Laura Wood's charming second rom-com for adults, Let's Make a Scene, reunites two British former co-stars for a sequel to the Regency film that made them famous--with even more crackling chemistry this time around.
When novice actress Cynthie Taylor starred with Jack Turner-Jones in A Lady of Quality, the studio pressured the young actors to fake an offscreen romance. The result: wild swings between public affection, private animosity, and simmering mutual attraction. Thirteen years later, Cynthie is smarting from a scandal that could ruin her career when she gets another chance to act opposite Jack and fake a rekindled romance. As the two warily reunite, sparks fly--and this time, they might catch fire.
Wood (Under Your Spell) packs her dual-timeline narrative with rom-com tropes, such as quirky best friends, life imitating art, Nora Ephron references, prank wars, scenes on horseback, and toe-curling kisses in the rain. But she also sensitively explores her characters' inner lives, including Cynthie's insecurities and fears of abandonment, and Jack's relationship with his famous (and famously snobby) film-star parents. Cynthie and Jack care deeply about their careers, and Cynthie must also navigate the blatant sexism (and worse) facing women in Hollywood and decide when--and against whom--to speak up. While convincing the public they're a match on and offscreen, Cynthie and Jack have to decide if their love will last after the final scene wraps. Wood's narrative is a love letter to Hollywood magic, second-chance romance, and the sweet ache of risking your heart. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams