The Villain Edit by Laurie Devore

 

4*

This story wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought it would be a relatively lighthearted, humorous romp through the world of reality dating shows like The Bachelor. Instead, it was a biting, searing indictment of the ugly truth behind the scenes and the traumatic toll production machinations, vicious fans and TV critics, and ironclad contracts and NDAs can take on contestants. In the case of The Villain Edit, romance author Jacqueline (Jac) Matthis received a million-dollar payout for three books, but her first book was mismarketed and sold poorly. The second one fared worse, and the third was cancelled. After five years in NYC, blowing through her cash living what she assumed was her “best life,” she’s forced to move back home to Charleston, SC. With nothing to lose and the hope of reviving her flagging career and book sales, she impulsively becomes a contestant on the 1, never anticipating that her natural honesty, cynicism, skepticism, and intellect (with creative editing) will paint her as the villain of the season. When the bachelor, Marcus, chooses her as an early favorite, the other contestants claws come out.

If that weren’t bad enough, soon after she enters the mansion, she discovers that her hookup from the night before, Henry, is one of the producers. What follows is twelve weeks of forbidden growing attraction between them (despite her questioning how much of his attention is genuine versus manipulative for the sake of the show), concerning revelations about Marcus and other contestants, diminishing physical and mental health thanks to little sleep and missed meals (who knew contestants couldn’t eat while being filmed ), and Jac’s growing concern that it will all blow up in her face, destroying both her reputation and her livelihood. This villainization was well-illustrated by snippets of social media commentary, press releases, author chat groups, and blog articles interspersed throughout the novel.

Author Devore did extensive research on The Bachelor to give authenticity to the story. Jac, Marcus and Henry are all flawed characters, so the pseudo-love triangle is often hard to navigate because you don’t know what is the truth and who actually deserves a happy ending. The rampant misogyny is hard to stomach, especially since much of it is perpetrated by female producers and contestants who are pitted against each other in the name of “great television.” Devore’s compelling descriptions of the harsh reality of regimented schedules, overconsumption of alcohol, the absence of books, devices, and anything else that would draw attention away from Marcus, emotional manipulation, and food deprivation painted a really clear and disturbing picture of the dangers of these shows.

Although this is a romance, it doesn’t follow any formulaic tropes. There are definitely steamy scenes, many stops and starts, and love interests dealing with emotional baggage, and, in Jac’s case, low self-esteem coupled with defensiveness. You still can’t help but root for a happy ending, even if it’s not clear for most of the story which, if either, man she’ll end up with. I recommend this to anyone looking for a smart, complex, love story with several twists.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Avon through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard by Natasha Lester

5*

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard exemplifies the best of historical fiction, seamlessly blending real events and people with fictional characters whose lives intersect. It combines a family saga, the mystery surrounding both Astrid’s disappearance and the identity of her father, and an exposé on the misogynistic toxicity of the fashion industry.

In the author’s note, Lester mentions that Mizza Bricard, Astrid’s biological mother, was a real person, knowledge which led me down a Google rabbit hole. Fictional Mizza was the first generation of Bricard women who gave birth out of wedlock (what an archaic term), thus passing on the common surname, but that’s not where the commonalities end. Beautiful MIzza, who began her fashion career almost by accident, grew up fast in the salons of Paris on the eve of World War I, rubbing elbows with everyone from Coco Chanel to Pablo Picasso. Despite her incredible design talent, she was relegated to being a “muse” to Christian Dior with a sordid reputation thanks to the misogynists with fragile egos who rule the world of haute couture, both then and now. As Lester mentions, “I believe the truth is more likely to be found in the accounts of those who knew her, rather than men reporting on her thirty or forty years after her death who’ve decided that the racier the anecdote, the more chance they have of being published.” If you’d like to read more about Mizza, I’ve included a link at the bottom of this review to an article written by Lester for the Sydney Morning Herald.

Mizza’s fictional daughter Astrid, who was raised by her adoptive parents, enrolled in Parsons School of Design in NYC in 1970 at age 24, and, despite not being raised by Mizza, she suffered a similar fate by virtue of association. Hawk Jones was a wunderkind who started his own design house right out of school. From the moment they met in the Parsons Archives, the pull between them was undeniable and unavoidable. Although Astrid’s designs inspired Hawk and he was adamant about giving her credit, the toxic and petty fashion patriarchy persisted in undermining her talent and painting her as a muse as well. Like her mother, whose famous, somewhat scandalous photograph sealed her fate, Astrid was captured wearing a silver lamé dress and nothing else while dancing at a disco. As months passed, she and Hawk pumped out hot-selling pieces while rubbing elbows with the likes of Mick Jagger, and ultimately fell in love. When it all came to a head at the Battle of Versailles in 1973 (an actual event that had the established and favored French designers competing against the upstart, risk-taking American designers), Astrid disappeared, and no one knew if she was dead or in hiding for the next 40 years.

