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Kings of Screen #1

Between Takes

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A new beginning. A career in flames. A chance at a happy ending?

MONA’S stuck in a directionless rut. She hates her job. Her family moved out of Edinburgh. Now time is passing her by, and she’s desperate to do something with her life.

When Shaun Martin’s agent calls with an urgent, uproot-everything-and-move-down-the-country job offer, Mona takes it without a second thought. For the chance to start over, she can easily whip TV’s fallen golden boy into shape. Really, how hard can it be?

SHAUN MARTIN was the award-winning star everyone loved—every studio wanted him. But one devastating breakup, and now he’s the guy who smashed a million-dollar stunt car because a girl dumped him. He’s spiralling out of control, and if he doesn’t shape up soon, his haunted past will destroy the one thing he loves.

Then Mona knocks on his door. Shaun finds her feisty attitude irritating—and sexy. She’s a force of nature that tests him and makes him re-examine his life. Will she be the salvation he needs?

Between Takes is a full length steamy movie star, enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance. It is the first book in the Kings of Screen series.

306 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2021

130 people are currently reading
601 people want to read

About the author

Morgana Bevan

75 books223 followers
Morgana Bevan is a sucker for a rock star romance, particularly if it involves a soul-destroying breakup or strangers waking up in Vegas. She’s a contemporary romance author based in Wales. When Morgana’s not writing steamy celebrity romances with gorgeous British rock stars and movie stars, she’s travelling the world, searching for inspiration.

Please note: The author disconnected from Goodreads permanently and will not be maintaining series lists, cover or blurb updates.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Dora Koutsoukou .
2,264 reviews721 followers
Read
November 27, 2021
This was definitely a case of “it’s me and not the book”.
It just didn’t hold my interest. 😔 maybe because up to the point I read, it was single pov… 🤷🏻‍♀️
Dnf @ 38%
Profile Image for Anna.
900 reviews628 followers
July 23, 2021
YALLLLLLL... THIS BOOK WAS FREAKING AWESOME! I really enjoyed it and it was such a quick read. There was a bit of a slow burn and oh my god the author brought the STEAM!! WHEW. The smut scenes were.... very nice ;)

Me reading those sexy scenes...


Mona is tired of her job and gets asked to become a personal assistant to a hotshot actor with an attitude problem. Mona is ready to take it on and move away from her old job without a moments notice. What she isn't ready for is the attraction she feels towards her new sexy boss, and MAN was there some serious sexual tension (ow owwww). I really enjoyed the storyline and it was so easy to get lost in the pages! I hope there are more books from this author because I am a huge fan!! If you like romances with some good ole smut (don't lie I know we all do), then pick this one up!! JUST DO IT!

Thanks to Morgana Bevan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Enticed by Romance.
256 reviews34 followers
August 17, 2021
The one thing I often love about movie/Hollywood romances is the glitz and glam that is often a feature in the story line but with Between Takes it concentrates on the main character Mona and Shaun which I found so refreshing. I also loved that this story is set in Wales and offers a glimpse of what happens behind scenes on a tv/movie set.

Mona is a kickass heroine that isn’t shy from calling you out if she thinks its wrong and Shaun is a broken hero but has a heart the size of Texas, he just has some demons he needs to battle.
Together, Mona and Shaun ignited the pages with their slow burn romance. Their relationship had a beautiful flow from the start to finish and you could see each character grow as they found their footing and grew into their skin. I adored this couple and I would love to see them years from now.

For a debut book, Morgana Bevan was able to write a story and characters that I found myself being drawn to from their very first introductions. Her attention to detail allowed for this reader to develop those connections that I always look for but at no point did I feel that their evolution was rushed or forced. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a slow burn movie romance that offers something different.

I will definitely be reading more of Morgana’s books in the future
Profile Image for abbey willcox.
411 reviews23 followers
August 18, 2021
Between takes is a slow burn movie star, boss assistance romance. Its the first in the Kings Of Screen series. Its the first book I've read by this author and I would like to read some more in the future, its an easy read i literally read it in a day! It's light hearted throughout, with a few deep moments. For example, Shaun hasnt had it easy growing up and is on a downward spiral, hence why Mona is hired to keep him on the straight and narrow. Shaun definitely didn't see her coming, she blew in like a whirlwind didn't take his s*it. He was the typical as*hole boss, pushing her away and generally didn't want her around. Well, I won't tell you the rest, you'll have to pick the book up and give it a read 🥰 i enjoyed this book and the journey the two main characters go on
Profile Image for Katiepertee.
329 reviews11 followers
January 18, 2022
I would give this good a 3/5 stars and also a 3/5 for the spice. This book was a pretty good actor and assistant love story, it had a happy ending which not many love stories have. I did like this book and it had great moments but it also had very cringy moments that just made it feel like a fan fiction, overall though it was a good book and more people should read it.
Profile Image for Meghalova Das.
125 reviews
August 17, 2021
Firstly I would love to thank @morganabevan for accepting me as the arc reader. And this is the first-ever book I have read which is written by her and I'm so damn sure I'm going to read all the books which are and will be written by her.

I just can't say how much I loved it. Yes, slow burned love. And Mona was a badass. Her character was so realistic. I just am going to love her. Stubborn yet loving nature, Mr. Hotshot aka Shaun Martin was the idol man for a girl like Mona. And God the smut scenes. I wanted to scream but I was in my house and I cannot make anyone aware of what I'm reading. I had to keep a good day face on my breakfast table and read those scenes. I just can't stop fantasizing about those scenes. I just loved the storyline and was easy to get lost in the pages. Amazing read. It was true to the genre and I loved how the characters grew and developed.

Streamingly hot, this is a must-read. Giving a galaxy of stars for this amazing book. 🔥❤

Going to publish on 17th August ✨ ✨
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews188 followers
August 17, 2021
Mona's life is pretty hum drum lately, so when she gets a call about a new job that will shake her life up, she jumps at the chance. Shaun Martin was a TV golden boy who has started a downward spiral since his girlfriend broke up with him, and his agent is desperate to get him back on track which is where Mona will come in at. Luckily, she's made of strong stuff since he's doing his best to run her off like many assistants before her, but she's not even entertaining it no matter what he puts her through. Little by little he starts to trust her, and she's starting to get to the bottom of the underlying issue, but there is a complication, she's very attracted to her boss, and there's no doubt that they have the sparks flying. I really enjoyed this story, and I was shocked that it was this author's debut so I'm very excited to see what she releases next. These two are perfect for each other when they get past those issues, but there is an expiration date so is there even a happily ever after for them?! In order to see how it all pans out, you know what to do! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Profile Image for Barbara Strickland.
Author 7 books53 followers
January 31, 2024
Had some good moments

This is not usually my things but it was so romantic in parts it was worth the read. Cranky man and a patient woman equals a HEA.
Profile Image for Melissa.
900 reviews12 followers
August 18, 2021
Morgana Bevan wrote a good debut novel. Bevan created wonderful chemistry between Mona and Shaun. The steam level was impressive for a debut novel. Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Profile Image for Kerissa Smalltowncutie38.
250 reviews35 followers
August 17, 2021
Received this as an ARC for an honest review!

What happens when your career is going down the drain cause your personal life is getting in the way? When Mona gets a call asking if she wants to become a PA for one of the top stars movie stars in the industry to help get his life get back on track, she takes it even though she knows it's more like a babysitting job. Shaun is going down a bad path after his breakup with his girlfriend and ever since that he's been unbearable to work with. When Mona gets involved and really gets to the root of Shaun's issues he starts becoming a better person. What happens when they cant help their attraction to one another anymore? What happens when show ends and the contracts end?

This story was a sweet lighthearted romance. The relationship that Mona and Shaun start is just so cute. The back story for Shaun was very heart wrenching and you can't help but to love him more when you find out. I loved how much Mona was a bad ass bitch and wasn't letting Shaun bully her into leaving her job, she totally held her own.
3,460 reviews42 followers
July 28, 2021
Between Takes is a movie star will they-won't they romance.

Shaun is a TV star who got dumped by a long term girlfriend and ever since his career has been going down in flames. He is grumpy and addicted to alcohol. Mona is his new assistant who got hired to whip him up to shape. Ignoring his crankiness works and soon he changes his behavior and even opens up to her about his vulnerabilities. Little by little it also becomes clear that there is a more physical attraction between them. Mona fights it because she doesn't think there could be a future with a film star and because she is worried about gossip. But they make some public appearances together and the sky doesn't fall. But what happens when the current production ends? She is from Scotland and if the career rehabilitation is successful he might get Hollywood offers.

I liked the overall quality of the writing and some dialogue is quite snappy. This book entertained me throughout.

Point of view: Mona's first person POV

Pet peeve: the amount of times that Mona gets a brainfreeze because Shaun is hot and in her vicinity. Girlfriend, we ladies can multitask, we can both ogle hot males and walk and talk at the same time.

Steam level: Sex is a thing that they do.

Content: memories of abusive family

This was my first book by Morgana Bevan and I received an advanced review copy. It is well edited. . This is a voluntary review.
Profile Image for Amy Reyes.
372 reviews9 followers
August 8, 2021
Between Takes by Morgana Bevan release date August 17th
⭐️5/5
🔥4.5/5
This is The first book i read from Morgana and it did not disappoint! It was a unique storyline I felt, at least one I haven’t read yet. I likes the relationship between the characters and their banter they shared. To me my only critique would be the steamy scenes could have been described a little bit more in detail.
Profile Image for Emmie.
148 reviews23 followers
August 18, 2021
I was an ARC reviewer for Between Takes (Kings of Screen Series Book 1), written by Morgana Bevan. My review is based on my own opinions, and I was not coerced or compensated for it.

To be honest this is the first novel by Morgana Bevan that I have read.

Mona is offered a job as an actors assistant, a job basically to babysit Shaun Martin, a troubled actor who cannot be trusted to turn up to set ontime or to finish his TV project Mystery Lines. The job is for 6 months. This would be her first assistant job.

Mona's opinion when meeting Shaun is he is an entitled jerk who verbally abuses actors, producers, production staff.

Shaun has chased away all of his previous assistants, but can't stop thinking about Mona, she's unlike any other women he has met. To her disbelief, Mona discovers that he is not what he seems, what is his problem?

There is an overwhelming sexual tension with them.

I was eager to be an ARC reviewer for Between Takes, Hollywood Romance went beyond my expectations. It was well written, true the genre and I loved how the characters grew and developed throughout the book, layer by layer. Mona a strong, no-nonsense girl refuses to let Shauns behaviour prevent her from finishing her job and pursuing a new challenging career. He omits an arrogant arsehole vibe, making everyone in his past move out of his way. He is nasty, rude and demanding.

The book was well written, held my attention from the sexy, edgy cover to the enticing blurb. I would recommend this book and the author Morgana Bevan and cannot wait to read more of her books and to see what will become of the rest of the series. 5/5*
Profile Image for Kaya.
626 reviews
August 17, 2021


RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥

What an amazing read! This debut book of the King of Screen series by Morgana Bevan set a high bar for the rest.

For this installment, we get the story of Shaun and Mona. Shaun is an actor who is going through issues from his recent and very public breakup with another celebrity. Mona is hired by Shaun's agent to become his PA..also known as his babysitter and handler. And Mona is not going to let Shaun's sour attitude get in the way of her getting her job done.

I love Mona's sass. She puts Shaun in his place without being mean, and her kind, friendly demeanor endears her not only with Shaun but also other people on the set. I also like that she is not without fault but still remains relatable.

Shaun starts off as a drunk jerk, but as the story unfolds, I get why he came to be how he is. In fact, I just want to give him a tight hug.

The progression of their relationship feels organic, and the pace of the story is just right.

This was my first Morgana Bevan read, and I am 100% certain it won't be my last. I recommend reading this book, and I am most definitely looking forward to the rest of this series.

**I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.**
Profile Image for Morgana Bevan.
Author 75 books223 followers
Read
February 2, 2022
Who knew a lifeline out of a rut would come with a sexy but annoying actor? Mona needs a change of pace and maybe a career as an actor's assistant would fit the bill. She won't know until she tries. So what if the job involves babysitting the latest trainwreck of an actor, and he's hot enough to interrupt her sleep?

Slow burn romance with brief enemies-to-lovers and forbidden vibes.

