I am not one to ever give up on a book but sadly I did with this one. I got as far as five chapters in & stuggled to get excited by any of the characters . I love teen angst books & coming of age but despite what should have been an amazing concept just honestly bored me. I wanted to love it as I was so looking forward to reading it after seeing the synopsis. ..but sadly it didnt wow me .

4.5 Stars

Now A Major Motion Picture is an extremely sweet contemporary novel full of love and family and humor that had me grinning the entire time I was reading.

Iris Thorne and her little brother Ryder get the opportunity of a lifetime when offered the chance to visit the set of Elementia, a fantasy movie being shot in Ireland based on the widely popular books written by none other than their very own grandmother. While Ryder has excitement for days, Iris is totally turned off to the idea and dreads the babysitting duties being thrust upon her by her basically absentee parents. But like with all good stories, Iris develops and blooms in Ireland, making new friends, falling in love, and truly understanding the magic and meaning behind her grandmother’s novels.

I really really LOVED this book. It was just so sweet and fun, especially for those that take part in any fandom of any kind. The characters felt like real people, genuine in their development and their reactions to different situations. While sometimes in the beginning Iris is a little frustrating, she really grows to be extremely likeable as the book progresses. Her negative attitude turns much more positive the more she interacts with those on the movie set, learning why it’s all so special to them and figuring out for herself that people’s passions, even for something so simple as a fantasy book series, are important and defining and life changing.

As someone who is a fan of a lot of science fiction and fantasy series, books, TV, and movies alike, this was a really relatable book for me. I enjoyed the diversity of the characters and getting to know each of them, finding out their opinions on fandom, and seeing how it affected their characterization. Eamon is a sweet, sweet cinnamon roll, and I loved how much he loved Elementia. He was the perfect love interest and he and Iris are just so sweet together.

The only thing I didn’t really like in the novel was Iris’s parents, but I think the point was to despise them. Her mother is absent and too caught up in her own head to even have any page time outside of being mentioned. Her father is a complete asshole who honestly is a little verbally abusive. He says things to Iris to bring her down, questioning her musical talents, and basically calling all of her interests stupid, and invalid. I was soooo happy when she finally just went off on him.

Overall, this is a great summertime contemporary read that will make any fandom kid’s heart feel all warm and fuzzy.

*Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I had not read a book by Cori McCarthy before I received this ARC from NetGalley. I loved it. The book was witty and had a great message for teen girls.

The book, set in Ireland, tells the story of Iris, 17, whose grandmother wrote a famous fantasy trilogy. She and her family have lived under the shadow of that fame for so long it estranged her grandmother from the family and embittered Iris' father. Now being made into a motion picture by a female director, Iris and her little brother, Ryder, are sent to Ireland to see the filming.

While Ryder is obsessed with the books, Iris, a budding songwriter, has yet to actually read them. Through meeting the stars and seeing her brother blossom, Iris begins to finally understand her family legacy. Of course she meets a boy, but it is the strong mother figure in the film's director that really forms the most pivotal relationship for Iris.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it witty and fun, while still creating a strong feminist message.

I loved this book! The beginning was a little slow to hook me but once I was in, I was IN. The main character Iris, granddaughter of a famous fantasy author, has not had the easiest time dealing with her role in life. A budding musician acting surrogate parent to checked out biological parents she and her brother end up on the film set of a movie adapting her grandmother's books. Iris has never read the series and is in fact very turned off by the entire element of fantasy and is only there to help her little brother.

At first the characters of Julian and Shoshanna worried me, but they quickly developed beyond expected stereotypes and I adored them. Same with Eamon. My only complaint really with the book was how quickly Iris and Eamon's relationship developed. She was on set about a week, if it had been for the summer or something it would have been a tad more believable, but I still love where it went.

Iris's journey, the supporting characters, and the location itself, IRELAND, all stand strong in the book. The locations make it and I love how the location itself was like another character. I am also curious to see how Elementia would be as an actual story! Maybe McCarthy will consider publishing it as a book too!

Now a Major Motion Picture reminds me of Fangirl or Geekerella, but only slightly. In this novel, Iris doesn’t quite understand the reason for the whole fandom scene. I enjoyed the different perspective.
Also, the fandom here was for her grandmother’s fantasy novels, so that was interesting...
There were some iffy bits in the middle that were confusing such as ...Everyone was briefly less interesting, empowering statements were less natural, and a few ‘trying-too-hard-to-be-awkward’ romantic moments... BUT the 30-odd pages of ‘what kind of cruel twilight zone is this?’ was completely worth the remaining 370 that make up for it... yes, even with the iffy bits.

As a whole, a great young adult read. It had snarky teens, romance, fandoms, feminism, music, friendships, family drama, and of course, Ireland.... Super cute, yet revealed more depth as it progressed. Also, one of the best acknowledgements I’ve read in a while.

"Now a Major Motion Picture" on the surface follows the making of a fantasy film from a book with a heavy fanbase (think Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings style). The deeper messages/themes that come up are about the prejudices of Hollywood- towards women, people of color, and non-heteronormative individuals. Iris Thorne has spent her life trying to escape her grandmother's legacy- her grandmother was the infamous M. E. Thorne who wrote the Elementia trilogy. Her father, M. E.'s son, has been emotionally neglectful and distant- no matter how much Iris has spent her life trying to please him, he is disinterested. He and his wife (who exists even less) have left Iris to raise their 8-year-old son, Ryder.

This trip is no different. Iris is being sent to Ireland to babysit Ryder while they visit the production of the Elementia movie. Iris is determined to keep her and her brother out of it- since the Bad Event, they have attempted to hide their identities from the world to avoid the more zealous- and dangerous- fans. Iris has turned the negativity from her father inward and walks around with the metaphorical black cloud hanging over her.

With the help of a crew that begins to treat Iris and Ryder like family, Iris finds herself rethinking all the ingrained thoughts imposed by her father- and she finds love in the process. Overall, it is a really cute story with some romance and heavy coming-of-age elements. I also liked the view on Hollywood for its prejudices- and explaining by the director and primary actress about their struggles in the business. The descriptions of courage also make this something easily accessible for anyone- and there is a heavy (and delightful) feminist undertone.

<i>"You helped [me] and now I'm helping you. This is what women should do for one another. We are a continent. We stick together. We all rise up, or we all go down."</i>

The only thing I did not like about the book is the depiction of the parents- they are horribly negligent and maybe even emotionally abusive. Although there are some small positives (e.g. they put Ryder into therapy), overall, they seem really terrible. The conclusions seem to be that the kids will stand up for themselves more and then everything just turns around. I'm not sure that this was a good message (emotionally abusive parents don't just change on a dime), and I wish this had either been toned down so that these conclusions made sense or that there was better resolution (other adults getting involved, etc.).

If you ignore their relationships with parents, this is a cute coming-of-age story with a Hollywood setting! Regarding the fantasy book, it was neat to have the story-within-the-story and see excerpts from the book as Iris reads them/sees the filming. Overall, I think it's a fun premise and a great delivery.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book it started off slow and I hated the main character but she really grew for the end of the book. The secondary characters were awesome for the beginning. This was a really fun read.

I was super excited to be approved for an eARC of this book, and I’m so glad I had the chance to read and review it! As a hardcore fangirl who loves LOTR and has obsessively watched the behind-the-scenes clips a hundred times, a book that revolved around the making of a book-based fantasy movie was appealing. Iris is a wonderful MC who feels real; her strained relationship with her jerk of a father, her loving yet stressful bond with her little brother, and her confusion with she own wants and self doubt about her desires all made for a compelling read. And the swoon-worthy males don’t hurt the story ;) A definite must-read for fans of Fangirl and Geekerella

First off, the blurb is deceptive. When I first came across Now A Major Motion Picture on NetGalley, I thought it would be a "dessert book"- sugary sweet, slightly fluffy, and without much depth. Don't get me wrong, I love a good dessert book. They're worth all of the smiles, laughs, and romantic-moment-induced sighs in the world.

Luckily for me, NAMMP is so much more than a dessert book. It still brings smiles, laughs, and RMI sighs, but it's a book that brings in the real depth that is sometimes missing from YA fiction.

McCarthy weaves a relatable story from the moment Ryder and Iris get depart from Aer Lingus. As one of four siblings, the scenario of herding a younger brother gave me post-traumatic flashbacks. Iris comes off as a bit of a grump but nonetheless lovable for it. Above all else, her devotion to her brother rings clearly through, immediately showing that there's more to her than her prickly exterior.

Iris and Ryder have found their way to Ireland to join the cast and crew who are filming a movie adaptation of her grandmother's fantastical legacy, Elementia. For Ryder, this trip is therapeutic, a dream causing him to almost burst off the pages in his bubbly excitement. For Iris, on the other hand, the Emerald Isle is holding nothing but nightmares and the overwhelming shadow of her grandmother's fame and fandom, a shadow that has brought gloom to her entire life.

As Iris is immersed in what she's sworn to despise most- fantasy, magic, and elves in all of their glory- she has to confront some ugly truths about her life. In the midst of the beautiful Irish cliffs and waves, she not only finds her future path, but also reclaims the shards of her identity that she's hidden away at the behest of her father.

Her experiences with the cast and crew give her a real feeling of what it's like to fit in and make real connections. She goes through a lot of growth, and it's a treat to see more than the prickly Iris who first arrives in Ireland. McCarthy's supporting cast is also unique; I can honestly say that I loved them all. Eamon's kindness and wit will make many a YA reader cheer for their romance, and Julian and Shoshannah provide some fresh humor and contrast to Iris's prickly nature and wounded soul; together, they're all the medicine she needs to get on her track to a new life. Not to mention Cate's fiery determination and unrelenting personality are the role model and strength that many girls can benefit from.

NAMMP is a story of identity, of learning how to see, acknowledge, and overcome what's "ugly" inside yourself, and how to forge a path that rings brightly in your soul and will bring you joy. I celebrated Iris's triumphs with her, and I think other readers will too. What more can you want than a main character you can root for? A main character whose struggle is kindred to what many of us go through, young adult or not. What I liked most was that for all of Iris's flaws or mistakes, she finds strength in herself to be creative and becomes willing to take the risks she needs in order to save what she comes to love.

Before today, I'd never read any of McCarthy's books before, but you better believe I'm going to check out some others now.

Thank you, Sourcebooks Fire, for giving me an e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"I'd read her story and began drowning in a loss I'd never known was mine. My grandmother was a brilliant author—and I'd never read her books."

Now a Major Motion Picture is marketed as something that fans of Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl will enjoy. It's been a few years since I read the latter book, but I can say that the blurb is true to an extent. NAMMP, like Fangirl, features excerpts from a completely original fantasy novel. However, NAMMP is less impactful and more focused on fan culture, particularly in regards to book to movie adaptations. With that in mind, remember to take everything with a grain of salt. Otherwise, you might feel a little disappointed.

The premise of NAMMP is actually unique compared to most of the YA contemporary novels I've read this year. It follows Iris Thorne, a girl who wants nothing to do with her late grandmother's popular book series. Despite her protests, Iris is sent to Ireland for the film adaptation of Elementia. She yearns for the film to become a commercial failure, but the possibility of finding love, friendship, and her musical identity gradually shakes her resolve. By the end of the film's production, she might have to say good-bye to her "Jaded Iris" title.

The first thing I liked about this book was its depiction of fan culture. It was easy for me to relate to how the hardcore fans of Elementia feared that the film would deviate too much from the book series. It is an undeniable fact that although we bookworms love to see our beloved characters come to life on screen, we are rarely pleased by book to movie adaptations. We just can't help but see the creative license of the film industry as a catalyst for bookish sacrilege. xD

It was also fascinating that NAMMP explored the "dark side" of fandom: it can cause people to emotionally or physically harm others. Iris did have a lot issues about Elementia, but the underlying reason for her hatred was justified. Her life would have been less complicated if a delusional fan hadn't terrorized her baby brother.

Another thing I enjoyed was the book's enlightening discussion of sexism in the film industry. Cate, the director of Elementia, was underestimated because of her sex. Her production company was very patriarchal, so it was more than willing to cut her budget or cancel the film (which was supposedly a Feminist take on Lord of the Rings). Thankfully, Cate refused to back down, determined to prove that women were a force to be reckoned with in both film and literature.

My problem with NAMMP was something that I had already encountered in many contemporary books: the Bad Parent(s) trope. Iris's dad was a complete jerk, while her mom was almost nonexistent. Iris's dad was practically the antagonist in the story because he was a fountain of stress and resentment. In light of his undignified attitude, I wasn't surprised that Iris and Ryder treated him like he was anything but their parent. Personally, I really dislike it when contemporary books portray parents as the bad guys because it doesn't promote a healthy understanding of family life. Some people may say that this trope simply reflects reality because there are many bad parents in the world. Still, what's the point of further discouraging readers?

In totality, I gave NAMMP 3.5 stars because it was both fun and enlightening to read. If you are interested in literary discussions on fan culture and Feminism, you should give this book a shot. Just tread carefully if you are triggered by the Bad Parent(s) trope.

I absolutely adored this new book by Cory McCarthy. I enjoyed reading Breaking Sky by McCathy and You Were Here is one of my favorite books, so having the chance to read this new novel early was something I'm very happy about. I loved a lot of things about this book, but most of all how timely it is. The world has been shifting and the role of women has been changing, so to read a story where the female protagonist, Iris, finds herself on the set of a major motion picture based on a novel written by her grandmother and directed by a woman, with a female lead was refreshing. Iris has grown up in the shadow of her grandmother, the great author M.E. Thorne and the fandom surround Elementia, a fictional fantasy story that has a passionate following. When Iris and her brother have a chance to visit the set in Ireland and see the filming first hand, Iris is dreading it. She has fought against loving this fantasy trilogy her entire life and now she is immersed in the world of it. The cast of the film include two famous actors and one that is up and coming. The interactions and relationships between these three and Iris, as well as her brother Ryder, keep the story interesting. As issues arise in the filming and cuts are being made, Iris has to decide if she wants to keep fighting her legacy or embrace it. The emotional ride she takes is interesting to watch as she deals with her issues with her father and absent mother, '"parenting" her brother, following her passion, dealing with the fandom surrounding her legacy and finding love and friendship where she least expected it. I loved so many things about this story and it left me wishing for the Elementia series to read also! I will continue to pick up everything that McCarthy writes and will grabbing a copy of this for my classroom

An interesting view on fan culture and the beast that is fandom, this book made me want to read a book series that does not exist. Well done.

A solid contemporary YA book that joins the growing collection of fandom novels in existence. I'd say it's one of the betters in that category, but is beaten out by Geeks in Love by Jen Wilde by just a smidge.

What a wonderful foray into the world of fandom from an alternative viewpoint. When Iris Thorne walks onto a movie set for an adaptation of her grandmother's famous books, she's prepared to hate everything about it. Afterall, the rabid fandom has made her family life miserable. It isn't until Iris begins interacting with everyone and dives into the books that she begins to understand the difficulties in her own life. I often feel that fiction should be a way to explore new worlds and learn about yourself in the process. It was nice to see a book that actually addresses the interaction between readers and the text. I was expecting a fluffy teen romance from the cover, what you get inside is so much more.

Everybody has their go to slump-killing genre. Mine just so happens to be nerdy contemporary romance.
I'll admit, this book wasn't even on my radar at first. I was looking through Netgalley, a little bored of all of the fantasy books I read, and I saw this and I was happy because it seemed like it was just what I needed (it was.)

It was not hard to get myself into this book - and never want to leave. The character growth, the humor, the love of fictional worlds, everything worked together in such a great way. There were parts that infuriated me so much, but that's how you know you're enjoying the book.
The only comment I have is that the writing style wasn't consistent enough for me. I felt that the pacing was off.
I did enjoy how the characters work through mental illness and the struggle to find yourself in a world that you feel is against you. The growth really got me.
This is one of my favorite contemporary romances I've read in a while.

I received an advanced reader copy of Now a Major Motion Picture by Cori McCarthy and was intrigued by the description, although after reading it I feel like the summary kind of buries the lead and doesn't really prepare the reader for what to expect. Iris is forced to take her younger brother to Ireland for the filming of Elementia's first movie after his therapist thinks it's a good idea and her father doesn't want to take him. More than just finding it "a little annoying," Iris is angry and openly hostile toward anything to do with the fantasy world...so how will she react when she finds herself surrounded by a cast and crew that, for the most part, is composed of devout "Thornians," as Elementia fans refer to themselves? As it turns out, not well...but the closer she gets to the cast and the film's director, the more she finds her attitude shifting. Unfortunately, filming is fraught with issues and the movie does not seem to have the support of the film studio backing it. Will Iris have a change of heart in time to appreciate her time in Ireland? Or will the studio cancel filming before she has a chance to realize how precious it is?

Things I loved about the book:
-Iris and Eamon were great characters. Eamon was intriguing from the start, and even when Iris was at her most pessimistic and unlikable I still found myself understanding where she was coming from and sympathizing with her.
-Cate and her strong-woman agenda. I will admit that it got a little over-the-top at times, but overall, I'll give a resounding "hell yeah" to a strong, confident woman who commits herself to teaching another young woman the importance of being strong, speaking up, and lifting other women up.
-The relationship between Iris and her brother and the way that it evolved as the story went on. I loved seeing him get more independent and watching them gain a new appreciation for each other after everything they had been through together.

Things I was a little more meh about:
-The fantasy element. In a world where mind-blowing fantasy worlds exist, it always seems risky to me when a book creates a bestselling fantasy series compared to the works of real-life fantasy bestsellers. The Elementia descriptions included in the book didn't necessarily detract from the story for me, but they also didn't add much to it. The book/movie could have been about anything and provided the same element to the story.
-The ending, man. I'm not going to give anything away, but things wrapped up a little too neatly for me, especially after the overblown ups and downs throughout the book. Speaking of...
-The overblown ups and downs throughout the book. I like a book with some drama. Ask anyone in my book club, and they'll tell you I love a story that makes me emotional. But holy hell, the wild swings from "everything is perfect" to "the world is falling apart" from page to page practically gave me whiplash. Toning it down a notch would have gone a long way to making the characters' experiences more relatable.

Overall, I think this is an ok read. There were things I didn't particularly love about it, but for the most part I enjoyed it. It gets into emotional stuff without getting too heavy, makes you love the characters, and is perfect if you're looking for a light, quick read.

Slow beginning, but worth the wait. I love the fantasy pop culture quips and how the book addresses the entertainment industry in regard to racism and sexism. I like the feminist undertone and the strong female lead, who I didn't always feel was likable, but was certainly relatable. The romance was quirky and cute.

A sweet, funny, quick read. I loved watching Iris slowly find her strength and her bravery. I liked the characters, too ... where can I find an Eamonn of my own? The Irish setting was lovely without being overdone or stereotypical, which is unusual for this kind of book.
My only problem? I still don't know what happened at the end of the trilogy!
Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for allowing me to read it.