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Cut to the Chase
While doing research for her third book about Hollywood, Paige Cornish meets Avalon Randolph, a sexy and wild actress who takes her on a rollercoaster ride right down the red carpet. Writing about Hollywood is one thing, but living it is quite another. Personalities clash and boundaries are crossed as they navigate their attraction for each other through the exhilarating but precarious world of money and fame.
Can Paige and Avalon reconcile their differences and find a happy middle ground in a town that never lives in the middle?
Can Paige and Avalon reconcile their differences and find a happy middle ground in a town that never lives in the middle?
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2013
6 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Girolami
10 books19 followersLisa Girolami has been in the entertainment industry since 1979. She holds a BA in Fine Art and an MS in Psychology. Previous jobs included ten years as production executive in the motion picture industry and another two decades producing and designing theme parks for Disney and Universal Studios. After six years as the Director of Creative Development for a firm in Los Angeles, she has returned to Disney as a Senior Show Producer on the renovation of Disney's California Adventure theme park. She's also a counselor at a mental health facility in Garden Grove. She currently lives in Long Beach, California.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 26, 2018
A good solid book involving an A list actress and someone somewhat on the fringes - a woman who puts together photo books based on photographs they've taken on set.
Her latest book, 'her' being the photographer character, is called 'Cut to the Chase'. The book is designed to show pictures from action movies - or, more exactly, photos from action scenes. For various reasons, when she gets the project, there apparently are only two action films currently in production. And it would be hard to put together a book based on two films (apparently, it'd even be hard to put together one based on just three films). But Paige Cornish keeps digging and is told about a film in production that is keeping a somewhat low profile. Potentially because the costars a woman not known for action (an top tier actress, but known for comedy roles, not action). So Paige pulls some strings and adds that film to her project.
That 'not an action actress' would be Avalon Randolph. A woman that Paige has lusted after since she first saw her on the screen. Some unknown time ago.
That's one of the issues I had with the book - I've no real clue how old people are. I've a greater idea of the length of the book - the length of time that the book encapsulates, but not how old the people at the start. I know that the book is roughly three months long because the project that Paige embarks upon has a three month deadline. And starts at the beginning of the book, and is being released at the end of the book. So, three months.
Unlike some books I've read lately, there's some obvious chemistry between Avalon and Paige. Despite the fact they don't really fit together well. Paige is the more shy, reserved, let's have an evening at home watching B-film horror films; while Avalon is more of the 'let's go places with 800,000 people also there, where the noise is too loud to hear anyone talk, and there's a good chance people with cameras will take our picture' type of woman. They both see something desirable in the other, though, despite their personalities not really matching up well.
That's an interesting dynamic that unfolded in this book. I've read several celebrity books, some may or may no have traveled similar roads as this book here, but this one still seems different than the norm. For many reasons. Not the least of which is the part where one of the characters is shown falling apart over the course of the book; the conflict point is quite reasonable; but then so is the reconciliation. Bah, I'm not really saying why I think the book is different. Other books have had actresses who have found themselves in trouble. This is one of the few where the trouble isn't 'straight A list Actress trouble is trying to hide being a lesbian (or bisexual' for Avalon is already an out A list lesbian, nor is it a 'allowing trouble to act as a smoke-screen to hide something else that might hurt the ability to keep acting (i.e., illness; see: Jae's Hollywood series)'. Instead, here, Avalon actually is a wild bitchy woman on a collusion course with trouble.
It's also interesting to watch Avalon grow. Taking little steps, 'is this the issue?' 'No, you arrogant bitch, you still haven't reached the real issue', to finally actually move from vaguely dislikable character to vaguely . . . redeemable character.
I haven't really mentioned Paige - she also has her POV expressed, but is like-able from beginning to end. But? bah.
Turning to my status updates to draw things to mention: there are at least two sexually graphic scenes that occur in this book, one of which is quite erotic (I've no real idea what I mean by that, neither is fade to black so . . ..).
Rating: 4.45
January 25 2018
Her latest book, 'her' being the photographer character, is called 'Cut to the Chase'. The book is designed to show pictures from action movies - or, more exactly, photos from action scenes. For various reasons, when she gets the project, there apparently are only two action films currently in production. And it would be hard to put together a book based on two films (apparently, it'd even be hard to put together one based on just three films). But Paige Cornish keeps digging and is told about a film in production that is keeping a somewhat low profile. Potentially because the costars a woman not known for action (an top tier actress, but known for comedy roles, not action). So Paige pulls some strings and adds that film to her project.