Available on all platforms and in Kobo Plus.
books2read.com/BetweenTakes

And if you loved Between Takes, get ready for Finn's story in Married Blind, coming Nov 29, 2022.

description

description
153 reviews1 follower
August 20, 2021
Mona Baines hates her job in marketing and when she gets a call about a new job, she jumps right in. She will be a personal assistant to award-wining TV actor with attitude problems and she needs to keep him in check.
Shaun Martin was the TV golden boy but after he gets dumped by his longterm girlfriend, he is spiraling and his career is going down in flames.
What both don't expect is the sexual tension between them. It was easier for Mona to resist him when he was being a jerk but the nice and charming Shaun is irresistible. Should she risk her job in the industry for a fling?
The storyline is very interesting, filled with witty, sassy banter, undeniable attraction, steamy hot scenes and unexpected twists.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free ARC.
Profile Image for Yvonne (A reading Brunette).
415 reviews
August 15, 2021
Between Takes is the debut book and the first one in the Kings of Screen series by Morgana Bevan.

This book is about Mona and Shaun. Mona lives in Edinburgh and isn’t happy with her job. That’s why when she gets another job offer she doesn’t have to think about it for long and agrees. Then she finds out she has to move and will be the personal assistant to award winning actor Shaun Martin. Everyone loved him, but after a bad break up one year ago it seems like he became this moody person and you can read new gossip about him pretty much every week. Now it’s Mona's job to put him in line so that he doesn’t get himself in trouble. Easier said than done. Mona and Shaun are both attracted to each other from the start but all she wants to do is try to do her job while Shaun is doing everything so she is leaving.

Obviously this is my first read by Morgana because it’s her debut book and let me tell you it won’t be my last! After I read the blurb I knew I had to read this book and she didn’t disappoint! It’s really well written and I absolutely love the enemies to lovers trope. For me Mona was such a feisty and strong woman and I love her for that. I found the banter they had going on really refreshing! Mona and Shaun were pure fire together and they leave you wanting more! Can’t wait to read the other books in the Kings of Screen series!
2,991 reviews16 followers
August 17, 2021
loved it !!! what a great start for a new series... the kings of screen... love Mona and Shaun... this is their story... a fast paced slow burn romance...boss/assist.
a shining star of a movie star until.. the break up of all break ups... career in ruins... to save it.. Mona his new PA... sparks fly...inferno levels...the sexy banter...
the smexy times... wow !!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4,561 reviews19 followers
August 20, 2021
This was my first read from this author. I absolutely loved the first person point of view of the story. This is always a huge deal breaker for me. The story pulled me in from the start and I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
7,813 reviews65 followers
September 2, 2021
Movie star actor Shaun is on downward spiral will his new assistant Mona be able to help save him and his career? The characters are well developed with plenty of slow burn chemistry. The storyline flowed smoothly throughout the pages.

I received a copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Profile Image for Emily.
134 reviews28 followers
November 9, 2024
This has to be one of the most boring books I’ve read in a while and the longest it’s ever taken me to get through a book rip
Profile Image for fred jones.
1,789 reviews11 followers
October 9, 2022
Great enjoyable film star, enemies to lovers romance. I liked the main characters both have issues and problems. Well written story that develops at a good pace. I new author to.me and I am not the target audience for this book but I really enjoyed the journey. Highly recommended. I received a complimentary copy from storyorigin and an leaving a voluntary honest review.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
943 reviews12 followers
December 31, 2021

The story is fast paced and easy to read. If you like romance then I think you'll enjoy this one too.

Between Takes is told in first person narrative and I was able to read this rather quickly. There's enough to keep the reader entertained throughout.

This is the first novel by this author I have read and I would definitely be interested to read more in the future.
Profile Image for Sara.
315 reviews77 followers
November 14, 2024
𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

Oh, where do I even begin with this book? This book swept me off my feet and took me on an emotional journey that felt so real, I could hardly put it down. As soon as I started reading, I found myself completely engulfed in the story.

The chemistry between them is fiery yet tender, allowing you to feel every flutter of attraction and every moment of tension that builds between their encounters.

Shaun is portrayed as a troubled soul, battling his demons in the form of a drinking problem. His journey toward sobriety adds a layer of depth to his character, showing him not just as a hotshot movie star but as a man wrestling with inner turmoil. I found myself rooting for him as he grapples with his addiction and strives to be better, not just for himself, but also for Mona. This struggle felt so real. It’s not just a backdrop; it’s a vital part of who Shaun is.

Mona, on the other hand, is such a refreshing character. She’s strong, determined, and fiercely passionate about her job. When she takes on the challenge of babysitting this off-the-rails actor, I admired her courage. What starts as a job quickly evolves into something much more significant, both for her and for Shaun. Their relationship begins as a dance of antagonism, laced with misunderstandings and sharp words, but it soon evolves into something so tender and profound. I loved watching them navigate this shift; it made the eventual romance feel all the more rewarding.

What I truly appreciated was how Morgana addresses serious themes without losing the lightheartedness that often defines a great romance. Shaun’s struggle is portrayed with compassion and sensitivity, highlighting not just the harm that addiction can cause but also the possibility of redemption.

By the end of the book, I found my heart swelling with hope and warmth. The connection between Shaun and Mona is not just about romance; it’s about support and understanding in a chaotic world. Their journey left me feeling uplifted, and I couldn’t help but smile at how their love blossomed despite the odds.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Enemies to lovers, celebrity romance, actor mmc/assistant fmc, workplace romance, boss/employee, grumpy/sunshine, opposite attract
Profile Image for Grinning Cat.
3,698 reviews120 followers
September 27, 2023
MMC/FMC- Shaun and Mona
POV- 1st person
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Sub Genre- Movie Star Romance
Heat ☄️☄️ 1/2 ☄️. They do the thing whilst naming the parts.
Series? Y
Safety: no cheating, no sharing, no s. violence, no OW/OM drama, no cliffhanger, HEA.
Triggers- Mentions of past abuse, language, explicit erotic content, complicated coffee orders.
Tropes- Workplace Romance/Boss Romance, Secret Love, That’s Not My Leg.
What I liked- I liked that Mona figured out what satisfied her in a job. I also liked her integrity and willingness to cut through the bull. And something about Shaun was endearing- those flashes of vulnerability and the unexpected sweetness. And Welsh Cakes!
What I didn’t- this ebook didn’t come with a dozen Welsh Cakes.
Verdict- recommended
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
4,330 reviews27 followers
August 22, 2021
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. Shaun and Mona both need a new start. He needs to fix his career and she is the woman to do it. Although he was technically her boss, their attraction grew even more. The sparks would fly between them at any given time. They have to decide where to take their relationship when things change. I am looking forward to what comes next in the Kings of Screen series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
33 reviews
February 4, 2024
Okay so i gotta say that for me this was like an ordinary book. I liked it, i liked the story but it wasn’t that special for me. And at the end, the conflict just didn’t really make sense for me, and it felt a little rushed. The end ruined it for me, the conflict cause it really wasn’t that big of a deal? Or i wasn’t able to feel how the character felt. And when they got married. That also felt like it was just an ordinary ending and a tipical happy ending. Which don’t get me wrong is fine, but it wasn’t special. But this is only my opinion
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,738 reviews10 followers
January 30, 2024
I did find Mona lost some of her determination & fiesty personality just before the dreaded 3rd act break up. I've come to realise I'm not a fan of them unless it is really well done & unfortunately I didn't think this one was.
It was good to see Mona not let herself be held back by the worry of past relationships. Shaun was quite stereotyped but I really liked the film set & Welsh settings, as they are less common.
Profile Image for Jesse E.
74 reviews54 followers
February 7, 2024
I loved the beginning, but it definitely feels like the story didn't get fleshed out after that. Female MC is either swooning or distrusting around male MC on every few pages.

I think this could've been better if the characters were more well-rounded and detailed. There were a lot of sections of narration that were clearly added to get us from Point A to Point B, plot-wise - parts of the book read more like a detailed outline than a fleshed-out scene.
856 reviews
March 4, 2025
Shaun is a golden boy movie star, who's career is tanking, and Mona is hired as his PA/babysitter a new role for her. The barbs fly as Shaun pulls out all the stops on being a jerk, and Mona is having none of it when they first meet. Lots of bantering, character growth, and sparks from here on out. Book 1 of a series that I am anxious to finish.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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