I really wanted to love this book, but it was only OK. It’s about what happens after the love story. After the main characters get together and everything seems perfect, does the relationship really work out? Book just didn’t seem very realistic.

In this sequel to The Location Shoot, famous actor Finn Forrester and his love interest Ella Sinclair are madly in love and recently engaged. Ella moves into Finn’s Beverly Hills mansion, and she must adjust to Finn’s lavish lifestyle.

By 40% into the book, there was no conflict to speak of, and the book was too overly saccharine for me. If you love celebrity romance and feel-good vibes, you will love this book, but unfortunately, I found myself skimming the book after a while, and it just didn’t work for me.

This is the sequel to The Location Shoot, so I highly recommend reading that book first. You can read this book without reading that one, but it will make more sense if you read it in order.

We look into Finn and Ella's lives now that they are engaged. There are the typical pitfalls couples might incur when they move in together, but nothing that can't be overcome with communication. Sometimes, they do well at communicating, but other times, I feel like they have just started dating and have not learned how to talk things through.

This book is sweet like the last one. Finn is doing whatever he can to make sure Ella feels at home in LA. I found it interesting that he always calls her "my love" or "baby." He did that in the first book, too, so at least the pattern carries over. A little bit of conflict is spread out over the book, but it is very surface conflict. The issue seems to be resolved in a few pages. Nothing lasts long. I think the story could have had a larger impact if the conflict had been more pivotal.

The book does have some intimate scenes, sometimes several times per chapter. I appreciated that they often went to brush their teeth when they first woke up before becoming intimate. There is nothing worse than morning breath! It made the characters feel real.

This was an easy read, good for anyone who doesn't want to get too deep into the characters or situations. We give it four paws up.

Unfortunately this is a DNF at 35% for me. I tried to get into this book but both main characters I find annoying, insecure and needy. If I have to read Finn call Ella another pet name I may throw my kindle. The dialogue is very stilted and the chemistry isn't there for these two main characters. So disappointed since this has good ratings

I didn’t realize this was a sequel to another book! After The Red Carpet reminded me of a Hallmark movie but without the drama or conflict. There are small insecurities but for the most part, it’s just a depiction of two people and how much they love each other. If that’s something you’re looking for- whether you want to believe in love or perhaps it makes you feel happy inside, then this book might be for you! It’s short and quick to read. I found it lacking depth and had a hard time getting into it.

If you like unrealistic fairy tales, this book might be for you! I like my books to be more realistic and include relatable conflict.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the chance to read this book early!

My rating: 2.75 rounded up to 3 star!

I ended up giving this book a 3 out of 5 rating. Although I didn't know it was a sequel to The Location Shoot, I found After the Red Carpet enjoyable. It is a heartwarming story about Hollywood stars Finn Forrester and Ella Sinclair after getting engaged on a red carpet.

Even though I hadn't read the first book, I felt that After the Red Carpet could still be enjoyed as a standalone. The book's title and cover drew me in, and I found that it delivered on its promise of a charming story.

If you're looking for a lighthearted read without too much drama, this book might be perfect for you. However, I personally found that it lacked some conflict. Despite several opportunities for potential drama, the author chose not to explore them, and the pacing was a bit slow. I also felt that the characters' depth was somewhat lacking.

The book largely revolves around the theme of love, with the words "love" and "I love you" being mentioned frequently. The plot felt realistic, chronicling the daily lives and personal development of the main characters without major events.

While it didn't fully captivate me, I can appreciate why many readers might enjoy it. I would still recommend giving it a read; it has its own charm and you might find it delightful!

I still love Ella and Finn and their fairy tale relationship, but this book falls flat for me. I kept craving more details, and sometimes the pacing pulled me out of the story. I believe fans of the first book will be satisfied with the continuation of their story, and it's always fun to see "behind the curtain" of how the rich and famous live!

This story is very sweet! Ella and Finn share a great love story. The level of spice in this books is Nil as this author solely focused on the characters stories and left out the nitty gritty details of their intimate moments. It’s definitely a very lovey dovey books. If you’re looking for a warm and sweet story to read then this is for you! Thank you to Patricia Leavy and her team for giving me this opportunity to read this arc!

I'll start this review with the caveat that I did not read the Location Shoot, the book this is the sequel to. Perhaps that impacted my opinions, but this is a review of After the Red Carpet as a standalone novel.

First, here's the publishers synopsis:
After legendary Hollywood star Finn Forrester proposed to philosopher Ella Sinclair on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, the couple captivated the press and public with their real-life fairy tale. Now they vow to prioritize their romance and live an adventure of their own making. Ella moves into Finn’s Beverly Hills mansion and must adjust to his world. Finn, secretly afraid of losing Ella, is determined to make everything perfect for his betrothed. Meanwhile, Ella wants nothing more than to retain her own identity as they build their new life together. All the while, she is writing a philosophical treatise on love, exploring the question: when we love so deeply, where do we end and where does the other begin?

