DNF @ 32%

I think this book struggled to know what it wanted to be. With a tagline of, “Even TV detectives can’t resist a cold case…” one would assume that this book is prominently a mystery, but a third of the way in nothing has really happened.

Bex was the star of a Rizzoli & Isles-esque TV show and had an undefined thing with her costar, Sam. That chemistry bled into the TV show which led to allegations of queerbaiting and then their makeup artist tragically died, and the show ended with no real resolution.

Now years later, they’re doing a podcast rewatch of fan’s six favorite episodes, and also there’s this fanfiction writer who seemingly knew behind the scenes in information and somehow all of this is connected to the death of the make up artist, which is a lot happening in a 300 page book. In that respect, I feel like it is true to fanfiction because the beauty of fanfiction is the comfort of tropes. But that only works because there’s already some sort of buy in to the characters and the character relationships. In this case I had no idea who Bex and Sam were, and quite frankly I didn’t care. I also think that the podcast/cold case/fanfiction elements force the mystery to be a lot of telling and not a lot of doing or showing, although I didn’t get far enough into the true mystery plot to know if that changes.

All that being said, I think this book biggest crime is being boring. Maybe it will work for others, but I realized about the time I contemplated DNF thing that it was the same author as Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous, which I also contemplated DNF pretty early on and didn’t but really should have, so maybe I just need to realize that this is not the author for me.

2.5 stars
This was fun! But unfortunately I felt like both the mystery plot and the romance were a bit underdeveloped. With them combined I was still able to enjoy the book, but I wish they were more fleshed out.

I LOVED the fanfic and fan culture aspect of this book. The murder partially being solved through fic was SO COOL. I recommend this to anyone who has been in the fandom trenches lol

There were so many characters in this book and they were difficult to keep track of. Family members, crew members, and other Hollywood people all blurred together. Which becomes extra difficult because the "sleuthing" these characters did mainly consisted of sitting around and talking about things that happened years ago. I struggled to keep track of who they were talking to and about. The mystery itself was probably a bit predictable, but I picked this up thinking it was a romance so I didn't mind.

The romance was lackluster. There didn't seem to be any reason why they couldn't be together in the present timeline. The slowburn aspect felt forced and unnecessary. Bex and Sam both felt very underdeveloped. And truthfully I just wasn't invested in them getting together.

But overall I did have fun reading this. I think I saw somewhere that this will be a series, I'll be keeping an eye out to see if the future books focus on fan culture too.

3.5 stars

I love the premise of Big Name Fan, with former TV costars Bex and Sam reuniting for a podcast and reunion special five years after their massively popular detective procedural ended its final season. Adding a mystery element to their renewed partnership differentiates this book from other romances, and I’ll be interested to see how Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare keep that going (this is the first title in a planned series). However, Big Name Fan drags in the middle and toward the end, with too many repetitive scenes and not enough revelations to keep the mystery plot cracking along. This is an entertaining book, but I hope the next one takes a step forward in execution.

This book had a super exciting concept! However, it fell a little bit short of my expectations. The romance felt a bit stunted, the cast of characters was fairly large and could be hard to follow, and there was a feeling of inability to fully submerse itself in the fandom world it set itself within. Bex and Sam could've also been individually more compelling.

I wanted so badly to love this book. I adored the authors’ last book, and as a fandom nerd my whole life, the idea of a sapphic romance between actresses whose characters were shipped by fans but whose relationship never became canon was a plot made for me. But the reality just didn’t live up to my expectations. The characters felt flat and I didn’t really care about any of them. The second chance romance felt like an afterthought — the real focus was the amateur sleuthing. Which could have been fun but seemed to mostly consist of characters sitting around reminiscing about things that happened years ago. There was no romantic conflict keeping the characters apart and there were so many minor characters involved in the backstory that I never quite got a grasp on the mystery.

I was so excited for this book, because of the description. But I could not get into it for the life of me. It took me forever to finish. After a while of reading it everything just starts to blend together. Yes there is romance. You do see them getting a second chance at love again.

As someone who has been in fandoms, has been crushed by the ending of most sapphic shows, and has found solace in reading fanfics (big shoutout to all the fanfic writers out there), it was lovely to see this aspect depicted from the perspective of the actresses.

A lot was going on in the story, so it was a bit challenging to keep my full focus on it, but the amateur sleuthing kept pulling me in. I couldn’t not finish the book without discovering the truth.
On the less enjoyable side, I sometimes felt like Bex and Sam were indistinguishable from Cora and Henri.
I was also not a big fan of the excerpts inserted in the story and did skip some of them. These two elements made sense, so this is just a personal preference.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I'm unfortunately DNFing at 20%. I was so looking forward to this one and perhaps I will come back and give it another try! But I felt I was just never picking it up and opting for other things.

dnf
i really tried pushing through but it was just so baddd
the characters were so flat and lowkey annoying i couldn’t read any more

This captivating novel is a perfect fit for readers who are drawn to the slow-burning intensity of LGBTQIA+ romance, the intricate twists and turns of cold case mysteries, and the metafictional charm of fanfiction culture. The narrative expertly weaves together these elements, creating a rich and immersive reading experience that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

The slow-burn romance adds a layer of emotional depth and anticipation, as the characters navigate their feelings and relationships amidst the complexities of the mystery and the unique dynamics of the fanfiction world. The cold case mystery provides suspense and intrigue, with carefully crafted clues and unexpected revelations that will keep you guessing. The metafictional aspect adds a playful and self-aware dimension, blurring the lines between fiction and reality and inviting the reader to reflect on the power of storytelling and the nature of fandom.

I was really excited for this one, but wow, it was hard to get into. There are so many characters--none of them fleshed out--and so much going on.

This seemed like a lighthearted romance, but instead much of the story is focused around on-set TV politics and a complicated account about a makeup artist, Jen, on the set of said show, Craven's Daughter, who died before the book even begins. Our protagonists Sam and Bex starred on Craven's Daughter five years ago, but it ended abruptly without a series finale. The show took advantage of Bex and Sam's on-screen chemistry, but behind the scenes, Sam quit when Bex couldn't return Sam's romantic feelings.

There's much going on: Bex's complicated history raising her younger sisters after the death of their parents; Jen's death; Bex and Sam's relationship (or lack thereof); a fan fiction plot; and the reunion episode of Craven's Daughter. I loved the message about how the show and its higher ups exploited the women's chemistry but that the fans and queer folks deserved more.

But otherwise, much felt lacking. Bex and Sam feel like cardboard characters--Bex is a quiet doormat, not a vivid theater actress. Sam is supposed to be the attractive lesbian, I guess? And nothing else? There is so much Hollywood shop talk and a million characters to keep track of. And Bex and Sam's romance is slow burn, if it's even a romance at all.

There was something about the prose that made me feel like I had to constantly reread sentences to grasp what was happening-maybe because there were so many characters. I would have loved more focus on Sam and Bex and what made them who they were. But the focus on queer positivity was great.

I really wanted to love this - especially with the Rizzles comp - but sadly it wasn't for me! The nods to fan fiction readers were appreciated.

Actresses Bexley Simon and Sam Farmer find themselves thrust back together when they're asked to promote their old TV series, 'Craven's Daughter'. As things play out, they discover secrets around the show and investigate what might have been a murder.

Interesting, kind of layered book. There's the murder mystery, the mystery writer of fic that apparently was on the crew, and the look at the misogyny and messed up culture around TV and film. Good story, good wrap up.

This book is a mashup up of detective novel, romance, and Hollywood novel. Entertaining brain candy.

Big Name Fan is a debut sapphic mystery by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare that’s both tense and heartwarming. Fans of second-chance romances should also pick this up.

Bexley (Bex) Simon and Sam Farmer played detectives on the television show Craven’s Daughter that ended five years ago. Fans adored the onscreen chemistry between Bex and Sam, but never got to see the two women together on the screen or in real life. Despite having not spoken in five years, fans still root for Bex and Sam and many fanfic pieces have been written on the two.

Behind the scenes five years ago, the loss of their dear friend, makeup artist Jen Arnot, cast a pall over the series’ last episodes.

Now, though, the network has decided to produce a reunion special and fans are beside themselves with excitement. To further build excitement, Bex and Sam will host a rewatch podcast highlighting several favorite episodes. It is through these podcasts that Bex and Sam learn that one of the most prolific fanfic authors (Big Name Fan) had to be someone from the cast or crew – a true insider.

It’s clear the sparks remain between Bex and Sam and as they work through the podcasts, they begin to ask themselves if Jen’s death was truly an accident or murder? And who really is “Big Name Fan”?

There are so many elements to this story that work together to make a truly unique reading experience. Yes, there’s a mystery with clues to unravel, but there’s also a sweet, second-chance romance that brought Bex and Sam to life. This story also addresses sexism and homophobia in the media and offers readers a behind the scenes look at a fictional TV show that was queerbaiting. Any story that offers a peek behind the curtain of an industry is one I appreciate, and Annie and Ruthie handled difficult topics with great care.

I’m such a fan of sitcoms and TV shows from years ago that the idea of this story really appealed to me – the story felt a little nostalgic which I loved! The mixed media elements (podcast, fanfic, tv shows) made for clever and engaging storytelling. The mystery drew me in, and while I enjoyed that element, the relationship between Bex and Sam kept me turning the pages. Here’s hoping for more in this TV Detective series.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Press for a eARC of this book. All opinions will be my own.

If you enjoy sapphic romances and fanfiction, this is one for you.
After their show finishing five years ago, old cast mates, Bex and Sam, reunite and make a podcast that will hopefully help them uncover the mystery of their friend that died under mysterious circumstances while working on the show.
They had chemistry on their show five years ago and the chemistry continues now!

This book was a lot of fun. Bex and Sam are Hollywood actors who starred together on a detective show. It's been five years since the show ended, and now they star on a reunion podcast together, but they still have feelings for each other they've never resolved. I like how the podcast digs up old secrets and they follow clues in fan fiction to solve their old friend's murder.

Bexley Simon was flying high on her first Tony Award win and projected stardom, until the sudden death of her parents. Needing to take care of her young sisters, she headed to Hollywood in search of a steady gig, and the show Craven’s Daughter became her lifeline. The chemistry between Bex and her co-star, Sam Farmer, was undeniable, but the show had no intention of creating a romance between their characters. That didn’t stop the network from leaning into that chemistry for five years until Sam walked away after the penultimate episode. Five years later, the network taps Bex to do a podcast to hype up a reunion, and Sam reluctantly agrees.

Bex is simultaneously thrilled and unsettled to be back in Sam’s orbit. Bex knows she’s at fault for the loss of their friendship and wants to rekindle it. Unfortunately, their proximity causes her to relive her emotional turmoil, creating uncertainty about what she feels and wants. Sam and Bex revisiting the most unresolved-sexual-tension laden episodes and engaging with fan fiction that reflects the emotions they broadcasted to the audience makes matters so much worse. Suppressed grief and the questions regarding the death of their colleague and friend, Jen Arnot, are also resurfacing. The network forced them to keep quiet then, but can’t now. Soon, recollection becomes investigation and the light-hearted rewatch podcast evolves into a true-crime story centered on Jen’s death. In Bex and Sam’s search for closure for the loss of Jen, will they find closure for themselves as well?

Big Name Fan tackles the phenomenon of media that ensures it remains in the zeitgeist by blatant queerbaiting. The premise is really interesting and how the podcast transitions to a true crime one is done well. With the story also being an ode to the fan fiction community, it’s clever that clues are found in fics. However, having a rewatch podcast become an avenue to read fics about said show, while also tossing in a mystery and unresolved love is a lot. The book juggles it all pretty well, given the sizable cast, their histories and connections, the investigation, etc., but falters in places from being overstuffed. I enjoyed the mystery of whether or not Jen’s death is an accident, despite knowing where it’s headed too soon for my taste. I like Sam and Bex, though the podcast guests and all the tea are the highlight for me.

Bex is fretful, conflicted, and desperately in search of her right place. She never found her footing after her parents’ deaths, throwing herself into the role of caretaker, and then into trying to reclaim her old life. Now, she’s adrift and feels increasingly shut out of her sisters’ lives. When working on Craven, she fell into line and brought 1000% for fear of losing the stability the show provided for her sisters. Initially, Bex falls right back into the pattern of rolling over and letting doubt, repressed resentment, and fear keep her silent and confused.

Then there’s Sam. She’s beautiful with a killer fashion sense (her outfits described in almost salivating detail), a flirt, confident and composed, and a patient Bex supporter—there to receive Bex’s uncertainties and stress and send out calm and encouragement. However, many of her personality aspects are told instead of shown. She’s more a foil to Bex, rather than a fully realized partner. I think this is due to their utter lack of chemistry, ironic given the premise is based on Sam and Bex’s supposed screen melting heat.

In general, the pace is pretty slow, drags at times, and retreads ground too much, struggling the most with the romance. There’s little room for their chemistry to develop in the present and what’s shown is from video clips and fic. Sam sets the “just friends” boundary and Bex accepts and believes she wants that too. Maybe? Probably? Definitely? Bex ruminates on Sam’s feelings for her and her feelings for Sam—their veracity, their applicability, and their contradictions—to the point that I’m as confused and exhausted as she is. They talk around everything longer than necessary, and between that and the mystery, there is too much speculation, backtracking, and metaphorical hair pulling for me.

The pace is also hindered by all the societal topics the book explores—sexism, racism, queermisia, status quo acceptance of abuse, etc. It’s heavy-handed enough to verge on uncomfortable and performative to me. However, the discussions of the complexities of being queer in Hollywood and how heteronormative romance is still championed is more natural. The narrative also has little time for the side plot with Bex’s sisters, so the drama is half baked. There isn’t enough evidence for the “let us think for ourselves, treat us like equals” exclamations, and Bex’s sisters are the actual obtrusive know-it-alls. When Bex even thinks parentally, she checks herself. They claim Bex treats them like kids, but this isn’t shown, another example of the story being too packed to reveal concepts contextually.

Big Name Fan takes a big swing with an interesting look into fan culture, true crime, and the willingness to cash in on queer support while making people feel like trash. The individual pieces don’t always come together successfully, but it’s an enjoyable read.

Big Name Fan is an ode to fan fiction, attempting to capture the essence of fandom and the deep emotional connections it fosters. At times, it feels like the book is explaining fandom rather than allowing it to be organically understood through the story. There are moments when the author’s voice seems to overshadow the characters, making it feel more like an essay on fandom than an immersive narrative.
One of the book’s biggest issues is its pacing. By the 10% mark, the entire dynamic between Sam and Bex had already been established, leaving little room for development. What started as a romance quickly took a sharp turn into crime fiction, a shift that felt abrupt and not entirely earned.

The premise itself is intriguing but overly ambitious. The novel attempts to juggle multiple layers: a fictional TV show, the real-world implications of that show on its actors and fandom, and, on top of that, a crime subplot that gradually takes over. The result is a lack of depth across all elements—characters become flat, the protagonists lack chemistry, and the reasons for their separation feel juvenile.

The secondary characters are too many and too vague to leave an impact. Bex’s sisters, in particular, seem shoehorned into the plot without adding much, coming across as more of a distraction than a meaningful part of the narrative.

Overall, Big Name Fan is an ambitious attempt that doesn’t quite succeed in balancing its many elements. While the core idea is interesting, the execution falters, leaving the story feeling disjointed and underdeveloped.

This was a fun little sapphic rom-com! Nothing to write home about, but also entertaining enough that it kept me reading and engaged. This is the perfect romance that I can read in between my intense fantasy novels.