Title: Hiding from Hollywood
Author(s): Ellie Darkins
Published by Crimson Romance on January 13, 2014
Pages: 176
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Source: Author
Format: eBook
Rating:
Heat Level:
Abby has succumbed to a life as a Hollywood cliché: the actress/waitress. But unlike most she’s keeping the “actress” part buried in her past. After a traumatic start to her life in Hollywood she’s decided to disappear from the limelight.
When movie producer Ethan Walker walks into her diner, she’s terrified. There’s nothing she wants more than to run and hide; the last thing she wants or needs is for her name to be connected with his. That way leads to tabloids, journalists, and exposure. But Ethan has thought of nothing but Abby for months: the beautiful, talented actress who will save his career when she agrees to take the lead role in his movie. The project’s on the rocks already, and without her, it will certainly be canceled and his career will be over.
When a shooting in Abby’s apartment block leaves her without a safe place to stay, Ethan offers her sanctuary in his home—but she knows it cannot come without strings attached. And so, with her attraction to him growing, Abby must decide whether she can finally stop running and trust Ethan with her secret.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Hiding from Hollywood tells the story of Abby, a young British soap opera actress. She came to Los Angeles intending to make it big in Hollywood. However, a traumatic event shattered her dream resulting in her removing herself from the limelight. Her attempts at disappearing were successful until Ethan Walker (movie producer) walked into the diner she was working. Ethan needed Abby to save his career. Therefor he was willing to do whatever was necessary to have her to agree to star in his movie.
The pace was a bit slow and they were some parts that dragged and seemed to be going nowhere.
I found it hard to connect to the characters. I found Ethan to be manipulative and somewhat domineering. Abby on the other hand was allowing a secret from her past to hold her back from having a satisfying and fruitful life. I found them to be quite predictable as I could tell what next they were going to do. Character development was lacking as there was not enough background information on the characters. I felt the author placed too much focus on Abby’s secret.
The romance could use some more development. They fell in love too quickly, especially in light of the fact that Abby was trying to avoid relationship especially with someone as famous as Ethan.
I had a difficult time writing this review as this story did not grab me as I expected. The blurb hinted that this was going to be quite an exciting and compelling story, however it did not live up its description. Don’t get me wrong the concept was good, but the author’s writing style made it a bit tedious for me to read.
This review was originally posted at
SATIN SHEETS ROMANCE BLOG
About Ellie Darkins
Ellie Darkins writes heart-stopping stories about falling in love, finding your soul mate and fighting hard to make real relationships work. The HEA is guaranteed, but nothing else along the way is. Expect to see surprise babies, breathtaking settings and alpha heroes by the bucketload. Plus steamy kisses, heaps of sensual tension, and fireworks just audible from behind a closed bedroom door. So pick one of The Books, find yourself a comfy chair, settle in for a couple of hours and enjoy the ride. Ellie spent her formative years as a committed bookworm, devouring romance novels. After completing her English degree (which had Mills & Boon on the syllabus) she decided to make a living from her love of books. As a writer and freelance editor her work now entails dreaming up romantic proposals, hot dates with alpha males and trips to the past with dashing heroes. When she’s not working she can usually be found manning the desk or sampling the coffee at her local library, or out for a run – listening to an audiobook, of course.
- 🎧︎War by Laura Thalassa Buddy Read Chat Review withBrandee @Unconventional Bookworm - March 23, 2023
- Second Wives by Carey Baldwin - March 21, 2023
- All Signs Lead to Lucy by Julieann Dove - March 20, 2023
The blurb sounds like this would be really interesting, but my patience these days with books and movies are near zero.(lol) If a book doesn’t grab me within the first 2 chapters, or a movie within the first 10 minutes, I’m outta there. And Yikes to no character connection. This sounds like it could have been promising. Hope you’re doing well, and happy weekend! RO
When I may persevere with a book, I have no patience for movies that is unable to hold my attention after 15 mins.