#2023MostAnitcipated - Once More with Feeling

Day two of my #2023MostAnticipated event brings a book that features boybands, a pop starlet, a love triangle, and a second chance romance.

Once More with Feeling by Elissa Sussman's next book has all of this and more. It sounds angsty and exactly like the kind of book you want want to read in the summer by the pool. 

The Goodreads synopsis makes it sound like it'll appeal to those of us who grew up loving boybands and always hoped for some juicy drama to leak.

A former pop star finds herself back in the spotlight--along with an old flame from her past--in this "friends to lovers" meets "enemies to lovers" romance from the bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask, the sensational Tik Tok romance!

Then. Katee Rose is living the dream as America's number one pop star, caught in a whirlwind of sold-out concerts, screaming fans, and constant tabloid coverage. Everyone wants to know everything about her and her boyfriend, Ryan LaNeve, the hottest member of adored boy band CrushZone. Katee loves to perform but hates the impossible demands of stardom. Maybe that's why she finds herself in the arms of another CrushZone member, Cal Kirby. Quiet, serious Cal, who's always been a good friend to Katee, is suddenly Cal with the smoldering eyes and very good hands. One unforgettable night is all it takes to blow up Katee's relationship with Ryan, her career, her whole life...

Now. Kathleen Rosenberg is okay with her ordinary existence, and leaving her pop star image in the past. That is, until Cal Kirby shows up with the opportunity of her dreams--a starring role in the Broadway show he's directing and a chance to perform the way she's always wanted. The two haven't spoken since the joint destruction of their careers, and each of them blames the other, making their reunion a tense battle of wits and egos. Katee reluctantly agrees to the musical, as long as she keeps her guard up around Cal. But rehearsals are long, those eyes still smolder, and those hands are still very good. Despite everything, Katee can't deny the chemistry between them. Is it ever a good idea to reignite old flames? Especially if you've been burned in the past?

Once More with Feeling releases May 30, 2023. You can, of course, pre-order wherever you like to purchase books.

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble // BAM

You can find out more by following Elissa's Instagram or visiting her website. You can also find out more about her books by visiting the publisher website.

Are you a fan of books that feature singers? If so let me know your favourite in the comments below. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for my next pick.

#2023 Most Anticipated - Strangers in the Night

It's officially the most wonderful time of the year and that means looking ahead to next year and the books we can look forward to reading. This annual event is one of my favourites and I am thrilled to be featuring it again this year. 

The first post of this event is a novel that fictionalizes the Hollywood romance between Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner, Strangers in the Night by Heather Webb.

I don't know much about them and I have only seen a few movies featuring either of them but I am definitely looking forward to this making me want to discover more.

The Goodreads synopsis sets up what this novel is going to deliver perfectly in my opinion:

It was the tumultuous romance that scandalized the world: Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner fought, loved, and lived life to the hilt. Now their unbridled story is brought vividly to life by Heather Webb, the bestselling author of Meet Me in Monaco and The Next Ship Home.

In the golden age of Hollywood, two of the brightest stars would define--and defy--an era...

She was the small-town southern beauty transformed into a Hollywood love goddess. He was the legendary crooner whose voice transfixed the world. They were Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra. Separately they were irresistible; together they were an explosive combination.

Ava's star is rising just as Frank's career--and public image as a family man--is taking a hit. Gone are the days of the screaming bobbysoxers and chart-topping hits. Ava, however, finds herself gracing the front page of every tabloid in America. Jealousy and cheating abound, and when the two succumb to their temperaments and their vices, their happiness is threatened at every turn.

As the pair ride the rollercoaster of success and failure, passion and anger, they both wonder if the next turn will be the end of their careers, and most devastating of all--the end of all they've shared.

A captivating novel with a star-studded cast spanning continents and decades, Strangers in the Night brings to life the most riveting love story of the twentieth century.

How great does this sound? It makes me want to dive into some of their classic films and learn more about them before reading this one. 

Strangers in the Night releases March 21, 2023. You can, of course, pre-order wherever you like to purchase books.

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble // BAM

You can find out more by following Heather's Twitter or visiting her website. You can also find out more about her books by visiting the publisher website.

Do you like Hollywood set reads? If so let me know your favourite in the comments below. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for my next pick.

#2023MostAnticipatedAnnoucement

 

It's almost the most wonderful time of the year and with that comes my annual most anticipated event. I am going to highlight the books I am most looking forward to in 2023 and I am going to switch up the format a bit!

I am looking forward to sharing the books that already have me hyped and hearing back from you all about what books you're super excited for.

The event will begin Monday November 28th. Be sure to stop by to see what is included and hear all about the books I think we'll be talking about next year!

A few teases of books that are included:

- a novel focusing on an infamous Hollywood couple

- a novel about second chances and boy bands

- a novel about a murder at a prom

- a  novel that continues the vampires are back trend.

I hope some of these have piqued your interest and that you'll check out the event launching soon!

Let me know what books you are excited for in the comments!

Monthly Movie Picks - November

 

Welcome to a brand new post on my blog. It'll be a monthly post and focus on the three movies I most want to see that month. I am going to be posting it much earlier in the month going forward and I am excited to see what movies you are excited for as well.

1.Bones and All

Release Date: November 18 (limited), November 23 (wide)

This is based on a young adult novel that mixes horror with romantic elements. It's a coming of age story that revolves around two cannibals taking a road trip through the backroads of America.

 Early buzz is that this movie is incredibly good that the performances are outstanding. I am super curious about it, even if I expect some moments will be a little stomach turning.

2. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Release Date: November 23 (theatres), December 23 (Netflix)

I, like almost everyone else, loved Knives Out. It all worked for me - the clever script, Chris Evans in that sweater, the stacked cast. It probably is no surprise that I was thrilled to hear that Rian Johnson was writing a sequel. 

 

This has another amazing cast and if the buzz is to believed it is even better than the first one. The trailer certainly looks promising and I am excited to discover the mystery.

3. She Said

Release Date: November 18

I read the book this is based on and am definitely intrigued to see how they handle this. It revolves around the investigation that revealed the sexual abuse/harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein.

It served as one of the launching pads for the #MeToo movement and resulted in bright light being shone on other abuses in the entertainment industry. I am curious to see how they end this movie as that is going to be what defines this movie for me. 

Those are the movies I am most excited to see. I am going to include three other movies that I have already seen and that I cannot wait for everyone else to see.

1. The Fabelmans

Release Date: November 11 (limited), November 23 (wide)

This will very likely end up being one of my favourite movies of the year. It's a love letter to the cinema along with being a semi autobiographical story of Steven Spielberg's childhood.

 

I fully expect this one to be in a lot of Oscar conversations and it won't surprise me if it ends up winning Best Picture.

2. The Menu

Release Date: November 18

Don't let the trailer fool you - it's not a horror movie in the way you are thinking. It's a dark comedy with a lot of social commentary.

 

It boasts some great performances and it is one I definitely enjoyed seeing with a crowd. The ending may have left me a little unsatisfied but I enjoyed it over all.

3. The Inspection

Release Date: November 18

Jeremy Pope's performance was the stand out in this for me. He delivers a performance that instantly makes you want to see whatever he does next.

It's also a promising debut by the director (Elegance Bratton) who is telling a story based on personal experiences. 

What are you most excited to see this month? Let me know in the comments.

What I Learned From TIFF 2022

I had my first film festival experience in September when I traveled to Toronto to attend TIFF and I am definitely a fan.

There is nothing like being surrounded by people who love the same thing you do. I experienced this high every time I took part in Book Expo America and it turns out movie festivals are no different. There is an electric buzz in the air from the moment you arrive and it is palpable. 

There is something magical about going to the cinema. The smell of popcorn that fills the air as you enter. The thrill of the unknown as the movie lights dim and the possibilities are endless. The tantalizing feeling that you might just be about to experience your next favourite movie. Movies have the ability to transport us and I can think of no greater magic.

The pandemic forced many cinemas to close and the communal experience of watching a movie together was something we were not able to do. Connecting with others is part of what it means to be human as is storytelling and this combines both. Ever see a horror movie and have everyone react to a jump scare followed by a relieved little chuckle or be moved to tears by a movie only to realize you are not the only one? It is its own kind of serotonin.

I may have been rediscovering my love of not just movies but the cinema experience in general but I also got to see some pretty amazing movies. 

I was absolutely charmed by Stephen Spielberg's The Fabelmans. A fable about a family told by one of the master storytellers. This is obviously the story of Spielberg's childhood and is filled with great performances and a memorable final few frames. 

Jeremy Pope wowed me with his incredible performance in The Inspection. It left me excited to see whatever he might do next.

Women Talking made me walk around Toronto in the golden sunshine of the afternoon thinking about the movie I had just seen. I was so impressed with Ben Whishaw's performance and left in awe of this female ensemble. It is a thought provoking movie that leaves you wanting to start some conversations of you own.

Another highlight was getting to listen to Damien Chazelle discuss his career and his thoughts on his previous films. Part of the appeal of TIFF is getting to hear the directors and actors discuss what goes in to creative process and that is something that can only make you love movies more.

Those are just a small number of the movies I got to see and I left Toronto in a satisfied movies induced stupor and with my heart very, very full. I also got to experience so many other incredible things while there but nothing quite compares to the feeling of the lights dimming as the movie starts to play.

Waiting on Wednesday ... Strangers in the Night

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Strangers in the Night by Heather Webb

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

It was the tumultuous romance that scandalized the world: Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner fought, loved, and lived life to the hilt. Now their unbridled story is brought vividly to life by Heather Webb, the bestselling author of Meet Me in Monaco and The Next Ship Home.

In the golden age of Hollywood, two of the brightest stars would define--and defy--an era...

She was the small-town southern beauty transformed into a Hollywood love goddess. He was the legendary crooner whose voice transfixed the world. They were Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra. Separately they were irresistible; together they were an explosive combination.

Ava's star is rising just as Frank's career--and public image as a family man--is taking a hit. Gone are the days of the screaming bobbysoxers and chart-topping hits. Ava, however, finds herself gracing the front page of every tabloid in America. Jealousy and cheating abound, and when the two succumb to their temperaments and their vices, their happiness is threatened at every turn.

As the pair ride the rollercoaster of success and failure, passion and anger, they both wonder if the next turn will be the end of their careers, and most devastating of all--the end of all they've shared.

A captivating novel with a star-studded cast spanning continents and decades, Strangers in the Night brings to life the most riveting love story of the twentieth century.

I have been watching a lot of older Hollywood movies since starting to listen to the You Must Remember This podcast. It has lead to me wanting to check out some books set in this time period. This, naturally, caught my eye as soon as I saw it announced. 

Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner are Hollywood legends, but I don't know much about their romance so I am anticipating that this may make me want to do a deep dive into their relationship. 

I am hoping this is a read that is not only fun but inspires me to watch more classic movies. It certainly sounds like it is going to be a great spring read. 

Expected release date - March 21, 2023