Mizza Bricard at age 55, photographed by Louise Dahl-Wolfe

Blythe Bricard, daughter of Astrid and Hawk and divorced from fashion mogul Jake Black, is at the tipping point of her fashion career. Like her parents, she and Jake met in design school and vowed to support each other’s dreams. However, the pressure and fickle nature of the industry has led her to the point that she must decide if she will continue designing costumes for film (which would mean giving up her dream) or revive her mother’s fashion brand, Mizza, either with Jake’s competitor, with Jake’s company if they can first overcome their personal differences, or by taking the reins herself with investments from other women. In a world heavily populated by female customers, workers, and talent but still run mostly by men, it’s a point of pride and ownership she craves. And, of course, she wants to be the first in her family’s line to get credit for her work and shed the heavy mantle of “muse.”

Although this isn’t a romance, the relationships each woman had are intrinsic to the plot and it’s impossible not to root for both Astrid and Blythe to find some happiness. However, the over-reaching theme is the damage caused by generational trauma and parental neglect and abandonment as well as the repeated messaging that talented women in fashion, especially ones who are trying to be innovative (like Astrid with her mix-and-match separates for ‘working women’, modeled after Anne Klein, the actual female designer at Versailles) will be suppressed, rejected and ridiculed by both petty journalists (like real-life Women’s Wear Daily’s John Fairchild) and most male designers.

“Dior didn’t know Mizza would be reduced in later years. And she was his muse. But she was a designer too. History forgot the second half because it’s a man’s name on the awning. History kept the first half because that’s the way stories of male creators working with women are written.” (Blythe's niece Coco in response to her question about why Dior allowed the press to slander Mizza)

Lester has written characters so compelling and well-rounded and settings so alive with imagery that you can’t help but put yourself in their place. As the mother of a fashion model, I was also affected by the knowledge of how men treated female designers because they were threatened by their talent. I really appreciate Lester’s extended author note, showing readers the depth of her research and findings.

The only slight criticism I have is that the multiple timelines got a bit confusing at times, and I personally would have preferred a first-person point of view from each of the Bricard women. It’s a minor quibble that doesn’t negate the power and appeal of this story. Highly recommended.

For more information on Mizza Bricard, read

She was known as Christian Dior’s muse, but Mizza Bricard was so much more than that.

https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/she-was-known-as-christian-dior-s-muse-but-mizza-bricard-was-so-much-more-than-that-20230914-p5e4ro.html

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Forever Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

 

Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

 

5*

After having sat in on a panel discussion last spring with author Hazelwood, I now understand why she and several more of our best contemporary romance authors (including Diana Gabaldon and Lauren Billings of the writing duo Christina Lauren) went from careers in STEM to writing romance. At the very least, they are finally getting the recognition (and, hopefully, financial rewards) they deserve. 

In Love on the Brain, neuroscientist Dr. Bee Konigswasser has been fighting her entire career against the unfair treatment women in STEM (especially academia) face from a field full of predominantly white men. Using “trademarked” phrases like Cockcluster and Wurstfest, in describing this seemingly impenetrable brick wall, is the least she can do to release some of the tension and anger she feels when she and her fellow women in STEM are confronted with this misogynistic reality. As a way to fight back anonymously, Bee started a Twitter account as an homage to her hero, Marie Curie, called @WhatWouldMarieDo and has been evading potential career-destroying detection for 4 years. However, other than providing support and encouragement to other female scientists, she’s also developed an open online friendship with Shmac, one of the few male scientists who truly champion and support their female colleagues.

After a bad betrayal and break-up, following by a depressive slump two years before, she’s finally been tapped to lead a joint NASA-NIH project. Unfortunately, even before flying to Houston, she finds out the co-lead is her arch nemesis Levi Ward, a man whose utter disdain for her during grad school was the stuff of legend. Will having to work with him lead to another career dead-end, especially if he goes so far as to sabotage her work? Or will she find that her perception of him has been wrong all along?

