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Media Darling
Hayley Carpenter has always dreamed of being a famous screenwriter, but dreams don’t pay bills and LA living isn’t cheap. So when a temp position at a celebrity gossip magazine becomes available, she goes after it.
Emerson Sterling has been acting since she was little, but a rough patch as a teenager has given her a bad rap in Hollywood. Just when she thinks her dream role can turn around the public’s image of her, a conflict with her co-star and America’s Sweetheart, Rachel Blanche, puts her on the front cover of every magazine, the villain once again.
Rumors swirl that the starlets’ feud started in the bedroom, and Hayley accidentally overhears a conversation between Emerson and Rachel that could lead to the biggest scoop of her career. Will Hayley follow the story, or will her irresistible attraction to Emerson and the secrets Emerson is desperate to keep buried ruin both their careers...and their chance at love?
Emerson Sterling has been acting since she was little, but a rough patch as a teenager has given her a bad rap in Hollywood. Just when she thinks her dream role can turn around the public’s image of her, a conflict with her co-star and America’s Sweetheart, Rachel Blanche, puts her on the front cover of every magazine, the villain once again.
Rumors swirl that the starlets’ feud started in the bedroom, and Hayley accidentally overhears a conversation between Emerson and Rachel that could lead to the biggest scoop of her career. Will Hayley follow the story, or will her irresistible attraction to Emerson and the secrets Emerson is desperate to keep buried ruin both their careers...and their chance at love?
Audible Audio
Published November 14, 2018
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About the author
Fiona Riley
19 books343 followersFiona Riley was born and raised in New England where she is a medical professional and part-time professor when she isn’t bonding with her laptop over words. She went to college in Boston and never left, starting a small business that takes up all of her free time, much to the dismay of her ever patient and lovely wife. When she pulls herself away from her work, she likes to catch up on the contents of her ever-growing DVR or take a walk with her dog.
Fiona’s love for writing started at a young age and blossomed after she was published in a poetry competition at the ripe old age of twelve. She wrote lots of short stories and poetry for many years until it was time for college and a “real job.” Fiona found herself with a bachelor’s, a doctorate, and a day job, but felt like she had stopped nurturing the one relationship that had always made her feel the most complete: artist, dreamer, writer. A series of bizarre events afforded her with some unexpected extra time and she found herself reaching for her favorite blue notebook to write, never looking back.
Fiona’s love for writing started at a young age and blossomed after she was published in a poetry competition at the ripe old age of twelve. She wrote lots of short stories and poetry for many years until it was time for college and a “real job.” Fiona found herself with a bachelor’s, a doctorate, and a day job, but felt like she had stopped nurturing the one relationship that had always made her feel the most complete: artist, dreamer, writer. A series of bizarre events afforded her with some unexpected extra time and she found herself reaching for her favorite blue notebook to write, never looking back.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
April 2, 2019
'ARC provided by both NetGalley and The Publisher in exchange for a honest review'
**'No one says a book has to be one thing.It can be anything it want to be..Characters are never whole people but just those parts of them that fits the story or the piece of writing..'
Captivating read!
Atmospheric,poignant and searingly unique,'MEDIA DARLING' is also emotional and an engrossing saga to all the ups & down lifestyle of a screen actress being bombarded by unnecessary scandals,having to deal with unsolicited betrayal and maybe finding 'LOVE' unexpectedly. Ms.Riley does a masterful job of capturing the tension,the progress and the uncertainty through the eyes of each character when it came to her storytelling. The book even brings to life some behind-the-scenes happenings of the movie business and also the Hollywood shenanigans that appears in the headlines that can be interpreted as fact but sometimes are untrue. There are the usual reference to other well known actors,producers and directors but what Ms.Riley does vigorously is dive into the depth of everything pertaining to Emerson; the good and bad -- in quite a melodramatic way which i think makes this storyline more enjoyable and easier to get through. For Hayley,as she learns more about Emerson,the line between her resistance to her not appearing bias with what to publish and collaboration becomes blur,driving her to find the answers to some crucial questions: Who is the 'real' Emerson when they are intimate? And will they make it as a couple. The story is also filled with lots of believable characters like Tremont her PR,one of the only person that she trust and is tasked with keeping a watchful eye on all her surroundings. Then there is Rachel her ex that's bent on revenge because of being rebuff. Readers can easily spend much of the book obsessing over the identity of the 'leaker' to these headlines and when will Emerson gave the okay to all these revelations. But I urge readers to just give up these thoughts and let yourself go along for the ride because I guarantee the resolution to most things will be a nice surprise. Recommended to everyone!
**'No one says a book has to be one thing.It can be anything it want to be..Characters are never whole people but just those parts of them that fits the story or the piece of writing..'
Captivating read!
Atmospheric,poignant and searingly unique,'MEDIA DARLING' is also emotional and an engrossing saga to all the ups & down lifestyle of a screen actress being bombarded by unnecessary scandals,having to deal with unsolicited betrayal and maybe finding 'LOVE' unexpectedly. Ms.Riley does a masterful job of capturing the tension,the progress and the uncertainty through the eyes of each character when it came to her storytelling. The book even brings to life some behind-the-scenes happenings of the movie business and also the Hollywood shenanigans that appears in the headlines that can be interpreted as fact but sometimes are untrue. There are the usual reference to other well known actors,producers and directors but what Ms.Riley does vigorously is dive into the depth of everything pertaining to Emerson; the good and bad -- in quite a melodramatic way which i think makes this storyline more enjoyable and easier to get through. For Hayley,as she learns more about Emerson,the line between her resistance to her not appearing bias with what to publish and collaboration becomes blur,driving her to find the answers to some crucial questions: Who is the 'real' Emerson when they are intimate? And will they make it as a couple. The story is also filled with lots of believable characters like Tremont her PR,one of the only person that she trust and is tasked with keeping a watchful eye on all her surroundings. Then there is Rachel her ex that's bent on revenge because of being rebuff. Readers can easily spend much of the book obsessing over the identity of the 'leaker' to these headlines and when will Emerson gave the okay to all these revelations. But I urge readers to just give up these thoughts and let yourself go along for the ride because I guarantee the resolution to most things will be a nice surprise. Recommended to everyone!
