Beyond the Lens

Lucy Mitchell #1

by Hannah Ellis

When twenty-six-year-old Lucy Mitchell loses her job, she momentarily loses her mind too and agrees to take part in a reality TV show. Before she knows it she’s jetting off to a piece of paradise on a beautiful Spanish island.

Much to her surprise, Lucy makes new friends and has the time of her life, even indulging in a behind-the-scenes romance with a hunky cameraman.

Convinced the production will never make it to the screen, Lucy returns home on cloud nine, but soon finds that things are not always as they seem.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Amazon, Novels

Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2025

About the author

Hannah Ellis spent many years working in childcare before deciding she'd like to write books. When she's not busy writing she likes to read, drink tea and eat chocolate. She also enjoys yoga and jogging.

Reviews

[Archit · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many things I want to talk about right now!

First of all, this book is dazzling !

I loved everything about it.

Lucy Mitchell, 26 year old has lost her decent paying job just half an hour before and currently she's standing in front of the camera. They are shooting a reality show and they ask her all of a sudden that if she'd like to be a contestant.

Without thinking anything, she says 'Yes'. A big 'Yes'. They are about to shoot her 24/7. A cameraman would follow her entire time. Well, she was being only a positive person by signing up the contracts to go to Spain for one week and shoot the reality show.

The cameraman, who is assigned to her is cute and handsome. So there was no way, she'll take back her statement. They also inform the contestants that it might not make to the screen. She is well satisfied with this.

But is that really so? Can you trust people around you? Is it possible that what you see is always true?

The eye-pleasing colored cover was enough to entice me into it. Fluid and lucid writing style play enough enchanting tricks on you and you find yourself already trapped with its beauty. The reality show touch to the story has done wonders to the story.

This is a perfect book for spending your Sunday with. Holding this book reminds me of myself sitting on a sofa, enjoying the breeze on a beach and reading it peacefully. Wow. I have loved every instance of Beyond The Lens. I look forward to reading the author more.

If you're a person wanting to read romance, you should go for Hannah Ellis' novels.

I say you should also become a 'Yes' person like Lucy.

[emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is a book about british people who go on a reality TV show, and considering i don't particularly care for either reality TV or british people (just kidding! kind of), i probably shouldn't have expected to like this book.

HOWEVER.

i was really in the mood for a romantic comedy and this seemed summery. also i am feeling summery.

unfortunately, though these characters spent seemingly 98% of the time they didn't spend in pubs in a pool, this did not feel particularly summery. or romantic. or comedy-y.

or character-y, for that matter.

basically, this book fell flat for me.

like, very, very flat.

bottom line: meh!

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i don't remember when or why i bought this book but i'm reading it now

[Surabhi Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reality behind the reality shows. You are an ordinary person one day and after a week you become a household name. Some loved you and others hate you. And now you cannot amend what is already done.

Lucy Mitchell gets redundant from her job. She walked passed signal then a lady holding a mike with a camera focused on her, appeared. She asked her to join a reality show from a famous production company soon to be aired, which will be shouting in Spain. Lucy said ‘Yes’ spontaneously and packed her stuff followed by a cameraman everywhere she steps. There are a total of seven people selected for this show.

‘A Trip to Remember’, a show which changed their life forever. The show made them an overnight sensation. But, everything comes with a cost. When the show aired Lucy Mitchell could not bear the sight of her on TV. She was lovingly hated by everyone around. What happened with the other six people? Why everyone hates her? The show turns out to be a biggest mistake and a blessing at the same time.

The story is their journey from ordinary to celebrity. How one moment when they agreed for this show has changed their life! The way a reality show has been made and portrayed the contestants the way they wanted. Everything you see and claimed to be real is not always real; there is a different reality behind a reality show. A pleasant and stupendous read; a week of shot to fame.

https://thereviewauthor.wordpress.com/

[Heidi Ha · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sophomoric effort at best. The book is SO BORING. The whole "reality show" section was one huge snooze-fest of "and then we ate, and then we went swimming, and then we did a silly obstacle course, and then we got drunk, and then we giggled, and then we put on bikinis..." The characters were so flat and uninteresting that it was impossible to keep them straight. The book *almost* got interesting when the character returned home after filming, but even that quickly fell flat.

[kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Fab read really enjoyed thank you for writing I love your books x x x x x x x x

[B.R. Maycock · Rating 5 out of 5]

You’ll remember I reviewed Friends Like These by Hannah Ellis (read review here ) and My Kind Of Perfect (review here and extract here) and was thrilled with how warm and relatable her characters were, and how easy it was to fall into the story lines and accompany said characters on their journeys. This book, I’m happy to say, also ticked the box in this regard, plus so many more.

