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Say Goodbye to Hollywood
When she’s hired to adapt the blockbuster novel, Beautiful Darkness, for film, screenwriter Jessica Yates sees an opportunity she can’t pass up. The only thing standing between her and a guaranteed hit movie is the author. Lynn Baldwin’s rise from Midwestern housewife to literary superstardom has gone straight to her head, and she’s not willing to see her creation hit the screen without her total approval.
As the entire creative team struggles with the hard-to-please author, Jessica’s personal life spins out of control. When there’s more relationship drama and kinky sex off the page than on, she’s forced to reevaluate what she really wants—before Beautiful Darkness destroys her Hollywood dreams forever.
As the entire creative team struggles with the hard-to-please author, Jessica’s personal life spins out of control. When there’s more relationship drama and kinky sex off the page than on, she’s forced to reevaluate what she really wants—before Beautiful Darkness destroys her Hollywood dreams forever.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2017
8 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Trout
10 books688 followersJenny Trout is a writer, blogger, and funny person.
Writing as Jennifer Armintrout, she made the USA Today Bestseller list with Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her novel American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online.
Jenny also writes award-winning erotic romance as Abigail Barnette.
When she’s not writing, she’s sleeping or otherwise incapacitated.
She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to murder her.
Writing as Jennifer Armintrout, she made the USA Today Bestseller list with Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her novel American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online.
Jenny also writes award-winning erotic romance as Abigail Barnette.
When she’s not writing, she’s sleeping or otherwise incapacitated.
She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to murder her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 19, 2025
OMG this was really funny! If you are familiar with this author's blog, you already know her view on the fifty shades phenomenon. Let's just say she's not a fan, and once you explore her thoughts, some of her reasoning may rub off on you (or may not if you're a die-hard supporter). Full disclosure: I've never read the wildly successful trilogy. But because I don't live under a rock, I've been exposed to much of the negative publicity surrounding its content, to include alleged plagiarism, gross misrepresentation of BDSM, "success doesn't equal talent", and the author's diva/control freak image. I can't really comment on any of this personally (and I wouldn't because people should read what they like without shame), but I can certainly appreciate Ms. Trout's caricature of these frequently reported and gossiped about issues as her storyline base for Say Goodbye to Hollywood.
In addition to the hilarious satirical theme of this novel, Ms. Trout also incorporated a romance that builds from past to present-day via an alternating timeframe showing the ebb and flow of a Hollywood romantic relationship. There is a mild BDSM element added to this relationship, which in my opinion serves to show a comparison of a sexual relationship filled with trust, giving, and boundaries versus the Christian Grey meme: "If he wasn't rich this would be an episode of criminal minds". And lastly, Ms. Trout excelled at showing the emotional complexity of writing in general: baring your soul for the world to see.
Note: The author who uses the name Jenny Trout is also known by names Abigail Barnette and Jennifer Armintrout (not to be confused with Jennifer L. Armentrout).
My favorite quote:
“I’d rather work my whole life at something I love and never get anywhere than give up now and wonder ‘what if’.”
In addition to the hilarious satirical theme of this novel, Ms. Trout also incorporated a romance that builds from past to present-day via an alternating timeframe showing the ebb and flow of a Hollywood romantic relationship. There is a mild BDSM element added to this relationship, which in my opinion serves to show a comparison of a sexual relationship filled with trust, giving, and boundaries versus the Christian Grey meme: "If he wasn't rich this would be an episode of criminal minds". And lastly, Ms. Trout excelled at showing the emotional complexity of writing in general: baring your soul for the world to see.
"Writing is intimate. It's raw. It's daunting. And it's terrifying.Say Goodbye to Hollywood was funny, entertaining, and romantically engaging. Personally, I felt a bit more time could have been spent on expanding the complexity of the friendship/romance and BDSM element (and editing all those unfortunate typos), but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and truly looked forward to reading more of it each day. Check it out!
Note: The author who uses the name Jenny Trout is also known by names Abigail Barnette and Jennifer Armintrout (not to be confused with Jennifer L. Armentrout).
My favorite quote:
“I’d rather work my whole life at something I love and never get anywhere than give up now and wonder ‘what if’.”
March 22, 2017
The author was inspired by the ongoing shitstorm surrounding the making of 50 Shits of Fucked-up: the plagiarist behaving like a spoiled child with no boundaries, actors rejecting roles and fleeing to the hills, the plagiarist being unhappy with the final version of the first film, etc.
As some might know, the second movie of the 50 Shits series is in complete hands of the plagiarist and the consesus is: the second movie is beyond awful, as one would expect.
