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A review by raenydayreads
Sizzle Reel by Carlyn Greenwald
3.0
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor.
Luna Roth has come out as bisexual at twenty-four and its more difficult than she expected. Despite working as a lowly assistant in L.A., she dreams big, wanting to work under a director of photography one day. When she meets twenty-eight-year-old A-list actress Valeria Sullivan around the office, Luna thinks she’s found her solution to her career and girl problems. Enlisting Romy, her best friend, for help, Luna starts the juggling act of her life. But when Valeria begins to reciprocate romantic interest in Luna, the act begins to fall apart—straining her relationship with Romy and leaving her job prospects unknown.
A Jewish sapphic romance is everything I have ever asked for!!! As someone who works in Canadian television doing publicity, I really enjoyed the background into the American film industry and cinematography, specifically, that Sizzle Reel brings. My vision for Valeria was definitely of queer icon Kristen Stewart and I enjoyed every single moment she was on the page. I will happily read her story next because she deserves everything unlike Luna.
From the beginning, Luna is very in her head. I understand queer panic, but the intrusive thoughts and focus on the correct way to lose her sapphic virginity comes off as cringy. While I enjoy smut, I don't think sexual intimacy needs to be discussed as much as it was in this book; there was a huge focus on what constitutes as sex for those who are gay. It took away from the story in my opinion. There were a lot of on page explanations/insights into sexuality and gender that I think are really important. That said, it does make the book move more slowly for those who are already educated on such things, however, this may also be why it reads like YA despite being open door.
I had a hard time connecting with Luna. She's a bisexual disaster (I thought I was one too until I realized I was just a lesbian), messy, anxious, flawed, annoying, misguided and selfish. As someone else said before me, "Is the main character confused to the point of being borderline-irredeemable? Yes." and I agree. I eventually hope for a middle ground in books where their characters make problematic choices like in real life, but they're also likeable and redeemable in other ways. I just hate Luna (sorry!).
Sizzle Reel is definitely more of a coming-of-age novel than a romance for new adults. It touches upon harmful stereotypes, internalized homophobia, public outing, abusive bosses, removal of consent (which is respected) and, struggling with queerness, relationships and building a career. Luna's motive got lost in the middle since her career goals and romance intertwined. It was cleared up closer to the end when the love triangle and endgame came into play. There was slight hinting and jealously to foreshadow what would happen with Romy, but I didn't want it to. I was not compelled by the final romance and much preferred their platonic relationship.
Fingers crossed we'll get to see more of Valeria Sullivan one day because she is easily the most compelling character. I think all the gays will love her like I did.
Luna Roth has come out as bisexual at twenty-four and its more difficult than she expected. Despite working as a lowly assistant in L.A., she dreams big, wanting to work under a director of photography one day. When she meets twenty-eight-year-old A-list actress Valeria Sullivan around the office, Luna thinks she’s found her solution to her career and girl problems. Enlisting Romy, her best friend, for help, Luna starts the juggling act of her life. But when Valeria begins to reciprocate romantic interest in Luna, the act begins to fall apart—straining her relationship with Romy and leaving her job prospects unknown.
A Jewish sapphic romance is everything I have ever asked for!!! As someone who works in Canadian television doing publicity, I really enjoyed the background into the American film industry and cinematography, specifically, that Sizzle Reel brings. My vision for Valeria was definitely of queer icon Kristen Stewart and I enjoyed every single moment she was on the page. I will happily read her story next because she deserves everything unlike Luna.
From the beginning, Luna is very in her head. I understand queer panic, but the intrusive thoughts and focus on the correct way to lose her sapphic virginity comes off as cringy. While I enjoy smut, I don't think sexual intimacy needs to be discussed as much as it was in this book; there was a huge focus on what constitutes as sex for those who are gay. It took away from the story in my opinion. There were a lot of on page explanations/insights into sexuality and gender that I think are really important. That said, it does make the book move more slowly for those who are already educated on such things, however, this may also be why it reads like YA despite being open door.
I had a hard time connecting with Luna. She's a bisexual disaster (I thought I was one too until I realized I was just a lesbian), messy, anxious, flawed, annoying, misguided and selfish. As someone else said before me, "Is the main character confused to the point of being borderline-irredeemable? Yes." and I agree. I eventually hope for a middle ground in books where their characters make problematic choices like in real life, but they're also likeable and redeemable in other ways. I just hate Luna (sorry!).
Sizzle Reel is definitely more of a coming-of-age novel than a romance for new adults. It touches upon harmful stereotypes, internalized homophobia, public outing, abusive bosses, removal of consent (which is respected) and, struggling with queerness, relationships and building a career. Luna's motive got lost in the middle since her career goals and romance intertwined. It was cleared up closer to the end when the love triangle and endgame came into play. There was slight hinting and jealously to foreshadow what would happen with Romy, but I didn't want it to. I was not compelled by the final romance and much preferred their platonic relationship.
Fingers crossed we'll get to see more of Valeria Sullivan one day because she is easily the most compelling character. I think all the gays will love her like I did.