January 8, 2024
Ballard (Just My Type) delivers a feisty and fast-paced Hollywood fantasy in this addictive contemporary. Emmy Harper, the 30-something daughter of two Hollywood legends, gave up acting as a teenager to focus her efforts on writing. Now the Oscar-winning screenwriter is having trouble casting her next rom-com because her team only wants her for the lead role. Overcoming her doubts after her last embarrassing stint on camera, she agrees—only to be surprised on set that her leading man is action star Grayson West, her awkward first kiss and disastrous scene partner 15 years earlier. For his part, Grayson jumped at the chance to work with Emmy and is surprised by her hostile attitude toward him. With the film at risk, they must overcome their aversion to each other or just act on the sexual tension simmering between them. Through nuanced character development, Ballard does an excellent job of making Emmy’s fears of advancing the relationship believable while still showcasing her compatibility with Grayson. It’s a fun, exciting peek at the magic that can happen behind the camera. Agent: Kimberly Whalen, Whalen Agency.
May 1, 2024
Hollywood royalty Emmy Harper is a screenwriter who made it big with her award-winning rom-coms but hasn't written anything in the four years since her father's death. Her newest project requires her to step in front of the camera for the first time since her disastrous screen debut nearly 15 years ago, after which she swore off acting altogether. Unfortunately, the role is opposite Grayson West, the hotshot action star who broke her heart and ended her budding acting career all those years ago. As the tension on set rises, Emmy and Grayson must find a way to work together, contending with their growing attraction to each other as they try not to tank the production. Fun romantic tropes abound, and Emmy and Grayson's delightful chemistry satisfies. Primary narrator Rachel L. Jacobs gives each character a distinct voice while skillfully bringing Emmy's dramatic and vivacious personality to life. Additional narrators Curt Bonnem, Gail Shalan, and Andera Emmes read text messages, Twitter exchanges, "Screen Scandal" segments, and entertainment news. VERDICT Ballard's (Just My Type) latest is a sweet and steamy contemporary romance that should please fans of the genre.--Zoey Colglazier
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