3.5 stars upgraded to 4

Sara Silver is on a three-year hiatus from her popular rock band and has just finished making a movie that has garnered her critical accolades for her acting talent. Mika Williams is a film producer who offers Sara the role of an out lesbian detective in her new television series. There is only one or two major problems once the various roles are cast. The second lead and Sara’s movie love interest can’t act, and finally quits the movie. The woman, Abby Farina, chosen to replace the love interest is straight, which infuriates the film’s fans. Chaos ensues and grows.

Maryn Scott has written a complex book about the world of making a streaming series with a large cast of characters, none of whom are developed with enough detail to set them apart from the rest. The first part of the book features Sara while the rest of the book focuses on Abby with Sara making the occasional guest appearances. Woven between these two characters is Mika, who has her own set of problems. Scott doesn’t delve into any one character deeply, but reveals small details about Sara, but not about Abby. Perhaps her best character is Mika, but she isn’t supposed to be a main character. Readers will, of course, wonder if this isn’t the set-up book for a series, and the author didn’t want to reveal too much so she’d have something to tell the reader about the characters over the course of the next books.

Scott is a very good writer with potential if she can learn that, for the most part, her readers want to get to know – and like – her characters.

This book has enough details about how a series with lesbian main characters is made to make it interesting and if for no other reason, readers might want to read this book because of that.

My thanks to Bella Books and NetGalley for an eARC.

Former singer and now actress Sara Silver jumps at the opportunity to work with famous actresses Christina Landis and Abby Farina as a lesbian detective on a new tv show, but things do not go as planned. Sara has zero chemistry with Christina, her onscreen love interest, who ends up exiting the show early and stirs up drama as she goes. Buuuuttt Sara does have an intense connection both on off screen with Abby, her ‘straight’ costar and new love interest on the show, whom she shares a secret kiss with.

While this was mostly a cute wlw romance, I felt like the subplots overshadowed Sara and Abby’s relationship a bit. I did like that it touched on other topics like the toxicity of Hollywood and social media, but would have loved more focus on this being Abby’s first wlw relationship, her family’s reaction, etc etc. Overall it was cute though!

Thank you Netgalley and Bella Books for the opportunity to read this!

From the blurb, it’s easy to assume this is just a wlw celebrity romance. Don’t get me wrong, it certainly is that but there is also so much more to this story than I was expecting. Some might find this a distraction from the romance but I really enjoyed the additional subplots. From family power dynamics to social media hate to toxic Hollywood culture, there was a lot to cover.

When Sara Silver, fresh off a Golden Globe nomination for what she assumed would be a one time acting gig, is offered a role in Mika Williams new show she’s hesitant. It soon becomes clear that the chemistry just isn’t there with her on-screen girlfriend. But there is chemistry with her co-star, Abby, who as far as everyone knows is straight. Mika Williams has dreamed about making this show her entire life and she’s willing to do everything she can to make it happen. It seems like everything is trying to prevent that from happening. Not the least of which is Sara’s on-screen girlfriend suddenly leaving the show.

This book was hard to put down and it did a perfect job of managing the tension. At times I was angry right along with the characters and other times I was laughing at the dynamic between the different characters. Abby was easily my favorite character and her growth throughout the novel was really well done.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting storyline. Producer wants to make a film with lesbian leads. When one has to be replaced the new partner is initially well received by the fans but a nasty tweet by the previous actress implies she was pushed out and the fans viciously turn on the replacement. Some intriguing sub plots also. I don't know if I would read this again but it was OK.

I stayed up till 2am to finish this gem. It was the first book I’ve read by this author and I doubt it will be the last. Maryn Scott’s writing is very well done and her characters are very well developed. I found myself rooting for them throughout the book and was anxious to see that happily ever after. There is a depth to the story and characters that I wasn’t expecting based on the blurb and cover. The dialogue is witty and entertaining, Abby is hilarious and I loved hearing her banter with just about every other character in the book. Sara has a quiet grace about her and though she is the multi talented star in this scenario, she is portrayed as a humble, kind human. Loved this and will likely be reading it again sooner than later because Abby was just that cute. Only complaint is that Abby is supposed to be in her first time WLW relationship but the book skips over the revelation to the public and her family. Would have liked to have a scene at least showing her family’s reaction. Overall great book that I will definitely pick up again in the future.

I had a love/hate relationship with this book. At times, I thought it was really engaging and I was interested in the story and the 2 MC's relationship. Particularly at the beginning of the book, as Abby and Sara were becoming friends. They had cute, flirty moments and I was looking forward to seeing how their relationship would build and how that would come into play when acting with each other.

Then at about the midway point, the book went a little off the rails for me. Too many crazy things happen (not going to spoil them) but there was just a LOT when it came to plot twists. I didn't get Christina as a character. There were some chapters where it was from Mika's POV and I didn't really care much about her. And then Sara and Abby's relationship just got weird and non-existant...

Overall, I'd give the book 3.5 stars but I rounded up since I was at least entertained and willing to see how it all ended.

I enjoyed reading this book, it was well written with an engaging, almost dual storyline and well developed characters. The reason I said it feels like a double storyline is because you get the story featured in the blurb where a well known actress starts appearing in a tv show playing a lesbian who grows close to her straight co star. The other storyline is behind the scenes and the ramifications of bringing this show to the public and what enfolds on social media.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. It was fast paced and gripping and I read it in one very short sitting.

Maryn Scott’s debut Talented Amateur didn’t work for me but I saw potential in the writing. With this second book I see the same potential but it just doesn’t work out the way I wanted it to/ hoped for.

The book begins with a lot of lesbian characters is Hollywood trying to get a new show up for a new streaming service. I got confused early on on who the main characters actually were. I think after finishing it I can say one main is the half of a romance and the other the boss, not involved in the romance. It’s a little strange. I think there are too many storylines happening, too many half backstories to have a clear picture of the the characters. It’s a shame because they all seem likeable, I really like Silver and Abby. For Silver we do get some story but for Abby, next to none.

The story and the romance are a bit flat, but again there is so much potential ontheven writing. One thing I absolutely didn’t enjoy were the written out scenes of the series the characters are shooting. For it would have been much better if that was just told, like normally when people do a job, instead of it being like reading (part of) a script.

As said, lots of potential but misses the mark a bit for me.

At the start of this book, based on the blurb, I thought I was in for a celebrity romance story with some social media drama. But actually, there’s two tracks happening in this book.

The first track is of course what you find in the blurb - Sara a singer / actress is pulled into a TV show and slowly starts to fall for her presumably straight costar.
The second track is about Mika and the politics surrounding bringing a TV show with a lesbian MC out to the viewing public.

This book is also very much about social media and how it is used/abused by people wanting to put their agenda forward. That second track I referred to earlier is the vehicle through which the drama playing inside of the studio is made visible to others and Sara and Abby are the pawns / victims of all of machinations behind closed doors. It’s a fascinating and interesting read, but I think that’s also where this was a struggle for me.

I felt like this could have been be two different books entirely. Each time the book switched tracks I felt like I was being yanked from “ooh backstage drama” to “oh romance time” with a different set of characters and vice versa. So essentially the two tracks were competing with each other.
Also I think because of the really strong storyline with Mika and the network drama , there was less time spent on the romance. Which is a shame really, because Sara and Abby were two delightful characters that I would have totally been invested in if there was more time focused on them.

Even though I struggled with the competing plot lines, the writing is really good. Mika’s troubles with the the network biggies and her father keep the plot tension alive. I also thought Mika would get her own “romance” but maybe that’s a possibility for a follow up? This is my first book by Maryn Scott and I really enjoyed her writing, she absolutely knows how to pull a reader into the story.

In the end even though we get a HEA epilogue, I think the Mika storyline dominated the narrative. So if you’re looking for a “TV Network” drama filled storyline exacerbated by social media angst with a side of light romance this could work for you. 4🌟s

Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Double treat in this fast paced book.

Sara, a music star and a rising acting star, is cast as the lead in a police show that promises to will feature a lesbian story never seen before. Her romantic partner on screen, Christina, is cold and not a very good actress. Abby, her work partner is anything but, on set and in real life.

Corsetti’s Will, the show described in the book is something I would watch in real life. The show’s description and the real life events are running in parallel and make this book intense and fast paced.

There’s drama and there’s conspiracy and I absolutely loved reading it, would definitely recommend it.

Standom is intense, so much more than meets the eye and simply thought provoking.

Sara Silver, a prominent name in the music industry with her band and solo album was offered the lesbian lead role in Corsetti’s Will by producer Mika Williams. Although she had differing opinions on the ways to promote the series, she signed on and grew close to one of her fellow actor, Abby Farina.

Abby is straight; or so Sarah and the fans of the show assume. With the abrupt departure of Christina Landis who plays the love interest of Sara, things started to spiral out of control. What started out as murmurs gained traction and soon fans are turning on the show.

The author has the ability to work the audience with her insights/research of the industry and in the midst of it all spin webs of conspiracy and drama. As for the plot? When it rains, it pours. Corsetti’s Will is a drama that I would follow if it was real and ship Sara and Abby. With things catching fire, it was hard to see everything fall apart for the pair but the epilogue saved the day.

I just reviewed Standom by Maryn Scott. Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC.

I really enjoyed reading this book because of the main characters but there is a lot more to the story. Sara Silver is a successful singer and beginning an acting career after a nominated break out role. Mika Williams pitches her a private detective series for a new streaming service. Her goal is to have a lesbian in a positive loving relationship as part of the show. Abby is a young and rising actress that is going to be on the series. There is focus on using social media to promote viewership of the series and streaming service. Also on the negative side of media as well. The series itself is a huge part of this book. Whole scenes are depicted either giving the dialogue or choreographing shots. And the backlash that threatens the series is harsh and comes from unexpected sources.

The two MCs are fabulous. Sara is talented, kind and vulnerable. Abby delighted me with her put goodness out into the world attitude and it was hard to watch her get crushed. I love their flirting, friendship and romance. There are almost too many other characters. I enjoyed Sara’s brother but the story works just as well without him. Same goes for Sara’s band mate. I don’t need to know that a staff member betrays Mika if I don’t see the consequence for it. Mika’s fathers maneuverings help fill out her storyline and I’m not clear on how that ends because after his last threats it gets dropped.

The book wants to take on a lot: Is the story a romance? How to make a controversial series? Harassment in the workplace? Good and evil of social media? I really enjoyed reading the book but the changing the emphasis of the storyline was a little confusing to me. The last chapter does act as a decent epilogue. But it is telling to me that the final paragraph is focused on producer Mika’s thoughts and not the romantic leads. This is my second book by the author and the two are very different. I look forward to what she writes next. I’m still giving four stars because of my enjoyment of the romantic leads. Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute read.



Sara is thrilled when she gets a role on a hot new show and even great she gets to work with known actresses Christina and Abby. When Christina has to leave Sara becomes Abby love interest in the series. Abby and Sara share a kiss that they never talk about but now they have a chance. I enjoy the read and making of show Sara and Abby were great characters had flaws the chemistry was there.





I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.