This was a did not finish as I simply could not get into this book. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Unfortunately, I had a difficult time getting through this one. IT felt like it almost didn't know what it wanted to be. Not enough mystery and not enough romance, just a lot of in between. It's a shame because the concept really called to me, but unfortunately, the execution fell a little flat.

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on February 26th, 2025. Links provided.

Bexley Simon and Sam Farmer, once beloved for their portrayal of a TV detective duo, are forced to reunite after five years for a podcast celebrating their iconic show, Craven’s Daughter. The series, which ended on a sour note due to the untimely death of their close friend and makeup artist Jen Arnot, left fans heartbroken, especially as the on-screen chemistry between Bex and Sam never evolved into romance - much to the disappointment of viewers who had hoped for more. As the actresses revisit their roles for the podcast, they are confronted with two mysteries: the identity of an anonymous, prolific fan fiction writer who seems to have inside knowledge of the show’s production, and whether Jen’s death was truly an accident or something more sinister. As Bex and Sam reconnect, the line between fiction and reality blurs, and they are forced to confront both the personal and professional mysteries surrounding them, all while navigating the undeniable spark between them that could finally make their chemistry on-screen a reality.

Sadly, this book was not one of my favorites. I really struggled with how long the chapters were and how detailed, yet boring, everything constantly was. I honestly feel like this book would have worked better as two separate books: one as a mystery novel trying to unravel Jen’s death and the other as a love story focusing on Bex and Sam’s on-screen and off-screen relationship. But as one book, I felt like it was just too much going on (and yet nothing really happens) and too long for me to really enjoy it. I just kept wondering when the current chapter was going to end, and honestly fell asleep reading it multiple times (which almost never happens to me). Additionally, the romance between Bex and Sam wasn’t the most convincing in my personal opinion and left me wanting more in that aspect of the story. Overall, I can’t say I was a “big fan” but hopefully this book will find its target audience!

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of Big Name Fan in return for my honest review.

I’ll never pass up a mystery, but this one just didn’t really gel for me. Let’s just leave it at that.

Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare’s Big Name Fan offers a pitch-perfect blend of mystery, romance and Hollywood drama.

For six years, Bexley Simon and Sam Farmer played detectives on the smash television hit Craven’s Daughter. The show was beloved for its celebrity guest stars, wild plotlines and the killer chemistry between Bex and Sam. But following the accidental death of the show’s makeup artist, Jen Arnot, and contentious negotiations between Sam and the network, Craven’s Daughter was canceled, and both actors moved on to other projects.

Five years later, Bex and Sam are asked to do a reunion special and podcast about their time on the show. While they navigate long-simmering feelings for each other, the actors learn that an unknown member of the Craven’s Daughter team was prolific fan fiction author Big Name Fan, who wrote real events from set into their popular stories. Bex and Sam hope to figure out who Big Name Fan was, and if they know what really happened to Jen Arnot all those years ago.

Big Name Fan brings readers to a Hollywood set rife with intrigue and tension. Arnot had a complicated relationship with several of the show’s bigwigs, including the showrunner, writer and set designer. During the show’s initial run, Bex and Sam were focused on delivering great performances while grappling with their mutual attraction; they failed to pick up on Arnot’s struggles. The podcast offers them a unique platform to investigate her death and pay their respects to their friend.

The mystery addresses big issues like queerbaiting, homophobia and the toxic nature of the entertainment industry. While solving Arnot’s murder is the first priority for both Bex and Sam, their relationship is a major element of Big Name Fan. Romance readers will especially enjoy following the actors as they uncover clues and navigate their feelings for each other. Sam and Bex are both funny, intelligent characters who are easy to root for, and their compelling romance is an enjoyable bonus to their story. Bex’s struggle to find her footing in Hollywood while also raising her young sisters is particularly engaging, and adds another dimension to her character.

Real-life couple Knox and Mare juggle a lot in Big Name Fan—longstanding feuds, burgeoning romances and the plots of Craven’s Daughter and the fan fiction it inspired—and they balance it all beautifully, creating an enjoyable read for fans of mystery and romance alike.

This Sapphic mystery slash romcom sounded really good but somehow the mix of genres that has two former co-stars on a tv murder mystery show getting reunited ten years later as they work to solve a real life crime on a podcast was just okay for me. I honestly struggled to really get invested in the story or the characters, didn't feel much chemistry between them and wasn't in love with the cover either. A for effort, C for execution. I also listened to the audio for this so maybe that contributed to how I felt about it?? In any case, not one I'll remember long after finishing. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I had high hopes for this one.

Big Name Fan is a friends-to-lovers, celebrity romance and murder mystery all-in-one.

We start by meeting the cast of a private detective show, and their two main characters who were not-so-secretly-in-love with each other, on- or off-screen. In this way, Big Name Fan is an ode to every person who has screamed “make it canon, cowards” at their TV screen.

What I hadn’t expected was their very real dive into the suspicious death of an FX makeup artist during the last season of their show, and how invested I was in their investigation.

A reunion special. Every fan’s greatest dream, and an actors’ worst nightmare. Bexley Simon and Sam Farmer co-starred on a popular detective show, and it’s been five years since Sam walked away and effectively cancelled the show with no series finale and broken the hearts of millions, including Bex and Sam. Now the network wants a reunion special to give the fans (and the executives’ pockets) what they want. On top of that, the network wants a short podcast series where Bex and Sam talk about fan favorite episodes where they learn that maybe the accidental death of Jen Arnot, their makeup artist, may not have been an accident.

The premise of the book is very enticing. Two regular people get to play detective and solve a murder. What’s not to love? However, this book had two very significant problems. One, the sheer number of people and sub-plots in just over 300 pages bogged down the storyline and made the book slow to read and confusing at points. Each chapter introduces more and more people that have something to do with the story of how and why Jen died. As you go, you can see the threads of how Jen connected everyone for better or for worse, but it is easy to lose track once the threads start to pile on top of one another. It is also very surprising that the two main actresses were so clueless as to what was happening behind the scenes. They were on set day after day for years with these people and each revelation of bad blood and conflicts is entirely surprising to them.

Second, the way fanfiction plays a role in the story doesn’t give it the credence I feel the authors intended it to. During the run of the podcast, we learn about “Big Name Fan” who is the most popular fic writer for the television show. We also learn that maybe “Big Name Fan” was someone a part of the show because of the details no one else would know. The fics the characters read are supposed to give us a deeper understanding of the dynamics behind the show and to help solve the death of Jen. In my mind, the most the fics do is open up Bex’s mind to her memories and her relationship with Sam. Honestly, if you took out the fanfiction storyline, the story would remain unchanged. The people interviewed on the podcast provided the same or just as beneficial information to help move the story along.

The final showdown was probably the best written portion of the book. It was a little cliche, but it did wrap up everything with a nice little bow, and everyone got just what they deserved.

This was a bit of a let down. The story was just, meh. There was no romantic chemistry between the main characters so that plot line felt like it came out of nowhere and was very forced.

The mystery plot line just all seemed very convenient? Idk I found it hard to believe it was all just that easy to figure out. You basically know who did it from like 35%.

Tbh I skim read the second half of the book as I was just so bored, every time I picked up the book I fell asleep.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC.

Big Name Fan is great for those looking to read…
🩷 Sapphic Romance
🩷 Cozy Mystery
🩷 TV Stars Doing Reunion Podcast Turned True Crime Podcast
🩷 Close Proximity

I was really excited for this read & I loved the concept of it. Unfortunately, I struggled to get lost in this one & I don’t know why. I would assume it is a personal problem as I am a mood reader that just didn’t connect with this one.


Massive thanks to NetGalley & Kensington for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Bexley Simon and Sam Farmer played detectives on a hit tv show for six years. Since it went off the air five years ago the fans have been shipping the pair in fan fiction based on their chemistry. It didn’t help that the series didn’t have a crafted conclusion because of an unexpected death of a prominent person behind the scenes. Now a reunion show is in the works and Bex and Sam are back together. They’ve agreed to do a podcast interviewing guest stars and behind the scenes people while discussing fan favorite episodes. It turns out that the death that was ruled as an accident may have been murder.

There is a lot going on in this story. There is the backstory for the two actresses and understanding the plot and happenings on the set. And now they are looking at who was the “Big Name Fan” who had inside information on the set and a possible murder. I actually could follow all that fine and enjoyed the plotting. What I didn’t get was romance. The reader has to accept that they had their hot chemistry but you never see it. Literally there is one pivotal scene where one Sam asks Bex about their potential off screen and Bex isn’t ready to be out. They are interrupted and somehow they never discuss that moment for five years. That doesn’t constitute a romance. So for the mystery and show storyline I’d give this four stars, for a romance two. I will split the difference and call it three stars. (It is correctly being marketed as a mystery.)

This is another just-plain fun mystery romp with a big personality. Big Name Fan clearly has its roots in a real-life detective dramedy that went off the air with its strongly sapphic-leaning fans upset that its leads never kissed (Rizzoli and Isles). It doesn't matter if you've never seen the show--this fun read deviates from this path in a lot of fun ways, making an entertaining mystery – well, compared to the romance.

Bexley “Bex” Simon and Sam Farmer are two actresses who struck it lucky with a successful, long-lived cult detective drama called Craven’s Daughter. Five years after the show’s finale, Bex and Sam are reuniting for a podcast and a reunion special. Both will probe the murder of a crew member, Jen Arnot, their beloved makeup woman whose inexplicable death shadowed the show’s final episodes in tragedy. Since their friendship didn’t survive the end of the show, coming back together is a huge deal for them – and fans whispering about the possibility of Bex and Sam getting together for real adds to the buzz.

As they record the podcast, Bex and Sam learn things they never knew about their co-stars and their crew members. Like how deeply one crew member was embedded in the show’s fandom, calling themselves Big Name Fan. And the fact that Bex and Sam might be into one another after all. But first they’re gonna have to find out who killed Jen – or be killed themselves.

The mystery here is what really takes this one to new heights but the romance ends up falling on the tedious side of the slow-burn type of romance. I really wanted more. Still, the mystery is a fun, slam-bang paced story, a quick read with a sense of humor and personality. 

I did like Bex and Sam, even if I couldn’t buy their romance. The book’s detour into fandom and fanfiction is amusing and well thought-out, and ties well into the central mystery. Sometimes it felt like the narrative was shooting off in too many directions at once, but the good parts are too good to discount, which is why Big Name Fan gets a solid low-level B from me.

i tried so hard, but i just couldn’t get on board with some of the plots. for one, the book is heavily centered on fanfiction. but there’s just no way big hollywood actors would dive into fanfiction about themselves and bring fellow actors along to do the same.

don’t get me wrong—i love reading fanfiction (one of the best historical romances i’ve ever read is a brittana fanfic, and that’s the hill i will die on). but i just can’t wrap my head around the idea of fanfiction and the actors involved in those stories crossing over.

and i hate the idea of exposing a fanfic author's identity just because what they wrote was great and sounded suspiciously close to reality. i mean, that’s borderline invasion of privacy. did it ever occur to them that the author didn’t use their real name for a reason?

although i didn’t enjoy this right now, i’m not closing the door on it forever—i might give it another try sometime.

Big Name Fan is a fast-paced, wlw mystery-romance that reunites Bexley Simon and Sam Farmer after five years apart. Former co-stars on the detective TV show, Craven’s Daughter, their partnership ended abruptly when Sam left the series. Now, brought together for a podcast and a reunion episode, they dive into the past, uncovering hidden secrets, interviewing old colleagues, and confronting the toxic work environment that once defined their time on the show. Along the way, they navigate their complicated history and begin to heal old wounds.

For me, this book was a nostalgic journey, evoking memories of my late teens and early twenties spent reading and writing fanfiction. It’s a story that’s equal parts cute, emotional, entertaining, and funny. I was hooked from start to finish, completely engrossed in Bex and Sam’s evolving relationship and the mystery they unravelled. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves the nostalgic charm of fanfiction, to wlw readers looking for heartfelt representation, and to fans of a well-crafted mystery. I gave it four stars because it kept me thoroughly entertained and emotionally invested throughout. Bex and Sam’s dynamic was irresistible, and their story left me utterly captivated.

Big Name Fan by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mayer, the story is about two actresses, Sam Farmer and Bexly Simon who come together to discuss reprising their starring roles on their hit TV show Craven’s daughter. The chemistry and attraction was evident throughout the show but neither one did anything to move the relationship in a new direction but when they come back together, five years later, the unfinished business stops them from discussing any future TV shows not just there attraction but the thing that ended the fun and games on the set and that was the murder of their good friend and make up artist Jenny. so instead of doing the podcast the producers want they decide to do the podcast they want which doesn’t sit well with the powers that be. let me start with the obvious. I didn’t like the way they acted as if Sam and Bexley could look at each other and know what they were thinking but yet they didn’t know they wanted each other. I found that quite odd not just that but what was this a romance or a mystery. I think a prequel or a beginner novel would’ve been better to catch people up on the ultimate plan with the characters. I’m not gonna lie. I did like the way they uncovered the mystery with their old castmates, but I wish the book would’ve been just that. It just seemed like too much to catch up to, but having said that I will still read the next book. Hopefully there will be less background noise and more sleuthing. I think a cozy mystery about actresses set in Hollywood is an awesome idea and can’t wait to see where this series goes. I really did like Sam and her sisters and Bexley. It can’t wait to see them develop as they solve more mysteries. This book was funny despite there being a couple of things that irritated me about the initial story, but I will definitely be reading the next one when it comes out. I thought it had wonderful characters with witty and clever writing and so will definitely be giving it another chance. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #RuthieKnox, #AnnieMayer, #BigNameFan,

I was so excited about this "queer Rizzoli and Isles" cozy mystery, I didn't realize that this book had a whole TV show canon/backstory with a romantic storyline between the characters, plus the actors and their real life attraction, plus the mystery. It was a lot and the exposition of it all was tough and didn't always fit together smoothly for me.

I feel like this book was really more a Rainbow Rowell/Simon Snow style second chance at love romance with a side plot of mystery than a mystery with a romance subplot (which it what I thought I was getting). So it could have been the marketing and my expectations that set me up for a different experience than I expected.

A sapphic cozy mystery bursting with chemistry, fandom intrigue, and second-chance romance.

I was so excited to dive into Big Name Fan, the first book in a brand-new sapphic cozy mystery series, and it did not disappoint! The premise is an absolute dream for lovers of pop culture, fanfiction, and second-chance romance.

Former TV co-stars Bexley Simon and Sam Farmer are reunited years after their hit detective show Craven’s Daughter ended. Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, but the network never let their characters (or them) explore anything beyond subtext. Now, brought together for a rewatch podcast, they not only rekindle their complicated relationship but also stumble into a real-life mystery: uncovering the identity of an anonymous fanfiction writer from within the show’s inner circle and reexamining the mysterious death of a beloved crew member.

Knox and Mare’s writing shines with witty banter, layered emotions, and a deeply immersive narrative. The way they weave in discussions about representation in Hollywood, the impact of fandom, and the fight for creative and personal authenticity adds so much depth to the story. I loved how the novel explores the power of storytelling—both on-screen and within fandom spaces—and the way it can shape real lives.

The chemistry between Bex and Sam is electric, both in their unresolved past and their slow-burning present. Their dynamic is a perfect blend of tension, longing, and humor, making their journey toward each other so satisfying. The mystery elements keep the plot engaging, with twists and turns that had me eagerly flipping pages.

At times, there’s a lot happening—romance, Hollywood drama, a murder mystery, and fanfiction sleuthing—but each thread is so compelling that I didn’t mind. If anything, it made the story feel rich and full of surprises. While I would have loved even more time to explore some aspects in depth, the mix of mystery, romance, and behind-the-scenes TV nostalgia made for such a fun and unique reading experience.

If you love queer Hollywood romances, cozy mysteries with a fandom twist, and second-chance stories packed with chemistry and heart, Big Name Fan is absolutely for you! This is a fantastic start to a series I can’t wait to continue.

I wanted to love this book because the premise really got me but unfortunately I have had to DNF it 60% through. I just can’t get on with it. I do think others will love this book but it wasn’t for me sadly :( I will not post my review on socials as this is just some feedback!

2 stars because I do think the idea is good and I do think people will love this.

Bex and Sam try to solve what they believe was the murder of Jen in this cozy that also explores the way queer people have been treated in Hollywood. These two were stars of a tv show and now they're not but they are working a pod cast. While I found this entertaining, it's got a lot going on and would have benefitted from another edit to smooth things out. . Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

oh why is this not what i was expecting at all. i am currently following this author under every pen name, and this has an enticing premise i just don’t think it’s the book for me. i have decided to dnf halfway through and don’t see myself gravitating towards it- i will leave my review here instead of publicly 💫