Review – The Location Shoot by Patricia Leavy
Synopsis
Controversial filmmaker Jean Mercier is shooting a film on location in Sweden. While spending the summer creating his latest work of cinematic art, he lives in a nearby inn with his lead Albie Hughes, British veteran of stage and screen; Charlotte Reed, British indie film queen; Michael Hennesey, American TV heartthrob; Willow Barnes, fallen former teen star looking to make a comeback; and Finn Forrester, legendary Hollywood movie star. Mercier invites his friend Ella Sinclair—a beautiful, bohemian-spirited American philosopher known for her provocative writing—to stay with them for the summer. When Ella arrives, Finn is instantly enchanted by her, and soon they fall madly in love. Finn wants to plan a life together, but Ella harbors fears and convinces him to wait until the film wraps to decide their future. In a case of life imitating art, the film they are creating explores “the big questions” and prompts the stars to reflect on the crossroads they face in their own lives. How will their experiences on location affect them when they return home? The answers won’t come until months later, when the cast and crew reconvene on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival—but their revelation will make for one unforgettable night.
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Review
This is more than a romance novel, it is about finding your true self and happiness.
A small cast of characters are on location shooting a film. The director is a bit avant-garde, but he doesn’t explain anything to his actors about his methods. It takes several days, perhaps a week or two before the lightbulb goes off, and they understand what they are meant to do.
Ella is a bit of a free spirit, and it is interesting to see how much is attributed to her. She seems to be a miracle worker in everyone’s eyes—maybe because she is on the outside looking in?
The actors all have their foibles, and it is nice to see the human side and not the persona that is spun for the public. However, those weaknesses are what make them intriguing characters.
The main romantic relationship is between Finn and Ella. It is saccharinely sweet. Finn and Ella both want more, but they have some baggage to work through before it can truly work. In fact, we have to wait until the end to uncover the truth in their relationship.
While Finn and Ella are the main focus, we learn more about the secondary characters and what makes them tick. Each learns something to take back with them once filming is complete. Perhaps it will make their life that much better.
There is a follow-up book, and I look forward to seeing these characters again and learning what direction their life is going.
We give this book 4 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.
