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Double Exposure
Elissa R. Sloan, author of The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes, returns with a sweeping drama about two A-list stars—a former star couple—as they cross each other's paths over and over again through the years, in a story that examines the work we have to do in order to grow into the people we want to become.
Maiko Fox and Adrian Hightower were young, beautiful, in love…and famous. The latest model to grace the Valentina Posh runway show and the hottest new superhero actor were Hollywood’s breakout couple. They were in every magazine, all over the most popular celebrity-blogs, and on countless E! News stories.
They starred in a blockbuster film together, reaping box-office gold. Fans were at a fever pitch. No one could get enough of Madrian, the couple that printed money for the studios, for the paparazzi, for themselves.
But then, their relationship crumbled.
Years later, with Adrian topping the Hollywood A-list as a writer and director, dating the country’s biggest pop star, and Maiko starring in movies for her celebrated producer-director husband, they live totally different lives. But they can never be too far apart. Madrian is still a box office draw, and the studios keep throwing them together.
As the two grow more and more entangled again professionally, Maiko and Adrian have to reckon with themselves: are they happy with their current lives? Or have they grown to be better people when with each other?
Maiko Fox and Adrian Hightower were young, beautiful, in love…and famous. The latest model to grace the Valentina Posh runway show and the hottest new superhero actor were Hollywood’s breakout couple. They were in every magazine, all over the most popular celebrity-blogs, and on countless E! News stories.
They starred in a blockbuster film together, reaping box-office gold. Fans were at a fever pitch. No one could get enough of Madrian, the couple that printed money for the studios, for the paparazzi, for themselves.
But then, their relationship crumbled.
Years later, with Adrian topping the Hollywood A-list as a writer and director, dating the country’s biggest pop star, and Maiko starring in movies for her celebrated producer-director husband, they live totally different lives. But they can never be too far apart. Madrian is still a box office draw, and the studios keep throwing them together.
As the two grow more and more entangled again professionally, Maiko and Adrian have to reckon with themselves: are they happy with their current lives? Or have they grown to be better people when with each other?
368 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2024
7 people are currently reading
9342 people want to read
About the author
Elissa R. Sloan
3 books363 followersElissa R. Sloan is a Texas-native Japanese-American, whose closest brush with fame was a Twitter exchange with Neko Case about Nutella. She lives in Austin with her husband and two cats, in a house with a rolling library ladder. Follow her on instagram @elissareads.
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August 22, 2024I cannot bring myself to rate this book, but I really want y'all to know that I did not like it.
If Elissa R. Sloan has million fans, then I'm one of them.
If Elissa R. Sloan has one fan, then I'm THAT ONE.
If Elissa R. Sloan has no fans, that means I'm dead.
But that said, please don't read this book. Like Sloan's previous two books this is set in Hollywood, we are chronicling the rise of a famous individual and the path that led them to where they are in the present. In this instance we have model turned actress Maiko and actor Adrian. The two meet on set one day and begin a relationship that would eventually become something of a tabloid staple. In the middle of the book we see what drives these characters apart, sending Maiko off to be in an abusive age gap relationship with a producer and Adrian into a relationship with a rising musician.
It's really in the middle that this book feels off to me. It tries to tackle themes of infertility and I'm not sure that they really hit the mark there. I could be reading too much into things, but it just really left a questionable taste in my mouth. Adrian also is an addict, and that's part of what breaks him and Maiko up along with just some general misogyny...
The book never feels complete though. All the beats are there, but it feels like the story just needs a little more meat on the bones. It felt like I was making through a seven course meal of dishes entirely composed of interesting foam concepts and nothing that I could actually chew on. Because it is a romance you know where the story is eventually going to end and so having something to chew on in the middle would be nice.
I didn't always appreciate that this was a dual perspective book. I did appreciate that Maiko and Adrian had a lot going on separately though and we weren't wasting our time seeing the sae thing from both people which feels like it is becoming something of a lately. In previous books Sloan has used time to bounce back and forth between the past and the future, here we get a mostly linear narrative. The issue becomes we are spending about two decades with these characters with every chapter coming with a time jump that did sort of add to the disjointed feel that I had with this particular book.
Maybe people that go in with different expectations will have a better time than I did... but I think that either of Sloan's previous books, The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes or Hayley Aldridge Is Still Here would be better places to start for most readers unless you are really determined to read a romance and aren't interested in books that are solidly more general fiction.
If Elissa R. Sloan has million fans, then I'm one of them.
If Elissa R. Sloan has one fan, then I'm THAT ONE.
If Elissa R. Sloan has no fans, that means I'm dead.
