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Leading Light #2
Starstruck
Frustrated by his struggling career and irritated that he has to do an appearance at a video game convention, actor Neal Pearce decides to blow off some steam with the first cute man to catch his eye. What was supposed to be a night of fun becomes a media nightmare, at least until Neal and his publicist have an idea: roll with the rumors, officially come out, and turn that one-night stand into a fake PR relationship. It’s the perfect way to raise Neal’s profile in the media before the all-important film awards season rolls around, and Neal knows better than to let feelings get involved in something that’s not real.
Or so he thought…
A geeky introvert who plays video games for a living, Sam Walsh never expects to catch the eye of the celebrity he’s had a crush on since he was a teenager. He can’t refuse the money Neal offers, and it should be easy… right? All he has to do is smile for the cameras, act like a contractually-mandated fake relationship is perfectly normal, and pretend to be in love with Neal.
Except the only “easy” thing about it is how easy it is to actually start falling in love with him…
Starstruck is a 59,000-word standalone gay romance novel with no cliffhanger and a HEA. The books in the Leading Light series can be read in any order, though they all take place in the same universe and characters may make cameos from one book to another.
Or so he thought…
A geeky introvert who plays video games for a living, Sam Walsh never expects to catch the eye of the celebrity he’s had a crush on since he was a teenager. He can’t refuse the money Neal offers, and it should be easy… right? All he has to do is smile for the cameras, act like a contractually-mandated fake relationship is perfectly normal, and pretend to be in love with Neal.
Except the only “easy” thing about it is how easy it is to actually start falling in love with him…
Starstruck is a 59,000-word standalone gay romance novel with no cliffhanger and a HEA. The books in the Leading Light series can be read in any order, though they all take place in the same universe and characters may make cameos from one book to another.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 11, 2018
3.5 Stars
I really enjoyed it this book but it needed a few things to move it from good to great.
I like both the heroes a great deal. Sam is a wonderful slightly nerdy character but steadfast and caring and assertive when it matters. He has his own working life which he maintains through out the book as Twitch Streamer.
Neil is struggling after a break up and not liking how his acting career is going but he is kind as well.
They have great chemistry and I love me a pretend relationship plot. This one has a fun start with a hot one night stand and a gamer con as well.
I like that this romance takes places over months and you can really see Sam and Neil fall in love and why they would.
The angst is kept pretty low which I like.
What needs work is though Neil has some people in his life and we get to meet his great parents, Sam's support system is a lot more limited. There are reasons for that but it would have made for a stronger book if he had more support.
The main issue is that Neil and Sam wait a bit too long to discuss the things that really impact their relationship. They need to talk more. Much more and earlier.
But overall, I really liked it and am bummed the Anders (the grumpy PR guy) isn't the next book in the series.
I really enjoyed it this book but it needed a few things to move it from good to great.
I like both the heroes a great deal. Sam is a wonderful slightly nerdy character but steadfast and caring and assertive when it matters. He has his own working life which he maintains through out the book as Twitch Streamer.
Neil is struggling after a break up and not liking how his acting career is going but he is kind as well.
They have great chemistry and I love me a pretend relationship plot. This one has a fun start with a hot one night stand and a gamer con as well.
I like that this romance takes places over months and you can really see Sam and Neil fall in love and why they would.
The angst is kept pretty low which I like.
What needs work is though Neil has some people in his life and we get to meet his great parents, Sam's support system is a lot more limited. There are reasons for that but it would have made for a stronger book if he had more support.
The main issue is that Neil and Sam wait a bit too long to discuss the things that really impact their relationship. They need to talk more. Much more and earlier.
But overall, I really liked it and am bummed the Anders (the grumpy PR guy) isn't the next book in the series.
February 16, 2017
Este trope es mi placer culpable, no lo puedo evitar, me hubiese gustado más con un poco de drama, qué queréis que os diga, me gusta que sufran y se trabajen el final feliz, pero los personajes son monos y estaba de humor, así que creo que iré a por el primero ;D
February 20, 2017
2.5 rounded up, review to come...
March 4, 2017
Wow. To say I devoured this book is an understatement. I couldn't put it down, literally read it in one sitting because I had to find out what happened. This is my second book by the author and I loved this one just as much as I loved her first. Both Neal and Sam's struggles, internal and external, grabbed me, they sucked me in. And the characters? I adored them, I so wanted them to get their HEA and I couldn't put the book down until they reached it. So effing good. I voluntarily received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2017
I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from the author.
