Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood is (for me), the ultimate enemies to lovers with all the feels.
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- Category : Contemporary Romance
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster UK
- Publication date : 3 July 2025
- Language : English
- Print length : 464 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1398529796
- ISBN-13 : 978-1398529793
Their story might be scripted, but the chemistry is real.
When Cynthie Taylor gets her first real acting job, starring in a small British movie, she is over the moon. There’s only one problem . . . Cynthie’s arrogant and annoyingly handsome co-star Jack hates her, and the feeling is definitely mutual. While they may be at war behind the scenes, their on-screen chemistry is palpable, and the studio sees an opportunity – have the two young stars fake a romance that will charm fans and draw crowds.
Thirteen years later, Cynthie and Jack have successfully kept their promise to stay far away from one another, until a surprising offer comes to make a sequel to the cult classic that launched their careers. But there’s a catch: they must also rekindle their pretend relationship . . . and this time there’s a documentary crew following their every move.
Cynthie and Jack both desperately need this film to work, but can two ex-rivals ever really trust each other? And what happens when the roles they’re playing start to feel all too real?
Let’s Make a Scene Review
First off, even though Let’s Make a Scene is a companion to Under Your Spell, you don’t need to have read the first book to enjoy this one. I haven’t read Under Your Spell and I absolutely LOVED Let’s Make a Scene. Honestly, I know sharing my thoughts won’t do the story justice!
We meet Cynthie as she’s hiding away from the media following a very public crisis. When her agent, Gayle, shows up with news that she’s been dropped from her next project, she also brings an opportunity that could be career-saving — but it comes with strings attached. Her best friend and assistant Hannah makes it clear that retreating from the spotlight is only fuelling fake news and damaging the carefully crafted “English Rose” branding that began with her breakout role in A Lady of Quality.
From there, the story shifts between “now” and “before.” We go back thirteen years to Cynthie’s very first table read for A Lady of Quality. She’s so innocent, so full of hope — and I was just as invested in her past as I was in her present. This dual timeline works so, so well.
Laura Wood captures emotion with such ease. One analogy from Cynthie really stood out for me: “Now, it’s as if all those feelings are catching up with me. I’m stuck inside a snow globe that someone has shaken up and there are sparkly little emotions flying everywhere.” It sums up her emotional turmoil perfectly.
Watching Cynthie and Jack’s history unfold — alongside the way they handle their feelings in the present — really drew me in. Their love story is beautifully done, full of push-and-pull moments that felt true to both their personal and professional lives.
There are laugh-out-loud moments, scenes that brought happy tears, and an absolutely brilliant scene at Jack’s parents’ house that had me punching the air. And the grand gesture? Just perfect. Heart-stopping, emotional, and guaranteed to pull at heartstrings.
At the same time, Laura Wood doesn’t shy away from serious themes. She sensitively tackles the dynamics of power and coercion — how someone can slowly chip away at another person’s self-belief until they start to believe the lies themselves. It’s not only integral to Cyn and Jack but I felt highlighted the power of people finding their own voices with the support of others and speaking out.
Every single character shone, and I was fascinated by the behind-the-scenes look at the film industry.
Quite simply, this is the best enemies to lovers I’ve ever read. Funny, moving and hopeful, Let’s Make a Scene is a tonic of a read. It’s one I’ll be re-reading whenever I need a pick-me-up.
About the Author
Laura Wood is an author and an academic. Her debut adult novel, Under Your Spell, has sold into seventeen languages. Let’s Make a Scene is her second romance book for adults. She is also a bestselling and acclaimed author of children’s and young adult novels. Laura has a PhD in nineteenth century literature, and lives in Warwickshire with her husband and their dog, Bea. You can visit lauraclarewood.com and follow her on Instagram @lauracwood.
