super cute lgbtq romance with a super cute plot. loved the Professor X Actress dynamic the LA vibes and just all the talk of movies. kinda bland however and I wish it was more put together.

*Director's Cut* by Carlyn Greenwald is a captivating romantic comedy that seamlessly combines the world of film, personal growth, and unexpected love. The story follows Grace, a talented but underappreciated film editor, who finds herself thrust into the chaotic world of a high-profile movie set when she is hired to work as the assistant to a famous and notoriously difficult director, Max. As Grace navigates the behind-the-scenes drama of the film industry, she quickly realizes that the man behind the camera is just as complicated as the movie he’s creating, and sparks fly between them.

Greenwald’s writing shines with witty dialogue, sharp humor, and relatable characters. Grace is a refreshingly down-to-earth protagonist who balances ambition with vulnerability. Her journey toward self-confidence, navigating her career, and finding her place in the often-glamorous but ruthless film industry is both inspiring and heartwarming. Max, the brooding yet charming director, is a classic “gruff on the outside, soft on the inside” character, and his dynamic with Grace evolves in a way that feels both authentic and sweet.

The plot is filled with charming moments and romantic tension, as Grace and Max’s relationship develops amidst the chaos of film production. The setting of the movie set adds a unique layer to the story, giving readers an inside look at the inner workings of the film industry and how it impacts the lives of the people behind the scenes. This behind-the-scenes lens gives the novel a fresh perspective on the romantic comedy genre, adding depth to the plot and making it stand out from other similar stories.

The pacing of the book is well-balanced, with enough romantic tension and comedic moments to keep readers entertained, while also allowing for moments of emotional depth and personal reflection. However, some of the conflict in the story feels a bit predictable, and the resolution may not come as a huge surprise to readers familiar with rom-com tropes. Despite this, Greenwald’s strong character development and engaging writing style make the book highly enjoyable from start to finish.

Overall, *Director's Cut* is a delightful, fun, and heartwarming read that offers a perfect blend of romance, humor, and personal growth. It’s a great choice for fans of rom-coms who enjoy witty banter, behind-the-scenes insights, and characters who are easy to root for. If you’re in the mood for a feel-good, entertaining romance with plenty of charm, *Director's Cut* is definitely worth adding to your reading list.

This is my ideal setting and ideal characters as I work in and am a great lover of entertainment so I was onboard from go.

It was exactly what I wanted—a fun, cozy, well-written, palette cleansing romcom with lovable characters and a well paced romance.

Nice platte cleanser read. Enjoyed the use of academics and movies. …………………………………………………01010101001010100111””0

Really enjoyed the combination of film industry and academia. As someone who also went to college in LA, I appreciated the insider info and it felt accurate. I did however feel like Maeve and Val got over their initial issues too quickly. I also dislike miscommunication so the fact that Val kept important information from Maeve was irritating.

I want to start off by saying I loved the representation in this book. I appreciated the discussions regarding mental health, the film industry and film studies , specifically about queer film studies. However, this book is so character driven that it was easy to forget exactly what the plot was supposed to be about. Readers spend most of the book with the protagonist’s stream of consciousness that is often whiny as well as horny (to the point that it comes off cringey). It’s a cute story and I appreciate the discussions that it brings, but I do think the storytelling could have been better. As for the audiobook, even at 1.9x the speed, the book seemed to drag on. I’m not sure if that’s due to the pacing of the book itself or if it was the narrator. Overall, I thought the book was okay and while it might not be the book for me, it still might be the book for you!

I loved the sapphic chemistry that Carlyn Greenwald brewed up in Director's Cut, and the Hollywood meets academic plot was a fun and unique twist.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Director’s Cut is a captivating, smart, and refreshingly fun romance that pulls you into the world of Hollywood, academia, and all the messy, complicated emotions in between. This book is a delightful combination of steamy chemistry, witty banter, and a well-paced character arc that makes it difficult to put down.

