Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Ariel (When I Think of You) brings big emotions in this captivating celebrity romance. R&B superstar Ella Simone may have been plucked from obscurity by her narcissistic music-producer husband, Elliot Majors, but she's finally had enough of his philandering and, despite the weight of his punitive prenup hanging over her head, she files for divorce. It's a perfect time for her to meet L.A. Dodgers star pitcher Miles Westbrook, with whom she co-presents an award at the Grammys. Miles, who handles Ella's last minute backstage wardrobe malfunction like a total gentleman, is immediately charmed by her--but Elliot, who encourages the tabloids to have a field day with the pair's "partially nude" meet cute, uses their connection to sway public discourse around the divorce in his favor. Ella's team fights back, pairing Ella and Miles to promote both Miles's charity foundation and Ella's latest music video. As Ella and Miles grow closer in public and private, her divorce proceedings turn increasingly nasty. Will Elliot's machinations be enough to push this budding couple apart? Ariel's fierce heroine inspires instant loyalty, and she crafts a worthy hero in Miles. The pair's complicated connection is leavened with humor from the robust supporting cast. This peek into the perils and pleasures of fame is a winner. (Apr.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
After eight years and more than a few infidelities, pop star Ella Simone is ready to leave her music producer/husband, Elliot Majors. However, with a solid prenup to contest and a public image to protect, the last thing Ella needs is any hint of scandal. When Ella is paired with Miles Westbrook, the MLB's most eligible player, at an awards show, the two form a genuine connection, but Ella is hesitant to pursue it. When Miles helps Ella with a wardrobe malfunction, the tabloids start spreading salacious rumors. Miles's and Ella's teams decide that a PR relationship is the best way to protect both of their reputations amid Ella's ongoing divorce. The real spark Ella discovers with Miles becomes increasingly hard to fake, but can she risk her career, her body of work, and her music on someone who might betray her too? VERDICT Narrator Ladeinde effectively captures Ella's emotionally vulnerable journey along with Miles's sultry voice in Ariel's (When I Think of You) single-POV romance. Recommended for listeners who enjoyed Reel by Kennedy Ryan.--Elizabeth Gabriel
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A pop superstar on the verge of a divorce falls for a major league pitcher. Ella Simone dropped out of college in order to pursue her dreams of becoming a working musician. She married the music producer who helped land her first record contract when she was only 20. Now it's a decade later and she's just filed for divorce, only to learn that the predatory terms of her prenup would leave her with almost nothing, including the rights to her own music. Her lawyer thinks they can win the legal battle but warns Ella to stay out of the social media spotlight. Soon after, Ella has a wardrobe malfunction at the Grammys while presenting an award with Dodgers pitcher Miles Westbrook. The media frenzy dissecting the event--and the palpable chemistry between Ella and Miles--seems likely to tip the court of public opinion toward her ex-husband. Ella's team concocts a PR plan to smooth things over: Miles will star in Ella's next music video, and she will support his foundation with a performance. The novel focuses on Ella's struggles to find herself after her husband's painful betrayal. She's attracted to Miles, but he's only in a handful of scenes in the first half of the book, most of them in the presence of other people. In lieu of making Miles a point-of-view character, Ariel incorporates flashbacks to the early days of Ella's marriage, emails from her mother, and transcriptions of voice notes between the lovers. As a result, Ella's past and present are completely rendered, but Miles is woefully underdeveloped. The exchange of voice notes is distancing and ineffective, showing characters who talk at rather than to each other. Even when a dramatic turn of events should put Miles and his feelings in the spotlight, he barely gets a chance to speak on his own behalf. A poignant portrait of a woman's divorce coupled with an unconvincing new romance. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