We meet Lucy Mitchell, shocked by the fact that she’s just lost her job, and in the mood to rebel just a little:

‘I’d never stolen anything before in my life. I couldn’t even bring myself to take a mint from the bowl beside the till at the hairdresser, so I was quite proud of the stapler in my handbag. At first, I’d considered returning it. I’d actually retraced my steps, sure I couldn’t live with the knowledge that I was basically a common thief.’

And that’s Lucy. Someone who has the hint of a rebel inside her that has tried to conform as much as possible. I warmed to Lucy straight away, as I did with most of the characters and smiled very early on in the book as Lucy realised that she was going to take her Mum’s, who’s motto surely is ‘seize the day,’ advice and do just that. I accompanied Lucy on holidays, again, as with Ms. Ellis’ other books, walking alongside her, grinning as events unfolded, and wondering where this journey would take her personally. I enjoyed the pacing, which ambled along in a book full of warm, light hearted banter, with friendships and romances blooming all around. There was everyday, easygoing action, as the contestants completed trials to get prizes, with comedy interspersed.

I must admit I then wondered what we were catching a glimpse of when hints of mystery were flashed at us. I knew that there was something coming, and was not prepared for the twist that arose. When I saw ‘part 2’ and things began to speed up, I was beyond surprised. The twist was great, and I began to question everyone ‘we’ had met, including Adam, which came as a surprise to me. This gave me my only issue, because although I had enjoyed the first part and was taken along with it, when the pacing picked up in part 2, I did wish that part 1 had been that bit more snappy and part 2 had been prolonged, just a little.

The characters were great, ones I look forward to meeting again, the romance was every gorgeous shade of perfect, and the comedy, warmth and mystery definitely satisfied.

Rating: 4/5

[A'ndrea (Auni) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah Ellis delivers again. I really enjoy her books. The characters in this book are extremely likable. I love a good chick lit type of book.

[Deetz]

Cute quick read

[Samantha March · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the Lens by Hannah Ellis was an immediate attention-grabber. It’s very quick to the point – Lucy Mitchell loses her job and her sense of reality for a brief moment – and while her guard is down, she gets asked to partake in a reality show . . . in Spain. Still reeling from the news of her redundancy and her mother telling her to be more adventurous, Lucy says yes and is immediately whisked onto a plane with a camera in her face and a lot of strangers turned roommates to try to befriend.
The actual filming of the reality show was so fun to read. It doesn’t seem like the typical reality show – the cast mates get along, drunken hook-ups are to a minimum, and the cast actually overhears the director calling them boring and being worried the show won’t air. Lucy has an excellent time with her vacation, partaking in challenges with her new friends and even catching the eye of cameraman Adam. But once filming is wrapped and they head back home, a new reality awaits. Turns out the show already aired, and it’s a very different reality from what actually happened during the week of filming. Lucy is portrayed horribly on screen, and the public is out to remind her of that whenever she steps out. She goes into hiding, and her once budding romance with Adam comes to a halt. Until. . . the twist that I didn’t even see coming!
Beyond the Lens by Hannah Ellis was so incredibly fun to read. From jet-setting to Spain to being just as confused as Lucy with the reality show, I was hooked. The twist definitely surprised me, but even after that big reveal, the story doesn’t just end. We still get a little more of a glimpse into Lucy’s life and her new beginning. I also see this is a part of a series, and I eagerly await a new book!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book**

Lucy has just been laid off from her job and doesn't know what to do. When an opportunity to go on a week getaway in Spain is offered Lucy is excited and a bit reluctant. There's just a catch - she would have to agree to be filmed for a possible reality show.

I will admit that I am guilty of watching reality shows and taking their word for what happened. But reality shows are anything but reality. I really enjoyed how the book presented the show and then showed the true aftermath.

Sometimes I wanted to say no read the stupid contract before you sign it, but then that wouldn't make for a good story. Ha!

The other characters like Adam (camera man), Kelly, Matt are great characters and I enjoyed a good chuckle. Lucy grows a bit as a character and while she sometimes frustrated me - I just couldn't hate here for going to Spain.

I would definitely recommend this series to anybody who enjoys some good witty comedy and a good will they or won't they romance.

