Cut to the Ending: A Novel

by Maria Millage

A deliciously swoony Hollywood romcom about an aspiring screenwriter who gets the opportunity to write the finale of a megahit fantasy franchise, and the nerdy—but annoyingly hot—assistant she teams up with to teach her the series’ canon, for readers of How to End a Love Story and Book Lovers.

"A must-read love letter to fandoms and Hollywood​." —Laura Marie Meyers, author of The MASH Up

Delaney Webber knows the price of Hollywood long hours, a caffeine addiction, and sacrificing any semblance of a personal life. But a year after a misogynistic producer torpedoed her screenwriting career, she’s stuck running errands for her eccentric boss-slash-mentor. When he offers her the chance to finish the fantasy franchise that made him a household name—Magician’s Gambit—she jumps at the opportunity to get her career back on track. There’s just one she’s never seen it.

Not-quite-reformed nerd Max Sullivan is one Slack notification away from a mental breakdown. As the assistant to one of LA’s most powerful (and terrifying) talent managers, he’s Living the Dream—aka barely keeping his anxiety in check while juggling hyper-specific coffee orders and overinflated egos. But it’s worth it for the opportunity to one day make the kind of movies his dad raised him on, movies like Magician’s Gambit.

It’s the perfect match to save both their careers. Max needs his big break; Delaney needs someone to teach her the difference between an orc and a hobbit. But as their Magician’s Gambit lessons turn strictly unprofessional and their electric chemistry becomes impossible to ignore, they must decide if their future is worth fighting for, or if it’s time to roll the credits.

Genres: Romance, Fiction

Audible Audio

Expected publication November 3, 2026

About the author

Born and raised in the Seattle suburbs, Maria Millage studied Writing for Film and Television at Emerson College before moving to Los Angeles, where she works in the entertainment industry and owns too many jackets that she never gets to wear. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found stuck in traffic on the 101 or catering to the whims of her cat.

Reviews

[Sophie]

DNF 60%

I liked the idea behind this book, but the romance had no subtlety. The attraction was laid on thick right from the start, when what I wanted was for the tension to build naturally. The romance felt way too rushed and the writing was not my favorite. It felt overly descriptive at times.

Around 40% reading started to feel like a chore and by 60% I realized I didn’t care how it ended anymore, so I decided to DNF. I also did not care about the articles, movie scripts, etc, and ended up skipping them.

─ ✦ ────

✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: need a beach read for this weekend and this sounds so fun

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

[Kassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for providing me with an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Delaney Webber has no personal life. She works as the assistant to a bestselling author of the epic fantasy series Magician’s Gambit, all while dreaming of launching a writing career of her own.

Max Sullivan is the assistant to one of Los Angeles’s most powerful talent managers. Struggling with anxiety and the constant pressures of his high-stress job, he often feels on the verge of burnout. When he gets the opportunity to help Delaney write the fifth installment of Magician’s Gambit, it seems like the perfect chance to advance both of their careers. What neither of them expects is to fall for each other along the way.

I thought this was a promising start for a debut author. The writing was solid, although it took me a little while to become fully invested in the story. I also wasn’t a fan of the screenplay-style sections included in certain chapters. While they were an interesting creative choice, I found them confusing at times and felt they interrupted the flow of the narrative.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a lot of potential, even if it didn’t completely work for me. I’m interested to see what this author writes next.

[Jess Laur · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those moments where I’ll say someone’s 5 star rating is someone’s else’s DNF. While I did finish it, the behind the scenes Hollywood vibe of the book & 6,000 different characters to remember was a bit much for me. I expected a different Hollywood take, but I encourage other readers who enjoy screenplays and “behind-the-scenes” vibes to read this one! Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for this opportunity to honestly review Cut to the Ending. 2 ⭐️

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This debut novel was a winner! I am in my “give me something new” era when it comes to romance novels. Move over billionaire, hockey, small town romances – it’s time for The Lord of the Nerds to have his time in the limelight.

Delaney and Max - two executive assistants in LA who both have been hustling towards bigger, more influential roles in movie making - cross paths when Delaney is recruited to write the long-awaited script for the final movie in a mega-popular fantasy series Magician’s Gambit. Knowing almost nothing about the series, her ex-boss’s new assistant Max steps in to educate Delaney on the fantasy world he loves.