November 8, 2018
This was a good solid book by Riley. I was actually saving this book for last since it was the one I was most looking forward to of Bold Strokes Books November releases. While I did enjoy this and expect most people will too, I’m a teeny tiny bit bummed that I didn’t love this like I had anticipated.
This is a celebrity romance. I’m always a big fan of that kind of storyline. The main story is about an A-list actress Emerson who is stuck in a scandal and needs a reporter she can tell her side to. Hayley is a rookie entertainment gossip reporter. It’s not what she wanted to do with her life, but it pays the bills. When she is asked by Emerson to write her side of the story, Hayley knows it’s a big deal. But what happens if feeling start to get involved?
Riley is fantastic at writing chemistry. You will find no lack of that in this book. The characters set off some sparks together that leads to some good steamy sex scenes. Riley knows how to write romance and I have no complaints here.
I did find myself liking both characters. I also enjoyed them together. I did feel like as a reader we are so much closer to Haley than Emerson. I think Emerson was not left to shine as much and was a little eclipsed by Haley’s character. Part of that reason, and other reviewers have mentioned this, is a few big scenes of Emerson’s happen “off screen” so to say. The book would talk about something big Emerson had to do like face off against the movie studio or have it out with an employee, but we didn’t get to see it. It was just told to us after. That was disappointing and I think it stopped me from connecting to Emerson as much as I wanted.
I can be very picky about how I like my angst scenes. Sometimes I love a good angsty book, other times I find myself rolling my eyes at forced or contrived angst. Unfortunately, I did find myself rolling my eyes at one point in this book. I felt like the angst was totally forced just to drag out the end of the story. Haley started to act unlike her character and it didn’t even make sense. I really enjoyed this story but these few issues did prevent me from loving it.
Even with a few bumps this was still a really good book. Riley is a great romantic author and it shows. If you are a romance fan or a Riley fan I don’t think you will be disappointed. Riley is an automatic read for me so I can’t wait to see where she’ll take us next.
An ARC was given to me by BSB for a honest review.
This is a celebrity romance. I’m always a big fan of that kind of storyline. The main story is about an A-list actress Emerson who is stuck in a scandal and needs a reporter she can tell her side to. Hayley is a rookie entertainment gossip reporter. It’s not what she wanted to do with her life, but it pays the bills. When she is asked by Emerson to write her side of the story, Hayley knows it’s a big deal. But what happens if feeling start to get involved?
Riley is fantastic at writing chemistry. You will find no lack of that in this book. The characters set off some sparks together that leads to some good steamy sex scenes. Riley knows how to write romance and I have no complaints here.
I did find myself liking both characters. I also enjoyed them together. I did feel like as a reader we are so much closer to Haley than Emerson. I think Emerson was not left to shine as much and was a little eclipsed by Haley’s character. Part of that reason, and other reviewers have mentioned this, is a few big scenes of Emerson’s happen “off screen” so to say. The book would talk about something big Emerson had to do like face off against the movie studio or have it out with an employee, but we didn’t get to see it. It was just told to us after. That was disappointing and I think it stopped me from connecting to Emerson as much as I wanted.
I can be very picky about how I like my angst scenes. Sometimes I love a good angsty book, other times I find myself rolling my eyes at forced or contrived angst. Unfortunately, I did find myself rolling my eyes at one point in this book. I felt like the angst was totally forced just to drag out the end of the story. Haley started to act unlike her character and it didn’t even make sense. I really enjoyed this story but these few issues did prevent me from loving it.
Even with a few bumps this was still a really good book. Riley is a great romantic author and it shows. If you are a romance fan or a Riley fan I don’t think you will be disappointed. Riley is an automatic read for me so I can’t wait to see where she’ll take us next.
An ARC was given to me by BSB for a honest review.
October 27, 2018
Hayley Carpenter has to cover a red carpet event for one of her colleagues. Her dream is to be a screenwriter but she has to make a living so writing for a gossip magazine is where she’s at. Emerson Sterling is in the news but not for her acting skill. A brief dalliance has the other party, Rachel, spewing accusations to anybody who will listen. Accidently eavesdropping, Hayley overhears an argument between Rachel and Emerson.
This is well-written with great pace and lots of witty dialogue. I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read by Riley and this one is no exception but I haven’t enjoyed it as much as some of her others. Hayley is an interesting, quick-witted character with lots of depth to her. I didn’t feel quite the same about Emerson. I think that the most interesting parts about her were off page and I can’t help the feeling that it was a missed opportunity.
It is still a really good read, lovely romance and easy to recommend even though I was slightly disappointed. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
This is well-written with great pace and lots of witty dialogue. I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read by Riley and this one is no exception but I haven’t enjoyed it as much as some of her others. Hayley is an interesting, quick-witted character with lots of depth to her. I didn’t feel quite the same about Emerson. I think that the most interesting parts about her were off page and I can’t help the feeling that it was a missed opportunity.
It is still a really good read, lovely romance and easy to recommend even though I was slightly disappointed. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
September 17, 2021
Secrets.
This is by far the best Riley book I've read / listened to and there's 101 reasons why I love it. First of all, let me put it out there that I have a guilty pleasure for some tropes and the celebrity trope is one of them. Emerson is the famous actress riddled with scandals and secrets that are about to be exposed. Hayley is part of the media and is tasked to cover Emerson's side of the story. I love just how naturally Emerson and Hayley get together without either of them trying too hard to avoid falling in love. I love how they both talk and banter and are so comfortable with each other. I appreciate how Riley avoids creating contrived trust issues between the characters despite betrayal being something so raw for Emerson. And I love how Emerson doesn't just prioritise Hayley above herself, but she also places Hayley above everyone else.
I just love them together. In fact, I got so caught up with it, I forgot that Riley chose to skip over several big moments in Emerson's life and that Hayley never got to spend time with Emerson's family. But it's just one of those books that feels so good and perfect to me, you know? Plus I listened to Lori Prince narrate the love scenes to perfection. How does she do it?
