Worth the Risk

by Shelia Goss

Meet the Women in Hollywood
They built their empires under the spotlight. Now love might steal the show.

She built the brand everyone in Hollywood wants to touch.
He’s the voice every playlist can’t live without.
When attraction collides with secrets and scandal, can love survive the glare of fame?

Charlotte Richards turned ambition into an empire, shaping her legacy one headline, one deal, and one star at a time. Polished, unbothered, and always in control, she promised herself she’d never blur business with pleasure. Then came Sean Maxwell, R&B’s most magnetic performer, with a voice that could move millions and a smile that could make her forget the rules.

Sean has everything—fame, fortune, and fans who can turn any mistake into a trending topic. But behind the swagger is a man who knows what he wants, and what he wants is Charlotte. He’s ready to risk it all—his career, his reputation, even his heart—to have her.

When old secrets surface and viral rumors threaten to destroy everything they’ve built, the queen of strategy and the king of smooth must decide if love is the power they’ve both been chasing or the price they can’t afford to pay.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[Zenya Weatherall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a delightful and easy read that immediately drew me in. From the very first pages, it had a certain charm that made it hard to put down, blending romance with a subtle thread of mystery in a way that felt both cozy and intriguing. It’s the kind of story that works perfectly for readers who enjoy romance with a hint of true crime—just enough suspense to keep things interesting without overwhelming the emotional core. I found myself instantly invested in the premise and overall tone, making it a quick read that I genuinely enjoyed. That said, while the story was undeniably cute and engaging, it did feel a bit too short. At times, the pacing felt rushed, particularly when it came to character development. With more time spent exploring the characters’ backgrounds, motivations, and relationships, readers could form a deeper emotional connection and become even more invested in the outcome. Expanding the story and allowing key moments to breathe would have elevated the narrative even further. Overall, it’s a charming and promising read—one that leaves you wanting just a little more.
#NetGalley #ARC #WorthTheRisk

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A BMBW in entertainment romance

My Review: Worth the Risk by Shelia Goss is book #1 in The Women of Hollywood Collection. It is a "Multicultural Interest | Romance." It was released on 1/13/26.

About the Book: "She built the brand everyone in Hollywood wants to touch.

He's the voice every playlist can't live without.

When attraction collides with secrets and scandal, can love survive the glare of fame?"

In My Own Words: A singer who is under new management falls head over heels for woman who is trying to help him.

About the Characters/Conflict: Charlotte Richards and Sean Maxwell share a night of passion during a particularly stressful period. When the brakes are put on and boundaries are set, it becomes more and more difficult to maintain professional distance. As past drama, present misunderstandings, and hiccups from all around disrupt the flow of their relationship, they must each decide what they really want.

My Thoughts:

💜 - The pacing was up and down at the start, but it eventually hit a rhythm.

💜 - The characters were likable well enough. Their backgrounds were kind of tragic, but that gave the story a meaty bite. I will say that there were some moments when the attitude and actions of both leads came across as peculiar and misplaced. I won't say more than that.

💜 - I found the dark turn in the story to be interesting. I could see the outcome, but walking through the steps was needed. It felt slightly rushed. It felt like a dangling thread, in a sense.

💜 - The blast from the past situation was there but kind of wasn't. It fell flat and didn't serve a purpose that I could see. I suppose it was closure in a way.

💜 - Some of the coupling situations were very repetitive...notably so. That stood out to me. I did not care for it. It made things less fresh and more predictable. Charlotte and Sean, in truth, had a 0 to 100 insta spice setting that popped up throughout.

💜 - I liked the big moment at the end. It was unexpected. Things wrapped up alright.

About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan. All I need to say is that I am a fan. She was amazing, as always. 💖

My Final Say: Worth the Risk was a solid read. The story had quite a bit of drama, quite a bit of texture, and quite a bit of heat.

Other: Readers who like glitz and glam relationships, close proximity working relationships, and will they/won't they dynamics may like this one.

Rating: 3/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 🌶️🌶️
Format: 🎧
Narration: ✨
Cover: +

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to review a digital ARC of this work. This was my first exposure to this writer; I look forward to reading more from her in the future. She made a fairly good start with this series.