[Sophie-Leigh Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beyond the Lens was the first novel I read from author Hannah Ellis and I liked it. The story is cute and will leave a smile on your face while reading.

When Lucy loses her job, she gets whisked away to an island for a reality tv show. She soon befriends the other candidates and they spend their days completing challenges, swimming in the pool and having fun. But when they return home after one week, there is a shocking surprise waiting for them.

The story is told in 2 parts and I'm sure that you won't see the twist in part 2 coming. That makes it really fun to read and to try and guess what's going on. One small remark I have is that the pace of the first part might have been upped a bit. For me it was a bit too slow.

[Martu Castro Vallejo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this baby without knowing what it was about and I read it in like two sittings. Yes, it was that good.

At the beginning of the week, Lucy is just a regular girl that lacks the sense of adventure. All it took to trigger this journey was a “yes”. This book showcases the path from ordinary to famous. Who would have guessed that she would meet such a great group of people and a cute but shy cameraman in the process?

I found the plot to be extremely original; I’ve never read anything like it. The TV is plagued by reality shows, yet I’ve never read a book about what goes on behind the cameras.

We’re presented with a very odd yet hilarious group of people, and it was lovely to see how their friendship got stronger as the days passed. We need more of these friends in the real world. Friends who take care of each other (well, mostly. I’m looking at you Ryan,) and don’t succumb to the claws of fame.

What pleasantly surprised me was how in the span of a short book, we get to see how much Lucy grows as a person and how her confidence increases. We don’t get much of this in contemporary books. And when we do, it seems that the confidence boost is always related to a guy. Thankfully, that’s not the case here.

I loved the mystery regarding Maria’s apartment. And although I saw it coming, it was a great twist.

The second twist, though. It hit me like a truck. It was great! Congrats, Hannah, you played us all.

My only issue with this book was the distribution of the “problems” to be solved. The first half was too perfect and then it all goes downhill. I thought there were way too many things going on. Or maybe it’s just that I’m not used to it. It’s not that bad, really. I’m just making it sound worse than it is.

This book is a perfect summer read, but it’s not just that. It highlights the importance of how not everything is what it seems. In an era in which we’re surrounded by technology and information at the reach of our fingers, we should be careful with who we trust and what we hear.

With that being said, let’s end this review with the other important moral from this story: let’s say yes every once in a while. We have to take some risks. If not now, then when?

Rating

4 out of 5 stars

I Want to thank Hannah Ellis for providing me with a copy of this amazing book! I can't wait to read the next one.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I enjoy a good rom-com as much as the next woman "of a certain age" but it is always a bit of a risk trying a new author. Luckily Ms Ellis does not disappoint and has presented the reader with a quirky and funny novel that centres around a reality TV show. I was expecting something along the lines of UnReal but whilst it does touch on the manipulation of the edit suite it is much more about the disparate group of characters thrown together by circumstance.

At first it took me a while to get on board with the whole premise - grabbing 7 strangers from the street and flying them out to spend a week free of charge in a Spanish Finca, the only catch being they agree to be filmed. Each of the 7 (Dylan, Ryan, Matt, Kelly, Margaret, Chrissie and our heroine Lucy) have wildly different reasons for taking the week out of their real lives; the only problem for the production team is they genuinely get along. The only problem for me was that they were all a little bit too drama free and I did find it hard to countenance that 7 disparate people would gel so much. It did make for fun reading though.

The real problems start when they get back to Manchester and find that they have been broadcast live to the nation and in a way that is unrepresentative of the actual week they spent. There is a nice little twist to the story and a moral about what the media (social and traditional) can do to manipulate the consumer.

I did find myself less interested in the budding romance between Adam the cameraman and Lucy than in the friendships developing between the lucky 7; particularly after they return to Manchester. Whilst the romance angle is well drawn and, for the genre, moderately believable I was much more interested in the characters and how they related to each other and their sudden fame rather than whether Adam and Lucy were really going to make a go of it.

