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3.5
In Her Spotlight (Out in Hollywood)
ByPublisher Description
For fans of Casey McQuiston, Alexis Hall, and Meryl Wilsner, an actually hilarious, sweetly sexy, gloriously relatable, second chance, sapphic rom-com from the acclaimed author of For Her Consideration, starring a franchise Hollywood actress aims to prove her chops in a theatrical production directed by her ex whose heart she broke a decade earlier.
Hollywood actor Tess Gardner is not the kind of famous she set out to be. She's ready to show she’s more than Princess Platinum of the Vindicators series, a pretty face with CGI superpowers that literally sparkle. Tess wants to prove herself as an actor and that means theatre—the true calling of her thespian heart. But just when Tess lands a part working with an acclaimed stage director, a brewing scandal forces him out. His replacement? None other than hip, buzzy director Rebecca Frisch. The same Rebecca Frisch whose heart a firmly closeted Tess broke over a decade ago during summer stock . . .
As Tess wrestles with her lingering guilt and attraction to Rebecca, she also finds herself struggling to rein in her superstar status backstage. When things unexpectedly reignite with Rebecca, Tess bristles even more against the walls of her A-list life. Since the industry’s made it clear that girl-next-door superheroes can’t also be gay, coming out isn’t realistic for Tess. And ultimately, Rebecca will head back to New York and likely seek out a less complicated relationship anyway.
Will the curtain close on her chance for happiness or will Tess finally take a leading role in her own life?
Hollywood actor Tess Gardner is not the kind of famous she set out to be. She's ready to show she’s more than Princess Platinum of the Vindicators series, a pretty face with CGI superpowers that literally sparkle. Tess wants to prove herself as an actor and that means theatre—the true calling of her thespian heart. But just when Tess lands a part working with an acclaimed stage director, a brewing scandal forces him out. His replacement? None other than hip, buzzy director Rebecca Frisch. The same Rebecca Frisch whose heart a firmly closeted Tess broke over a decade ago during summer stock . . .
As Tess wrestles with her lingering guilt and attraction to Rebecca, she also finds herself struggling to rein in her superstar status backstage. When things unexpectedly reignite with Rebecca, Tess bristles even more against the walls of her A-list life. Since the industry’s made it clear that girl-next-door superheroes can’t also be gay, coming out isn’t realistic for Tess. And ultimately, Rebecca will head back to New York and likely seek out a less complicated relationship anyway.
Will the curtain close on her chance for happiness or will Tess finally take a leading role in her own life?
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesIn Her Spotlight (Out in Hollywood) Reviews
3.5
“Thank you Hambright, Kensington, and Amy for the gifted e-book! I went into In Her Spotlight thinking it would be a fun, light sapphic celeb romance… and it definitely had those vibes, but there was also so much more emotional depth than I expected. This was actually my first book by Amy, and I’ll definitely be going back to read the earlier books in the series because now I need everyone else’s stories too!
I loved the second-chance romance and all the behind-the-scenes theater moments. The story felt surprisingly real, and the characters were relatable (even with all the fame!). There were so many emotional layers that made the story feel really meaningful. Honestly, I was enjoying it so much I ended up picking up the audiobook too for an immersive read, and the narration by Lori Prince was so good. I loved her take on Tess and Rebecca and thought she did an amazing job bringing their story to life.”
“I struggled with In Her Spotlight, largely because I found it difficult to connect with its protagonist. Tess Gardner’s circumstances—fame, wealth, and professional success—are framed as burdens, but the narrative leans heavily into her frustrations in ways that can feel disproportionate. From relying on assistants for basic needs on set to lamenting industry perceptions and limitations, much of Tess’s perspective reads as self-focused rather than reflective.
To the book’s credit, this characterization is not entirely unexamined. Tess’s best friend calls out her tendency to center herself and overlook others, which introduces some needed tension and awareness. However, these moments were not enough to offset the overall tone. Tess’s inability—or unwillingness—to meaningfully engage with the people around her made it challenging to fully engage with her arc.
The second-chance romance at the heart of the story is what kept me reading. There are glimpses of what could have been a compelling emotional journey, particularly in the shared history between Tess and Rebecca. Still, the narrative often feels more preoccupied with showcasing the mechanics and language of the entertainment industry than developing that relationship. While the book has its moments, it ultimately fell short of delivering a satisfying romantic payoff.”
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