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jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
This was my second read by this author and I certainly enjoyed it more than the first. This author lives featuring Jewish protagonists, and I love that this diversity is being included in such mainstream romance novels.
I love how this follows Cal, Katherine and Harriet from meeting at theatre camp to accomplishing their biggest dreams, all interconnected by music.
It deals with rocky relationships (of all types), heartbreak, trauma at the hands of the media and more. Although this made for an interesting plot, and was certainly more engaging than Elissa’s other book, it still left me in a slump.
The theatre and musical background was preferable to the enemies to lovers interviewer and washed up actor of Elissas other book.
I love how this follows Cal, Katherine and Harriet from meeting at theatre camp to accomplishing their biggest dreams, all interconnected by music.
It deals with rocky relationships (of all types), heartbreak, trauma at the hands of the media and more. Although this made for an interesting plot, and was certainly more engaging than Elissa’s other book, it still left me in a slump.
The theatre and musical background was preferable to the enemies to lovers interviewer and washed up actor of Elissas other book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Medical content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Drug use, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
amberinpieces's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Body shaming, Sexism, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
caitlinjadams's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun read and I continue to really like Sussman’s writing. And the Broadway setting played to my tastes! I did find myself wishing for more of Harriett. She was a more fully formed best friend character than in many romcoms, but not as fully developed as the leads and it left me wanting more because there was clearly more to give.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
dixiecarroll's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for a fair review. I really expected to not like this, but I was proven wrong. I wasn’t the biggest fan of her first book, but still liked it fine. This one being about the musical theatre world and actors and pop stars? Not usually my thing. I fully expected to hate it, but ultimately it was decently written, had a compelling story, flawed and real characters, and felt a little bit like smash (not glee). I think MT / Acting people will be icked occasionally, but it’s fun, a little sexy, and I loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Infidelity
literaryintersections's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
My theatre loving heart absolutely adored this book. It was so close to a 5 star (and I might changed my mind and round up). I love anything MT and this was a legit ODE to everything musicals - from the movie musical date nights to the performances to the rocky horror of it all. Just a CLASSIC for anyone who nerds out on all things Broadway.
“Musicals were just so big. Big and bold and fun and yes, a little nuts too. And I loved it.”
Cal was so swoony. Kathleen was so stubborn and honestly a bit of a mess the entire book. I liked that their age was somewhat ambiguous - just like a mid to late 30s vibe which, FAB. I wish the musical Harriett writes was real and that I could see it.
I also loved the way this takes on the entertainment industry. It has some The Daydreams vibes (which I peeped Laura’s name in the acknowledgements!) in the way it talks about how young women in particular are just at the whim of nasty execs and horrible fans.
“Then again, that was showbiz. There was nothing fair about this industry.”
I think the first 70% of this is much stronger than the ending. I also felt like harriett was just there - and as the only Black and gay string secondary character, I wish her story was more fleshed out. Also it seems like box braids are going to be the one indicator that a side character is Black moving forward and I hate it (Emily Henry did it in HP too). I also didn’t love the 3rd act breakup but Atleast it was short.
Overall, if you love MT, this is a must read. And if you love a swoony man with a sensitive and prickly woman who takes a while to get her head on straight, dive in.
“Musicals were just so big. Big and bold and fun and yes, a little nuts too. And I loved it.”
Cal was so swoony. Kathleen was so stubborn and honestly a bit of a mess the entire book. I liked that their age was somewhat ambiguous - just like a mid to late 30s vibe which, FAB. I wish the musical Harriett writes was real and that I could see it.
I also loved the way this takes on the entertainment industry. It has some The Daydreams vibes (which I peeped Laura’s name in the acknowledgements!) in the way it talks about how young women in particular are just at the whim of nasty execs and horrible fans.
“Then again, that was showbiz. There was nothing fair about this industry.”
I think the first 70% of this is much stronger than the ending. I also felt like harriett was just there - and as the only Black and gay string secondary character, I wish her story was more fleshed out. Also it seems like box braids are going to be the one indicator that a side character is Black moving forward and I hate it (Emily Henry did it in HP too). I also didn’t love the 3rd act breakup but Atleast it was short.
Overall, if you love MT, this is a must read. And if you love a swoony man with a sensitive and prickly woman who takes a while to get her head on straight, dive in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Minor: Antisemitism
analenegrace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Her acknowledgments started off by saying, "There are few things more tragic than a theater kid who can't sing, dance, or act" and as a former (barely) theater kid who can't sing AT ALL, I felt that, and this book, so much.
I loved Kathleen and Cal's relationship, especially because I love second-chance romances and celeb romances. Both felt very real and complicated, which I love in characters. Harriet also felt very real, and that third-act fight scene felt necessary to me for Harriet and Kathleen to continue their adult friendship.
My criticisms are few but include disliking how Rachel James was written and some of the strange language used. Rachel James was a clear and not great character based on Lea Michele to some extent, and I think a character like that has to be written with some nuance. Women like Lea and Rachel is written are a bit more complicated than Sussman writes here, and it feels like some internalized misogyny to make this character consistently villainous without a particular reason. My language issue came with how Kathleen would talk at times, especially about her body. At times it felt like internalized misogyny from Sussman but also just awkward, like when Kathleen says Breasts during sex with Cal; women just don't really call them that, in my experience.
All-in-all, a great and fun read!
I loved Kathleen and Cal's relationship, especially because I love second-chance romances and celeb romances. Both felt very real and complicated, which I love in characters. Harriet also felt very real, and
My criticisms are few but include disliking how Rachel James was written and some of the strange language used. Rachel James was a clear and not great character based on Lea Michele to some extent, and I think a character like that has to be written with some nuance. Women like Lea and Rachel is written are a bit more complicated than Sussman writes here, and it feels like some internalized misogyny to make this character consistently villainous without a particular reason. My language issue came with how Kathleen would talk at times, especially about her body. At times it felt like internalized misogyny from Sussman but also just awkward, like when Kathleen says Breasts during
All-in-all, a great and fun read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
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