So what happens when one of my favorite romance/erotica authors uses this shit storm to write her own novel with a good dose of humor?
I immediately ignore all the books I have to read for the conferences and my PhD outline and start reading! Jenny doesn't disappoint.
I wasn't only laughing, I also enjoyed, again, how she incorporates her feminist views into the story: no senseless women bashing, no fat or skinny shaming, calling out sexist bullshit, etc. Also, as established in her Boss series, the BDSM here is sexy because it's not only well-written, it's consensual and well-depicted (e.g. aftercare).
Apart from the fact that she hits so many of my kinks, I enjoy reading about career driven, accomplishing women. I see myself in them and usually romance novels tend to either ignore hard-working women or pay lip service to them have them fawn over the hot guy and never work again ever. Your work being a priority as high as your relationship is real. It's how many women live, think, feel, and yet romance novels in many cases ignore it, worst case scenario demonize it. That Jessica, the MC, can be in love with a man and still want to advance her own career and make the decision of letting her loved one go, is sad but very true in many respects. I love how Jessica wants and at the same time doesn't want to be in a relationship with Jack because this is how humans work: we're contradictory and complicated.
A minor...criticism (doesn't really fit what I mean but we'll have to work with this) is that something is lacking. I can't put my finger on it and it's something personal and not indicative of an inherent problem with the novel. Something small was missing for me and I can't say what it is.
However, I liked this book a lot and would recommend it to anyone who likes smart and funny romance with some good BDSM, and in this case the woman being the D and the hot 40-something dude the s. Dream come true, I'd say.
Go grab a copy and enjoy the ride!
As some might know, the second movie of the 50 Shits series is in complete hands of the plagiarist and the consesus is: the second movie is beyond awful, as one would expect.
So what happens when one of my favorite romance/erotica authors uses this shit storm to write her own novel with a good dose of humor?
I immediately ignore all the books I have to read for the conferences and my PhD outline and start reading! Jenny doesn't disappoint.
I wasn't only laughing, I also enjoyed, again, how she incorporates her feminist views into the story: no senseless women bashing, no fat or skinny shaming, calling out sexist bullshit, etc. Also, as established in her Boss series, the BDSM here is sexy because it's not only well-written, it's consensual and well-depicted (e.g. aftercare).
Apart from the fact that she hits so many of my kinks, I enjoy reading about career driven, accomplishing women. I see myself in them and usually romance novels tend to either ignore hard-working women or pay lip service to them have them fawn over the hot guy and never work again ever. Your work being a priority as high as your relationship is real. It's how many women live, think, feel, and yet romance novels in many cases ignore it, worst case scenario demonize it. That Jessica, the MC, can be in love with a man and still want to advance her own career and make the decision of letting her loved one go, is sad but very true in many respects. I love how Jessica wants and at the same time doesn't want to be in a relationship with Jack because this is how humans work: we're contradictory and complicated.
A minor...criticism (doesn't really fit what I mean but we'll have to work with this) is that something is lacking. I can't put my finger on it and it's something personal and not indicative of an inherent problem with the novel. Something small was missing for me and I can't say what it is.
However, I liked this book a lot and would recommend it to anyone who likes smart and funny romance with some good BDSM, and in this case the woman being the D and the hot 40-something dude the s. Dream come true, I'd say.
Go grab a copy and enjoy the ride!
Want to read
March 22, 2017
April 1, 2017
Say Goodbye to Hollywood (aka Throwing Shade: the Novel) finds its genesis in a long running series of by chapter by chapter analyses on the author's blog of a certain run away best selling "romance" series. However, readers unfamiliar with the Trout Nation blog should not be scared away, thinking this novel is one giant in-joke. It tells a legitimately good story.
Jessica Yates has had a colorful work life after arriving in Hollywood. She's worked as an exotic dancer and professional dome while trying to achieve her big break as a screenwriter. A chance encounter with Jack Martin, Hollywood's most celebrated actor, gives her the opportunity of a lifetime when he agrees to look at her script and champions it to the studio. This part of the story, stretching over a decade before the main plot line, is inter-spliced between chapters, and chronicles the arc of Jack and Jessica's romantic relationship from its inception to their break up.
The main storyline is what Trout Nation followers came here for. Fast forward to the present. Neither Jessica nor Jack are over each other. They are still maintain a close professional relationship and a sexual one as a domme and her submissive, keeping them both in a romantic limbo for years. Jack's studio has just purchased the rights to Beautiful Darkness, a runaway best selling novel that is almost certain to become a runaway box office success. Jack tags Jessica to write the script.