Valeria Sullivan, a talented but disillusioned Oscar-winning actress, finds herself at a crossroads. Seeking a fresh start after the decline of her acting career, she dives headfirst into a guest teaching gig at USC, with hopes of eventually transitioning to a more stable life in academia. Enter Maeve Arko—her brilliant, beautiful, and initially disdainful co-professor. The tension between Val and Maeve is instant and electric, and watching their dynamic evolve from antagonistic to undeniable attraction is pure gold.

What truly shines in Director’s Cut is the way the author balances the professional and personal challenges Val faces. The transition from glamorous Hollywood to the rigors of academia is no easy feat, and the author perfectly captures the pressure Val feels as she navigates both her new career and a complex romance. Val's internal struggle between her dreams of directing and her growing love for Maeve adds a layer of depth to the story, making it more than just a steamy love affair. It’s about finding where you truly belong and what you're willing to sacrifice to get there.

Maeve is a standout character—sharp, enigmatic, and initially tough to read. Her softening toward Val is well-earned and believable, making their eventual romance feel like a rewarding journey rather than a foregone conclusion. Their chemistry is off the charts, and the slow-burn tension between them kept me eagerly turning pages. As their relationship develops, you can’t help but root for them to make it work despite all the odds.

The plot is engaging, with just the right balance of humor, emotional depth, and drama. The Hollywood backdrop adds an interesting layer of conflict, particularly as Val’s career takes off once again, forcing her to choose between her professional and personal lives. The tension surrounding Val’s decision is built beautifully, and it kept me invested in both her journey and the outcome of her relationship with Maeve.

The only reason I’m not giving this a full five stars is that I wanted just a bit more of a deep dive into Maeve's backstory—there are moments when her character feels somewhat mysterious, and I would have loved to see more of her past and what shaped her into the person she is. That said, this is a minor quibble in what is otherwise a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Director’s Cut is a smart, steamy, and emotionally satisfying romance with two strong, complex leads. Fans of enemies-to-lovers tropes and academic settings will devour this one. It’s an unforgettable story about second chances, love, and the struggle to find a balance between passion and ambition.

I just finished reading Director's Cut by Carlyn Greenwald, and I’m so excited to share my thoughts with you!

This book is a captivating blend of romance, drama, and Hollywood intrigue. Greenwald’s writing is both engaging and witty, making it a fun and entertaining read.

One of my favorite moments is when Valeria Sullivan, the Oscar-winning actress turned professor, has a heated debate with her co-professor, Maeve Arko, during a film theory class. The way Greenwald captures their intellectual sparring and the underlying tension is so well done—it’s like watching a verbal chess match. This scene perfectly showcases the dynamic between Val and Maeve and sets the stage for their evolving relationship.

What I love most about Director's Cut is how it delves into the complexities of balancing personal and professional life. Val’s journey of transitioning from acting to directing and navigating her feelings for Maeve is both relatable and inspiring. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions feel genuine and heartfelt.

If you’re looking for a book that will keep you entertained and make you think about the challenges of pursuing your passions, Director's Cut is a must-read. Trust me, you’ll be hooked from the very first page!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Director's Cut by Carlyn Greenwald!

Thank you Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Vintage for this ARC. I thought this was a good book, but to me it was a little slow. I would still recommend this book.

3.5⭐️ I love a sapphic romance, and was excited to read this workplace romance story featuring Val and Meave. I do struggle when a book includes the miscommunication trope. Since this was a single POV by Val, I was really craving more of Meave.

*many thanks to Vintage Anchor books and Netgalley for the gifted copy

Cute rom com! I love a celebrity romance and I liked that this was an interesting new spin with her being a temporary professor. Maeve was the best character. The one thing I didn’t love was that Val was hiding things from Maeve for so long. Like just tell her already.

This was a fun read, I originally picked it for the premise and because it was sapphic. And while I liked the characters individually, I wasn’t completely sold on their romance. The storyline was fun and the overall look into the movie industry was super interesting but I needed more from chemistry from the two MCs.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

When I picked this I read the synopsis and found it intriguing. Unfortunately, that was the only intriguing part. The book itself is so predictable and I really didn’t like the protagonist, never a good sign for me.
Val Sullivan is an Oscar Award winning actor but she’s decided to make the transition to directing. She also has a PhD from Oxford University, though she hasn’t taught since she was a TA years ago. Another transition she’s made is coming out of the closet publicly. When she has a bad late night interview and feels her directorial debut flops she decides to hang up her Hollywood hat and teach at USC as a guest professor. She and Maeve Arko, the professor with whom she’s teaching, get off to an icy start, but soon both women are letting down their defenses and the sparks fly. When Val’s movie starts getting noticed by the bigwigs in Hollywood she has to decide which Val is the real Val- actor and director or college professor. She just has to hope that in finding herself she doesn’t lose Maeve.
I found this entire book vapid from the get go. In the beginning there is so much information on musicals and stage shows and it actually felt as though I was being lectured to. In later classroom scenes, however, the information is glossed over and the focus is more on Val and Maeve’s relationship. Speaking of which, the bedroom scenes are quite graphic, which I never enjoy (both straight and gay).
I wanted to like this and I’m sorry I didn’t. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for an advanced copy of this. Director‘s Cut hit the shelves on June 11.

I very much enjoy when I can not only relate to the characters but also have a storyline that is feasible. With some celebrity moves to the public life storylines you can tell that it's not realistic. This is crafted in such a way where everything COULD really happen and honestly it's been a while since I have read something with that feeling.
The character of Valeria is well written and there is a connection with the character, which makes since due to her being the narrator. I do find myself wondering what is happening with Maeve and her inner thoughts but Val carries the narrative well.
The comic relief that Val has with her internal monologue is hilarious and the use of the phrase "gay lizard brain" had me laughing for a while.
The fact that there is such a great foundation for communication in this novel and that only grows as the two characters develop their relationship is amazing.

Such a fun read with a focus on Hollywood and academia.

Val is an interesting character mix- the Oscar-winning actress, the director, the Hollywood insider on one side, the PhD holding university lecturer and academic on the other. It was fascinating to see both worlds through her lens.

While confident in some aspects of her life and career, seeing Val’s vulnerabilities, especially around relationships, made her feel very real to me. Even with her somewhat over-the-top lifestyle. Of course these issues also almost completely destroy her relationship with Maeve.

Maeve has her own insecurities and vulnerabilities, though seems to be stronger in the areas where Val is weaker. I think this balances out their relationship.

The side characters are a lot of fun as well, especially Charlie. I love how close he an Val are, and that they have each other’s backs. Val’s family and other friends are great as well. Maeve doesn’t seem to really have anyone outside of her research assistant.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book through Net Galley on behalf of the publisher for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was kind of a let down. it was just lacking. i couldn’t connect to the characters and the romance just felt really rushed. i wanted to like it but it just didn’t work for me

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on October 15th, 2024. Links provided.

After accepting a guest teaching position, Oscar-winning actress Valeria (Val) Sullivan finds herself a little out of her depth as her beautiful co-professor, Maeve Arko, doesn’t think Val’s got what it takes to teach the class. At just 29, Val’s successful acting career has slowed down, and a disastrous late-night interview complicates her aspirations of becoming a director. Fed up with Hollywood, she embraces her chance at change with a full-time academic role at USC to reignite her passion for teaching. While Maeve is initially disdainful of Valeria, the two of them quickly get over their negative first impressions and warm up to each other, igniting unexpected chemistry between them, as they navigate the challenges of academia. Just as Val settles into her new job and develops a romance with Maeve, her directorial debut, Oakley in Flames, garners attention, forcing her to confront a pivotal choice between her emerging career in Hollywood and her commitments to her students and relationship with Maeve.

I really enjoyed this book! While I don’t often like insta-love romance (which even with the very minor “negative” first impressions I felt that’s what happened in this book), something about Val and Maeve’s relationship just worked for me. I also don’t usually like the miscommunication trope, but I felt the emotions and reasoning behind the “miscommunication” was so realistic and I really understood why each of the main characters felt the way they did. The writing, plot, and character development were all so well done. I also really appreciated the way the author addressed mental health and anxiety. This is definitely a book I would recommend if you love a good sapphic romance with a happily ever after!

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of Director’s Cut in return for my honest review.