Media Darling

There are plenty of romance novels out there to choose from where a regular girl falls in love with a Hollywood superstar, but Media Darling is fortunately not like any of those at all. The character development of Hayley and Emerson is thorough and getting to know these two women and what made them tick was essential to understanding the complexities of their conflict later on. What I really enjoyed was the copious amount of time they spent in dialogue getting to know one another, and sometimes just playing together. Beneath the chemistry and romance was a beautiful friendship carefully and lovingly crafted between them that I thoroughly enjoyed. Their growth as human beings capable of commitment despite unusual circumstances became the icing on this marvelous story. This story is far from superficial and avoids cliches for one of the better romances I’ve read in a long time. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hayley Carpenter, a Yale grad, has ambitions of hitting it big as a Hollywood screenwriter but at the moment works for an LA gossip magazine instead. After an odd encounter with mega star, Emerson Sterling, on the red carpet, Hayley is drafted into writing Em’s Tell All article. The next few months together find them growing closer as they learn that nothing is as it seems when you don’t really know someone.

The author nails it with not just dialogue but body language and gestures between them. In real life, it’s the tiny moments that create intimacy between a couple and she recreates those quiet interactions that make for a believable romance. It’s a sweet thing to watch as Emerson and Hayley expose their vulnerabilities and replace them with trust and affection as they fall in love. There’s drama but also plenty of humor and quirkiness to make for a perfect balance. I also enjoyed the little behind the scenes of the entertainment business. And broomball, who knew?

A warm, delicious comfort read for my cold, rainy Sunday.

Although I thought I would enjoy Media Darling, I was mistaken. I could not connect with this story because I disliked the content. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A good Hollywood drama. It makes me wish in real life there could be plenty of A-list stars that are openly gay. I liked how Hayley and Emerson bonded with each other in such a superficial world like Hollywood. If only we could get our real life lesbian blockbuster or romcom. Definitely read this if you like the celebrity thing,

I've always had a problem with Fiona Riley's books, but this one blew me away.
We follow Hayley Carpenter, a writer for a gossip magazine, and Emerson Sterling, a talented actress.
It's a mutual attraction, slow-burned that turns into lust and maybe love.
The story also includes secondary characters very interesting.
This was for me an excellent read, and I highly recommend this book.

'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!

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Emerson is a movie star and Hayley is a journalist. They meet accidentally when Hayley has to write a piece about Emerson's new movie and the sex scandal she seems to be involved with her ex co-star Rachel.

It does deals with lots of emotions, like jealousy, envy, revenge, anger and both characters are likeable and it was a sweet romance. I just think there was not enough sexual tension and angst between Emerson and Hayley before they actually got together.