Last year, I picked up a debut novel called Celebrity Crush after Andrew Eiden (aka Teddy Hamilton) told me he had fun recording the audiobook for it. It was enjoyable, so I was intrigued by Christy Swift’s follow-up, Hollywood Hookup and how it would move the world forward.

Hollywood Hookup [Buy Bookshop Amazon LibroFM] picks up a few months after the end of Celebrity Crush and switches to Emmy’s best friend, Josie. Josie is a makeup artist on Emmy’s husband’s show and she has a crush on one of the stars. Emmy is working on a celebrity dating show, and when someone can’t make it, she forces Josie to take that spot.

Since Josie’s crush, Sean, is one of the possible outcomes, you’d think she would jump at the chance. Alas, Josie isn’t her real name and she’s hiding from an international television scandal. She may or may not have set a beloved puppet on fire and said some not-so-child-friendly words on air.

But as much as she tries to hide, the more she catches Sean’s attention. He doesn’t understand why she’s trying to hide and run away from him, but he wants to find out. He has secrets of his own, including bidding on a stolen prop from Hamilton that he wants for his slightly over-the-top cosplay collection.

Hollywood Hookup is a fun, quirky read. There’s so much nerdiness throughout this story, including real pop culture references and ones within the fictional world and its sci-fi show. Maybe I’m too entrenched in nerd world myself, but the hardest thing to grasp about this story was how Sean was so secretive about his love of cosplaying. I mean, he’s an actor and cosplay has gone much more mainstream over the last few years, so I never got why he was so ashamed of it. Josie’s attempts to hide from the spotlight were much more understandable.

While Josie and Sean are in this goofy will they/won’t they situation, the emotional depth comes from their personal stories and relationships with their families. I appreciate that there is some depth to the story and it’s not just a quirky, funny romp the whole time.

After finishing this book, I did read the acknowledgements since I’m a nerd like that, and was SHOCKED to find my name there. I sat with my mouth fully open for a good three minutes just staring at it in disbelief. This was the first time I was named in acknowledgements, so this book will forever have a special place in my heart. I mean, it’s barely February and my name is in two books this year?! What is my life?!

Anyway, if you’re nerdy and you know it, grab these books.

110. CHRISTY SWIFT: Dating a celebrity in Hollywood Hookup – LiteraryHype Podcast

Send a textThis week on LiteraryHype Podcast, Christy Swift returns to talk about her sophomore novel, Hollywood Hookup. This is about a makeup artist who gets semi-forced onto a celebrity dating show by her best friend, who is trying to help her get a date with her celebrity crush. However, our main character has plenty of secrets that have her wanting to flee the spotlight.This is a quirky, fun romcom with plenty of nerdy references and vibes. It also packed a huge surprise for me personally, so we are talking all about that, interactions with the actor behind Gimli, and super powers galore. Join us for a fun conversation!FOLLOW CHRISTYBUY THE BOOKSBookshopHollywood HookupCelebrity CrushAmazonHollywood HookupCelebrity CrushLibroFMHollywood HookupCelebrity CrushSupport the showSupport the podcast by shopping:EtsyMy Bookshop.org listsLibroFM audiobooksTry Audible Plus Gift Audible Membership Glocusent LED Neck Reading LightTry Shameless Snacks10% Off at Once Upon a Bookclub10% off Goli VitaminsTWO FREE AUDIOBOOKS with new LibroFM Membership: Kindle Unlimited FREE FOR THREE MONTHS!Prime Television FREE TRIALJoin the fun!WebsiteInstagramTiktok…