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Kiss Talent Agency #1
Lip Action
Marissa
Appearance is everything to my upper-crust mother, but when she insists I take back my pedigreed-but-cheating ex? I’d rather stab myself with a salad fork. So I blurt out I’m dating someone new. Someone like…that smoking-hot, vaguely familiar guy across the restaurant, who could be the next James Bond.
Turns out he’s the star of my favorite, cheesy, sci-fi soap opera. (Don’t judge me.) One minute I’m fantasizing about Borg and his green-hued abs. The next, Simon Dale is making me an offer my sex-starved body can’t refuse.
Simon
I’m up for a breakout movie role that’ll launch me off the B-list, but I don’t need a script to read the scene between Marissa and her mum. Even though I’m a London gutter rat who never rubbed elbows with a Royal, I easily slip into the role of Marissa’s doting boyfriend. Why? I need a favor in return— a steady girlfriend, just long enough to convince the producers I’ve changed my wild ways.
Trouble is, I’m going all Method on this relationship—and close to losing the one thing that could break me. My heart.
Appearance is everything to my upper-crust mother, but when she insists I take back my pedigreed-but-cheating ex? I’d rather stab myself with a salad fork. So I blurt out I’m dating someone new. Someone like…that smoking-hot, vaguely familiar guy across the restaurant, who could be the next James Bond.
Turns out he’s the star of my favorite, cheesy, sci-fi soap opera. (Don’t judge me.) One minute I’m fantasizing about Borg and his green-hued abs. The next, Simon Dale is making me an offer my sex-starved body can’t refuse.
Simon
I’m up for a breakout movie role that’ll launch me off the B-list, but I don’t need a script to read the scene between Marissa and her mum. Even though I’m a London gutter rat who never rubbed elbows with a Royal, I easily slip into the role of Marissa’s doting boyfriend. Why? I need a favor in return— a steady girlfriend, just long enough to convince the producers I’ve changed my wild ways.
Trouble is, I’m going all Method on this relationship—and close to losing the one thing that could break me. My heart.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2017
373 people are currently reading
489 people want to read
About the author
Virna DePaul
127 books988 followersA former prosecutor, Virna DePaul writes "heat, heart, & HEA" for Harlequin and Random House. She is also a bestselling Indie author, with Bedding The Wrong Brother being a top 100 contemporary romance on Amazon with over 150 5* reviews. www.virnadepaul.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
August 24, 2017
This fun romantic contemporary is the first in a new series by Virna DePaul. It starts out as a fake relationship that benefits both parties and leads to love. Marisa needs to get her mother to back off on pushing her to reunite with her cheating ex and Simon needs to clean up his reputation to get a starring role in an upcoming film. Filled with humor, this short romance was a great start to a new series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
June 13, 2017
I liked the sound of this when I read the blurb, it sounded kind of funny and quirky. Sadly, my expectations didn't match with the novel. Not to say the novel was bad, just that I was hoping for something a little different.
Marissa Woodcrest is a poor little rich girl. Her mother is a snob and blames Marissa for ditching her cheating ex-fiance Charles, in her mother's eyes Charles' pedigree overrides his personality and behaviour. At yet another interminable family dinner at the country club Marissa is trying to resist pressure from her mother to beg Charles to take her back and she makes up a fake boyfriend, describing a handsome man she can see at the other side of the restaurant. Little does she know that her waitress is actually the man's sister.
Simon Dale is an actor in Sci-Fi TV show in which he plays a green alien, there's lots of sex and its a really cheesy soap opera. He is desperate for a part in a big new film but the producers Noble and Spires have doubts about his commitment. When his sister tells him about what is happening at the other table he offers Marissa a deal: be his fake girlfriend to help him land the part and he will be her fake upper-crust English boyfriend to stop her mother's bullying. When she was much younger Marissa was into bad boys and she nearly died in a car accident. Ever since she has tried desperately to be a good girl and do everything her mother tells her.
Of course Simon is hiding both his identity as a soap opera actor from Marissa's parents AND his real background from Marissa. He isn't a wealthy, James Bond-esque Brit, he's a "street rat" and a "kid from a trash family from the east side of London". Now I am British and I can assure you that we do not refer to the east side of London, its the East End (which to be fair is used extensively later in the book), nor do we call people street rats or talk about trash families. I appreciate for many readers this won't matter an iota but I wish writers would at least do a little research to provide authenticity. OK, rant over.
Because of his background Simon has feelings of inadequacy, he doesn't think he is good enough for Marissa. Conversely, Marissa feels inadequate compared to Simon's leading ladies and former girlfriends. Inevitably there is a poisonous ex to match Marissa's ex-fiance.
This was an easy read, at one point I thought it was maybe an old-fashioned erotic novel because of the sheer number of 'encounters' between Marissa and Simon in which he taught her how to receive pleasure. Yes really!
Recommended for people who like a sweet old-fashioned romance with a bit of steam, mixed with Hollywood glamour and scheming exes.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.
Marissa Woodcrest is a poor little rich girl. Her mother is a snob and blames Marissa for ditching her cheating ex-fiance Charles, in her mother's eyes Charles' pedigree overrides his personality and behaviour. At yet another interminable family dinner at the country club Marissa is trying to resist pressure from her mother to beg Charles to take her back and she makes up a fake boyfriend, describing a handsome man she can see at the other side of the restaurant. Little does she know that her waitress is actually the man's sister.
Simon Dale is an actor in Sci-Fi TV show in which he plays a green alien, there's lots of sex and its a really cheesy soap opera. He is desperate for a part in a big new film but the producers Noble and Spires have doubts about his commitment. When his sister tells him about what is happening at the other table he offers Marissa a deal: be his fake girlfriend to help him land the part and he will be her fake upper-crust English boyfriend to stop her mother's bullying. When she was much younger Marissa was into bad boys and she nearly died in a car accident. Ever since she has tried desperately to be a good girl and do everything her mother tells her.
