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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
relaxing
fast-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:
Complicated
Actor falls in love with a drag queen, who wouldn't love this. That is what drew me to the book.
I liked Will an up and coming Drag Queen straight from the start. Will's sassiness had me laughing out loud, but he was endearing.
Patrick whilst a famous actor did not come across as one of those spoilt actors who demanded everything, but a person who when he found a friend, he kept them close to his heart and whilst I understand why he had to hide that he was gay, he shouldn't have had to. But slowly thanks to Will, Will's found family and Patrick's close work colleagues he could be himself.
This was a quick read that kept interested from page 1. I must admit I was a bit confused at the first time line swap as I was not expected it and I was too wrapped up with Will. Whist at first I thought the story about Charles and Iris wouldn't fit, I quickly changed my mind when more of their story was told.
However the very best thing about this book is that it is set in Birmingham, my excitement when I read place like Hurst street, the Floozie in the Jacuzzi and I have spent a many a time in the Village Inn with friends. As a Brummie living in Yorkshire I loved every minute of this and every time a place was mentioned I knew exactly where they were.
This is a book I will reread and it will be one I will keep recommending.
I liked Will an up and coming Drag Queen straight from the start. Will's sassiness had me laughing out loud, but he was endearing.
Patrick whilst a famous actor did not come across as one of those spoilt actors who demanded everything, but a person who when he found a friend, he kept them close to his heart and whilst I understand why he had to hide that he was gay, he shouldn't have had to. But slowly thanks to Will, Will's found family and Patrick's close work colleagues he could be himself.
This was a quick read that kept interested from page 1. I must admit I was a bit confused at the first time line swap as I was not expected it and I was too wrapped up with Will. Whist at first I thought the story about Charles and Iris wouldn't fit, I quickly changed my mind when more of their story was told.
However the very best thing about this book is that it is set in Birmingham, my excitement when I read place like Hurst street, the Floozie in the Jacuzzi and I have spent a many a time in the Village Inn with friends. As a Brummie living in Yorkshire I loved every minute of this and every time a place was mentioned I knew exactly where they were.
This is a book I will reread and it will be one I will keep recommending.
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
No
Thank you NetGalley and Harper North for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought that this was such a fun book, full of thought provoking and emotional events. This is definitely for fans of Red, White & Royal Blue, and is fairly similar (but not so similar that it feels as though youโre reading the exact same book).
Patrick is a Hollywood film-star who is filming in Birmingham. One unexpected night, he comes across the charming local bookseller and drag performer Will, who is simply irresistable. Working in a primariliy heterosexual film industry makes it difficult for their blossoming relationship.
Additionally, throughout this the true story of a comic that Patrick is after is unveiled, helping him to find a solution to his problem.
This book is packed full of passion and love, it is a must read!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
loved the concept of this. big time actor falls in love with a bookseller/drag queen. lots of queer joy. loved the second storyline so much more than the main one & wish there was more of it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Biphobia
This book was abjectly terrible. Aside from having a complete lack of plot, the most boring characters Iโve read in months, and bizarre writing and stylistic choices, it was dull beyond words. I also did not vibe with the casual drug use, horrible, bitchy and uninteresting side characters, and complete lack of atmospheric grounding. SUPPOSEDLY this is set in Birmingham, but all the author does is tell you a street name and occasionally say Brum. As another reviewer said, this book is all tell, no show. Itโs only redeeming feature is the queer joy and representation, which was not enough to keep me interested
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
No
PJ Ellis is an absolute legend, personal opinion of course but all LGBTQIA+ book lovers, if you don't agree after reading this adorable rom-com then who even are you ๐ ๐
Patrick was a closeted, American Movie star playing the role of a superhero but he had to give up being his true self in order to pursue his career. Will was an iconic drag queen who sadly doubted himself but lived a true life. After a chance encounter they had the most beautiful chemistry and one or two explosive encounters ๐ Despite their blossoming romance with an NDA as a third wheel can their relationship survive?
Their individual friends were a blessing in disguise as they rooted for them from the sidelines and supported them both when they needed it.
From a personal perspective I could relate to both Patrick and Will. Coming out to your family alone, letalone friends etc is a daunting task and the fear of rejection is real. On the other side of the coin being your authentic self doesn't come plain sailing and although its more accepted these days unfortunately there can still be hate and slander.
I loved the dual timeline, with the introduction of the real authors of Captain Kismet from back in the 40's. I think their role synced really well with the rest of the story and actually gave us readers insight into how things were for those in the LGBTQIA + community years ago.
An absolutely spectacular read and I actually think this is my favourite book of the year so far. I already cannot wait to see what the author writes next.
I cannot thank @instabooktours, @harpernorthuk & @philipellis enough for a spot on the tour & a copy of the book.
Patrick was a closeted, American Movie star playing the role of a superhero but he had to give up being his true self in order to pursue his career. Will was an iconic drag queen who sadly doubted himself but lived a true life. After a chance encounter they had the most beautiful chemistry and one or two explosive encounters ๐ Despite their blossoming romance with an NDA as a third wheel can their relationship survive?
Their individual friends were a blessing in disguise as they rooted for them from the sidelines and supported them both when they needed it.
From a personal perspective I could relate to both Patrick and Will. Coming out to your family alone, letalone friends etc is a daunting task and the fear of rejection is real. On the other side of the coin being your authentic self doesn't come plain sailing and although its more accepted these days unfortunately there can still be hate and slander.
I loved the dual timeline, with the introduction of the real authors of Captain Kismet from back in the 40's. I think their role synced really well with the rest of the story and actually gave us readers insight into how things were for those in the LGBTQIA + community years ago.
An absolutely spectacular read and I actually think this is my favourite book of the year so far. I already cannot wait to see what the author writes next.
I cannot thank @instabooktours, @harpernorthuk & @philipellis enough for a spot on the tour & a copy of the book.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Oh dear. I really enjoyed Ellis' debut, [b:Love & Other Scams|61282539|Love & Other Scams|Philip Ellis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1674145590l/61282539._SY75_.jpg|96626800], but this is...not good. The plot and pacing are all over the place, and the aspects about comics history and rare book dealing and how filming a movie works make literally no sense. Love & Other Scams was about rich people and con artistry and weddings -- topics I know next to nothing about, but it felt like Ellis had a fairly convincing handle on them. Unfortunately, I do know about these subjects and...no. That is not how any of this happens. This novel honestly read like a bad actor AU fanfic ("if you don't have another hit soon, you're going to have to move to Burbank!"...IYKYK). I kept shaking my head to myself as I was reading.
One could forgive some of this if the characters and relationship were stronger, but they also aren't. Patrick and Will's romance is full of big emotional gaps; I don't understand why or when they fell in love with each other. And Will, in particular, is wildly unsympathetic throughout the novel's final third. Suffice it to say, if someone I was dating showed up at my place of work and caused a scene like that, I would dump him forever. Big yikes.
Two stars solely for the sincere appreciation of drag, an aspect of this novel that is sadly underutilized.
One could forgive some of this if the characters and relationship were stronger, but they also aren't. Patrick and Will's romance is full of big emotional gaps; I don't understand why or when they fell in love with each other. And Will, in particular, is wildly unsympathetic throughout the novel's final third. Suffice it to say, if someone I was dating showed up at my place of work and caused a scene like that, I would dump him forever. Big yikes.
Two stars solely for the sincere appreciation of drag, an aspect of this novel that is sadly underutilized.
fast-paced
I loved this novel. The story was so eye-opening to how disgraceful it was to be yourself if you were LGBTQ+ in 1949 and to some degree how it is still hard to be openly out due to stereotypes in todays world. I thought Will, aka Grace Anatomy, was a brilliant character, they were very well represented, and I loved the drag queen vibes. Patrick was another great character, he couldn't decide if he wanted to be openly out or not due to his actor career. The side characters were so much fun aswell, I liked that we got to know them as the story progressed. Overall, this was a really good story, and I'm so grateful I got the chance to read it.