Overall I really enjoyed this one. It covers a pretty long timeline, and there was a point where I felt myself dragging a little bit. I might've been in danger of putting the book down if I hadn't been stuck on a plane with nothing to do but read. I am glad I stuck with it because it picked back up and I did enjoy the ending.

If you're gonna have a miscommunication trope, this is the way to do it. Believable chemistry, a little longer than it needed to be.

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I was a bit bored throughout the entire thing and just kind of wanted it to be done. I wish the book at multiple POV's because I would've really liked to hear from Maeve and Charlie.

This book was about an academic and a movie star/director falling for each other. My favorite parts were the lectures Val gave. I really enjoyed her commentary on Hollywood and queer media. Would love to read Maeve’s book about this if it existed! I do feel like Maeve and Val rushed into their relationship and the third act breakup was so frustrating.

I’m giving this 3 stars because I want to encourage the market for more lesbian romance novels. However, I was very upset to find out that Director’s Cut is actually book 2, or a connected book to the author’s first book Sizzle Reel. That should have been mentioned in the blurb. I’d never read a connected book before the original. And I always rate books that pull this stunt at 1 star so this is as positive as I’ll go for the situation, regardless of the actual book. Note for the author to listen to their audiobooks to get a feel for how the dialogue sounds, not just how it reads. That’s where I think the writing needs more improvement. That said, I felt like the author has promise and I’ll consider future books.
*Thanks to Knopf and NetGalley for the ebook copy

I would give this 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. I struggled to get through it. I feel like the MC fell flat. There was an opportunity to have 2-3 POV. I think adding Maeve’s and Charlie’s POV would have livened up the book and not felt so one sided.

I couldn't connect with this one! I just did not find it engaging. I was skimming from 30-50% and finally stopped there.

I enjoyed reading this book. I love when you have a ~professional out of water. Even though Valeria had experience in academia, she was out of practice and then you pair her with Maeve. I will always love a grump in the books I read and you can understand Maeve's hesitation to having Valeria in her classroom. She has past experience with other celebrities coming in and coasting. I loved Maeve putting on her grown-up pants fairly early on and apologizing. Once that hurdle was cleared, I *loved* the chemistry between the two of them and how they were able to play off each other in the classroom. And ultimately, how that grew into something more.
I do love some good classic miscommunication, but I did struggle with Valeria's holding back the festival circuit. I could understand the initial withholding because if she thought it wasn't going to get in with the initial Sundance pass over, but once it was accepted, I don't know. I didn't find it the most believable outcome even though I knew Valeria had negative relationship experience in the past and Maeve had been reluctant with the level of Valeria's celebrity. I think it was just one of those situations where it was very clear that things were only going to get much much worse from there on out. There was no outcome where Maeve wasn't going to find out (that was inevitable) and you knew Maeve was going to be pissed (if not for Valeria for having to be away, but absolutely for her withholding the knowledge). Each time the potential for Val to share with Maeve came up, I caught myself not only urging her to say it, but then eyerolling when she didn't.
That aside, I did enjoy reading the book. I loved the concept overall and the chemistry between your main characters was excellent.

What a fabulous book! I am not even a big movie person (I know I know), but I loved every aspect of learning about the movie theory and the behind the scene looks into the industry. At some points I felt like I was in film class myself and loved how much research went into any snippets of the coursework that were included in the story. What I loved even more were Val and Maeve. This is one of those times I wish we got to see Maeve's POVs also because she is so interesting and I would have so loved to get a peak into her head and her thoughts about both her career and the romance.

Val was SUCH an amazing relatable character. I don't care if she is famous and "has people". The way her anxiety is described is the most real to me of anything I've read before. This is a miscommunication troupe I actually can get behind because you can see very clearly the REASON for the miscommunication is the anxiety PHYSICALLY preventing Val from expressing herself to Maeve. It isn't laziness, stubbornness, lack of care...it is the anxiety controlling the narrative in her head.

I also love love all the conversation about Queerness in Hollywood; both the struggles and discrimination, the public obsession with getting to personal and demanding all the answers, and the accolades, the hope, and the joy.

The writing was lovely, the characters amazing, the spice amazing, and this just left me with all the warm and fuzzies!

Enjoyed the overall vibes of this book. I feel that the conflict was a bit of a stretch in some aspects but given the severity of Val's anxiety it also was fairly believable still. I do like how both women realized that there were in the wrong on some aspects and there was a mutual grovel/apology scene.