Of course Simon is hiding both his identity as a soap opera actor from Marissa's parents AND his real background from Marissa. He isn't a wealthy, James Bond-esque Brit, he's a "street rat" and a "kid from a trash family from the east side of London". Now I am British and I can assure you that we do not refer to the east side of London, its the East End (which to be fair is used extensively later in the book), nor do we call people street rats or talk about trash families. I appreciate for many readers this won't matter an iota but I wish writers would at least do a little research to provide authenticity. OK, rant over.
Because of his background Simon has feelings of inadequacy, he doesn't think he is good enough for Marissa. Conversely, Marissa feels inadequate compared to Simon's leading ladies and former girlfriends. Inevitably there is a poisonous ex to match Marissa's ex-fiance.
This was an easy read, at one point I thought it was maybe an old-fashioned erotic novel because of the sheer number of 'encounters' between Marissa and Simon in which he taught her how to receive pleasure. Yes really!
Recommended for people who like a sweet old-fashioned romance with a bit of steam, mixed with Hollywood glamour and scheming exes.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.
June 7, 2017
2.5 Stars.
I wanted to like this and the lead characters were likable as was basic plot. I love me some pretend relationship when we only just met.
I don't mind mad cap rom com either but even though the feels between the leads felt right the plot time line was too rushed, the villains (parents included) teeth gritting simple and annoying, and the sex too fast and out of character.
So, a jump with a sweet connection at the center with a good closing.
I was given this book for my honest review. So, there you have it!
I wanted to like this and the lead characters were likable as was basic plot. I love me some pretend relationship when we only just met.
I don't mind mad cap rom com either but even though the feels between the leads felt right the plot time line was too rushed, the villains (parents included) teeth gritting simple and annoying, and the sex too fast and out of character.
So, a jump with a sweet connection at the center with a good closing.
I was given this book for my honest review. So, there you have it!
June 12, 2017
3.5/3.75 out of 5
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April 1, 2018
3 1/2 stars for Lip Action
Marissa is the daughter of a Hollywood behind the scenes power couple who just wants to be herself. Her mother is overbearing in the extreme, to the point I wanted to slap the mom. Simon is an actor who is trying to break out of the B list and get a movie that will push him into the A list. The pair up to pretend date so everyone can be happy with the results. As with any good fake relationship it quickly becomes more to both of them. Can it survive Hollywood or Marissa's parents influence?
I am a fan of DePaul work, I like this book, I just wanted a little more from it.
Marissa is the daughter of a Hollywood behind the scenes power couple who just wants to be herself. Her mother is overbearing in the extreme, to the point I wanted to slap the mom. Simon is an actor who is trying to break out of the B list and get a movie that will push him into the A list. The pair up to pretend date so everyone can be happy with the results. As with any good fake relationship it quickly becomes more to both of them. Can it survive Hollywood or Marissa's parents influence?
I am a fan of DePaul work, I like this book, I just wanted a little more from it.
May 15, 2018
DNF @ 39%
I just could not get into these characters - the female cannot seem to make a decision and the male just to cliche
I just could not get into these characters - the female cannot seem to make a decision and the male just to cliche
May 20, 2018
Full review coming up soon
September 12, 2017
First in the Kiss Talent Agency romance series with the couple focus on Marissa and Simon Dale.
My Take
Fun. A great beach read.
My Take
Fun. A great beach read.
June 19, 2017
3.5 stars--
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 23, 2017
Marissa
Appearance is everything to my upper-crust mother, but when she insists I take back my pedigreed-but-cheating ex? I’d rather stab myself with a salad fork. So I blurt out I’m dating someone new. Someone like…that smoking-hot, vaguely familiar guy across the restaurant, who could be the next James Bond.
Turns out he’s the star of my favorite, cheesy, sci-fi soap opera. (Don’t judge me.) One minute I’m fantasizing about Borg and his green-hued abs. The next, Simon Dale is making me an offer my sex-starved body can’t refuse.
Simon
I’m up for a breakout movie role that’ll launch me off the B-list, but I don’t need a script to read the scene between Marissa and her mum. Even though I’m a London gutter rat who never rubbed elbows with a Royal, I easily slip into the role of Marissa’s doting boyfriend. Why? I need a favor in return— a steady girlfriend, just long enough to convince the producers I’ve changed my wild ways.
Trouble is, I’m going all Method on this relationship—and close to losing the one thing that could break me. My heart.
••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.5 stars--LIP ACTION is the first installment in Virna DePaul’s contemporary, adult KISS TALENT AGENCY erotic, romance series. This is British b-list actor Simon Richards-Dale, and heiress / marketing specialist Marissa Woodcrest’s story line.
Told from dual first person points of view (Marissa and Simon) LIP ACTION focuses on the fake boyfriend/girlfriend relationship between British b-list actor Simon Dale, and marketing specialist Marissa Woodcrest. Simon’s reputation in Hollywood as a manwhore keeps our hero on the b-list of celebrities and in the news. Hoping to land a lucrative role in an upcoming Hollywood blockbuster movie, our hero is in desperate need of a committed girlfriend to impress the people behind the scenes. Enter heiress, and marketing specialist Marissa Woodcrest, whose own personal life has fallen onto hard times with the discovery that her fiancé had been having an affair with his office secretary. Pressure from her mother to rekindle with her former flame, finds our heroine secretly agreeing to become Simon’s girlfriend to keep her mother off of her back. What ensues is the building relationship between Simon and Marissa, and the fall out when the truth is revealed.