This fun and frothy and would make the perfect beach read.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Romantic Comedy That Shows There is More to Reality TV Than What We See

I received an ARC of Behind the Lens by Hannah Ellis in exchange for my honest review
This was a cute concept, Lucy, our heroine, is let go from her job and stopped on the street to join a new reality TV show about strangers going on vacation together. Risk adverse Lucy is encouraged by her crazy, free-spirited mom to take more risks and her amazing stepmom to try it out. So off she goes.
Almost immediately, like while being filmed getting ready to leave, Lucy connects with Adam, one of the cameramen. She also clicks with Chrissie who becomes her roommate. All of the contestants, plus the cameramen, on vacation together grow to be like family, a tight night group happy to play, tease but also having one another’s backs. The characters and their evolving relationships are one of the best parts of this novel.
The romance between Lucy and Adam grows slowly and we get more insight into Adam once they return from their reality TV vacation home. The romance is sweet, easy and fun.
Unlike many reality TV show based romances this one is split between the filming and what happens when the reality TV contestants return home. What is real and accepted as reality to the TV audience vs. what is actually real?
The week in Spain moved slowly in the first half of the book while the time on their return to England, the back half of the book, seems to move at a rapid pace. Overall I enjoyed the book with its sweet romance and interesting characters. I also loved the insight into how reality TV works and is anything but reality. The book was original and fun to read even if it was a little slow and superficial.

[Sylvia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually don’t write reviews unless I love or hate the book and this book I honestly hope is the worst book I read this year. I don’t know what possessed me to finish it but I did it and feel like I should earn a medal or something.

So here goes my unfiltered thoughts while reading this book.

Why did people speak with so many exclamation points? The dialogues felt like four years old hyped on sugar talking.

The settings were so badly described that you couldn’t paint a clear picture of the action going on. It was like the autor never made any research about how television and reality shows are taped, Majorca geography’s or anything going on in the story.

The characters were supposed to be likable but they were simply annoying. The token diversity element came courtesy of a 40 year old Australian crocodile Dundee wanna be. The rest are just a bunch boring white bread people with no distinguished characteristics. Lucy in particular was equal parts annoying and boring, the tantrum she throw when she found out that she was been secretly film while signing on to appear on a reality tv show was incomprehensible. The other - non reality tv show - characters were so underdeveloped that there weren’t any point for their existence, seriously what’s was the point of hippie mom, jealous roommate, serious dad, Adam’s parents, etc? I could go on and on but I just want to forget I wasted a week reading this book.

Honestly it felt like a fourteen years old wishful thinking of how adult live is.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

💕Will Lucy's true character show through when a reality show rocks her world and leads her to love?!💕
February 9, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
💕👍👍A sweet romantic adventure, well-written and a very enjoyable read with a satisfying conclusion for just about every character. I thought the plot was original and the main, slow-blooming romance for heroine and newly-unemployed Lucy was lovely, though fraught with hiccups! The book was split into two parts. The travel adventure in Spain/first part felt a bit drawn out to me. The second part, after Lucy and her fellow contestants return to England, moved faster and was more interesting. Whereas the contestants recount some of their backstories in part one, Adam the cameraman's work and family life only come out once they are back in England. I liked his character so much more after learning about his family background and his career goals.

Lucy is a great heroine who shows a good deal of growth through the book but still comes off a bit immature by the story's end. Thank goodness she's got a solid support network to help her through some truly ghastly consequences of her impulsive decision to try the world of reality shows. The author peppered some great twists into the tale.:-)

[Nese · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this eBook for free from Amazon for an honest review.
Although some people may find it interesting and a fun read, this book is not my cup of tea. I can’t really say it is a badly written book because it is not really a book but reads like somebody’s vacation memoir. Most of the book is a one long dialog among the characters and the rest goes something like this: “took the cab to go home to pack, was driven to the airport to board on a plan, got off the plane in Spain, arrived to the motel, went to bed, got up, ate breakfast, and went for a swim. I had to force myself to finish this book, but I put it down half-way through after a chicken who has a name and gets to be treated like a pet gets her neck broken while being petted. I wondered why I wasted my time trying to read this. However I found the excerpts from the second book of the same series which was at the end of this book promising.

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book even though it was not a story I would normally have chosen...I really don't like reality shows and would gag if forced to watch one! But this was from an author I appreciate and could trust it would be good story.

Lucy and 6 others were approached on the streets in London about spending a free holiday in Spain while being filmed with the possibility it might air on TV. Lucy had just lost her boring office job (was made redundant as they say in the UK) and hadn't a clue what to do next. But her mother had encouraged her to say "yes" to an adventure so she did. The week turned out to be quite a wonderful experience, but after that maybe not so much. I truly cared about the characters though and hoped for it to be a good experience.

This was the first in a 2-part story, so I plan to read book 2 to see what adventures lie ahead for Lucy and the gang.

[Katie G · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was incredibly boring. I kept reading so I could count it as one of my books for the year, as I'm rather behind, but I probably would have been better off quitting and trying something else.

