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blakeandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Terminal illness, Vomit, Medical content, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism and Pregnancy
unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Vomit, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism
takarakei's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
- Hollywood romance
- Chronic Illness Rep
Was just a bit too long (but it's not a slow burn?) for my taste. I did really enjoy the audiobook presentation - since the story follows a movie being made about a jazz singer, there is some singing amidst the story.
4/5 🌶️
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Medical content
Moderate: Infidelity and Death of parent
Minor: Racism
MC's sister sleeps with high school fiance - their relationship is estranged for most of the book.triple_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
That being said I do think Neevah and Canon are perfect for one another. They’re a wonderful couple and really inspire and lift one another up.
I wish Neevah’s professional future was addressed. Realistically, will she be able to be a lead in a movie again? Or is the demand of acting in film too strenuous?
Also, fuck Terry. I’m sorry but in my opinion some things can never be forgiven. I do think Kennedy Ryan handled the situation realistically though. I just fault so frustrated that people felt Neevah’s was also somehow responsibility for the rift in her family. She was driven out!
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
dearbookboyfriend's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Medical content
Moderate: Infidelity and Racism
Minor: Death
what_karla_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness and Sexual content
Moderate: War
Minor: Racism
discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is both a beautifully-crafted love story and a love letter to the Black artists who have shaped culture time and time again only to be excluded from the pages of history written by and for white people.
Not to mention the dynamic between Neevah and Canon while Neevah navigated her diagnosis at the beginning stages of a new relationship. I so intimately understand the fear that your partner will leave because they didn’t “sign up for this,” and wanting to push them away or not let them see you at your worst. That could not have hit any closer to home for me.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Racism and Vomit
serendipitysbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Late last year I listened to Reel, a romance between two Black creatives, Canon who is a famous film director and Neevah, a Broadway performer. I like my romances to have some depth and breadth and this book delivered. Interwoven with the main plot was a look at Black singers of an earlier era with Desi, who Neevah is selected to play in Canon’s latest film, obviously being inspired by the likes of Billie Holliday. The plot also includes great disability representation with Neevah being affected by Lupus, and requiring a transplant. There is a more minor plot line involving Canon’s mother’s multiple sclerosis. Other storylines focussed on estranged family, grief over the loss of a parent, a sapphic romance, the paparazzi, racism, and the reality of life in creative industries. The romance certainly sizzled and overall I enjoyed the book despite feeling it was a bit too long and somewhat overwritten in places.
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
Minor: Lesbophobia
iisa's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual content, and Medical content
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Abortion
claireroad's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death of parent