Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Married couple Clements and Datta use a playful trope to confront weighty issues in their excellent debut, a romance that's as timely as it is heartfelt. British Indian actor Whitman "Win" Tagore is an A-lister who's used to keeping tight control of her public image--and lately, she's been working double time. When her ex-boyfriend has a public meltdown and Win is caught in the fray, it's Leo Milanowski, her longtime friend and frequent faux beau, who comes to her rescue. For seven years, the white, wealthy playboy has played Win's on-again, off-again lover for the tabloids, so Win's publicist arranges for the pair to be spotted having a summer fling on the French Riviera to steal the attention away from Win's breakup. Leo and Win easily fall back into their established patterns, but just when the line between reality and pretend starts to blur, a secret from Leo's past surfaces and the validity of their relationship--both personally and professionally--is called to question. The authors' slow-burning approach to Leo and Win's relationship and fearless tackling of racism breathes new life into a favorite trope. The characters leap off the page, and their dialogue, whether flirting or fighting, is always believable. Readers will come for the swoon-worthy romance and stay for the beautiful prose. Agent: Andrianna Yeatts, ICM Partners. (July)
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Review by Library Journal Review
DEBUT Award-winning actress and tabloid regular Whitman "Win" Tagore is an expert at managing her public image. As an Asian British woman in an industry that views her with everything from skepticism to outright racism, Win's strategy includes a tumultuous, on-again, off-again fake relationship with society playboy Leo Milanowski. Their imaginary love affair has developed into a real friendship and one of the most stable relationships in Win's life, so the hint of real romantic feelings is a terrifying and disruptive threat to her carefully ordered existence. Readers who enjoy plots centering on the glitz and glamour of alcohol-fueled industry parties, chic red-carpet events, and dazzling fashion photo shoots will find all the A-list Hollywood high jinks they could hope for, combined with the drama and angst of a love story kept at arm's length. VERDICT The froth and fun of a jet-setting romance of the rich and famous is grounded by the realities of racism and misogyny in a difficult, image-focused industry. Win's choice between the career she loves and taking a chance on romance is treated with complexity, and readers who appreciate a serious approach to the genre standard of the fake relationship will enjoy that there are no easy answers for this paparazzi-hounded couple.--Meagan Day, High Plains Lib. Dist., CO
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Issues of perception and truth are explored as a fake relationship exposes real feelings. Whitman "Win" Tagore, a British Indian actress, is on the precipice of universal critical acclaim. The only thing standing in the way is her less-than-favorable reputation. When Win leaves a cheating ex-boyfriend an angry voicemail that is picked up by the tabloids, she and her publicist must devise a way to get her back in the public graces and back on the directors' call sheets. Enter Leo Milanowski, a former supermodel and wealthy son of a hotel mogul, who agrees to pose as Win's on-again, off-again boyfriend whenever she needs a reputation boost. It becomes evident even after their first encounter--told as a flashback--that their chemistry is undeniable, and the public eats it up. Win must grapple with how the world sees her, her desire to further her career, and whether to allow herself to give in to what might be real feelings for Leo. In the hands of lesser authors, this story might have been shallow and clichéd. However, Clements and Datta give the novel grit, depth, and originality as they explore how Win must balance her need for self-preservation with her desire to expose the intersection of racism and sexism in the film industry. This tension is particularly poignant as well-meaning Leo pushes Win to speak out against the injustices she faces, such as a producer's referring to her as "exotic": "Leo had always thought she should talk about it openly. If Win wanted, she could become the spokesperson for her generation….She had tried to explain to him the tightrope act of making vague political statements...while avoiding anything more specific....White directors would be afraid to work with her, and white audiences would feel alienated by her." While it is fairly clear from the start how Win and Leo's story will end, this will-they, won't-they journey is packed with emotional resonance. Nuance and humanity are brought to the celebrity story. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
