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All-Stars #3
Heartthrob
Move over, Colin Firth - there’s a new Darcy in town!
Jax Hawthorne is Hollywood’s sexiest bad boy. I’m a glorified secretary who thinks color-coding my library is a wild Friday night. So when he shows up after all this time wanting to make good on our childhood deal to tie the knot, it’s not because he can’t resist my perfect credit score.
He needs a fake girlfriend to rehab his reckless image, and I’m the (safe, sensible) girl for the job. I would be insulted… if the proposal didn’t come with an all-expenses-paid trip to England while he shoots a new movie version of ’Pride & Prejudice.’
Goodbye, my dumpster fire of a dating life. Hello, steamy nights with a chiseled hunk who knows all the right moves.
Soon, I’m knee-deep in the English mud - and on-set drama. But all our fake-smoldering is getting my very real panties in a twist. It turns out, Jax is so much more than just a reckless playboy. He makes me want to forget our ‘arrangement’.. and break all the rules.
Can our pretend romance turn to something real? Or will scheming actresses, control-freak PR crews, and a pesky little thing called love ruin the best (fake) relationship of my life?
Find out in the hot, hilarious new romance from Katie McCoy!
Jax Hawthorne is Hollywood’s sexiest bad boy. I’m a glorified secretary who thinks color-coding my library is a wild Friday night. So when he shows up after all this time wanting to make good on our childhood deal to tie the knot, it’s not because he can’t resist my perfect credit score.
He needs a fake girlfriend to rehab his reckless image, and I’m the (safe, sensible) girl for the job. I would be insulted… if the proposal didn’t come with an all-expenses-paid trip to England while he shoots a new movie version of ’Pride & Prejudice.’
Goodbye, my dumpster fire of a dating life. Hello, steamy nights with a chiseled hunk who knows all the right moves.
Soon, I’m knee-deep in the English mud - and on-set drama. But all our fake-smoldering is getting my very real panties in a twist. It turns out, Jax is so much more than just a reckless playboy. He makes me want to forget our ‘arrangement’.. and break all the rules.
Can our pretend romance turn to something real? Or will scheming actresses, control-freak PR crews, and a pesky little thing called love ruin the best (fake) relationship of my life?
Find out in the hot, hilarious new romance from Katie McCoy!
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2017
114 people are currently reading
656 people want to read
About the author
Katie McCoy
20 books817 followersKatie McCoy is a self proclaimed sushi addict, Cardinals baseball fanatic, and lover of all things theatrical. A St.Louis native transplanted to Brooklyn, she acts, sings, and shakes her booty when she isn't writing books about hot men and the girls who love them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
November 17, 2017
So color me surprised, but I enjoyed this one way more than I thought I would. I'll be honest I am not a fan of actor heroes or rock star heroes, really any famous type of hero. Mostly because generally the plots are always filled with OW drama, and the heroes are always uber manwhores. Neither was the case in this one thankfully. Oh, he wasn't a saint, since the whole reason he needs a "fake" girlfriend is to makeover his reputation, but he didn't seem to be a walking STD, so that was a bonus.
Onto the deets...the writing was fantastic in this one. The pace was perfect. The plot was engaging and kept me turning the pages. I loved the Jane Austen influence and the British setting. It was charming. It was romantic. It was cute. It had witty banter. I didn't find particularly angsty, and there was no OW/OM drama. It was a bit of a slow burn (no sex until 60%), but I didn't mind the wait as Penny and Jaxon had great on page chemistry. It had an excellent array of secondary characters that consisted of couples from previous books and I especially liked the friendship between Penny and one of Jax's costars. I hope we will be seeing more of her at some point.
Both main characters were immensely likable. I ADORED both Jax AND Penny equally and let me tell you that is a VERY rare thing to happen. Penny was smart and sassy and wore her heart on her sleeve. Jax was sexy (hello Mr. Darcy) and sweet. Oh sure I wanted to slap him upside the head near the end, and I wish it wouldn't have taken him so long to get his head out of his ass, but that was the way it played out, so whatcha gonna do? To that point, and this is where the book lost half a star for me, the ending felt a bit rushed. I *think* I would have preferred a bit more groveling on Jaxon's part. Lastly, it was all wrapped up in a sweet epilogue that maybe could have included a further into the future look at this couple. That said since couples from other books tend to pop up in new books I am guessing this wasn't the last we will see this pair so I wasn't overly bothered by it.
I am going to wrap this up now as I seem to have written a book length review at this point and say, this one gets two huge thumbs up from yours truly.
July 12, 2019
I like this book OK.
Typical romance story consists of insta lust/ love, likeable heroine, playboy hero, surreal circumstances, no plot/ twist, a healthy dose of steamy sex (vanilla type), makes a likeable romance story.
Now and then I need a simple romance book. And this book satisfied my need.
3 stars
Typical romance story consists of insta lust/ love, likeable heroine, playboy hero, surreal circumstances, no plot/ twist, a healthy dose of steamy sex (vanilla type), makes a likeable romance story.
Now and then I need a simple romance book. And this book satisfied my need.
3 stars
May 14, 2018
Heartthrob was the third book in the All-Stars series by Katie McCoy.
Jax Hawthorne was Hollywood’s sexiest playboy. He was gorgeous, confident, talented and had one of the worst reputations for commitment, but always the one for female fun.
Penny Pollack was the sister to Paige, Hot Bachelor, book two. Although beautiful, she was reliable, serious and a non-risk taker. Her reputation amongst her friends bordered boring and safe.
Jax and Penny were friends when she was ten and he was twelve; however, they had not seen nor heard from the other in fifteen years. They bumped into each other in New York and Jax decided she was the best person to help him improve his reputation temporarily for his next coveted movie role.
It was told from a dual POV and was well written. There were a couple editing errors, but nothing numerous or too distracting. Although it was fairly predictable, it was a simple and fun storyline.
All in all, it was entertaining and a quick and light hearted read. McCoy also set the stage for the next book in the series, Sex God, featuring Penny’s best friend, Mia.
Jax Hawthorne was Hollywood’s sexiest playboy. He was gorgeous, confident, talented and had one of the worst reputations for commitment, but always the one for female fun.
Penny Pollack was the sister to Paige, Hot Bachelor, book two. Although beautiful, she was reliable, serious and a non-risk taker. Her reputation amongst her friends bordered boring and safe.
Jax and Penny were friends when she was ten and he was twelve; however, they had not seen nor heard from the other in fifteen years. They bumped into each other in New York and Jax decided she was the best person to help him improve his reputation temporarily for his next coveted movie role.
It was told from a dual POV and was well written. There were a couple editing errors, but nothing numerous or too distracting. Although it was fairly predictable, it was a simple and fun storyline.
All in all, it was entertaining and a quick and light hearted read. McCoy also set the stage for the next book in the series, Sex God, featuring Penny’s best friend, Mia.
November 20, 2017
A heartfelt and humorous hollywood romance!
Heartthrob is a sweet, yet savory, romantic comedy that gets you hot and bothered one minute, just to turn you into a gooey puddle of emotions the next.
The story follows the journey of THE hollywood heartthrob Jax, and his childhood friend, Penny. Needing to overhaul his "playboy" image to land the role of his dreams, Jax hires Penny to play his doting girlfriend. But when the lines between fiction and reality blur, will these two be able to walk away from their "relationship" with their hearts intact?
I'm sure I've said this before, but I'll just say it again: Katie McCoy's books leave me with a perma-smile on my face. Not only is her writing exceptional, but she takes the "fairytale" hollywood romance and puts a unique twist on the storyline. Jax and Penny are remarkable, and quite polar-opposite, characters, and their dynamic and chemistry together sparks off the pages. The sexual tension exuding from their "relationship" builds up, and evokes an anticipation that make readers riddled with impatience...but in a good way.
I really enjoyed this book! Highly original and entertaining, with the perfect undertones of humor and insecurities, Heartthrob is a charming and engaging, romantic friends-to-lovers page turner!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.* ~Kelly
Heartthrob is a sweet, yet savory, romantic comedy that gets you hot and bothered one minute, just to turn you into a gooey puddle of emotions the next.
The story follows the journey of THE hollywood heartthrob Jax, and his childhood friend, Penny. Needing to overhaul his "playboy" image to land the role of his dreams, Jax hires Penny to play his doting girlfriend. But when the lines between fiction and reality blur, will these two be able to walk away from their "relationship" with their hearts intact?
I'm sure I've said this before, but I'll just say it again: Katie McCoy's books leave me with a perma-smile on my face. Not only is her writing exceptional, but she takes the "fairytale" hollywood romance and puts a unique twist on the storyline. Jax and Penny are remarkable, and quite polar-opposite, characters, and their dynamic and chemistry together sparks off the pages. The sexual tension exuding from their "relationship" builds up, and evokes an anticipation that make readers riddled with impatience...but in a good way.
I really enjoyed this book! Highly original and entertaining, with the perfect undertones of humor and insecurities, Heartthrob is a charming and engaging, romantic friends-to-lovers page turner!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.* ~Kelly
June 28, 2019
Low 3.5 ⭐. Pretty entertaining, but not actually memorable.
November 29, 2017
Okay, well, I liked this one. 4 Stars
There were a couple things keeping me from rating it higher, but overall, I enjoyed this read.
Penny...I liked her. I thought she was a little too hard on herself, especially in the beginning when it came to who she was as a person (insecure) but as time went on, she did get better. And once she explained a bit more to Jax how her parents viewed her and her sister, things made a little more sense. Still, she came out of her shell nicely, if not dramatically. I did wish that for all her talk of taking risks that she wouldn't have put up so many boundaries in the beginning. But seeing as she was the one to put herself out there first, I can forgive that.
Jax... I liked him. Though he's painted as a whore, you don't really see that which was nice. Especially since his own thoughts on the matter made him seem like he did a lot of things for show and not actuality. I enjoyed his time with Penny. I liked seeing him with her and how he found someone who was on his side without anything to gain from it. Especially against people like his parents. I will say, I do wish he would have stood up for himself (and Penny) again Stella. What she did was underhanded and regardless of motive or how everything was playing out, she didn't consult with him about "Phase Two" and it blew up in a bad way. And he never says anything to her about it. I was disappointed it was dropped since it left such a big impact. I did wish Jax would have fought a little harder in the end too.
Side characters: other than my dislike of Stella and in a way, Olivia - which was another piece left hanging considering the TMZ bit that was never asked about or cleared up - I pretty much liked all of the side characters. I liked spending time with Penny's friends and her sister. I liked seeing the men in their lives and enjoyed Morgan and Declan. Okay, I loved Morgan. She needs her how story. Did wish we could have seen more of Penny telling off the Hawthorne's but beggars can't be choosers.
As mentioned I do wish something would have come from Stella's games. And the whole thing with Olivia because it seemed like there was a setup for more there that never got explored. Could just be me though. I really wish Jax had fought a little harder too. He has this major epiphany and goes to fix things and in the first instance of things not working out, he just leaves. Immediately. Which timeline wise didn't really make sense. I mean I don't understand how he could leave Penny's apartment dressed one was and be dressed another and in a completely different location blocks and blocks away in the time it took Penny to change her clothes. Even still, considering what he walked away from to go see Penny, the fact he just accepted her words so easily seemed weak. Even more so when Penny was the one in the end who did the mad dash.
I think the biggest miss though is the epilogue. There was hardly any jump forward. I'll be honest, I did feel a little cheated after watching this couple fake it all the way to the big time only to not reach those moments in reality. Even still, this is a story I'd reread. It was enjoyable.
There were a couple things keeping me from rating it higher, but overall, I enjoyed this read.
Penny...I liked her. I thought she was a little too hard on herself, especially in the beginning when it came to who she was as a person (insecure) but as time went on, she did get better. And once she explained a bit more to Jax how her parents viewed her and her sister, things made a little more sense. Still, she came out of her shell nicely, if not dramatically. I did wish that for all her talk of taking risks that she wouldn't have put up so many boundaries in the beginning. But seeing as she was the one to put herself out there first, I can forgive that.
Jax... I liked him. Though he's painted as a whore, you don't really see that which was nice. Especially since his own thoughts on the matter made him seem like he did a lot of things for show and not actuality. I enjoyed his time with Penny. I liked seeing him with her and how he found someone who was on his side without anything to gain from it. Especially against people like his parents. I will say, I do wish he would have stood up for himself (and Penny) again Stella. What she did was underhanded and regardless of motive or how everything was playing out, she didn't consult with him about "Phase Two" and it blew up in a bad way. And he never says anything to her about it. I was disappointed it was dropped since it left such a big impact. I did wish Jax would have fought a little harder in the end too.
Side characters: other than my dislike of Stella and in a way, Olivia - which was another piece left hanging considering the TMZ bit that was never asked about or cleared up - I pretty much liked all of the side characters. I liked spending time with Penny's friends and her sister. I liked seeing the men in their lives and enjoyed Morgan and Declan. Okay, I loved Morgan. She needs her how story. Did wish we could have seen more of Penny telling off the Hawthorne's but beggars can't be choosers.
As mentioned I do wish something would have come from Stella's games. And the whole thing with Olivia because it seemed like there was a setup for more there that never got explored. Could just be me though. I really wish Jax had fought a little harder too. He has this major epiphany and goes to fix things and in the first instance of things not working out, he just leaves. Immediately. Which timeline wise didn't really make sense. I mean I don't understand how he could leave Penny's apartment dressed one was and be dressed another and in a completely different location blocks and blocks away in the time it took Penny to change her clothes. Even still, considering what he walked away from to go see Penny, the fact he just accepted her words so easily seemed weak. Even more so when Penny was the one in the end who did the mad dash.
I think the biggest miss though is the epilogue. There was hardly any jump forward. I'll be honest, I did feel a little cheated after watching this couple fake it all the way to the big time only to not reach those moments in reality. Even still, this is a story I'd reread. It was enjoyable.
November 28, 2017
Jessica’s Review
This book was super cute. You have your typical Hollywood park for a bit is the title suggests, and then you have sweet down to earth penny. I really love how the author intertwined both of their careers into the spot. Yes Penny is it working per se but it talks about her blood for for work.
I like that it was lighthearted, light on the drama, but heavy on the attraction between the characters. The drama that was and it was resolved fairly quickly and I really enjoyed that fact. 4 Stars #2OCCJD
Marie’s Review
Katie McCoy’s books always make me laugh and leaves me with warm feelings. With Heart Throb and her quirky style of writing with her enduring characters, Ms. McCoy has given us another marvelous book.
Jax and Penny were childhood friends who are brought back together under unusual circumstances. Jax is a hot Hollywood/British boy who has somehow gotten a bad rep for his naughty lifestyle. Penny is a sensible girl, who’s just been dumped. So what’s a girl to do but help a childhood friend by pretending to be his girlfriend?
With some entertaining dialogue, some hotness and a little bit of drama, Jax and Penny are able to find there HEA.
Set at an ideal pace, the story line was charming and of course, the characters, some new, some old, were brilliant. When you need a humorous light hearted read, this is one book you should pick up.
4 Stars
#2OCCMS
This book was super cute. You have your typical Hollywood park for a bit is the title suggests, and then you have sweet down to earth penny. I really love how the author intertwined both of their careers into the spot. Yes Penny is it working per se but it talks about her blood for for work.
I like that it was lighthearted, light on the drama, but heavy on the attraction between the characters. The drama that was and it was resolved fairly quickly and I really enjoyed that fact. 4 Stars #2OCCJD
Marie’s Review
Katie McCoy’s books always make me laugh and leaves me with warm feelings. With Heart Throb and her quirky style of writing with her enduring characters, Ms. McCoy has given us another marvelous book.
Jax and Penny were childhood friends who are brought back together under unusual circumstances. Jax is a hot Hollywood/British boy who has somehow gotten a bad rep for his naughty lifestyle. Penny is a sensible girl, who’s just been dumped. So what’s a girl to do but help a childhood friend by pretending to be his girlfriend?
With some entertaining dialogue, some hotness and a little bit of drama, Jax and Penny are able to find there HEA.
Set at an ideal pace, the story line was charming and of course, the characters, some new, some old, were brilliant. When you need a humorous light hearted read, this is one book you should pick up.
4 Stars
#2OCCMS
December 25, 2017
This book was SO CUTE. I'm not a big fan of books with celebrities in them, but since Katie McCoy is one of my FAVORITE romantic comedy authors I knew she wouldn't let me down. And she didn't!!! The two leads were VERY sweet, likable, and relatable, despite one of them being a famous actor. I can't wait for more!!!
December 30, 2017
Heartthrob by Katie McCoy is an utterly adorable friends-to-lovers romance. Hot, British actor in need of cleaning up his act uses poor, out-of-work childhood friend to dupe the studio heads into thinking he is no longer a party boy. The only problem is, the childhood friend is in a vulnerable place and crushes on him.
Pretty red-headed Penny grew up poor, and that influenced her need for stability and her risk avoidance. Penny is an adorable and highly empathetic character. The British heartthrob, Jax, grew up economically privileged, but emotional poor. Jax had his chivalrous, swoon-worthy moments, but he also had plenty of moments when he played the self-centered, obtuse jerk. These two are the perfect Yin-Yang balance. Their chemistry is undeniable even when the two are trying to deny their attraction to the other.
Author McCoy’s Heartthrob is a delightful, well-pace read. I thoroughly enjoyed the fun storyline and the great characters.
For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at https://abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com.
Pretty red-headed Penny grew up poor, and that influenced her need for stability and her risk avoidance. Penny is an adorable and highly empathetic character. The British heartthrob, Jax, grew up economically privileged, but emotional poor. Jax had his chivalrous, swoon-worthy moments, but he also had plenty of moments when he played the self-centered, obtuse jerk. These two are the perfect Yin-Yang balance. Their chemistry is undeniable even when the two are trying to deny their attraction to the other.
Author McCoy’s Heartthrob is a delightful, well-pace read. I thoroughly enjoyed the fun storyline and the great characters.
For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at https://abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com.
November 28, 2017
Jax and Penny may have known each other when they were younger but they have both grown up into very different lives. Jax is living the high life as a sexy, successful actor with the bad boy image thrown in. While Penny is living a very much opposite, mundane kinda life. So when Jax rings her out of the blue with a proposal to be his fake girlfriend to help clean up his image, Penny sees no reason not to. Things don’t stay simple for long however and soon this fake relationship starts involving, not fake and instead very real emotions and feelings. But with Hollywood, actresses and drama getting in the way, it won’t be easy for these two want to try and turn something fake into something real.
“It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that trying to find a decent guy to date in New York City is a damn near impossibility. Especially if you are—as my ex-boyfriend so charmingly put it—a grade-A, Type-A control freak with a stick up her ass.”
I don’t always love the whole Hollywood actor bad boy thing. I feel it can sometimes become quite boring and predictable BUT Heart Throb definitely pulled me back into enjoying this genre and I couldn’t get enough of Jax and Penny’s relationship!
“He tasted like salt and lime, and something dangerous. Pure Jax. We were in our own little world, and my head was spinning. Somewhere, a part of me was freaking out over the fact I was making out with Jax Hawthorne, but that part was muffled by how much my body wanted him, and just how good he felt.”
I LOVED LOVED LOVED Penny. I thought she was a brilliantly thought out heroine for this story. She was smart, funny, beautiful inside and out, and had a lot more to her than Jax first thinks. I thought she was the perfect match for our hero. Jax definitely has his “I’m the bad boy of Hollywood” moments but you can tell he generally cares for Penny. When he starts to realise there is more than just this fake relationship between them, we see a kind, sweet and caring side to Jax that just adds to his already sexy and confident personality.
“She was still fighting this connection between us, but after that kiss in the treehouse, I know. She felt it. All of it. And now it wasn’t a case of if, it was a case of when. And I could be patient. Because she was worth the wait.”
I would definitely class this as a rom-com read but it’s also a lot better than many of those already out there. There’s just something about the way the author writes the story and the characters that has you really connecting with this book and desperately wanting to get the HEA you need this book to have. It made me laugh, smile, angry, and ‘ahhh’ at the romance. I felt everything I want to feel for a romance novel that keeps me entertained. Jax and Penny’s story isn’t all hearts and roses and there was plenty of drama to keep this story flowing well and kept me wanting to turn the pages. Just a great all-round romance read!
“And for a brief moment, I had it all. But I was too stupid to see it for what it was. The reason everything was good, and I was happy and fulfilled, was you.”
~Bethany
November 28, 2017
I was sold on giving this book a shot with the Pride and Prejudice tie in, but what I ended up getting was a totally engrossing romance with a fun, flirty, Hollywood heartthrob and his play it safe, number loving childhood friend. The pact that they made as children takes on all new meaning when Jax needs a fake girlfriend to rehab his bad boy image and he decides Penny would fit the bill. Lines are blurred and boundaries crossed as the two spend time together and soon their fake relationship is feeling all to real.
I liked these two leading characters so much. From the friendship they forged as children to their unexpected reintroduction into each other's lives as adults, and all throughout their relationship. I felt for Jax and his sad, lonely childhood and was so happy he had Penny. Penny's childhood may not have been lonely but it had its share of sadness. I liked how what they built as children translated into their adult lives. Their interactions as they faked it for the camera as well as their real and personal moments built such a good and believable foundation and I loved how invested I was in their happiness after all that.
This wasn't my first book by this author but it was certainly another winner for me. I won't hesitate to pick up another book by her and I look forward to reading more. I would certainly recommend this to contemporary romance fans. This book has great romance, some humor and a perfect amount of steam.
November 27, 2017
Heartthrob by Katie McCoy was so much fun to read! I found myself so easily getting lost in the story and just enjoying myself.
Jax Hawthorne needs help. He is America’s current hottest commodity and its sexiest bad boy. But he has his sights set on his dream job. The only problem? He needs to show a better image of himself to the world. To accomplish this, he decides he needs a fake girlfriend to show the world he has reformed. I liked Jax, even when I wanted to shake him. He was a good guy, but his feelings and expectations kept getting in his way!
Enter Penny. I loved Penny. She was pretty, honest, sweet and caring. The kind of person you want in your life, but Penny sees herself as the boring one letting life pass her by. Until she sees an old friend who needs her help. Jax sees Penny as a safe option to help him with his image. She decides to help him and have some fun in the meantime. So they enter into a fake relationship.
On one side, Penny now finds herself with an all-expense paid trip to London with a very hot and sexy man, but on the other side, she is right in the middle of life with a celebrity and all that entails. Not everyone is happy for them. But the more time they spend together, the more the lines become blurred.
I really cannot express how much fun I had reading this book. This was such a great story with amazing characters. I laughed and swooned continuously. I found Heartthrob to be charming and sweet and have found an author I am going to keep an eye on!
4.5 stars. Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
Jax Hawthorne needs help. He is America’s current hottest commodity and its sexiest bad boy. But he has his sights set on his dream job. The only problem? He needs to show a better image of himself to the world. To accomplish this, he decides he needs a fake girlfriend to show the world he has reformed. I liked Jax, even when I wanted to shake him. He was a good guy, but his feelings and expectations kept getting in his way!
Enter Penny. I loved Penny. She was pretty, honest, sweet and caring. The kind of person you want in your life, but Penny sees herself as the boring one letting life pass her by. Until she sees an old friend who needs her help. Jax sees Penny as a safe option to help him with his image. She decides to help him and have some fun in the meantime. So they enter into a fake relationship.
On one side, Penny now finds herself with an all-expense paid trip to London with a very hot and sexy man, but on the other side, she is right in the middle of life with a celebrity and all that entails. Not everyone is happy for them. But the more time they spend together, the more the lines become blurred.
I really cannot express how much fun I had reading this book. This was such a great story with amazing characters. I laughed and swooned continuously. I found Heartthrob to be charming and sweet and have found an author I am going to keep an eye on!
4.5 stars. Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
November 27, 2017
"Despite everything, I still wanted to fall in love. I still wanted to find "the one"."
Penny Pollack has the worst luck in romance. When she bumps into an old childhood friend, who is now Hollywood's latest heartthrob, she knows she should steer clear. However, when he makes her an offer she can't refuse, she decides to break out of her boring, good girl ways and take a risk.
"She was still thoughtful, and sweet, and with a wicked sharp tongue, but she had obviously grown up. She was all woman now."
Jax Hawthorne's career is in trouble. His image needs cleaning up and when he meets Penny, again, she absolutely fits the bill in terms of what he's looking for. It doesn't hurt that she's beautiful, smart, and genuine.
"Friendship was solid. Love wasn't."
However, what starts out as a charade with clear boundaries turns into something that neither expects. Unfortunately, they don't really want the same things.
This was quite a lighthearted, humorous romance. It was dual POV but with more chapters from Penny's POV. I loved how confident Penny came across, even when she was out of her element. She's made of pretty stern stuff, although she's vulnerable where her heart is concerned. I loved Jax's POV and how much he respected and liked Penny, as well as how sexy and gorgeous he found her.
This was a fun story and very enjoyable!
Penny Pollack has the worst luck in romance. When she bumps into an old childhood friend, who is now Hollywood's latest heartthrob, she knows she should steer clear. However, when he makes her an offer she can't refuse, she decides to break out of her boring, good girl ways and take a risk.
"She was still thoughtful, and sweet, and with a wicked sharp tongue, but she had obviously grown up. She was all woman now."
Jax Hawthorne's career is in trouble. His image needs cleaning up and when he meets Penny, again, she absolutely fits the bill in terms of what he's looking for. It doesn't hurt that she's beautiful, smart, and genuine.
"Friendship was solid. Love wasn't."
However, what starts out as a charade with clear boundaries turns into something that neither expects. Unfortunately, they don't really want the same things.
This was quite a lighthearted, humorous romance. It was dual POV but with more chapters from Penny's POV. I loved how confident Penny came across, even when she was out of her element. She's made of pretty stern stuff, although she's vulnerable where her heart is concerned. I loved Jax's POV and how much he respected and liked Penny, as well as how sexy and gorgeous he found her.
This was a fun story and very enjoyable!
November 29, 2017
The writing was engaging and I liked the story but I’m not sure about the HEA coz we all know actors get divorced all the freaking time. It would have been nice to have a 10-20 yr epilogue to reinforce the HEA.
November 27, 2017
Fun and full of steam, Heart Throb is a perfect childhood friends to lovers romance. Jax and Penny ooze chemistry, making this slow burn feel even hotter.
Penny is a sweet girl. She was brave, and tougher than she thought she was. Jax is the tempting bad boy. He helped Penny come out of her shell, while she helped steady him out.
Heart Throb was cute and funny. The chemistry between the two characters is just felt by the reader. The story is fun and engaging, it had me biting my lip, and just dying to know how things were going to turn out. It was paced perfectly and the characters were complex, and they just held me in, close to the story.
I would recommend to the reader looking for a reforming Hollywood bad boy and a fake relationship to lovers.
*Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*
![“ARC]()
Penny is a sweet girl. She was brave, and tougher than she thought she was. Jax is the tempting bad boy. He helped Penny come out of her shell, while she helped steady him out.
Heart Throb was cute and funny. The chemistry between the two characters is just felt by the reader. The story is fun and engaging, it had me biting my lip, and just dying to know how things were going to turn out. It was paced perfectly and the characters were complex, and they just held me in, close to the story.
I would recommend to the reader looking for a reforming Hollywood bad boy and a fake relationship to lovers.
*Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads*
November 22, 2017
Full review can be found at Beneath The Covers Blog --> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.*
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.*
February 25, 2018
This book and book 1 Royal Player are my favorites from the series. This one is a commoner-plain-Jane-Hollywood -heartthrob romance. It's a fun, flirty, safe read, especially if you like this trope.
November 28, 2017
Be still my heart! I loved every drippingly-sweet page of this romantic comedy. I mean it's got everything on my wish list: a charming English countryside, a dapper, devastatingly handsome, swoon-worthy lead male, and a super smart, witty, and charismatic lead chick. Add it all together and you've got a winning rom-com by a favorite one-click author!
Jax and Penny are completely heart warming as they forge a somewhat fake romance to save Jax's wayward movie star reputation. But somewhere along the way, what started out as fake, slowly becomes something real. Their escapades turn romantic and incredibly sweet as they figure out where their relationship will go after the contract.
My heart was bursting for Penny and Jax to take a risk on themselves. Katie McCoy is always a go-to author for a feel good, romantic comedy. Heartthrob is definitely no exception, and a definite recommendation for any rom-com lover!
*ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review*
Jax and Penny are completely heart warming as they forge a somewhat fake romance to save Jax's wayward movie star reputation. But somewhere along the way, what started out as fake, slowly becomes something real. Their escapades turn romantic and incredibly sweet as they figure out where their relationship will go after the contract.
My heart was bursting for Penny and Jax to take a risk on themselves. Katie McCoy is always a go-to author for a feel good, romantic comedy. Heartthrob is definitely no exception, and a definite recommendation for any rom-com lover!
*ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review*
November 23, 2017
Reviewed for Cherry0Blossoms Promotions
This is book three in the Allstars series. As I haven’t read the previous books I was worried I wouldn’t connect to the characters, but I had no need to worry. This book works perfectly well as a stand alone, although I now want to read the rest!
Penny is a finance wiz, who suddenly loses her job in New York. A chance encounter with a childhood friend sends her life into a whirlwind.
Jax is now a film star, but his crazy lifestyle could be stopping him getting the roles he wants. In steps Penny as his fake girlfriend. To bring some stability and normality to his world and clean up his bad boy image. But what is real and what is acting? A pretend romance starts to flourish.
Both Penny and Jax wrestle with their feelings, while Stella his agent is looking for who could be the next fake girlfriend! Olivia, who is his co star, thinks she can take over the job.
The story takes place around the movie set of Pride and Prejudice, where action and real life aren’t far apart. Set in the English countryside, there is some muddy fun to be had.
I enjoyed Penny’s grit and although falling in love she wasn’t about to take any nonsense. Plenty of banter between her and Jax, and she wasn’t above putting the other characters in their place particularly Jaxs Mum!
Great feel good book. Enjoyable read.
This is book three in the Allstars series. As I haven’t read the previous books I was worried I wouldn’t connect to the characters, but I had no need to worry. This book works perfectly well as a stand alone, although I now want to read the rest!
Penny is a finance wiz, who suddenly loses her job in New York. A chance encounter with a childhood friend sends her life into a whirlwind.
Jax is now a film star, but his crazy lifestyle could be stopping him getting the roles he wants. In steps Penny as his fake girlfriend. To bring some stability and normality to his world and clean up his bad boy image. But what is real and what is acting? A pretend romance starts to flourish.
Both Penny and Jax wrestle with their feelings, while Stella his agent is looking for who could be the next fake girlfriend! Olivia, who is his co star, thinks she can take over the job.
The story takes place around the movie set of Pride and Prejudice, where action and real life aren’t far apart. Set in the English countryside, there is some muddy fun to be had.
I enjoyed Penny’s grit and although falling in love she wasn’t about to take any nonsense. Plenty of banter between her and Jax, and she wasn’t above putting the other characters in their place particularly Jaxs Mum!
Great feel good book. Enjoyable read.
November 21, 2017
***ARC Provided by the Author and Give Me Books***
Fake relationship books can be fun. The 2 people in the relationship are always convinced it is the best possible option, or at least they think it is going to work and that no one is going to get hurt, or fall in love, as they both know the relationship is fake.
It never works that way. And, really, that is the whole point.
Jax and Penny were friends as children, and then they grew apart. Seeing one another was an accident, or fate, depending on the way you look at it. So, the fake relationship idea seemed to solve his problem and worked nicely with Penny's current situation in her life.
The story, from there, moves to London and the English countryside. It was charming and lighthearted. You get to know Jax as both an actor and as a man who is not quite realizing why he is so attracted to Penny, not really understanding that the way he feels about her is so much more than how he feels about a friend.
He figures it out, and it is a lot of fun watching him do so.
I also really liked Penny. I thought she was realistic and that she acted in the way that you would expect someone to act in this situation. Was she star struck by the Hollywood things? Yes, she was. But, if it is was new to you, this is exactly how you would react. I believed her, and I believed Jax as a character.
I thought the plot and the pacing was well done and the story moved from scene to scene in a way that left you feeling like you got the things you needed from each scene before it moved on.
It was a little predictable, but at the same time, there are certain things that have to happen in a fake relationship story so a lot of this was expected.
I enjoyed this title and I recommend it.
Fake relationship books can be fun. The 2 people in the relationship are always convinced it is the best possible option, or at least they think it is going to work and that no one is going to get hurt, or fall in love, as they both know the relationship is fake.
It never works that way. And, really, that is the whole point.
Jax and Penny were friends as children, and then they grew apart. Seeing one another was an accident, or fate, depending on the way you look at it. So, the fake relationship idea seemed to solve his problem and worked nicely with Penny's current situation in her life.
The story, from there, moves to London and the English countryside. It was charming and lighthearted. You get to know Jax as both an actor and as a man who is not quite realizing why he is so attracted to Penny, not really understanding that the way he feels about her is so much more than how he feels about a friend.
He figures it out, and it is a lot of fun watching him do so.
I also really liked Penny. I thought she was realistic and that she acted in the way that you would expect someone to act in this situation. Was she star struck by the Hollywood things? Yes, she was. But, if it is was new to you, this is exactly how you would react. I believed her, and I believed Jax as a character.
I thought the plot and the pacing was well done and the story moved from scene to scene in a way that left you feeling like you got the things you needed from each scene before it moved on.
It was a little predictable, but at the same time, there are certain things that have to happen in a fake relationship story so a lot of this was expected.
I enjoyed this title and I recommend it.
November 28, 2017
4 Stars!
This is a sweet friends-to-lovers/relationship of convenience romance that will steal your heart!
Jax and Penny were friends for one summer fifteen years ago. During that summer, they made a pact to marry if they were still single in their twenties. Fifteen years later, they have an accidental run in. Sparks fly, but they go their separate ways. Until Jax needs straight-laced Penny to rehab his less than shiny image.
These relationship of convenience romances can go either way for me. Usually, I have a hard time connecting with whoever needs the image makeover. Happily, that was not the case here. Jax was lovable from the start and only grew more so as the book goes forward. He has family issues that have caused his reluctance to believe in love and that is the crux of his problem until the very end. Despite that, you can't help but love the guy. Penny prefers to play it safe in life and sometimes that makes a character stuffy, but Penny was great. She slowly let go of her control and took some risks. It was a nice transition that wasn't forced. The internal monologues were a bit repetitive, but not enough to distract me from the story itself. There wasn't quite as much character development with Jax and Penny as I've read in previous books by McCoy. Still, all-in-all it was a good book with a great ending!
This is a sweet friends-to-lovers/relationship of convenience romance that will steal your heart!
Jax and Penny were friends for one summer fifteen years ago. During that summer, they made a pact to marry if they were still single in their twenties. Fifteen years later, they have an accidental run in. Sparks fly, but they go their separate ways. Until Jax needs straight-laced Penny to rehab his less than shiny image.
These relationship of convenience romances can go either way for me. Usually, I have a hard time connecting with whoever needs the image makeover. Happily, that was not the case here. Jax was lovable from the start and only grew more so as the book goes forward. He has family issues that have caused his reluctance to believe in love and that is the crux of his problem until the very end. Despite that, you can't help but love the guy. Penny prefers to play it safe in life and sometimes that makes a character stuffy, but Penny was great. She slowly let go of her control and took some risks. It was a nice transition that wasn't forced. The internal monologues were a bit repetitive, but not enough to distract me from the story itself. There wasn't quite as much character development with Jax and Penny as I've read in previous books by McCoy. Still, all-in-all it was a good book with a great ending!
December 30, 2017
I needed something light to read during Christmas at the height of hosting duties and this fit the bill. The writing is easy and well-paced (despite some odd and very glaring copy edit issues) and the story is fun. Rule-follower Penny's life is not going as planned so when an old-friend-turned-hot-actor Jax offers her the opportunity to travel as his fake girlfriend she decides to take him up on it, rules be damned. I enjoyed that they had a backstory which made the ridiculousness of this tried-and-true trope-heavy plot a little more believable. The inclusion of Jax as Darcy in a P&P remake was fun. That said, I've practically forgotten all about it in the several days since I finished reading it. It was perfect for the moment but entirely forgettable.
April 4, 2018
Ini Penny, kakaknya Paige.. gw malh baru mulai baca Paige (buku 2) trs mood baca gw ilang, jd blm kelar buku 2 nya sampai hari ini LOL.
Penny ini 3th di atas Paige umurnya, dan punya sifat 180 derajat beda sama adeknya yg easy going and take a risk. Penny cenderung lebih kalem, hidupnya biasa-biasa saja, kerja kantoran, komitmen sama pacarnya.. pokoknya hidupnya stabil dan bertanggung jawab deh
HEA sih.. abis itu Jax sadar kalau hidup tanpa Penny itu tidak mengasikkan.. dan mohon-mohon deh ke mbaknya, Penny yg emang ude cinta Jax ya ude sih.. maafin aja.. Hepppiiiii.. gak tau kl ntar 8th kemudian mereka cerai kaya Channing dan Jenna, pakai alasan there’s nothing changed about how much we love one another but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now.. huh…
Penny ini 3th di atas Paige umurnya, dan punya sifat 180 derajat beda sama adeknya yg easy going and take a risk. Penny cenderung lebih kalem, hidupnya biasa-biasa saja, kerja kantoran, komitmen sama pacarnya.. pokoknya hidupnya stabil dan bertanggung jawab deh
HEA sih.. abis itu Jax sadar kalau hidup tanpa Penny itu tidak mengasikkan.. dan mohon-mohon deh ke mbaknya, Penny yg emang ude cinta Jax ya ude sih.. maafin aja.. Hepppiiiii.. gak tau kl ntar 8th kemudian mereka cerai kaya Channing dan Jenna, pakai alasan there’s nothing changed about how much we love one another but love is a beautiful adventure that is taking us on different paths for now.. huh…
November 29, 2017
Actual Rating: 4.5
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book.**
Who doesn't love a fake relationship romance?
Penny's life isn't glamorous. She works in financing and her ex-boyfriend dumped her because he thinks she's a bore. Running into an old friend who has become a famous actor is probably the most exciting thing to happen to her in a long time. Being asked to play the part of his pretend girlfriend for a while is an even bigger surprise.
Jax has a reputation for being a playboy in Hollywood. If he wants to win his dream role, he has to convince the movie executives that he isn't a flake and won't let his private life be a distraction. So when he runs into the woman who promised to marry him fifteen years ago, he has the perfect opportunity to change his image.
Reconnecting with Penny makes Jax remember why he wanted to marry her in the first place. And being near her again has shown him how much he needs her in his life. But playing a couple and being a couple aren't quite the same thing. They both would have to risk heartbreak if they truly want to give their love a chance.
These characters were pretty great. We see things from Penny's perspective more often, but we do get some of Jax's point-of-view as well. Penny was a down-to-earth woman who needed a change in her mundane life and Jax was a larger-than-life man who could give it to her. I think they fit each other very well and I loved the way they stood up for each other. I appreciate loyalty in my romance books.
The chemistry between our couple was also nicely done. They had a prior friendship but I wouldn't necessarily call this a friends-to-lovers romance since they were practically strangers when they reunited. Still, the pair had witty dialogue and a good dose of sexual tension which lead to some pretty steamy love scenes later on.
I've read a lot of romance books and several with the 'fake girlfriend' theme. They always seem to follow a similar plot pattern and become a bit predictable. I was hoping this would be different and it was, just a little, but enough that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would have liked if it had been less predictable, but it's a small complaint and one I make quite often in this genre. Still a good read, though.
In closing...
Another fun weekend read. I look forward to seeing what comes next! 4.5 suns!
Full review on blog: https://uptildawnbookblog.blogspot.com/2017/11/review-heartthrob-by-katie-mccoy.html
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book.**
Who doesn't love a fake relationship romance?
Penny's life isn't glamorous. She works in financing and her ex-boyfriend dumped her because he thinks she's a bore. Running into an old friend who has become a famous actor is probably the most exciting thing to happen to her in a long time. Being asked to play the part of his pretend girlfriend for a while is an even bigger surprise.
Jax has a reputation for being a playboy in Hollywood. If he wants to win his dream role, he has to convince the movie executives that he isn't a flake and won't let his private life be a distraction. So when he runs into the woman who promised to marry him fifteen years ago, he has the perfect opportunity to change his image.
Reconnecting with Penny makes Jax remember why he wanted to marry her in the first place. And being near her again has shown him how much he needs her in his life. But playing a couple and being a couple aren't quite the same thing. They both would have to risk heartbreak if they truly want to give their love a chance.
These characters were pretty great. We see things from Penny's perspective more often, but we do get some of Jax's point-of-view as well. Penny was a down-to-earth woman who needed a change in her mundane life and Jax was a larger-than-life man who could give it to her. I think they fit each other very well and I loved the way they stood up for each other. I appreciate loyalty in my romance books.
The chemistry between our couple was also nicely done. They had a prior friendship but I wouldn't necessarily call this a friends-to-lovers romance since they were practically strangers when they reunited. Still, the pair had witty dialogue and a good dose of sexual tension which lead to some pretty steamy love scenes later on.
I've read a lot of romance books and several with the 'fake girlfriend' theme. They always seem to follow a similar plot pattern and become a bit predictable. I was hoping this would be different and it was, just a little, but enough that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would have liked if it had been less predictable, but it's a small complaint and one I make quite often in this genre. Still a good read, though.
In closing...
Another fun weekend read. I look forward to seeing what comes next! 4.5 suns!
Full review on blog: https://uptildawnbookblog.blogspot.com/2017/11/review-heartthrob-by-katie-mccoy.html
November 20, 2017
Yeah I know Hollywood Romances are the stuff that fairytales are made of. That might sound harsh but to be very honest its also honest because we all need our fairytale once in a while right ? …. Did anyone see “Notting Hill” the movie with Julia Roberts ? Did you like it ? well then you are going to love Heartthrob by Katie McCoy. Because I sure did.
In the moment that “Darcy” connection was made I saw the pictures of that movie in front of me #swoon.
And lets face it - the Picture of that British Heartthrob male lead – that the author created was really yummy. #Sigh I can not help but be a goner for that British-ness
If you leave the part aside where the whole plot sounds to good to be real. (and please do that in order to enjoy the story) … you can really feel the characters. They feel as real as they can be in that specific setting. I liked the developing of their relationship, their dialogues towards others as well as their banter with each other –
may I quote a line here ? (no spoilers so no worry) >>>… Both of Jax’s parents stared at me and Jax cast me a grateful, if not amused glance. “Let’s have tea,” Kira said after a long, tense pause. Great, I thought. Better I put food in my mouth than continue to try to shove my foot down there.”… <<<
I guess you can imagine that this and other dialogues like it had me laughing out loud in the most inconvenient places … but who cares #hahahah
What felt so good about the humor was it was subtle and not over the top which had me smiling.
The more I think about it - I think my reference to Notting Hill will be the most helpful if you are considering to read this book. But please do not think that the plot is the same, because it is not … just the feeling and some of the settings might be lets say feel “related”.
My suggestion would be … just take a dive into it … be prepared to swoon …
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November 13, 2017
How can I write a review while coming down a reading high? I will start babbling like a fool and maybe say too much. I really hope to get my point across as too how much I enjoyed reading Heartthrob, I have to say that waiting for a new release by Katie McCoy is worth the wait. I find her to be fantastic when it comes to celebrity romances, I love how she describes behind the scenes or the difficulties of being followed by the paparazzi. It's her hero and heroine in every story that I end up falling in love with, it's like a fairytale romance that ends up sweeping me off my feet.
I'm going to start with the heroine in this story Penny Pollack, she's pretty much perfect and doesn't even know it. She is not only beautiful she is that one person that you want in your corner. Penny is unlucky in the dating department, life just doesn't seem to go her way. That is until she bumps into an old friend who needs help with rebranding his image. He is not only Hollywood's sexiest actor with a bad reputation with the ladies, he is gorgeous and hard to resist. Will she be able to take him up on his offer to be his fake girlfriend and keep her emotions out of it?
Jax Hawthorne remembers that young girl he made a marriage commitment with. Running into her as his man whoring ways is plastered all over the tabloids, seems the best time to make good on that childhood deal. Penny has always been smart and sensible-she's a safe bet to help him get the job of his dreams. That's what he thought. Now that she is more than he had ever imagined, will he be able to see the contract through without breaking her heart?
This is an enjoyable read of letting go and coming out of your shell, realizing that love is worth the fight and opening your eyes to how much someone has given of themselves for others. This story will have you falling in love with the characters and wanting that HEA. I recommend that you take this steamy and funny fairytale journey of friendship, love and heartbreak.
It's a 5 Star Read!
I'm going to start with the heroine in this story Penny Pollack, she's pretty much perfect and doesn't even know it. She is not only beautiful she is that one person that you want in your corner. Penny is unlucky in the dating department, life just doesn't seem to go her way. That is until she bumps into an old friend who needs help with rebranding his image. He is not only Hollywood's sexiest actor with a bad reputation with the ladies, he is gorgeous and hard to resist. Will she be able to take him up on his offer to be his fake girlfriend and keep her emotions out of it?
Jax Hawthorne remembers that young girl he made a marriage commitment with. Running into her as his man whoring ways is plastered all over the tabloids, seems the best time to make good on that childhood deal. Penny has always been smart and sensible-she's a safe bet to help him get the job of his dreams. That's what he thought. Now that she is more than he had ever imagined, will he be able to see the contract through without breaking her heart?
This is an enjoyable read of letting go and coming out of your shell, realizing that love is worth the fight and opening your eyes to how much someone has given of themselves for others. This story will have you falling in love with the characters and wanting that HEA. I recommend that you take this steamy and funny fairytale journey of friendship, love and heartbreak.
It's a 5 Star Read!
November 25, 2017
I always enjoy Katie McCoy's books because they are so lighthearted and sweet. They are perfect for a relaxing escape that you don't have to think to much about. They are also insanely funny, romantic, and swoon worthy! Heartthrob was so different!
The Story. Penny was recently dumped for being too serious and funny so when her childhood friend turned movie star comes knocking on her door asking for a favor, she decides to go with it. This story was a whirlwind of once in a lifetime trips, the ultimate Mr. Darcy, and sexy times. Penny and Jax both knew this was not supposed to be real, but the lines keep getting blurred, which leaves Penny wondering what is real and what isn't.
Penny. Primarily, the story was told from Penny's POV, which I really liked. Penny is tired of being serious, boring Penny and tried to embrace this new spontaneous side that Jax brings out in her. Penny struggles with Jax's fame and the public moments they share not being theirs. Being in love with an actor is not all it's cracked up to be because Penny has a hard time determining if Jax is being serious about her or if he is just acting the part of the doting boyfriend. I loved how much she defended Jax to his less than supportive parents. I wanted to give her a standing ovation.
Jax. We got peaks into Jax's head every once in a while to figure out where he was coming from. Max's parent's relationship is awful and Jax refuses to fall in love with someone because he doesn't think it will ever last. This is one issue that nearly tears this couple a part. I loved Jax with his posh British accent and Mr. Darcy costumes. He was sweet and truly cared for Penny...as a friend. He just wanted to make his parents and her proud. I wanted to boot him in the ass a few times for being pigheaded, but everyone has to have their flaws I guess.
I recommend this story to those who love: sexy, British accents, intelligent heroines, Pride & Prejudice, fake relationship themes, and Hollywood actors.
Overall Rating: ★★★★/★★★★★
Blog: www.radbabesread.com
The Story. Penny was recently dumped for being too serious and funny so when her childhood friend turned movie star comes knocking on her door asking for a favor, she decides to go with it. This story was a whirlwind of once in a lifetime trips, the ultimate Mr. Darcy, and sexy times. Penny and Jax both knew this was not supposed to be real, but the lines keep getting blurred, which leaves Penny wondering what is real and what isn't.
Penny. Primarily, the story was told from Penny's POV, which I really liked. Penny is tired of being serious, boring Penny and tried to embrace this new spontaneous side that Jax brings out in her. Penny struggles with Jax's fame and the public moments they share not being theirs. Being in love with an actor is not all it's cracked up to be because Penny has a hard time determining if Jax is being serious about her or if he is just acting the part of the doting boyfriend. I loved how much she defended Jax to his less than supportive parents. I wanted to give her a standing ovation.
Jax. We got peaks into Jax's head every once in a while to figure out where he was coming from. Max's parent's relationship is awful and Jax refuses to fall in love with someone because he doesn't think it will ever last. This is one issue that nearly tears this couple a part. I loved Jax with his posh British accent and Mr. Darcy costumes. He was sweet and truly cared for Penny...as a friend. He just wanted to make his parents and her proud. I wanted to boot him in the ass a few times for being pigheaded, but everyone has to have their flaws I guess.
I recommend this story to those who love: sexy, British accents, intelligent heroines, Pride & Prejudice, fake relationship themes, and Hollywood actors.
Overall Rating: ★★★★/★★★★★
Blog: www.radbabesread.com
November 29, 2017
‘What woman in the world could resist Mr. Darcy?’
The answer seems to be no one, especially when Jax Hawthorne, British native and Hollywood movie star, sets to star as the swoon-worthy, honest, and self-assured character in the newest remake of Pride and Prejudice, and regardless of his playboy ways and the fact that Penny Pollack hasn’t seen Jax for 15 years, Penny is quick to fall under Jax’s spell, agreeing to be in a fake ‘relationship’ with him in order to help snag a role that would make his childhood dreams come true.
But when Penny finds it difficult to determine what’s fake and what’s real when it comes to her and Jax’s feelings for one another, Penny’s stellar performance as devoted girlfriend will either result in she and Jax riding off into the Hollywood sunset or going back to the uptight and predictable girl she was before she took a risk and stepped outside her carefully placed boundaries.
Penny and Jax’s story is an entertaining romantic comedy that illustrates just how easy it is to get wrapped up in a fake relationship, especially when there are actual feelings building underneath their performances. And while Heartthrob uses several common conventions of the genre - friends-to-lovers, fake relationship, and Hollywood bad boy turned doting boyfriend, Katie McCoy puts her own spin on these romance attributes, creating a story filled with both angst and humor and constructing a hero and heroine who may have much different lifestyles as well as varying beliefs about love and commitment, but they share a connection that allows Penny to take risks and Jax to feel like there is someone final in his corner who believes in him and supports him no matter what choices he makes.
The third book in Katie McCoy’s All-Stars series is a steamy and sweet story that proves just how contrived Hollywood romances and relationships can be while also demonstrating how appealing finding someone genuine…someone authentic who can be so much more than a temporary solution to an image issue.
4 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
The answer seems to be no one, especially when Jax Hawthorne, British native and Hollywood movie star, sets to star as the swoon-worthy, honest, and self-assured character in the newest remake of Pride and Prejudice, and regardless of his playboy ways and the fact that Penny Pollack hasn’t seen Jax for 15 years, Penny is quick to fall under Jax’s spell, agreeing to be in a fake ‘relationship’ with him in order to help snag a role that would make his childhood dreams come true.
But when Penny finds it difficult to determine what’s fake and what’s real when it comes to her and Jax’s feelings for one another, Penny’s stellar performance as devoted girlfriend will either result in she and Jax riding off into the Hollywood sunset or going back to the uptight and predictable girl she was before she took a risk and stepped outside her carefully placed boundaries.
Penny and Jax’s story is an entertaining romantic comedy that illustrates just how easy it is to get wrapped up in a fake relationship, especially when there are actual feelings building underneath their performances. And while Heartthrob uses several common conventions of the genre - friends-to-lovers, fake relationship, and Hollywood bad boy turned doting boyfriend, Katie McCoy puts her own spin on these romance attributes, creating a story filled with both angst and humor and constructing a hero and heroine who may have much different lifestyles as well as varying beliefs about love and commitment, but they share a connection that allows Penny to take risks and Jax to feel like there is someone final in his corner who believes in him and supports him no matter what choices he makes.
The third book in Katie McCoy’s All-Stars series is a steamy and sweet story that proves just how contrived Hollywood romances and relationships can be while also demonstrating how appealing finding someone genuine…someone authentic who can be so much more than a temporary solution to an image issue.
4 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)
November 28, 2017
There is something about a story that involves a fake relationship that has me counting the chapters until one of the participants realises that the whole thing has taken a turn that they may not have anticipated but that in the scope of things even a blind man would have been able to predict. Never in the mother of all Sundays was their scheme going to work, they had too much going on to have kept it honestly fake! But I suppose that was the whole point of the book really, so bravo!
Jax and Penny grew up as friends, and were just your typical kids but when they meet up again years later there is nothing typical about well Jax anyway, he is a leading light in Hollywood who has just seen his lustre start to tarnish, the tabloids are getting pretty slick with their condemnation of his playboy lifestyle, so in true Hollywood fashion he hires his friend Penny to pretend to be his girlfriend and in the process to remedy his image issue. I think I might have left him trying to remedy a broken nose, but Penny saw it as a means to an end and a way to resolve some issues in her own life and accepted.
Anyway, once they arrive in England and their relationship starts to find its feet, it doesn’t take long for it to take on a force of its own and it was with much hilarity that I read just how Jax was finally able to work out what the heck he was feeling…honestly man!
I liked Penny and I thought that the author portrayed her in a manner that was authentic, she gave her the opportunity to explore life no matter how temporary with Jax and to come to her own conclusions, she wasn’t actually the one to worry about, it was Jax that took his time getting on the bandwagon!
The story was well written, with a timbre and pace that allowed for the development and understanding of the characters. I never felt that either they or I were rushed. I applaud the author for the amount of detail she imbedded into both the setting and the characterisation.
Jax and Penny grew up as friends, and were just your typical kids but when they meet up again years later there is nothing typical about well Jax anyway, he is a leading light in Hollywood who has just seen his lustre start to tarnish, the tabloids are getting pretty slick with their condemnation of his playboy lifestyle, so in true Hollywood fashion he hires his friend Penny to pretend to be his girlfriend and in the process to remedy his image issue. I think I might have left him trying to remedy a broken nose, but Penny saw it as a means to an end and a way to resolve some issues in her own life and accepted.
Anyway, once they arrive in England and their relationship starts to find its feet, it doesn’t take long for it to take on a force of its own and it was with much hilarity that I read just how Jax was finally able to work out what the heck he was feeling…honestly man!
I liked Penny and I thought that the author portrayed her in a manner that was authentic, she gave her the opportunity to explore life no matter how temporary with Jax and to come to her own conclusions, she wasn’t actually the one to worry about, it was Jax that took his time getting on the bandwagon!
The story was well written, with a timbre and pace that allowed for the development and understanding of the characters. I never felt that either they or I were rushed. I applaud the author for the amount of detail she imbedded into both the setting and the characterisation.
November 28, 2017
Join a seductive and ardent badboy playing Mr.Darcy with a timid executive in love with Jane Austen in an idyllic city of England and a fake relationship to enhance an image. All of this can only result in an ultra romantic love story.
Penny always preferred her comfort zone to venturing into the risk.Behaved and upright executive she sees her world turn upside down as she reencounters an old crush from the past Hollywood's current golden boy Jax.
Jax is willing to enter into a fake relationship to improve his image of partying boy and womanizer and get the role of passionate superhero in another movie . Jax does not believe in love and thinks that friendship is a strong and stable basis for a relationship, so when the shy Penny agrees to be his girlfriend for a short time while he records a new version of Pride and Prejudice, he believes both are in the same page.
But contrary to what both think this approach can yield deep and engaging moments of passion, love and many uncalculated risks. Katie manages to fit their romance into several moments of the film's recordings and makes us see the couple dipping into Jane Austen's plot. Between recordings and secret meetings, step by step Jax undermines the resistance of Penny and she in turn is achieving with her sweetness and sincerity win the heart of the famous actor.
I really like the writing of Katie Maccoy and I enjoyed the beginning and unroll of the plot , the friendship of the two slowly flowing to love, the scenes of passion and conflict, I just thought that the writer left a few pages to solve the story and I did not feel as many emotions as I imagined feeling , it was a bit strange Jax's speed in a scene at the end and it discouraged me a little, but even so I recommend the reading that is light and fluid permeated by cute and funny moments.
4/5 stars
Penny always preferred her comfort zone to venturing into the risk.Behaved and upright executive she sees her world turn upside down as she reencounters an old crush from the past Hollywood's current golden boy Jax.
Jax is willing to enter into a fake relationship to improve his image of partying boy and womanizer and get the role of passionate superhero in another movie . Jax does not believe in love and thinks that friendship is a strong and stable basis for a relationship, so when the shy Penny agrees to be his girlfriend for a short time while he records a new version of Pride and Prejudice, he believes both are in the same page.
But contrary to what both think this approach can yield deep and engaging moments of passion, love and many uncalculated risks. Katie manages to fit their romance into several moments of the film's recordings and makes us see the couple dipping into Jane Austen's plot. Between recordings and secret meetings, step by step Jax undermines the resistance of Penny and she in turn is achieving with her sweetness and sincerity win the heart of the famous actor.
I really like the writing of Katie Maccoy and I enjoyed the beginning and unroll of the plot , the friendship of the two slowly flowing to love, the scenes of passion and conflict, I just thought that the writer left a few pages to solve the story and I did not feel as many emotions as I imagined feeling , it was a bit strange Jax's speed in a scene at the end and it discouraged me a little, but even so I recommend the reading that is light and fluid permeated by cute and funny moments.
4/5 stars
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