This book was immensely boring. The conflict seemed incredibly contrived, and there was unnecessary Tolkien levels of description and filler content. IE: The Oscars situation which ended up being such a non issue. Also being queer and white in Hollywood is not an issue at all. Not anymore. In fact, Gen Z seems to have a problem with straight people not being queer and forcing actors to come out when they're not ready. Also weird flex to be an asshole to your sister for not wanting to watch you have sex?

DIRECTOR'S CUT was a nice summery read type of sapphic romance that was much needed after my last few serious reads.

This book spent a lot of time discussing Hollywood and the film industry. I liked reading about a protagonist who has firsthand experience in this world as an Oscar winning actress trying to maneuver into directing. Seeing how fame impacts her even when she isn’t working anything was interesting to read.

The anxiety representation was pretty solid. Carlyn Greenwald was able to accurately portray the physical effects and symptoms of anxiety, especially the fight or flight response.

As a love interest, Maeve was really sweet. She grows more openly passionate about her work and research as she opens up to Val. I liked seeing the two of them persevere their past traumas and work on committing to a healthy relationship.

One thing I wasn’t a fan of was the brief dialogue of “being clean” before the first sexual encounter. I'm in the middle about this topic, but I know many authors are trying to stray from that since it’s becoming outdated.

I still enjoyed this book as a fluffy yet insightful story of gay panic, entertainment, and found family. Rating: 4.25 stars

"Director's Cut" by Carlyn Greenwald is a delightful romp through the chaotic and glamorous world of Hollywood. The novel follows the misadventures of a plucky assistant thrust into the whirlwind life of a movie director's right-hand person. Greenwald's writing is witty and engaging, filled with insider jokes and sharp observations about the film industry. You can tell she knows her stuff, bringing authenticity to the crazy scenarios her characters find themselves in.

What makes "Director's Cut" shine is its humor and its heartfelt portrayal of chasing dreams in Tinseltown. The protagonist's journey is both hilarious and touching, as she navigates egos, eccentricities, and unexpected friendships on her way up the Hollywood ladder. While the plot occasionally veers into predictable territory, Greenwald's fresh voice and knack for comedic timing keep the story engaging. Overall, "Director's Cut" is a fun read that gives a peek behind the scenes of movie-making, perfect for anyone who loves a good laugh and a bit of Hollywood glamour.

Director’s Cut
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Carlyn Greenwald

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Knopf and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Oscar-winning Valeria Sullivan finds herself trapped in a battle of wits with a sexy professor, but can she keep her cool when things heat up in and out of the classroom?

At twenty-nine, Valeria Sullivan is a celebrated, award-winning actress. But when her attempt to transition to directing is complicated by a bad interview on a late night show, Val decides she's had enough of Hollywood. Intent on pursuing her other passion, she pours herself into a guest professorship at USC, hoping to transition to academia fulltime.

Standing in her way is her co-professor, Maeve Arko, whose brilliance and beauty is matched only by her contempt for Val. As Val rises to the challenges that teaching throws at her, though, Maeve starts to soften, and soon sparks are flying.

Now with a job and a girlfriend she adores, Val should be happy. But Hollywood isn't done with Val quite yet. Her directorial debut, Oakley in Flames, starts getting attention, and soon Val has to choose between her obligations to her class—and Maeve—and a burgeoning directing career.

My Thoughts: This was a cute enemies to lovers twist sapphics romance. There were some slow, even repetitive parts. Overall, I enjoyed the story. Oscar winning, celebrity, Valeria Sullivan wants to transition into full time directing but a bad interview has left in the wings. She decides she will throw herself into her other passion, academia. She lands a guest professor job at USC. Her co-professor, Maeve Arko, is not happy about the celebrity encroaching on her turf. The contempt blends into sparks and when the two connect, the chemistry flies out the door. Is Hollywood done with Val? Will Val have to make a choice to pursue the relationship or pursue Hollywood? This follows the tropes of enemies to lovers, celebrity romance, queer romance, and miscommunication.

This is narrated in a dual narration by Val and Maeve, from their respective perspectives. Val is a brilliant director and actor, who has won awards for her acting career. Her directly career was snubbed out early due to a bad interview, so she has pursued her other passion, academia, and is ready to walk away from Hollywood to be full time in academia, however, Hollywood is not quite done with her. Maeve has great contempt for celebrities who co-teach, and Val is no different. However, when the contempt blends into angst and later sparks, when they fully open up to each other, it is so beautiful and timeless. The characters were well developed with depth, witty banter, chemistry, and were intriguing. The supporting characters were timeless and perfect for this storyline, especially Charlie and Tyler. The author’s writing style was complex, multifaceted, funny, swoony, steamy/spicy, creative, and beautifully executed and written. The little Easter eggs of LA culture really immersed you into the story, like you were a part of and not an outsider.

