Tag: screenwriting

REVIEW: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

REVIEW: The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Emma Wheeler has been given the opportunity of a lifetime – co-write/ghostwrite a screenplay with her idol, Charlie Yates. He’s written a rom-com, and it needs some serious help. But he has to get it written in order to get a pet project produced. Emma has to put her life on hold and go to LA for 6 weeks to work on the re-write. She’s been her father’s daily caregiver for years – it’s a lot to step away from.

But when she gets to LA, Charlie doesn’t know anything about this arrangement – and he’s not interested in anything Emma has to offer.  She’s embarrassed and tempted to flee back home where life is familiar even though it is also soul-crushing at times. Instead, she fights for this opportunity. Taking in some observations of Charlie and recognizing the power of being completely willing to walk away, she negotiates her way into a real chance to write this screenplay and see it get produced. And maybe prove to Charlie – and herself – that she’s not a “failed writer.”

Review

This was excellent! Everything the book describes as essential for a rom-com – the happily-ever-after, the banter, the slow burn, the “sparkle” – is on display here.

I loved Emma and Charlie, both alone and together. Their individual stories are fascinating. And the psychology of how those individual stories impact the relationship between the two writers was delightful. There were many beautifully written scenes that begged to be read out loud. And I laughed out loud often.

Katherine Center’s fans should not hesitate to grab her latest rom-com. It absolutely sparkles, both in the cozy relationship and in the writing. And if you are a rom-com fan in general, you do not want to miss this one! (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Marcus Makes a Movie by Kevin Hart

REVIEW: Marcus Makes a Movie by Kevin Hart

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Crown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Marcus had to sign up for an after school activity. He wanted to do art so he could work on his comic every day after school. But the art teacher would have made him do other projects, too. So he agrees to sign up for film making.

But when he gets to the first session, he’s not feeling the leaders or the other kids. He’s hoping to just sit in a corner and work on his superhero comic about Toothpick, his hero. But then one of the leaders suggests Marcus could turn his superhero comic into a movie!

Review

This is a lot of fun! Marcus has big feelings and a big personality, but his heart is usually in the right place. I could hear the author’s voice in my head as I read. And the mentions of “Tevin Bart,” “Taylor Berry,” and some superhero references in the book were hilarious!

This includes solid information about screenplays, writing and revising, taking criticism, etc., but it is well-integrated and never distracts from the story. And Marcus’ voice and personality are consistent (and awesome) all the way through.

This was such a fun story with characters I thoroughly enjoyed. I’d love to read more Marcus adventures! (Grief/loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Plot Twist by Bethany Turner

REVIEW: Plot Twist by Bethany Turner

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

On February 4, 2003, Olivia was minding her own business at a crowded coffee shop, working on her screenplay. Annoyed after several interruptions, she shared space on a couch with a handsome actor. When yet another “interruption” wouldn’t take no for an answer, Olivia’s couch-mate came to her rescue with an outlandish story about their undying love for one another. It was a meet cute made for movies.

And then it was over. The actor left for an audition after extracting a promise that they would meet up at the same coffee shop in 10 years when he would be a famous actor and she would have a screenplay. Olivia never even got his name.

The next year, on February 4th, Olivia finds herself at the same coffee shop to meet her boyfriend – and everything about their relationship changes. A year later, on February 4th, she discovers the name of her mystery actor. A year later, she is grieving a break up.

As the years march by, February by February, bringing Olivia ever closer to February 4th, 2013, her life and her work twist and turn in ways she never expected. And everything seems to hinge on the magical 4th and that long ago conversation in a coffee shop.

Review

My thoughts and feelings on this one are mixed.  This is an author I have enjoyed for several years now. And the first and last chapters of this were as delightful as the previous books of hers that I love. But in some ways, the 2003 and 2013 chapters feel like a different book than the middle chapters. Unlike the main character, Olivia, I love rom-coms, and these chapters deliver all the fun, flirty banter and meet-cute moments I adore.  Those chapters are right up my alley.

The rest of Olivia’s journey, though, while interesting and engaging, wasn’t “fun.” I was committed to seeing the story through. But I didn’t love any of the characters, and I pushed through to the end somewhat out of obligation. I prefer stories and characters that drive me to frantically flip pages to see what might happen next. The final chapter was so spectacular, though, I exclaimed out loud and even several days later I feel like it made all the rest of the reading worthwhile. I just wish the rest of Olivia’s story had been as fun.

Fans expecting a faith story in this book published by Thomas Nelson may be surprised to find no mention of faith in this one whatsoever. Readers looking for a romcom may have mixed feelings like I did. Romance fans who enjoy the ups and downs of a complicated journey may be a better fit for this story as a whole. And that closing chapter is *chef’s kiss* perfect.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

* ♥♥♥½ = Good +

 

REVIEW: Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters

REVIEW: Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

After seven years at the business equivalent of “always the bridesmaid, never the bride,”  Evie is ready for a change. She’s the assistant to an agent who manages screenwriters, including Oscar-winner Ezra Chester. The rude and arrogant writer is woefully behind on  completing a contracted rom-com script. And Evie is sent to light a fire under him. Maybe if she handles this well, she will get the chance to be an agent to some clients of her own.

Ezra feels rom-coms are beneath him. He says he has no intention of writing the script. Evie knows if he backs out of this, her company is doomed. All of her years on grunt work waiting for her big break to move up to agent will be wasted. So she convinces Ezra to sign on for a challenge.

Assuming the real reason he’s not writing is writer’s block, Evie says she will test out all the popular movie meet-cutes and show Ezra they can work. And while she tries to find love like in a romantic comedy, he’ll start writing his script. Sure, it’ll be embarrassing to spill coffee on a stranger or go looking for a date at a book club meeting, but it’s worth it if she can wrangle a script out of Ezra, keep her job, and maybe even find love.

Review

Stories like this, whether in a book or a movie or on TV walk a fine line between humor and pain. I struggle to rate this one because several of the scenarios in this were painful for me. I wanted to close my eyes rather than watch Evie ruin something else related to her friend’s wedding or endure another disastrous  meet cute. At the same time, I loved that Evie didn’t take herself too seriously. She set aside any humiliation and owned her disasters. And through them, she re-discovered herself as a writer.

Ezra was a piece of work. I wasn’t surprised by where things went regarding his script, but I was surprised by some of the choices he made in the end with Evie. Also, her work situation in general – not just the Ezra parts – was infuriating. I don’t know that the character ever communicated that she felt trapped in her work situation, but I felt trapped for her.

Evie’s friends had the patience of Job. They endured so much. I would have liked to see/read more of why they were friends. Sarah was an odd fit in the group for me. I would have liked to see some warm moments with Sarah and Evie, or Sarah and the group, to offset the shrill bridezilla moments. And I cringed every time Evie had to apologize to them yet again. They were awfully gracious.

I wanted more scenes with Ben and Anette. They were delightful! Yes, Anette comes across as older than her stated age, but I liked her so much, I didn’t care.

This has a particular sort of humor – disasters and embarrassment and quite a lot of sexual humor. For the right reader, this will be a hoot and a half. For me, it was sometimes more awkward than funny.  I agree with other reviewers who have said this feels more “chicklit” than “romance” because that’s really something that only gets sorted out in the end. Once settled, though, I enjoyed the romance in the end. (Language, sexual references)

Rating: ♥♥♥½