Laura Wood’s Let’s Make a Scene delivers exactly what its title promises—a story that’s impossible to put down, filled with dramatic tension, sizzling chemistry, and the kind of emotional depth that makes you want to both laugh and cry. As the second installment in the Theo & Cynthie series, this companion novel to Under Your Spell shifts focus from rock star romance to the glamorous yet treacherous world of Hollywood, proving that Wood has mastered the art of creating distinct yet interconnected love stories.
A Tale of Second Chances and Fake Romance
Thirteen years after their disastrous first collaboration on the indie film A Lady of Quality, Cynthie Taylor and Jack Turner-Jones are reluctantly reunited for a sequel that could either resurrect their careers or destroy them completely. What makes this premise particularly engaging is the dual layer of pretense—not only must they convincingly portray lovers on screen as Edward and Emilia, but they’re also contractually obligated to fake a romantic relationship for the public, all while being followed by a documentary crew capturing their every move.
The setup is deliciously complex, and Wood handles these multiple layers of performance and reality with remarkable skill. Cynthie, now a successful actress facing a career crisis after a public scandal, must work alongside Jack, who has evolved from an arrogant young actor into a thoughtful, self-assured man carrying the weight of his famous parents’ legacy. Their enemies-to-lovers arc unfolds with the perfect balance of tension and tenderness.
Character Development That Feels Real
One of Wood’s greatest strengths lies in her character development. Cynthie is not your typical romance heroine—she’s prickly, damaged, and fiercely independent, yet vulnerable in ways that feel authentic rather than contrived. Her journey from a working-class girl with dreams to a successful actress grappling with trust issues and family trauma is portrayed with nuance and depth.
Jack’s transformation is equally compelling. Wood skillfully shows us glimpses of the privileged, dismissive young man he once was while revealing the mature, emotionally intelligent person he’s become. His growth feels earned rather than convenient, and his patience with Cynthie’s walls creates some of the book’s most swoon-worthy moments.
The supporting cast, particularly Cynthie’s chosen family of friends including Hannah, Liam, and Patty, adds richness to the story. These relationships provide emotional grounding and demonstrate Wood’s understanding that romance novels work best when love extends beyond the central couple.
Writing Style and Emotional Intelligence
Wood’s prose sparkles with wit and emotional intelligence. Her dialogue crackles with tension and humor, particularly during the publicity interviews where Cynthie and Jack trade barbed compliments while maintaining their facade. The author excels at capturing the subtle moments—a hand reaching out during a panic attack, the weight of shared glances, the careful choreography of pretend intimacy that gradually becomes real.
The dual perspective narration allows readers to experience both characters’ internal struggles, creating a rich understanding of their motivations and fears. Wood doesn’t shy away from difficult topics—trauma, family dysfunction, career pressures—but handles them with sensitivity and hope.
Strengths That Shine
- Authenticity in the entertainment industry: Wood’s portrayal of Hollywood feels researched and genuine, from the intricacies of film production to the pressures of public relationships. The behind-the-scenes elements of moviemaking add fascinating texture to the romance.
- Emotional depth: The panic attack scene demonstrates Wood’s ability to handle mental health issues with care and authenticity. Jack’s response shows genuine understanding rather than simple romantic heroism.
- Chemistry and tension: The slow burn between Cynthie and Jack is expertly paced. Their banter feels natural, and their physical attraction builds believably from antagonism to genuine connection.
- Themes of growth and forgiveness: Both characters must confront their past selves and choices, creating a romance that feels mature and emotionally satisfying.
Areas for Improvement
While Let’s Make a Scene is largely successful, it’s not without minor flaws. The pacing occasionally feels uneven, particularly in the middle section where the film production details, while interesting, sometimes overshadow the romantic development. Some readers might find the resolution slightly rushed after the extended buildup of tension.
The documentary subplot, while clever, isn’t always fully utilized. There are moments where this device feels more like a plot convenience than an integral part of the story structure.
Additionally, while Cynthie’s family backstory adds important context to her character, some elements feel somewhat underdeveloped compared to the rich detail given to Jack’s family dynamics.
Connection to the Series
Readers familiar with Under Your Spell will appreciate the appearances of Theo and Clemmie, whose solid relationship provides a lovely contrast to Cynthie and Jack’s tumultuous journey. However, Let’s Make a Scene works perfectly as a standalone novel, with enough context provided for new readers to feel fully engaged.
The connection between the books feels organic rather than forced, and Wood manages to create a sense of shared universe without making either story dependent on the other.
Similar Reads and Recommendations
Fans of Let’s Make a Scene should definitely explore:
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – for similar wit and emotional depth
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – for another neurodivergent heroine finding love
- The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory – for fake relationship dynamics
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid – for Hollywood glamour and complex relationships
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston – for enemies-to-lovers tension
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – for workplace antagonism turning to love
Final Verdict
Let’s Make a Scene succeeds as both entertainment and emotional journey. Wood has crafted a romance that honors the genre’s traditions while bringing fresh perspectives to familiar tropes. The fake relationship and enemies-to-lovers elements feel earned rather than convenient, and the Hollywood setting adds glamour without sacrificing authenticity.
This is a book that will satisfy romance readers looking for both escapism and substance. Wood’s writing demonstrates why she’s become such a beloved voice in contemporary romance—she understands that the best love stories aren’t just about two people finding each other, but about two people becoming their best selves together.
While it may have minor pacing issues and could develop some subplots more fully, Let’s Make a Scene delivers where it matters most: creating characters you care about, a relationship you root for, and an emotional payoff that feels both surprising and inevitable. It’s a worthy follow-up to Under Your Spell and establishes Wood as an author whose future releases should be eagerly anticipated.
For anyone who believes in second chances, the power of chosen family, and love that grows stronger through adversity, Let’s Make a Scene is exactly the kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with romance in the first place.