This is such a fun premise! I love the idea of a casual observer needing to quickly become an encyclopedic super fan of a nerdy series, forcing her to rely on said super fan. The set up is so dire. Through Maria’s strong writing, I immediately felt the pressure the pair faced to nail this script. Its success would not only catapult both Max and Delaney into their dream jobs, but they also felt a sense of loyalty to do right by the series for the sake of the fandom and the characters. I really wanted to know if Max and Delaney’s sacrifices would finally pay off. The question of whether or not Delaney’s script would be good enough kept me hooked from start to finish!

I always love when there are little articles or newsletters incorporated into books. I feel like the ones in this book were so helpful in fleshing out the story. It was fun to see the parallels between the characters/storyline of Magician’s Gambit V and the real-world characters and to get some of the lore of the series.

I did like Delaney and applauded her incredible diligence, drive, and tenacity but man, Max was the star for me. He had wonderful, wise moments with so many characters. His conversation with Lee in the bathroom before Lee spoke at his first convention since his brother passed… That was so, so special. Max was altruistic, kind-hearted, genuine, dependable, self-depricating, FUNNY. Move over grumpy, snarky, jaded leading men. Max is who you marry, y’all. Delaney and Max were great for each other. It was uber sweet to watch them fall for each other.

"I'd really like to kiss you." Max's thumb, stroking across her cheekbone, paused at the corner of her mouth. "But those onions..." He whistled.
"I have mints," she offered, and pulled back to root
through her purse.
He eyed the tin she held out as if it were a venomous
snake. "Spearmint?"
"What's wrong with spearmint?"
"Nothing, if you enjoy eating toothpaste. But for you?" He fished out two and chewed them with stoic determination that would have been more appropriate for a cyanide pill. "Just as I expected. Horrific."
"Thank you for your sacrifice."

If I had one criticism… The cover of this book does not do the story justice. You are telling me you have a story based around a mega-popular fantasy series and you go with two humans just gazing into each other’s eyes for your cover? I think the cover artist could do so much more, put together something much more unique and eye-catching that better encompasses the story!

Overall, this was superb. A very thorough telling of Delaney and Max’s story to find each other and create something meaningful. It had an excellent mix of tender, funny, and angsty moments. I loved it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book a few weeks ago and then life got in the way and I forgot to do my review which I am correcting now because this book was an absolute unexpected delight!

One of my favorite local indie bookstores (shout out to Beguiled Books in Seattle) threw a notice up on their stories for a local author or a friend of the store (honestly I can't remember) who wrote their debut book and ARCs were available on NetGalley. May was like a hard reading month and I was just looking for something anything so I kind of just said - debut author loved by one of my fave bookstore- yes please. And this was the best decision ever because Cut to the Ending was such a fun read. I adored it.

So this is a Contemporary romance between our MMC, Max Sullivan, a nerdy assistant and super fan of a popular fantasty series and our FMC Delaney Webber, who wants to be a screenwriter, but is currently the assistant for the surviving writer of the popular fantasy series. Delaney is given a shot at her dream job if she can help her boss finish the fantasy franchise that he has struggled for years to write without his brother. And despite being a super talented writer- Delaney is not actually a fan of the series, as is she has never seen it. But Delaney is both determined to win her shot at a screenwriting career and help her boss and mentor out so she pairs up with Max to get a crash course in all things Magician's Gambit. Max not only gets to meet his hero, the writer of these books, but he gets a shot at his dream job (which is not being an assistant forever).

These two. I love them. They are both smart and talented and quirky in their own ways. Their relationship is incredibly sweet and believable. They are determined to do this much loved fantasy its due credit and earn their own shots at their dream jobs, but they keep getting surprised/distracted by the growing chemistry between them. Watching them fight this and eventually give in to the idea that they can be successful in more than one way was just a joy. I loved all of this. I loved that it centered around characvters who are unapologetically who they are- Delaney is smart and determined and intimidating to those who don't know her. She believes in strong female characters and I loved how this played into the story. Max is nerdy and anxious and has his own past- but he is not embarassed by who he is. And he knows that Delaney is the one for him and she does not intimidate him. And best of all, he never asks her to be anything other than who she is. Swoon.