Marissa Woodcrest is the daughter and heiress of well- to –do businessman Raul Woodcrest but Marissa’s earlier years were fraught with questionable behavior and run-ins with the law. Hoping to keep up appearances, Marissa’s recent engagement was everything her mother had ever wanted but not so our story line heroine. Simon Dale (Richards) grew up the son of a drunk, and a drug addict but needed an image change when the studios came calling. His reputation as a manwhore did not appeal to the bigwigs in charge, and a steady girlfriend is just what was needed and Marissa was ripe for the picking. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense. Simon likes to talk dirty in the bedroom, against the wall, on the beach……
There are a large number of secondary and supporting characters including Marissa’s ex Charles, and Simon’s ex Janelle, Marissa’s parents Raul and June, as well as her brother Kenny and sister Larissa; Simon’s sister Dana, his friend and agent Declan Kiss; and Hollywood producers Arnold and Edward Spires.
The world building follows the lies and secrets that begin to spiral out of control. As Simon desperately battles for his upcoming role, Marissa comes to the realization that she has fallen in love with a man who isn’t looking for a permanent relationship.
LIP ACTION is sexy and spicy read with a little bit of humor, heartbreak, and a happily ever after. The premise is entertaining; the characters are colorful; the romance is seductive. The story line needs another round of editing due to some spelling and grammar issues, as well as a mix up in names e.g. Woodcrest vs Woodward-hopefully the errors were corrected before the final release.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 23, 2017
Marissa
Appearance is everything to my upper-crust mother, but when she insists I take back my pedigreed-but-cheating ex? I’d rather stab myself with a salad fork. So I blurt out I’m dating someone new. Someone like…that smoking-hot, vaguely familiar guy across the restaurant, who could be the next James Bond.
Turns out he’s the star of my favorite, cheesy, sci-fi soap opera. (Don’t judge me.) One minute I’m fantasizing about Borg and his green-hued abs. The next, Simon Dale is making me an offer my sex-starved body can’t refuse.
Simon
I’m up for a breakout movie role that’ll launch me off the B-list, but I don’t need a script to read the scene between Marissa and her mum. Even though I’m a London gutter rat who never rubbed elbows with a Royal, I easily slip into the role of Marissa’s doting boyfriend. Why? I need a favor in return— a steady girlfriend, just long enough to convince the producers I’ve changed my wild ways.
Trouble is, I’m going all Method on this relationship—and close to losing the one thing that could break me. My heart.
••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.5 stars--LIP ACTION is the first installment in Virna DePaul’s contemporary, adult KISS TALENT AGENCY erotic, romance series. This is British b-list actor Simon Richards-Dale, and heiress / marketing specialist Marissa Woodcrest’s story line.
Told from dual first person points of view (Marissa and Simon) LIP ACTION focuses on the fake boyfriend/girlfriend relationship between British b-list actor Simon Dale, and marketing specialist Marissa Woodcrest. Simon’s reputation in Hollywood as a manwhore keeps our hero on the b-list of celebrities and in the news. Hoping to land a lucrative role in an upcoming Hollywood blockbuster movie, our hero is in desperate need of a committed girlfriend to impress the people behind the scenes. Enter heiress, and marketing specialist Marissa Woodcrest, whose own personal life has fallen onto hard times with the discovery that her fiancé had been having an affair with his office secretary. Pressure from her mother to rekindle with her former flame, finds our heroine secretly agreeing to become Simon’s girlfriend to keep her mother off of her back. What ensues is the building relationship between Simon and Marissa, and the fall out when the truth is revealed.
Marissa Woodcrest is the daughter and heiress of well- to –do businessman Raul Woodcrest but Marissa’s earlier years were fraught with questionable behavior and run-ins with the law. Hoping to keep up appearances, Marissa’s recent engagement was everything her mother had ever wanted but not so our story line heroine. Simon Dale (Richards) grew up the son of a drunk, and a drug addict but needed an image change when the studios came calling. His reputation as a manwhore did not appeal to the bigwigs in charge, and a steady girlfriend is just what was needed and Marissa was ripe for the picking. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense. Simon likes to talk dirty in the bedroom, against the wall, on the beach……
There are a large number of secondary and supporting characters including Marissa’s ex Charles, and Simon’s ex Janelle, Marissa’s parents Raul and June, as well as her brother Kenny and sister Larissa; Simon’s sister Dana, his friend and agent Declan Kiss; and Hollywood producers Arnold and Edward Spires.
The world building follows the lies and secrets that begin to spiral out of control. As Simon desperately battles for his upcoming role, Marissa comes to the realization that she has fallen in love with a man who isn’t looking for a permanent relationship.
LIP ACTION is sexy and spicy read with a little bit of humor, heartbreak, and a happily ever after. The premise is entertaining; the characters are colorful; the romance is seductive. The story line needs another round of editing due to some spelling and grammar issues, as well as a mix up in names e.g. Woodcrest vs Woodward-hopefully the errors were corrected before the final release.
Copy supplied by Netgalley
www.thereadingcafe.com
June 9, 2017
Right so I've been re reading a lot lately because I'm been in a bit of a book funk. Just generally finding myself unsure of what I want to read.
I won't say this is the best book I have ever read,not even close. However it's gave me what I needed right now. Normally this would be a 3ish stars for me but I must admit that in my book funk mind it hit the spot and I do like a cheese fest every now and then.
I like the storyline. All though it's not an original one the author did a good job of making it her own. Fake relationship romances are some of the best for me. That build up of sexual tension, the worrying over if the other feels the same at the same time as a cute romance blossoming it hits all the spots for me.
Simon although comes across as a arrogant turd at first has layers. A broken past that he can't forget or move forward from he's haunted by his own demons. I enjoyed his personality and I loved the way he was towards Marissa. Always reassuring her, extremely patient and really just wanted her to be herself instead of someone who's been moulded. However I found there was a lot of his history/past missing. Yes you get a few brief answers but it wasn't enough for me to love him completely.
