It's rare that I gravitate towards a novel that is pure romance. I don't mind a mystery or a literary novel or a comfort read that has a bit of romance in it, as a matter of fact I often like it when a story has that element, but it always needs to have something more as the main focus or the action driving the plot. So when I was reading one of Book Riot's newsletters and Lucy Parker was mentioned as a writer of romance for people who don't necessarily read the genre, I decided I should give her a try.
Her first novel, Act Like It has sat for some time on my TBR pile waiting for just the right mood, which finally surfaced recently. It's what you might call a Rom-Com of a story. I knew what was coming, but it was fun getting there--more of a build up of the story and light on the detailed romance-y bits, so it offered just the right tone and distraction I was in need of.
The story is set in contemporary London's West End, the heart of the theater district. If I am going to read a romance story I kind of like the sort with two characters who would rather not be together and spend a good part of the story sparring wits and words. There's a general mistrust that maybe even verges on dislike before they decide that, indeed, there is maybe a spark of something more there they had not anticipated. A 'wait a moment, what's going on here' climax and then the inevitable coming together but then drama and maybe misunderstanding ensues before a happy resolution. Okay, so it sounds pretty formulaic and maybe the arc of the story is on the predictable side, but the journey is so much fun it is hard not to just lose yourself in this book and enjoy the ride.
Mix one very condescending, attractive, successful actor with a talented, socially conscious actress who likes her chocolate and you get a perfect pairing of opposites. Richard Troy may be a star headliner, but he's thrown one too many tantrums in public and his image is beginning to tarnish. Significantly. He aspires to a position in the RSPA (Royal Society of Performing Arts) but his chances seem to be diminishing at the same rate as his public escapades increase. Lainie Graham is the theater world's sweetheart. She's just come off a bad relationship with a fellow actor, so her social calendar is open. Lainie has an easy going nature and a warm sense of humor but it belies the sadness her family has endured. She spends as much of her free time raising money for a cancer charity and is always looking for opportunities to add to their coffers.
Maybe you see where this is headed? Two actors--one whose reputation is sullied the other's whose shines? A little public romance would do wonders to help shore up Richard Troy's ratings with the public. Fans always love a good love story and what does it matter if they don't actually like each other. They just need to act like it. There is always more to a person's story than the story on the surface. And there is more to Richard Troy and Lainie is as delightful as she appears. The course of true love never did run smooth and it doesn't for Richard and Lainie, but they discover a few things along the way.
This is as fun and charming and enjoyable a read as it sounds. If you think you don't like romance novels, but you're willing to give the genre a try, you might like this. I enjoyed it so much I have her second book and there is currently a third out as well with a fourth anticipated. So she is my go-to romance novelist now. She writes a series set in the theater world called the London Celebrities Series (opposites attract comedies), which I think are going to be one of my happy discoveries this year.