Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood @lauracwood #HeatherLong @sam_m_stafford @simon.audio @simonaudio.bsky.social #TheoAndCynthie #LetsMakeAScene

the setup…
Cynthie Taylor’s career is in serious trouble. She’s a well-regarded, famous actress now caught up in a scandal that may just level her career. Her agent and her best friend approach her with a project that just might be the solution…if she can bear having Jack Turner-Jones be the leading man in the sequel to the film that launched their careers. Thirteen years ago, A Lady of Quality was Cynthie’s first role and the one that distinguished Jack from his famous theatrical parents. Problem was they couldn’t stand each other back then and haven’t seen one another since. Can they pull this off?

the heart of the story…
The story begins with Cynthie’s current woes and transitions back thirteen years to where it all began. I appreciated the dual timeline because there was so much more texture to the complicated relationship between Cynthie and Jack. There’s truly a thin line between love hate and these two personify that. Part of the PR from the first movie required them to be in a fake relationship and they were going to have to do it again for the new film’s promotion. Jack needs this movie, too, so both want it to work while struggling with those competing emotions.

the narration…
Heather Long and Sam Stafford were delightful as Cynthie and Jack, as well as giving great voices to the wonderful secondary characters. I loved their performances.

the bottom line…
There’s a lot to love here with two highly engaging characters trying to grapple with their complicated feelings for each other. It’s funny and romantic, poignant at times, and has a wonderful cast of secondary characters. Theo & Clementine make an appearance, too, which brought back some special memories. I certainly hope there’s more to come in this series as I’m enjoying being in this world’s orbit.

Book Info

• Release Date: July 1, 2025
• Series: Theo & Cynthie #2
• Narrators: Heather Long & Sam Stafford
• Audio Length: 12 hours, 55 minutes
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

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(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio and Libro.fm for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)