Like They Do in the Movies by Nan Campbell

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The details…

  • Title: Like They Do in the Movies 
  • Author: Nan Campbell
  • Publisher: Bold Strokes Books 
  • Editor: Jenny Harmon
  • Publication date: December 14, 2023
  • ISBN: 9781636795263
  • Available formats: ebook, paperback, audiobook 
  • File size: 1286 KB
  • Print length: 288 pages
  • Audiobook: 11 hours and 41 minutes; narrated by Lulu Larkin
  • Genre: contemporary romance 
  • Themes: finding true love, learning to trust, family, movies, following one’s dreams
  • Tropes: celebrity romance, boss/employee

The blurb from the publisher…

The Dream: rich and famous screenwriter of hilarious sapphic rom coms.
The Reality: pushing out trashy celebrity gossip for cash.
The Grand Plan: advance career by engineering a celebrity takedown.

Fran Underhill’s adoration for the entertainment industry is in flames, transformed into a loathing of celebrity culture and all those who benefit from it. When a personal assistant gig for one of Hollywood’s most popular actresses falls into her lap, Fran is determined to use the experience to her advantage with a series of tell-all articles. Just enough clickbait to get her next screenplay sold. Now if only she can ignore that ferocious and inconvenient attraction to her new employer.

Chelsea Cartwright—actress, mother, and ex-wife to Hollywood royalty—is struggling. A competent new assistant will do much to ease her burdens, but who could predict the intense and long-buried feelings Fran would awaken. And what will the fallout be when she finds out Fran is a member of the gossip media—with Chelsea’s public destruction in her sights.

My thoughts…

I knew when Nan Campbell’s debut novel, The Rules of Forever, was chosen for a Lambda Literary Award, she would be one to watch. Three books later, that theory still holds true. Her talent continues to drive her to the top and make her a fast favorite among sapphic romance readers. Her newest book is a testament to that. 

Like They Do in the Movies’s storyline involves an often-used trope—a celebrity falling in love with a non-celebrity. Sapphic romance readers seem to enjoy this trope because it provides a glimpse into the glamorous and often mysterious world of Hollywood. Their themes of fame and fortune provide readers with a place to enjoy the challenges of navigating a relationship that circles the public eye and the media. The interplay between the characters’ public and private personas also supplies built-in conflict for the narrative. This conflict ultimately paves the way to exposing vulnerabilities, increasing the emotional depth of the story. It’s pure escapism, and Campbell understands how to capitalize on it big time, enabling her to deliver something special for her readers.

Like They Do in the Movies is a romance that needs to be savored, though. It’s a slow burn, and Campbell uses the pace effectively, letting the romance between Chelsea and Fran unfold organically. Using time and space, she gradually builds the anticipation, tension, and chemistry. This is smart writing, especially considering the trope. Portraying the relationship in an unhurried manner fosters a deeper connection between the characters, ultimately making the romance feel more authentic. What’s more, it paves the way for reader investment, inviting readers to care about Chelsea and Fran. When the end comes, the resolution resonates in a satisfying and meaningful way.

With the completion of book three, it’s clear that Campbell is a skilled writer. It appears she works hard to hone her craft and make each book better than the last. Her research is strong, and her use of literary devices is on the money. As far as Like They Do in the Movies goes, it’s the secondary characters that nudge readers’ attention. Helen, Petal, and Lorraine subtly stir growth within Chelsea and Fran, making their change appear genuine. When all is said and done, these creative decisions benefit not only the development of the characters but the overall story.

Final remarks…

Like They Do in the Movies is a real treat for fans of celebrity romances. It contains all the necessary elements that make it entertaining—fame, glamour, media intrusion, and undeniable chemistry. This romance resonates; it’s skillfully written, immersive and sure to delight. If you’re a fan of Tinseltown romances, it needs to be on your reading list.

Strengths…

  • Well-written, compelling narrative
  • Well-scripted dialogue 
  • Well-constructed, likable characters
  • Immersive, entertaining story world
  • Original twist on an old trope

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A bit about the author 

Nan Campbell grew up on the Jersey Shore, where she first discovered her love of romance novels as a kid, spending her summers at the beach reading stories that were wholly inappropriate for her age. She was, and continues to be, a sucker for a happy ending. 

She is a seasoned traveler, having visited many countries across six continents, and hopes to make it to the seventh someday. She hates to cook but loves to practice her cocktail-making skills. She also loves karaoke, which is unfortunate for anyone within range of her singing voice. 

Nan and her wife live in New York City, where they struggle to balance their natural homebody tendencies with all the amazing things the city has to offer.

Links to the author…


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