The Other Side of Fame is a beautiful love story, set against the backdrop of a complicated music industry and two people’s desire to give their legacy more meaning than it ever had before. Heaven and Fame want to leave their mark on the world. Their mark on each other’s lives and hearts will be much more permanent.

Heaven and Fame are casual acquaintances, label mates who share management and then suddenly they lock eyes in a studio session and something feels different. Heaven knows he’s for the streets and having almost derailed her career over a man like that once before, she knows it can’t go anywhere. But he is fun to be around, and she can use his celebrity to get hers back on track, so she asks him to be her fake boyfriend for a year. 

Okay, so let me tell you this book burned slow, but still burned. I could feel every bit of the heat between Heaven and Fame. Their chemistry did stumble for me in some places, but in all, I thought it was legit. The two of them knew it was more from the beginning but were afraid for valid reasons. Fame was intentional and backed up his words with action the entire book and I loved that as well. It was obvious he fell first and it was adorable. I liked the way Fame acknowledged that he had no practice or experience with relationships, but he knew Heaven was different. His family history gave him so many needed layers and I liked seeing him as a provider, not just a playboy. I was happy he and his mom came to an understanding, but I still felt like she owed him more.
Heaven’s hesitance was well founded and her drive and work ethic made her a great character, plus her commitment to family. I wish she hadn’t judged Fame for so much of the book--he showed and proved, plus he didn’t have to agree in the first place. I thought after a while he deserved a little more grace. But I could see why that was hard for her. The past with her ex was rough and I was happy to see her push through. She was the quiet Fame sought, and he was the romance she needed. Very well done.

Thanks to D. Rose for the ARC!