Is it Reel Love or Real Love?HollywoodThe moment I laid eyes on Finn Parker’s headshot, I knew that if this guy could act, I wanted him for the hero role in the film being made from my book, Fleeing an August Moon.The tall, blond, and ruggedly handsome actor looked exactly like the picture I’d seen in my head the entire time I was writing the book.The studio, however, had different thoughts on a … entire time I was writing the book.
The studio, however, had different thoughts on a leading man.
Box Office crusher, Maverick Dailey, made it clear that he wanted the role. The producers, studio, and everyone involved were thrilled to score such a celebrity. Well, everyone except me.
And it’s my vote that counts since, according to my contract, I get final say on casting. Maverick is amazing, yet I’m just not sure…
It certainly didn’t help that Finn Parker and I seemed destined to cross paths. We ran into each other all over Hollywood. And the more time we spent together, the more the sparks between us flew. We had an intense chemistry, something I’d only ever read about in books like mine.
Which made me wonder, was I really falling for Finn or just living out a fantasy with a red-blooded, live version of my hot hero character?
It’s easy to confuse fiction for reality in Hollywood. Everything is not as it seems in this town.
Not to mention, Finn’s life would forever change if he landed the role. Which made me question how good of an actor he really was? Was he interested in me, or the role I had the power to give him?
Is this Real Love or just Reel Love?
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Finn Parker puts a real life face to the man on the pages of Francesca Simonelli’s latest best seller, Fleeing an August Moon. As Finn prepares to audition for the lead role of Griffin Chase, Frankie must decide from a strong list of possible actors, and the line between reel and real is a bit blurred. Enter Hollywood golden boy Mav Dailey and the part of Griffin is in a dead heat, right alongside Frankie’s heart. Julie Richman creates a timely, funny and angsty story; the perfect summer read.
I enjoyed this book by Julie, she takes you on a journey through an authors life, who’s book is being turned into a movie. 5 stars for this one!
Meet author Frankie, who’s book took off and was a world wide hit, so big her agent got her a movie deal, but Frankie want’s the final say in the lead roles. As she’s looking through head shots, she see’s Finn Parker, and that’s the guy she pictured as the star of her book. But Hollywood is a tough place and the big wigs want the number one star Maverick to play the lead.
Frankie develops a somewhat innocent relationship with Finn, the electricity between these two is off the charts, but is he only doing this to win the starring role, or are his feelings for her truly from his heart.
Read along the journey these two go on, don’t miss out on this great story, grab it when it releases!
Julie Richmond has done it again! Julie has a way of capturing your interest at the beginning of the story. Well-developed characters and storyline will keep you hooked. You will not want to put the book down.
Frankie is an author who is having her book made into a movie. Finn fits the vision Frankie has in her head for the main character Griff. Is she attracted because she has created him or is she attracted to the man himself?
Finn is an actor who needs this part as well as needing to find himself. A chance encounter puts him in touch with Frankie and he gets the insight he needs-will he get the part, find himself and get the girl?
Cameo appearances and addition characters round out this story. You will not be disappointed!
Reel Love is destined to be THE feel-good summer read of 2019! Julie Richman has crafted a truly clever romance between an author and the man who would ultimately be her muse, both for her upcoming movie and for her love life. Frankie and Finn have that kind of connection that both thought was forever out of reach and as their lives go from professional to personal and everything in between, it’s just a matter of time before the notion of a reel love becomes one that is all too real.
Told in alternating POV’s, watching as both Frankie and Finn tiptoe around their attraction was truly sweet. Both with insecurities not shared with anyone else, seeing how they could eventually open up to one another proved to me these two were meant to be. But the secrecy they must continue while decisions are made about the movie is hard on both of them but happily for us, it leads to some very sexy times that definitely made me smile. The humor between Frankie and Finn just adds to their allure and all of their scenes together were pure gold. Add to the mix, the very suave and charming Maverick Dailey and our girl Frankie has her hands full with decisions she often can’t believe she has to make, both professionally and personally.
With additional characters like the afore-mentioned Mav, who proves to be more than just a handsome face, Sebastian and a horse who steals the show more than once, I honestly could not get enough of this incredible book. There is such a realness to Richman’s stories and something about the down-to-earth nature of Frankie and Finn simply hit home for me. The entire reading experience had a comfort factor that is rare to find these days.
