This is sort of a sequel to Lesley Davis’s Starstruck. I haven’t read that one, this is actually my first book by this author, and I didn’t feel like I was missing something. Starstruck is the story of some of the secondary characters is this book, but it is fine to not know their full backstory. Some is referenced rather frequently anyway.

Cole is leaving a role in tv series behind, partly to star in a movie, but mostly because the fans are making her life miserable. The book starts with her reading for the role with Eris. This confused me and almost made me put the book down. It’s just so out of context and weird for me. And it was unclear it was an audition, I was confused. So the entire story is set during the shoot of this movie Eris and Cole will headline. Some chapters or half chapters are dedicated to Brooke, the fan(atic) to end all fandoms. That woman is insane, and I really didn’t enjoy the parts of the story dedicated to her. I think it would have Ben more enjoyable if we didn’t know this stalker/ fan person, it would add some layers to the story. Layers it desperately needs actually. Our mains go from “I am attracted to you” to “you are my soulmate” in 5 seconds flat, this is worse than instalove, I think I’ve never rolled my eyes as much. Positive note, there is no breakup and for a celebrity story to not revolve around coming out, extra points for that.
A lot of this book and the romance are set around the filming of the movie, and that just didn’t work for me. Some scenes here and there with the characters at work would have been fun, but this way it is hard to separate the romance from the movie. Also because the characters themselves seem to focus on the similarities in their situation. I did like Cole’s and Eris’s dedication and devotion to each other, they do some communicating and for that unicorn of lesfic to make an appearance in this book I am happy.

Stand outs in this story for me are actually secondary characters Aiden and Cassidy, the pair that Starstruck is about, maybe I should read that one. Hoping that Misha would have bigger role there as well, she is super funny and unapologetically direct. So this one might not have been the best fit for me, but I will consider reading Starstruck.

I can honestly say the blurb and the cover did not snag me. Instead, I wanted the book after watching the author on a webina, and am happy to have gotten it. Cole is leaving a tv series and gets cast as a lead in her first movie. Eris is very focused on her career path and is cast as the other lead. The movie is based on a popular book series and is being produced by the author and screen play writer Aiden. This is the second book in this series and Aiden and Cassidy were the main characters in the first novel. I read this easily as a stand alone, but if you've read the first, you will enjoy catching up with their characters.

A crazed fan is focused on Cole. Her goal is to see Cole back on the tv series and in a relationship with a married co-star. This is something developed in fan fiction but has somehow become a reality to her. The two co-stars are attracted to each other and when their relationship becomes known it is another obstacle to the fan's reality.

I enjoyed several things it this book. You get the story in the movie, the story of the filming and the story of a romance blooming. The reality of fans and how they fit into the entertainment world is also discussed with including the pros and cons of social media. Cole is charismatic and romantic and talks about what they will tell their grandchildren while trying to court Eris. The attraction felt a bit quick but only because so many other plots are being covered. I didn't love being that so much time is spent in the mind of the crazy fan but it helped explained her manipulations and thinking. I also thought some fact points were repeated multiple times unnecessarily.

Overall a fun thriller/romance/mystery. And I learned a new to me term, "shipping". Thank you NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books, Inc. for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This story reminded me of a ship on twitter where ppl actually were harassing their parents, friends and lovers.i felt so bad for them, even tho it was them who created the ship in the first place, anyway, this is such a well written realistic book. can't say I loved it but its not bad i just did not feel connected to anyone

This was my first book by this author and she didn’t disappoint. The two main characters, Eris and Cole are actors who fall in love while filming a romance about soul mates and time travel. The love story was sweet but the real plot revolves around a fan who just couldn’t separate fiction from reality. The best part of this book was the movie story line within the written story. I agree with other feedback; that’s a book I would read!

The book had a strong start. The two MCs met and had amazing chemistry and instant attraction. In the second part of the plot the romance took a back seat to the crazed fan. I liked that the book wasn’t just focused on the romantic union, but it almost felt as if Cole and Eris connected instantly and were set for life. Instead, I would have liked to see the two plots play out side by side a little more and have that romantic connection continue to build throughout the plot. Overall, this was a unique plot that I really enjoyed.

This was good. (I also liked the sub story about Hollister and Emily. Pity it wasn't a real book! I would read it). I do like books with a bit of mystery/revenge. Although this isn't so much revenge as a fanatical fan. But yes the fan's reasoning behind what she was doing seemed very logical to her. And the terror it imbued in Eris and Cole. I do like Lesley Davis' books.

When the fans of Cole Calder got too close for comfort, she walked away from the TV series that propelled her to stardom and auditioned for the lead role in the movie adaption of a book, A Pocket Full Of Time.

Sparks flew between Cole and her opposite number, Eris Whyte, during their audition and they were given the lead roles by the author and producer of the movie, Aiden Darrow. For fans of Starstruck, you will be pleased to play catch up with Aiden and Cassidy.

With off the charts chemistry and mutual admiration of each other, Cole and Eris slowly grew closer and acted out their love on screen and through the pages. However, while their relationship was blossoming, trouble was also lurking in the form of an obsessive fan. A fan who shipped Cole with her ex co-star too much and decided to take matters into her own hands.

The pacing and development of the relationship between the pair intertwined with the stalking makes this a highly entertaining read. A sweet pairing of a quiet soft butch and her protective femme. The in-depth and detailed modus operandi of a certain fan will leave you wondering what really is her endgame.

5 stars. This is a well rounded book that is chock full of content; the author’s skilful blend of mystery, romance and suspense will be a draw for readers.