[Urban Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance, sex, and mystery is what you’ll find in Worth the Risk by Shelia Goss. Goss takes readers into the exciting and sometimes problematic world of Hollywood. This book has a good storyline with all of the glitz, glamor, and drama that Hollywood is known for. There is even a shocking mystery that is thrown in for good measure.Worth the Risk is a good fast-paced, spicy romance that is a great start to the Women in Hollywood series.

[Amanda Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a read. Absolutely loved this book. I found another new author that is going on my list of favorites. I really can’t wait to read more by this author.

Overall highly recommend this book !!!

[Alexia Gauthier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to love it, struggled to finish it 😞

2.5 ⭐️ | 0.75 🌶️

I went into Worth the Risk with high expectations. As the first installment in Shelia Goss’s new Women in Hollywood series, the premise had everything I usually love: a powerful female lead, a charismatic R&B star, and the high-stakes drama of Tinseltown. Unfortunately, while the setup was there, the execution left me wanting so much more.

The story follows Charlotte Richards, a powerhouse manager who has built a literal empire by keeping her cool and never mixing business with pleasure. Enter Sean Maxwell, the "King of Smooth" with a voice that melts hearts and a reputation that keeps him trending. When Sean decides he wants Charlotte to manage his career, and his heart, the professional lines get very blurry, very fast.

This was my first time reading Shelia Goss, and while I wanted to fall in love with her storytelling, I struggled to connect with the delivery.

If you aren’t a fan of "insta-love," this might be a tough sell. Sean falls for Charlotte almost the second he sees her, and the progression of their relationship felt rushed rather than earned. I missed that slow-burn tension that makes a Hollywood romance really sizzle.

The story is told in the third person, and at times, the prose felt a bit unpolished. Some of the dialogue and romantic descriptions leaned into "cringe" territory for me, making it hard to stay immersed in the world Charlotte and Sean were building.

For a book about two major celebrities with magnetic chemistry, the spice was quite mild. When the intimate moments did happen, the word choices felt a bit awkward, which took away from the romance.

I pushed through to the end out of respect for the author's work, but I found myself hovering near a DNF around the 30% mark. It felt a bit "too good to be true" and lacked the grit I expected from a story about secrets and scandals.
However, just because it wasn't my cup of tea doesn't mean it won't be yours! If you enjoy fast-paced, sweet-leaning celebrity romances and don’t mind a "love at first sight" trope, you might find Charlotte and Sean’s journey more endearing than I did.

A huge thank you to Grey’s Promotions for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Best of luck to Shelia Goss on the January 13th release!

[Page Escapes by J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the Risk was an engaging and enjoyable read that offered a compelling look into the glamour and pressure of Hollywood through the lens of ambitious, well-written female characters.

I really appreciated the character development and emotional authenticity throughout the story. The relationships felt believable, the writing was smooth, and the setting added an extra layer of intrigue without overpowering the plot. It’s an easy book to get into and one that keeps you turning the pages.

The reason this was a four-star read for me instead of five comes down to pacing and structure. While the multiple perspectives added depth, some transitions felt a bit rushed, and a few emotional moments could have benefited from more time to fully land. I personally would have enjoyed a slightly slower build in certain parts.

Overall, this is a solid start to the Women in Hollywood series and a satisfying read. I’m definitely curious to see how the series continues.

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust Me

Love a good romance with drama, murder, fear, music, and unrequited love. Sheila Goss gave all of this as she mixed health issues and good music. The murderer was a complete shock while the ending was a happy surprise. Can't want to read the next story. Will it be Kem, Mona, or Felicia. Story.

[Ilonka Gangadin (masbookslessgluten) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A love story between a powerful couple! A singer and his manager - both at the top of their careers, neither looking for love. Love has only brought them problems in the past. She owns a PR company is self-reliant for problem solving. He’s a star who likes to care for others. There are issues surrounding them that are pushing their limits (suicide/murder investigation, harassment/slander, enabling friends). How much are they willing to risk?

[Emily Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Grateful to have received an e-ARC of this book! 🙏🏼

I really enjoyed it.

I liked the writing. It was easy to read and even though I’m such a slow reader and a busy gal it was hard to put down.

The mystery/suspense element was a good touch. I had a feeling the reveal was going to be what it was, but wasn’t sure. While I had a hunch it was well done.

It was a good length. I’m curious if the series is a continuation or interconnected stand alones. I’d love to continue reading about their journey.

I recommend it! 😀

[Mercedes S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the Rush by Sheila Goss
This was more of a fasted paced love story with mild 🌶️ scenes. I loved reading it as I felt it returned me to my teenage years of books I read. Between Sean and Charlottes romance building there was less build up of the characters and the drama then I would have liked. Goss definitely could have added more to the characters and drama between professional and personal relationships. The drama that unfolds with Hollywood stars and how the resolutions played out. Overall between the blurred lines of professional and personal life between a Hollywood manager and R&B star.🎥 It’s a great read if you like young adult books! 📚

Thank you to Grey’s Promotions for sending me and e-ARCs for an honest review! Best of luck to Sheila Goss on her release for Worth the Risk, January 13th!

[Ann-Marie Herod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth the Risk lives up to its title, a story about a sexy R&B singer and his new manager who he falls for. This Hollywood romance gives everything from celebrity gossip and drama, scandal, and of course, a little workplace and forbidden romance. For me, it was a pretty quick read and honestly moved fast. I really did wish that the author had spent more time developing the characters and their relationship. This is definitely insta lust and attraction.
Sean, our MMC, is an R&B singer at the height of his career but is looking for a new manager. Motivated by his attraction to her, Sean approaches Charlotte, our FMC, and asks her to be his manager. Now, Charlotte obviously can’t deny that he’s an attractive person and, encouraged by her friends, wants to give it a try. She has one rule, which is to not mix business with pleasure. Yes, past experience ruined that for her, so she’s very adamant about not doing so, but then she literally folds immediately.
One thing that didn’t make sense to me was that she’s introduced as very adamant about not mixing business and pleasure, but then folds immediately. I wanted to know her motivation beyond just attraction. There are some other things that happen that I won’t spoil because I do think this is a story worth reading, but I just want to level expectations. Things will feel rushed, and the steamy scenes are very anticlimactic.
This book had a lot of spice in it, but it didn’t push the plot forward, so some of that could have been taken out and used for scenes developing their relationship. This isn’t erotica, and the scenes weren’t super descriptive anyway. They mostly just showed that they had a strong physical relationship, but I didn’t really get how they were in love with each other.
The majority of this book is spent with them going back and forth, with Sean trying to convince her to be with him, but she is adamant about keeping their relationship under wraps. Half the time I wondered if Charlotte even really liked Sean or just wanted to have sex with him. There were times where she would, and I get that her career is very important to her. She’s a very career-oriented person, but still, there were times when she would be blowing him off for no reason, and he’s freaking out, wondering if something’s wrong with her. I feel like this book lacked transitional scenes and story development.
I do like the side characters in the story, and I could see this being a segue to them becoming main characters in their own books. But I will say that some of the story is very predictable, and I wish there was a little more mystique or surprise surrounding it, because it’s clear, based on character actions, which characters are behind certain things.
Overall, this is a good contemporary romance with spice and a little suspense. It’s a nice start to what could be a great series. The plot was there for sure. Thank you to Greys Promotion for this ARC.

[Ondina Yáñez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really would like to thank Grey's Promotions for the e-ARC. I usually love all of the work you send me, so I really tried to like this book.

As I wrote, I TRIED, really did. However, this was a really hard book to read. I usually would finish a book this length in about 4-5 hours, it took me 3 whole days. I considered a DNF, but it seemed disrespectful when it is such a short book and I know authors count on these early reviews.

It was just really tedious and anti-climactic, it didn't seem to go anywhere and was filled with meaningless details to the plot. At points I felt the authour needed to acomplish a certain amount of words and kept writing about the same things every chapter (i.e. how they woke up, showered, dressed, got to the office, nothing happened at the office, went home, and nothing relevant would happen). Take into account, this book was 56 chapters long and the only moment something happened (and not very excitingly) was around chapter 54.

