In equal parts entertaining and humorous, The Movie Star: A Goodwater Ranch Romance by Amanda Lewis is a romantic comedy driven by two fascinating characters. Though she has years of experience under her belt and her mom owns a successful bakery and restaurant, bank after bank rejects Simone’s credit application. One year ago, she had started a hotel. She plans to start a restaurant that complements the hotel but without sufficient financial backing, all her well-laid plans will never materialize to become the restaurant she has dreamed of starting. But there is another way: to find a millionaire who is willing to invest in her dreams. However, Simone cannot stand the only millionaire investor she finds who also happens to be a celebrated movie star she knew years ago.

The Movie Star is a charming story with a lovely ending. I loved the hilarious conversations included in the book which play on the main characters' differences. The secondary characters, who include Simone’s family and friends, are also well developed. Family dynamics are explored and they help expand the main characters and their backgrounds. The small-town setting also adds to the story’s charm. I loved the dramatic scenes in the story which brought out the characters’ feelings and made them palpable. I also liked Simone’s resolve to see her plans through, despite facing numerous setbacks. The Movie Star by Amanda Lewis is an entertaining love story that pairs a playful, obnoxious movie star with a fiery businesswoman. Its funny conversations and dramatic scenes make it a great read for fans of romantic comedies.

If small-town series are your bread and butter, then don’t be afraid to chomp down on The Movie Star by Amanda Lewis. Simone Lifette is a restaurateur who hopes to secure a loan so she can finally make her dream restaurant happen. The problem is the bank won’t give it to her, and Simone must find another way to raise funds. Call it destiny or luck, but an old flame is shooting his movie in town. As a celebrity, Chris Powers has more than enough money to back Simone’s project. The two strike a deal, but also strike a match, lighting the old flame. Sparks fly. Simone tries her best to deny she still has feelings for Chris. Bit by bit, she is melting. Is Chris the same? Or has he changed for the better?

I got all the warm, fluttery, and sweet feels a Hallmark movie gives packed into this one book. And, it is funny I say this too because at one point in The Movie Star, a certain character makes jabs at the quintessential Hallmark movie trope. Thankfully, more characters back up why we all love it so much (even if we don’t want to admit it). Amanda Lewis utilizes the tools to get our hearts going. We want to see enemies change to lovers, lost loves, and small-town romances. There is something about these universal fantasies that we can’t but help love. What is wrong with a happy ending? It may be every girl’s dream, but there is a reason for it. Thank you, Amanda Lewis, for showing us all why!