I just reviewed In The Spotlight by Lesley Davis. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

I feel very fortunate that I was able to receive an early release e-version of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. I am a huge Lesley Davis fan, and this book did not disappoint.

Cole is an actress in a TV show and has garnered some attention from the wrong part of the fanbase. While many people love her, some have taken it a step too far. She is being shipped, both in person and on the show, with her costar. She decides to leave and auditions for A Pocket Full of Time, a movie based on a book written by Aiden. (I only mentioned Aiden because she was one of the main characters in Lesley Davis’ Starstruck). She gets the part alongside Eris, who sees this movie as the next big step in her carefully planned out life. The two are instantly drawn to each other and find themselves growing closer as the movie is filmed.

Cole is amazing. A soft butch with such a sweet heart. She believes in love and going after what she wants in life. She’s amazing and I adore her so much. Plus, she has a motorcycle. Eris is a bit harder to break through because she’s locked herself away due to some childhood issues as well as some misinterpreted family issues. She’s bubbly and bright and oh so charming. She seems like an absolute sweetheart who wants to get to know everyone around her.

It was nice to see Cassidy and Aiden back in this book. I honestly adore books and writers who bring back characters from other stories. Eris’ sister was amazing, and I love that, even while pregnant, she was ready to fight anyone who may hurt her sister. Mischa is perfect in every comedic way that she could be.

My only issue with this book, and it’s a very minor one, is that we spend a bit too much time in the head of our stalker. I’m not against it necessarily, I just found it a bit disconcerting to read about. She’s practically deranged and that’s not a head I want to hang out in for an extended amount of time.

I honestly have nothing but great things to say about this story. I was instantly drawn into the story and wanted nothing more than a happy ending for our two mains. I was thrilled about the fact that they seemed to hook up only about a third of the way through the book and that there was no huge fights or terrible break-ups in the remaining parts of the book. I loved all the characters and I really want to see them again. I’m also very interested in reading/seeing A Pocket Full of Time because that plot just sounds really interesting.

I thought this was an absolutely wonderful book, and I can’t wait for other people to read it. I also think there is a good chance of this book joining Lesley Davis’ Playing Passion’s Game as one of my all-time favorite sapphic books.

Cole and Eris are actresses who just got the lead in lesbian historical/fantasy written by Aiden from the previous book who a famous writer who finally get a chance to bring her books to life on screen.

While Cole and Eris begin working on the film they start to fall in love with each other but one fan Brooke won’t stop until Cole returns to the show where her favorite ship can become canon despite Cole character and her co-star playing straight women.

I love seeing the characters from the previous book intertwined with Cole and Eris as they deal with the stalking. I know this premise can happen in real life that you can’t separate reality from non reality but to go extreme because your characters aren’t together and then try ruin their lives because of it. I understand writers have their own vision but I’m not the type of fan who going go all crazy because characters that should be together isn’t I simply stop watching the show or fast forward their scenes. Brooke didn’t get that maybe because as she said I can’t be who I’m am I love that Ava her friend try to talk sense to her but fell on deaf ears,







I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Such a great contrast of the sweetest falling-in-love story with the absolute horror of stalking. Added to this is the parallel of the two leads falling in love IRL while also filming a falling in love movie. (Two main side characters from Davis's previous novel Starstruck - I've not read Starstruck and didn't feel it was necessary to this book.)

Cole Calder and Eris Whyte are the stars of a new lesbian historical/fantasy Hollywood blockbuster. But being in the spotlight comes with potentially terrifying challenges - particularly fans who are so obsessed with the "ships" that they are willing to use violence to see them happen.

4.5 stars

This is the first book I’ve read from this writer and I wasn’t disappointed.

Cole and Eris are actors who fall in love on the set of a movie, unfortunately for them- one of Cole’s fans isn’t ready to give up on the idea of her favorite ship and is willing to do ANYTHING to make it happen.

The plot in my opinion was really good and somewhat realist. Especially the online activities of Brooke- the antagonist- when it came to obsessing over her favorite ship. It reminded me of the way people violently shipped Lauren Jauregi and Camila Cabello to the point where it ultimately affected their lives.

The aspect of two fictional characters not getting together also reminded me of the show Supernatural and the uproar about Dean and Castiel not getting together. Brooke is just one of those fans who can’t seem to separate the actor from their work and resorts to attacking and harassing the actor. This was a very interesting take for me and I absolutely loved it. It certainly may not be the first obsessed fan story but it’s definitely one of my favorites.

Now my problem with this book is the pace of Cole and Eris’ relationship- they went from “this woman is attractive” to “this is my soulmate” in just few scenes between them. But I mean- when it’s your soulmate speed isn’t exactly the main factor- despite that I would’ve loved to see more of them and more build up which to me could’ve been done and replaced the existing boring scenes in this book. Yes, there was a few dud moments in this book that had me scraping for the next “crazy fan moment”. If it wasn’t for the plot this definitely would’ve brought down my rating.

One final small tidbit of my review- I haven’t read Cassidy and Aiden’s story but what I found really interesting was just how distinct Cassidy’s dialogue was.

4.5 stars I definitely recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in return for an honest review

I liked this book. It was nice revisiting some old friends from Starstruck. The stalking storyline is very current with the social media references and internet lingo peppered throughout. It was an interesting concept including 3 stories in one book with scenes from the TV show, movie and actual story including it all. Even with all of the extra material it didn't feel busy or difficult to follow. I enjoyed the new main characters and how much the characters from Starstruck were involved. I don't know if another book could be squeezed out of this group, but I sure would be happy to read it. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.