Review – After the Red Carpet by Patricia Leavy
Synopsis
In this highly anticipated follow-up to The Location Shoot, will Ella and Finn finally live the life they’ve dreamed of? See how their epic romance unfolds after the red carpet.
Legendary Hollywood star Finn Forrester has proposed to philosopher Ella Sinclair on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, captivating the press and public with their real-life fairy tale. The couple vows to prioritize their romance and live an adventure of their own making. Ella moves into Finn’s Beverly Hills mansion and must adjust to his world. Finn is determined to make everything perfect for his betrothed, secretly afraid of losing her. Meanwhile, Ella wants nothing more than to retain her own identity as they build their new life together. All the while, she is writing a philosophical treatise on love, exploring the question: when we love so deeply, where do we end and where does the other begin?
“After the Red Carpet is a modern masterpiece and a perfect romance narrative from the more literary side of the book world.” ―Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review
“Leavy, an acclaimed romance novelist, brings us a brave, emotionally charged, and deceptively subtle story about the intensity of love and the complexity of forging a new world for oneself. This is both a deeply beautiful love story for the ages and a smart exploration of what happens to our identities when ‘me’ becomes ‘we.’ I could not put this book down. The ending is everything.” —Jessica Smartt Gullion, author of October Birds
“After the Red Carpet offers a brilliant spin on a Cinderella story that is equal parts whimsical fairy tale and insightful meditation on the true meaning of love. Ella and Finn show us that happily ever after is possible once you let go of the fairy tale and your fears, and that the greatest gift is simply loving someone for who they really are. Readers of women’s fiction and romance novels will devour this book. The ending is supremely satisfying.” —U. Melissa Anyiwo, editor of Gender Warriors
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Review
This is the sequel to The Location Shoot, so I highly recommend reading that book first. You can read this book without reading that one, but it will make more sense if you read it in order.
We look into Finn and Ella’s lives now that they are engaged. There are the typical pitfalls couples might incur when they move in together, but nothing that can’t be overcome with communication. Sometimes, they do well at communicating, but other times, I feel like they have just started dating and have not learned how to talk things through.
This book is sweet like the last one. Finn is doing whatever he can to make sure Ella feels at home in LA. I found it interesting that he always calls her “my love” or “baby.” He did that in the first book, too, so at least the pattern carries over. A little bit of conflict is spread out over the book, but it is very surface conflict. The issue seems to be resolved in a few pages. Nothing lasts long. I think the story could have had a larger impact if the conflict had been more pivotal.
The book does have some intimate scenes, sometimes several times per chapter. I appreciated that they often went to brush their teeth when they first woke up before becoming intimate. There is nothing worse than morning breath! It made the characters feel real.
This was an easy read, good for anyone who doesn’t want to get too deep into the characters or situations. We give it four paws up.
About the Author
Patricia Leavy, PhD, is an award-winning, best-selling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chairperson of Sociology & Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College. She has published over forty books; her work has been translated into many languages and she has received more than forty book honors. She has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame, and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” She resides in Kennebunk, Maine, but is originally from the Boston area. She loves writing, reading, movies, and traveling.