But that said, please don't read this book. Like Sloan's previous two books this is set in Hollywood, we are chronicling the rise of a famous individual and the path that led them to where they are in the present. In this instance we have model turned actress Maiko and actor Adrian. The two meet on set one day and begin a relationship that would eventually become something of a tabloid staple. In the middle of the book we see what drives these characters apart, sending Maiko off to be in an abusive age gap relationship with a producer and Adrian into a relationship with a rising musician.
It's really in the middle that this book feels off to me. It tries to tackle themes of infertility and I'm not sure that they really hit the mark there. I could be reading too much into things, but it just really left a questionable taste in my mouth. Adrian also is an addict, and that's part of what breaks him and Maiko up along with just some general misogyny...
The book never feels complete though. All the beats are there, but it feels like the story just needs a little more meat on the bones. It felt like I was making through a seven course meal of dishes entirely composed of interesting foam concepts and nothing that I could actually chew on. Because it is a romance you know where the story is eventually going to end and so having something to chew on in the middle would be nice.
I didn't always appreciate that this was a dual perspective book. I did appreciate that Maiko and Adrian had a lot going on separately though and we weren't wasting our time seeing the sae thing from both people which feels like it is becoming something of a lately. In previous books Sloan has used time to bounce back and forth between the past and the future, here we get a mostly linear narrative. The issue becomes we are spending about two decades with these characters with every chapter coming with a time jump that did sort of add to the disjointed feel that I had with this particular book.
Maybe people that go in with different expectations will have a better time than I did... but I think that either of Sloan's previous books, The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes or Hayley Aldridge Is Still Here would be better places to start for most readers unless you are really determined to read a romance and aren't interested in books that are solidly more general fiction.
August 1, 2024
I do love a Hollywood story and this author does them so well. Just like her previous books, I found Double Exposure hard to put down. I was so caught up in the lives of the rich and famous, the behind the scenes gossip is just too much to resist.
Early 2000s and Maiko and Adrian are the hottest new things in town. Young, beautiful and talented, everyone wants a piece of them. Things just keep getting better, professionally and personally.. that is until they don’t. We follow this couple over 20 years, though good times and bad. We really get to know them both so well, and become invested in them completely.
This is a quick and fun read, but it also covers some dark and triggering subjects. It felt like watching a Netflix documentary on the 2 actors, unable to tear my eyes away.
Thank you so much William Morrow for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on September 10th.
Early 2000s and Maiko and Adrian are the hottest new things in town. Young, beautiful and talented, everyone wants a piece of them. Things just keep getting better, professionally and personally.. that is until they don’t. We follow this couple over 20 years, though good times and bad. We really get to know them both so well, and become invested in them completely.
This is a quick and fun read, but it also covers some dark and triggering subjects. It felt like watching a Netflix documentary on the 2 actors, unable to tear my eyes away.
Thank you so much William Morrow for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on September 10th.
August 9, 2024
This was fine. The writing felt a bit clinical and the pacing was pretty choppy. The dialogue was stilted. I just felt like I was being held at arm’s length, which doesn’t work in a book about fated lovers??
January 20, 2025
3.5 stars
August 28, 2024
RTC- a super quick read that I really enjoyed
April 28, 2024
Elissa R. Sloan is quickly becoming an author I know I can count on to consistently deliver an engaging entertainment industry read. Having read all three of her fame-focused novels, I can positively proclaim that she has found her genre niche … and she does it well! Her first two books - The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes and Hayley Aldridge is Still Here - gave off Britney Spears tragedy vibes, while her latest novel, Double Exposure, focuses more on coveted celebrity couples. You know … the ones who fans “ship” so much, they mash up their names into something corny, yet cute - think Brangelina or Bennifer.
At the center of Double Exposure is the flawed relationship of model Maiko Fox and actor Adrian Hightower, affectionately called “Madrian.” Maiko and Adrian’s relationship burned quick and bright, and in the end, just didn’t work out. But that doesn’t stop fans from swooning over Madrian, wishing and hoping for the day they get back together. When on screen together, Madrian “print money,” so they are in high demand in Hollywood; but anyone who has ever been in an unhealthy relationship knows that the number 1 rule when calling it off with someone you find irresistible yet devastating, is to stay far, far away from their orbit. With projects and chemistry putting Maiko and Adrian in each other’s path time and time again, sparks are bound to fly, but at what cost?
Double Exposure is a novel that I can really appreciate because it doesn’t shy away from the toxicity of relationships. This novel reads like a genre hybrid, combining both romance with reality, portraying relationships in a real light. It’s no surprise that a romance between two stars would be tinged with toxicity, but finding your way through a bad relationship is even worse when you are living in the public eye. Double Exposure explores the effects of falling in and out of love under the microscope, and brings light to the fact that at the end of the day, celebrities are often just like us when it comes to getting unlucky in love.
Relationships aside, Double Exposure will also appeal to readers who enjoy stories about the stars, and are curious about the inner workings of Hollywood. Sloan deftly combines something that we all can relate to - love - with something few people have personally experienced - fame. The result is a solidly entertaining novel about, well, entertainment!
At the center of Double Exposure is the flawed relationship of model Maiko Fox and actor Adrian Hightower, affectionately called “Madrian.” Maiko and Adrian’s relationship burned quick and bright, and in the end, just didn’t work out. But that doesn’t stop fans from swooning over Madrian, wishing and hoping for the day they get back together. When on screen together, Madrian “print money,” so they are in high demand in Hollywood; but anyone who has ever been in an unhealthy relationship knows that the number 1 rule when calling it off with someone you find irresistible yet devastating, is to stay far, far away from their orbit. With projects and chemistry putting Maiko and Adrian in each other’s path time and time again, sparks are bound to fly, but at what cost?
Double Exposure is a novel that I can really appreciate because it doesn’t shy away from the toxicity of relationships. This novel reads like a genre hybrid, combining both romance with reality, portraying relationships in a real light. It’s no surprise that a romance between two stars would be tinged with toxicity, but finding your way through a bad relationship is even worse when you are living in the public eye. Double Exposure explores the effects of falling in and out of love under the microscope, and brings light to the fact that at the end of the day, celebrities are often just like us when it comes to getting unlucky in love.
Relationships aside, Double Exposure will also appeal to readers who enjoy stories about the stars, and are curious about the inner workings of Hollywood. Sloan deftly combines something that we all can relate to - love - with something few people have personally experienced - fame. The result is a solidly entertaining novel about, well, entertainment!
August 2, 2024
I really had fun reading this book. There is a lot of heavy subject matter though. I am a big fan of the author and I feel that Sloan is really the queen of late 90s, early 2000s pop culture fiction. I think I would have given this five stars if the time period was slightly shorter and there was more time to get into the darker subject matter, which is similar to how I felt about Sloan’s other two novels. But this one was my favorite book by the author so far.
Thank you NetGalley for my copy.
Thank you NetGalley for my copy.
June 12, 2024
This was…fine. Not bad by any means, but nothing remarkable. I love second-chance romances and the Hollywood setting, so that was nice, but something about this just didn’t hook me. It was a very fast read though, and I always like when books include epistolary elements.
Thanks to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC, all opinions are my own.
Thanks to William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC, all opinions are my own.
September 22, 2024
This was a compelling story about the toxic up and down relationship between Adrian, an actor, and Miko, a Japanese American model turned actress as they work together, fall in and out of love and go through personal hardships over a number of years.
The story tackles some tough subjects from abortion, unwanted pregnancies, drug addiction and domestic abuse. While this might be difficult for some to read, I really enjoyed the realistic, raw, and vulnerable look into a Hollywood relationship that forces two people to fight their way back to each other.
Fantastic on audio read by Natalie Naudus, one of my very fav narrators! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and finished copy in exchange for my honest review!
The story tackles some tough subjects from abortion, unwanted pregnancies, drug addiction and domestic abuse. While this might be difficult for some to read, I really enjoyed the realistic, raw, and vulnerable look into a Hollywood relationship that forces two people to fight their way back to each other.
Fantastic on audio read by Natalie Naudus, one of my very fav narrators! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and finished copy in exchange for my honest review!
May 1, 2024
I devoured this book, reading the entire thing in one evening! While this may be seen as a love story, it is so much more than that. I was so engrossed in this decades long story of heartbreak and successes and just life as it goes. I have read Sloan's previous two novels and this felt more mature and put together, it will definitely stick with me longer than Haley Aldrige or Cassidy Holmes did. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!
September 3, 2024
Ben and JLo
Brad and Angelina
Justin and Brittney
David and Victoria Beckham
Maiko and Adrian
Hollywood power couples have always been a fan favorite of the media and also the general public. We obsess over them, we root for their successes and also feel personally offended when something happens. Culturally, they are a fascination that people can never get enough of and this book explores that with the relationship between Maiko and Adrian.
This is the story of one couple and how they fell in love, how fame and fortune tested them and how it ultimately drove them apart. Maiko and Adrian meet when they are both aspiring models/actors. They do a couple of model shoots together and fall in love. He makes it big when he is cast in a superhero movie franchise and she also explodes in popularity and becomes a supermodel. Fame and fortune change them both and they ultimately break up.
Over the years they keep bumping into each other on movie sets and even though they are both with other people their connection is always there and the public love to see them together on screen. This book follows them both on their whirlwind careers while they each battle their own demons and celebrate their successes.
I really enjoyed this journey that they both went on. They both had their flaws and their reasons but both showed growth and strength. I'm a sucker for a love story that spans decades and even though they weren’t together the whole time they were always a part of each other's lives and thoughts.
I appreciated Maiko’s strength. She was not a pushover and trusted her gut even when she wasn’t sure of the truth. She knew her boundaries and didn’t let any man overstep them. I was so proud and heartbroken when she left Adrian because you knew they loved each other but that wasn’t enough and she knew there was nothing she could do to change his ways, he had to change himself first. Then with Thomas, the gaslighting was awful but when she saw it happen she didn’t cower, she took inventory and figured it out on her own and fought her way out.
Adrian was a little weak minded but at the same time thoughtful. He didn’t mean to be such a bad partner at times but he was his own worst enemy. I did like how he grew throughout the book and even though he battled his demons, he overcame them and knew his limits and most importantly, he knew what he wanted.
A very solid second chance romance that spans years that was well written and kept great pace. It didn't jump too far ahead and spent the correct amount of time at each section of their lives.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book through a digital ARC from NetGalley
Author: Elissa R. Sloan
Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Troupe: Second Chance Romance
Brad and Angelina
Justin and Brittney
David and Victoria Beckham
Maiko and Adrian
Hollywood power couples have always been a fan favorite of the media and also the general public. We obsess over them, we root for their successes and also feel personally offended when something happens. Culturally, they are a fascination that people can never get enough of and this book explores that with the relationship between Maiko and Adrian.
This is the story of one couple and how they fell in love, how fame and fortune tested them and how it ultimately drove them apart. Maiko and Adrian meet when they are both aspiring models/actors. They do a couple of model shoots together and fall in love. He makes it big when he is cast in a superhero movie franchise and she also explodes in popularity and becomes a supermodel. Fame and fortune change them both and they ultimately break up.
Over the years they keep bumping into each other on movie sets and even though they are both with other people their connection is always there and the public love to see them together on screen. This book follows them both on their whirlwind careers while they each battle their own demons and celebrate their successes.
I really enjoyed this journey that they both went on. They both had their flaws and their reasons but both showed growth and strength. I'm a sucker for a love story that spans decades and even though they weren’t together the whole time they were always a part of each other's lives and thoughts.
I appreciated Maiko’s strength. She was not a pushover and trusted her gut even when she wasn’t sure of the truth. She knew her boundaries and didn’t let any man overstep them. I was so proud and heartbroken when she left Adrian because you knew they loved each other but that wasn’t enough and she knew there was nothing she could do to change his ways, he had to change himself first. Then with Thomas, the gaslighting was awful but when she saw it happen she didn’t cower, she took inventory and figured it out on her own and fought her way out.
Adrian was a little weak minded but at the same time thoughtful. He didn’t mean to be such a bad partner at times but he was his own worst enemy. I did like how he grew throughout the book and even though he battled his demons, he overcame them and knew his limits and most importantly, he knew what he wanted.
A very solid second chance romance that spans years that was well written and kept great pace. It didn't jump too far ahead and spent the correct amount of time at each section of their lives.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.
I read this book through a digital ARC from NetGalley
Author: Elissa R. Sloan
Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Troupe: Second Chance Romance
September 6, 2024
Double Exposure is a mostly melancholy story about two L.A. hopefuls-turned-celebrities who have a deep connection, but never quite get the timing right.
Adrian came to Hollywood from Florida to be a movie star. Maiko is a struggling model. They meet on page one in an abortion clinic. This sets a very specific and accurate tone for the novel. Later, they are cast in small roles together, and eventually they go out on a date. They hit it off and fall in love as both of them rise in the business, earning themselves the celebrity couple moniker of Maidrian. But they're young, and stardom and the power that comes with it is not easy to navigate. They end up breaking up not long after. Still, the novel follows them for years afterward as the Hollywood machine continues paring the two of them up.
I found myself craving more out of this story. I suppose it is about how timing isn't always right, with a side of redemption thrown in? But to me it was mostly just sad. There are layers of grief the characters have to wade through, but through most of the book it seemed to me that neither one of them liked themselves enough to make decisions that were actually good for them. The tone was really bleak and I didn't feel like it dug itself completely out of that hole.
There's a lot of tough stuff going on in this one. There are themes of addiction, infertility, loss of a parent, exploring one's sexuality, the morality of abortion, equality of pay, marital abuse...it's pretty rough.
For me, the narrative read fairly detached from the characters. I felt a certain level of separation from what was actually happening in a way that made me not care incredibly deeply about it. In some ways I'm actually glad for that, considering the paragraph above. In some ways it compares to Sally Rooney's Normal People, but it was missing the depth of emotion and true connection I felt in that book. Normal People wrecked me. This one just leaves me with a lingering feeling of depression. ha.
In the end, both main characters seemed to achieve some level of growth, which was good to see. I'm glad of the very last scene - for me, that alone earned it an extra star. Obviously I don't want to spoil anything, so I will leave it at that!
If you are someone who enjoys a darker tone in their stories, this one might be a hit for you. I tend to enjoy uplifting books that feel good at least 90% of the time spent reading it. This one is more like 20% good feelings, 80% hopelessness. That sounds harsh when I write it out, but it's how it made me feel.
Originally posted to thelitertarian.com. Visit for books reviews & more!
Adrian came to Hollywood from Florida to be a movie star. Maiko is a struggling model. They meet on page one in an abortion clinic. This sets a very specific and accurate tone for the novel. Later, they are cast in small roles together, and eventually they go out on a date. They hit it off and fall in love as both of them rise in the business, earning themselves the celebrity couple moniker of Maidrian. But they're young, and stardom and the power that comes with it is not easy to navigate. They end up breaking up not long after. Still, the novel follows them for years afterward as the Hollywood machine continues paring the two of them up.
I found myself craving more out of this story. I suppose it is about how timing isn't always right, with a side of redemption thrown in? But to me it was mostly just sad. There are layers of grief the characters have to wade through, but through most of the book it seemed to me that neither one of them liked themselves enough to make decisions that were actually good for them. The tone was really bleak and I didn't feel like it dug itself completely out of that hole.
There's a lot of tough stuff going on in this one. There are themes of addiction, infertility, loss of a parent, exploring one's sexuality, the morality of abortion, equality of pay, marital abuse...it's pretty rough.
For me, the narrative read fairly detached from the characters. I felt a certain level of separation from what was actually happening in a way that made me not care incredibly deeply about it. In some ways I'm actually glad for that, considering the paragraph above. In some ways it compares to Sally Rooney's Normal People, but it was missing the depth of emotion and true connection I felt in that book. Normal People wrecked me. This one just leaves me with a lingering feeling of depression. ha.
In the end, both main characters seemed to achieve some level of growth, which was good to see. I'm glad of the very last scene - for me, that alone earned it an extra star. Obviously I don't want to spoil anything, so I will leave it at that!
If you are someone who enjoys a darker tone in their stories, this one might be a hit for you. I tend to enjoy uplifting books that feel good at least 90% of the time spent reading it. This one is more like 20% good feelings, 80% hopelessness. That sounds harsh when I write it out, but it's how it made me feel.
Originally posted to thelitertarian.com. Visit for books reviews & more!
September 8, 2024
Double Exposure is a classic Hollywood romance. Maiko is a supermodel turned actress and Adrian is an up and coming actor, starring together in a superhero blockbuster. Their relationship is no secret, and it's actually building even more publicity for their movie. Fans and paparazzi alike want to know everything they can about the couple, but then they have a spectacular breakup and try to move on with their lives. This book follows their relationship over the years, starting when they're young nobodies in Hollywood and tracing their lives throughout their careers. They experience heartbreak, addiction, deaths, and struggles with children. The story is told through alternating perspectives as they come together and break apart again and again.
I found this book to be really readable; the chapters were short and quick, and although they span years, it felt like the pacing was just right. I enjoyed getting to see both Maiko and Adrian's perspective as it allowed the reader to get to know the characters more. I loved the setting on movie sets and red carpet events, it makes you nostalgic for early 2000s Hollywood. This one scratched the itch that Daisy Jones & the Six created in me. It will be perfect for fans of books about celebrities as well as fans of romance.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy.
I found this book to be really readable; the chapters were short and quick, and although they span years, it felt like the pacing was just right. I enjoyed getting to see both Maiko and Adrian's perspective as it allowed the reader to get to know the characters more. I loved the setting on movie sets and red carpet events, it makes you nostalgic for early 2000s Hollywood. This one scratched the itch that Daisy Jones & the Six created in me. It will be perfect for fans of books about celebrities as well as fans of romance.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy.
November 4, 2024
I was really excited about this book after hearing about it on social media. I really liked parts of this book, and I wanted to keep reading and had to find out how it would resolve, but there was also quite a bit that did not work for me.
I felt like it was trying to take on too much -- infertility, emotional and physical abuse, abortion, addiction, grief just to name a few. Some of the dialog felt like an after school special as the characters addressed these sensitive topics.
I did find myself caring tremendously for Maiko and Adrian. I really wanted the best for them, despite often wanting to shake some sense in to them.
I love reading books about Hollywood and all the parts in the movie industry were very interesting. I loved the news articles and online comments sprinkled in the novel, and I also loved what a large scope of time it covered.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!
I felt like it was trying to take on too much -- infertility, emotional and physical abuse, abortion, addiction, grief just to name a few. Some of the dialog felt like an after school special as the characters addressed these sensitive topics.
I did find myself caring tremendously for Maiko and Adrian. I really wanted the best for them, despite often wanting to shake some sense in to them.
I love reading books about Hollywood and all the parts in the movie industry were very interesting. I loved the news articles and online comments sprinkled in the novel, and I also loved what a large scope of time it covered.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!
August 22, 2024
i have mixed feelings about this one. the story definitely sucked me in and I was hooked on the drama, however, I wanted things to end up slightly different for the main characters. I really love fame tropes but it also covered some really difficult topics like familial estrangement, abortion, addiction, death of a loved one, loss of pregnancy, and domestic abuse. These definitely incited a lot of emotion for me but overall I enjoyed the story I just wish things played out differently. I would still recommend this book, just be mindful of all the trigger warnings if you do decide to read. Spoiler below for one thing that really made me sad!!!
Thanks so much William Morrow & Net Galley for an advance digital copy in exchange for my opinion!
SPOILER STOP READING ‼️
spoiler: i’m so sad that adrian didn’t get to have a child of his own. i was really hoping for that in the epilogue :/
Thanks so much William Morrow & Net Galley for an advance digital copy in exchange for my opinion!
SPOILER STOP READING ‼️
spoiler: i’m so sad that adrian didn’t get to have a child of his own. i was really hoping for that in the epilogue :/
September 7, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley & William Morrow for an advanced copy of Double Exposure in exchange for an honest review!
double exposure review
Master of all things Y2K pop culture, Elissa Sloan has yet again graced us with a fictional peek into fame and celebrity.
I was born in the 90s, which means I got to witness so many iconic pop culture moments and Double Exposure truly captures the vibes of that. Let me put it for you this way. Madrian is like if Britney & Justin did an album together and then found their way back to each other in the end.
Which, side note, I cannot even imagine the message boards when fans saw that Madrian was doing a movie together??? Dead.
Highs aside, Double Exposure explores the dark sides of the entertainment industry - drugs, domestic violence, blackmail - and highlights what navigating Hollywood is like for a young Asian American woman.
This book took a moment to pick up for me, but once you get into the meat of it I could not put it down! (Also, I hate Thomas, so incredible job writing him Elissa).
If you’ve enjoyed her last 2 books, you will love this one as well. I cannot wait to see what she decides to share with us next!
double exposure review
Master of all things Y2K pop culture, Elissa Sloan has yet again graced us with a fictional peek into fame and celebrity.
I was born in the 90s, which means I got to witness so many iconic pop culture moments and Double Exposure truly captures the vibes of that. Let me put it for you this way. Madrian is like if Britney & Justin did an album together and then found their way back to each other in the end.
Which, side note, I cannot even imagine the message boards when fans saw that Madrian was doing a movie together??? Dead.
Highs aside, Double Exposure explores the dark sides of the entertainment industry - drugs, domestic violence, blackmail - and highlights what navigating Hollywood is like for a young Asian American woman.
This book took a moment to pick up for me, but once you get into the meat of it I could not put it down! (Also, I hate Thomas, so incredible job writing him Elissa).
If you’ve enjoyed her last 2 books, you will love this one as well. I cannot wait to see what she decides to share with us next!
October 2, 2024
I honestly don’t know what to make of this book. It’s a romance but reads more like a general fiction book. We follow the main characters through 20 years but they are only together for a handful of these years. There are a lot of abrupt time jumps, too.
As a reader, I felt so completely removed from the story. There is no attempt to connect the reader with the characters. It felt like I was just reading a very dry biography for most of the book. The plot is actually very interesting but I never felt like the main characters really cared about each other at all. We were told a lot but not shown a lot.
I haven’t read any other books by this author so this may just be a stylistic choice but it didn’t work for me…definitely not as a romance where emotion should play such a big role in the reader’s experience.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As a reader, I felt so completely removed from the story. There is no attempt to connect the reader with the characters. It felt like I was just reading a very dry biography for most of the book. The plot is actually very interesting but I never felt like the main characters really cared about each other at all. We were told a lot but not shown a lot.
I haven’t read any other books by this author so this may just be a stylistic choice but it didn’t work for me…definitely not as a romance where emotion should play such a big role in the reader’s experience.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2024
This one started out really strong for me, I really enjoyed the first 25% or so of this one and was very invested. However, it went downhill quickly from there.
The book was so surface level and the dialog was terrible. This book could have been really good because the plot was very interesting but the characters felt really underdeveloped. Somehow, I did still enjoy the book but I think that is solely because of the plot.
At times it felt like an after school special. This book tackled abortion, miscarriages, infertility, death/grief, and domestic violence and doesn’t do a very good job of addressing any of it.
I can’t say I’d recommend this one- I did actually like it but it just wasn’t well done.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the arc .
The book was so surface level and the dialog was terrible. This book could have been really good because the plot was very interesting but the characters felt really underdeveloped. Somehow, I did still enjoy the book but I think that is solely because of the plot.
At times it felt like an after school special. This book tackled abortion, miscarriages, infertility, death/grief, and domestic violence and doesn’t do a very good job of addressing any of it.
I can’t say I’d recommend this one- I did actually like it but it just wasn’t well done.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the arc .
July 31, 2024
Im so glad I finally read this. I’m making it my mission to find books with this vibe. I loved following Maiko and Adrian through the years, getting to know them, feeling for them! Stories like this always make me think about real life celebrities, they are in fact also real people and how the media plays such a crazy role in their lives is mind blowing to me! This book made me, once again, appreciate authors and the work they put in their books! How someone can write words on a computer and elicit so many emotions out of me is truly amazing.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc! I love finding new favorites!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc! I love finding new favorites!
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September 19, 2024liked this more than the author’s other celebrity book (which i dnfed), but wanted more characterization and reflection/growth between the eras
also not in the description but this book talks a lot ab infertility
i picked this up because: i love a second chance… and celebrity
also not in the description but this book talks a lot ab infertility
i picked this up because: i love a second chance… and celebrity
September 20, 2024
4.25 ⭐️
September 8, 2024
Another good read from Elissa Sloan. I do feel the more serious topics covered couldn’t have been handled in a deeper manner a la Cassidy Holmes, but this was still an entertaining read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
October 17, 2024
So basically I think it was fine. But it was just missing a little something. It was a little mundane but in a realistic way (even though it’s set in Hollywood) i don’t know if I would recommend any of my friends to read this. If it’s on your tbr, go for it, but personally I wouldn’t rush to read it.
August 8, 2024
Discovering a new author can be a deeply moving experience, especially when the characters feel so real and their stories resonate on a personal level. I recently delved into a novel where the emotional depth of the male protagonist struck a chord with me. His journey, filled with struggles and raw vulnerability, was compelling and unforgettable.
The story unfolds as he and the female lead, both carrying the weight of their painful pasts, navigate a tumultuous relationship. Their initial connection, filled with hope and intensity, eventually crumbles, only for them to reunite under the spotlight of a stage. The way their paths intertwine again is both heart-wrenching and beautiful.
What captivated me was how authentically the author portrayed their individual and shared hardships. Both characters endure difficult relationships, and it's clear they deserve more than what life has handed them. The author's ability to capture their struggles and aspirations made their eventual reunion all the more poignant and satisfying.
This novel left a lasting impression on me, as it skillfully blended emotional depth with a compelling narrative. It's a testament to the author's talent and a reminder of how powerful storytelling can be when it touches on the complexities of the human heart.
The story unfolds as he and the female lead, both carrying the weight of their painful pasts, navigate a tumultuous relationship. Their initial connection, filled with hope and intensity, eventually crumbles, only for them to reunite under the spotlight of a stage. The way their paths intertwine again is both heart-wrenching and beautiful.
What captivated me was how authentically the author portrayed their individual and shared hardships. Both characters endure difficult relationships, and it's clear they deserve more than what life has handed them. The author's ability to capture their struggles and aspirations made their eventual reunion all the more poignant and satisfying.
This novel left a lasting impression on me, as it skillfully blended emotional depth with a compelling narrative. It's a testament to the author's talent and a reminder of how powerful storytelling can be when it touches on the complexities of the human heart.
August 10, 2024
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and William Morrow & Company for hosting the giveaway! Once you pick this book up, it is SUPER hard to put down. The story has me captivated the whole time. Glad I was able to read this book
July 28, 2024
I love Elissa’s books! I signed up for Book of the Month just so I could read her first one early, and she’s been a fave ever since.
The story revolves around Maiko and Adrian, and they were a compelling couple to me. I love just about any book that deals with the celeb world, and this delivered nicely. It takes place over about 20 years with them getting together, falling apart, and getting their second chance. I was rooting for them the whole time.
Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.
The story revolves around Maiko and Adrian, and they were a compelling couple to me. I love just about any book that deals with the celeb world, and this delivered nicely. It takes place over about 20 years with them getting together, falling apart, and getting their second chance. I was rooting for them the whole time.
Thanks as always to NetGalley for the ARC.
July 20, 2024
This was my first Elissa Sloan book and I thought it was good! I loved how the storyline went through the years. Definitely team Madrian! Excited to check out more of Elissa’s work!
September 10, 2024
📚 Double Exposure
✍ Elissa Sloan
📖 Fiction/Romance
⭐4/5
🌶️
➡ Maiko Fox and Adrian Hightower met and fell in love just before becoming household names. Their love became a Hollywood commodity and when their relationship disintegrated, they each had to find their own legs to stand on in bustling and competitive industries.
Years later, their names together still boast top billing at the box office but their lives are running parallel courses, far from each other. When both Maiko and Adrian are faced with their own heartbreaks, will they be able to find solace in each other once again or will their failed attempt at first love taint the possibility of a brilliant future.
◾
🙏 Thank you to @williammorrowbooks, @netgalley and Elissa Sloan for an advanced copy of Double Exposure. All opinions are my own.
◾
🎯 What I loved: When I was younger and experiencing my first heartbreak, my mom patiently explained to me that there were four types of relationships: right person/right time, right person/wrong time, wrong person/wrong time and wrong person/ right time. Together and apart, Maiko and Adrian went through every iteration of these relationships. In many ways, this was less a love story and more a story of how two people evolved apart so they could eventually make their way back to each other. With exerts from gossip magazines, this had the feel of a celebrity romance but with more depth. Double Exposure touched on a multitude of heavy issues but did so in a way that felt raw and vulnerable. I experienced intense like and dislike of both main characters throughout their journeys and was impressed with the amount of emotion this story evoked from me.
🙅♀️ What I didn't: Although the myriad of heavy issues in this book were handled with care, I almost felt like there were too many addressed at once (although life never mediates what it throws at us, so that's fair). Without giving away anything, please see trigger warnings before reading as there are A LOT of sensitive topics incorporated into the direct storyline of Double Exposure.
◾
Read if you love:
*right person at the wrong time
*Hollywood romance
*second chance...slow burn
*heavy & emotional fiction reads with a heavy romantic subplot
◾
See also: How to Fake It in Hollywood, It Starts with Us, How to End a Love Story
✍ Elissa Sloan
📖 Fiction/Romance
⭐4/5
🌶️
➡ Maiko Fox and Adrian Hightower met and fell in love just before becoming household names. Their love became a Hollywood commodity and when their relationship disintegrated, they each had to find their own legs to stand on in bustling and competitive industries.
Years later, their names together still boast top billing at the box office but their lives are running parallel courses, far from each other. When both Maiko and Adrian are faced with their own heartbreaks, will they be able to find solace in each other once again or will their failed attempt at first love taint the possibility of a brilliant future.
◾
🙏 Thank you to @williammorrowbooks, @netgalley and Elissa Sloan for an advanced copy of Double Exposure. All opinions are my own.
◾
🎯 What I loved: When I was younger and experiencing my first heartbreak, my mom patiently explained to me that there were four types of relationships: right person/right time, right person/wrong time, wrong person/wrong time and wrong person/ right time. Together and apart, Maiko and Adrian went through every iteration of these relationships. In many ways, this was less a love story and more a story of how two people evolved apart so they could eventually make their way back to each other. With exerts from gossip magazines, this had the feel of a celebrity romance but with more depth. Double Exposure touched on a multitude of heavy issues but did so in a way that felt raw and vulnerable. I experienced intense like and dislike of both main characters throughout their journeys and was impressed with the amount of emotion this story evoked from me.
🙅♀️ What I didn't: Although the myriad of heavy issues in this book were handled with care, I almost felt like there were too many addressed at once (although life never mediates what it throws at us, so that's fair). Without giving away anything, please see trigger warnings before reading as there are A LOT of sensitive topics incorporated into the direct storyline of Double Exposure.
◾
Read if you love:
*right person at the wrong time
*Hollywood romance
*second chance...slow burn
*heavy & emotional fiction reads with a heavy romantic subplot
◾
See also: How to Fake It in Hollywood, It Starts with Us, How to End a Love Story
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