Marissa again is very likeable and very relatable. She living with the guilt and fear of her past spent the next 10years moulding herself into someone her parents would approve of instead of being herself. You get glimpses of her true self shining through and when you do it's fantastic. She's sweet caring and a little feisty with a little nugget of wild. But again you don't get enough of her like it to love her!.
The story is nice with a good amount of cheese which if I'm honest I enjoyed. However it's extremely fast paced so you don't have enough time to love the characters or pay to much attention to where they are at because your moving forward so quickly. It's missing a lot of their history and their growth as an actual couple which in my opinion would have made this a great story. The epilogue was super cute though.
But again i enjoyed it and it gave me what I needed from it.
I kindly received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I won't say this is the best book I have ever read,not even close. However it's gave me what I needed right now. Normally this would be a 3ish stars for me but I must admit that in my book funk mind it hit the spot and I do like a cheese fest every now and then.
I like the storyline. All though it's not an original one the author did a good job of making it her own. Fake relationship romances are some of the best for me. That build up of sexual tension, the worrying over if the other feels the same at the same time as a cute romance blossoming it hits all the spots for me.
Simon although comes across as a arrogant turd at first has layers. A broken past that he can't forget or move forward from he's haunted by his own demons. I enjoyed his personality and I loved the way he was towards Marissa. Always reassuring her, extremely patient and really just wanted her to be herself instead of someone who's been moulded. However I found there was a lot of his history/past missing. Yes you get a few brief answers but it wasn't enough for me to love him completely.
Marissa again is very likeable and very relatable. She living with the guilt and fear of her past spent the next 10years moulding herself into someone her parents would approve of instead of being herself. You get glimpses of her true self shining through and when you do it's fantastic. She's sweet caring and a little feisty with a little nugget of wild. But again you don't get enough of her like it to love her!.
The story is nice with a good amount of cheese which if I'm honest I enjoyed. However it's extremely fast paced so you don't have enough time to love the characters or pay to much attention to where they are at because your moving forward so quickly. It's missing a lot of their history and their growth as an actual couple which in my opinion would have made this a great story. The epilogue was super cute though.
But again i enjoyed it and it gave me what I needed from it.
I kindly received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review
June 18, 2017
I was in the mood for something fun and a bit fluffy when I picked this up, knowing that this author is also well known for her steamy storylines. And that’s pretty much what I got. It’s easy and fun at times, sexy at others, but it also didn’t grab me quite as much as I’d hoped.
Part of that is the main characters. Marissa and Simon are both likeable enough, but also a bit boring. Marissa used to be a bad girl until a car accident, then she became so good she’s pretty much stifled her personality out of existence and is a doormat for her mother. Considering some of her thoughts regarding Simon, especially at first, her timid interactions with him didn’t seem to fit. I also wanted to shake her as she kept using him for her own purposes while saying she couldn’t help him. Has this woman no sense of fair play?!
Then there was Simon, a London street rat, who wasn’t particularly convincing as a Londoner. I’m not expecting him to have a full on Cockney accent (since he’s hiding his roots), but he just didn’t feel British to me – and calling himself a street rat didn't help. He’s also one of those bad boys who isn’t actually all that bad, with a reputation started by a bitter, ambitious ex. So he’s a beautiful cliché with inadequacy issues, basically, which isn’t an entirely bad thing, but I was hoping for more.
The chemistry between them is pretty hot and the sex scenes were smouldering. Sadly, I didn’t find the rest nearly as interesting and my attention wandered a bit. This wasn’t helped by the 2D villains and flimsy conflict. A little more depth all round – for Marissa and Simon as well as family and exes – would have been great and maybe lifted this from an okay read to a really good one.
So overall this is okay. If you’re looking for something easy and undemanding with some hot sex and a bit of Hollywood glamour, then it certainly delivers that. If you like the blurb and don’t expect to be surprised, then you probably won’t be disappointed.
(Review copy provided by the author via NetGalley.)
Part of that is the main characters. Marissa and Simon are both likeable enough, but also a bit boring. Marissa used to be a bad girl until a car accident, then she became so good she’s pretty much stifled her personality out of existence and is a doormat for her mother. Considering some of her thoughts regarding Simon, especially at first, her timid interactions with him didn’t seem to fit. I also wanted to shake her as she kept using him for her own purposes while saying she couldn’t help him. Has this woman no sense of fair play?!
Then there was Simon, a London street rat, who wasn’t particularly convincing as a Londoner. I’m not expecting him to have a full on Cockney accent (since he’s hiding his roots), but he just didn’t feel British to me – and calling himself a street rat didn't help. He’s also one of those bad boys who isn’t actually all that bad, with a reputation started by a bitter, ambitious ex. So he’s a beautiful cliché with inadequacy issues, basically, which isn’t an entirely bad thing, but I was hoping for more.
The chemistry between them is pretty hot and the sex scenes were smouldering. Sadly, I didn’t find the rest nearly as interesting and my attention wandered a bit. This wasn’t helped by the 2D villains and flimsy conflict. A little more depth all round – for Marissa and Simon as well as family and exes – would have been great and maybe lifted this from an okay read to a really good one.
So overall this is okay. If you’re looking for something easy and undemanding with some hot sex and a bit of Hollywood glamour, then it certainly delivers that. If you like the blurb and don’t expect to be surprised, then you probably won’t be disappointed.
(Review copy provided by the author via NetGalley.)
June 11, 2017
Lip Action, Virna DePaul
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance,
I've mixed feelings about this. parts I liked and other bits not so much.
I loved Marissa but what an awful family she had, especially her mum. What parent wants her daughter to marry a cheating jerk.
Her dad kept quiet, but that's a cop out IMO, he should have spoken out.
When her mum is pressing her to take back the jerk, the cheater just because she's 28 and not married....I could scream at her, and of course Marissa won't but comes up with a fake boyfriend to hold her off for a bit. Coincidentally the guy she's looking at right then needs a fake girlfriend...
Simon wants the lead in a film that could make him an A list actor, but his past rep lets him down. In a moment of insanity he tells the producers he has a girlfriend....So when he hears Marissa he knows exactly what to do.
OK its a bit of a stretch believing they could meet just like that - but truth is strange sometimes so I'll go with it.
They then go back and forth, will she won't she, with pressures on both from his agent and her mum til she finally decides yes. She's such a nice girl she just can't let Simon down. even though she hates deception and lies.
Its kind of predictable after that, fun to read but nothing greatly original.
The down side, the drama, the sad bit happens just as you'd expect, and though I love that side I hadn't really got connected enough to this story and characters to really feel any great emotions.
Its a fun story, easy and lighthearted, some steamy sensuality, and a kind of easy beach read.
Stars:3, its a fun read but not characters or a story I really got involved with.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: Romance,
I've mixed feelings about this. parts I liked and other bits not so much.
I loved Marissa but what an awful family she had, especially her mum. What parent wants her daughter to marry a cheating jerk.
Her dad kept quiet, but that's a cop out IMO, he should have spoken out.
When her mum is pressing her to take back the jerk, the cheater just because she's 28 and not married....I could scream at her, and of course Marissa won't but comes up with a fake boyfriend to hold her off for a bit. Coincidentally the guy she's looking at right then needs a fake girlfriend...
Simon wants the lead in a film that could make him an A list actor, but his past rep lets him down. In a moment of insanity he tells the producers he has a girlfriend....So when he hears Marissa he knows exactly what to do.
OK its a bit of a stretch believing they could meet just like that - but truth is strange sometimes so I'll go with it.
They then go back and forth, will she won't she, with pressures on both from his agent and her mum til she finally decides yes. She's such a nice girl she just can't let Simon down. even though she hates deception and lies.
Its kind of predictable after that, fun to read but nothing greatly original.
The down side, the drama, the sad bit happens just as you'd expect, and though I love that side I hadn't really got connected enough to this story and characters to really feel any great emotions.
Its a fun story, easy and lighthearted, some steamy sensuality, and a kind of easy beach read.
Stars:3, its a fun read but not characters or a story I really got involved with.
ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers
August 10, 2017
Lip Action is a sweet, sexy piece of fluff. Marissa is tired of her mother nagging her about everything, especially about taking back her cheating douchebag ex, Charles. When Simon, a blonde British hottie comes to her rescue at the country club where her mother is loudly haranguing her, they agree to a proposition where she'll pose as his girlfriend to help him snag an A-list movie role, and he'll pretend to be her boyfriend to get her mother off her back.
Their natural chemistry can't be denied, and soon they're indulging in a steamy little fling. But, when Marissa starts to fall for him, she's wondering if Simon could possibly feel the same way. Of course, things never go smoothly in romances, or in real life, and obstacles are popping up everywhere. There are interfering exes on both their sides, the ever present paparazzi, Marissa's constantly meddling, snobbish mother, and most notably, Simon's own insecurities about his less than posh upbringing that he doesn't want anyone to know about. Can a pretend relationship have a chance at becoming real when there are so many obstacles?
I thought Lip Action was entertaining in a sort of generic way. It's not horrible, but it's rather cookie cutter. I didn't feel a particularly strong connection to any of the characters; even the unpleasant characters like her mother, and the exes, were rather bland. I do think Lip Action is sexy, though, and Simon and Marissa's chemistry alone saves Lip Action from a 2 star review.
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
Their natural chemistry can't be denied, and soon they're indulging in a steamy little fling. But, when Marissa starts to fall for him, she's wondering if Simon could possibly feel the same way. Of course, things never go smoothly in romances, or in real life, and obstacles are popping up everywhere. There are interfering exes on both their sides, the ever present paparazzi, Marissa's constantly meddling, snobbish mother, and most notably, Simon's own insecurities about his less than posh upbringing that he doesn't want anyone to know about. Can a pretend relationship have a chance at becoming real when there are so many obstacles?
I thought Lip Action was entertaining in a sort of generic way. It's not horrible, but it's rather cookie cutter. I didn't feel a particularly strong connection to any of the characters; even the unpleasant characters like her mother, and the exes, were rather bland. I do think Lip Action is sexy, though, and Simon and Marissa's chemistry alone saves Lip Action from a 2 star review.
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
June 11, 2017
**Received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
"Lip Action" is written by Virna DePaul, and it is the first book in her Kiss Talent Agency series. It can be read as a stand-alone book. It features Simon and Marissa.
Marissa's mother is making a scene at the restaurant. Despite the fact that Marissa's ex, Charles, cheated on her with his secretary for 6 months, her mother wants Marissa to take him back. It's an embarrassment to their family that she broke up with him.. so her mother thinks. But Simon's sister, a waitress who happens to overhear, tells him about Marissa's predicament. So Simon goes to rescue Marissa!
The way Simon sees it, they can help each other out. Marissa needs someone to get her mother off her back, and Simon needs a fake girlfriend to show he's no longer the playboy the casting directors think he is. Simon is really hoping to get the lead role in a new move called Perfect Union, but he needs to show he's settling down. Marissa is hesitant at first, but with her mother constantly at her back and her ex not taking a hint, she agrees to go along with Simon's plan.
But what happens when Marissa and her family find out about Simon's past? Will they accept him? Will Simon get the role in Perfect Union? Will they find their happily ever after?
"Lip Action" was a quick read for me. It was a fun story! Looking forward to the next book in this series!
"Lip Action" is written by Virna DePaul, and it is the first book in her Kiss Talent Agency series. It can be read as a stand-alone book. It features Simon and Marissa.
Marissa's mother is making a scene at the restaurant. Despite the fact that Marissa's ex, Charles, cheated on her with his secretary for 6 months, her mother wants Marissa to take him back. It's an embarrassment to their family that she broke up with him.. so her mother thinks. But Simon's sister, a waitress who happens to overhear, tells him about Marissa's predicament. So Simon goes to rescue Marissa!
