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Ryan Torino loves the feeling of control, especially when it comes to his photography work and indie movies. And when he gets the opportunity to enter an indie film festival—rumored to have Hollywood bigwigs attending—he can’t afford for anything to be less than perfect, especially the casting of his leading role.

Enter Zinnia Preston, who has been trying to break into the acting scene since college. Now in her late twenties and working the not-job-of-her-dreams, Zinnia knows this indie film project may be her last chance to make it onto the screen.

Ryan is intimidated by Zinnia’s strong personality, but he can’t deny she’s the one for the job. Meanwhile, Zinnia wants to throttle Ryan for his perfectionistic tendencies, but she needs this gig. The tension between the two threatens to derail the project, and to both of their frustration, clashing visions aren’t the only reason sparks seem to fly every time they interact.

When an old nemesis arrives back in town, Zinnia and Ryan will need to set aside their differences and work together to have a chance at winning. If not, they can kiss that Hollywood riding-into-the-sunset ending goodbye.

252 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2023

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About the author

Alyssa Roat

17 books216 followers
Alyssa Roat lives in the cornfields of Indiana, but she hopes to soon discover a portal to a fantasy world where she will run a bookshop for magical creatures. For now, she is a multi-published author and has worked in a wide variety of roles within the publishing industry as an agent, editor, writer, and publicist. She has two black cats who allegedly have never been fed in their lives and occasionally help her write by walking across the keyboard. Her name is a pun, which means you can learn more about her at www.alyssawrote.com or on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook as @alyssawrote.

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Deana Dick.
3,137 reviews134 followers
August 28, 2023
This story is easy to read and I loved how the two main characters clashed at times. It is true that opposites attract, isn’t it? Ryan is struggling with OCD that he thinks is under control. He is trying so hard to make it in the film business but it seems he finds himself getting more and more discouraged. Well he could always give up his dream and go work for his dad I guess.

Zinnia has her own problems going on with sibling relationships not going so well. I think Zinnia feels like she is never good enough and feels like her sibling make her feel less than. That is a hard pill to swallow when you try so hard to achieve something and your sister never gives you credit for your achievements. Zinnia dreams of making it as an actress someday but she lacks confidence.

I enjoyed how Ryan and Zinnia find themselves working together. They didn’t exactly make a good first impression on each other, but maybe there is a reason God has put them together. With Zinnia always feeling uncomfortable around her sister it makes it hard for Zinnia to believe that she can actually accomplish anything. When her friend Caroline tells her, “the right people don’t hold onto past hurts. They move on,” I could relate to Zinnia and her insecurity. It is hard to live up to her sister when she seems to have everything she needs and was always the favorite. Their relationship is strained and is something that bothers Zinnia a lot.

The story takes us through many lessons that I needed to be reminded of. We are not in control and need to remember to let go and allow God to direct our paths. Relationships can be mended if we swallow our pride and humble ourselves. Forgiveness leads to freedom and the two main characters faced that as they let go of bitterness. The ending is sweet and gives us a look at what never giving up looks like.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Profile Image for Kendra Neal.
1,849 reviews52 followers
September 5, 2023
Alyssa Roat & Hope Bolinger have co-authored many books together and I have enjoyed reading their books. Getting Reel is the latest book that I have read by the Authors!

Ryan Torino loves his work with Photography and Indie Movies. He is really excited when he has the opportunity to enter an Indie Film Festival. He wants everything to be perfect, including finding the PERFECT person for the leading role in his film. Zinnia Preston has had dreams and goals of being an Actress since College. She is now in her late Twenties and realizes that the Indie Film Festival might be her chance to finally "break out" into the Acting Scene. Ryan knows Zinnia is the PERFECT person for the leading role and brings her onto the project. Ryan and Zinnia have personality clashes that could cause the project to fail. They realize they need to work through the clashes when another team is also in town for this. Ryan and Zinnia are starting to see "romantic" sparks as they begin working together to make sure they have a winning project. Will they produce a Winning Project for the Indie Film Festival? Will there be a Romance between the pair?

