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Not a Fairy Tale
And the award goes to…
Not Nina Alexander that’s for sure. With her best gracious loser face firmly in place, Hollywood’s hottest starlet is hoping to end her evening of disappointment with a graceful exit stage left. Only an unexpected proposal and an awkward wardrobe malfunction mean that this is certainly going to be a night to remember… for all the wrong reasons! So what girl would resist the gorgeous Dominic Kelly coming to her rescue?! Especially when he’s whisking her out of the paparazzi’s prying eyes on the back of his motorbike – and wearing a tux to rival James Bond!
Nina soon realises that the only way to recover from such a scandal is to toughen up and snag the role of the decade in the year’s hottest YA screen adaptation. Who better to train her than her very own professional stuntman? Getting up close and personal with Dom will take Nina well out of her comfort zone – both professionally and in her closely scrutinized private life. But this A-list couple know only too well that’s it not all happy ever afters in Hollywood…
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2015
20 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Romy Sommer
25 books126 followersRomy Sommer is the author of seven contemporary romance novels published by HarperCollins London, and she has also indie-published a further eight books, including "The Beginner's Guide to Writing Romance."
Romy was the founder and first Chairperson of ROSA (Romance writers Organisation of South Africa). Through ROSA, she discovered a passion for teaching and mentoring aspiring writers, and, after two decades in film production, became a full-time writing coach and developmental editor.
Though Romy's heart lies in Europe, she doesn't cope well with the cold, so she lives in sunny South Africa, in the City of Gold, Johannesburg, where she writes contemporary, feel-good fairy tale romances. She loves binge-watching foreign language Rom Coms on Netflix, travel and musical theatre. Her current obsession is romantic K-dramas.
Romy was the founder and first Chairperson of ROSA (Romance writers Organisation of South Africa). Through ROSA, she discovered a passion for teaching and mentoring aspiring writers, and, after two decades in film production, became a full-time writing coach and developmental editor.
Though Romy's heart lies in Europe, she doesn't cope well with the cold, so she lives in sunny South Africa, in the City of Gold, Johannesburg, where she writes contemporary, feel-good fairy tale romances. She loves binge-watching foreign language Rom Coms on Netflix, travel and musical theatre. Her current obsession is romantic K-dramas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 13, 2015
**My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**
Romy Sommer is fast becoming a must read author wherein as soon as I see that a new book is coming out, I am checking daily to see whether it has been released.
Romy has created another contemporary romance wherever Westerwald characters interact with the new characters.
Nina is an actress that does not win that award again and is very much looking to change her roles from Rom-Com to Action as there is a role that she would do anything to get.
Dom is a stunt man that worked on one of her films where she worked alongside Christian Taylor who has links to Westerwald. He is asked by Nina to help train her to become the person she needs to be in order to get the role.
Both have personalities that are strong and they know what they want, however whilst hiding from a scandal and in secret training for the role she wants, both Dom and Nina are living together, a new thing for them both, where they end up being more themselves than they have in a long time.
The intense training, their good looks and their passion soon turn into more, and both end up wanting more, but both have secrets they are keeping from each other.
We get shock announcements, lust, love and challenge with people finding their true selves and a rounded story that pulls you in and has you turning page after page.
I greatly anticipate the next book from this author.
Romy Sommer is fast becoming a must read author wherein as soon as I see that a new book is coming out, I am checking daily to see whether it has been released.
Romy has created another contemporary romance wherever Westerwald characters interact with the new characters.
Nina is an actress that does not win that award again and is very much looking to change her roles from Rom-Com to Action as there is a role that she would do anything to get.
Dom is a stunt man that worked on one of her films where she worked alongside Christian Taylor who has links to Westerwald. He is asked by Nina to help train her to become the person she needs to be in order to get the role.
Both have personalities that are strong and they know what they want, however whilst hiding from a scandal and in secret training for the role she wants, both Dom and Nina are living together, a new thing for them both, where they end up being more themselves than they have in a long time.
The intense training, their good looks and their passion soon turn into more, and both end up wanting more, but both have secrets they are keeping from each other.
We get shock announcements, lust, love and challenge with people finding their true selves and a rounded story that pulls you in and has you turning page after page.
I greatly anticipate the next book from this author.
May 23, 2017
I LOVED this book! It lured me in from the moment the heroine, Nina Alexander, doesn't win the Oscar she was nominated for, has to deal with an unexpected proposal and a wardrobe malfunction. Of course, it doesn't hurt that she is saved by a fabulously sexy hero, Dominic Kelly, the man every woman wants, but knows she should stay away from. Phenomenal chemistry and writing by the author. Recommended to anyone and EVERYONE who loves romance!
February 20, 2015
Not a Fairy Tale, Romy Sommer
Genre: Romance
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
I’ve read some of Romy’s novels and enjoyed them so looked forward to this one. I enjoy contemporary romance which has a bit of drama in it and this sounded great.
Nina, I liked her, was curious about her background as she’s clearly ambitious, and it seems to have started from events in her teens. She’s not the obnoxious career actress, the ones that treat others as lesser though. She and her PA get along well, though her agent and publicist were a bit advantageous whenever they chance arose. She’s after a role that she’s wanted since she first read the books many years back, but so far she’s had ditzy rom com parts, and not the kick arse type this one needs, so she has to show that she can do that. Dom agrees to train her, and they spend the next six weeks getting her fit and experienced at many different things. Dom’s a ladies man through and through, but Nina seems to be one of the few that he’s not moved in on. She’s sad in a way about that, he’s gorgeous and she’s long held a crush on him. Dom does like her, is attracted to her but thinks she deserves someone permanent, and he isn’t up for that. Love them and leave them is his motto and everyone knows that before they start.
Of course once the training gets more hands on so do they, and the steam quickly builds...Dom’s four sisters like her and try to push him forward, but they both agree its the six weeks while she’s there and then move on for them. Dom needs to take time off then for personal reasons which he keeps secret, and hopefully Nina will be involved in the new film. Best laid plans though...and they find they aren’t ready to let go but each think the other is happy to move on.
I really liked this read. It wasn’t as much film setting as I expected, and yet I didn’t miss that as Dom and his family and friends were such great characters. Poor Nina, my muscles ached for her when she began training, Dom certainly pushed her. He thought she’d give up, but she was tougher than an A lister usually is and surprised him. Being so close for weeks they both learned more about each other and themselves, and that was fun. I would have liked though a bit more drama, a bit more sadness at the end. That's me though – I like to wallow!
Stars: Four and a half, a really fun, light hearted read.
ARC provided by Netgalley and publishers.
January 15, 2021
This is a sweet & steamy romance. A modern classic. I loved Dom and Nina.
May 28, 2015
Nina Alexander is a famous actress who's been nominated for a prestigious award, but she doesn't win it. When on the same night her boyfriend asks her to marry her and she has to turn him down, because she doesn't love him, it can't get any worse. Only then there's a small problem with her dress... Fortunately stuntman Dominic Kelly rescues her. He takes Nina away on his motorbike so she can escape the paparazzi.
To rescue her career Nina needs a great role and she knows which one she wants. Only to get it she has to toughen up. She hires Dominic to train her, so she will be more than prepared for the auditions. Nina can stay at his home to escape the media for a while. Being with Dominic isn't easy, he makes her work very hard. She has to conquer her fears on both a professional and a personal level. She's starting to like Dominic more and more and the feeling is mutual. They're both beautiful, no strings attached people. Dominic is exactly what Nina needs, but is she also what he needs?
Not a Fairy Tale is a wonderful story about fame. Nina seems to have it all, but her life in the public domain can be exhausting. She leads quite a solitary life. Dominic is the exact opposite, he's hardly ever alone. Women love him and his sisters are taking good care of him. He always has company and everyone is happy to be around him. I liked these two opposites. Nina and Dominic are both people with a good heart and it was great to see them do things that were out of their comfort zones. The tension between them is such a great part of this book.
The story is highly entertaining and the main characters are fun. Romy Sommer has also managed to give her characters some depth and personal baggage, which makes Not a Fairy Tale an even better read. I liked this book a lot and think it's the perfect summer read. It has all the right ingredients and the execution is perfect.
To rescue her career Nina needs a great role and she knows which one she wants. Only to get it she has to toughen up. She hires Dominic to train her, so she will be more than prepared for the auditions. Nina can stay at his home to escape the media for a while. Being with Dominic isn't easy, he makes her work very hard. She has to conquer her fears on both a professional and a personal level. She's starting to like Dominic more and more and the feeling is mutual. They're both beautiful, no strings attached people. Dominic is exactly what Nina needs, but is she also what he needs?
Not a Fairy Tale is a wonderful story about fame. Nina seems to have it all, but her life in the public domain can be exhausting. She leads quite a solitary life. Dominic is the exact opposite, he's hardly ever alone. Women love him and his sisters are taking good care of him. He always has company and everyone is happy to be around him. I liked these two opposites. Nina and Dominic are both people with a good heart and it was great to see them do things that were out of their comfort zones. The tension between them is such a great part of this book.
The story is highly entertaining and the main characters are fun. Romy Sommer has also managed to give her characters some depth and personal baggage, which makes Not a Fairy Tale an even better read. I liked this book a lot and think it's the perfect summer read. It has all the right ingredients and the execution is perfect.
May 22, 2015
Not a Fairy Tale is, by far, my favourite book from this author. I didn't really know what to expect from the story as it broke most of the ties from the author's previous work, but I ended up really enjoying it.
With her other book there were always small things that niggled me. They were enjoyable, but they didn't hook me in the sense I found them hard to put down. However, Not a Fairy Tale had me wanting to read more. The only reason I put it down was to sleep. It had me turning the pages rapidly and I wanted to see how the relationship progressed, because really, who can say no to a hot stuntman?
As well as this I liked the characters in this book. The author did a good job with creating them and I enjoyed the fact she wrote Nina to be different from the usual celebrity stereotypes. She doesn't complain, gets on with things, has morals, and is determined to succeed. There are some moments where she comes across selfish and self-centred, but I'm glad she makes the right choices in the end. Similarly, Dom was a nice match for her. I loved how his sisters babied him and the connection he had with his family.
Moreover, I thought the book was paced well. From the romance, to stunt training I found it engaging and I was sucked into the author's world. It was slightly predictable, especially towards the end, but it didn't stop it from being a good read. It had a little bit of everything.
The only section I wanted more detail on was Nina's background. There are small hints throughout and then she comes clean in the end, but I would have liked slightly more emotion and detail. It felt a bit random for me.
Anyway, overall this was a great read. It's my favourite from this author so far and I would definitely recommend it.
With her other book there were always small things that niggled me. They were enjoyable, but they didn't hook me in the sense I found them hard to put down. However, Not a Fairy Tale had me wanting to read more. The only reason I put it down was to sleep. It had me turning the pages rapidly and I wanted to see how the relationship progressed, because really, who can say no to a hot stuntman?
As well as this I liked the characters in this book. The author did a good job with creating them and I enjoyed the fact she wrote Nina to be different from the usual celebrity stereotypes. She doesn't complain, gets on with things, has morals, and is determined to succeed. There are some moments where she comes across selfish and self-centred, but I'm glad she makes the right choices in the end. Similarly, Dom was a nice match for her. I loved how his sisters babied him and the connection he had with his family.
Moreover, I thought the book was paced well. From the romance, to stunt training I found it engaging and I was sucked into the author's world. It was slightly predictable, especially towards the end, but it didn't stop it from being a good read. It had a little bit of everything.
The only section I wanted more detail on was Nina's background. There are small hints throughout and then she comes clean in the end, but I would have liked slightly more emotion and detail. It felt a bit random for me.
Anyway, overall this was a great read. It's my favourite from this author so far and I would definitely recommend it.
February 16, 2015
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this reveiew copy. This is my honest review.
Before reading this book, I had not read anything by Romy Sommer, although I had been tempted to buy in the past. The first thing I did after finishing this story was buy the rest of her back catalogue, as I loved this so much.
Nina Alexander, is having a bad day, she doesn't win the Oscar she was nominated for, and then when her boyfriend proposes at the after-party, she turns him down infront of everyone. Dominic Kelly, stuntman, has a thing about rescuing damsels in distress, and guides her out of the party and to safety.
Nina, asks Dominic to help train her up, so she can stand a chance at getting the one film role she desperately wants, but that the directors aren't looking at her for, since she tends to star in rom-coms. This new role needs a harder, edgier, person with a different skill set.
Dominic agrees to help, and I loved reading all about the training regime he puts Nina on, from running, to martial arts, to trapeze, to stunt driving, all sorts of things an action star needs to be convincing at.
The chemistry between Dominic and Nina was sizzling, its the most affected I have been by the sexual tension between the stars of a book for years.
There is a whole cast of characters, including the rest of Dominic's stunt team, his many sisters and Nina's sister. However the main focus of the book, was the growing story between the leading heroes.
Not a Fairy Tale, is an enchanting sizzling, adult fairytale, that is very entertaining, and does have some hidden depths to it.
Before reading this book, I had not read anything by Romy Sommer, although I had been tempted to buy in the past. The first thing I did after finishing this story was buy the rest of her back catalogue, as I loved this so much.
Nina Alexander, is having a bad day, she doesn't win the Oscar she was nominated for, and then when her boyfriend proposes at the after-party, she turns him down infront of everyone. Dominic Kelly, stuntman, has a thing about rescuing damsels in distress, and guides her out of the party and to safety.
Nina, asks Dominic to help train her up, so she can stand a chance at getting the one film role she desperately wants, but that the directors aren't looking at her for, since she tends to star in rom-coms. This new role needs a harder, edgier, person with a different skill set.
Dominic agrees to help, and I loved reading all about the training regime he puts Nina on, from running, to martial arts, to trapeze, to stunt driving, all sorts of things an action star needs to be convincing at.
The chemistry between Dominic and Nina was sizzling, its the most affected I have been by the sexual tension between the stars of a book for years.
There is a whole cast of characters, including the rest of Dominic's stunt team, his many sisters and Nina's sister. However the main focus of the book, was the growing story between the leading heroes.
Not a Fairy Tale, is an enchanting sizzling, adult fairytale, that is very entertaining, and does have some hidden depths to it.
January 31, 2015
This is the story of Nina Alexander and Dominic Kelly. Nina is a rising star who needs Dom to train her so she can get her dream part in a movie.
Dominic is a stunt coordinator who has had an injury and is facing surgery when she comes to him with this request. They have worked together on set before so Nina feels safe asking him for help. She is also attracted to him and is more than happy to spend more time with him.
Soon Nina is the victim of a scandal when she turns down the current Hollywood studs proposal of marriage. She hides out at Dom's house while he starts her training. He introduces her to all of his stunt team, and they help him teach her and toughen her up.
Nina is very grateful to Dom for taking her on and training her for the role of a lifetime. She is staying at his house near the beach and it is getting harder to deny the spraks are flying between them.
As they get more involved they both learn that there are some secrets that can tear you apart and some distance you have to keep. Nina and Dom are meant to be together and they need to figure it out before it is just too late to repair.
I found this book to be better than I expected. The witty banter, the solid characters and their development, and the honesty in the story just plain moved me. This story is a book that follows To Catch a Star, and the characters connect and help you enjoy.
***This ARC copy was given FREE from Netgalley.com for an honest review. My opinion does not reflect Netgalley nor its affiliates.
Dominic is a stunt coordinator who has had an injury and is facing surgery when she comes to him with this request. They have worked together on set before so Nina feels safe asking him for help. She is also attracted to him and is more than happy to spend more time with him.
Soon Nina is the victim of a scandal when she turns down the current Hollywood studs proposal of marriage. She hides out at Dom's house while he starts her training. He introduces her to all of his stunt team, and they help him teach her and toughen her up.
Nina is very grateful to Dom for taking her on and training her for the role of a lifetime. She is staying at his house near the beach and it is getting harder to deny the spraks are flying between them.
As they get more involved they both learn that there are some secrets that can tear you apart and some distance you have to keep. Nina and Dom are meant to be together and they need to figure it out before it is just too late to repair.
I found this book to be better than I expected. The witty banter, the solid characters and their development, and the honesty in the story just plain moved me. This story is a book that follows To Catch a Star, and the characters connect and help you enjoy.
***This ARC copy was given FREE from Netgalley.com for an honest review. My opinion does not reflect Netgalley nor its affiliates.
January 15, 2018
I really enjoyed this read and thought that Romy Sommer did a good job with the characters and the story line. I look forward to what else Romy Sommer has in store for us with her future stories.
Nina Alexander is an actor that has been nominated for a prestigious award but ends up not getting it after all. When Nina goes to leave the award ceremony, her then boyfriend thinks that it is a good idea to ask her to marry him on the same night. Well, Nina has to tell him that she is not in love with him and turn him down. Just as Nina is trying to get away from the press, she has an embarrassing malfunction with her dress.
In comes Dominic Kelly, a stuntman, to save the day for Nina. He swoops in on his motorcycle and helps Nina get out of the public eye with her malfunctioning dress. Dominic and Nina end up talking and Nina decides to hire Dominic to help her with trying to land a role in a different genre than in the rom-com roles that she has been playing in. Dominic offers for Nina to stay at his house while they are training for her new role so that she can stay away from the paparazzi.
Dominic and Nina are pretty much total opposites. Nina likes to be alone and stays to herself where Dominic is always wanting to be around people and is the life of the party. Will these two be able to overcome their opposites and make a go at it? You will have to see how it ends for Nina and Dominic. I really enjoyed reading this story and couldn't put it down. Thanks for a great read Romy Sommer!
Nina Alexander is an actor that has been nominated for a prestigious award but ends up not getting it after all. When Nina goes to leave the award ceremony, her then boyfriend thinks that it is a good idea to ask her to marry him on the same night. Well, Nina has to tell him that she is not in love with him and turn him down. Just as Nina is trying to get away from the press, she has an embarrassing malfunction with her dress.
In comes Dominic Kelly, a stuntman, to save the day for Nina. He swoops in on his motorcycle and helps Nina get out of the public eye with her malfunctioning dress. Dominic and Nina end up talking and Nina decides to hire Dominic to help her with trying to land a role in a different genre than in the rom-com roles that she has been playing in. Dominic offers for Nina to stay at his house while they are training for her new role so that she can stay away from the paparazzi.
Dominic and Nina are pretty much total opposites. Nina likes to be alone and stays to herself where Dominic is always wanting to be around people and is the life of the party. Will these two be able to overcome their opposites and make a go at it? You will have to see how it ends for Nina and Dominic. I really enjoyed reading this story and couldn't put it down. Thanks for a great read Romy Sommer!
January 27, 2015
A well written and entertaining story.
Dominic and Nina are both successful Hollywood types (he's a well known stunt man and she's an A-list actress) who fall in love in spite of themselves. Although the dialogue was witty if I hadn't had this as an ARC I'm not sure I would have finished reading it, which as you can see from my rating would have been a shame. I found it hard to relate to Dominic and Nina a lot of the time as they both repeatedly said, and demonstrated (Nina's reaction towards her sister's desire to have a child didn't sit well with me at all), that they were selfish and self-indulgent people, and they both kept rather large and important parts of their lives secret. However, when they overcame these characteristics after each had worked their way into the others heart they were wonderful and their love story was sweet, sexy and romantic.
I also loved all of the supporting characters (especially Dom's sisters). Though be warned, although it can be read as a stand alone, this is part of a series! It was obvious from the repeated references made about him that Dom's friend Christian had a story somewhere (it's To Catch A Star) and, having not read it, I found this a bit distracting.
All in all an excellent read and one that I can highly recommend.
* ARC provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review *
Dominic and Nina are both successful Hollywood types (he's a well known stunt man and she's an A-list actress) who fall in love in spite of themselves. Although the dialogue was witty if I hadn't had this as an ARC I'm not sure I would have finished reading it, which as you can see from my rating would have been a shame. I found it hard to relate to Dominic and Nina a lot of the time as they both repeatedly said, and demonstrated (Nina's reaction towards her sister's desire to have a child didn't sit well with me at all), that they were selfish and self-indulgent people, and they both kept rather large and important parts of their lives secret. However, when they overcame these characteristics after each had worked their way into the others heart they were wonderful and their love story was sweet, sexy and romantic.
I also loved all of the supporting characters (especially Dom's sisters). Though be warned, although it can be read as a stand alone, this is part of a series! It was obvious from the repeated references made about him that Dom's friend Christian had a story somewhere (it's To Catch A Star) and, having not read it, I found this a bit distracting.
All in all an excellent read and one that I can highly recommend.
* ARC provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review *
February 24, 2015
I loved this story!
Nina is already a rising star in the world of Hollywood, but when the evening of the awards arrives her hopes are squashed into disappointment and mortification instead. Behind every star is a team trying to make them shine. So could this scandal be the perfect opportunity for Nina to show she's a serious contender for this years coveted role?
Dom is used to women and the craziness of the movie industry. So much so that he avoids life in the goldfish bowl of the media. But he can't help coming to Nina's rescue and agrees to help her gain the role of her dreams.
Dom pushes Nina to her limits and some of his own too. Nina won't give up and though she can't understand why Dom doesn't seem interested in her, it's not long until the sparks begin to fly and the tension between them sizzles.
The wonderful descriptions put me right into the thick of every one of Nina's challenges and the emotion behind them. There were times that I didn't agree with Nina's decisions, but that only added to the conflict and highlighted her driven ambition. It suited her life perfectly and her flaws made her more real. I absolutely adored Dom and I'm pretty sure I'd have done what he asked me too. A fabulous story!
Thank you Harper Impulse and Netgalley for the ARC received in return for an honest review.
Nina is already a rising star in the world of Hollywood, but when the evening of the awards arrives her hopes are squashed into disappointment and mortification instead. Behind every star is a team trying to make them shine. So could this scandal be the perfect opportunity for Nina to show she's a serious contender for this years coveted role?
Dom is used to women and the craziness of the movie industry. So much so that he avoids life in the goldfish bowl of the media. But he can't help coming to Nina's rescue and agrees to help her gain the role of her dreams.
Dom pushes Nina to her limits and some of his own too. Nina won't give up and though she can't understand why Dom doesn't seem interested in her, it's not long until the sparks begin to fly and the tension between them sizzles.
The wonderful descriptions put me right into the thick of every one of Nina's challenges and the emotion behind them. There were times that I didn't agree with Nina's decisions, but that only added to the conflict and highlighted her driven ambition. It suited her life perfectly and her flaws made her more real. I absolutely adored Dom and I'm pretty sure I'd have done what he asked me too. A fabulous story!
Thank you Harper Impulse and Netgalley for the ARC received in return for an honest review.
May 8, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary romance where A-List Hollywood actress Nina, and stunt-coordinator Dominic, end up working together. The setting is everything you want in a romance read – pure escapism. But the really clever thing here is that not only do we get that Hollywood-glitz that you would expect from the setting, Ms Sommers also shows us a very believable way of living in Hollywood. Her writing really shines and makes you feel as if you are there. I loved how the whole cast of characters brought their own brand of light and shade to the plot. But in particular, the main characters—Nina and Dom both shine through as reacting to their environments honestly. When Nina goes to Dom and asks him to help train her for a role she’s coveting it feels really natural. And, even better…it’s the perfect cue for lots of hands-on training and fab sexual tension! Their chemistry sizzles but the emotions that come with that pull towards each other aren’t fairytale at all—they deliciously cut to the core of who they are. I absolutely loved this romance and after finishing it couldn’t resist immediately buying up all Ms Sommer’s other titles :)
May 14, 2015
The latest in the Westerwald series is another cracker! There's is no need to have read any of the other books but it's nice to recognise the characters who make fleeting guest appearances from previous stories!
Not a Fairy Tale picks up the drama of Nina and Dom, two equally strong and interesting characters. Romy Sommer magics up another intriguing tale of two people trying to reinvent themselves whilst their smouldering passion threatens to jeopardise events. Nina is not the flippant actress which her movie roles portray and she enlists Dom's help to turn her into a Lara Croft style action heroine. We get a wonderful insight into the tests and tribulations of the stunt actor and there is a marvellous description of trapeze flying, where Nina discovers a place to escape her fears. Well structured and climatic, the plot drives ahead with plenty of humour liberally sprinkled with sadness and takes as many twists and turns as Dom's motorbike!! Climb aboard and enjoy the ride - well worth reading.
Not a Fairy Tale picks up the drama of Nina and Dom, two equally strong and interesting characters. Romy Sommer magics up another intriguing tale of two people trying to reinvent themselves whilst their smouldering passion threatens to jeopardise events. Nina is not the flippant actress which her movie roles portray and she enlists Dom's help to turn her into a Lara Croft style action heroine. We get a wonderful insight into the tests and tribulations of the stunt actor and there is a marvellous description of trapeze flying, where Nina discovers a place to escape her fears. Well structured and climatic, the plot drives ahead with plenty of humour liberally sprinkled with sadness and takes as many twists and turns as Dom's motorbike!! Climb aboard and enjoy the ride - well worth reading.
February 23, 2015
Thank you to Netgalley for this book for my honest review.
This is another New Author for me. I really enjoyed it.
So lets get to it. Basically you got Nina. She is having the worst day at the Oscar(no win, bad proposal) she to get away and fast. In steps sexy Dominic the stuntman. After that Nina asked for his help in getting her ready for a part in a upcoming movie she trying to land. This is where all the smoking chemistry gets cooking.
I really thought this was a cute story. Nina did piss me off at times, but not enough to hate her. I did like Dominic and his family(sisters) Nothing too serious here. Cute, fun read. I would recommend to my friends.
This is another New Author for me. I really enjoyed it.
So lets get to it. Basically you got Nina. She is having the worst day at the Oscar(no win, bad proposal) she to get away and fast. In steps sexy Dominic the stuntman. After that Nina asked for his help in getting her ready for a part in a upcoming movie she trying to land. This is where all the smoking chemistry gets cooking.
I really thought this was a cute story. Nina did piss me off at times, but not enough to hate her. I did like Dominic and his family(sisters) Nothing too serious here. Cute, fun read. I would recommend to my friends.
February 11, 2015
Two people from different worlds find love in this fairy tale romance. Nina is a starlet struggling to be taken seriously. Received a copy of Not a Fairy Tale by Romy Sommer for an honest review. Dominic is her knight in shining armor at a time when she needs a friend. Drawn to each other despite their differences will they make it work? Or will Nina and Dominic give up without even trying. Cute Story.
May 6, 2015
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved this! This was a fun read. I loved everything about it. It is a contemporary romance that just tugs at your heart strings. I finished it and just wanted to say awe. It was such a good read. I loved the characters and honestly just could not put it down.
April 28, 2016
Another lovely romance by Romy Sommer. This one is full of the glamour and glitz of Hollywood. However Dom and Nina both understand the challenge to maintain your position in the often brutal industry.
As usual, the story kept me smiling all along and I hope there is another installment very soon!
As usual, the story kept me smiling all along and I hope there is another installment very soon!
October 3, 2016
I really loved this book. The hero is amazing, and I'm still in love with him. The heroine needs to fire her staff. I know you can't be surrounded by 'yes'-people, but you need to have people who support you. But I love Nina, she has depth.
June 14, 2017
I loved the Westerwald series, starting with Waking up in Vegas, and Sommer hasn't disappointed with this one! Sexy stuntman and a determined actress? Makes for great reading!
August 31, 2017
It's no surprise this book was nominated for a RITA. Clever, nuanced characters, a vivid setting, and a conflict-packed plot that makes the stratospheric life of a celebrity real and relatable.
January 22, 2020
Fun read. Enjoyed it immensely.
April 12, 2020
Lovely romantic book
Lovely romantic book set against the backdrop of Hollywood. I fell in love with Dominic. A satisfying ending; great read.
Lovely romantic book set against the backdrop of Hollywood. I fell in love with Dominic. A satisfying ending; great read.
May 25, 2021
Caution, graphic sex.
June 12, 2021
Good beach read - entertaining story
June 15, 2022
Not A Fairy Tale
I don’t normally read romance, but this was such a sweet and fun story. It’s well written with a mix of humor, emotion and sexiness.
I don’t normally read romance, but this was such a sweet and fun story. It’s well written with a mix of humor, emotion and sexiness.
March 21, 2015
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'Not a Fairy Tale' is a romantic story set in glamorous Hollywood. Nina is an 'A' list actress, Oscar night, does not go as planned and when her Prince Charming offers her marriage, she runs in the opposite direction with the help of her very own knight in shining armour, Dominic.
Nina's life is not the fairy tale she hoped for. She lives alone, in a soulless, if secure environment with an entourage rather than family or friends. Her tragic past would make a good movie but she hides from it and doesn't share, until she runs into Dominic, the stunt professional who has problems of his own.
To cope with her disappointment and avoid the backlash of her humiliation at the Oscars, she hires Dominic to whip her into to shape for the female lead in the latest YA film sensation. She gains mental strength, in addition to her physical toughness and finds out the true meaning of friendship and family. Like all the best stories, there is an unexpected turn of events, which makes her run back to the life she knows , making the fairy tale ending you want for her unlikely.
Dominic is sexy but a commitment phobe. He agrees to help Nina on a whim but doesn't bargain for the life changing consequences. Is he destined to be broken hearted, or has he done enough to convince Nina they have a future together?
Beautifully written, the sexual tension between Nina and Dominic is delicious. When the passion finally explodes, it makes for some steamy love scenes. For me though, it was the romance, humour and misunderstanding that makes this such a winning story. Nina is likeable when she reveals her true self and Dominic is much more than the loveable rogue, he first appears to be.
The story's detail is authentic and makes the setting and lifestyle real and imaginable for the reader.
'Not a Fairy Tale' is a lovely, light hearted read, with great imagery and characters.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Romy Sommer
May 16, 2015
Nina is sick of playing the Rom Com klutzy chick. She wants a serious role and one is in pre-production that is perfect. The book is a movie adapted from a book and has angels and demons in a war and a kick-ass heroine that fights for herself and those she loves. Nina wants it badly but when she reads for it they say she’s too soft for the part. She decides to hire a stunt coordinator that she worked on a previous movie with to get her in shape.
Dominic Kelly has spent his life doing stunts and has loved it. He’s not sure why he decides to take Nina under his wing but he admires her drive. When he starts the training he doesn’t go easy on her and he admires her even more because she never, ever complains. He’s wanted her in his bed from almost the moment he saw her but as he says himself – he’s one step away from a man-whore and Nina is too good for him. That doesn’t stop the pair from finally falling into bed together and having a great time.
Nina and Dom decide that it’s just sex and it will work for them both as long as it works. When it becomes awkward then they’ll call it quits as neither one of them is looking for commitment – ever. Only…as they spend more time together each of them starts to fall in love with the other. Despite that neither one of them is ready to make a permanent move until the other comes clean about secrets in their lives and one big one might tear them apart forever.
This was an adorable story. I really loved Nina and Dom together even though there were times that I wanted to hit each of them. Secrets are never a good thing to keep and they each had theirs. On top of that I had a hard time with Nina at times as she would seem so good and wholesome one minute and then kind of a snob the next. I guess that’s what you get with some actresses, right? Despite that I really enjoyed reading their love story. It was sweet, sexy, fun and had just the right amount of angst thrown in to stir things up. This is a great book and one I definitely recommend.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Dominic Kelly has spent his life doing stunts and has loved it. He’s not sure why he decides to take Nina under his wing but he admires her drive. When he starts the training he doesn’t go easy on her and he admires her even more because she never, ever complains. He’s wanted her in his bed from almost the moment he saw her but as he says himself – he’s one step away from a man-whore and Nina is too good for him. That doesn’t stop the pair from finally falling into bed together and having a great time.
Nina and Dom decide that it’s just sex and it will work for them both as long as it works. When it becomes awkward then they’ll call it quits as neither one of them is looking for commitment – ever. Only…as they spend more time together each of them starts to fall in love with the other. Despite that neither one of them is ready to make a permanent move until the other comes clean about secrets in their lives and one big one might tear them apart forever.
This was an adorable story. I really loved Nina and Dom together even though there were times that I wanted to hit each of them. Secrets are never a good thing to keep and they each had theirs. On top of that I had a hard time with Nina at times as she would seem so good and wholesome one minute and then kind of a snob the next. I guess that’s what you get with some actresses, right? Despite that I really enjoyed reading their love story. It was sweet, sexy, fun and had just the right amount of angst thrown in to stir things up. This is a great book and one I definitely recommend.
Rating: 4 out of 5
February 8, 2015
When I first started reading this book I wasn’t sure I’d like it. Nina is throwing herself a full blown pity party to begin with, because she didn’t win the Oscar and boo-hoo that means everyone thinks she’s rubbish. I did have a hard time trying to believe that a type cast Rom-com actress earned an Oscar nomination, but what do I know?
Thankfully after her disastrous exit from the party, Nina becomes a lot more interesting and a lot less pitiful. Sure, she has a whole bunch of issues rattling around in her head about having to put on an act all the time and not trusting anyone to know the real her, but she’s gutsy and determined and fun and I liked her. I love how she throws herself into her training with Dom and how she always tries to get the best out of everything she does.
As for Dominic, well, all idiot injury ignoring moments aside, he’s a sexy, thrill ride of a guy who knows how to appreciate all of Nina’s finer qualities. He also has an army of sisters always on hand to baby him, so it’s no wonder he’s never bothered to settle down.
This is a fun book that embarks on a few unexpected adventures (trapeze anyone?) on the way to steamy scenes and eventual romance. I probably could have done with less double-standard brooding from Dom, but at least he knows he’s being stupid even as he sulks, and I did find the way a potentially contentious issue melted away was a bit convenient. However, small niggles aside this was a good read with a hint of Hollywood, plenty of guts and determination and an ending that ticked all kinds of happy, feel-good boxes.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Thankfully after her disastrous exit from the party, Nina becomes a lot more interesting and a lot less pitiful. Sure, she has a whole bunch of issues rattling around in her head about having to put on an act all the time and not trusting anyone to know the real her, but she’s gutsy and determined and fun and I liked her. I love how she throws herself into her training with Dom and how she always tries to get the best out of everything she does.
As for Dominic, well, all idiot injury ignoring moments aside, he’s a sexy, thrill ride of a guy who knows how to appreciate all of Nina’s finer qualities. He also has an army of sisters always on hand to baby him, so it’s no wonder he’s never bothered to settle down.
This is a fun book that embarks on a few unexpected adventures (trapeze anyone?) on the way to steamy scenes and eventual romance. I probably could have done with less double-standard brooding from Dom, but at least he knows he’s being stupid even as he sulks, and I did find the way a potentially contentious issue melted away was a bit convenient. However, small niggles aside this was a good read with a hint of Hollywood, plenty of guts and determination and an ending that ticked all kinds of happy, feel-good boxes.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
April 22, 2016
One of the few books I have devoured this year! Romy Sommer totally knocks this one out of the park!
The read had me enthralled from the first page. Good plot, great pacing, awesome characterization. I can't really explain more what made me turn the pages so fast on this one, but I was engrossed - which leads me to declare that this is one of those magical books that simply captivate you from the get go and keep you right there in the story until it is over...leaving you in tears that it's over, too.
Much, much recommended if you love contemporary, fresh romance!
The read had me enthralled from the first page. Good plot, great pacing, awesome characterization. I can't really explain more what made me turn the pages so fast on this one, but I was engrossed - which leads me to declare that this is one of those magical books that simply captivate you from the get go and keep you right there in the story until it is over...leaving you in tears that it's over, too.
Much, much recommended if you love contemporary, fresh romance!
November 2, 2016
New to me author and I really enjoyed it. I think it falls right in my favorite kind of romance - a modern story where the hero and heroine are both thinking they aren't good enough/what the other is looking for. You wait for that great lightbulb moment when they see what's before them. I liked the hero, Dom, more than the heroine. Her fear of being left didn't actually seem to fit with her family backstory to me but didn't take away from the book at all.
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