The way Simon sees it, they can help each other out. Marissa needs someone to get her mother off her back, and Simon needs a fake girlfriend to show he's no longer the playboy the casting directors think he is. Simon is really hoping to get the lead role in a new move called Perfect Union, but he needs to show he's settling down. Marissa is hesitant at first, but with her mother constantly at her back and her ex not taking a hint, she agrees to go along with Simon's plan.
But what happens when Marissa and her family find out about Simon's past? Will they accept him? Will Simon get the role in Perfect Union? Will they find their happily ever after?
"Lip Action" was a quick read for me. It was a fun story! Looking forward to the next book in this series!
June 12, 2017
3.5 stars
I thought this was a pretty enjoyable read. Both of the MC's had to grow on me a bit. Simon started out really douchey. Not just the normal cocky MC but just kind of "ew" with his come on lines and such. It was made clear Marissa found Simon attractive but I didn't feel that special "connection" that I like when MC's first meet. It was more like he could take her or leave her.
Marissa too had some unappealing qualities. I understood how something that happened to her as a teenager had a big effect on her and made her want to be "a good girl who pleased her parents", but seriously. She was 28 and her mother was horrible. REALLY horrible. I think that plan should have been chucked a few years prior.
I did eventually like Marissa and Simon together. They were both so insecure and thinking the other couldn't possibly want to be with "someone like them". Simon had some issues with where he was from, and how he grew up, and thought Marissa was too good for him. Marissa thought she wasn't glamorous enough for Simon and had some self esteem issues making her think Simon was too good for her. It made for some turmoil and miscommunication but I was rooting for them by the end. They both wound up being quite sweet and Simon seemed devoted to her. Loved the epilogue.
This is the first in the series and I am looking forward to trying the next one.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a pretty enjoyable read. Both of the MC's had to grow on me a bit. Simon started out really douchey. Not just the normal cocky MC but just kind of "ew" with his come on lines and such. It was made clear Marissa found Simon attractive but I didn't feel that special "connection" that I like when MC's first meet. It was more like he could take her or leave her.
Marissa too had some unappealing qualities. I understood how something that happened to her as a teenager had a big effect on her and made her want to be "a good girl who pleased her parents", but seriously. She was 28 and her mother was horrible. REALLY horrible. I think that plan should have been chucked a few years prior.
I did eventually like Marissa and Simon together. They were both so insecure and thinking the other couldn't possibly want to be with "someone like them". Simon had some issues with where he was from, and how he grew up, and thought Marissa was too good for him. Marissa thought she wasn't glamorous enough for Simon and had some self esteem issues making her think Simon was too good for her. It made for some turmoil and miscommunication but I was rooting for them by the end. They both wound up being quite sweet and Simon seemed devoted to her. Loved the epilogue.
This is the first in the series and I am looking forward to trying the next one.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2017
I received an advanced copy of this book from netgalley for and honest review. The book Lip Action is the first part of a series. I was drawn to it because of the cover even though the plot was a little quirky. We have Marissa who comes from privilege and whose every move is influenced by her family including her recent cheating ex-boyfriend. Her mother is trying to convince her that she needs to stay with him because of his pedigree. Little does she know that Simon is watching the entire exchange take place and that he realizes he may be able to use this as an opportunity to help each other out of their situations. Simon is an actor trying to improve his reputation by appearing to be a stable guy rather than a boy toy. Somewhere between the arrangement and the casual sex a love for one another develops. Both are in denial and believe that to wrong side of the tracks is not an opportunity for a love.
The quirky part was the actor trying to fix his reputation. It was a little unbelievable but I did like Simon. He was not overly arrogant and I think he helped loosen up Marissa quite a bit.
This was one of those great summer reads. Fun characters, sexy interaction and a happily ever after. I am looking forward to the next books in this series.
The quirky part was the actor trying to fix his reputation. It was a little unbelievable but I did like Simon. He was not overly arrogant and I think he helped loosen up Marissa quite a bit.
This was one of those great summer reads. Fun characters, sexy interaction and a happily ever after. I am looking forward to the next books in this series.
August 6, 2017
Though this wasn't a deep story, a plot that's been done plenty of times before...the characters were believable enough. The chemistry between Simon and Marissa was a bit lacking at times, but crafted well enough that it provided the distractions to drive the story.
What was the most unbelievable, was how Marissa's mother was as big a b*^%h as she was to her daughter and no one called her on it until the end, and even her then she got off way too easily, compared to her machinations of keeping her daughter under her thumb by constantly belittling her. What grown, self sufficient, and intelligent women allows herself to be manipulated like that way...not to mention a father that sits quietly by and lets his wife do that, all the while saying he was her cheerleader to her life choices. And don't even get me started on Charles.
There was a sweetness to Simon that picked up a lot of the slack of the story enough to where I could finish it and find that I did enjoy it despite the inconsistencies of human nature that were part of the story.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
What was the most unbelievable, was how Marissa's mother was as big a b*^%h as she was to her daughter and no one called her on it until the end, and even her then she got off way too easily, compared to her machinations of keeping her daughter under her thumb by constantly belittling her. What grown, self sufficient, and intelligent women allows herself to be manipulated like that way...not to mention a father that sits quietly by and lets his wife do that, all the while saying he was her cheerleader to her life choices. And don't even get me started on Charles.
There was a sweetness to Simon that picked up a lot of the slack of the story enough to where I could finish it and find that I did enjoy it despite the inconsistencies of human nature that were part of the story.