I enjoyed this book from the very first chapter. Admittedly Ryan wasn't my favorite character in the first couple of chapters. His controlling ways were very standoffish. Zinnia is a wonderful and sweet character from the beginning and I immediately liked her character. Once Ryan and Zinnia began working together and he was more kind to her, I felt he was a nice guy. I really like that he gave Zinnia the chance to be the leading role and launch into acting. The way they were really strong in their work once they had another team to compete against was amazing. A VERY Heartwarming Romance book! I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean Christian Romance book. GREAT BOOK!
Profile Image for Karen Baney.
Author 44 books456 followers
July 22, 2023
Roat & Bolinger deliver a cute, funny, witty romance in this sort-of-enemies to sweethearts story. I loved the way the authors threw Zinnia and Ryan together despite a history of Ryan annoying Zinnia and they forced Ryan to rely on Zinnia for the success of his film.

In the beginning part of the book, both Zinnia and Ryan came across a little emo as they learned to deal with stress and dysfunctional family relationships. Yet the fun banter and zingers kept the book from feeling too heavy.

I found Zinnia’s growth in her relationship with her toxic sister to be realistic. It’s heartbreaking when we internalize the horrible untruths that others say to us. I loved the way the authors used the budding friendship between Zinnia and Ryan to help each other see that what their family members thought about them was completely untrue. They helped each other overcome the baggage of their pasts.

You must read the author’s note at the end. I felt like it was the perfect closure and reminder pointing us back to God if we struggle with similar dysfunctional relationships in life. I found the author’s note very uplifting.

I would recommend this sweet, clean, Christian romance to others. It had me rooting for the characters to overcome their trials and the ending was just perfect.


Genre: Christian Romance, Sweet Romance, Clean Romance, suitable for YA audience
Location: Roseville, Michigan
Romance: Very clean. Sweet hand holding and light kissing.
Faith: Both characters attend church and pray. They learn how to apply their faith and grow as people.

Disclaimer: I requested and received an advanced copy of this book courtesy of the publisher through Celebrate Lit Tours. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jeannine Bennett.
Author 7 books105 followers
August 29, 2023
“Getting Reel” proved to be an unexpectedly delightful read that I couldn’t put down. What initially drew me in was the clever play on words in the title and the intriguing cover. As a fan of Christian Contemporary Romance books, I decided to give it a shot, and I’m so glad I did.

The book’s charm lies in its relatable portrayal of everyday situations, from misunderstandings to sibling rivalries and mental health issues to friend betrayals – it’s all there, making the story feel real.

The heart of the novel lies in the collision of explosive personalities. Ryan Torino, the control freak director with a passion for indie movies, and Zinnia Preston, a determined actress trying to break into the industry, are a dynamic duo. However, Ryan’s perfectionism clashes with Zinnia’s strong personality, setting the stage for tension and sparks. I especially enjoyed how the authors took these characters with very different personalities on a journey from adversaries to allies. It was interesting to see how they teamed up to help each other through tough situations, such as an old nemesis resurfacing and a heartbreaking family issue. With no other way to manage the issues on their own, they intentionally choose to set aside their differences to give them the best shot at success.

“Getting Reel” is a refreshing and entertaining take on the world of indie film-making, filled with relatable characters and emotions. A definite recommendation for anyone seeking a heartwarming story with a touch of Hollywood flair.

I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for sharing my thoughts.
Profile Image for Edward Arrington.
1,192 reviews12 followers
June 8, 2023
An interesting story by two talented young ladies who are making their dreams happen. Their story is about two young adults who are having trouble finding any open doors to their dreams. Zinnia has been doing all she can to try to get her foot in the door to become an actress. Ryan has dreamed for years of making movies, but he keeps running into roadblocks. Both of them have had to deal with difficult people who had other plans for them, people who were naysayers. I enjoyed those moments when one of them would confront the other with words of wisdom they really needed to hear but would have rebelled if those words had come from someone else. They had so many insecurities and needed to learn to deal with them in an adult manner. They also had to learn that trying to control everything on their own was not the way to succeed. In fact, the harder either of them tried to control, the worse things became. As far as the difficult people in their lives, I wanted to wring a few necks as I read the story because of the harsh, insensitive, and unkind ways that others treated both of them. Zinnia’s younger sister, Georgia, was a real thorny one. Ryan’s former college roommate, Steve, was a thorn in his flesh. The story shares some valuable life lessons that every young adult needs to know, but that are good for people of any age who still deal with difficult people. The group that Ryan had chosen to work on his film were a lot of fun. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
Profile Image for Erin.
2,177 reviews22 followers
September 4, 2023
Getting Reel is such a sweet romantic comedy. Two people who “loathe” each other but who have to work together and more! I enjoyed reading it so much! I really know nothing about film though so those bits went over my head. But I know all about saying yes too easily plus having a bit of OCD going on and having to compensate for that.

I loved Zinnia’s name too. So sweet and flowery. She’s kind of like the flower but with more personality that she hides from most people’s view. Her home life wasn’t the best but I love how the authors have other characters who help her to see that maybe everything she thinks might be a bit skewed. Like how her sister might have had to give up all her hopes and dreams and is taking that out on Zinnia. It’s not an ideal situation but it does change her perspective a bit.

Film is not my area of expertise. But I loved learning a bit while reading this book. Plus I loved seeing all of the characters work together and figure out how to get along. And there is the wonderful sabotage bit that you get to read and figure out too!

I highly recommend you read this book. These two authors make amazing books to read. I have read several and they’ve all been amazing.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Profile Image for Nora St Laurent.
1,669 reviews115 followers
September 2, 2023
Two young people are making a brave effort to pursue the careers they are interested in. Independent filmmaking and photography are Ryan Torino's strengths.

Zinnia Preston is eager for someone to recognize her acting abilities. She longs to appear in movies. These two are motivated to collaborate in order to achieve their goals. It's challenging since Zinnia has a strong personality and Ryan likes to strive for excellence. If they want to work together and increase their chances of success, they must both put aside their distinct working methods and put all of their energy into the same goal.

If you're looking for a fun diversion, check out this charming, funny romance that has elements of a "enemies to friends" story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
1,931 reviews
September 4, 2023
Getting Reel by Alyssa Roat and Hope Bolinger is a sweet Christian contemporary Romance. This book is the fourth in the Roseville Romances series, focusing on the story of Zinnia Preston and Ryan Torino. She wants nothing more than to break into acting, but she recognizes her chances to follow her dream are becoming limited.

From a wealthy family, Ryan Torino could have everything handed to him on a silver platter, including a job he would probably hate. But he follows his dream of entering and winning an independent film festival. But for his plan to take flight, he needs to find a way to work with Zinnia and overcome obstacles from his past.

Filled with faith, love, friendships, forgiveness, and toxic people, this book will keep you reading. I loved seeing how Zinnia and Caroline ( whose story precedes this one) overcome their past hurts and forge a friendship together. Truly, this sweet contemporary Christian romance will keep you reading. The authors did an excellent job building relationships and friendships.

If you enjoy Christian Sweet Contemporary Romances, check out Getting Reel by Alyssa Roat and Hope Bolinger for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Gretchen Garrison.
Author 3 books33 followers
August 24, 2023
"Door number one led to a possible career as a film star. But her character, entering through it, had no idea if the dream would pan out or not. As for the second door, it took her character to a boring job, but a secure one."

Deciding to feature an unlikeable character in a future book takes a lot of courage for an author. Zinnia back in book one in the Roseville Romances, "Picture Imperfect." She made life a bit challenging for the main character in that one. In this book, we finally understand part of her motivation. Like any of us who make mistakes, Zinnia is now going overboard to try to make up for it. Seeing that played out in the pages was a reminder that forgiveness and restoration is so important. Zinnia's growth as a character was striking.

Not surprisingly, Zinnia has a family member who is highly unlikable in this book. At times, that made this book a bit hard to read. How had this person lived her whole life without someone taking her to task. Why did everyone let her get away with her narcissistic ways? Another reminder that sometimes we can be kind to everyone but family.

This series of books celebrates young creatives finding a way to make a living doing what they love to do. Characters definitely overlap between the books. So I do recommend reading all four books in order. What I have enjoyed about this series is the fact that the characters are pursuing their God-given callings in unexpected ways. The series title, Roseville Romances, only tells part of the story. All books take place in Roseville, Michigan. Each one has a bit of romance, but the focus of the plot is how to be true to oneself despite the pressures of life.

Trying to be a filmmaker in Michigan is a challenge for Ryan. His family certainly thinks he is just pursuing a hobby. Trying to justify his legitimacy is hard. Zinnia faces similar situations with her desire to be an actress. Not being a part of the film scene, this book brought to light how acting and filmmaking can make a positive impact. While parts were predictable, the plot was so pleasing. I really enjoyed the book!
6,203 reviews
August 21, 2023
Getting Reel is the fourth installment from the Roseville Romances series by the dynamic author duo, Alyssa Roat and Hope Bolinger. I have had the pleasure of reading the previous books from this series and was honored to have the chance to continue it with this one. Even though it is part of a series, I believe it can be read as a stand alone. I adored the characters, Zinnia and Ryan, and their story. It was sweet and inspiring to read.

I am giving Getting Reel four and a half stars. I believe fans of Christian Sweet Contemporary Romance would want to snatch this one up. I am curious to see what other stories the Roat - Bolinger writing team has in store for their readers in the future.

I received a digital copy of Roat and Bolinger's Getting Reel from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Profile Image for Christina Sinisi.
Author 8 books581 followers
August 21, 2023
I enjoyed this book--just what I needed after a hard day work and getting back into school while I cling to summer with my fingers clawing at vacation time.

This is a sweet romance--starting off as enemies so we have the enemies to lovers trope (but it is a clean, Christian romance). I also appreciated the fact that both the hero and heroine have realistic family issues and problems they need to work through. As a psychologist, I particularly appreciated the hero's mental health issues and the way he dealt with those.

Ultimately, this is a story of overcoming. We all have issues we need to take to the feet of Jesus and it is a good thing when one can read a book that reminds us of that fact--without being too gritty or upsetting.

So, I recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. My opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Debbie.
2,612 reviews4 followers
Read
September 6, 2023
Getting Reel” is a story about following your dreams and doing what God wants you to do. I have actually enjoyed all books in this series. They all are based on hope. This specific book is based on a woman wanting to be an actor and a man wanting to be a film writer. These characteristics in all the books have objectives to overcome that have been part of faults beliefs that they had believed about them. I recommend reading this entire series.

I was given a complimentary copy by the authors and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.
Profile Image for James Trombka.
14 reviews
November 17, 2023
What a great ending to the Roseville Romance series. I have always appreciated the depth in the issues the authors give their characters as many of them have very relatable struggles. I enjoyed getting to have a peak behind the scenes in the movie making process and immediately fell in love with the characters. It was fun seeing Zinnia, a character who was portrayed as a villain in the first book of the series, get to share her perspective and to better understand where she is coming from. Overall an excellent book I would recommend to others!
Profile Image for Hope Bolinger.
Author 41 books304 followers
May 31, 2023
This book was incredibly personal to me. Without spoiling anything, I went through the wringer before writing this. But I’m so glad I had the experiences I did. I hope this book is able to bring some people peace, clarity, and of course all the fuzzy feel-good emotions too
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews