I’ve always been fascinated by the spectacle of celebrity, particularly as a backdrop for romance stories. The place where the fantasy of fame meets the hard realities of the spotlight is rife with dramatic and comedic possibilities. Plus, there’s that thrill of getting to peek behind the VIP barricade and/or stage door to see how the sausage is made (so to speak).
And let’s not forget the tropes! Celebrity romance stories are tailor-made for so many of my favorites—fake relationship, forced proximity, fish out of water, rags to riches, reformed rake, taming the beast, and so many more.
Given all that, it’s no surprise I love to read them as much as I love to write them. Below are five of my top five celebrity romances written by some of my favorite authors, plus a brand new one written by me!
Act Like It by Lucy Parker
This is the first book in Parker’s excellent London Celebrities series, focusing on the West End theater scene. When a stage actor and notorious misanthrope finds himself in need of an image boost, he reluctantly agrees to a faux-mance with a resilient up-and-coming stage actress, leading to two of my favorite romance tropes—grumpy/sunshine and fake dating—and one of my all-time favorite books.
Beyond Repair by Charlotte Stein
After a Hollywood heartthrob’s suicide attempt is thwarted by a shy recluse, two scarred strangers find healing in one another while hiding from the world. An unexpectedly sweet, funny, and erotic forced proximity romance that’s one of my go-to pick-me-up rereads.
Lick by Kylie Scott
Scott knows from celebrities after penning the excellent Stage Dive series of rock star romances. This first book offers a fun take on the accidental marriage trope when a virgin wakes up in a Vegas hotel room married to the lead guitarist of one of the biggest rock bands in the world and doesn’t remember a thing.
Homecoming King by Penny Reid
Yet again, we’ve got a fake relationship romance, but this time in the form of an arranged marriage between a famous football star and the hometown girl who’s been secretly pining for him since their elementary school days. A new favorite book from a long-time favorite author.
All the Feels by Olivia Dade
A misbehaving TV hunk with ADHD and major impulse control issues is assigned a minder to keep him out of trouble, but the more time she spends with him, the harder she finds it to keep things professional. A lovely companion story to Dade’s previous TV star romance, Spoiler Alert.
This brings us to my upcoming celebrity romance release…
My newest book, STAR BRIGHT, is a little different because it’s about two celebrities—an A-list actress and a well-known entertainment journalist. Even though their careers are interdependent, the two are natural enemies disinclined to trust one another. Kimberleigh and Spencer are unexpectedly brought together when he stumbles upon her in a moment of vulnerability and extends a helping hand instead of outing her weakness to the world.
She’s an A-list Hollywood starlet. He’s a gossip reporter. Sleeping with the enemy has never been sweeter…
Kimberleigh Cress didn’t get to be one of the hottest young actresses in Hollywood without learning how to protect herself. Rule number one? Don’t show weakness. Ever. Especially not in front of the press.
So when a sleazy tabloid reporter comes upon her during a vulnerable moment, the last thing she expects is kindness.
Sexy, charming, and surprisingly thoughtful, Spencer Devlin isn’t at all who Kimberleigh thought he was. After their fateful encounter, she can’t seem to stay away from him—even though she knows she should.
Spencer never expected to share an unlikely connection with the spoiled starlet who hates his guts. With the face of a goddess and an attitude to match, Kimberleigh Cress is one ice queen he’d love to melt.
Now that she’s gotten under his skin, he’ll do anything to keep her in his life. Or will he?
Romance Contemporary [Haver Street Press, On Sale: April 19, 2022, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781950087143 / ]
SUSANNAH NIX is a RITA Award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of rom-coms and contemporary romances who lives in Texas with her husband. On the rare occasions she's not writing, she can be found reading, knitting, lifting weights, drinking wine, or obsessively watching Ted Lasso on repeat to stave off existential angst.
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