The characters get along, which was nice, but they were hard to tell apart and not at all interesting to read about. The chapter endings never felt natural to me. I assume we're supposed to find Lucy and Adam cute, but I found it annoying that she was always trying to stop him from doing his job and sometimes even getting mad at him for it.

The second half was slightly more interesting, but only just. The few moments where something interesting almost happened quickly became as boring as everything else. Definitely do not recommend.

[Gigi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've been going through a spring clean of my Kindle and after 3 books that I could not finish, I decided to stick it out with this one. Overall, the idea behind the story is a good one looking at how reality TV can easily be twisted, but I found the main character to be whiny and annoying so it was very hard to root for her. Also, it's as if these people have never seen a reality TV show, there are also hidden cameras everywhere. I find it hard to believe no matter how many times Lucy says that she forgot the cameras were there and it really frustrated me when she wouldn't listen to Dylan who was the voice of reason throughout the book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and surprising

Lucy and Adam are such an adorable duo! It was funny when they were on the reality show and Lucy simply refused to let Adam the cameraman be invisible to her. But when reality TV shifted back to reality, I enjoyed how their relationship developed throughout the drama unfolding around them. It would be fun to read a chapter from Adam’s perspective to get his inner thoughts since he is often the sweet, silent type. And the rest of the gang that stuck together after being randomly chosen were a great addition to the story. I’m looking forward to the next part of Adam and Lucy’s story!

[Sarah F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fourth fantastic offering from novelist, Hannah Ellis.
Beyond the Lens is the first book in a brand new series, this time we meet Lucy Mitchell and discover what happens when you suddenly become a "yes" person.
This story had me entertained from the outset, and, quite simply, I loved it.

I recommend this book to people who want some fun, light reading, and a bit of escapism from reality! Only books I've wanted to read twice get 5 stars.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.

[Susan Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond the Lens is a light read, suitable for a weekend at the beach or sitting beside a pool. The characters are all pretty likable and endearing.

I enjoyed Part 2 much more than I did Part 1. I found the beginning of the book to be just a tad boring and repetitive after a while - seven days of romping in the pool, innocent flirting,etc. which all went to prove that all the "contestants" really did get along with one another.

Overall, this is a good, quick book to read over a weekend. The writing is good enough to compel me to read more from this author.

[Mrs L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to read, lighthearted comedy romance. On the day Lucy loses her jobs she is offered an all expenses paid holiday to the sun. Only catch? She has to leave today, and she will be part of a Big Brother style house programme sharing a house with 5 other people.
Tired of always doing the right thing, and urged to say yes to more things, Lucy goes. At the house she meets her new housemates, and begins a set of challenges with them, as well as getting to know them, always being mindful of being filmed. And of the man with the camera she is definitely not supposed to be interested in!

[Cynthia Warren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hooked into reading this book because it was about a reality show contestant, which I felt was a unique subject, plus I love reality tv. I very much enjoyed the plot twist when everything went wrong. Sadly, the writing and the rest of the plot dragged afterwards. I ended up skimming pages over who ate what, and character interactions that meant nothing. It was like reaching for a soda on a hot summer day, to find that it's flat. :/

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feel good friendship story

This is about a woman who gets laid off from her job and then is ambushed into a free holiday in Spain for a week and also be a part of a reality TV show with 6 other people. What no one expected was what a great time they would have and what great friends they would become. That is until they come home and find out threw creative editing, Lucy is cast as the crazy chick in the TV show. There is romance and Lucy finding her voice. Good read.

[Dianne Garber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reality Edited

A light story of winning a trip to Spain to be on a reality show. The main character is surprised to make close friends with the other contestants, form a special attachment to her cameraman and gave a great week only to return home to the public hating her. Must read to find out the ending.

[Mykal towery · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)

Another great book by this author! I have flown through four of her books now over my Winter break from teaching and am on to the next one. I’m not sure what exactly to call this genre, maybe romantic comedy with a focus on friend relationships? But I love it. It’s just the lightheartedness I need.

[Bobbi Townsend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting~

The backdrop is a reality TV show that turns out to be smoke & mirrors~ The contestants are manipulated to enhance drama. From the the onset of the cameras depict the contestants in a light that engenders drama~. There are individuals who are duped. It was disjointed & in need of continuity~

[Teresa Perrott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

What happens when you sign up for something that then turns into something completely different? You decided to go abroad for a tv show meet and make some fabulous friends, come back home to find everything is different. Can you deal with the pressure that brings. Read to find it how