This is by far the best Riley book I've read / listened to and there's 101 reasons why I love it. First of all, let me put it out there that I have a guilty pleasure for some tropes and the celebrity trope is one of them. Emerson is the famous actress riddled with scandals and secrets that are about to be exposed. Hayley is part of the media and is tasked to cover Emerson's side of the story. I love just how naturally Emerson and Hayley get together without either of them trying too hard to avoid falling in love. I love how they both talk and banter and are so comfortable with each other. I appreciate how Riley avoids creating contrived trust issues between the characters despite betrayal being something so raw for Emerson. And I love how Emerson doesn't just prioritise Hayley above herself, but she also places Hayley above everyone else.
I just love them together. In fact, I got so caught up with it, I forgot that Riley chose to skip over several big moments in Emerson's life and that Hayley never got to spend time with Emerson's family. But it's just one of those books that feels so good and perfect to me, you know? Plus I listened to Lori Prince narrate the love scenes to perfection. How does she do it?
November 1, 2018
What an extraordinary story that I wanted to start all over again when it was finished. WOW!
Haley wants to be a screenwriter in LA but unfortunately that’s a hard gig to land in Hollywood so she works for a gossip rag and her big break fell into her lap after the talent (not to mention stunning) actress Emerson agrees to do a tell all interview with her. Emerson has always been in the limelight from a young age but now she’s been thrusted into the gossip columns after her supposed tryst with a fellow actress. But Emerson is more worried about the fall out for her family and Haley is the only one she trusts to set the record straight.
The first two words that come to mind when I think about this book is ‘chemistry’ and ‘connection’. Together Emerson and Haley have it in spades. It truely is a case of these two being better together than apart because when they had page time together it was like it was always meant to be.
The serendipitous way they met was exciting and made me feel from the very beginning that this book would be filled with not only love and chemistry but adventure and fun. There was no point in the book where I didn’t think these two wouldn’t make it because everything about them is meant to be.
I think one of Fiona Rileys biggest strengths in this book was portraying the people behind the glitz and glamour. It gave a heightened level of angst at some parts and keep me clued to the page. Also I laughed more than once… just wait to you meet, Stan.
Once again Fiona Riley has blown me away in the bedroom department… or you know, the floor, kitchen or anywhere Emerson and Haley could get their hands on each other. I reckon her sex scenes are getting hotter and hotter with every book.
I am so very excited about people reading this book because it is very special and everything about it makes it sit rather close to the top of my all time favourites.
5 stars.
Haley wants to be a screenwriter in LA but unfortunately that’s a hard gig to land in Hollywood so she works for a gossip rag and her big break fell into her lap after the talent (not to mention stunning) actress Emerson agrees to do a tell all interview with her. Emerson has always been in the limelight from a young age but now she’s been thrusted into the gossip columns after her supposed tryst with a fellow actress. But Emerson is more worried about the fall out for her family and Haley is the only one she trusts to set the record straight.
The first two words that come to mind when I think about this book is ‘chemistry’ and ‘connection’. Together Emerson and Haley have it in spades. It truely is a case of these two being better together than apart because when they had page time together it was like it was always meant to be.
The serendipitous way they met was exciting and made me feel from the very beginning that this book would be filled with not only love and chemistry but adventure and fun. There was no point in the book where I didn’t think these two wouldn’t make it because everything about them is meant to be.
I think one of Fiona Rileys biggest strengths in this book was portraying the people behind the glitz and glamour. It gave a heightened level of angst at some parts and keep me clued to the page. Also I laughed more than once… just wait to you meet, Stan.
Once again Fiona Riley has blown me away in the bedroom department… or you know, the floor, kitchen or anywhere Emerson and Haley could get their hands on each other. I reckon her sex scenes are getting hotter and hotter with every book.
I am so very excited about people reading this book because it is very special and everything about it makes it sit rather close to the top of my all time favourites.
5 stars.
November 15, 2018
Who loves celebrity love stories!? I do!
For this Fiona Riley original, we follow Hayley Carpenter, a writer who's current gig is at a gossip magazine, and Emerson Sterling, a talented actress as glitzy as her name. Hayley and Emerson make a connection early on and once they start communicating one-on-one, their attraction is immutable.
Emerson's mysterious, hot, and not pretentious. Crush material! Hayley's character's pretty reasonable on her own, too, to be the sort straight-woman (in personality, not sexuality lol) in a world of excess and exposure.
Riley built a believable, suffocating environment for the famous life and I appreciated that. How their attraction slow-burned into lust and eventual love really tickled my romantic heartstrings. Their love scenes are hot. Very hot. Fiona Riley knows her way around a love story.
My star off would be for the obligatory drama portion, where some of the characters' personalities took a downward turn. Also, the way some of the characters spoke seemed not as natural as it could be. In addition, there are certain issues that happens on the side. While I appreciated avoiding those awkward situations, their absence minimized their importance. Read this for the lovey bits, not for the backstory there.
Another please, Riley! Four stars.
☆The copy provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. in exchange for an honest review.☆
For this Fiona Riley original, we follow Hayley Carpenter, a writer who's current gig is at a gossip magazine, and Emerson Sterling, a talented actress as glitzy as her name. Hayley and Emerson make a connection early on and once they start communicating one-on-one, their attraction is immutable.
Emerson's mysterious, hot, and not pretentious. Crush material! Hayley's character's pretty reasonable on her own, too, to be the sort straight-woman (in personality, not sexuality lol) in a world of excess and exposure.
Riley built a believable, suffocating environment for the famous life and I appreciated that. How their attraction slow-burned into lust and eventual love really tickled my romantic heartstrings. Their love scenes are hot. Very hot. Fiona Riley knows her way around a love story.
My star off would be for the obligatory drama portion, where some of the characters' personalities took a downward turn. Also, the way some of the characters spoke seemed not as natural as it could be. In addition, there are certain issues that happens on the side. While I appreciated avoiding those awkward situations, their absence minimized their importance. Read this for the lovey bits, not for the backstory there.
Another please, Riley! Four stars.
☆The copy provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. in exchange for an honest review.☆
November 12, 2018
This is another page turner by Fiona Riley. It's well written and well paced with interesting main characters that have great chemistry together. The author has a knack for writing seductive scenes, so the temperature in the room definitely went up a degree or two several times. In fact I've noticed that the sex scenes in this book are more explicit than in her previous books and I am all for it!
