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.

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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

This story is easy to read and I loved how the two main characters clashed at times. It is true that opposites attract, isn’t it? Ryan is struggling with OCD that he thinks is under control. He is trying so hard to make it in the film business but it seems he finds himself getting more and more discouraged. Well he could always give up his dream and go work for his dad I guess.

Zinnia has her own problems going on with sibling relationships not going so well. I think Zinnia feels like she is never good enough and feels like her sibling make her feel less than. That is a hard pill to swallow when you try so hard to achieve something and your sister never gives you credit for your achievements. Zinnia dreams of making it as an actress someday but she lacks confidence.

I enjoyed how Ryan and Zinnia find themselves working together. They didn’t exactly make a good first impression on each other, but maybe there is a reason God has put them together. With Zinnia always feeling uncomfortable around her sister it makes it hard for Zinnia to believe that she can actually accomplish anything. When her friend Caroline tells her, “the right people don’t hold onto past hurts. They move on,” I could relate to Zinnia and her insecurity. It is hard to live up to her sister when she seems to have everything she needs and was always the favorite. Their relationship is strained and is something that bothers Zinnia a lot.

The story takes us through many lessons that I needed to be reminded of. We are not in control and need to remember to let go and allow God to direct our paths. Relationships can be mended if we swallow our pride and humble ourselves. Forgiveness leads to freedom and the two main characters faced that as they let go of bitterness. The ending is sweet and gives us a look at what never giving up looks like.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.