Photo Credits: Miguel R Perez Rivas, OpenClipart-Vectors
Edited by Vaishali
Title: Fame & Privilege (A Billionaire Hollywood Romance)
Author: L.C. Reagan Genre/Themes: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Film Industry Publisher: Self Published Year of Publication: 2019 Version: E- Paperback copy kindly provided by the author ISBN: 9781077730854 My Review...
“If we’re going to expect change in our industry, it’s got to start somewhere. And what better place than at a female-driven production company."
Jenn Cooper, owner and founder of independent production company Cooper Pictures is a well-rounded success and a billionaire tycoon, and she may be a product of privilege but she’s since carved her own steps to independent privilege. Film was her growing fascination and is now a career of zeal and enthusiasm. Jenn runs a tight ship with clean sails, smooth edges, buffed flooring and impeccable manner, and she’s just as put together as her enterprise. Committed to her company and sharing stories of matter, Jen is seeking out the next best narrative.
“This town has a way of making a headline out of everything, especially when the truth is far more boring to contend with."
So when a rising young talent by the name of Julia Bell presents her with a promising narrative within fingers reach, Jenn finds herself enthused by the young actress’s varied talent, and more than enthused by her manager Ryan Price. Ryan has plans for Julia, leading her to larger successes and greater opportunities, and who better than to form a working relationship with than big-time-operator and film mogul Jenn Cooper…but meeting Jenn in person proves to be more than just professional.
“To a wonderful new project,” Ryan said lifting his glass toward the center of the table.’
“And to a wonderful mew relationship,” Jenn countered, catching Ryan’s gaze as she said it and letting the heat build between the two of them.'
Underneath professional conversation simmers requited attraction from both sides as Jenn and Ryan form a budding, non-professional affiliation. With both of them having a keen interest in film, a joint desire to share stories and an obvious desire for each other it doesn’t take long for them to cross the line of professional…but at what risk we’ll have to see. With Jenn worried about her personal life escaping comfortable secrecy, and with a shifting blueprint in place to combat the rise in dishonorable behaviour in the industry, she’s in place of scrutiny with a conflict of interest that she’s not keen on letting go of. Business or pleasure is the measure…
‘She hated that the media had the potential to twist something as simple as a consenting relationship between two professional adults into an ethical scandal.'
As a debut this book certainly showed effort and attempt, but it personally wasn’t enough for me to sink my teeth into as a reader. Told from the 3rd person perspective I really struggled to form an intimate bond with the characters. Feeling incredibly detached and far too much of an observer to feel embedded in the story I didn’t have the keen eyes for all that was unfolding. I’m not the biggest fan of the 3rd person narration because it leaves me feeling far from engaged with character struggle and evolution, but I think I would have felt similarly if ‘Fame and Privilege’ were told in the 1st person narrative because narration aside, although the production workings are fleshed out, the overall components of the story felt more surface level and without the depth that makes a story feel solid and sizable.
“You know, Jenn, people are going to talk no matter what you do. Rumours will fly. The press will write what they want to write. But at the end of the day, we live in a world where you can choose to be with the person you love and have a career."
Aside from that, ‘Fame and Privilege’ is a fairly tame and easygoing story, resembling the realities of production, scrutiny, moral dilemma and disruptive personnel with some plot conflict to keep the story running. I liked that the conflicts weren’t overly staged with intermittent friction to pedal the story. The discord didn’t majorly emerge from Jenn and Ryan’s relationship; more from the idea of secrets being exposed and potential media frenzy. Once gathering my thoughts together when i was done, I realised that while this book manages to slowly keep the ball rolling, it felt a bit too docile and unexciting for me. I like a story to catch me unguarded, show me something I’ve been missing or at the very least have me rapt with attention. I thought this book was a decent read, but it didn’t entice me or bind my limbs to each page.
‘He needed to win her over, and if he had any say in it, he would.'
Of course, just like character development, chemistry between the characters is just as consequential for reader experience and all-embracing narrative impression because chemistry, not just between characters but between reader and story is everything. Regarding the romance, I didn’t feel any chemistry between either protagonist. They had an evident on-page attraction, but their whole relationship felt tempered, diluted and uneventful like I was seeing it through the surface of sheets of seawater. For the most part their relationship is smooth sailing In contrast to the struggles that the plot provides in response to business decisions they have to make. I think we needed more from them as a couple because characters are too important to a story for them to not paint the pages with rainbows and vital shades of character, and I wanted to feel something fundamental from them. Ultimately I didn’t feel the chemistry, and with the short time lapses which left us out of the equation I didn’t have belief in what was quickly and apparently growing between them.
Dialogue is also an integral factor in storytelling, but unfortunately most of the conversation felt superficial and perfunctory, and at times a tad too formal - it didn’t push deeper.
‘She had never met a man like him before - one who could keep pace with her ambition and intensity all while eliciting the utmost respect from her.’
‘We are definitely going to have to set some boundaries, Mr. Price.'
Although I didn’t feel a tangible chemistry between myself and the story, I love that we have a billionaire businesswoman at the helm of this tale of personal and professional plight as most stories in the contemporary romance field lead with successful billionaire men, so this was a pleasant change of pace. I also love that both Ryan and Jenn serve a strong ethical compass in business where so many cut corners and take a seat on the road to self-serving, but Jenn and Ryan always tried to do the right thing and make the right decisions for everybody involved, business-wise and privately.
“Even still. Ryan, you know that people are going to speculate that you two have had an ongoing relationship.”
“But can they prove anything?” “In this day and age, do they need to?"
Another noted consideration I really appreciated is the way the author touches on the subject of the sexual assault scandal which has been prevalent in Hollywood’s current climate. And Jenn’s instinct and drive to change the politics of the film industry and try a new preventative tactic was an admirable step forward in the right direction. So as a forerunner of change, she definitely stands apart as a businesswoman and a woman of moral mettle. Great addition to the story!
‘Ryan was different. He didn’t let the material differences in their lives keep him from seeing the real Jenn, and she felt wholly and utterly seen by him.’
“So why does it still feel like I have to choose between love and my career?"
Fame and Privilege determines a romance between our two main leads Ryan and Jenn and the hindrances they counter within a perusing industry and censorial media. ‘Fame and Privilege’ by L.C. Reagan pens a story of the practicing business of film and the behind-the curtain ambivalence of blackmail, threats and a publicity plight that might spell risk for the ethics of Jenn’s company while toiling with two strong forces: loyal love or loyalty to her career, and why she might have to choose.
“But you have to realise, you can still have both, and you’re paving the way for women ahead of you to have both, without all of the criticm that comes with it. You’ll be an example they look back on with pride.”
“You this means we’re going to be seeing a lot more of Ryan Price, right?” “That’s what I’m hoping for," I gave this book 2.5 stars -
Although i didn't particularly enjoy this one, by all means give it a try and see what you think. It might be the one for you!
A big thank you to L.C. Reagan for sending me a copy for review!
Trigger Warning: Minimal swearing and sex scenes.
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My Rating System: ★ - 1 star: I did not like the book ★★ - 2 stars: The book was okay ★★★ - 3 stars: It was a good, solid read ★★★★ - 4 stars: A great book ★★★★★ - 5: A phenomenal read ________________________________________
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