybe miscommunications from the author to the reader which made a few parts of the story not make sense. It read like the author didn’t fully plan out this sub plot with Martin and it was a last second thing. Another thing I do need to mention which felt quite frustrating is the fact a lot of the descriptors used were reused….. a lot. And there were a lot of recycled lines being said throughout the entirety of the book. On multiple occasions there was also characters forgetting what they already said to each other so it was repeated like they didn’t already know the information, when it was already revealed a little bit previously. This also made it quite frustrating to read and unenjoyable.
• The Characters •
Honestly, the MMC and FMC didn’t have any real depth or development. Their individual backstories had such potential to have been an inspiration to develop a complex character and have us grow with them, and I could see the seeds of the author trying to plant that, but it just didn’t blossom in my opinion. Out of the two MC’s, I would say Stefan was the “better” character. I thought he was wrote better and you could really see he cared and the hints of his backstory that got dropped in were really nice and you could see that he wasn’t the person the media portrayed him to be. These characters could have grew so beautifully together as they were both pretending to be something they weren’t, but I just couldn’t feel it or develop alongside them. I didn’t feel connected to them.
• Conclusion •
This book could definitely be enjoyed by others, but unfortunately it wasn’t for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for this arc!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was my first ever ARC and I am so honoured to have read it before it was published. I agreed to give an honest review and so that is what I will do.
If I’m being honest, I wasn’t sure whether to rate this book 3 stars or 4. I don’t want to be too harsh because the author trusted me with her book but I don’t want to lead possible readers astray. To thoroughly explain my review, I took some notes while reading so I’d remember to include them.
First of all, I would like to acknowledge that I received the content of this book somewhat differently than other ARC reviewers because partway through, I saw the author’s note about the book not being a rom-com. I did misunderstand the themes of this book when applying for the team as there was no clear indication of trigger warnings featured on promotional posts or even in the book. This book has clear, dark themes of abuse throughout. As Hallie Katherine mentioned, “there is a clear villain”. This is important to be aware of when starting this book because it can be a sensitive subject for readers. I believe that regardless of this possibly being a spoiler, it should have been more clearly indicated.
Secondly, I found some of the book to be confusing. Some of this may be due to the version I received because it was not a finished copy. The book had some repeating sentences and continuity errors. There were a few plot holes where stuff just didn’t make sense. For example, at the party near the beginning (somewhere near chapter 3), someone goes up to Erica thinking she’s her twin, “Annie”. This doesn’t make sense because her sister is clearly depicted as having blonde hair and wearing blue contacts. The fan mentions Erica being featured in the live earlier, plus she likely saw them walking in so I don’t understand how she mixed them up. I had a hard time following where people were because it wasn’t always clearly depicted.
That being said, there were a lot of good elements to this book. The characters are easy to establish and read (if you were looking for a plot twist you may be disappointed), however I think this isn’t always a bad thing. The villain is clearly established early on and even though his doings are only hinted at in the beginning, the way he interacts with the MCs still puts you on edge. I wouldn’t call this “enemies to lovers” because they’re barely enemies. Stefan gets along fine with Erica, he has a lot more conflict with Annie. There is a lot of romantic tension but I didn’t sense a lot of animosity at any point. Of course Erica is protective of her sister and so she tries to keep him away but she doesn’t put up too much of a fight at any point.
I’d say this book is very similar to ‘The Stand-In’ by Lily Chu. I’ve only ever read two twin-switch books and they both feature Hollywood stars being temporarily replaced by their twin sisters. I would honestly say Lily Chu’s book is better if you’re looking for a plot twist or no spice. Though they’re both enjoyable.
I thought this book was fun. Their little rivalry was cute and the setting was interesting. The characters are well built and though the plot has a few holes, it still makes sense. I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun romance that isn’t just fluff, it has real stakes. It has a fear element because some characters are in danger but I wouldn’t say that’s the main focus.
In conclusion, while this wasn’t my favourite romance novel, I still enjoyed reading it and I would probably still recommend it to other readers. It was definitely lacking in some departments but I think it still deserves to be read and I’m sure it will be enjoyed by many.
If I’m being honest, I wasn’t sure whether to rate this book 3 stars or 4. I don’t want to be too harsh because the author trusted me with her book but I don’t want to lead possible readers astray. To thoroughly explain my review, I took some notes while reading so I’d remember to include them.
First of all, I would like to acknowledge that I received the content of this book somewhat differently than other ARC reviewers because partway through, I saw the author’s note about the book not being a rom-com. I did misunderstand the themes of this book when applying for the team as there was no clear indication of trigger warnings featured on promotional posts or even in the book. This book has clear, dark themes of abuse throughout. As Hallie Katherine mentioned, “there is a clear villain”. This is important to be aware of when starting this book because it can be a sensitive subject for readers. I believe that regardless of this possibly being a spoiler, it should have been more clearly indicated.
Secondly, I found some of the book to be confusing. Some of this may be due to the version I received because it was not a finished copy. The book had some repeating sentences and continuity errors. There were a few plot holes where stuff just didn’t make sense. For example, at the party near the beginning (somewhere near chapter 3), someone goes up to Erica thinking she’s her twin, “Annie”. This doesn’t make sense because her sister is clearly depicted as having blonde hair and wearing blue contacts. The fan mentions Erica being featured in the live earlier, plus she likely saw them walking in so I don’t understand how she mixed them up. I had a hard time following where people were because it wasn’t always clearly depicted.
