I struggled with this one a bit. When I read the synopsis I thought that it sounded like an intriguing story. However, I did not connect with the characters as much as I would have hoped. Also, I think there is another novel that can be read before this one? I did not realize that this book was a continuation of another one. So at times I felt a little lost.

I went into this book expecting to not enjoy it. I read "Sizzle Reel" a while ago and did not like it. I started this book thinking that I would feel the same, but I did enjoy this book a lot. I was rooting for Maeve and Val throughout the book, and while it did fall into the cliche of the third-act breakup, I still really enjoyed it overall.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

WOW! What a great read! This book is definitely in line with Ashley Herring Blake and Meryl Wilsner. I absolutely loved Greenwald's characterization and the consistent back story for each character. She did a great job of really setting up Val and Maeve's professional goals and conflicts. It carried so many possibilities throughout the story and I was consistently wondering what could happen next! As someone who has taught at both the primary and collegiate level, I think the author's portrays the educational aspect accurately. The information regarding media education was incredibly interesting and educating at the same time. The conflict between switching careers was well done, and so was the subtle inserts of Val's slow disinterest of her acting/directing career. The spicy scenes were tastefully done and kept the reader wanting more.

The only thing I would give 3 out of 5 stars was the change in characterization of Maeve in the beginning. At first she comes off as this hard professional. She seems mature, set in her ways, focused, and a little judgmental, but it works for her! It gave Val a reason to try extra hard and prove herself. There was a sudden shift when she sees Val teach a full lesson for the first time, and then she's all apologetic and sappy. I think the characterization switch was too abrupt and too different. I think if she carried those hard professional characteristics, it would have kept up with the "professor persona." Personally, I think she felt like she was written a little too young and timid towards the middle of the book.

Nonetheless, this was a FANTASTIC read! The author weaves literary components throughout the text, and it helps round out the story around the dialogue. I would definitely read more from this author.

Thank you to Vintage and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved how unabashedly sapphic this was. There was so many different types of queer representation in this as well. I enjoyed the open discussion about therapy and medication use for anxiety. I had a lot of fun reading about the development of Maeve’s and Val’s relationship. I also loved the tidbits of their lectures as well which I thought rounded it out nicely. It was lovely to see representations of queer people in Academia and their work as well. My only issues was that the jump from them not liking each other to liking each other did give me a bit of whiplash. Val was also a bit confusing as a narrator at the beginning.

This was a really enjoyable read. The plot flowed well and the characters were well developed. There were a few places where the story was a little slow, but overall, I would recommend this book to to others, especially if they've read the first book set in the same world.

- 3.75 stars -

I’ve rarely jumped on the chance to preview a book as quickly as I did this one. Brunette professor, blonde actor-director, it seemed custom-made for my girlfriend and I. What I wasn’t expecting was the parts of Val’s journey that I would identify with as a performer.

(Spoilers start here!) Val relishes the idea of settling into academia as she struggles to imagine a future in the film industry. However, she learns she DOES want that future. She wants to create. She wants to act. Her anxiety was what was standing between herself and that dream, and she didn’t realize it until she was forced to face the consequences of that anxiety — among them, the way it was impacting her relationship with Maeve — head-on. As someone living between the worlds of education and performance, someone who holds both close but is unsure how to shape these passions into a future that works, Val’s journey is going to stick with me, especially as I stand on the precipice of decisions that could push me one way or another. The decision should belong to me, not my anxiety.

But beyond that, I love the kind of love these women fall into. While the physical aspect is certainly present and may be a huge draw for some readers, what struck me was the way Val and Maeve’s relationship grew into something where the future was at the forefront. Allowing yourself to imagine a future with someone you love is something that sapphic women often have to fight for, and to me, it is beautiful when Val reaches a place where she can do that, and even more so when Val and Maeve exchange their dreams and desires for a future together as the book comes to a close. It’s a future in which they can be each other’s calm amidst the storm of such high-pressure lives, a future where they are honest about their struggles and can lean on each other, and a future where they pledge to support each other in their careers in a way that makes their successes that much sweeter.

Like many books I’ve been reading these days, this one could be pretty buzzwordy at times, which can take me out of a story. Let's leave the discourse-reminiscent blurbs for Tumblr where they belong (and I say this as a Tumblr user). There were also moments it felt a bit disjointed, or like I was missing something. It wasn't until I went to post this review that I discovered there was a precursor to this book, but it seems like maybe I was better off just starting with this one. For the most part, it stands on its own quite well. It took me a minute to get into it, but once I did, the carefully measured reading plan that I had constructed dissolved into a page-turning frenzy! Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to access this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I want to start off by saying that, as a lesbian, jewish, director from the south bay, this book completely robbed me of an individuality complex. It’s actually crazy how much Valeria and I have in common.

I loved how rooted in LA this book is. The little easter eggs, like mentioning a big mall in Torrance but not saying Del Amo, made me feel like I was an insider.

I love Maeve. I almost wish we got to see her in her pre friends with Val era for longer, but I did enjoy the pace at which their relationship progressed.

The two things I didn’t like about the book are how quickly it starts and how long it takes Val to tell Maeve her news (keeping it vague and spoiler free). The first few pages felt like I was being thrown into a world too quickly. So many new characters were introduced at once, and I had a hard time retaining all of the information. The miscommunication trope is my least favorite, and I’d say the middle of this book dips its toe into that territory. I think Val got way too ahead of herself and spent so long in an unnecessary flurry of anxiety. It just made it hard for me to empathize with her because she was self sabotaging.

Overall, this book made me feel so seen and represented, not to mention it is laugh out loud funny. Mark your calendars for June 11!

I loved this book! After finishing Carlyn Greenwald's debut, SIZZLE REEL, I thought about how great it would be if Val got her own book...and my wish was granted with DIRECTOR'S CUT! The story re-introduces readers to Valeria Sullivan, an award-winning actress who's feeling a little stuck. With dwindling options for future projects and a disastrous interview on a late-night show, Val decides to take a break from Hollywood, moving on instead to a guest professorship at USC with goals of transitioning to academia full-time. When sparks begin to fly between Val and her co-professor, Maeve Arko, and Val's directorial debut starts getting attention, Val is forced to consider what—and who—matters most to her.

I flew through DIRECTOR'S CUT—I literally could not put it down! I love both the Hollywood and academia settings in books, and thought Greenwald did a wonderful job of developing both worlds, and showing how Valeria clearly has a connection to both of them. The Jewish rep and mental health rep were definite highlights of the story for me, too! And as a huge fan of musicals, I especially enjoyed reading about Val and Maeve's class—the descriptions of the lectures and ideas they had for the course were all so fascinating. I also thought the romance between Val and Maeve was very well-done. I loved seeing how they balanced each other out and truly brought out the best in each other. My only minor gripe was the way the miscommunication trope was used—I did get a little frustrated with Val sometimes because I wanted her to be more upfront with Maeve about certain things, but I understood her anxiety and why she was so hesitant. Overall, I would highly recommend DIRECTOR'S CUT, and can't wait to see what Greenwald writes next! I hope we see these characters again somehow, too. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! The miscommunication was frustrating and I wish the tension had gone in for longer, but other than that, the author’s storytelling is very solid.

Director's Cut is a book that sucks you in, once you start it, you don't want to put it down until it's over. It's a whirlwind of emotions dealing with relationships, old and new. The sex scenes are steamy too, if you're into those within your reading. There's one part of the book that felt slightly targeted and that's only because I, too, was obsessed with a certain X-Files actress. I felt seen in that moment. I think this book encapsulates a realistic take on a relationship where you love them so much that you have moments where you need to tell them something but don't want to hurt their feelings or ruin a good thing. Happy moments, sad moments, pull at your heart string moments, it's all in here. I really enjoyed reading it and I can't wait for you to read it too!

A simultaneously heart-racing and heartwarming sapphic love story, this novel shows the both the toll that severe anxiety can take on one’s life and relationships and how real and true love can help heal old wounds. Beautifully crafted and full of enrapturing detail, this book has Hollywood, academia, and queer love - what’s not to like?!

I'm never not going to like a Hollywood romance. But make is sapphic???? Be still my heart. This was such a fun read.

The book was a little slow-paced for me but had a few great spicy scenes.

About halfway through the book, I realized that I was not a big fan of the lead FMC, Valeria. She felt like she didn't know what she wanted and was willing to throw everything away for a possibility at a relationship with a person that she wasn't even sure liked her back to the same extent. Her behavior was very self-sabotaging and she didn't even think through her decisions or her omissions. It felt like she was frozen in her decision-making and just looking for a comfortable and easy path where no one would get mad at her.

However, I ended up not hating Val because she does make amends and realizes a lot of her flaws before the book ends. Ending redeemed the book for me - especially when she seriously begins trying to fix the things.

Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, and Carlyn Greenwald for an ARC of this book!