The author did an amazing job at representing mental health and anxiety and approached it with grace and care. The author explores tougher topics. There is a great balance between hard topics, such as Hollywood behind the scenes and homophobia balanced with sweet tender swoon-perfection moments.

TW: mental health. This was a beautifully written and well executed story of chemistry, celebrity status, and academia. Even with its slightly repetitve parts and slow burn, I believe it was beautifully executed with the perfect flow and pace. The only thing I would change, is the timing of Val’s news to Maeve, I think earlier timing would have elevated the story. This is perfect for fans of TJ Alexander or Anita Kelly. Available now. Highly recommend picking up!

This was such a fun book! I enjoyed the two different industries intersecting. The movie industry and the world of academia. Val the actress now director who just came out to Hollywood and her co professor Maeve who is accomplished as well. They both have so much going on and that they are working towards. Val has her dissertation and Maeve is working towards a grant.

It was so interesting viewing movies and musicals by their technical qualities and break them down with the characters during their classes.

Those classes that these two very strong successful women started to gain admiration and attraction towards each other.

There was also discussion on mental health since celebrity is very mentally taxing and any tiny slip of the tongue will be on the tabloids. My daughter just asked why people need to know everything about celebrities like Taylor Swift can't she just have her own space and privacy. I'm like yes baby that would be nice if we just appreciated their work product and didn't demand to know everything else about their personal life.

And in connection with that there is also some talk on how past relationships spill over into how you react in new relationships even though they aren't the same person. Some people really mess with you and leave a mark.

Definitely recommend and look at this gorgeous cover! I just love the colors! Loved the epilogue too!

There were some open door scenes.

Director’s Cut can be read as a standalone but, it is really apparent there is a whole slew of characters repeatedly mentioned from the previous book. I found the pacing to be really slowwww. I think I may of enjoyed this more if I read the other book in this universe first. Was an ok read, a little repetitive with the “conflict”, so I got somewhat bored 75% in. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really, REALLY enjoyed this enemies to lovers, forced proximity Sapphic romance between Val, a newly out actress turned director turned academic who gets paired up to teach a college class with Maeve, a Jewish, bisexual Film Professor.

Things get off to a rocky start when the two clash about course content but eventually the women end up falling for one another. When a film festival causes a conflict in schedules that Val choses to keep secret from Maeve, feelings of trust and betrayal get tested forcing Val to choose between her old Hollywood life and the new one she's created in academia.

The mental health (anxiety), therapy and medication rep in this book was extremely well done and relatable and was one of my favorite parts! It was also good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Helena Greer and Alexandria Bellefleur. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and ALC copy in exchange for my honest review!

Ok. This was definitively my favorite read of Pride 2024. I was initially impressed cover art and the mishmash of tropes. The tale of a academic workplace romance with a celebrity twist was intriguing to me. Greenwald successfully pulled it off with only a few bumps. The miscommunication elements and pacing was a little off, but the coupling of Val And Maeve pushed all the right buttons in the end.

Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Vintage and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review,

I honestly had a very hard time finishing this book. I was SO stoked to see a sapphic romance between an actor and a professor, my interest was so piqued by the description (and admittedly the adorable cover) and I was unfortunately very let down. This book had me boredddddd almost the entire way through. Valeria was honestly the epitome of a toxic Hollywood actress, and hearing this entire story solely from her perspective was probably the biggest downfall for me. Had we seen some of Maeve's perspective, this might have redeemed itself a bit, but Valeria ruined it for me.

I try my best to not harshly review books and always find the good, but this just fully missed SO many marks for me. Boring plot, boring relationship, and a mind-numbingly frustrating narrator that could benefit from being knocked down a few pegs.

A fun idea that intrigued me, but moved way too fast to be believable. I know LA is hectic and fast paced in general, but this felt too forced to me. And I hate to say it, but I didn't feel the sparks between them at all, and I wondered what it was that I was missing. I'm aware there is a general trend that lesbian relationships do move at a faster pace, but this didn't give any time for any real buildup, and I feel the story suffered for the lack of it.
 
My thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.