The story also includes some very interesting secondary characters. Some of whom are cause for a chuckle or two, though I wouldn't call the book humorous.
There are one or two hiccups however. In the first 3 chapters we're introduced to a dozen different names which can be very distracting sometimes. Luckily only a handful were worth remembering. (Yes I counted because I'm a nerd and take notes.)
I also feel, like other reviewers have pointed out, that the author missed a great opportunity by having a very important family matter dealt with outside of the narrative.
Luckily I had been warned that I would be rolling my eyes at certain points, so inconsistencies in the behavior of certain characters didn't faze me too much.
This is definitely worth a read. Full 4* rating.
The story also includes some very interesting secondary characters. Some of whom are cause for a chuckle or two, though I wouldn't call the book humorous.
There are one or two hiccups however. In the first 3 chapters we're introduced to a dozen different names which can be very distracting sometimes. Luckily only a handful were worth remembering. (Yes I counted because I'm a nerd and take notes.)
I also feel, like other reviewers have pointed out, that the author missed a great opportunity by having a very important family matter dealt with outside of the narrative.
Luckily I had been warned that I would be rolling my eyes at certain points, so inconsistencies in the behavior of certain characters didn't faze me too much.
This is definitely worth a read. Full 4* rating.
March 29, 2019
That was a GOOD one :)
November 16, 2018
Another Hollywood trope and I like it. Actually, this is my favorite from the author so far.
I like that they were friends first.
Both Hayley and Emerson are cautious with each other from the beginning.
Hayley being a reporter, a rag reporter to be exact.
Emerson has been dealing with a lot of rumors and bad reputation surrounding her.
How can Emerson trust Hayley with her story?
The more that they spend time together the more they realized they were a match.
Hmmmm, it’s good but not enough to make it five stars. Something is holding me back.
There’s a twist but I felt it was not really executed well. Maybe I was expecting more?
Nonetheless, it was a solid read. A bit angsty.
A lot of cute and sweet moments.
3.75-4.25
I like that they were friends first.
Both Hayley and Emerson are cautious with each other from the beginning.
Hayley being a reporter, a rag reporter to be exact.
Emerson has been dealing with a lot of rumors and bad reputation surrounding her.
How can Emerson trust Hayley with her story?
The more that they spend time together the more they realized they were a match.
Hmmmm, it’s good but not enough to make it five stars. Something is holding me back.
There’s a twist but I felt it was not really executed well. Maybe I was expecting more?
Nonetheless, it was a solid read. A bit angsty.
A lot of cute and sweet moments.
3.75-4.25
March 10, 2019
I really dig the way Fiona Riley writes contemporary romances because they’re sexy and flirty with a whole lot of feelings, and Media Darling is no exception. Celebrity romances are also my jam, so I was sold on the premise even before I picked up the book and was totally hooked all the way through.
https://www.thelesbianreview.com/medi...
https://www.thelesbianreview.com/medi...
November 7, 2018
A-List Hollywood actor Emerson Sterling and Celebrity Gossip Columnist Hayley Carpenter meet in an unusual way and it almost ended before it began. But then there wouldn’t have been Media Darling.
Author Fiona Riley takes us into the world of glamourous movie stars and the endless pursuit of the media for gossip and intrigue. And when it comes to gossip, there is plenty of action around former bad-girl Emerson. On the eve of her latest, biggest and most important movie project to date, she is the target of a smear campaign started by disgruntled (and recently sacked) co-star and ex-lover Rachel. Hayley has been sent out by her boss to get some dirt on the two.
After that rocky red carpet encounter, Hayley (to her big surprise) gets hired by the Emerson camp to make some positive noise in the form of a set of short feature stories to be published just before the movie premieres. This puts them together a lot and - as you can guess - during these meetings something deeper develops.
Fiona Riley knows how the write chemistry and we had a lovely build-up to wat becomes a steamy romance. The plot goes along fairly traditional lines. There’s a baddy, a gay best friend, trying to keep things on the down-low whilst living in a fish bowl is impossible, the pressure and insane demands of the outside world, the soul destroying price of fame, a drama waiting in the wings. The author shows us the rotten side of the industry and I thought that was an interesting angle.
I was not so impressed however by the plot contrivance to inject tension into the romance. Hayley was so constant throughout the book, but around the dreaded 85% mark…
Also, some very important happenings surrounding Emerson got dealt with off camera. I felt the author missed out on some emotionally laden key scenes that could have given Ms. Sterling more depth.
f/f explicit
Themes: beautiful people, Hollywood, celeb, paparazzi, media gossip, blackmail, living in the public eye, a cabin on a lake, being vulnerable.
4 stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for an honest review.
Author Fiona Riley takes us into the world of glamourous movie stars and the endless pursuit of the media for gossip and intrigue. And when it comes to gossip, there is plenty of action around former bad-girl Emerson. On the eve of her latest, biggest and most important movie project to date, she is the target of a smear campaign started by disgruntled (and recently sacked) co-star and ex-lover Rachel. Hayley has been sent out by her boss to get some dirt on the two.
After that rocky red carpet encounter, Hayley (to her big surprise) gets hired by the Emerson camp to make some positive noise in the form of a set of short feature stories to be published just before the movie premieres. This puts them together a lot and - as you can guess - during these meetings something deeper develops.
Fiona Riley knows how the write chemistry and we had a lovely build-up to wat becomes a steamy romance. The plot goes along fairly traditional lines. There’s a baddy, a gay best friend, trying to keep things on the down-low whilst living in a fish bowl is impossible, the pressure and insane demands of the outside world, the soul destroying price of fame, a drama waiting in the wings. The author shows us the rotten side of the industry and I thought that was an interesting angle.
I was not so impressed however by the plot contrivance to inject tension into the romance. Hayley was so constant throughout the book, but around the dreaded 85% mark…
Also, some very important happenings surrounding Emerson got dealt with off camera. I felt the author missed out on some emotionally laden key scenes that could have given Ms. Sterling more depth.
f/f explicit
Themes: beautiful people, Hollywood, celeb, paparazzi, media gossip, blackmail, living in the public eye, a cabin on a lake, being vulnerable.
4 stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for an honest review.
November 2, 2018
Emerson Sterling is a famous actress with a bad-girl reputation. Hayley Carpenter is a celebrity gossip journalist whose dream is to be a screen writer. When their paths cross in an awkward situation, they start to form a bond which evolves into something deeper. But Hayley soon learns the high price to pay behind the apparent glamour of celebrity life.
I have to admit that I don't care much about celebrity lifestyle but this book got me hooked from the start because it's so much more than a relationship between a celebrity and an ordinary person. This is a sweet romance with the addition of a critique of the media role in their portrayal of celebrities. Both main characters, Emerson and Hayley, are multi-layered with their personalities well defined. Their chemistry is absolutely off the charts, Ms. Riley has done a great job at building their attraction slowly but surely. Some of the scenes of them together are cute and others are very sensual, that variety makes the romance even more enjoyable.
The secondary characters are well rounded, specially both mains' best friends, Alison and Tremont. The setting of the story is very well written, the descriptions of the places in both LA and Maine are beautifully portrayed. The dialogues are very well written, sometimes funny and witty, others seriously deep and moving.
The plot is tightly woven, Ms. Riley has got the ebb and flow of the tension perfectly. Even though there is a good deal of drama, the conflict doesn't feel contrived or artificially created, on the contrary, it makes sense and seems the logical consequence of the chain of events. Many readers are going to like the fact that the author takes her time to finish the book after the conflict is solved. The story has a perfect length, neither is rushed nor stretched.
Overall, an entertaining, poignant and romantic story with a side of social critique to celebrity culture and the media. 5 stars.
ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
I have to admit that I don't care much about celebrity lifestyle but this book got me hooked from the start because it's so much more than a relationship between a celebrity and an ordinary person. This is a sweet romance with the addition of a critique of the media role in their portrayal of celebrities. Both main characters, Emerson and Hayley, are multi-layered with their personalities well defined. Their chemistry is absolutely off the charts, Ms. Riley has done a great job at building their attraction slowly but surely. Some of the scenes of them together are cute and others are very sensual, that variety makes the romance even more enjoyable.
The secondary characters are well rounded, specially both mains' best friends, Alison and Tremont. The setting of the story is very well written, the descriptions of the places in both LA and Maine are beautifully portrayed. The dialogues are very well written, sometimes funny and witty, others seriously deep and moving.
The plot is tightly woven, Ms. Riley has got the ebb and flow of the tension perfectly. Even though there is a good deal of drama, the conflict doesn't feel contrived or artificially created, on the contrary, it makes sense and seems the logical consequence of the chain of events. Many readers are going to like the fact that the author takes her time to finish the book after the conflict is solved. The story has a perfect length, neither is rushed nor stretched.
Overall, an entertaining, poignant and romantic story with a side of social critique to celebrity culture and the media. 5 stars.
ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
November 8, 2018
I am a sucker for Celebrity Romance stories. I think because I can understand how they could have a hard time finding love. Riley does a very good job with this story line to make it unique and entertaining. Not only is the story line good, but the love connection is electric. In Riley's previous books she does an excellent job creating that chemistry that is needed in a romance novel and Media Darling is no exception. This chemistry makes for some steamy sex scenes (not a ton of them, but just enough).
This one took me a little longer to read for some reason. It could be that I was on edge the entire time I was reading it. I would have to take periodic breaks just to calm my nerves. If you love some suspense in your romance, this book will do the trick for you. My only complaint is that it the ending seems a tad bit rushed. It does work in the grand scheme of things because of the timeline of the story.
I wouldn't say this is my favorite Riley book but it for sure is a solid read. 4.25 stars for me.
This one took me a little longer to read for some reason. It could be that I was on edge the entire time I was reading it. I would have to take periodic breaks just to calm my nerves. If you love some suspense in your romance, this book will do the trick for you. My only complaint is that it the ending seems a tad bit rushed. It does work in the grand scheme of things because of the timeline of the story.
I wouldn't say this is my favorite Riley book but it for sure is a solid read. 4.25 stars for me.
December 8, 2018
A mixed read for me. I have always loved reading celebrity romance, especially Hollywood romance. But for the life of me, I just couldn’t connect with this book. Maybe it’s because I read the book at the wrong timing (hectic week for me with work commitments) and took a longer time to finish the book. I simply wasn’t sucked in with the story/plot. With lots of positive reviews on this book and Hollywood romance being my one great love, I’ll likely give this book another go in the not so distant future ☺️
October 19, 2018
I have to start with saying Fiona Riley is easily one of my favorite authors and this book does not disappoint. In Media Darling, we are given the story of Hayley (an aspiring screenwriter) and Emerson (an actress). Hayley accidentally stumbles upon a conversation between Emerson and Rachel (her ex co-star/feuding ex-gf) which could be her big break. One thing leads to another and Hayley, who is writing for a celebrity gossip magazine, finds herself with the chance to tell Emerson’s side of the feud and her secret before Rachel does.
Hayley is very likeable from the start and while I thought (keyword here) Emerson’s character was going to come off as pretentious, Riley finds a way to make her seem like a real person with real flaws. She shines a light on Emerson’s profession that shows it is not all glitz and glamor and that they deal with the same struggles anyone else does. The process of uncovering Emerson’s secret makes her character vulnerable and even more relatable.
If there is one thing Riley excels at it would be playful banter and sex scenes. The chemistry between Haley and Emerson jumps off the page. There’s also a cast of supporting characters both good and evil, that fit perfectly into the story. Especially Stan the Moose, I think I need my own Stan.
I definitely recommend this book. It is a sweet romance, with some angst, humor, a secret that fits the storyline perfectly and an HEA. You really can’t go wrong. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hayley is very likeable from the start and while I thought (keyword here) Emerson’s character was going to come off as pretentious, Riley finds a way to make her seem like a real person with real flaws. She shines a light on Emerson’s profession that shows it is not all glitz and glamor and that they deal with the same struggles anyone else does. The process of uncovering Emerson’s secret makes her character vulnerable and even more relatable.
If there is one thing Riley excels at it would be playful banter and sex scenes. The chemistry between Haley and Emerson jumps off the page. There’s also a cast of supporting characters both good and evil, that fit perfectly into the story. Especially Stan the Moose, I think I need my own Stan.
I definitely recommend this book. It is a sweet romance, with some angst, humor, a secret that fits the storyline perfectly and an HEA. You really can’t go wrong. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 29, 2018
What an enjoyable read with characters that are easy to like and you want to see happy. Emerson Sterling, is a successful screen actress with a "bad girl" image and a big secret. Haley Carpenter, dreams of being a screenwriter. This was such a fun read with mild angst throughout and engaging dialogue. Hayley overhears an argument between Rachel (bad news with a grudge) and Emerson. Hayley comes to Emerson's defense in a very unique way. Emerson appreciates and remembers her. From there, with witty dialogue and supportive family and friends, the two women grow closer. The behind the screen look at the life of a celebrity and the workings of the gossip columnist was interesting yet unsettling.
ARC provided with thanks from BoldStrokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley.
ARC provided with thanks from BoldStrokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley.
November 11, 2018
I enjoyed thoroughly reading the story of Hayley and Emerson. It was really beautiful. It was a good book. Sadly it was only good when it could have been great. For example I don't get why all problems with the ex from hell were solved in a few paragraphs.
unfinished
March 12, 2020I really should have abandoned this much sooner than I did. I kept holding out hope that the main characters would stop being such disempowered wretches and it just never happened. I mostly liked them and Emerson's backstory is an intriguing one, I think. And the two had great chemistry and I liked their relationship and its progression towards trust and caring.
But the whole plot frustrated the crap out of me. Rachel, the antagonist, is a scheming, manipulative, lying mean-girl stereotype and she has success after success despite everyone knowing the kind of scheming jerk she is. And her little reporter cohort is way too persistent in doing her bidding in the nastiest ways, too. So the entire story you have both main characters under this Rachel-shaped cloud, feeling helpless and hopeless and I just got sick of it.
And it doesn't help that the author pulls a bunch of weird and unnecessary delays in Emerson relaying vital information to Hayley. We get chapters of Emerson thinking "I trust her, I'm going to tell her, we need to get a move on getting our story out before Rachel drops the bomb" only to have her delay again and again and for entire days to go by in-story without her actually conveying the key information.
And the effect of this was to give me the feeling that the author was manipulating the main characters for purposes of story-drama. Which also explains Rachel's dominating success. And why all the allies that Emerson should have had, allies who have a financial stake in taking Rachel down sooner than later, do absolutely nothing to help along the way.
I finally abandoned this once I realized I didn't care any more to see them take Rachel down. I felt like it was the author propping her up all this time anyway, so it wasn't really the characters having a success so much as the author finally letting them pull the plug. I liked their relationship as it stood and didn't really need to see that progress any farther, either.
If your main entry to the story is the main characters and the weaknesses in the surrounding plot don't bother you too much, then you'll probably like this. Hayley and Emerson are lovely and make a great match and I loved seeing them get to know one another and find in each other that perfect fit.
No rating on this one for . . . reasons. It's complicated. Which is why there's a link...
But the whole plot frustrated the crap out of me. Rachel, the antagonist, is a scheming, manipulative, lying mean-girl stereotype and she has success after success despite everyone knowing the kind of scheming jerk she is. And her little reporter cohort is way too persistent in doing her bidding in the nastiest ways, too. So the entire story you have both main characters under this Rachel-shaped cloud, feeling helpless and hopeless and I just got sick of it.
And it doesn't help that the author pulls a bunch of weird and unnecessary delays in Emerson relaying vital information to Hayley. We get chapters of Emerson thinking "I trust her, I'm going to tell her, we need to get a move on getting our story out before Rachel drops the bomb" only to have her delay again and again and for entire days to go by in-story without her actually conveying the key information.
And the effect of this was to give me the feeling that the author was manipulating the main characters for purposes of story-drama. Which also explains Rachel's dominating success. And why all the allies that Emerson should have had, allies who have a financial stake in taking Rachel down sooner than later, do absolutely nothing to help along the way.
I finally abandoned this once I realized I didn't care any more to see them take Rachel down. I felt like it was the author propping her up all this time anyway, so it wasn't really the characters having a success so much as the author finally letting them pull the plug. I liked their relationship as it stood and didn't really need to see that progress any farther, either.
If your main entry to the story is the main characters and the weaknesses in the surrounding plot don't bother you too much, then you'll probably like this. Hayley and Emerson are lovely and make a great match and I loved seeing them get to know one another and find in each other that perfect fit.
No rating on this one for . . . reasons. It's complicated. Which is why there's a link...
November 24, 2018
Happy Place
Reading this was a happy place for me.
A reporter is assigned to tell the real story behind an actress after someone attempts a smear campaign.
The characters were well developed. I really liked them all. The relationship blossomed with authenticity. I sincerely believed in their feelings and insecurities.
The book was lengthy and I loved it. I wish I could've spent more time with them.
Two things prevented a five star for me. One, I was a little put off with the number of times the author used "All the..." For example "All the food." 'All the feelings" "All the kisses." Maybe not those exactly, but you get the idea. Two, I just didn't get one of the characters change of mind toward the end. It felt like just a plot device to add additional drama. I'm all for drama, but only when it is believable. And this had me scratching my head.
But those were just tiny and nitpicky things. Overall, I really loved this story. It felt different than other celebrity type stories I have read. In a very good way.
Reading this was a happy place for me.
A reporter is assigned to tell the real story behind an actress after someone attempts a smear campaign.
The characters were well developed. I really liked them all. The relationship blossomed with authenticity. I sincerely believed in their feelings and insecurities.
The book was lengthy and I loved it. I wish I could've spent more time with them.
Two things prevented a five star for me. One, I was a little put off with the number of times the author used "All the..." For example "All the food." 'All the feelings" "All the kisses." Maybe not those exactly, but you get the idea. Two, I just didn't get one of the characters change of mind toward the end. It felt like just a plot device to add additional drama. I'm all for drama, but only when it is believable. And this had me scratching my head.
But those were just tiny and nitpicky things. Overall, I really loved this story. It felt different than other celebrity type stories I have read. In a very good way.
November 1, 2018
I absolutely fell in love with 'Media Darling' by Fiona Riley. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Ms. Riley has created a perfect contemporary romance that is sweet, steamy and chock full of electrifying romance.
Hayley wants to be a screenwriter, but those jobs are scarce in Hollywood, so she works as a reporter at a Hollywood gossip magazine. Emerson has been an actress since she was a child and is now finishing up her dream role that she hopes will make everyone see her as a serious actress and improve her seriously tarnished image from her teen years. A conflict with a co-star, however, puts her back in the world's eyes as a villain and also threatens the privacy of her family. After Emerson and Haley meet, Emerson feels that only Hayley can write the true story about her past and what happened with the co-star. This draws Hayley and Emerson together, but at what cost for Hayley?
I believe the chemistry between the two main characters is what makes this story so strong. When the two are together, the reader can almost feel the sparks. This connections begins the first moment the two see each other for the first time and only gets stronger throughout the story.
I also learned a great deal about life behind the scenes in the film industry. Not only did Ms. Riley do an excellent job with the characters in the story, but the setting and plot were superb. I just loved the story and I can recommend it to any romance lover.
I received an ARC from Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Hayley wants to be a screenwriter, but those jobs are scarce in Hollywood, so she works as a reporter at a Hollywood gossip magazine. Emerson has been an actress since she was a child and is now finishing up her dream role that she hopes will make everyone see her as a serious actress and improve her seriously tarnished image from her teen years. A conflict with a co-star, however, puts her back in the world's eyes as a villain and also threatens the privacy of her family. After Emerson and Haley meet, Emerson feels that only Hayley can write the true story about her past and what happened with the co-star. This draws Hayley and Emerson together, but at what cost for Hayley?
I believe the chemistry between the two main characters is what makes this story so strong. When the two are together, the reader can almost feel the sparks. This connections begins the first moment the two see each other for the first time and only gets stronger throughout the story.
I also learned a great deal about life behind the scenes in the film industry. Not only did Ms. Riley do an excellent job with the characters in the story, but the setting and plot were superb. I just loved the story and I can recommend it to any romance lover.
I received an ARC from Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
August 9, 2020
4/5 stars
This was exactly the book that I needed. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump recently and keep starring but not finishing books. So this fun, character-driven romance that was both easy to read and has great chemistry was absolutely perfect for me at the moment. This is also a celebrity romance, with Emerson being a famous actress, and anyone that knows me knows that I just love books with celebrities. This one had a fun dynamic because Haley was an entertainment journalist tasked with writing a piece about Emerson. So not only did we get the angst of a workplace-style romance as well as the traditional conflict between journalists and celebrities.
I found this to be such and easy read. Not that it didn’t have a good dose of angst, the easiness came more from the flow of the writing and the genuine chemistry between the characters. The characters themselves also felt really down-to-earth and real. I instantly liked both Emerson and Haley, and rooted for them from the beginning. I think they were both interesting in their own right, but together is when they really shined. The chemistry between Haley and Emerson honestly felt so effortless. From their first actual meeting the attraction, the flirty conversation and fun banter made me love their story.
While I really did enjoy this novel from the beginning to the end, there were some parts in the plot that made me frustrated. This is very much a personal gripe about seemingly forced conflict that authors write in at around the 80% mark. I think there was so much opportunity for good conflict, but what actually happened to separate Haley and Emerson (another gripe of mine) just didn’t make sense and bugged me. Still, despite some of these plot devices, I still think this is such a solid, enjoyable and captivating read.
This was exactly the book that I needed. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump recently and keep starring but not finishing books. So this fun, character-driven romance that was both easy to read and has great chemistry was absolutely perfect for me at the moment. This is also a celebrity romance, with Emerson being a famous actress, and anyone that knows me knows that I just love books with celebrities. This one had a fun dynamic because Haley was an entertainment journalist tasked with writing a piece about Emerson. So not only did we get the angst of a workplace-style romance as well as the traditional conflict between journalists and celebrities.
I found this to be such and easy read. Not that it didn’t have a good dose of angst, the easiness came more from the flow of the writing and the genuine chemistry between the characters. The characters themselves also felt really down-to-earth and real. I instantly liked both Emerson and Haley, and rooted for them from the beginning. I think they were both interesting in their own right, but together is when they really shined. The chemistry between Haley and Emerson honestly felt so effortless. From their first actual meeting the attraction, the flirty conversation and fun banter made me love their story.
While I really did enjoy this novel from the beginning to the end, there were some parts in the plot that made me frustrated. This is very much a personal gripe about seemingly forced conflict that authors write in at around the 80% mark. I think there was so much opportunity for good conflict, but what actually happened to separate Haley and Emerson (another gripe of mine) just didn’t make sense and bugged me. Still, despite some of these plot devices, I still think this is such a solid, enjoyable and captivating read.
March 18, 2023
I really enjoyed this...until the end. This was one of those (for me) where the drama at the end was poorly executed. I felt like the reasons and wishy-washy actions (of Hayley, in particular) were really annoying. There were more valid, less inconsiderate ways that the conflict could have peaked and resolved, and a few overly obvious issues that could and should have been avoided - consequently, the conflict and tension felt forced.
**The Spoiler**
Genuinely, the moment Hayley f*cked off saying that Emerson brought a whole bunch of 💩 into her life after Em had shown how much she blamed herself for the negative effects her celebrity had on the lives of her loved ones...that was when my rating took a nosedive from somewhere around 4 straight down to 3. That just pissed me off on top of the back and forth 'I want her' and 'we can't'. (I don't mind that kind of back and forth if the reasons are substantial and well-defined, but when the reasons are superficial with really blatantly obvious solutions and ways to avoid it...that's a big ❌ in my books.)
Still a good listen. Lots of 🌶️🌶️🌶️ bits. Great narration. I just think the drama/conflict could have been handled a lot better (which is weird because it was all right there and ready to go, the author just chose the wrong aspect/angle of it to use. Oh well 🤷)
**The Spoiler**
Genuinely, the moment Hayley f*cked off saying that Emerson brought a whole bunch of 💩 into her life after Em had shown how much she blamed herself for the negative effects her celebrity had on the lives of her loved ones...that was when my rating took a nosedive from somewhere around 4 straight down to 3. That just pissed me off on top of the back and forth 'I want her' and 'we can't'. (I don't mind that kind of back and forth if the reasons are substantial and well-defined, but when the reasons are superficial with really blatantly obvious solutions and ways to avoid it...that's a big ❌ in my books.)