That being said, there were a lot of good elements to this book. The characters are easy to establish and read (if you were looking for a plot twist you may be disappointed), however I think this isn’t always a bad thing. The villain is clearly established early on and even though his doings are only hinted at in the beginning, the way he interacts with the MCs still puts you on edge. I wouldn’t call this “enemies to lovers” because they’re barely enemies. Stefan gets along fine with Erica, he has a lot more conflict with Annie. There is a lot of romantic tension but I didn’t sense a lot of animosity at any point. Of course Erica is protective of her sister and so she tries to keep him away but she doesn’t put up too much of a fight at any point.
I’d say this book is very similar to ‘The Stand-In’ by Lily Chu. I’ve only ever read two twin-switch books and they both feature Hollywood stars being temporarily replaced by their twin sisters. I would honestly say Lily Chu’s book is better if you’re looking for a plot twist or no spice. Though they’re both enjoyable.
I thought this book was fun. Their little rivalry was cute and the setting was interesting. The characters are well built and though the plot has a few holes, it still makes sense. I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun romance that isn’t just fluff, it has real stakes. It has a fear element because some characters are in danger but I wouldn’t say that’s the main focus.
In conclusion, while this wasn’t my favourite romance novel, I still enjoyed reading it and I would probably still recommend it to other readers. It was definitely lacking in some departments but I think it still deserves to be read and I’m sure it will be enjoyed by many.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hollywood, twin swaps, enemies to lovers tension, secrets and enough drama to make me want to grab popcorn and mind my business from the sidelines… yeah, I was entertained the whole time. Erika was easily my favourite part of this whole mess. She’s spent so much of her life being the other twin, constantly standing in Anneliese’s shadow and putting everyone else before herself. Watching her slowly realise that she doesn’t have to shrink herself to make other people comfortable was honestly one of my favourite things about the book and then there’s Anneliese. Girl… 😒 There were definitely moments where I wanted to grab Erika by the shoulders and yell “BABE. PLEASE. STAND UP.” Their relationship felt messy in a way that made sense, though. They love each other, but that doesn’t mean they always know how to love each other well.
Now… (Give me one second to put all my thoughts together because… OH, STEFAN CRUZ. 😮💨🔥). The man that you are. Nada, me enamoré de este hombre! Congratulations mi corazón, you have secured the fictional boyfriend application.
I absolutely loved his dynamic with Erika. The banter, the tension, the constant little clashes, it was giving I cannot stand you… so why am I thinking about you? And I ate that up. Stefan also surprised me with how much depth he had beyond being Annie’s Hollywood nemesis. His support for Erika and the way he started seeing her instead of just seeing her as someone’s twin? Yeah. He won me over. The twin switch was such a fun setup because watching Erika try to navigate everything while pretending to be someone else created SO many opportunities for chaos and naturally, the universe decided that having Stefan involved would make everything approximately 900 times more complicated.
I also appreciated that the story eventually moved beyond the lighter Hollywood romance setup and explored some much heavier issues behind the scenes. The darker elements definitely changed the atmosphere and I thought Erika’s emotional journey afterward was handled with more care than if everything had magically been fixed overnight. Her healing felt like a process, not a convenient little bow slapped on the ending. Martin was the kind of character I loved to hate. The manipulation and power dynamics surrounding him made the Hollywood setting feel much darker than I initially expected. Lily was also such a bright spot for me. Everyone needs a Lily in their corner because that woman was READY to remind Erika of who she was when Erika herself couldn’t see it.
Did I love every single choice? No. There were definitely moments where I wanted Erika to make different decisions and some of the sisterly drama had me internally screaming. I also wasn’t exactly thrilled with every bit of the romantic angst. BUT and this is important, the messy parts still gave the characters room to grow and Erika’s journey toward finally choosing herself made it worth it for me.
In the end, this was a fun, emotional, dramatic Hollywood romance with a genuinely satisfying character arc. I came for the twin switch chaos and stayed because Erika and Stefan had me invested in their entire situation. And honestly? I wouldn’t mind getting dragged back into this world again.
🚨PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE STARTING. Seriously. The heavier themes are important to the story but they’re not something everyone will be comfortable reading.
Thank you so much to Love Story PR and Hallie Katherine for allowing me to read this ARC ahead of its September 8, 2026 release. 💕🎬
Now… (Give me one second to put all my thoughts together because… OH, STEFAN CRUZ. 😮💨🔥). The man that you are. Nada, me enamoré de este hombre! Congratulations mi corazón, you have secured the fictional boyfriend application.
I absolutely loved his dynamic with Erika. The banter, the tension, the constant little clashes, it was giving I cannot stand you… so why am I thinking about you? And I ate that up. Stefan also surprised me with how much depth he had beyond being Annie’s Hollywood nemesis. His support for Erika and the way he started seeing her instead of just seeing her as someone’s twin? Yeah. He won me over. The twin switch was such a fun setup because watching Erika try to navigate everything while pretending to be someone else created SO many opportunities for chaos and naturally, the universe decided that having Stefan involved would make everything approximately 900 times more complicated.
I also appreciated that the story eventually moved beyond the lighter Hollywood romance setup and explored some much heavier issues behind the scenes. The darker elements definitely changed the atmosphere and I thought Erika’s emotional journey afterward was handled with more care than if everything had magically been fixed overnight. Her healing felt like a process, not a convenient little bow slapped on the ending. Martin was the kind of character I loved to hate. The manipulation and power dynamics surrounding him made the Hollywood setting feel much darker than I initially expected. Lily was also such a bright spot for me. Everyone needs a Lily in their corner because that woman was READY to remind Erika of who she was when Erika herself couldn’t see it.