That 'not an action actress' would be Avalon Randolph. A woman that Paige has lusted after since she first saw her on the screen. Some unknown time ago.
That's one of the issues I had with the book - I've no real clue how old people are. I've a greater idea of the length of the book - the length of time that the book encapsulates, but not how old the people at the start. I know that the book is roughly three months long because the project that Paige embarks upon has a three month deadline. And starts at the beginning of the book, and is being released at the end of the book. So, three months.
Unlike some books I've read lately, there's some obvious chemistry between Avalon and Paige. Despite the fact they don't really fit together well. Paige is the more shy, reserved, let's have an evening at home watching B-film horror films; while Avalon is more of the 'let's go places with 800,000 people also there, where the noise is too loud to hear anyone talk, and there's a good chance people with cameras will take our picture' type of woman. They both see something desirable in the other, though, despite their personalities not really matching up well.
That's an interesting dynamic that unfolded in this book. I've read several celebrity books, some may or may no have traveled similar roads as this book here, but this one still seems different than the norm. For many reasons. Not the least of which is the part where one of the characters is shown falling apart over the course of the book; the conflict point is quite reasonable; but then so is the reconciliation. Bah, I'm not really saying why I think the book is different. Other books have had actresses who have found themselves in trouble. This is one of the few where the trouble isn't 'straight A list Actress trouble is trying to hide being a lesbian (or bisexual' for Avalon is already an out A list lesbian, nor is it a 'allowing trouble to act as a smoke-screen to hide something else that might hurt the ability to keep acting (i.e., illness; see: Jae's Hollywood series)'. Instead, here, Avalon actually is a wild bitchy woman on a collusion course with trouble.
It's also interesting to watch Avalon grow. Taking little steps, 'is this the issue?' 'No, you arrogant bitch, you still haven't reached the real issue', to finally actually move from vaguely dislikable character to vaguely . . . redeemable character.
I haven't really mentioned Paige - she also has her POV expressed, but is like-able from beginning to end. But? bah.
Turning to my status updates to draw things to mention: there are at least two sexually graphic scenes that occur in this book, one of which is quite erotic (I've no real idea what I mean by that, neither is fade to black so . . ..).
Rating: 4.45
January 25 2018
April 19, 2016
Photographer and a top name actress falling in love? Sign me up!
Cut to the Chase supplied everything I wanted in a celebrity romance. Paige's profession was actually really cool. It's not common for me to be so intrigued by a character's occupation. As she tackles Avalon's world, I learned a good bit about their behind-the-scenes work, too. I truly trusted what Lisa Girolami laid out for me; for, it didn't read like someone who simply buried themselves in Google searches.
Now, for my favorite. The romance! Watching them date and woo each other tickled my girlish heart. Then, their B-Movie bonding drowned me in feelings. Very nice touch, there.
The message of the story's a solid one without getting too cheesy. Avalon and Paige had to sacrifice parts of themselves to be better. Especially Avalon, who'd gone on the destructive route.
Lastly, I cannot finish this review without praising the sexy camera/pillow/stripping scene. HOT, HOT, HOT. God, why aren't there more sex scenes like that in lesfic?
Cut to the Chase supplied everything I wanted in a celebrity romance. Paige's profession was actually really cool. It's not common for me to be so intrigued by a character's occupation. As she tackles Avalon's world, I learned a good bit about their behind-the-scenes work, too. I truly trusted what Lisa Girolami laid out for me; for, it didn't read like someone who simply buried themselves in Google searches.
Now, for my favorite. The romance! Watching them date and woo each other tickled my girlish heart. Then, their B-Movie bonding drowned me in feelings. Very nice touch, there.
The message of the story's a solid one without getting too cheesy. Avalon and Paige had to sacrifice parts of themselves to be better. Especially Avalon, who'd gone on the destructive route.
Lastly, I cannot finish this review without praising the sexy camera/pillow/stripping scene. HOT, HOT, HOT. God, why aren't there more sex scenes like that in lesfic?
March 25, 2018
'Cut to the chase' is set in Hollywood (Yay) and it's kinda addictive. I mean, I finished almost 75% of the book in a day.
I crave drama, as my everyday life is pretty simple. This book had everything I ever need. Crazy ex - check, Stunts - Check, Batshit crazy paparazzi - Hell yea.
