Review: Act Like it by Lucy Parker

Act Like it by Lucy Parker
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Publication Date: May 31st 2016
My rating: 4.5 stars. 

This just in: romance takes center stage as West End theatre's Richard Troy steps out with none other than castmate Elaine Graham Richard Troy used to be the hottest actor in London, but the only thing firing up lately is his temper. We all love to love a bad boy, but Richard's antics have made him Enemy Number One, breaking the hearts of fans across the city. Have the tides turned? Has English rose Lainie Graham made him into a new man? Sources say the mismatched pair has been spotted at multiple events, arm in arm and hip to hip. From fits of jealousy to longing looks and heated whispers, onlookers are stunned by this blooming romance. Could the rumors be right? Could this unlikely romance be the real thing? Or are these gifted stage actors playing us all?

Act Like it was a book which completely took me by surprise, it was witty, full with snarky characters and before I knew it I was utterly hooked. Lainey finds herself in a “fake relationship” with co-star Richard; their show has taken a hit as of late with Richard being spotted kicking off in a restaurant one night. He’s known to be stroppy and have his way, so when Lainey’s boss suggests that stepping out as a couple will help in several ways, it’s not something Richard and Lainey imagined. Richard is the type of guy who looks out for himself, he didn’t even pay the slightest bit of attention to who Lainey was before, whereas Lainey is the opposite, I totally adored her, she was lively and bubbly. She had so much of her own stress to deal with but was one of the most considerate individuals I’d come across. But to make matters worse Lainey’s ex Will is also a cast member of their production. Lainey and Richard wanted to make themselves appear as much as a couple as possible, so that included keeping Will in the dark. I honestly had no idea whether their relationship would come across as believable or not, as at first Richard and Lainey came across as such opposites that I thought they would have a tough time getting along. Also Richard as I’d mentioned was quite set in his ways, I couldn’t see anything changing him. 

But the development of Richard and Lainey’s relationship was so much fun seeing enfold. I liked how the earlier awkwardness and forced closeness developed into something neither of them imagined. Parker did a grand job of slowly developing the relationship between Richard and Lainey; it was just the right amount of slow burn, with the incidents along the way chipping away at Richard’s hard exterior. Both had their own secrets and I’m glad as the story progressed they were slowly able to put that trust in each other. I adored the development of Richard’s character, how he went out of his way to making Lainey was looked after, although it was initially hard to imagine, Richard was a really softie at times, truly making my heart melt. 

Forced or faked relationships are always one of my favourite tropes and Parker really excelled in making the development of Richard and Lainey’s relationship a marvellous one. Both of their characters truly came a long way. What I also appreciated was the snark and humour littered throughout the story, although I wasn’t a huge fan of Billie Fulford-Brown’s narration (she made Richard come across as rather nasally), the jibes and banter that characters had with each other was my absolute favourite. I guess I didn’t expect Act Like it to be such a funny read, but I really enjoyed the dry sense of humour that some characters like Richard had. 

Act Like it was a book that I went into with not a lot of expectations, but one that I literally charmed the pants of me. I’m only knocking the half star off because I wasn’t a fan of the narrator at all. This minor complaint aside Act Like it was a wonderful read! I shall certainly be looking forward to devouring Parker’s future reads right up!