Did I love every single choice? No. There were definitely moments where I wanted Erika to make different decisions and some of the sisterly drama had me internally screaming. I also wasn’t exactly thrilled with every bit of the romantic angst. BUT and this is important, the messy parts still gave the characters room to grow and Erika’s journey toward finally choosing herself made it worth it for me.
In the end, this was a fun, emotional, dramatic Hollywood romance with a genuinely satisfying character arc. I came for the twin switch chaos and stayed because Erika and Stefan had me invested in their entire situation. And honestly? I wouldn’t mind getting dragged back into this world again.
🚨PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE STARTING. Seriously. The heavier themes are important to the story but they’re not something everyone will be comfortable reading.
Thank you so much to Love Story PR and Hallie Katherine for allowing me to read this ARC ahead of its September 8, 2026 release. 💕🎬
September 10, 2026
Thank you to the author for an e-ARC of this title to read and review. I am always excited to experience a new author, and a debut at that! I was originally very interested in the premise of this book being a Hollywood twin swap: I was imagining a grown-up Parent Trap situation with a bit of "The Princess Switch" movie energy between our leads Erika and Annaliese - with maybe some adult themes about identity. While a few scenes satisfied those references (especially the early-on "transformation scene" of the women getting Erika fully in Annie mode), this was a very different story overall, with a lot of tough scenes and deeper moments involving abuse in Hollywood.
I enjoyed the plot arc about Erika finding her own voice most of all - she's the "overlooked" twin because her sister is all about the cameras and the social media and attention, while she focuses on her art. She stands in for her sister while filming on location, so she can obviously act and keep up with the rigorous schedules and expectations just as well as the "professional," yet she doesn't have the illustrious career. Of course, she likes that Stefan "sees" her pretty quickly for who she is, but I wish there were other traits that we'd see the pair falling in love with about each other. It kind of felt like... she's hot and emotionally wounded and not as self-absorbed as her sister, therefore!! she deserves love. She deserves it for the other well-rounded things about her!! Ultimatlely, Erika's journey to reclaim her own narrative, establish herself as an individual, and overcome a lot of past and present darkness, was hands-down my favorite part of this entire book. The romance is fully secondary to me.
I also do appreciate that this work took on some important and (unfortunately) very timely themes about predatory actors/directors/Hollywood professionals that could hold a budding actress' future career in their hands... it was portrayed in a way that seemed authentic and hauntingly real in my reading, but wasn't what I thought so much of the book would linger over. Because this storyline is complex, it invites me to really peer into it, but it would get confusing or muddled down. There were SO many scenes about NDAs and legal stuff that I don't think is either accurate or necessary for the story? (Also, there were a LOT of references to the twin swap itself being fraud, I guess because the employment contracts are for separate human beings? But it's a lot for a rom-com set-up, if we're going to bring crime into it, I'd like to focus on the other huge abuse issues coming to justice.)
I also found a lot of the logical inconsistencies and details pretty confusing - from "small" things like how Erika and Annaliese are SO COMPLETELY IDENTICAL but also have fully different eye/hair colors and everything? I wasn't sure if I was even reading that right. A lot of filler sentences were very over-written with lots of flowery language and excessive detailing, and then major moments were either blink-and-you-miss-it or written so simply. Like we can linger for three sentences about... IDK, breakfast? and then later have a scene that COULD be filled with tension and longing just amount to "I kissed him." It made it hard to parse out what was going to be an important detail to remember/cling to, or what was scene-setting that could have been cut back to make this very long book a touch shorter and tighter.
Overall, I'll be on the lookout for future works by Hallie Katherine, I hope she continues to write in this world and bring us more of the Hollywood drama!
I enjoyed the plot arc about Erika finding her own voice most of all - she's the "overlooked" twin because her sister is all about the cameras and the social media and attention, while she focuses on her art. She stands in for her sister while filming on location, so she can obviously act and keep up with the rigorous schedules and expectations just as well as the "professional," yet she doesn't have the illustrious career. Of course, she likes that Stefan "sees" her pretty quickly for who she is, but I wish there were other traits that we'd see the pair falling in love with about each other. It kind of felt like... she's hot and emotionally wounded and not as self-absorbed as her sister, therefore!! she deserves love. She deserves it for the other well-rounded things about her!! Ultimatlely, Erika's journey to reclaim her own narrative, establish herself as an individual, and overcome a lot of past and present darkness, was hands-down my favorite part of this entire book. The romance is fully secondary to me.
I also do appreciate that this work took on some important and (unfortunately) very timely themes about predatory actors/directors/Hollywood professionals that could hold a budding actress' future career in their hands... it was portrayed in a way that seemed authentic and hauntingly real in my reading, but wasn't what I thought so much of the book would linger over. Because this storyline is complex, it invites me to really peer into it, but it would get confusing or muddled down. There were SO many scenes about NDAs and legal stuff that I don't think is either accurate or necessary for the story? (Also, there were a LOT of references to the twin swap itself being fraud, I guess because the employment contracts are for separate human beings? But it's a lot for a rom-com set-up, if we're going to bring crime into it, I'd like to focus on the other huge abuse issues coming to justice.)
I also found a lot of the logical inconsistencies and details pretty confusing - from "small" things like how Erika and Annaliese are SO COMPLETELY IDENTICAL but also have fully different eye/hair colors and everything? I wasn't sure if I was even reading that right. A lot of filler sentences were very over-written with lots of flowery language and excessive detailing, and then major moments were either blink-and-you-miss-it or written so simply. Like we can linger for three sentences about... IDK, breakfast? and then later have a scene that COULD be filled with tension and longing just amount to "I kissed him." It made it hard to parse out what was going to be an important detail to remember/cling to, or what was scene-setting that could have been cut back to make this very long book a touch shorter and tighter.