I love the concept of opposites attract. So any book with that base will automatically attract me. One protagonist is a perfectionist whose life is methodical and everything she says and does is well thought out. The other one is a wee bit crazy and does what she wants and lives life on the edge. It was really Adorable, the way Avalon wooed Paige. They also bonded over B movies and I swear I felt a fuzzy feeling in my chest.
The only thing that kinda was bugging me was that I stopped reading in the middle for some reason. I blame it on exams, but yea, I kinda lost track. Also sometimes there would be something happening and I'd zone out completely. But I think that's more of my fault than the books, as I ended up finishing it and I loved it. For me it's a solid read, and there's a pretty good chance that I might read this again soon.
I crave drama, as my everyday life is pretty simple. This book had everything I ever need. Crazy ex - check, Stunts - Check, Batshit crazy paparazzi - Hell yea.
I love the concept of opposites attract. So any book with that base will automatically attract me. One protagonist is a perfectionist whose life is methodical and everything she says and does is well thought out. The other one is a wee bit crazy and does what she wants and lives life on the edge. It was really Adorable, the way Avalon wooed Paige. They also bonded over B movies and I swear I felt a fuzzy feeling in my chest.
The only thing that kinda was bugging me was that I stopped reading in the middle for some reason. I blame it on exams, but yea, I kinda lost track. Also sometimes there would be something happening and I'd zone out completely. But I think that's more of my fault than the books, as I ended up finishing it and I loved it. For me it's a solid read, and there's a pretty good chance that I might read this again soon.
January 15, 2015
This is really nice book, I have to say I liked it a lot. The storyline is interesting and well-written. It's sexy, hot, and sweet as well.
The main characters (Avalon and Paige) were interesting as well as their interaction. Avalon is an attractive famous actress, a revel, also kind of like a puppet of the industry. Paige, a beautiful photographer, idealistic and quite revolutionary. Their opposite personalities play a big role in the development of their relationship.
This is a really enjoyable storyline and I felt hooked from the beginning. Both love scenes were hot, sexy and passionate. Two flaws I found in this book: No love scene after all the mess they went thru and no epilogue. Otherwise, the storyline left me with a nice feeling and even though it could've been better, I'm glad I read it.
The main characters (Avalon and Paige) were interesting as well as their interaction. Avalon is an attractive famous actress, a revel, also kind of like a puppet of the industry. Paige, a beautiful photographer, idealistic and quite revolutionary. Their opposite personalities play a big role in the development of their relationship.
This is a really enjoyable storyline and I felt hooked from the beginning. Both love scenes were hot, sexy and passionate. Two flaws I found in this book: No love scene after all the mess they went thru and no epilogue. Otherwise, the storyline left me with a nice feeling and even though it could've been better, I'm glad I read it.
November 4, 2017
A fictional documentary of a Hollywood celebrity wrapped in a romance novel.
Reflecting on this read I realise how complex but straightforward it is; complex in that it had depth of knowledge, detail and critical evaluation of Hollywood and 'celebrity' but yet straight forward in the overall direction and plot. As such it was a light but intelligent read that I can certainly recommend.
Reflecting on this read I realise how complex but straightforward it is; complex in that it had depth of knowledge, detail and critical evaluation of Hollywood and 'celebrity' but yet straight forward in the overall direction and plot. As such it was a light but intelligent read that I can certainly recommend.
May 15, 2022
This is a 3.5 star read/ It is an early story by the author and while I enjoyed it, it lacked a depth of story and a too pat relationship. However, in her later works that gets better. I really like seeing authors grow into the medium. The story takes place in Hollywood with an actress Avalon and a photographer on the fringes of the business, Paige. Both are coming off of broken relationships and their meeting along with the Hollywood insider things make for a good story line. There are some fun moments and some angsty diatribe's about the industry itself. The self awareness journey of one of the characters felt trite and a through the motions experience. It is a lightweight read good for a rainy afternoon or the summer beach
November 27, 2017
I really liked this book by Lisa Girolami. At first I thought it was just a fluff, beach read, but as it goes on it gives a glimpse of the lives of Hollywood actors that’s quite interesting. I can’t imagine living in such a crazy world where people care so much about every ugly detail of your life. Ugh, that’d be terrible. If this book portrayal of Hollywood is accurate then it’s no wonder celebrities turn to substance abuse. Anyway, good read. Check it out.
