Advika is a young aspiring screenwriter who gets swept up in a swift romance with an older, established Hollywood producer named Julian. However, what starts as a whirlwind marriage quickly unfolds into suspicion, scrutiny, and fear as Advika uncovers secrets left by Julian's previous wives that leave her to question his character and true intentions.

I wanted to love this and was hoping I’d be able to connect with the characters as an Indian American woman myself. However, I really struggled to finish this novel. Though I was initially compelled by the book's premise, it failed to deliver.

The characters were poorly developed and defining character details were often haphazardly revealed, as if an afterthought. Further, there were far too many characters to keep track of, many of whom were tangential or entirely irrelevant to advancing the plot.

The dialogue was painful, unoriginal, and inauthentic. None of the conversations seemed realistic.

Though I appreciated that the author's attempt to layer in elements of a contemporary discourse around diversity, equity, and inclusion (#Oscarssowhite, that bit about nova being Mexican) it felt contrived and out of touch.

The style of the chapters switched between traditional prose, text conversations, and interview transcripts. The flow was choppy and not all of these styles suited the author's strengths.

Finally, this book could easily have been a third of the length.

Ironically, the part of this book I enjoyed the most was the author's acknowledgements that state, "this novel is an ode to the women whose accomplishments have been diminished, their careers unjustly derailed, or whose worthy stories have never been told. Thank you for your sacrifices and perseverance. Your light reaches us still." It was only then that I realized what this book was meant to accomplish and the broader purpose it was trying to fulfill. Unfortunately, this did not come across in the novel itself.

I appreciate NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Hmmm… this is a little slow burn for me! It’s a story embracing different genres including women’s fiction, mystery and romance. Diversity representation and feminism vibes blended in appropriately.

My hesitation to get into the story is about heroine Advika : she met with five time Oscar winning producer at governor’s ball: when she was working as bartender. She’s struggling screenwriter. She’s still suffering from losing her twin sister and being abandoned by her parents who moved back to India, slowly drifting away from Sherman Oaks childhood Indian friends circle! So I can relate with that I can clearly understand her frustration and how she is wooed by Julian! Because there are so many things missing in her life!

But for god sake! The man is 67! Not 47! There’s 41 years age difference! He’s even 6 years older than George freaking Clooney! And that man didn’t put a gun to her head to move on with him after dating a few days later!

I understand Advika is broke, soon to be homeless and jobless so she sees him as her savior. But she doesn’t even try to find a job after moving into his house, not saying no to use his Amex card and not rejecting the expensive gifts she’s taken!

Why the hell she didn’t interrogate him about his past or his previous wives!

When the first wife of Julian offers 1 million dollars to his baby bride to divorce him before she dies, things get a little interesting but still the revelations were not so heart shattering or jaw dropping for me!

Advika should have thought twice to make decisions! Again I’m repeating she was not at gun point at the time she said “ I do”

So I’m giving my solid three stars! It was still enjoyable to read a book telling more about movies and dark side of industry!

I am still intrigued to read other works of the author!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.