I really enjoyed reading Director's Cut. Val was my favorite character in Sizzle Reel so getting to continue her story from her perspective in Director's Cut was a treat. I found Val very relatable even though I am not an Oscar-winning actress or film director... The story and the romance was really sweet and entertaining. As someone who loves movie musicals, I loved all the tidbits about them during the classroom scenes. There were a couple callbacks to Sizzle Reel, but this novel functions as a stand-alone as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for providing me with this Advanced Reader's Copy.

Director’s Cut is an Adult Romance I really enjoyed. The story is a standalone novel set in the same world as Sizzle Reel. You don’t have to read Sizzle Reel first, but if you do it will provide fun context to some moments referenced in this book as well as understanding a little better the headspace Val is in at the start of this book.

Valeria Sullivan is a famous actress and budding film director who recently came out publicly. She’s pivoting in her career to focus on a neglected passion: academia and is teaching for one semester as USC. Her co-teacher is the brilliant and beautiful Maeve Arko.

Throughout the book, Val comes to a crossroads in her career and she’s being guided in large part by her anxiety. I thought her internal conflict and arc was very well written. Val struggled and self sabotaged because of how severe her anxiety had become and I think that’s so relatable for so many people.

Some things I really liked: Maeve. She was level headed and mature and the exact positive influence Val needed in her life. I appreciated the intelligence of both women and how they challenged and complemented one another. I liked seeing the way Val healed from a toxic past relationship as well her progress in her mental health journey. Val has the greatest friendship in Charlie. And there’s a whole fun cast of side characters, including little callbacks to Luna!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Director's Cut, Carlyn Greenwald's sophomore novel, expands on the robust and deeply development characters from Sizzle Reel and gives the readers even more than they could have asked for. Valeria is one of the most nuanced, beautifully flawed, and dazzling protagonists I've read about in a long time. From the first chapter, I was hooked on her story of self re-discovery. The romance is realistic and romantic, and the characters work through such an impressive array of character growth. Fantastic story!!!

Firstly, I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of
Director's Cut by Carolyn Greenwald.

Director's Cut is a compelling romance novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. While navigating the ups and downs of the entertainment industry, the protagonist Val's struggles with anxiety and self-sabotaging behavior really struck a chord with me. I found her motivations relatable, and her journey felt authentic and raw.

Although at times the miscommunication between characters felt drawn out, it added depth to the storyline and highlighted the complexities of human relationships. The romance between Val and Maeve is electric and incredibly well-developed. The build-up to their eventual union kept me eagerly turning the pages.

I highly recommend Director's Cut to readers who enjoy immersive romance novels with authentic characters. Also to anyone looking for a good lgbtq+ romance!!

This was a fun one as I'm always here for an academic romance and a slow burn! I was also a fan of the anxiety representation - anxious girlies rise up! I do think the slow burn could have been a bit more drawn out and I also think the sex scenes were a tad cheesy and forgettable. But overall this was super enjoyable!

okay i’m going to start by saying that this might be the *only* instance of miscommunication in a book that i can hang with. because it was so self aware!!
alright, backing up.
this book was so much f*cking fun. i am the world’s biggest sucker for a hollywood/movie industry themed book (obviously), and i was not at all disappointed. it felt realistic and not at all like i was reading someone guessing at how making and releasing a movie works. so that was a big win. plus the warner bros lot mention made me cheese. accurate except that our to go coffee cups do not have the shield on them, sorry. also the new bev mention!! loved loved.
moving on lol. i thought val was SUCH a wonderful mc. she was real and flawed and funny and exhausting and smart and passionate! she had so many facets to her, and i loved it so much. even when i was yelling at her, i loved the whole character. she made mistakes and tried to make excuses for them, but in the end, she owned up to and took responsibility for them! things weren’t just swiped away for trauma, the trauma was addressed and confronted and progress was made. this was SO important to see.
maeve, of course, was a delight. obviously we have such a skewed view of her from val’s first person, but you could see her come alive through val’s eyes and i really loved it, even if it sometimes felt like we were looking at her through such rose colored glasses. you could just tell how cool she really was.
i think the side characters were fun and while not super fleshed out besides charlie and sort of ty, i didn’t mind that. i got what i needed out of them.
the pacing was great for me. we moved along nicely and stuck in the moments we needed to. i really, really enjoyed the details about val and maeve’s lectures and the general film analytics throughout the book. that is my SHIT.
i absolutely adored reading this book. it gave me all the warm and fuzzies and was such a great romance!!

This book brought me out of a month long reading slump! The character development and anxiety of Val allowed me to truly understand and step into the mind of her character. The only issue was the time line felt a little rushed and at one point the book just jumped months without me fully realizing. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read!