This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
October 11, 2020
I love a fake relationship plot line, and I love a story that takes me behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. This book gave me both of those. Marissa has been living her life to atone for a teenaged mistake. Supressing her needs, her wants, her desires, even her personality to be the ‘good girl’ her family wants her to be. Simon has clawed his way to success in Hollywood, but he still hasn’t quite made it. His past and his reputation are keeping him from grabbing the role of a lifetime that would make his career. I had a lot of fun watching this pair trying to keep their interactions light and no-strings-attached. I knew it wouldn’t work but it was still fun to see them try. I thought the ending was perfectly adorable, but I also thought there were some bad actors (in the villainous sense) that didn’t get a proper comeuppance for their poor behavior. I also would have liked to see our leading couple spend a little bit more time connecting with one another in more than just a physical way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout as part of the box set.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout as part of the box set.
June 13, 2017
Marissa is stuck in a bad cycle of her own making with her family. Her overbearing mother is trying to boss her and pressure her into going back to her cheating ex-boyfriend. Simon is a B list actor who needs some help of his own to get a part in a big movie so he can make it big. When he makes the offer to help her by being her fake boyfriend and she be his fake girlfriend things get exciting. She's rich and wonderfully sweet and he had a horrible childhood and sees himself as not good enough for her. Simon may be mixed up about his self worth but he is a perfect gentleman to Marissa. He sees her as she is and she's sees herself as flawed and not good enough for him. He's the strong one for a good portion of the book until everything falls apart but by then Marissa finally realizes she's strong. She's worthy of love. It takes losing Marissa for Simon to let go of his past. Some parts felt a but cheesy but over all i loved both Simon and Marissa. They were stronger together even though in a lot of ways they were so different.
July 3, 2017
Virna DePaul’s Lip Action is a quick and fun contemporary romance and is easy to recommend. Marissa and Simon meet at a restaurant when he steps up and pretends to be her boyfriend in order to stop Marissa’s mother from publicly badgering her about her love life. He’s a B-list actor on the brink of A-list fame, and he asks Marissa to continue their fake relationship to help him secure a big movie deal. He needs to prove to the movie’s producers that he’s not a playboy.
Marissa and Simon are crazy attracted to each other and have amazing chemistry; therefore, pretending isn’t too much of a hardship, especially when they start to get physical. Marissa is a little cautious of getting involved with Simon, but he is extremely charming and begins to woo away her fears. They develop a connection and their relationship really begins to heat up, but neither expects to turn into everlasting love. DePaul writes fantastic banter and likable characters, and Lip Action is sexy and entertaining. It’s the perfect beach read.
ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.
Marissa and Simon are crazy attracted to each other and have amazing chemistry; therefore, pretending isn’t too much of a hardship, especially when they start to get physical. Marissa is a little cautious of getting involved with Simon, but he is extremely charming and begins to woo away her fears. They develop a connection and their relationship really begins to heat up, but neither expects to turn into everlasting love. DePaul writes fantastic banter and likable characters, and Lip Action is sexy and entertaining. It’s the perfect beach read.
ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.
June 3, 2018
3.5 Stars
An Amazon freebie that was really quite cute. One of my fave tropes, the fake relationship.. overhearing Marissa and her family, B-list actor Simon realises they could help each other out. He needs to appear NOT as a playboy, and she needs to get her mother off her back and stop the insistence that she get back with her cheating ex-fiance all to save face; so an agreement is made and a fake relationship plan hatched.
It doesn't take these two long before their fake relationship has some extra (and very enjoyable) activities added in.
Will Simon be able to impress the producers of the A-list movie he so desperately wants a part in? Can Marissa stop her family from discovering that her new fancy 'boyfriend' whom at first appeared to have money and charm to spare, is in fact a television actor in her favourite romantic sci-fi?
Enjoyable characters and predictable story-line that was quick and sweet to read. Will definitely be looking at the other books in this series.
An Amazon freebie that was really quite cute. One of my fave tropes, the fake relationship.. overhearing Marissa and her family, B-list actor Simon realises they could help each other out. He needs to appear NOT as a playboy, and she needs to get her mother off her back and stop the insistence that she get back with her cheating ex-fiance all to save face; so an agreement is made and a fake relationship plan hatched.
It doesn't take these two long before their fake relationship has some extra (and very enjoyable) activities added in.
Will Simon be able to impress the producers of the A-list movie he so desperately wants a part in? Can Marissa stop her family from discovering that her new fancy 'boyfriend' whom at first appeared to have money and charm to spare, is in fact a television actor in her favourite romantic sci-fi?
Enjoyable characters and predictable story-line that was quick and sweet to read. Will definitely be looking at the other books in this series.
July 28, 2017
Kindly provided with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an Honest Review.....
This was my first read by Virna and maybe its just me but I liked her style and the story line and found this read very enjoyable.
It was Simon and Marissa's book. Simon is a Lawyer and he considers himself a little above the rest of population. He sort of comes over as rude and prickly, however when you dig deeper into his story you realize its a self defense mechanism. Bless him !!. Simon certainly is a softy towards Marissa, but who could be anything else ?. Marissa is caring, loyal and wants to please those she loves. Marissa I felt was a little timid and needed to break the mold and find her own way. I am glad that she did in the end.
The story line involves a "pretend" relationship to keep each others respective wolves at bay. pretty soon Fake and Fiction becomes Feisty and Forever !!
Well Done Virna and many thanks for this opportunity xx
Later peeps xxx
This was my first read by Virna and maybe its just me but I liked her style and the story line and found this read very enjoyable.
It was Simon and Marissa's book. Simon is a Lawyer and he considers himself a little above the rest of population. He sort of comes over as rude and prickly, however when you dig deeper into his story you realize its a self defense mechanism. Bless him !!. Simon certainly is a softy towards Marissa, but who could be anything else ?. Marissa is caring, loyal and wants to please those she loves. Marissa I felt was a little timid and needed to break the mold and find her own way. I am glad that she did in the end.
The story line involves a "pretend" relationship to keep each others respective wolves at bay. pretty soon Fake and Fiction becomes Feisty and Forever !!
Well Done Virna and many thanks for this opportunity xx
Later peeps xxx
June 14, 2017
This story was exactly how the blurb described. Yes there were steamy moments, yes there was romance, yes there was good writing. Sometimes you need to take a break from the more complicated reads to simplify it down. But you see I have read enough romance to know how the story will go, and for that reason even though this was a easy cute read it really didn't hit the spot. I knew once I started this one was going to be ehh.
Marissa is a rich girl trying to get away from her overbearing mother and Simon is a B-list actor trying to make it big. They both decide to use each other to try to get to their end goals. Simon has a poor background while Marissa is rich. This brings in friction from Simons end and he feel less than her.
Recommendation: If you like the blurb, thats what you will get.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley, Thank you!
Marissa is a rich girl trying to get away from her overbearing mother and Simon is a B-list actor trying to make it big. They both decide to use each other to try to get to their end goals. Simon has a poor background while Marissa is rich. This brings in friction from Simons end and he feel less than her.
Recommendation: If you like the blurb, thats what you will get.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley, Thank you!
May 13, 2018
This is a fun, quick-paced rom-com. The storyline isn't unique and neither is the delivery. Simon and Marissa are fun but predictable. It's the usual overbearing, shallow mother throwing around her influence, dutiful daughter, aloof father (until he really needs to step up), perfect sister, and withdrawn brother who are just coasting through life. Then, a London turned Hollywood upward climbing actor enters the scene and inserts himself into their lives. Well, OK, mainly Marissa's life, with an offer she can't refuse. Of course, it's wonderfully fun and lots of games for awhile until it starts to become more. There's a bit of drama when "exes" enter scene right and mother gets wind of what's going on. By that time, the fun and games have turned into more and it all comes crashing down. Or finally gets built on a solid foundation. Either way, it's a fun, quick, and entertaining read.
July 12, 2018
Everyone deserves a happily ever after
Simon is a B-class movie star who plays an alien in a soap opera. Marissa is a big fan of his but she doesn't realize who he is until after he helps her out after overhearing her white lies to her parents. A proposition that could benefit them both her to get her mom off her back and him to put an untrue reputation that is making things hard to move up in stardom. "Its just fun no strings attached be my significant other until this all plans out." She ran away from the badgirl life after it got her hurt but she just wants to move on. But is this plan worth the heartache?
This was a very very good book to see selfesteem change for marissa and eatch her try and take back her life. Life changing romance.
Simon is a B-class movie star who plays an alien in a soap opera. Marissa is a big fan of his but she doesn't realize who he is until after he helps her out after overhearing her white lies to her parents. A proposition that could benefit them both her to get her mom off her back and him to put an untrue reputation that is making things hard to move up in stardom. "Its just fun no strings attached be my significant other until this all plans out." She ran away from the badgirl life after it got her hurt but she just wants to move on. But is this plan worth the heartache?
This was a very very good book to see selfesteem change for marissa and eatch her try and take back her life. Life changing romance.
November 13, 2018
Lip Action is a fun contemporary romance by Virna DePaul. Ms. DePaul has given readers a well-written story and furnished it with outstanding characters. Marissa is being pressured to go back to her ex by her mother. Simon is up for a starring role in a new movie but needs to shine up his reputation with a steady girlfriend. Simon and Marissa's story is loaded with drama, humor, snark and sizzle. This book is written in first person, alternating point of view format, not my favorite. Ok, actually I hate it. But, Ms. DePaul made it work in this story. I enjoyed reading Lip Action and look forward to reading more from Virna DePaul in the future. Lip Action is book 1 of the Kiss Talent Agency Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
July 2, 2017
Marissa is ready for a change and if that means leaving behind her cheating fiancée she is ready to make the leap. She is consistently reminded by her overbearing mother of mistakes she had made in the past. Her eyes caught a glimpse of Simon Dale. He is up for a coveted role that will help his acting career. Marissa makes a deal with Simon to save them both. Simon helps her develop the confidence she once lost. She is able to finally begin to be herself and not the person everyone else thinks she should be. Can their pasts keep them from truly being together or what started as a lie end in something more?
May 11, 2018
Missed the mark for me.
Lip Action is a fake relationship story that had potential but just didn't quite do it for me. All the elements are there, and I understood the kind of emotions the author was trying to elicit with the writing. It just didn't happen for me. Everything seemed superficial, so I wasn't able to feel a true connection between the characters. As a result, I didn't really feel any buy - in to the outcome of their relationship. Overall this was a decent plot, just not executed to my liking. That being said, I'm sure there will be some readers that will absolutely love this book. I'm just not one of them.
Lip Action is a fake relationship story that had potential but just didn't quite do it for me. All the elements are there, and I understood the kind of emotions the author was trying to elicit with the writing. It just didn't happen for me. Everything seemed superficial, so I wasn't able to feel a true connection between the characters. As a result, I didn't really feel any buy - in to the outcome of their relationship. Overall this was a decent plot, just not executed to my liking. That being said, I'm sure there will be some readers that will absolutely love this book. I'm just not one of them.
July 8, 2018
I think I picked this one up as a freebie with no obligation to leave my hones review! This is the first book by this author that I have read and while I liked it for the most part, the H was a little clichéd and the h was a tad on the doormat side.
It wasn't all bad by any means just predictable, I don't mind when things start out as a fake romance and develop into more but I think because it was on the shorter side it was a tad underdeveloped.
If your looking for a quick easy read, then I would recommend this one for sure. Some interesting secondary characters and I may continue with the series in the future but probably not one I'll rush out for.
It wasn't all bad by any means just predictable, I don't mind when things start out as a fake romance and develop into more but I think because it was on the shorter side it was a tad underdeveloped.
If your looking for a quick easy read, then I would recommend this one for sure. Some interesting secondary characters and I may continue with the series in the future but probably not one I'll rush out for.
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