Still a good listen. Lots of 🌶️🌶️🌶️ bits. Great narration. I just think the drama/conflict could have been handled a lot better (which is weird because it was all right there and ready to go, the author just chose the wrong aspect/angle of it to use. Oh well 🤷)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2018
I had been looking forward to reading this and the book didn't let me down. I really enjoyed this, although I am a sucker for a Hollywood starlet storyline. Both of the main character were well developed and insight was given to their motivations. And the chemistry? I felt it. A. Lot. I also enjoyed both of their sidekicks, Allison and Tremont. They both had personalities that I found to be entertaining. My only complaint is that I don't really like the leaving-you-to-protect-you trope. I got over it though. This is a fun read with a small side of angst. Would definitely recommend.
(Book received from NetGalley and BSB for an honest review)
(Book received from NetGalley and BSB for an honest review)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2018
Detailed score: 3.5 rounded down
This book is fine and I might be being a bit churlish giving it 3 stars but... it just had one too many irritants that took away from the story.
The main one being that the barriers to love took way too long to resolve, and were a bit weak for how long it took to come to a head.
I also felt like it required a bit too much suspension. Of disbelief and that’s saying something as I’m usually pretty good at going with the flow.
Overall: it’s good and if you’ve enjoyed other Riley books you should fed check it out. Fine for sure but not going to set the world on fire
This book is fine and I might be being a bit churlish giving it 3 stars but... it just had one too many irritants that took away from the story.
The main one being that the barriers to love took way too long to resolve, and were a bit weak for how long it took to come to a head.
I also felt like it required a bit too much suspension. Of disbelief and that’s saying something as I’m usually pretty good at going with the flow.
Overall: it’s good and if you’ve enjoyed other Riley books you should fed check it out. Fine for sure but not going to set the world on fire
March 29, 2019
Really enjoyable book - a bit of a roller-coaster with excellent back characters -kept me happy from page 1 - a good author worth exploring. Thank you.
December 4, 2021
The narrator of this audiobook is amazing!! The way she was able to make me feel all the feels was just wow! Brava!
Regarding the book itself, I enjoyed it a lot, but towards the end, it kinda made me want to stop reading. The angst and Hayley’s reaction were just so unnecessary… like… I get it, getting exposed like that was tough and f*cked up, but girlie, YOU KNEW IT COULD HAPPEN SINCE YOU ARE DATING A CELEBRITY!! Ugh, like fine, get mad and all, but don’t get mad at Emerson! It wasn’t her fault and she was in the same situation as well. It made no sense and it pissed me off… but I pulled through because I like the characters and wanted to see the ending.
Anyways, pretending that that part never happened, I enjoyed the story a lot and it was still worth the read 🥰
Regarding the book itself, I enjoyed it a lot, but towards the end, it kinda made me want to stop reading. The angst and Hayley’s reaction were just so unnecessary… like… I get it, getting exposed like that was tough and f*cked up, but girlie, YOU KNEW IT COULD HAPPEN SINCE YOU ARE DATING A CELEBRITY!! Ugh, like fine, get mad and all, but don’t get mad at Emerson! It wasn’t her fault and she was in the same situation as well. It made no sense and it pissed me off… but I pulled through because I like the characters and wanted to see the ending.
Anyways, pretending that that part never happened, I enjoyed the story a lot and it was still worth the read 🥰
October 17, 2021
I can’t tell how much I enjoy this! There are already so many celebrity wlw romances out there, and I’d happily add this one to my rec list.
There are a few moments that I wish could be elaborate instead of skipping over, but the chemistry between Emerson and Hayley is well written, which Riley always knows how to craft, and I just love reading about these two!
There are a few moments that I wish could be elaborate instead of skipping over, but the chemistry between Emerson and Hayley is well written, which Riley always knows how to craft, and I just love reading about these two!
January 30, 2019
Media Darling
I have to admit that the last book I read by this author left me feeling rather flat (Room Service) despite having enjoyed others. For me this felt like a more mature and well worked story with lots going on, which gave it elements of predictability (which I kind of want) with elements I didn't foresee that added extra layers of depth. An enjoyable read that I feel happy recommending.
I have to admit that the last book I read by this author left me feeling rather flat (Room Service) despite having enjoyed others. For me this felt like a more mature and well worked story with lots going on, which gave it elements of predictability (which I kind of want) with elements I didn't foresee that added extra layers of depth. An enjoyable read that I feel happy recommending.
December 26, 2018
This is a totally enjoyable romance read. I will be reading it again. I fell in love with both characters.
December 25, 2018
Hold your breath, and fasten your seatbelts, because this book is mind-blowing. My initial impressions were, 'Ugh another book with the Hollywood setting, what can be new'. Um, apparently this author does magic and hot damn this book is perfect.
It's so different yet so similar to the books I read. While the plot isn't much, but I think I love how this author builds a story. It was engaging without too many details to bore me. The characters were not duds and I have to say, I loved their names. I think I swooned at Emerson's name initially. Nothing beats a good named protagonist.
Hayley was a breeze. I loved her. I think I have a teeny tiny crush on her. I also have a crush on Emerson but can you blame me. The characters are so flawed and yet so perfect.
I laughed and felt sad with this book. Although I didn't exactly like the way the ending was rushed, but oh well the epilogue undid me.
Incase you haven't read this yet, do it asap. You won't regret it :)
It's so different yet so similar to the books I read. While the plot isn't much, but I think I love how this author builds a story. It was engaging without too many details to bore me. The characters were not duds and I have to say, I loved their names. I think I swooned at Emerson's name initially. Nothing beats a good named protagonist.
Hayley was a breeze. I loved her. I think I have a teeny tiny crush on her. I also have a crush on Emerson but can you blame me. The characters are so flawed and yet so perfect.
I laughed and felt sad with this book. Although I didn't exactly like the way the ending was rushed, but oh well the epilogue undid me.
Incase you haven't read this yet, do it asap. You won't regret it :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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