July 29, 2015
Hooray for Hollywood! For out-and-out fans through closet supporters, I believe this book will be a delight. The actual origin of the title is presented within the book and I very much enjoyed being educated. Moving on, the two women who are presented come from almost diametrically opposed positions within the Hollywood dynamic yet develop a sublime connection that not only aids the author, but also the actress. I definitely recommend this. Expansive enthusiasm!
Paige Cornish is the photographer/author of a third book with a Hollywood theme. This time she is focusing on movies that have action scenes. There are relatively few films in production that meet her criteria, but she is nearly bowled over when she learns one of them involves Avalon Randolph, a definite fantasy crush if she were ever forced to admit that. Serendipitously Paige and Avalon seem to have an instant rapport. Additionally Avalon is impressed with Paige's style, the directness of her queries, and her overall sensuousness nature. On top of all these delectable linkages, they have some very similar passions with one of them being old horror B-movies. Paige is a consummate artist with her camera and a refreshingly open, direct, and honest native Californian who was born and stayed in Los Angeles. Exquisite!
Avalon Randolph readily admits she is the stereotypical girl right off the bus from Indiana. Plus she describes to Paige how, upon arrival in old Hollywood, she enthusiastically followed to the letter a superstition that was unquestionably believed to pave the way to not only fame but sustained good fortune. It appears to have worked magnificently for her. In fact Avalon seems to be remarkably blessed by magic but concurrently with a super volatile temper. Her exploits have certainly kept her front and center in the public's eye, but that is a really tricky situation to balance and maintain a positive expansive forward movement. Toss in a growing dependence upon alcohol and Avalon is constantly standing on a landmine. Tempestuous uncertainty!
The perennial vagaries of the Hollywood scene are gloriously interwoven with the somewhat charmed romance of Paige and Avalon. However that *scene* really pulls the carpet out from under both of them in very different ways, tossing each of them into major turmoil that threatens their lives, careers, and loving relationship. This book has marvelous poignancies along with great hoots and seriously hot passion. I certainly recommend to all a trip through tinsel town via ‘Cut to the Chase’. Pleasurably and marvelously satisfying!
Paige Cornish is the photographer/author of a third book with a Hollywood theme. This time she is focusing on movies that have action scenes. There are relatively few films in production that meet her criteria, but she is nearly bowled over when she learns one of them involves Avalon Randolph, a definite fantasy crush if she were ever forced to admit that. Serendipitously Paige and Avalon seem to have an instant rapport. Additionally Avalon is impressed with Paige's style, the directness of her queries, and her overall sensuousness nature. On top of all these delectable linkages, they have some very similar passions with one of them being old horror B-movies. Paige is a consummate artist with her camera and a refreshingly open, direct, and honest native Californian who was born and stayed in Los Angeles. Exquisite!
Avalon Randolph readily admits she is the stereotypical girl right off the bus from Indiana. Plus she describes to Paige how, upon arrival in old Hollywood, she enthusiastically followed to the letter a superstition that was unquestionably believed to pave the way to not only fame but sustained good fortune. It appears to have worked magnificently for her. In fact Avalon seems to be remarkably blessed by magic but concurrently with a super volatile temper. Her exploits have certainly kept her front and center in the public's eye, but that is a really tricky situation to balance and maintain a positive expansive forward movement. Toss in a growing dependence upon alcohol and Avalon is constantly standing on a landmine. Tempestuous uncertainty!
The perennial vagaries of the Hollywood scene are gloriously interwoven with the somewhat charmed romance of Paige and Avalon. However that *scene* really pulls the carpet out from under both of them in very different ways, tossing each of them into major turmoil that threatens their lives, careers, and loving relationship. This book has marvelous poignancies along with great hoots and seriously hot passion. I certainly recommend to all a trip through tinsel town via ‘Cut to the Chase’. Pleasurably and marvelously satisfying!
January 11, 2022
alcohol is a drug
October 13, 2024
More like a 2.5, since I hate the abusive side of any relationship.
April 2, 2014
Loved the book. From the beginning, it had that grab you in type nature. It was the first book that I read by Lisa Girolami. I intend to read more from her. Worth the time to read. Oh, yeah, there was humor with a serious type message embedded. Great ending in this book.
May 4, 2013
A great romance read between a buddy author and a famous actress.....
September 17, 2015
I honestly can't even remember what happened in this novel: I read it and then forgot about it. Queer romance that's fairly well written. An easy, light, quick read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews