Making Up

I liked Lucy Parker’s romances about actors in London’s West End, Act Like It and Pretty Face, so much that I’ve reread each of them more than once. I had high expectations of the third book. Perhaps too high? I enjoyed Making Up, but not with the same enthusiasm. Mostly, I think, due to reasons which are more about my personal tastes rather than the quality of the storytelling:

1. Trix and Leo are involved in a cirque burlesque, The Festival of the Masks, which I find less fascinating than the traditional theatre featured in the first two books.
2. Trix and Leo are fans of a fictional series, Galaxy Agent. I appreciated that they’re both huge geeks, but references to a story I don’t know, and don’t have any emotional show more connection to, simply don’t delight me the way references to stories I love can.
3. There’s more focus on Trix and Leo’s sexual relationship, which tends to be something I find less interesting.
4. There’s an awful lot going on, which on one hand I liked, but maybe there’s just not enough room in the story to explore everything properly? Trix gets temporarily promoted to a new role, with the possibility of the role becoming permanent; Trix’s nemesis, Leo is Masks’ new makeup artist and the newest-occupant of the theatre-owned sharehouse where Trix lives; their mutual antagonism dates back to things which happened when they were at high school together; Trix is still regaining her confidence after being in an abusive relationship and struggles with anxiety; Leo’s younger sister has returned from a year overseas with an attitude problem and she’s now an intern in Masks' wardrobe department; a webseries documenting behind-the-scenes of Masks is implying that Trix is in a relationship with one of her co-stars; Leo is in a special-effects makeup competition and hoping this will open up career opportunities; Trix is writing/drawing a comic in her spare time… I don’t know.

Anyway, uncertainty about why I didn’t enjoy this more aside, I did enjoy this. I am here for People Who Have History With Each Other Being Thrown Together! I like Trix and Leo. Their long-standing pattern of antagonistic banter doesn’t get in the way of them supporting each other, and communication issues are resolved with more maturity and less drama than I was honestly anticipating. And there's at least one reference to The Lord of the Rings...

I also really like Parker’s descriptions and dialogue -- very entertaining. I expect I’ll reread this at some point (maybe when I’m more in the mood for this sort of story), and I’m still eager to see whatever else Parker writes next.

“I find it odd that in ten years of deep, meaningful, often drunken conversation you never once mentioned this epic tale of insults and hostility.” [Lily] took another comprehensive look in Leo’s direction. “With one of the sexiest men on the planet.”
“I don’t waste my time taking about irrelevant things,” Trix said loftily and completely untruthfully.
“He was at your school in Bucks? You’ve obviously kept in touch.” And Lily was obviously going to cling to this distasteful subject like a mouse clutching a piece of Stilton. Her perfect, classical nose was all but twitching.
“Not by choice,” Trix muttered. “He’s a bloody Jack-in-the-Box. Pops up all over London. We were having a pretty good run these past few months before the universe decided to kick me in the teeth, but usually, everywhere I look, there’s Leo. Weddings. Christenings. Train stations. The biscuit aisle in the supermarket. The bus to King’s Road. Your production party. [...] My local pub.” show less

Making Up by Lucy Parker
London Celebrities #3

An aerialist and a makeup artist were classmates a decade ago. Something happened that caused their tentative friendship to become sharp and acerbic. Every time they have met over the years annoyance rather than pleasure has been experienced. The two are now working together as Trixie flies through the air and Leo works his artistic magic for the cast of a West End musical production. When Trixie is thrust into the limelight she has doubts…doubts that she never had before her self-confidence was rocked by a cretin named Dan. With her job on the line, her confidence iffy and Leo a thorn in her side it is a surprise to her that Leo steps in when needed, helps her through a moment show more then…eventually…they talk.

This is a wonderful story that is uplifting and just the way a relationship should be. Leo is a wonderful man who has his priorities set as they should be. He knows what is important and is willing to do what is necessary to achieve his goals. That said, he is also able to assess, communicate and be there for those he cares about.

I loved this story and hated to see it end. It made me smile and care and wish I knew people like Leo, Trixie and their friends in real life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin – Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars show less

A really good mix of romance, grown up love and geek. Trix is wonderful, self aware and full of life. Leo is almost too good then I caught myself, nice, hot and good guy are just so rare that when you get one, you can't help waiting for the other shoe to drop, the shoe never drops. Leo and Trix are two adults going after what they want with both eyes opened. The theater scene, the fandom space, urban London are perfect for Trix and Leo to find solace, love and peace with themselves and each other.

Enjoyable contemporary romance, but after reading all 3 London Celebrities novels in a row([b:Act Like It|25750546|Act Like It (London Celebrities, #1)|Lucy Parker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437804753s/25750546.jpg|45592892] and [b:Pretty Face|30631124|Pretty Face (London Celebrities, #2)|Lucy Parker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1479518906s/30631124.jpg|51166184],along with this one), they all started to sound a little too much alike, especially the gruff but ultimately well-meaning heroes. I liked Trix and Leo, and their respective careers were interesting as well, but there's only so much "snarky banter masking attraction" that I can take at one time.

Sleepless night from the jetlag, so I went for the new Lucy Parker. And it didn't disappoint. My go-to writer for romance for sure. And I'm picky. I can be entertained by romance, but I rarely love it this much. But when I do, it's so worth it. I'm not even usually into celebrity romance, but these books see the people behind the fame, the real people, and that's what makes them great. Can't wait for more books either in this series or another series!

I have been enjoying the series but I found this one hard to plow through. It only picks up halfway, once the H/h finally get their shit on the table and actually communicate. I was so close to DNF but happy I stuck with it. Just wish it was better.

I remember SO much about the first in this series.

But somehow Lucy Parker’s second and third offering leave me with a wandering mind, and I either miss her transitions or they are non existent because I constantly feel off balance.

I did feel the chemistry here, but there’s something lacking in the set up. I’m sending this back to he library for a more deserving reader, and heavily considering passing on the 4th