I can't get over how much I loved this story. I am almost speechless. Loved the writing, the characters, the emotions it pulled out of me. Sam and Neal's chemistry was hot and savory, like a freshly brewed cappuccino. This was such an enjoyable read.
I will certainly be consuming other books from this author.
I can't get over how much I loved this story. I am almost speechless. Loved the writing, the characters, the emotions it pulled out of me. Sam and Neal's chemistry was hot and savory, like a freshly brewed cappuccino. This was such an enjoyable read.
I will certainly be consuming other books from this author.
January 18, 2026
(Updated and edited version of my 2017 review, from lost account)
An absolute pleasure to read. Like the first book in the series, the story can seem a tad jumpy, but in this case it is far less bothersome, and even makes sense considering the progression of the story. The characters are engaging and compelling, their connection is strong, passionate, and believable.
It is such a treat to read a story with two main characters who are both legitimately good people, where the issues in the romance are because of miscommunications and prior baggage, rather than any intentional malfeasance.
4.5/5, for being sweet, surprisingly believable, and simple. Easily rounded up due to the smile I am still wearing hours after finishing.
An absolute pleasure to read. Like the first book in the series, the story can seem a tad jumpy, but in this case it is far less bothersome, and even makes sense considering the progression of the story. The characters are engaging and compelling, their connection is strong, passionate, and believable.
It is such a treat to read a story with two main characters who are both legitimately good people, where the issues in the romance are because of miscommunications and prior baggage, rather than any intentional malfeasance.
4.5/5, for being sweet, surprisingly believable, and simple. Easily rounded up due to the smile I am still wearing hours after finishing.
July 21, 2017
An absolute pleasure to read. Like the first book in the series, the story can seem a tad jumpy, but in this case it is far less bothersome, and even makes sense considering the progression of the story. The characters are engaging and compelling, their connection is strong, passionate, and believable.
It is such a treat to read a story with two main characters who are both legitimately good people, where the issues in the romance are because of miscommunications and prior baggage, rather than any intentional malfeasance.
4.5/5, for being sweet, surprisingly believable, and simple. Easily rounded up due to the smile I am still wearing hours after finishing.
It is such a treat to read a story with two main characters who are both legitimately good people, where the issues in the romance are because of miscommunications and prior baggage, rather than any intentional malfeasance.
4.5/5, for being sweet, surprisingly believable, and simple. Easily rounded up due to the smile I am still wearing hours after finishing.
October 11, 2017
Actually giving this a 3.5. The story was a fun one, although I would have liked to know more about Sam's backstory. I also wanted to know who spilled the beans about Sam and Neal's relationship.
There were a few typos, as well as an instance of referring to Sam's half-sister as "him," so I assume at one point the character was actually his half-brother.
Other than that, I did enjoy it.
There were a few typos, as well as an instance of referring to Sam's half-sister as "him," so I assume at one point the character was actually his half-brother.
Other than that, I did enjoy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2017
I so enjoyed this book. Sam and Neal were just so sweet. A fake relationship is what they find themselves in when pictures surface of them making out. Neal is an actor and Sam a gamer. Find along the way that the fake relationship turns all to real.
September 13, 2017
Fake romance turns into the real thing. The public statement at the end seemed a bit weird to me.
Typos: some punctuation outside quotes, misuse of "and I" (should be "and me").
Typos: some punctuation outside quotes, misuse of "and I" (should be "and me").
February 16, 2017
I totally enjoyed this book!! The storyline was strong. The characters were well developed and endearing. Neal was a Hollywood actor who was struggling both professionally and personally... When he goes to a gaming convention because he was a character voice for a popular game, he meets Sam, a streaming gamer, which he was extremely attracted to, and the night becomes explosive. The next day photos of the two of them in the elevator making out emerge causing chaos among his PR man and manager. Neal never wanted to reveal his sexuality to his fans so they find Sam and get both a NDA and a contract which sets up a fake boyfriend arrangement between Sam and Neal for 6 months and the payment of $100,000. Sam is overwhelmed but agrees because he could use the money to pay his mother's medical bills. The contract has Sam moving into Neal's mansion in LA and they would appear in public as boyfriends. Both fighting their own attractions and feelings they awkwardly distance themselves from each other. But destiny has other plans for these two since the media finds out they are fake. The PR man immediately accuses Sam of the leak and Neal is caught up in a possible betrayal until he realizes what is more important to him and that is Sam!! Fame and fortune is not what it is all cracked up to be and it can sometimes destroy what is really important. These two were meant to be together. This is their story...The hurt of the past can't destroy a future when true love comes in. Loved this story. Reagan is becoming one of the best. Highly recommend this one.❤️
February 6, 2017
4
When Neal and Sam first meet up at the con, it seemed odd to me that Neal wasn't more circumspect about flirting with Sam if he wasn't actually out, but that was the only thing about this book that I can say didn't feel right.
Reegan Ellis has a way of creating characters that I fall in love with every time. I believed that both Neal & Sam desperately wanted their fake relationship to be more, but were so scared of finding out that it wasn't that they were almost willing to let it go. It made sense that Sam wouldn't think that he was good enough for a major star like Neal just because that is how our society treats movie stars. It also fit that Neal was terrified that Sam would end up being just like Tobin. Anders was a great supporting character, and I liked that he truly did care for and about Neal - not just Neal's image. I'm excited that it looks like his story might be next.
This series is well worth reading, I would suggest it for anyone who wants to read a good, light contemporary story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
When Neal and Sam first meet up at the con, it seemed odd to me that Neal wasn't more circumspect about flirting with Sam if he wasn't actually out, but that was the only thing about this book that I can say didn't feel right.
Reegan Ellis has a way of creating characters that I fall in love with every time. I believed that both Neal & Sam desperately wanted their fake relationship to be more, but were so scared of finding out that it wasn't that they were almost willing to let it go. It made sense that Sam wouldn't think that he was good enough for a major star like Neal just because that is how our society treats movie stars. It also fit that Neal was terrified that Sam would end up being just like Tobin. Anders was a great supporting character, and I liked that he truly did care for and about Neal - not just Neal's image. I'm excited that it looks like his story might be next.
This series is well worth reading, I would suggest it for anyone who wants to read a good, light contemporary story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
February 6, 2017
This is the first I’ve read from this author. The story was well planned and well written. I got a tiny glimpse of the “Hollywood life” without being bogged down in it. The characters were likable and believable. The ins and outs of their coming together and falling apart were interesting and exciting. The HEA was satisfying and the sex was really good.
Neal and Sam were adorable and their interactions were funny, sweet, hot and emotional. The traumatic scenes were moving as Neal stood by Sam during a dark time in his life. The author did a good job capturing and keeping my attention from the first page to the last.
I will read more from this author.
I am voluntarily reviewing the free advance reader copy I received from the author.
Neal and Sam were adorable and their interactions were funny, sweet, hot and emotional. The traumatic scenes were moving as Neal stood by Sam during a dark time in his life. The author did a good job capturing and keeping my attention from the first page to the last.
I will read more from this author.
I am voluntarily reviewing the free advance reader copy I received from the author.
February 9, 2017
Cute romance, easy and enjoyable read!
This is my first read by this author, and even though its book 2 in a series it worked as a standalone. It had great pacing, and i stayed up way too late reading Sam and Neal's romance. If you like a sweet romance with a dash of angst, this is a good choice.
This is my first read by this author, and even though its book 2 in a series it worked as a standalone. It had great pacing, and i stayed up way too late reading Sam and Neal's romance. If you like a sweet romance with a dash of angst, this is a good choice.
February 9, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Neal and Sam make such a sweet couple It's a bit installation love but in this book it works. It's a sweet and I would say no angst book which is second in a series but it totally works as a standalone.
The writing flows good pace to the book I read it all kinds in a day would have been a few hours if I hadn't had to work.
I'm enjoying this series lots.
Neal and Sam make such a sweet couple It's a bit installation love but in this book it works. It's a sweet and I would say no angst book which is second in a series but it totally works as a standalone.
The writing flows good pace to the book I read it all kinds in a day would have been a few hours if I hadn't had to work.
I'm enjoying this series lots.
February 11, 2017
Undecided
Firstly there are errors a little proofreading would help. The story was predictable, however I found myself wondering where Sam's mum was as only mention was the hospital in the beginning and then nothing really until near the end.
Firstly there are errors a little proofreading would help. The story was predictable, however I found myself wondering where Sam's mum was as only mention was the hospital in the beginning and then nothing really until near the end.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews