Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Patricia Leavy’s Cinematic Destinies, which releases on September 2nd 2025.

Legendary actor Finn Forrester and his wife philosopher Ella Sinclair Forrester met on the location shoot for Jean Mercier’s film Celebration. The world has been captivated by their fairy-tale romance since Finn famously proposed on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. As the couple now prepares to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary, they wonder if their children will ever find love.

Eldest daughter Betty is excelling in a medical residency program in New York City—and has convinced herself that distancing herself from emotions is the path to success. Youngest son Albert, a recent college graduate, is trying to find his footing in Boston as he struggles with his identity. Free-spirited Georgia, her mother’s spitting image and an actress following in her father’s footsteps, has been cast in Jean Mercier’s final film, mysteriously titled Beauty. When she arrives on set in Iceland and meets her costar, sparks fly. Is history repeating itself? How has growing up in the shadow of the world’s most iconic love story affected each of the Forrester children?

In this highly anticipated conclusion to The Location Shoot and After the Red Carpet, we see how Finn, Ella, and their children fulfill their cinematic destinies.

“DAD, DID YOU READ THE TRADES?” Georgia asked as she helped herself to a piece of grilled chicken.

“I did. You’re making quite the splash, little peach,” he replied.

She beamed. “Everyone’s predicting this will be my big breakout role. That nothing will ever be the same again.”

“You’re very talented. Just remember what I’ve always told you, what Grandma used to tell me. Be truthful in your performances. People need their stories told. And never forget it’s a privilege to be an artist.” He glanced over at Albert and said, “That applies to you too, with your visual art. You’re also very talented.”

Albert smiled bashfully and Georgia jumped back in, “I know, Dad. I love getting lost in the stories.”

“You’re in for quite an education. Being in a Jean Mercier film is a singular experience. No one works the way he does. Be prepared. No rehearsals, no blocking. Half the time, no damn clue what’s going on,” he said with a chuckle.

Georgia nodded. “I know. His style is legendary. I think it will be perfect for me. I never overprepare. I always try to find the moment. Let it happen naturally.”

“He wouldn’t have cast you if he didn’t think you’d be exceptional. He’s got a knack for these things. You’ll grow a lot on this job. It will be good for you in more ways than you can imagine.” Finn let out a puff and continued, “Hell, my first Mercier film changed my whole life. It’s where I met your mother.”

Finn and Ella stared at each other from opposite ends of the table.

“Uh, hello. Not to mention you snagged an Oscar,” Georgia said.

Finn laughed. “Trust me, the gold I scored on that set was your mother.”

“So true,” Ella said matter-of-factly. She giggled in her husband’s direction and then looked at Georgia and asked, “So, are you going to tell us what the film is about?”

“It’s all top secret, so you have to promise not to say a word,” Georgia instructed.

“It will be hard to resist calling the tabloids. You know, when I have time in between facilitating the miracle of life,” Betty joked.

Albert laughed, covering his mouth.

Georgia stared her down.

“Just teasing. Scout’s honor,” Betty said.

Georgia rolled her eyes. “It’s called Beauty. We’re filming in a remote location in Iceland. The script is pretty sparse. Some kind of metaphor or something.”

“Yeah, that’s how Jean works,” Finn remarked.

“Basically, two men fall in love with my character. An old guy, and one who’s more my age,” Georgia explained.

“Please tell me you don’t have any sex scenes with Michael. I don’t think I can handle it,” Finn lamented.

“Dad!” Georgia whined.

“I’m serious,” he said.

“Don’t worry. Nothing like that,” she assured him.

“He better not hit on you for real either,” Finn added.

“Dad! Gross! He’s old like you.”

Finn and Ella burst into laughter.

“Yeah, well that may not stop him. When your mom and I met him on the set of Celebration, he was quite the player.”

“Oh, don’t listen to your father,” Ella chimed in. “Michael has been blissfully married to Lauren almost as long as we’ve been together. He’s also a friend. There are some lines he wouldn’t cross.”

“Your mother is right. Much bigger chance that Jean hits on you,” Finn said.

“Ick! He’s like two hundred!” Georgia wailed.

Ella laughed. “Age hasn’t slowed him down one bit. His reputation with women is well-earned. I can speak from experience. After all, he tried to feel me up when we first met. Come to think of it, I was a bit younger than you at the time.”

“Gross!” Georgia, Betty, and Albert moaned in unison.

Ella giggled. “Don’t worry, Georgia. He thinks of you as a niece. We’re just teasing. Well, mostly. Jean is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We adore each other.”

“Someone please change the subject. I don’t want to hear any more about how my boss tried to feel up Mom,” Georgia whined.

“Fair enough,” Finn said with a laugh. He turned to his son and asked, “Are you looking forward to the summer classes you’ll be taking at MassArt?”

Albert took a sip of water and responded, “Yeah. Thanks for letting me do it. I know I could have gotten a job right after graduation, but . . .”

“Your mother and I are happy to support your continued education,” Finn assured him.

“Of course we are,” Ella concurred.

“You’ve always been so passionate about drawing. We thought you’d get a job as an illustrator or something. What made you interested in studying animation?” Finn asked.

“I figured this would give me more options to turn art into a career.” Albert looked down and added, “If I develop skills in animation, I might be able to do something in the entertainment industry. Maybe work in television or film. Hollywood even.”

Finn smiled. “It’s smart to create options for yourself.”

“Whatever you do, we couldn’t be prouder, my sweet boy,” Ella added, leaning over and patting his hand. “I know how you get lost in your art and studies, but make sure you leave time for a social life this summer. You’re only young once. Have some fun too.”

“Yeah,” Albert muttered, picking up his fork and taking a bite of chicken.

“It always sounded like you had some good friends at school. Did they all leave after graduation or are some still in Boston?” Ella asked.

Albert swallowed the food in his mouth and replied, “I still have a few people. It’s why I wanted to move to Harvard Square. My friends are in the same apartment building. I don’t mind taking public transportation to school.”

“Good,” Ella said. She turned to Betty. “What about that nice friend of yours your father and I met last time we visited you in New York? Khalil? How is he? We thought he was lovely.”

“He’s fine. Working crazy hours like me. Honestly, he’s a lifeline. If it weren’t for him, I’d have no life at all. We play a lot of board games and eat a ton of takeout. It’s nice to have someone to keep you company who understands the demands of the job, the insane hours. A few weeks ago, I got new curtains for my apartment, and he came over to help me hang them. We do stuff like that for each other. Since neither of us is from New York, it’s good we have each other.”

“Uh, he totally sounds like your boyfriend,” Georgia said.

“He is not my boyfriend,” Betty protested.

“Board games, takeout, hanging upholstery. It sounds boring and monotonous. From what I hear, that’s a boyfriend,” Georgia said.

Betty rolled her eyes. “What about you? Who’s your latest boy toy?”

“No one, really. And they’re not toys. They’re definitely not boyfriends either. They’re just lovers,” Georgia replied with dramatic flair.

“Okay, that may be enough of that,” Finn said, his face turning red.

Ella laughed. “Don’t listen to your father. There’s nothing wrong with talking about sex.”

“This coming from the woman who wrote about vibrators, blow jobs, and orgasms,” Betty said, rubbing her eyes. “Do you have any idea what that was like for us growing up?”

“You know, for an obstetrician, you have a surprisingly narrow view of sex,” Ella quipped.

“That’s because she and her boyfriend spend all their time playing board games,” Georgia squealed.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Betty repeated.

“Well, if you need sex tips, read Mom’s books. Seems Dad is a lucky guy,” Georgia joked.

They exploded with laughter.

Finn’s cheeks were bright pink. He raised his glass and said, “It’s so much fun having you all here. We love it so much that we want to do it again. Mark your calendars. Your mother and I have a big anniversary coming up on the first of October. To celebrate the occasion, and because I’d do it all again in a heartbeat,” he said, staring at his beloved, “we’re renewing our wedding vows. It’s a very special day for us and we want you here. I’ll take care of the arrangements.” The kids nodded, and Finn continued, “Cheers to being together!”

“Cheers!”

A little while later, they were all in the kitchen cleaning up. Betty, Georgia, and Albert were wrapping the leftovers and putting them away while Finn and Ella finished the dishes. As Ella was drying the last dish, Finn came up behind her, slipped his hands around her waist, and kissed the back of her head. Ella turned toward him. He ran his finger down her cheek and she looked down. Finn whispered something to her. She giggled and skimmed her fingers along his temple, their eyes glued to each other, their faces barely centimeters apart.

“Someone should really tell them to get a room,” Betty whispered to her siblings.

“They’re so weird,” Georgia whispered in return.

Albert smiled. “I think they’re great.”

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Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Patricia Leavy’s Shooting Stars Above, which is out March 18th 2025.

Tess Lee is a world-famous novelist. Her inspirational books explore people’s innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel—but despite her extraordinary success, she’s been unable to find personal happiness. Jack Miller is a federal agent working in counterterrorism. After spending decades immersed in a violent world, a residue remains. He’s dedicated everything to his job, leaving nothing for himself.

The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on an epic love story, but old traumas soon rise to the surface as Jack struggles with the death of a loved one and Tess is forced to confront her childhood abuse. Can unconditional love help heal their invisible wounds? Together, will they be able to move from darkness to light?

“So, what do you do?” she asked.

“I’m a federal agent with the Bureau—counterterrorism. I joined the military right out of high school, Special Forces. I was in the field, often deep undercover, until about a year ago, when I took a desk job as the head of my division.”

“Wow, you’re like the real-life Jack Bauer. You even look a little like him, with that whole rugged, handsome hero thing you have going on,” she said.

He blushed and ran his hand through his light brown hair. “I promise you I’m no Jack Bauer, even on my best day. People thought that character was so tragic, but the real tragedy is that Jack Bauer doesn’t exist, and you’re stuck with guys like me.”

She smiled. “What made you choose that line of work?”

“My parents raised me and my siblings to value community, to be patriotic. My father was in the military and then became a firefighter. The idea of service always seemed important. I wanted to serve my country, to protect people. It’s hard to explain, but when I see someone innocent being threatened, I’m willing to do whatever is necessary to protect them. I know it sounds cliché, but I feel like it’s my purpose in life.”

“That’s noble,” she remarked.

He shook his head. “The lived reality often isn’t. When you spend most of your life in the abyss, it gets pretty dark.”

“A residue remains, right?” she asked.

He looked at her intently, a little surprised. “Yes, exactly.”

“I understand. You convince yourself it’s all been for something that matters more than you do, that whatever part of yourself you sacrificed was worth it, because it simply has to be.”

He looked at her as if she had read his innermost thoughts. “Yes,” he said softly. “Tell me, what do you do?”

“I’m a novelist.”

“What are your books about?”

“That’s a difficult question to answer. I guess I wanted to write about everything: what it means to live a life, why it’s so hard, and how it could be easier. To walk people through the darkness, in a way. Perhaps my goals were too lofty, and in that respect, each book fails more spectacularly than the one before.”

The bartender smirked.

Tess wistfully said, “Maybe reality can never live up to our dreams.”

They continued talking, completely engrossed with one another. Two hours later, Jack said, “I live nearby. Do you want to come over for a cup of coffee?”

Tess looked him straight in his warm eyes. “I’d love to.”

He threw some money down on the bar to cover both tabs. The bartender said, “Ms. Lee, are you sure you’re all right? I can call you a cab.”

“You’re very kind, but I’m fine. Thank you.”

Jack opened the door and held it for Tess. “Do you know the bartender?”

“Just met him tonight,” she replied.

“Down this way,” Jack said, taking her hand as if it were completely natural. They approached a homeless man on the corner asking for money. Tess walked right up to him, pulled a twenty-dollar bill from her pocket, and handed it to him. She held his hand as she passed the bill, looked in his sunken eyes, and said, “Be well.”

As they walked away, Jack said, “That was really sweet, but you should be more careful.”

“I trust my instincts,” she replied.

When they arrived at Jack’s small apartment, he took her coat. She glanced around and noticed the walls were completely bare. “How long have you lived here?” she asked.

“About nine years,” he replied. “Can I get you some coffee or something else to drink?”

She shook her head slowly and meandered over to his bedroom. He followed and they stood face-to-face, looking deeply into each other’s eyes. He took the back of her head in his hand and started to kiss her, gently and then with increasing passion. She slipped her hands under the hem of his shirt and pulled it off, and they continued kissing. As he leaned back to admire her, she noticed the scars on his muscular body: two on his right shoulder, another on his abdomen, and smaller marks along his upper arms. When he noticed her looking, he turned around to lower the light, revealing the gashes across his back. She lightly brushed her fingers along the deep marks.

“I’m sorry,” he said, turning to face her. “War wounds. A couple of gunshots. Some other stuff from when I was in the Gulf and later doing undercover work. I know it’s gruesome.”

“It’s wonderful,” she whispered.

“What?” he said.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just that I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.”

He looked at her sympathetically.

“I was abused when I was little. My grandfather and my uncle. It started when I was eight. No one can see my wounds, but they’re there.”

He stood still, looking into her doe eyes as if time had stopped and she were the only person in the world.

“I’m so sorry. I’ve never shared that with any man I’ve been with in my entire life, and I just met you. That has to be the least sexy thing ever. I’ll leave,” she stammered, trying to move past him.

He took her hand and pulled her back toward him. They stared into each other’s eyes, piercing straight through layers of pain, to the pure soul hidden away, waiting to be discovered. He cupped her delicate heart-shaped face in his hands, gently caressed her cheeks, and leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. They stood with their foreheads pressed together for a long intimate moment, just breathing. Jack drew back and lightly brushed his lips against hers. She reciprocated and they began kissing again. He slowly untucked her shirt and pulled it over her head as her hair fell in cascades, and then he unhooked her lace bra in one motion. He kissed her mouth, ear, and neck before moving down to her breasts, gently licking her pale pink nipples. She unbuttoned her jeans and he helped her shimmy out of them, slowly peeling off her underwear before removing the rest of his clothes. They ran their hands over each other’s bodies, climbed into bed, and made love with their eyes locked, no words spoken.

Afterward, he held her in his arms, and they exchanged tender kisses. “That was so special,” he whispered. “I know it’s crazy to say this, but I’ve never felt this kind of connection before.”

“Me either,” she whispered in return.

“Spend the day with me tomorrow.”

“Okay,” she replied, and they fell asleep, their limbs entangled.

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Shooting Stars Above’ by Patricia Leavy appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi Patricia! Please tell us about After the Red Carpet.

It’s a follow-up to my novel The Location Shoot. In that book, Hollywood movie star Finn Forrester and free-spirited philosopher, Ella Sinclair, fall in love on a film set in Sweden. The book ends with Finn’s proposal on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. After the Red Carpet looks at what happens next. Ella movies into Finn’s Beverly Hills mansion and they try to figure out how to build a life together. They are trying to learn how to each be themselves and also be a partner. All the while, Ella is writing a philosophical treatise on love, exploring the question: when we love so deeply, where do we end and where does the other begin? So there’s sort of a meta commentary about what love really means. Love isn’t something we simply feel, it’s something we do.

What inspired you to write a sequel?

I absolutely loved writing The Location Shoot. Honestly, it was the most fun I had ever had writing a novel. I didn’t want to leave Ella and Finn’s world. There’s a sweet scene in The Location Shoot in which they take a bubble bath together and talk about their dreams for the future. So, I decided to write After the Red Carpet to see if their fantasies come true.

A lot of romance novels focus on young couples falling in love. After the Red Carpet is about a married couple. Why did you choose to write about a couple after the falling in love phase of a relationship?

Pop culture constantly shows us that getting married is the end of the romance story, but actually, it’s the beginning. So many romance novels end with a proposal or wedding. Why? I think the idea that romance ends with marriage is actually pretty sad, and maybe one of the reasons so many marriages fail—we focus on “falling in love” instead of partnership. Everyone starts out hopeful and “in love.” It’s easy to read and write about that, and I’ve done so many times myself. But it’s not the whole story. Merging your life with someone else, growing with them, accepting them unconditionally, all the while retaining your own identity—these things are challenging. In The Location Shoot we see how Ella and Finn met and began their love affair. After the Red Carpet shows us what happens next. It’s a cozy romance that explores what happens after two people fall in love and decide to build a life together.

What makes your novels different from others in the romance genre?

My novels are cozy and meant to wrap readers in a hug. Some people describe them as escapist, feel-good, comfort reads. I adore a happy ending, one filled with love, maybe a lesson, and a touch of empowerment or hope. My novels are character and dialogue-driven. If you prefer lots of description about surroundings, my books may not be your cup of tea. While my novels are romantic and do include humor—smart girl humor—they are not rom-coms (a genre I adore, but not one I write). Really, my novels are about love itself. All-encompassing, cozy, affectionate, sexy, messy, confusing, inexplicable, meant-to-be, once-in-a-lifetime love. At the core, my novels are about relationships and self-discovery. Plots are less important than the central relationships. When there is a kidnapping, accident, or death threat, which is rare, it’s always used as a device for the characters to learn more about themselves and how to love each other better. A lot of romance novels have pretty toxic relationships—people who treat each other badly before they treat each other well. That’s fine, but it’s not what I do. My characters are aspirational. They always treat each other well, although some do have major struggles, but they are internal, not external. These are books for people in love with love itself.

You have a doctorate degree in sociology and are a well-published nonfiction author, specializing in arts research. Does that side of your career influence your fiction?

Definitely. The characters in my novels are often artists, writers, actors, musicians, and scholars. There’s a narrative about the arts woven into each of my novels. Sometimes it’s subtle, other times it’s a major part of the story. I always think that each of my novels is about four things: love, art, identity, and something else. It’s that “something else” that differs for each book and keeps it interesting for me.

What can readers expect from you next?

My novel Shooting Stars Above is the first book in a romance series I’ve written called The Celestial Bodies Romances. It will be out in March 2025 and we’ll be releasing a new book in that series each spring. It’s a super sweet and romantic series about learning to balance the darkness and light in our lives. For fans of After the Red Carpet, Ella and Finn’s story continues in a final book coming out in September 2025 but we’re keeping the title under wraps for now. One tidbit, it takes place decades after The Location Shoot and After the Red Carpet.

Will you be picking up After The Red Carpet? Tell us in the comments below!

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I’ve been madly in love with movies for as long as I can remember. The pandemic aside, hardly a week has passed in the last 40 years when I haven’t seen at least one film in a theater. Most weeks, it’s two. Whether it’s a blockbuster, an indie, or avant-garde cinematic art, I’ve seen it all (including a nearly two-and-a-half-hour film with no story and no dialogue, like none—I learned a painful lesson about what “allegory” means that day.)  But when it comes to movie magic, I’m all in. When the silver screen is out of reach, I happily make do with the small screen.

As much as I adore films, I have another great love: love itself. Yup, I’m a romance junkie. As you may have guessed, this has all created a rich fantasy life. Lucky for me, my other great love is writing. So, I’ve been able to channel my overactive imagination into a career as a women’s fiction and romance novelist. In recent years, I’ve had great fun combining my fascination with Hollywood and my knack for penning love stories. There’s no shortage of celebrity romances, and I’ve written a few myself. It’s a common trope for a reason; it can be deliciously satisfying and the ultimate form of wish fulfillment. What’s a bit less common are novels that take place on film and television sets.

I finally decided to combine my passions for my latest novel, and personal favorite, The Location Shoot. The novel is set in Sweden. Controversial filmmaker Jean Mercier is shooting a film that explores the meaning of life. While creating his latest work of cinematic art, he lives in a nearby inn with his lead actors, each at a crossroads in their own lives. Mercier invites his friend Ella Sinclair—a beautiful, bohemian-spirited philosopher—to stay with them for the summer. When Ella arrives, Hollywood star Finn Forrester is instantly enchanted by her. A sexy romance follows. In a case of life imitating art, the film they are creating prompts everyone on set to reflect on their own lives. The impact of their unforgettable summer together becomes clear seven months later when they reunite on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.

I had so much fun writing The Location Shoot, largely because of the film set backdrop, that I wondered what other novels make good use of a soundstage or stack of scripts. Here’s my top 7 list.

Daytime Drama by Sarahlyn Bruck

This lovely novel follows Calliope Hart, an actress who has spent 25 years starring on a daytime soap opera, which is about to be cancelled. Add to this, she’s the single parent of a young son who wants to go into entertainment against her wishes, her ex is blackmailing her, and she lives with her meddlesome mother. Oh, and her secret boyfriend is a writer on the soap so he’s about to be out of work too. This delightful read offers great insight into the lives of those who make their living as the daytime darlings of the small screen.

How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder

Actress Grey Brooks is desperate to keep her star shining after her television show is cancelled. Her publicist comes up with a plan to keep her in the limelight: a fake love affair with disgraced Hollywood star, Ethan Atkins. The reclusive star, struggling with public mistakes and personal grief, isn’t exactly Ava’s fantasy, and the disjuncture between their public image and backstage relationship is stark… until they realize their chemistry is real.

Love Scenes by Bridget Morrissey

Sloane Ford is an actress that descends from a family of Hollywood royalty. After she loses her television gig, she reluctantly agrees to work as a producer on an epic movie her family is making. The catch, her family is complicated at best, a nightmare at worst, she’s been publicly humiliated by a song her ex wrote about her, the shoot is a mess from day one, and the film stars an actor she can’t stand… well, at least in the beginning. This slow burn romance offers a humorous take on life on a film set and in a Hollywood family. Sloane’s sarcasm and self-deprecating humor is perfect for readers who like a bit of snark.

Not Like the Movies by Kerry Winfrey

Chloe Sanderson doesn’t have time for romance. Ironically, her best friend wrote a rom-com inspired by Chloe and her boss, Nick Velez. Movie buzz grows and Chloe finds herself reading blog after blog about how Nick is the perfect guy. Can you guess what happens next? In a case of life imitating art, this is a total rom-com in all the best ways.

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Sally Milz is a writer for a weekly comedy series. Co-writer Danny Horst—an average, dorky guy—starts dating gorgeous actress Annabel after he meets her on set. Sally is convinced the reverse would never happen, until she meets pop star, Noah Brewster. Let’s just say, this book is well titled.

The Cast or Beauchamp Hall by Danielle Steel

Okay, so I know not everyone takes her writing seriously, but come on, we’re talking about novels in the world of film and television. Either Jackie Collins or Danielle Steel had to make the list. My top picks are The Cast which follows a magazine columnist who ends up creating the storyline for a television series based on her grandmother. The novel follows the cast—the usual suspects—a Hollywood bad boy, a starlet, a world famous actress, and an older, reclusive actress. Beauchamp Hall follows a woman who catches her boyfriend cheating and decides to upend her life and move to the UK where her favorite show is filmed. Before long, she ends up working on the show, and a romance is not far behind. This book is total wish fulfillment, and sometimes that’s exactly what we crave.

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

A suspenseful thriller you won’t want to put down. Ashley Cordova’s death in NYC is ruled a suicide, but reporter Scott McGraff isn’t convinced. Ashley was the daughter of iconic film director Staniskas Cordova, known for dark, cult-horror films, and who has not been seen in public for decades.  So many novels set in the world of entertainment are rom-coms or celebrity romances, so this creepy page-turner is a great change of pace.

The post Patricia Leavy’s Favourite Novels Set In The World of Film and Television appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

I’m a women’s fiction author. In recent years, I’ve become obsessed with penning celebrity romances. There’s nothing more transporting than escaping into a celebrity love affair. As a writer, the elite sphere of the rich and famous is an exhilarating stomping ground. Private jets, exotic destinations, red carpet moments, clamouring fans, photo hounds, and a potpourri of Hollywood types populate these story worlds. A celeb falling in love with a supposedly ordinary guy or gal is a trope for a reason, and one of my favourites. Let’s face it, it’s a common fantasy. As a writer, it’s an endless well of inspiration. Worlds colliding. The underside of fame. Magic in the mundane. It’s got all the possibilities. 

My latest novel, Hollyland, was an absolute joy to write. It’s about what happens when a seemingly ordinary woman with a passion for the arts falls in love with a Hollywood star known for his bachelor status and quick temper with the paparazzi. Of course, something extraordinary happens. The supporting cast includes a studio head, the hottest director on the scene, and a smattering of movie stars—all great fun to write—but at the core, the novel is meant to be a sweet little story about who the real stars are on the big screens of our lives. Perhaps that’s my favourite thing about good celebrity romances—they take us to a different world in order to appreciate our own. 

After spending years writing novels about celebrities, I started to wonder about the novels written by celebrities. Tom Hanks has a new work of fiction coming out May 9, 2023, called The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece. It’s a book about making movies by someone who makes movies. Maybe it will be terrific, but it hardly seems like he’s pushing the bounds of his comfort zone. This got me wondering which are the bravest, most daring novels written by celebrities. Here’s my top 6 list.

Ash Wednesday by Ethan Hawke

This actor-turned-writer has amassed a serious body of literary works. Ash Wednesday is perhaps his bravest, and it’s not surprising many critics labeled it a turning point in his career as an author. A meditation on marriage, it’s brimming with humor, sexuality, and heart, told refreshingly from a male point of view. 

When It Happens to You by Molly Ringwald

Okay, so technically this isn’t a novel, it’s a series of interlinked stories, but it reads like a novel so I’m including it. This is a grown-up book with themes to match. Infertility and infidelity are among the relatable subjects Ringwald covers with sensitivity and honesty. 

Playground by 50 Cent (aka: Curtis Jackson III). A young adult novel for readers of all ages. 

So much is sugarcoated when we turn to books for teens, but this story soars with the messiness that makes up adolescent life. It’s a classic story of bullying and redemption reimagined. 50 Cent wrote this for his son, and the love lives on the pages along with the lessons. 

Montaro Caine by Sidney Poitier

An ambitious debut in style and scope that takes you from corporations in the US to a hut on a small Caribbean Island, this novel defies genre but can most closely be called a sci-fi thriller. Perhaps what is most courageous about this sweeping adventure is the deceptively simple message: the universe holds her own mysteries. 

Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher

An overdose, addiction, and mental health struggles are at the heart of this semi-autobiographical novel. This book prompted a cultural conversation about drugs and mental health and Fisher drew on her own story to do so. That’s brave. 

Any Many by Amber Tamblyn

This searing novels tackles rape culture by flipping the script as a female serial rapist viciously attacks men. It’s one of the most gripping, riveting, unforgettable, original, and all around bad-ass novels I have ever read. Brave by the boatload, down to the last line. It’s hard to believe this was Tamblyn’s debut. 

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