I love a good fantasy read but I woud not say I was really into the nerdier aspects of it all and I have never gone to a convention for a series or dressed up or something like that- so reading all about this was so fun. I am truly surprised this was a debut book for Maria Millage and I havewill definitely be buying a paperback of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. I rated this a 4.25.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cut to the Ending follows Laney, an ambitious woman willing to sacrifice almost anything to break in as a screenwriter in Hollywood. When she gets the opportunity to write a sequel to Magician's Gambit, a very popular fantasy IP, she is in over her head. Enter Max, a huge MG fan, to help her understand this fantasy world. And to understand what might be missing from her life.


What works:
-Laney. She feels real with with clear motivations and internal conflicts.
-Magician's Gambit. Millage put a lot into creating and fleshing out this story within a story. In many ways, MG is the third main character in this book, with lore, scripts, and fandom interspersed within the book.
-The power of genre fantasy. The parallels between MG and Laney's story illustrate how fantasy provides a way for readers and viewers to better understand themselves and the world. Max having MG as a space to escape and the MG fandom as a place to connect are further testament to the power of fantasy.
-Setting. The author knows Los Angeles and the film industry.
-Pacing. This book grabbed me from the first page. Additionally, the author effectively uses time jumps to move the story along.

Despite the dual point of view, Max was underdeveloped. Key scenes are almost exclusively from Laney's POV, often followed by time jumps so readers do not see Max's real-time response. Most of Max's chapters center on his adoration of Laney (awww) and the challenges of his job as an assistant (yikes), with a bit of insight into his anxiety and grief. I think Millage wrote three POVs here: Laney, Max, and Magician's Gambit. The book would benefit from cutting Max's POV and bulking up his scenes with Laney.

Sometimes the prose got rambly. Run-on sentences were frequent. Dialogue interspersed with descriptions of other things occasionally left me disoriented.

The third act breakup felt not out of nowhere or necessarily out of character, but disproportionate to missing a single trivia night and forgetting to call.

Thank you to Book Huddle and Little, Brown, and Company for this ARC.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw the cover for this book, I have to admit that I was prepared for a sexy office romance without a lot of substance. Imagine my surprise when this novel dug into themes of grief, anxiety, and the feelings that—no matter how hard one works-one never feels enough. This book was so much more than I expected and I love it for that!

Delaney Webber is one of the best personal assistants in LA, but that’s not her original dream. She wants to write screenplays, but after a rejection early in her career, she is hesitant to leave the stability of her current job to try again. Delaney’s boss, Lee, is a man who has achieved Hollywood success, but after losing his brother (who was also his business partner), Lee isn’t sure he can deliver what Hollywood wants: the final movie installment to his and his brother’s massively successful fantasy franchise.
When Lee offers Delaney the chance of a lifetime-to write the script he can’t bring himself to write-she’s all in, except for one problem: she doesn’t know much about this fantasy world that Lee and his brother’s massively successful comics and movies built. Enter Max: a young guy who sees movies as his safe place and who is also biding his time as an assistant until he can get his big break as a script developer. When Delaney meets Max, she realizes that his encyclopedic knowledge of the fantasy world she has been tasked to write about is the answer to her problems. As Max helps Delaney write her script, she realizes that Max is doing so much more than helping her with her with work; he’s showing her the love and life she never thought she’d have is closer than she thinks.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Little, Brown and Company for the ARC!

[Kayla - TheCrochetedLibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

🧶🧶🧶🧶✨ 4.5 Yarn Skeins

As someone who loves both books and movies, this premise completely won me over. Delaney lands the opportunity of a lifetime to write the final installment of a beloved fantasy film franchise... except she doesn't know anything about the series. Enter Max, the ultimate superfan determined to help her get every detail right. The behind the scenes look at Hollywood, screenwriting, and the fandom made this contemporary romance feel fresh, and I was just as invested in whether they could save the franchise as I was in their slow-building relationship.

Delaney and Max were such lovable characters. Delaney is ambitious, guarded, and unwilling to apologize for chasing her dreams even if it makes her seem cold. Max is anxious, endlessly supportive of those around him, and refreshingly comfortable being a nerd. Their chemistry felt natural because they genuinely respected one another. I especially loved that Max never tried to make Delaney smaller to fit into his life. Their banter and growing trust made every scene together a joy.

My only small complaint was that some of the fictional interviews and franchise lore became a little too detailed and occasionally pulled me away from the romance that occurred between the chapters. Some of it felt very needed but others felt too exposition.