In this highly anticipated follow-up to The Location Shoot, will Ella and Finn finally live the life they’ve dreamed of? See how their epic romance unfolds, after the red carpet.

My review:
While I liked the characters, my main issue with the book was the lack of conflict to carry the storyline. There were several threads that could have been used to develop conflict to drive the story, but the author did not move beyond very short, surface conflict (nothing that lasted beyond a few pages). Really, the book is just a telling of their story over the months and years that follow the dramatic engagement. There was nothing to keep me engaged or focused. I finished the book, but it was tough. I would definitely give Leavy another try, but this book was a miss for me.

⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

After the Red Carpet is a love story which depicts how two people can really mesh their lives. It is highly unusual for a Hollywood movie stars to make their relationships work in today's world.. This is a heart warming story of two people who really love each other and compromise without drama to have a happy life. If there were only more men like Finn in this world who was totally unselfish and really cared about his wife, there would me more successful marriages. It is refreshing to read a novel like this to see how couples work together, grow together and have everlasting love.

After the Red Carpet by Patricia Leavy, immerses us in a Hollywood love story where the life situations are real, making it hard to have a happily ever after. We follow Ella and Finn as they navigate their busy schedules and try to figure out how to make it work. While Patricia is a great writer, and her Hollywood series are entertaining, this book was not my fave of the ones. have read so far. The characters were a. bit hard for me to connect with. However, as I have met these MC's in a previous book, it was good to follow along their journey.

Thank you Netgalley for an arc of After the Red Carpet by Patricia Leavy

I think this book shows how hard it is to write the next chapter of a happily ever after. I enjoyed the characters in this book, but they seemed to go from problem to problem with quick resolution that didn't seem relatable or realistic. Fans of the first book will likely enjoy this one! Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy.

I found this book slow and boring. I don't know if i was just waiting for it to pick up but I really couldn't get into it. I didn't like the characters and didn't really care what happened to them.

I absolutely adore Patricia Leavy books and Hollyland was one of my fav Hollywoodesque reads! I’m so happy she decided to do a sequel to her most recent book and I absolutely can’t wait to share my review very soon. Her novels are the perfect combination of Hollywood, celebrity, romance, and a bit of muster/suspense. Perfect for the beach or book club.

Title: After the Red Carpet by Patricia Leavy

Release Date: September, 3rd, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

This feel-good contemporary romance takes you on a captivating journey of love and self-discovery, following the lives of Hollywood star Finn Forrester and philosopher Ella Sinclair after their fairy-tale engagement.

After stealing the spotlight with his proposal at the Cannes Film Festival, Finn Forrester and Ella Sinclair are determined to live out their own happily ever after. Moving into Finn’s glamorous Beverly Hills mansion, Ella must navigate the glitz and glamour of his world while striving to maintain her own identity. Finn, on the other hand, is secretly terrified of losing Ella and is on a mission to create a perfect life for her.

As Ella adjusts to her new reality, she pours her heart into writing a philosophical treatise on love, pondering the depths of their connection and where their individual identities begin and end. Meanwhile, Finn's determination to make everything flawless creates its own set of challenges.

In this eagerly awaited follow-up to The Location Shoot, Ella and Finn face the realities of merging their vastly different worlds and discover what it truly means to achieve their dream life together. Will they find their true meaning of “happily ever after”?


Why I loved It:
✨ Celebrity Romance: Dive into the glamorous world of Hollywood with a story that brings the excitement of the red carpet to life.
✨ Deep Character Development: Finn and Ella's journey is rich with emotional depth, exploring themes of identity, love, and self-discovery.
✨ Philosophical Musings: Ella's reflections on love add a unique and thoughtful dimension to the romance.
✨ Real-Life Challenges: The book beautifully captures the struggles and triumphs of blending two different lives into one harmonious relationship.
✨ Feel-Good Vibes: With its heartwarming moments and satisfying conclusion, this story is perfect for a cozy read.


After the Red Carpet is an enchanting tale that goes beyond the fairy-tale ending, offering a realistic and heartfelt look at what happens after the initial magic of romance. Patricia Leavy's writing effortlessly blends Hollywood glamour with philosophical introspection, making it a truly unique and engaging read.

Finn and Ella’s chemistry is palpable, and their journey is both relatable and inspiring. Ella’s quest to retain her individuality while embracing her new life with Finn resonates deeply, and Finn’s devotion to making their life perfect is both endearing and complex. Their love story is beautifully crafted, with each chapter offering new insights and emotional depth.

This book is a perfect blend of romance and reflection, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary love stories. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you rooting for Finn and Ella, and by the end, you'll be thoroughly enchanted by their journey.


Thank you to The Publisher She Writes Press ,The Author Patricia Leavy & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely love Patricia Leavys books and their Hollywood themes. This will be my third read from her. I’m so excited to follow up with two of my favorite characters from her previous, look forward to sharing full thoughts and a review very soon!