The main characters of this story, Liam and Shelby, were totally delightful and frequently made me laugh with their quick-witted banter. However, I also empathized with the difficulties they faced in trying to build a life together while being hounded by the press. There were times when I wasn't sure their love would be enough to keep them together, but they persevered, and their HEA was extra sweet because of it.
About "Changing Roles"
Lights! Camera! Clueless!
Liam Wright is Hollywood’s golden boy and at the top of the A-list.
But what he doesn’t know about life… Well, it could fill his very large Hollywood mansion. Thankfully, he’s got Shelby Carter in his world to keep him—and his house—camera-ready. Part confidante, part master chef, Shelby is his best friend and the only one who knows the real Liam.
Pampered, pretty, and often puzzled, Liam and his antics keep her on her toes, and there is never a dull moment living with him.
Until one day, Liam sees her as more…and he wants her to see him for the man he can be. The man he wants to be.
For her.
Is Liam up for the part?
Read an Excerpt of "Changing Roles"
I filled the sink beside her with warm water, planning on soaking her feet and then bandaging them.
“The dress,” she whispered.
I groaned. I didn’t care about the bloody dress. But I knew she did. “Take it off, then.”
“Right here?”
“Shelby, I’ve seen you in a bathing suit. I think I can handle your underwear.”
“Um—”
Chuckling, I shrugged out of my jacket and unbuttoned my shirt, yanking it off, leaving me in my undershirt. “You can put this on.” I wrapped my arm around her. “Come on, I’ll help you.” Gently, I set her on the floor, my eyes following her hand as she pulled down the hidden zipper on her dress. The deep-red gown pooled at her feet, and I swallowed when I saw what was hiding underneath the satin.
Her bathing suit, I could handle.
This, I wasn’t sure about.
Red. Lacy. Strapless.
A bustier.
My gaze drifted downward.
Tiny scraps of fabric tied at her hips in the same shade of red, leaving a tantalizing strip of soft flesh between the bustier and her underwear. A strip I wanted to lick.
And the underwear…tiny straps with bows that led to…
I shut my eyes as the room became far too small and far too hot. All the blood in my body was now pooled in one place.
My hard, aching cock.
Which was at that very moment trying to punch its way out of my pants to get to that red lace.
Bugger. Shit. Damn.
I gulped in air. Tried to think of anything else. Puppies. Worms. Everett in his underwear. Anything but the warm, red-lace-wearing woman in front of me.
Who was in pain and needed me to look after her.
Not lift her back onto the counter and fuck her until she screamed my name.
At least once.
Three or four times, preferably.
Her voice broke through my thoughts. “Liam?”
I blinked at her and handed her my shirt. I needed to rein myself in. “Put this on, Shelby, please.”
With downcast eyes, she did as I asked. I realized she thought I wanted her to cover up for a different reason than I needed her to cover up. I cupped her cheek. “Hey.”
Her hesitant gaze met mine. I covered her mouth with my lips, yanking her close. I pulled her hips against mine so she knew how she was affecting me. Her eyes flew open, meeting mine that were already staring at her—trying to convey a hard message.
I smiled against her lips. “Just for now, Beaker. Or your feet won’t be the only thing that’s sore.”
I set her back on the counter, keeping my eyes averted. She hissed in pain as I placed her feet in the warm water. I grimaced in understanding. “Sorry. Now, where can I find bandages?”
“My bathroom has a first aid kit. Left cupboard by the vanity.”
“Okay, stay here.”
“Where else am I gonna go?”
I hesitated. “I’m not gonna have to touch…other things to get to the kit thing, am I?”
She smirked. “Other things, Liam?”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Um…your girl…things, Shelby?”
“No, you’re quite safe.” She winked. “Just make sure you open the left cupboard. Not the right.”
“Right.”
“No, left.”
“Bloody hell, don’t confuse me! I don’t have a lot of blood in that particular head right now!”
Her amusement followed me down the hall.
It was music to my ears.
My Review
I'm a big fan of stories about movie stars, so I particularly enjoyed Melanie Moreland's "Changing Roles." I especially liked how different it was from so many of the previous books I've read about behind-the-scenes Hollywood. The focus here was not so much about an actor's life on set or attending glamorous events, but rather how the press and public attention impacts them and their loved ones. There are a number of downsides to fame that I don't think I fully understood until reading this story.
I absolutely adored the book's male lead, Liam, who was incredibly funny, caring, and sweet. His inner thoughts made me laugh so many times, but I think my favorite scene was when he was trying to decide if he should go and apologize to the female lead, Shelby, while she was working in the kitchen. He was initially concerned because Shelby had "access to knives there," but quickly shrugged off those concerns and decided that he could handle whatever Shelby did because he was "like a ninja." I also appreciated how protective Liam became after he finally realized that he was in love with Shelby. His relationship with her helped him mature and finally become the strong, capable man he was meant to be.
Shelby was also a wonderful lead character and deserved to be treasured by a man as wonderful as Liam, especially after the way her jerk of an ex-husband treated her. I liked that she always treated Liam as if he were just an average guy, not a celebrity, and their banter was quite funny. They were best friends first and neither of them expected to fall in love, but they really were perfect for each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I will certainly be reading more of Ms. Moreland's work in the future.
*ARC provided by the author via Candi Kane PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
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