Caffeinated Reviewer

After four months of unemployment, former book editor Clara Montgomery is still stuck sleeping on her little brother’s ugly couch in Queens. Determined to keep her minuscule savings account intact, she takes a job clearing out abandoned storage units, but is in no way prepared for stumbling upon dead snakes or trying to identify exactly where the perpetual stench of beets is emanating from.

When Clara comes across a unit that was once owned by an escort service, she finds the brothel “résumé” of a younger Caspian Tiddleswich… an astonishingly famous British actor. Her best friend thinks she should sell the gossip to a tabloid to fund her way off the couch from hell, but Clara instead manages to track down Caspian’s contact info, intending to reassure him that her lips are sealed.

Unfortunately, Caspian misinterprets Clara’s attempt at altruism and shows up on her doorstep, accusing her of blackmail. When the paparazzi capture a photo of them together, Caspian’s PR team sees an opportunity to promote his latest film—and if Clara wants to atone for her “crimes,” she’ll have to play along. Pretending to be Caspian’s girlfriend seems like it will be a tolerable, if somewhat daunting, penance… until their fake romance becomes something more than either of them expected.

I read the synopsis for Crashing the A-List by Summer Heacock and thought the unique arrangement trope sounded like a fun summer romance. A sharp, witty, snappy and heartfelt romance that will leave you grinning.

Coffee dates with Crashing the A-List

• First Date: Our dates begin when Clara, an unemployed publicist discovers something in a storage unit and fumbles the return of said information, leading the intended recipient, sexy British actor, Caspian Tiddleswich, to believe Clara is trying to blackmail him. When a photo appears them, everyone assumes the secretive Tiddleswich has a girlfriend. The two enter a twisted arrangement built off a stack of misconceptions. I loved the whole setup, Clara’s BFF and the initial interactions between Clara and Caspian.
• Second Date: Chemistry, snark and attitudes have me feeling hot and cold. Clara is a hoot, particularly with her habit of naming inanimate objects. She even talks to them; much like I talk to my coffee. We could be BFFs. Family and friends added moments of laughter. Clara’s mother and the whole lunch scene was hilarious. Clara and Caspian open up and we gain some understanding into Tiddleswich and just when things heat up, someone dowses the flames.
• Third Date: Feels, confessions and character growth gave way to something deeper. The drama was dealt with in an adult like way and I was pleased with the way it slowly unfolded. I also loved the thread regarding Clara’s employment that ran throughout the story. We went on several interviews and Heacock touched on some relevant issues when it comes to employment.

I ended my dates with Crashing the A-List grinning like a fool. While this works as a standalone romance, I wouldn’t mind getting stories for secondary characters. On a final note….the David Tennant mention still has me smiling! ?

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

Related Posts

• Same Genre