

Hoover’s ( November 9, 2015, etc.) latest tackles the difficult subject of domestic violence with romantic tenderness and emotional heft.Īt first glance, the couple is edgy but cute: Lily Bloom runs a flower shop for people who hate flowers Ryle Kincaid is a surgeon who says he never wants to get married or have kids. Wilsner’s writing is matter-of-fact but effective, lending the novel a believable Hollywood insider vibe with a deftly handled #MeToo subplot.Ī sparkling debut with vibrant characters, a compelling Hollywood studio setting, and a sweet slow-burn romance. Emma’s Judaism in particular is thoughtfully integrated into her character. The novel is populated with strong secondary characters who bring Jo and Emma to life. Jo worries about how their relationship will appear: “You think people don’t look at pictures of us and think I’m corrupting this lovely young lady? I’m a predatory lesbian in the middle of a midlife crisis.” Jo, who is Chinese American, had to be strong to survive in show business, and she has a hard time with feelings, her own or anyone else's.

Their mutual attraction is strong throughout, but their age difference and employer-employee relationship create caution, which turns this into a very slow burn. They open up to each other, Emma sharing her dreams, and Jo, ordinarily unflappable, admitting some self-doubt. As Jo and Emma face fallout from the rumor mill, their relationship evolves.

Emma failed out of film school five years ago, and while she's happy working for Jo, she yearns to get back on a directing path. Already facing industry skepticism thanks to her gender, the last thing Jo needs is gossip, but that’s what she gets when she brings her much younger assistant, Emma Kaplan, to a red carpet event. Now a powerhouse showrunner, she's about to be tapped to write and produce for a James Bond–esque action franchise. Jo Jones has been a Hollywood star since the age of 13. A successful showrunner and her capable assistant reassess their relationship when their red carpet appearance fuels dating rumors in Wilsner’s debut.