Overall, I'll be on the lookout for future works by Hallie Katherine, I hope she continues to write in this world and bring us more of the Hollywood drama!
September 7, 2026
This was an arc read
3.7⭐️⭐️⭐️
2 🌶️🌶️
What a wonderful surprise this romance was! The twin swap was a fun trope I normally don’t see or read but overall the plot I thought was great, I absolutely loved it. But there were some things that felt inconsistent and maybe shouldn’t have been written the way it was.
Stefan and Erika obviously had a spark that I loved. And love that we went deeper into their relationship.
There were also some things that weakened the story with them and other characters. Like Stefan not putting together the birthmark in Erika even though he clearly pointed it out earlier in the book. That shows he’s either very oblivious or just plain ignorant. And characters repeat things that were just said a page or even a few paragraphs before. That should be cleaned up to help with the continuity of the story. I kept feeling like I was backtracking instead of finding out what was actually supposed to happen.
I really really didn’t like Anneliese. She felt really self-centered. She got mad at Erika for starting to have feelings for Stefan but yet when Erika questioned her about Bradley she deflected and changed it back around on Erika. Like you can’t only have it one way. I feel like Anneliese lying to Erika about Bradley made the whole situation for Erika go downhill because Anneliese and Bradley were spotted together while Anneliese was supposed to be on the island with Stefan. I also didn’t like how she allowed Erika to go along as her knowing the circumstances in her contract and the possibility of people actually finding out that Erika was not Anneliese. I also don't understand why Erika felt overshadowed by her. Her sister and family seemed overall supportive of her endeavors. And wanted to see her succeed so it might have just been Erika’s insecurity that was shown to us.
Something more sinister was definitely going on behind the scenes that I honestly can’t put a finger on if I enjoyed it overall along with the plot or not. The story sparks debate on “what would you do in this situation?”. There are hints of r@pe and SA because of a powerful rich man and being able to get away with anything but it's never explicitly stated. I'm not sure that this was the best way to write about it, in my opinion. I’m not an author by any means but as a reader I feel like it should have been written in the book a different way than the way it’s originally been done. Erika knew Stefan saw what was happening and she knew that there had been past allegations against Martin and that there was already an on-going case against him and the production. It didn't really make sense to me that she didn’t go to anybody or say anything, she just chooses to isolate herself and deal with it on her own. I understand the hesitation to come forward because of the twin switch and what could happen to her sisters career but with the allegations that are already against him I don't think they would of allowed her to stay quiet and tell her to just deal with it until it wrapped. It almost made me feel she was just as complicit in being silent as everybody else. I really don't think that that aspect to the story was needed.
A few of the stronger aspects of this book at least was the actual romance. The spicy was great! The moments Erika found her footing as her own person throughout the journey and definitely the blogs/articles/podcasts definitely enhanced the celebrity gossip aspect. I thought that was a great touch to the book as well.
3.7⭐️⭐️⭐️
2 🌶️🌶️
What a wonderful surprise this romance was! The twin swap was a fun trope I normally don’t see or read but overall the plot I thought was great, I absolutely loved it. But there were some things that felt inconsistent and maybe shouldn’t have been written the way it was.
Stefan and Erika obviously had a spark that I loved. And love that we went deeper into their relationship.
There were also some things that weakened the story with them and other characters. Like Stefan not putting together the birthmark in Erika even though he clearly pointed it out earlier in the book. That shows he’s either very oblivious or just plain ignorant. And characters repeat things that were just said a page or even a few paragraphs before. That should be cleaned up to help with the continuity of the story. I kept feeling like I was backtracking instead of finding out what was actually supposed to happen.
I really really didn’t like Anneliese. She felt really self-centered. She got mad at Erika for starting to have feelings for Stefan but yet when Erika questioned her about Bradley she deflected and changed it back around on Erika. Like you can’t only have it one way. I feel like Anneliese lying to Erika about Bradley made the whole situation for Erika go downhill because Anneliese and Bradley were spotted together while Anneliese was supposed to be on the island with Stefan. I also didn’t like how she allowed Erika to go along as her knowing the circumstances in her contract and the possibility of people actually finding out that Erika was not Anneliese. I also don't understand why Erika felt overshadowed by her. Her sister and family seemed overall supportive of her endeavors. And wanted to see her succeed so it might have just been Erika’s insecurity that was shown to us.
Something more sinister was definitely going on behind the scenes that I honestly can’t put a finger on if I enjoyed it overall along with the plot or not. The story sparks debate on “what would you do in this situation?”. There are hints of r@pe and SA because of a powerful rich man and being able to get away with anything but it's never explicitly stated. I'm not sure that this was the best way to write about it, in my opinion. I’m not an author by any means but as a reader I feel like it should have been written in the book a different way than the way it’s originally been done. Erika knew Stefan saw what was happening and she knew that there had been past allegations against Martin and that there was already an on-going case against him and the production. It didn't really make sense to me that she didn’t go to anybody or say anything, she just chooses to isolate herself and deal with it on her own. I understand the hesitation to come forward because of the twin switch and what could happen to her sisters career but with the allegations that are already against him I don't think they would of allowed her to stay quiet and tell her to just deal with it until it wrapped. It almost made me feel she was just as complicit in being silent as everybody else. I really don't think that that aspect to the story was needed.
A few of the stronger aspects of this book at least was the actual romance. The spicy was great! The moments Erika found her footing as her own person throughout the journey and definitely the blogs/articles/podcasts definitely enhanced the celebrity gossip aspect. I thought that was a great touch to the book as well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After an accident, Erika Morgan does the standard thing of taking her twin sister’s place in the spotlight, obvs.
Then she meets Stefan, who is her sister’s co-star: he is handsome, smart and annoying. So when he discovers Erika’s secret, he has absolutely no reason to keep it to himself… so why does he? And why does he seem to actually see Erika herself? So Erika finds herself, not just in paradise, but with a director who could halt careers with a blink of an eye, with a guy who finally notices her true self… whilst playing her sister.
The Pros:
1) Who doesn’t love a twin switch story lol
2) I am always a fan of a plot with a celebrity and a normal person, the dynamics are usually fun but tricky!
3) You actually get some suspense as well - will people find out Erika is a fraud (and other plot lines too)
4) One of my favourite parts of the book includes the romance between Erika and Stefan (and their scenes together)
The Cons:
1) Please note there are darker themes, so please check trigger warnings if needed. I’m not sure the blurb of the book conveys this totally, so it could surprise you.
2) I did feel the book would have benefitted from being a bit shorter, as the pacing did seem to lag at points.
The Quotes:
1) “Influencers,” he repeated, drawing out each syllable. “you mean those people who are famous for having no talent?” He paused, letting the barb sink in, his eyes scanning the crowd with practiced nonchalance. “I think they’re a dime a dozen in this town. The digital equivalent of fast fashion - disposable, derivative, and ultimately forgettable.”
2) “Where did Stefan Cruz learn to cook?” His knife began chopping an onion in quick, confident strokes. “Mi Tita. Every morning at five, before the sun came up.” As he spoke, his accent deepens. “She always said a man who can’t feed himself isn’t a man at all. he’s just a boy waiting for a woman to take care of him.”
3) The dedication:
For the girls who never felt like the main character. Plot twist: you always were.
The Summary:
There are so many fun tropes/themes in this story: twin switch, celebrity/non celebrity and forced proximity, to say a few. My favourite part of the story was definitely the romance and specifically the scenes just between Erika and Stefan. Please be aware there are some darker themes that you may not expect from the blurb, so check trigger warnings if needed. I did find at times the pacing felt a bit on the slow side and I think part of it is down to the length of the story. I thought overall the premise for the book was great, the tropes were fun and there is even suspense - but again, be aware of the darker themes.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Erika takes her twins place in a Hollywood movie
I rated the book 4.25 stars, rounded down to 4.
Please note, the copy I received was an uncorrected proof so changes before publication are possible.
A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.
Then she meets Stefan, who is her sister’s co-star: he is handsome, smart and annoying. So when he discovers Erika’s secret, he has absolutely no reason to keep it to himself… so why does he? And why does he seem to actually see Erika herself? So Erika finds herself, not just in paradise, but with a director who could halt careers with a blink of an eye, with a guy who finally notices her true self… whilst playing her sister.
The Pros:
1) Who doesn’t love a twin switch story lol
2) I am always a fan of a plot with a celebrity and a normal person, the dynamics are usually fun but tricky!
3) You actually get some suspense as well - will people find out Erika is a fraud (and other plot lines too)
4) One of my favourite parts of the book includes the romance between Erika and Stefan (and their scenes together)
The Cons:
1) Please note there are darker themes, so please check trigger warnings if needed. I’m not sure the blurb of the book conveys this totally, so it could surprise you.
2) I did feel the book would have benefitted from being a bit shorter, as the pacing did seem to lag at points.
The Quotes:
1) “Influencers,” he repeated, drawing out each syllable. “you mean those people who are famous for having no talent?” He paused, letting the barb sink in, his eyes scanning the crowd with practiced nonchalance. “I think they’re a dime a dozen in this town. The digital equivalent of fast fashion - disposable, derivative, and ultimately forgettable.”
2) “Where did Stefan Cruz learn to cook?” His knife began chopping an onion in quick, confident strokes. “Mi Tita. Every morning at five, before the sun came up.” As he spoke, his accent deepens. “She always said a man who can’t feed himself isn’t a man at all. he’s just a boy waiting for a woman to take care of him.”
3) The dedication:
For the girls who never felt like the main character. Plot twist: you always were.
The Summary:
There are so many fun tropes/themes in this story: twin switch, celebrity/non celebrity and forced proximity, to say a few. My favourite part of the story was definitely the romance and specifically the scenes just between Erika and Stefan. Please be aware there are some darker themes that you may not expect from the blurb, so check trigger warnings if needed. I did find at times the pacing felt a bit on the slow side and I think part of it is down to the length of the story. I thought overall the premise for the book was great, the tropes were fun and there is even suspense - but again, be aware of the darker themes.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Erika takes her twins place in a Hollywood movie
I rated the book 4.25 stars, rounded down to 4.
Please note, the copy I received was an uncorrected proof so changes before publication are possible.
A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I first picked up Hollywood Switch Up I thought I knew exactly what I was getting. This is one of those premises that gets me every single time. If there's a book or movie with this setup, chances are I'm picking it up. I honestly can't tell you how many books and movies I've watched with this trope, and somehow I still never get tired of it, so I was all in from page one.
I really enjoyed the two main characters. Erika, who spends so much of the story trying to hold everything together, and Stefan, who sees through the walls she puts up almost immediately. They had great chemistry. I was invested in both of them pretty early on, which made it easy to keep turning the pages.
What surprised me most though, was that somewhere along the way, this stopped feeling like a rom-com. Instead, it became much more about Erika finding her voice, standing up for herself, and refusing to let other people define her—even after hitting some incredibly low points. It almost felt like the story evolved while it was being written, shifting from a light romance into something more character driven. Whether that was intentional or not, I actually found that transition interesting.
That said, I did have a couple of small things that didn't quite work for me. Anneliese, Erika's sister, just wasn't my favorite character. Her constant "I have to do everything for this family" attitude wore on me after a while, and I never really connected with her.
Stefan was another mixed bag for me. I liked him overall, but he brought up his ‘tita’ so often that it started pulling me out of the story. There was even a moment right before they were about to have sex where he brought up his ‘tita’ again, and I actually laughed. By that point I was thinking, “Okay...I get it." He also says ‘joder’ quite a bit, and after a while it became repetitive.
I do think it's worth mentioning that this book includes some heavier, potentially triggering topics. The story touches on them, but it never fully goes there. It kind of tiptoes around them...almost like Voldemort. Everyone knows what's there, but nobody actually says it out loud. Depending on what you're looking for, that could either work for you or leave you wanting a deeper exploration.
What I appreciated most by the end was Erika's journey. She didn't let the truth coming out or the attacks against her define who she was. Instead of letting those moments break her, she came out stronger, stood her ground, and ultimately got the happily ever after she deserved.
I went into this expecting a fun celebrity rom-com, but by the end I realized it was really Erika's story. Watching her refuse to let everything she'd been through define her ended up being my favorite part of the book. It wasn't the story I expected, but I'm really glad I picked it up.
I'd absolutely recommend giving this one a try if you enjoy celebrity romances and character driven stories.
I really enjoyed the two main characters. Erika, who spends so much of the story trying to hold everything together, and Stefan, who sees through the walls she puts up almost immediately. They had great chemistry. I was invested in both of them pretty early on, which made it easy to keep turning the pages.
What surprised me most though, was that somewhere along the way, this stopped feeling like a rom-com. Instead, it became much more about Erika finding her voice, standing up for herself, and refusing to let other people define her—even after hitting some incredibly low points. It almost felt like the story evolved while it was being written, shifting from a light romance into something more character driven. Whether that was intentional or not, I actually found that transition interesting.
That said, I did have a couple of small things that didn't quite work for me. Anneliese, Erika's sister, just wasn't my favorite character. Her constant "I have to do everything for this family" attitude wore on me after a while, and I never really connected with her.
Stefan was another mixed bag for me. I liked him overall, but he brought up his ‘tita’ so often that it started pulling me out of the story. There was even a moment right before they were about to have sex where he brought up his ‘tita’ again, and I actually laughed. By that point I was thinking, “Okay...I get it." He also says ‘joder’ quite a bit, and after a while it became repetitive.
I do think it's worth mentioning that this book includes some heavier, potentially triggering topics. The story touches on them, but it never fully goes there. It kind of tiptoes around them...almost like Voldemort. Everyone knows what's there, but nobody actually says it out loud. Depending on what you're looking for, that could either work for you or leave you wanting a deeper exploration.
What I appreciated most by the end was Erika's journey. She didn't let the truth coming out or the attacks against her define who she was. Instead of letting those moments break her, she came out stronger, stood her ground, and ultimately got the happily ever after she deserved.
I went into this expecting a fun celebrity rom-com, but by the end I realized it was really Erika's story. Watching her refuse to let everything she'd been through define her ended up being my favorite part of the book. It wasn't the story I expected, but I'm really glad I picked it up.
I'd absolutely recommend giving this one a try if you enjoy celebrity romances and character driven stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into The Hollywood Switch Up completely blind with absolutely no expectations. Some of my friends LOVED it, while others didn’t connect with it as much, so I was very curious to see where I would land.
AND LET ME TELL YOU… I loved it. 🥹
I loved Stefan and Erika so much. And Erika? I understood her so, so much. This book manages to be incredibly sweet while also being packed with emotion and tackling some really heavy topics.
Because imagine finding a man who truly SEES you… but he also has a reputation that could threaten your twin’s career and did it on multiple occasions in the past? 👀
The first half of this story had me absolutely SWOONING. I tabbed and highlighted the heck out of this book. I fell so hard for both Erika and Stefan. I loved watching Erika finally allow herself to step outside the shadow of being the “Other Morgan” and put herself out there as Annie. And Stefan was there to remind her that she is so much more than the role everyone else had decided she needed to play.
Their connection?? 🥹💕
But then we get to the second half…
BUCKLE UP.
This is where the story takes a much darker turn, and the trigger warnings become especially important. We get a much closer look at the ugly side of Hollywood, and I can absolutely see why this part of the book might not work for everyone.
Personally, I really appreciated that Katherine wasn’t afraid to go there.
I think Martin was written particularly well in the way his manipulation unfolded. He didn’t behave like some obvious cartoon villain. Instead, he constantly pushed boundaries just far enough to make Erika question whether she was overreacting. He created situations where she could be isolated, pulled her into private conversations where there were no witnesses, used threats against people she loved, and slowly made her feel like she had nowhere to turn.
That made his behavior feel all the more disturbing and, unfortunately, believable.
I also really appreciated that Hallie didn’t gloss over what recovery from an experience like that can look like. Erika wasn’t suddenly “fine” afterward. She had to actively work through what happened to her, and I loved that her healing wasn’t rushed or treated like something that could be fixed overnight. There was an honesty to that part of her journey that really stayed with me.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book. 💖 It was romantic, emotional, swoony, and then unexpectedly heavy in ways I was prepared for which I think that’s also what made it so memorable for me.
If this one is on your radar, GO PREORDER IT. 🫶
Thank you so much to Hallie Katherine for the ARC! I’m already looking forward to whatever comes next…
BUT ALSO… is The Hollywood Switch Up going to be a series?! 👀 Because I firmly believe Annie needs her own story. 💖
AND LET ME TELL YOU… I loved it. 🥹
I loved Stefan and Erika so much. And Erika? I understood her so, so much. This book manages to be incredibly sweet while also being packed with emotion and tackling some really heavy topics.
Because imagine finding a man who truly SEES you… but he also has a reputation that could threaten your twin’s career and did it on multiple occasions in the past? 👀
The first half of this story had me absolutely SWOONING. I tabbed and highlighted the heck out of this book. I fell so hard for both Erika and Stefan. I loved watching Erika finally allow herself to step outside the shadow of being the “Other Morgan” and put herself out there as Annie. And Stefan was there to remind her that she is so much more than the role everyone else had decided she needed to play.
Their connection?? 🥹💕
But then we get to the second half…
BUCKLE UP.
This is where the story takes a much darker turn, and the trigger warnings become especially important. We get a much closer look at the ugly side of Hollywood, and I can absolutely see why this part of the book might not work for everyone.
Personally, I really appreciated that Katherine wasn’t afraid to go there.
I think Martin was written particularly well in the way his manipulation unfolded. He didn’t behave like some obvious cartoon villain. Instead, he constantly pushed boundaries just far enough to make Erika question whether she was overreacting. He created situations where she could be isolated, pulled her into private conversations where there were no witnesses, used threats against people she loved, and slowly made her feel like she had nowhere to turn.
That made his behavior feel all the more disturbing and, unfortunately, believable.
I also really appreciated that Hallie didn’t gloss over what recovery from an experience like that can look like. Erika wasn’t suddenly “fine” afterward. She had to actively work through what happened to her, and I loved that her healing wasn’t rushed or treated like something that could be fixed overnight. There was an honesty to that part of her journey that really stayed with me.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book. 💖 It was romantic, emotional, swoony, and then unexpectedly heavy in ways I was prepared for which I think that’s also what made it so memorable for me.
If this one is on your radar, GO PREORDER IT. 🫶
Thank you so much to Hallie Katherine for the ARC! I’m already looking forward to whatever comes next…
BUT ALSO… is The Hollywood Switch Up going to be a series?! 👀 Because I firmly believe Annie needs her own story. 💖
June 26, 2026
3 stars
3 spice
While I really loved this book when I started it, it fell apart the more I read. The book really really needs another read-through and editing session. The grammar and formatting is off sometimes (for example, speech paragraphs always end with a quotation mark, even when the next paragraph is the same speaker speaking. So it becomes confusing very quickly as to who is actually saying what because it looks like a new line of dialogue from a different character), scenes are repeated, and, most annoyingly, characters seem to forget what they have told each other, leading to some extremely confusing scenes where I had to backtrack and make sure I wasn't hallucinating the fact that revelations had already been made (e.g. Stefan very explicitly mentioning how one way the twins are different is that Erika has a birthmark behind her ear, while her sister doesn't. This is during their FIRST actual meeting. And then later, when Erika is pretending to be her sister on the movie set, Stefan observes the birthmark in his head but basically says "I don't remember Anneliese having that." Like dude, c'mon).
I do really like the FMC and MMC, and I like the way their relationship developed. It really comes down to this book needing more editing. I really enjoyed reading about Erika and Stefan, especially in the early parts of the book.
It also gets quite dark in the second half, which was completely fine with me. I thought it added well to the story and addressed important themes. However, the romance aspect does really get reduced in the second act, to the point where it really did feel like a different story/genre.
Lastly, this is a lesser gripe that I was able to suspend my disbelief for, but I feel like it needs to be said. From the beginning, the book's premise falls apart. After influencer twin Anneliese has an accident and can't film the movie she has been cast for, she implores her shy, identical twin sister to take her place. This is allegedly because Anneliese will lose all of her acting opportunities if she has to drop out of this shoot. Yet she isn't concerned about her non-actor sister performing well on a major movie set?? She would rather have someone who self-admits that she has none of the natural charisma as her sister to act in her place in a make-or-break situation than drop out for a completely explainable reason? It just doesn't make any sense. It's easy to get over, though, and just enjoy the story.
3 spice
While I really loved this book when I started it, it fell apart the more I read. The book really really needs another read-through and editing session. The grammar and formatting is off sometimes (for example, speech paragraphs always end with a quotation mark, even when the next paragraph is the same speaker speaking. So it becomes confusing very quickly as to who is actually saying what because it looks like a new line of dialogue from a different character), scenes are repeated, and, most annoyingly, characters seem to forget what they have told each other, leading to some extremely confusing scenes where I had to backtrack and make sure I wasn't hallucinating the fact that revelations had already been made (e.g. Stefan very explicitly mentioning how one way the twins are different is that Erika has a birthmark behind her ear, while her sister doesn't. This is during their FIRST actual meeting. And then later, when Erika is pretending to be her sister on the movie set, Stefan observes the birthmark in his head but basically says "I don't remember Anneliese having that." Like dude, c'mon).
I do really like the FMC and MMC, and I like the way their relationship developed. It really comes down to this book needing more editing. I really enjoyed reading about Erika and Stefan, especially in the early parts of the book.
It also gets quite dark in the second half, which was completely fine with me. I thought it added well to the story and addressed important themes. However, the romance aspect does really get reduced in the second act, to the point where it really did feel like a different story/genre.