As a reader who loves getting completely obsessed with fictional worlds, this book felt like it was written for people like me. It's a love letter to storytelling, fandom, and the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to create the stories we can't stop thinking about. I would read so many more romances like this.

Thank you Netgalley, Little, Brown and Company, and Maria Millage for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Kimberly McCoy]

Overall Stars: 3.75

Cut to the Ending is a cute romance in the Hollywood screenwriting industry. I was blowing through this book for a good 40% of the start, but it started feeling like just a typical story that I started to lose interest half way and contemplated DNF-ing it. Luckily I didn't because the ending was worth it.

Pros of the Story: The main characters and secondary characters were done so well. I loved them all. They had their quirks and made each one memorable. Also, the plot line of the story was very interesting, and I haven't read something like this before which was a good change.

Cons of the Story: The breaks between chapters of online conversations, magazine excerpts, etc., I don't think were needed after many of the chapters. Some of them seemed to provide no value to the story to me, honestly, I stopped reading them fully when they appeared. Max and Delaney, I do wish we could see more into their lives outside of work. It was a slight introduction to them with Edgar, and the roommates, but some chapters of Max in his apartment with the roommates would have made when Delaney came to play cards or the trip to the airport "more". Same with Delaney, some at home moments with her thoughts would build more into the characters and make the reader feel just that much more for them.

Now, the list of cons seems long, but it really isn't. I really did enjoy this book, and hope others will read it and love it.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books where the writing itself kept pulling me in. There were so many lines I highlighted because of the detail and the way scenes would suddenly shift focus and become intimate and immersive without feeling forced. The dialogue also felt genuinely realistic, which is harder to find than it should be.

I really loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic here because both characters actually felt layered and complex. Even the side characters had distinct personalities and development. Lee and Lorelei especially felt like fully formed people instead of just existing to move the plot along.

I couldn’t quite push this to five stars, though. While there is third act conflict and angst, there just wasn’t enough tension overall to consistently hold my attention. I do think that’ll actually be a selling point for some readers who want a softer, lower-stakes romance.

The story felt different overall, but not completely fresh, and the “I don’t deserve love” trope is just personally a hard sell for me, even though I think this author handled it better than most. I also didn’t really connect with the fantasy world/Hollywood gossip chapter intros. They just interrupted the flow more than they added to it for me.

This honestly could end up being a five star for a lot of readers. The writing quality alone makes it worth picking up.


Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This was extremely well written and the premise was something I hadn’t read before so obviously I jumped at the chance to request an arc. Everything seems a little too trope based these days so something original like this stood out at me.

The writing was great, I think it was extremely obvious that the author loves reading as well as film. I will say I wish we got less exposition for the film they were making. we get a lot of background info on the actors, interviews and lore about the franchise, and while I enjoyed it at the start, I just didn’t want to be taken out of the story in the later half.

The romance. I loved Delaney and Max’s dynamic I don’t think we really many characters like them getting stories so it was refreshing to read. I do wish we were shown more when it came to them getting to know each other at the start. I think it skipped ahead a little too quickly before setting a foundation for their relationship.

Ultimately I did feel like the end dragged on a little and if there was less page time spent on franchise scripts, interviews and Wikipedia pages then the romance would have been able to shine more.

thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for sending me the arc. All opinions are my own.

[jessie_bookmind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute rom com follows workaholics Delaney & Max. They are both trying to make it in Hollywood, behind the scenes. They are both stuck in assistant positions, Max is currently assisting Lorelai, Hollywood agent, a position Delaney held years before. They meet as Delaney is helping her boss, Lee, write the final movie script for his epic fantasy adventure series. Delaney gets Max to help her explain the characters and fantasy world so she can write the script.

There is a lot of information thrown at us, from people’s jobs and bosses, and studio execs, that even now after reading the novel, I’m still not sure what everyone’s job is. There are a lot of details about the series the main characters are working on through flashback articles, and current and past script excerpts. At first I felt like it was too much detail, but as the story goes along, it really does help support the characters to see what they are working on.

The fantasy adventure elements will remind you of all the epic fantasy novel/movies combined, calling back to Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, HP, I even was reminded of Rainbow Rowell’s Simon Snow.

I love a good workplace romance and behind the scenes Hollywood book and this novel delivers on both.