However, I understand that while this was not a good read for me, it could be a slump breaker for someone else. So, I encourage people to give it a try. If it's not something you like around the 4th chapter, reevaluate if you want to continue because that is the pace the book will keep.

I just wish it had more details and description of the parts that matter, like the characters, their motivations, their chemistry and why they were drawn to each other. Also, it was a little predictable and there wasn't a real twist.

Again, I don't want to discourage anyone from giving it a try, especially if this is one of your favorites authors or genres. It just didn't do it for me.

Plot: ⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️

[Aria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth the Risk by Shelia Goss is a glamorous, emotionally charged Hollywood romance that lands at 3 stars for me. The setup is fantastic: Charlotte Richards, a powerhouse PR queen who built her own empire, and Sean Maxwell, an R&B superstar with a voice everyone recognizes and a reputation always one headline away from disaster, are thrown together in a workplace romance where business and desire collide under the spotlight.
The best parts of the book are its high‑glam setting and the tension between ambition, image, and intimacy. The chemistry between Charlotte and Sean is undeniable, and Goss does a great job showing how attraction and vulnerability clash with secrets, scandal, and the pressure of public life. At the same time, I would have liked a bit more depth and nuance around some of the conflicts and resolutions; a little extra space for emotional fallout and character development would have made the payoff even stronger.Overall, Worth the Risk is an enjoyable, dramatic celebrity romance with strong leads, plenty of heat, and a compelling “love vs. legacy” theme. A solid start to The Women in Hollywood Collection, and one that will appeal to readers who love powerful heroines, famous heroes, and all the messy complications of love in the spotlight. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Charell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this one. I actually signed up for the audiobook largely because of the narrator alone. Wesleigh Siobhan is narrating Gold, and she absolutely delivered here too. As expected, her performance was solid and engaging, and she did her thing bringing the story to life.

That said… the story itself missed the mark for me. While I appreciate that the author aimed for something original and introduced an interesting premise, it felt like too much was happening all at once. There were several plot elements and scenes that didn’t quite fit or felt unnecessary, to the point where I found myself wondering what purpose they served in the larger story.

The romance also didn’t fully work for me. The relationship between the male and female leads felt rushed, and I would’ve loved more buildup to make their connection feel believable and earned. That said, the book did keep my attention through to the end, which says something.

Overall, I’d give this one a solid 3 out of 5 stars. It wasn’t a standout for me, but it could be a cozy winter listen if you’re looking for something low-stress with an engaging narrator.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook. All opinions are my own. ⭐⭐⭐

[Samantha Nigliazzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth the Risk had such a promising premise. Unfortunately, it just didn’t deliver for me. The story was easy to read and well written from a technical standpoint, yet it lacked the conflict or controversy needed to keep me engaged. For a book with a title that implies tension and high stakes, everything unfolded far too smoothly. There were no real obstacles, emotional twists, or moments that challenged the characters in a meaningful way. I kept waiting for a turning point that would raise the stakes or add depth, but it never came. I kept flipping back and forth between whether or not Sean was going to end up being the good guy or the bad guy. He had some very pushy tendencies that made me uncomfortable for Charlotte, so I could absolutely see him being the bad guy as the twist, but then he turned out to authentic and, oddly enough, that was more of a let down than him being a bad guy. While this might appeal to readers looking for a very low-drama romance, I personally found it bland and forgettable. Not a bad book – just one that played it a little too safe and ultimately fell short of being memorable.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ Worth the Risk

I went into Worth the Risk really wanting to love it — the Hollywood setting, a powerful female manager, and a famous R&B star felt like a winning combo. Unfortunately, the story didn’t fully land for me.

The romance moved very quickly, and the almost-instant attraction made it hard for me to really believe in the relationship. I kept hoping for more buildup and tension, especially given the high-profile, celebrity angle. The writing style also didn’t always click with me; some dialogue and romantic moments felt a bit awkward, which pulled me out of the story.

I’ll be honest — I, like others, really struggled to finish this one and considered putting it down early on. While it wasn’t terrible, it just didn’t grab me the way I expected. That said, I can see this working for readers who enjoy fast-paced, sweet celebrity romances and don’t mind an insta-love vibe.

Not quite for me, but it might be worth the risk for the right reader.

Thanks to Grey's Promotions and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[GetLitWithRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Worth the Risk was a quick, mildly spicy read.

I peeped Priscilla’s game almost immediately, so it was pretty easy to tell who did what. I would’ve loved a bit more mystery and maybe a twist or two to deepen the suspense. The story also could’ve benefited from more time spent developing the characters, as some moments felt a little rushed.

That said, I really enjoyed the FMC. Charlotte was a strong, capable PR entrepreneur who rebuilt her life and business after being fired over false allegations, and I loved seeing her balance power with vulnerability. Sean, aka Mr. Naughty, an R&B superstar on the brink of major fame, added charm and heat to the story, and their dynamic had its moments.

Overall, this was an easy, entertaining read with a solid premise that just needed more depth to fully shine.

Thank you to Grey’s Promotion & Shelia Goss for the ARC. This is my honest review.

[abbiealwaysreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some great things and some not so great things about this audiobook. On the great side is narrator Wesleigh Siobhan! Giving a stellar performance for a book which quickly shifts through dual points of view, narration is easily the highlight of this book.

On the opposite end, story and plotline are the downfall. If you’re a huge fan of instalove with an entire book written around miscommunication thereafter, this is going to be for you (also hi, you magical unicorn).

I wanted to love this book. I tried to like this book. I struggled to finish this book (even with stellar narration). It felt like a lot of story with not a lot of plot. That made the couple unrelatable and unlikable for me. Hopefully those reading this book in the future have an easier time connecting with it.

[Roberta Godoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel takes place in an environment I don't understand very well, the world of showbiz.

I found the romance a little too instantaneous; the connection between the characters happens too quickly. He falls in love very fast, and she denies it a lot, making it difficult to buy into the whole relationship. The investigation into the death is interesting and seems quite realistic, something that could really happen.

I even considered abandoning the story, but Wesleigh Siobhan's narration kept me hooked until the end of the audiobook. However, I think I would have abandoned it if I had been reading the physical book.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series, and this is Charlotte and Sean’s story.
Charlotte is a powerful PR queen, who built her own empire, while Sean is an R & B superstar.
This is a fast paced, emotionally charged story, with secrets, rumour, drama, workplace, celebrity romance, with undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to a celebrity romance.
In my opinion, this story was just too rushed, when it did not need to be, however, I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Velvet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an ALC review; all opinions are my own.

This is my first time with this author. I wanted to love this. I love a good instalove story. However, this instalove story felt like a slow burn. It dragged on so much. The end saved it from being a 2-star, because I wasn't expecting that. Overall, it's not that it's bad because reading is subjective; it just wasn't my favorite read.

Thank you, NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Shelia Goss.

[AmandaYann13 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steamy, workplace romance with a little mystery wrapped up in a sexy bow!! When Charlotte takes on Sean “Mr. Naughty” as a client, the chemistry was instantaneous - but she vowed to never get involved with a client again. Not to mention Sean’s old manager was found dead and he was tangled up in that controversy. But while she’s there to console him - they both throw caution to the wind and give in to their desire. Keeping their relationship a secret wasn’t what Sean wants but Charlotte can’t risk the scandal.

[Dominique Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc gifted in exchange for review.

This was so insane. Like honest to God, I felt like I was in a soap opera and I couldn’t put it down. If you like a good soap opera, or a good Hollywood drama, you will eat this up! I literally couldn’t put it down. I’m still shook at that last plot twist.

[Catrina Williamson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like this book was rushed. Their relationship felt like it was going 90 miles per hour and were saying I love you way too quickly. The plot was okay but I guessed one of the big things to be revealed.

Thank you for letting me be on the ARC team!

[TaraB.Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

Saving review for after published

This book lacked depth completely and the actions of the characters were completely hypocritical to their inner thoughts.

Both the MMC and FMC said they don’t want to rush in a relationship or have a manager/client relationship and then not even 40 pages book relationship and the MMC is in love with the FMC

I also hated how the FMC was completely okay and shrugged off the MMC cheating behavior.

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book it was cute and I really liked the MMC. I'm a hopeless romantic romantic so it feed my soul