You & Me for Real by Hayley Elliott

You & Me for Real by Hayley Elliott

This is Hayley’s debut novel, and I was thrilled when she included me in her early reader group. I’d read her novelette in the A New Year’s Kiss anthology and loved it! The book releases August 14, 2025, and you can find it on Amazon and other retailers. 

Let’s begin with the summary:

She swore she’d never be in front of the camera again, but now she’s falling for a Hollywood heartthrob with a tabloid-worthy secret.

Former child reality star Ashton Reid is done with fame and dreams of a quiet life and finally opening her own animal rescue. But establishing a non-profit requires funding and, therefore, publicity. For Ashton, this means facing her crippling anxiety anytime a camera is pointed in her direction. Despite her best efforts to avoid all things Hollywood, when celebrity Griffin Ford rushes into her shelter carrying an injured dog—with his impossibly muscled arms and notorious abs—she’s helpless against those almond eyes. The dog's eyes, that is.

Actor Griffin Ford is desperate for his first meaningful role. Tired of being seen as nothing more than washboard abs on an angsty teen drama, he’s agreed to a fake relationship with his co-star to guarantee the lead in her father’s next movie. But when the contract requires more than he’s bargained for, he begins to question the future he always imagined. To take back some ownership of his life, Griffin adopts a new dog—despite being clueless about pet ownership.

Drawn to Ashton’s authenticity, Griffin recruits her to train his new rescue. In return, Griffin helps her navigate publicity and social media for her foundation. Outside the glow of Hollywood, it doesn’t take long for Ashton to see that Griffin is more than the hunk he portrays on TV. As their professional and personal lives intertwine and their attraction grows stronger, their chemistry becomes undeniable. But when the heat of the spotlight threatens to expose Ashton’s past and Griffin’s secret, the two must decide: fight for what’s real between them, or risk becoming another casualty of fame.

And now, my review:

The author kept me hooked with the way she withheld information and slowly caught us up with the heroine’s backstory. 

The hero is at war with himself. Should he sell out? Or stand up? There were times Griffin came across as rather immature in his business dealings, and he was rather talkative, open, and self-aware for the usual male POV. Then there were very solid moments of male POV that made Griffin breathe on the page. 

I liked the inclusion of the dogs, and the heroine’s competence with them will make readers respect her. One of the heroine’s challenges is she’s used to hiding. She prefers it. Now it’s time for her to come out of hiding. But as a child she wasn't permitted to set boundaries, and she didn’t have a voice. Moving forward into the kind of future she wants means overcoming all of that. 

Readers will root for this heroine as she works to face her past to make a more desirable future. And they’ll root for the hero to find his own strength and path. 

Overall, this is a strong debut and I recommend it for readers who are looking for a feel-good romance that includes celebrities and a Hollywood connection. 

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes

What fun!

The summary:

Kat inspected rows of the same old cupcakes. They seemed to blink back at her, as if they knew she was capable of so much more.

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself—her—is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat’s senses, and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

My review:

Our heroine isn’t certain about her identity. She’s getting messages from her family that she’s unworthy, that she can’t be “great,” or break out of her small-town life and hum-drum job. She’s longing for more, but she’s full of self-doubt. Our hero believes in her. A lot.

Our hero was likable but flawed, which worked well. And he truly cared about our heroine. All his certainty about her pushed her to prove herself to herself, which is what this story came down to: going for your dreams, despite doubts and fears.

The romcom elements were fun, though like most romantic comedies, the story was a bit superficial (though not insincere). Still, the romance was enjoyable and believable. I enjoyed watching their adventure, how they had to overcome together. At some points, I felt the pacing lagged a bit. But if you’re looking for a light read, this is it.

I loved the behind-the-scenes look at what filming a show like "Cupcake Combat" might be like. Our family enjoys that type of show, so reading this fictionalization was fun.

And who doesn’t love cupcakes?! A story centered around cupcakes, with a wholesome romance thrown in? Bring it! Enjoy!