Lastly, this is a lesser gripe that I was able to suspend my disbelief for, but I feel like it needs to be said. From the beginning, the book's premise falls apart. After influencer twin Anneliese has an accident and can't film the movie she has been cast for, she implores her shy, identical twin sister to take her place. This is allegedly because Anneliese will lose all of her acting opportunities if she has to drop out of this shoot. Yet she isn't concerned about her non-actor sister performing well on a major movie set?? She would rather have someone who self-admits that she has none of the natural charisma as her sister to act in her place in a make-or-break situation than drop out for a completely explainable reason? It just doesn't make any sense. It's easy to get over, though, and just enjoy the story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Firstly, thank you to hkromance and lovestory_pr for sending me an ARC of The Hollywood Switch-Up. Now.. to get into my thoughts of this story.
This was an enjoyable read overall, but I definitely had a more mixed experience with it.
It has a lot of great elements like celebrity romance, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, and twin swap, and those were what initially pulled me in. I was very excited to read this as the premise seemed so interesting to me. The story is easy to get through and keeps you curious about what’s going to happen next, especially with all the drama woven throughout.
Stefan was probably the better part of the book for me. But I also had a bit of a love/hate relationship with him. He felt grounded and consistent, and I really liked how his feelings showed through his actions. At the same time, I found myself wishing he had spoken up sooner about certain things—especially when it came to protecting Erika. There were moments where it felt like more could have been done earlier, and that was a bit frustrating to read.
Side note to Stefen: I wish that when he spoke in Spanish, there was a translation at the bottom of the page as that would make things so much easier/smoother for the reader.
Erika’s storyline was interesting, especially when it came to her growth and figuring out what she wanted for herself. There were just a few decisions she made that were harder for me to understand–particularly when it came to Martin. Even after multiple warnings, she continued to interact with him and chose to handle things on her own instead of letting others help. I get what the story was going for, but it made some moments frustrating.
Annelise was a character I had a harder time connecting with throughout most of the book. I understand the pressure she was under and that a lot of her actions came from wanting to protect her image and career, but it sometimes felt like that came at the expense of her relationship with Erika. That said, I did appreciate that there was some growth by the end.
Overall, it was a good read with a lot of potential, but I just don’t think it fully reached or developed to its fullest extent. There were several interesting ideas and character dynamics that kept me engaged, but in the end, I felt like some of those elements could have been explored more deeply or given more emotional payoff, which would have made the story feel more impactful overall.
This was an enjoyable read overall, but I definitely had a more mixed experience with it.
It has a lot of great elements like celebrity romance, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, and twin swap, and those were what initially pulled me in. I was very excited to read this as the premise seemed so interesting to me. The story is easy to get through and keeps you curious about what’s going to happen next, especially with all the drama woven throughout.
Stefan was probably the better part of the book for me. But I also had a bit of a love/hate relationship with him. He felt grounded and consistent, and I really liked how his feelings showed through his actions. At the same time, I found myself wishing he had spoken up sooner about certain things—especially when it came to protecting Erika. There were moments where it felt like more could have been done earlier, and that was a bit frustrating to read.
Side note to Stefen: I wish that when he spoke in Spanish, there was a translation at the bottom of the page as that would make things so much easier/smoother for the reader.
Erika’s storyline was interesting, especially when it came to her growth and figuring out what she wanted for herself. There were just a few decisions she made that were harder for me to understand–particularly when it came to Martin. Even after multiple warnings, she continued to interact with him and chose to handle things on her own instead of letting others help. I get what the story was going for, but it made some moments frustrating.
Annelise was a character I had a harder time connecting with throughout most of the book. I understand the pressure she was under and that a lot of her actions came from wanting to protect her image and career, but it sometimes felt like that came at the expense of her relationship with Erika. That said, I did appreciate that there was some growth by the end.
Overall, it was a good read with a lot of potential, but I just don’t think it fully reached or developed to its fullest extent. There were several interesting ideas and character dynamics that kept me engaged, but in the end, I felt like some of those elements could have been explored more deeply or given more emotional payoff, which would have made the story feel more impactful overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was my first book by this author, but definitely not the last!
It’s a story about a twins switcheroo with a Hollywood twist, forced proximity, he falls first, enemies to lovers, among other themes.
- Read the authors content warnings page for any triggers.
You can feel an instant attraction between Erica (FMC) and Stefan (MMC) when they first meet, the latter not knowing at first glance that she is related to the “influencer” he cannot stand, and Erica who is simply trying to stay loyal to her sister who despises Stefan for making her lose on an acting opportunity in the past after he made some public comments that left her humiliated.
When her sister has an accident that leaves her unable to begin production for a movie she was hired as the lead, putting in risk her entire career and future, they come up with the idea of Erica going in her place pretending to be her.
Erica agrees to the idea as she feels that she cannot let her sister’s life become a failure like hers.
FMC is transformed to look exactly like her sister (yes, they are twins but even then, they still had some differences that could distinguish them from each other such as their hair color & eyes).
As soon she arrives to the filming destination she discovers that the original male lead for the movie dropped out and was replaced by the MMC.
The chemistry between the main characters was felt in every scene they were together and they actually make you want to root for their HEA.
Their experiences throughout the story, and with each other help them grow as individuals and you can see the raw realness of these characters.
Side characters were also very well written.
Story also features the darker side of Hollywood that everyone knows exists, but few tell what actually happens behind the scenes as things are usually pushed under the rug by the people in charge.
Also, there are a lot of phrases in Spanish by Stefan which as a Spanish speaker I actually enjoyed and appreciated, but can understand that someone who does not speak the language might get a bit frustrated.
That said, it’s important to note that the Spanish, in my opinion, brought a more authentic side to Stefan as I could actually imagine him as a real person.
For anyone who does not understand Spanish, I would recommend either translating the word, or just simply to continue reading ahead to get a better understanding of what the character was saying.
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