About the Book
Book: Getting Reel
Authors: Alyssa Roat and Hope Bolinger
Genre: Christian Sweet Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 5, 2023
When explosive personalities collide, can a control-freak director and last-chance actress work together to win a film competition?
Ryan Torino loves the feeling of control, especially when it comes to his photography work and indie movies. And when he gets the opportunity to enter an indie film festival—rumored to have Hollywood bigwigs attending—he can’t afford for anything to be less than perfect, especially the casting of his leading role.
Enter Zinnia Preston, who has been trying to break into the acting scene since college. Now in her late twenties and working the not-job-of-her-dreams, Zinnia knows this indie film project may be her last chance to make it onto the screen. Ryan is intimidated by Zinnia’s strong personality, but he can’t deny she’s the one for the job. Meanwhile, Zinnia wants to throttle Ryan for his perfectionistic tendencies, but she needs this gig.
The tension between the two threatens to derail the project, and to both of their frustration, clashing visions aren’t the only reason sparks seem to fly every time they interact. When an old nemesis arrives back in town, Zinnia and Ryan will need to set aside their differences and work together to have a chance at winning. If not, they can kiss that Hollywood riding-into-the-sunset ending goodbye.
About the Authors
Hope Bolinger is the managing and acquisitions editor at End Game Press and the author of 25+ books. When she isn’t accidentally writing a book in seven days, she likes to model, do theater, and hike around northeast Ohio. Find out more about her at Hopebolinger.com
Alyssa Roat is a multi-published author and has worked in a wide variety of roles within the publishing industry as an agent, editor, writer, and publicist. When not reading and writing, she likes to swordfight, rock climb, throw axes, and generally engage in tomfoolery with her silly cats. Her name is a pun, so you can find more about her at alyssawrote.com.
More from the Authors
Something many people don’t know about me (Hope) is that I’d planned to go into film before college. I did an internship at a great Christian film company my senior year of high school.
And I’m actually dating someone who had worked for Netflix and Disney for a while.
Even Alyssa, my coauthor, did a semester in LA to learn all about film.
So why did all of us leave it?
Well, we felt called to publishing instead. As for my boyfriend, he’s waiting for that next door. Perhaps it’ll be opened by the time this post goes up.
In the book, we tackle not only the film industry, but the idea of control. I think, if we’re honest with ourselves, we like to micromanage whatever we can. Alyssa and I each wrote a character whose circumstances are way beyond their control.
Zinnia feels like she’s too old to jump into the Hollywood scene now. And Ryan feels torn between his love of film and the pressures his family puts on him to join their business.
The entire cast of characters seems to want to control everything.
I don’t want to spoil anything, but let’s just say—like Alyssa and myself—the characters do have to learn how to put their plans in God’s hands. Knowing that whether or not he allows them to continue into the world of film, that he has everything under control.
And maybe we as readers need that reminder too.
That no matter if we’re being controlling, or have someone in our lives who is trying to micromanage everything, ultimately, we have a powerful Creator who knows the number of hairs on our heads.
It was bittersweet to end this series with Alyssa, our last coauthored work together. I don’t know when we will get a chance to coauthor again, but hopefully we can.
This process has taught us about control. Letting go, letting other ideas in. Knowing that book deadlines and publication dates don’t always go to plan.
And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My Review
“Door number one led to a possible career as a film star. But her character, entering through it, had no idea if the dream would pan out or not. As for the second door, it took her character to a boring job, but a secure one.”
Deciding to feature an unlikeable character in a future book takes a lot of courage for an author. Zinnia back in book one in the Roseville Romances, “Picture Imperfect.” She made life a bit challenging for the main character in that one. In this book, we finally understand part of her motivation. Like any of us who make mistakes, Zinnia is now going overboard to try to make up for it. Seeing that played out in the pages was a reminder that forgiveness and restoration is so important. Zinnia’s growth as a character was striking.
Not surprisingly, Zinnia has a family member who is highly unlikable in this book. At times, that made this book a bit hard to read. How had this person lived her whole life without someone taking her to task. Why did everyone let her get away with her narcissistic ways? Another reminder that sometimes we can be kind to everyone but family.
This series of books celebrates young creatives finding a way to make a living doing what they love to do. Characters definitely overlap between the books. So I do recommend reading all four books in order. What I have enjoyed about this series is the fact that the characters are pursuing their God-given callings in unexpected ways. The series title, Roseville Romances, only tells part of the story. All books take place in Roseville, Michigan. Each one has a bit of romance, but the focus of the plot is how to be true to oneself despite the pressures of life.
Trying to be a filmmaker in Michigan is a challenge for Ryan. His family certainly thinks he is just pursuing a hobby. Trying to justify his legitimacy is hard. Zinnia faces similar situations with her desire to be an actress. Not being a part of the film scene, this book brought to light how acting and filmmaking can make a positive impact. While parts were predictable, the plot was so pleasing. I really enjoyed the book!
Blog Stops
The Sacred Line, August 24
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, August 25 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 25
Karen Baney Reviews, August 26
Artistic Nobody, August 27 (Author Interview)
Christina’s Corner, August 27
Texas Book-aholic, August 28
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 29
An Author’s Take, August 30
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, August 31 (Author Interview)
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 1
The Book Club Network, September 2
For Him and My Family, September 3
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 4
Beauty in the Binding, September 5 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 6
Giveaway
To celebrate their tour, Hope and Alyssa are giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Thank you for sharing your review of Getting Reel, I love the cover and synopsis and I am looking forward to reading this story myself
Sounds like a story I will like.
This sounds like a fun story!
I love your review and to let me know I would enjoy this book better if I read the ones before it!!