Hazelwood’s follow-up to The Love Hypothesis is equally as charming and sexy, with subtly-coded neurodivergent characters who struggle to communicate their feelings but who connect on a cerebral and sometimes nerdy level. Whether it’s bonding over Star Wars, comparing Levi’s rescue cat to Bee’s “imaginary” one, competing over hummingbird sightings, or surprisingly supporting and defending each others’ work in the lab, their journey to love is a joy to behold. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Jove Berkley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Accidental Pinup by Danielle Jackson

 4*

In The Accidental Pinup, author Daniellle Jackson tackles misogyny, toxic masculinity, the patriarchy and systemic racism in both the fashion industry and the business community as a whole. Cass Harris is an educated, talented, successful photographer (and voluptuous, beautiful black woman) who has consistently been passed over for jobs in favor of Reid Montgomery, a white male competitor who is known for his vintage pinup-inspired style. While her Buxom Boudoir business (started with her supermodel, social media influencer, and emerging lingerie designer best friend Dana) is booming, she wants the recognition and prestige that would come with directing and shooting a major national advertising campaign. When Dana collaborates with Luscious Lingerie to produce her body-positive, edgy Dreamland line, it’s with the understanding that Cass, her muse, will be in charge. However, when Dana is forced to go on bed rest early in her pregnancy and the executives at Luscious express their discomfort working with a relatively unknown photographer, she is once again passed over for the job in favor of Reid. The compromise is for Cass to replace Dana as the primary model as well as serve as Art Director, but will the greedy capitalists on the board be able to step outside their comfort zone and back up their performative support for the body-confidence movement by entrusting a major campaign to a plus-size black woman?

 

When Reid and Cass start working together, sparks start to fly almost immediately despite their professional relationship. It’s a pleasure to see how they treat each other with mutual respect and share their love of both photography and their city of Chicago. However, will the pressures of family and finances destroy everything they’ve been building?

 

As someone who has more than a little knowledge of how shamefully the fashion industry treats curvy women and black models in particular, it is frustrating and stressful to read about Cass’s experiences since they accurately reflect the real struggles black women face in the business world. However, it’s a testament to Jackson that she makes readers uncomfortable. I also appreciate that she has a male protagonist who can admit when he’s wrong and who is attracted to a curvy woman without qualifiers. This story will appeal to readers who are looking for strong, successful heroines and have a passing interest in the fashion industry. Highly recommended.

 

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

 

Much Ado About You by Samantha Young

5*

Evie Starling, 33, is done looking for love after a string of bad relationships, culminating with being stood up by a guy she’d been texting with for a month. When she’s passed over a 4th time for an editor position at her misogynistic company in favor of a younger man, she chucks it all for a month’s vacation in northern England, running a bookstore. Shortly after arriving, she meets a handsome, kind farmer after saving his dog. Despite her best intention to focus on herself and discover if her loneliness means she wants to be in a relationship or she’s just missing the companionship of friends who are coupling up and having kids, she can’t resist the friendship Roane offers. As the sexual tension between the two grows and the villagers accept her as one of their own, she begins to believe the fantasy that there might be someone who’s just perfect for her. Can this independent feminist trust that her feelings for this unicorn of a man are real and reciprocated or will she return to her unfulfilling, lonely life in Chicago?
There’s so much to love in this delightful, heartwarming romance. Although Evie’s an American outsider, she welcomes the embrace of the villagers, and reciprocates by lovingly interfering with their lives. Whether it’s freeing a young woman from an abusive relationship, bringing together star-crossed lovers, reuniting an estranged mother and daughter, or encouraging a widow to move past her grief, she has a profound, positive effect on the lives of those around her.

This lovely romance, inspired by the real rental bookstore holiday in Wigtown, Scotland, is quite a departure from Young’s best-selling, steamy On Dublin Street series. She deftly balances the various relationships without taking attention away from the central couple, giving readers a bountiful bouquet of love and heartbreak in all its forms. Topics like abuse, addiction, racism & homophobia are handled delicately and are not gratuitous, but rather integral to the story. Recommend this to fans of Susan Wiggs, Jenny Colgan, and Christina Lauren.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Berkley through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

What Makes Girls Sick and Tired by Lucile de Pesloüan and Genevieve Darling

3*

What Makes Girls Sick and Tired? is, simply put, an illustrated list of offenses against women and girls. The most stunning aspect is the sheer magnitude of the crisis of worldwide misogyny. As De Pesloüan states on the first page, Girls are sick and tired because sexism affects everyone, every day, in ways that are both obvious and subtle, and both simple and complex and every girl, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender, personality, physical attributes and more, shares similar experiences. The author and illustrator acknowledge that they are privileged white women, so it may not be a complete list of experiences, but the book serves as a call to action in support of feminism and women’s rights. It’s difficult to tell from the galley how the book will appear in print, but on-screen it is a page-by-page list of offenses with accompanying monochromatic illustrations which are somewhat amateurish and inconsistent in style. Regardless, the book achieves the stated purpose. Counselors might find this valuable, but it would be an optional library purchase.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Second Story Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.