[Stacey Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic debut novel, and if you’re a movie buff as well, you’re really going to enjoy this one.

I love a strong FMC, and Delaney is just that. Some might feel that’s to the detriment of her personal life but she is strong in her convictions and her career aspirations.

I absolutely adore Max. He’s vulnerable without being a door mat. He accepts Delaney for exactly who she is and never asks her to change. I would have loved even more chapters from his point of view.

This book is unique in that it’s a story within a story. In fact, that plot line becomes a character in and of itself. It’s a uniquely different type of romance novel. I will say that the media articles and scripts at the end of some of the chapters did derail the pacing a bit. Some of them could have been removed altogether, and you wouldn’t miss anything from the story (particularly the media articles). Some of the scripts did give pertinent information, but in my opinion, that information would have flowed better as part of the chapter.

Overall, I really did enjoy this, and I can’t wait to see what Millage has in store for us next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the advanced reader copy.

[K Steenthir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book.

What I liked the most was that the writing did not feel like everything I've read in this genre before. The small details Millage calls out to show how much these characters want each other felt fresh, yearn-y, and fun. The dialogue was great, and the characters felt like they had real lives happening besides just falling in love. The book also plays with expectations about women in the workforce in ways I appreciated and enjoyed.

You will learn a bit about the world of Hollywood, too. It didn't feel like phoned in backdrop, though there were a few extremely convenient plot points later in the book. If I have any complaints is that the book felt like it wrapped up very quickly and neatly, all trauma resolved, though it's not a short book either, so maybe the pacing is just a smidge off? (Although given the subplot that may be precisely the point and also a reflection back on the genre? IYKYK) Not enough to really matter because I raced through this book, the writing is that good.

Highly recommend!

[Melissa DeLong-Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've ever described yourself as a stan, fangirl, or found yourself running a celebrity Twitter account, you're going to love the premise of this story. While I expected a fluffy office romance, what I got was much deeper. Lots of talk about grief, anxiety, relationships, and can you really have it all made this a standout story that I enjoyed immensely. The writer plus superfan dynamic was so fun, and the love story between Delaney and Max progressed in a way that made sense and felt good.

My only complaint is that there is so much script for the film, actor background, and online content interposed throughout that it takes you out of the heart of the story. Those elements at times added something and at other times just felt added to take the plot from point A to point B. Overall, solid 3.5 and I did like this story!

*Thanks to Little, Brown and Company and Edelweiss for the ARC!*

[Kasey Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me realize if I’m under the nerd umbrella and it’s pouring I’m getting drenched because god were they nerds. Not to say I don’t love a bit of a nerdy mmc this was just woah. They were good together though two people who seem to not enjoy fun. Adorable, I’d never want to hang out with them but cute. My biggest issue with reading this was there was too much going on, it felt like reading a rom com while also studying for game of thrones trivia. Having to immerse myself in the fictional world created for the book took away from the actual experience of reading the book. I appreciated the type a, unemotional fmc as always those are my girls. I do think she could have had friends though while maintaining her personality. Her only friends seemed to be her boss and former boss and that’s just kind of sad.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the advanced copy of this arc

[Lra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delaney Webber ha pasado años siendo la sombra perfecta de uno de los guionistas más famosos de Hollywood. Organiza su vida, protege sus secretos y mantiene en pie un imperio creativo que millones de fans adoran. Pero cuando un estudio desesperado exige una nueva entrega de la franquicia que convirtió a Lee Cooke en leyenda, Delaney queda atrapada en medio de una batalla que podría cambiar su futuro para siempre.

Max Sullivan llegó a Los Ángeles convencido de que algún día haría películas inolvidables. En cambio, sus días transcurren sobreviviendo al caos de una agencia de talentos mientras intenta demostrar sus habilidades.

Mientras Hollywood exige finales épicos Delaney y Max descubrirán que algunas historias son demasiado importantes para dejarlas atrás. Especialmente aquellas que pueden cambiarles la vida antes de llegar al final.

[Crisia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for my ARC of Cut to the Ending!

The writing in this book is really good: witty and intentional feeling, and the storyline was unique and fun. However, I had a hard time really getting into the writing style personally, even though I can appreciate it. I also struggled with the romance because I didn't feel great chemistry and the emotional arc felt too simple for me to get invested in the relationship. The format also pulled me out of the story, which felt a bit jarring. There were a lot of interruptions from news articles, blog posts, movie scripts, etc., and while I can appreciate what the author was trying to do with it, it ended up breaking the flow too much for me.

Overall, it didn't fully work for me, but I can absolutely see this working well for others.

[Kendal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early review copy!

OMG THIS BOOK! This is exactly the kind of plot-driven romance I’m always searching for and seldom finding. I just absolutely love everything about this, from the engaging plot revolving around Delaney’s career to the swoon worthy relationship she builds with Max.

I will say that at points the relationship between the two love interests takes a backseat to the main conflict of Mad and Delaney writing the screenplay together, but I preferred it that way! The characters and their lives felt so much more real and fleshed out.

The writing was excellent, as well! I’m honestly shocked that this a debut author and will 100% be looking for future releases from her!

[Emma Szalai · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 5 star debut!

This was an amazing story centered around the entertainment sphere - highlighting the fandom space of a fictional fantasy series, the behind the scenes of developing scripts for the big screen, and the heaviness of women in the industry (and really any industry) debating if they can “have it all”.

All of this was enough of a slam dunk for me, but add in Max and Delaney’s friendship that grows into a beautiful relationship, this was a 5 star romance and maybe one of the best debuts I’ve read in a long while.

I received an ARC of this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel! Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read in exchange for my review.

First off, both lead characters are highly likable, very attractive and carrying their own flaws. The setting of this story was very exciting and fun to learn about (screenwriting in Hollywood) with a cute look into a popular fandom the FMC (Delaney) needs a crash course in. Enter Max, a nerd who can teach her.

Aside from slightly slow pacing to start and some clunky passages, this book was a knockout for me. Typical relationship drama near the end that come on a bit fast but is easily resolved by the end.

[Melanie Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cut to the Ending follows characters who are forced to admit that the lives they planned no longer fit them. I liked that Maria Millage lets them be uncertain, selfish, hopeful, and occasionally frustrating instead of turning every decision into a neat life lesson. Some parts moved more slowly than I expected, but I stayed interested in the relationships and the choices the characters made. The story left me thinking about how hard it can be to change direction once other people have become invested in the version of your life they expected.

My sincere thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advance review copy.

[Mallory Marlowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

CUT TO THE ENDING is a tremendous debut and exactly what makes romance so great. It'll make you laugh with clever banter one second, punch you in the feels and make you melt the next. Every single character is truly living and breathing, from Delaney and Max to even the most fleeting side characters, and the deft knowledge of the entertainment industry make this book a masterclass in Hollywood romances. Maria Millage is about to become a shining star of her own in this genre! Now, who do I talk to to get an actual Magician's Gambit series made?

[Elise Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love books that give you “industry insight”, so the fact that this was a contemporary romance x Hollywood industry mash-up was a home run storyline for me.

Delaney is a strong, career driven FMC who you immediately cheer for and Max is such a sweet, nerdy, boy-next-door MMC you want to see win. The banter between them is wholesome and not cheesy, their romance is never “hidden” but believable even being within the same career space, and I loved the themes of grief, being a work-a-holic, the magic of working in the arts, and just an overall sweet love story.

[Michelle Matejka · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

I was so excited to get this book and when I saw the dedication I just knew it had to be good. The nerd in me loves the Magician’s Gambit storyline and how it has progressed into so much more from the fictional graphic novels and into a pseudo DND and additional table top play. I did struggle a little with the 3rd person POV especially in the first half of the book. But eventually it won me over somewhere between the FMCs iced coffee addition and the Magic the Gathering references. iykyk.

[Lenora Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love story both cinematic and achingly real, Cut to the Ending is a heartfelt, hilarious, and passionate deep dive into what it really means to write a happy ending. With a funny and fresh new voice, this brilliant behind-the-scenes Hollywood romance reminds us that the real movie magic is in how we show up for the people—and the art—that we love.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!

[Shouty · Rating 5 out of 5]

OKAY BUT WHAT IF I WOULD DIE FOR EDGAR THE CAT

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, an instant classic for me. Delaney and Max are just adorable. I found myself relating to Delaney’s ambition and tension in letting that go to find love. Biggest new fan!!!

[Sarah Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC. The story wasn't as compelling as I was hoping for and it moved kind of slowly for me, but by the end I was semi-satisfied. It dragged on a bit too much for me.