A Glass of Wine: Hollywood Playboy by Natasha Madison

Jessica

An entertainment journalist was the last thing I thought I would be doing.

I thought once I got my degree, I would be reporting on stories that made a difference, but now all I do is report on who broke up with who and who is dating who.

I was over it.

Then I got my next assignment.

He’s Hollywood’s bad boy.

He works hard, and he plays even harder.

He’s rude, he’s condescending, and he’s made it known he doesn’t want me on the tour.

With one month on the road with him, two things might happen

One, I may never work in this industry again.

Two, I may just be like everyone else and fall for Hollywood’s Playboy.

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When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...

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Hollywood Playboy by Natasha Madison
Release Date - January 29, 2019

Pages - 261 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received in exchange for an honest review**

Hollywood set romances are an immediate must read for me. I am also a huge fan of the 'enemies to lovers' trope. Needless to say, I was instantly intrigued when I saw the details for Natasha Madison's latest. It mixed the Hollywood setting, the 'enemies to lovers' trope with some hot chemistry, and some intriguing characters.

Jessica is a sassy intelligent woman who knows what she wants and she is not afraid to go out and get it. She's a character who is easy to relate to and just as easy to root for. She's had to grow a thick skin because of her job but that just makes her all the more interesting. She stands up for herself, and doesn't take anything from anyone. She can dish it out just as well as she can take it. I also appreciated the more vulnerable side that she got to show. It made her feel like a character who was well crafted and more layered.

Tyler, on the outside, seems like the typical Hollywood bad boy. That would be true if you only read what is being said about him. There is great care taken to show that he is more complex than it first appears. He grows on you in much the same way he grows on Jessica. The reader is introduced to the story from Jessica's point of view, and that means the reader connects with her first. It also means that it takes just a little longer to appreciate Tyler. There is a hint of some alpha male characteristics, but not enough to infuriate me. He's a good balance of sweet, protective, and supportive. It also helps that Jessica does put him in his place when those characteristics do pop up.

Jessica and Tyler's romance may have 'Hollywood' as the background but their connection seems realistic rather than the stuff of movies. They bond while at the gym. The time they spend together is much more low key than I anticipated going into this novel. It makes for a more grounded relationship between the two of them that feels authentic. This book could have had the epic stuff of movie love stories, but I found it offered something much more real. There is still the odd scene that feels straight out of a movie, but even those felt a little more obtainable. The more 'Hollywood' stuff is saved for the plot rather than making it a focus in their relationship.

This book also has the side effect of unexpectedly igniting your wanderlust. The press tour takes them to some amazing sounding destinations and the scenes that feature the locations in a prominent, touristy way made me want to go plan a trip of my own. The element isn't a huge focus, it is more just sprinkled in, but the use is entirely effective and creates a wonderful backdrop for a love story.

Those who love companion novels as much as I do will delight in meeting the character who will be the focused on the second novel in this series, Hollywood Princess. She's a delight and I cannot wait to get to know her better. The tease of her given in this novel gives the reader plenty of incentive to grab the next book and experience her love story.

If you're looking for a fun, sexy read that offers up a look at Hollywood movie promotion, entertainment journalism, and a whirlwind romance. It's exactly what romance readers love in a book and I highly recommend it, especially for those how love a little Hollywood glitz with their romance.