How to Fake It in Hollywood

Starred review from April 11, 2022
With this witty, seductive romance, debut author Wilder transports readers to the flashy world of Hollywood. Rising actor Grey Brooks is best known for starring in teen soap Poison Paradise, but she’s struggled to find work since the show ended nearly a year ago. Former A-list movie star Ethan Atkins has been out of the spotlight for five years, drowning his grief over the death of his best friend in alcohol and misanthropy. When their shared PR team pitches the idea of a fake relationship that would boost both their careers, the strangers grudgingly agree. Grey and Ethan’s searing chemistry doesn’t take long to feel like more than just an act, but the demands of Hollywood, endless invasions of their privacy, and Ethan’s drinking test their budding romance. Wilder’s cinematic prose brings Grey and Ethan to life, and she sets their raw, sensitive love story against an alluring portrait of Hollywood glamour. Readers won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough. Agent: Jessica Mileo and Claire Friedman, InkWell.

May 15, 2022
Don't be fooled by the lighthearted title and fun cover. Wilder delivers an emotional punch in her debut novel. The story follows former teen soap-opera star, Grey Brooks, and reclusive megastar Ethan Atkins. Grey has been out of work since her show wrapped after a long run, and Ethan hasn't worked in years in the aftermath of a tragic event. In short, they're both just trying to stay afloat, albeit with very different back stories. Told in chapters alternating between her and him, this tale jumps right into the action in the first few pages when the two are recruited for a PR stunt by their mutual publicist. The premise sounds simple enough: two very different but waning celebrities enter a fake relationship to boost their visibility and status. However, there is much more depth to this romance as Wilder successfully tackles tough issues like alcoholism and grief. This strong debut is perfect for readers who enjoy romances with intense feelings, complex issues, and steamy love scenes.

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Starred review from May 1, 2022
A fake relationship between an up-and-coming starlet and a down-on-his-luck actor threatens to turn into something real. Grey Brooks has been acting since she was a child, but her career isn't exactly where she wants it to be. Fresh off a campy teen soap and hoping for more, she's writing a script with her best friend and trying to get cast in a new franchise. When her publicist brings up the idea of starting a fake relationship to get press, she's skeptical--and then she hears the name of her proposed fake boyfriend. It's Ethan Atkins, a former heartthrob who fell on hard times after his best friend died in an accident years ago. Ethan turned to alcohol, went through a divorce, got dropped from the big movie he'd been filming, and hasn't acted since. Their publicist thinks that a few strategic outings could be good for both of them--Ethan could show that he's more stable, and Grey could get attention for being on the arm of a major star. Ethan isn't sure about the idea, either, but as soon as he meets Grey, he can't deny his attraction. The two of them enter into a highly choreographed "relationship," complete with scheduled paparazzi run-ins, mandatory public dates, and a strict nondisclosure agreement. But what they don't count on is falling for each other for real, and soon they're juggling their feelings, their careers, and their pasts. Ethan, in particular, struggles to cope with the loss of his best friend and his relationship with alcohol. Can he overcome his demons, or will his relationship with Grey become just another casualty of his self-destructive behavior? In her debut, Wilder creates an angst-y and compelling love story that feels realistically Hollywood. Grey and Ethan's chemistry burns through the pages, especially in the numerous steamy scenes. Both actors come across sympathetically as humans who are trying their best to have creative careers they're proud of. Wilder also populates their world with a cadre of richly drawn side characters, like Grey's no-nonsense agent and Ethan's supportive ex-wife. Full of drama, fun, and scorching love scenes, this love story is worthy of the silver screen.

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