The attention to detail is always welcomed in a Richman book and she once again gives us just what we need to know about how the process of picking actors for a movie occurs. I really enjoyed the scenes where Frankie sits and watches as Finn and other hopefuls for the lead in the movie of her bestselling novel, take turns giving their all. And more importantly, I loved being in her head as she scribbles down her thoughts about each one and I felt like I was there too! All of the ‘Hollywood backstage’ info added just the right touch to this book and it gave the story that little bit more I’m always searching for.
I loved this book. There is just something about the way Julie Richman writes where the words flow effortlessly and I’m immediately swept away in her wonderful imagination right from the start. This well-crafted book features outstanding characters and a slow-burn love story combined with the perfect mix of humor, tenderness and passion. My heart is beyond full and my affection for Frankie and Finn and yes, even Mav and the unexpected kind of love, friendship and heartache they all experience is overflowing.
Put Reel Love at the top of your summer reading list. It will undoubtedly make you smile, swoon and sigh over and over again and to me there is nothing much better than that.
A huge 5 stars!
Wonderful story about a very successful author and the people surrounding her book being made into a movie. Funny, romantic and entertaining. Some cameo appearances that I loved. Once I started this book I was consumed by it. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well told tale.
“Reel Love”is a romance filled with great characters. It is the story of Frankie Simonelli, an author whose book, Fleeing an August Moon is being turned into a movie. Finn Parker really needs the lead part in this movie, but he is up against some big names, mainly Maverick Dailey. Frankie wants to be involved every step of the way with this movie, including picking the leading man, with Finn being exactly how she had pictured the leading man to look and act. Although she was not counting on the sparks that existed between her and Finn when they met. Is the chemistry because she feels like he is the character in her head or is it something else entirely? Well this is Hollywood and sometimes things are not what they seem.
This was a great book, but I will let you read it to find out who gets the leading role!
I devoured this appealing Hollywood romance. Frankie and Finn are extremely likable and have wonderful chemistry. The writing is great and I like that the author did not paint rival Mav as a villain but just simply as a nice guy that wasn’t right for Frankie or the movie. The story builds at a nice pace and is romantic, sweet, and sexy. I fell in love with these characters and their story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Julie A. Richman is a new to me author and Reel Love won’t be the last book I read by her. Secrets, strong characters, sexy times and laughs, this well-written book has it all. Frankie and Finn’s chemistry was evident and I loved how their relationship developed. They brought out the best in one another and both grew as a result of their coupling. They were down-to-earth characters and even though this was “Hollywood”, they were very relatable. Reel Love is a great summer read and I can’t wait to now go back and check out more of Richman’s catalog. 4 stars
If you are looking for a laugh out loud, swoony, and with all the feels? Look no further, as this book is definitely for you. A definite must read this summer. The love story you need in your suitcase this summer. Happy reading!!
This is the first book by this author and I am glad that I found it. I loved it. This was a great friends to lovers book about Frankie and Finn. The characters are so realistic in that they are trying to find themselves and that can be a hard thing to do when you don’t believe in yourself and the things that you can do. You will feel like you are right there with the characters and their struggles and you are going to root for them to get their HEA. This is a must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved it.
It’s a sassy, fun, amusing and explosive story, wrapped in a fluid and constant narrative, with cocky and sensual characters that will make you enjoy a fun time, a light and entertaining reading that keeps you with a smile on every page you’re leaving back, you won’t realize when you finish it because since you open it, it keeps you so focus into the story line.
Frankie seemed a bit obsessed with herself but it was part of her charm and Finn was like the centered part. But both had a good chemistry, their personalities were complementary each other and thats what make this story works so good.
It’s my first Julie A. Richman’s book and I think it was a good option to get into their stories because I liked it, it has amused me and left me wanting to know more her stories.
The first clue I had that this was going to be an unforgettable book was when I couldn’t stop highlighting so many of my favorite passages. This author has a wonderful way with words, cutting through the outer layers to delve deep into the hearts and minds of the characters. So many insightful, thought-provoking scenes and inner monologues add such a richness and authenticity to this story.
The writing is so brilliant that even the fictional fictional characters – those who were written by the main character, Frankie – come across as fully-developed, real people. I seriously wanted to watch the movie by the time I was done reading this book.
Frankie and Finn are such beautiful people inside, regardless of their physical attractiveness, and I just couldn’t help but root for them right from the start. They do an amazing job of balancing their career goals with their relationship goals, even when the inevitable misconstrued “secret” comes to light. I loved the way the author gave us an intimate introduction to the casting of a movie, and was impressed by the restraint shown in keeping the adversaries from becoming true villains.
This was a thoroughly captivating read, one of the best books I’ve read this year. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Just okay for me. The story didn’t really suck me in and I found my self skimming at times. I would have liked to really get to know the characters but everything felt on the surface to me.
I suppose you could say Francesca is a bit like E L James when she had her bestselling book made into a movie & wanted control over the selection of the characters. Frankie sees in Finn, a struggling actor, the lead part of Griffin. However the studio etc have other ideas & want Maverick, an A list actor, to fill the part.
There’s quite a bit going on with casting including auditioning the actors for the movie. Eva, Finns ex is involved as she wants a part. This gets a bit tricky for Frankie as she can’t decide if Eva’s after Finn or Maverick. The same thing crosses her mind as by then she’s started a relationship/fling with Finn & also sees another side to the playboy Maverick.
I did find the reading of the lines (x3) distracting as I can see where the author wanted to go by comparing the actors but to me I would have preferred just the focus on the reactions of those witnessing it. A bit repetitious for me. While there is mention of her interaction with both men I didn’t feel it due to everything going on around them. Maybe it was just the way it was presented. I’m sure other reviewers would have a different opinion to mine but everyone has their own interpretation of a book.
It was actually a really good story, as expressed by the reviews, but I just didn’t get the feels I normally do to connect to the characters. An off day? Let’s hope we get to hear Mavericks story next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved it!
Absolutely loved this book.
Yet again Julie has taken me to California to live with these characters and enjoy a bit of Hollywood for myself.
I so love her books and the way she brings them to life for us.
I fell in love with Finn and Frankie from the beginning and loved sexy Maverick too.
So happy that Finn went to Houston after her and explained to her outright how he felt about her.
So glad that Finn and Frankie got their HEA .
Thought it was wonderful how Finn made his proposal.
Cute romance between an author Frankie Simonelli who is in hollywood casting for her best seller turned into a movie. Sha has a picture in her mind and and when she sees the headshots there he is…Finn Parker. The studio wants the box office hit with a star but Frankie knows what she wants for her movie. Now whether Finn is acting or is it real love. Very cute read.
This was a first time read for this author, and I was pleasantly surprised.
A heartwarming story that I think many people will like, Reel Love brings attention to not only what authors can deal with but also actors. I found the connection between the two main characters was steady and moving, something everyone will like.
Frankie (love the name!) was once an unknown author, she published her works, but while she did well she wasn’t a household name. Well now she is with her new book; Fleeing an August Moon that is taking the world by store. Being made into a movie, Frankie is thrust into the limelight of Hollywood, A-listers and drama.
Enter Finn Parker, a not so well known B-list actor who is trying to connect. Finn wants the park of lead in Frankie’s movie, Griffin Chase and is willing to work himself to the bone to get it. Finn looks the part, but will his acting make the cut of the steamy book boyfriend to be.
A chance encounter set Frankie and Finn on a adventure of self exploration, love, loss and love found again.
What I love the most out of this book, was the fact that Finn comes into his own, he learns what he needs in order to grow and become a better person. As for Frankie, Frankie is near and dear to my heart for more than one reason.
Get ready to fall in love, and wish for more!
Reel Love was such a fun read for me. Sweet, heartwarming, not to mention sexy, I found this twist on the usual Hollywood romance hugely engaging.
I loved Frankie from the beginning. She went from struggling writer to international best seller, with a movie of her novel in the making, all without letting her new found fame go to her head. Despite everyone catering to her every whim, she was still the real, down to earth Texas girl who has her cowboy booted feet set firmly on the ground. Naive when it came to the politics of the movie industry, nevertheless she’s feisty and determined and I really liked that about her. For me, she was a hugely likeable character all round.
I thought the two “leading” men were really interesting characters. These two had me questioning their motives on more than one occasion and I loved the feeling of unpredictability that provided. Just when I thought the story would go one way, Ms Richman threw in a curve ball which had me having second and even third thoughts.
Told from both Frankie and Finn’s points of view, I loved getting an insight into their internal deliberations and struggles. I have to say that during the course of the story, even getting inside his head, I was still unsure as to Finn’s intentions. Was his attraction simply lust, love or a means to an end?
A fairly quick read for me, I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in one sitting. Wonderfully entertaining and very well written Reel Love is a delightful romance, with an engaging storyline and interesting, multi layered characters, all rounded off with a perfect epilogue.