Lainie is in the unenviable position of performing a love scene with her ex-boyfriend every night in a West End show. The plot thickens when a fake relationship with the villain of the cast is proposed to boost ticket sales.
Richard is a delicious villain. Rich, abrupt, with high expectations. He doesn’t really like people, there are very few he has time for. Lainie is nurturing her dislike for Richard, now she’s past her crush on his incredible good looks. He hasn’t really noticed she exists until the publicity agents come up with their fake relationship scheme. And her ex, Will, is just one of the obstacles that this ‘fake’ relationship has to navigate.
It’s Lainie’s directness with Richard that gets him first. She has a dry wit that amuses him (and us!) and manages his fiery temper. Those first moments when they start acting like a team. Those hugs that seem to happen even when there are no reporters around. You know you’re gonna love it!
The characters get physical but it’s the small moments – a nose along the jaw, a kiss under the ear – that build the intimacy. It manages to skim past the nitty gritty so thankfully the author hasn’t had to worry about finding 7 different synonyms for certain body parts. Phew!
Overall, a back stage pass to the London theatre scene with both funny and tender moments, there are scenes that will have you grinning to yourself and trying not to look demented on the walk to work.
Great narration of all the English accents.
Will it change the world?
Wait for it… Lainie has a heat pump in her cosy home. Awesome! A literary first for me! Well done Lainie for your eco-credentials. Richard’s wealth is part of his character, and very likely because lots of actors are posh because they can get by with no money until their big break.
Get the book!
Get Act Like It, book 1 of the London Celebrities series, at Lucy Parker’s website
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