Beautiful Darkness is clearly based a real series of books, and anyone who has read the books themselves or an commentary on them should recognize which series it is instantly. Jack and Jessica both agree that the novel is absurd doggerel. Never the less, Jessica is committed to the project as is Jack, who pulls together a talented team to make the movie the very best it can be. There is one huge roadblock to creating this adaption: the author of Beautiful Darkness, Lynn Baldwin.
As part of the negotiations to get rights to the novel, the studio agreed to give Lynn an unheard of amount of creative control. This backfires hugely. Lynn has gone from a nobody to a somebody practically over night. She has a huge ego and refuses to believe that Beautiful Darkness is anything less than flawless. From day one she starts mucking things up with her unreasonable demands that the movie be the book word for word. While she gets on every person's nerves and succeeds in making the shoot miserable, Lynn is particularly hard on Jessica and seems to take each instance of making the dialogue less wooden or a scene more palatable as a personal attack.
Something I like about Jenny Trout's work both here and in the Boss series she writes as Abigail Barnette is here ability to craft very credible workplace conflicts. Jessica and well everyone is caught between a rock and a hard place with Lynn who is unreasonable with her (terrible) demands and refuses to understand why things require changing.
But Lynn isn't the only reason Beautiful Darkness becomes Jessica's personal nightmare project. Jack, burned many times by love, strikes up a relationship with the gorgeous young actress tagged to play the female lead. Jessica is left to struggle with the issue if she still really wants Jack or if she is merely jealous and intimidated by a woman half her age.
I honestly thought the romance angle was the weakest part of the book. The entire thing moves at a brisk pace that never feels like any section is too skimpy, but the denouement happens a little too fast and it unfolds in such a way that made me not like Jessica very much. In the epilogue, we get to see what ultimately happens with the movie and with their relationship, but I couldn't help but think that after all the pining and denial, all the pain Jack and Jessica caused another person to make their love work, their relationship follows the exact same pattern as the rhythm established during the first few chapters. Ultimately, it's the workplace drama and the shade throwing that makes the novel as compelling as it is.
Jessica Yates has had a colorful work life after arriving in Hollywood. She's worked as an exotic dancer and professional dome while trying to achieve her big break as a screenwriter. A chance encounter with Jack Martin, Hollywood's most celebrated actor, gives her the opportunity of a lifetime when he agrees to look at her script and champions it to the studio. This part of the story, stretching over a decade before the main plot line, is inter-spliced between chapters, and chronicles the arc of Jack and Jessica's romantic relationship from its inception to their break up.
The main storyline is what Trout Nation followers came here for. Fast forward to the present. Neither Jessica nor Jack are over each other. They are still maintain a close professional relationship and a sexual one as a domme and her submissive, keeping them both in a romantic limbo for years. Jack's studio has just purchased the rights to Beautiful Darkness, a runaway best selling novel that is almost certain to become a runaway box office success. Jack tags Jessica to write the script.
Beautiful Darkness is clearly based a real series of books, and anyone who has read the books themselves or an commentary on them should recognize which series it is instantly. Jack and Jessica both agree that the novel is absurd doggerel. Never the less, Jessica is committed to the project as is Jack, who pulls together a talented team to make the movie the very best it can be. There is one huge roadblock to creating this adaption: the author of Beautiful Darkness, Lynn Baldwin.
As part of the negotiations to get rights to the novel, the studio agreed to give Lynn an unheard of amount of creative control. This backfires hugely. Lynn has gone from a nobody to a somebody practically over night. She has a huge ego and refuses to believe that Beautiful Darkness is anything less than flawless. From day one she starts mucking things up with her unreasonable demands that the movie be the book word for word. While she gets on every person's nerves and succeeds in making the shoot miserable, Lynn is particularly hard on Jessica and seems to take each instance of making the dialogue less wooden or a scene more palatable as a personal attack.
Something I like about Jenny Trout's work both here and in the Boss series she writes as Abigail Barnette is here ability to craft very credible workplace conflicts. Jessica and well everyone is caught between a rock and a hard place with Lynn who is unreasonable with her (terrible) demands and refuses to understand why things require changing.
But Lynn isn't the only reason Beautiful Darkness becomes Jessica's personal nightmare project. Jack, burned many times by love, strikes up a relationship with the gorgeous young actress tagged to play the female lead. Jessica is left to struggle with the issue if she still really wants Jack or if she is merely jealous and intimidated by a woman half her age.
I honestly thought the romance angle was the weakest part of the book. The entire thing moves at a brisk pace that never feels like any section is too skimpy, but the denouement happens a little too fast and it unfolds in such a way that made me not like Jessica very much. In the epilogue, we get to see what ultimately happens with the movie and with their relationship, but I couldn't help but think that after all the pining and denial, all the pain Jack and Jessica caused another person to make their love work, their relationship follows the exact same pattern as the rhythm established during the first few chapters. Ultimately, it's the workplace drama and the shade throwing that makes the novel as compelling as it is.
February 18, 2023
This book is a little time capsule from the 50SOG years: it felt like every conversation about "romance" was dominated by the hit fanfic-turned-bestselling-series, with think pieces in major media and branded sex toys at Target.
This book takes on the juggernaut as a thinly veiled roman a clef, combining romance tropes (second chance romance! workplace romance! movie star romance!) with blind items about movie production. Insofar as it is a satire that goes hard, both in calling out the books and by presenting an example of the actual issues involved, it succeeds.
As a romance, we were a little less charmed by the ultimate resolution. It felt a little bit like once the satire was taken care of, the relationship conflict had to be wrapped up quickly as well. That said, we both agree that the sex scenes, whether DS is your jam or not, were integral to the thesis of the novel.
If our analysis sounds more like an academic essay than a book review, that's because it's how we both approached the novel. Did we enjoy it? Unequivocally YES! Did we enjoy it as a romance? Maybe a little less unequivocal. Did we laugh, gasp, and nod knowingly at parts? Um, also YES. So, is it worth checking this one out? We definitely think so!
17-Word Summaries:
Laine: It is sort of hard to get over your ex when you control his orgasms every Tuesday.
Meg: Screenwriter Jessica and movie star/producer ex Jack are working together on an adaptation of bestselling erotica.
This book takes on the juggernaut as a thinly veiled roman a clef, combining romance tropes (second chance romance! workplace romance! movie star romance!) with blind items about movie production. Insofar as it is a satire that goes hard, both in calling out the books and by presenting an example of the actual issues involved, it succeeds.
As a romance, we were a little less charmed by the ultimate resolution. It felt a little bit like once the satire was taken care of, the relationship conflict had to be wrapped up quickly as well. That said, we both agree that the sex scenes, whether DS is your jam or not, were integral to the thesis of the novel.
If our analysis sounds more like an academic essay than a book review, that's because it's how we both approached the novel. Did we enjoy it? Unequivocally YES! Did we enjoy it as a romance? Maybe a little less unequivocal. Did we laugh, gasp, and nod knowingly at parts? Um, also YES. So, is it worth checking this one out? We definitely think so!
17-Word Summaries:
Laine: It is sort of hard to get over your ex when you control his orgasms every Tuesday.
Meg: Screenwriter Jessica and movie star/producer ex Jack are working together on an adaptation of bestselling erotica.
March 3, 2019
Loved this book so much! The characters were very realistic and I enjoyed the different relationships. I was pleasantly surprised by the romance and found it to be incredibly fulfilling while not taking away from Jessica’s main struggles with her job.
I definitely put this on my favourites list of Jenny’s books. Bravo!
I definitely put this on my favourites list of Jenny’s books. Bravo!
March 24, 2017
Lynn Baldwin is the author of the "sexy" best seller Beatiful Darkness , the bastard child of Beautiful Disaster and Fifty Shades of Grey. It's a book with inaccurate portrayal of BDSM; a catty, spineless heroine and a hero whose only job is to abuse the heroine - Jessica Yates has to adapt it into a screenplay, what could possibly go wrong?
I've been waiting for this book for ages and right off the bat, I knew it was going to be very interesting. The egotistical character of Lynn Baldwin is an eerie reminder of a certain plagarist who's masquerading as a sweet soccer mom. She's loud, demanding, stubborn and impossible to work with. Jenny outdid herself with this one - I wanted to scream every time Lynn opened her mouth; she's that insufferable.
Enter Jessica Yates, a screenwriter, former sex worker and absolute badass. Jessica has to adapt Beautiful Darkness into something semti-watchable while managing Lynn's temper tantrums and sorting through her feelings towards her producer and friend Jack.
One of the things I loved the most about this book is the healthy portrayal of a D/s relationship, especially including aftercare scenes. I find that in a lot of erotica books, aftercare is ignored or treated as an inconvenience. Another thing I liked is how unapologetically feminist and sex-positive it is; there was no body-shaming, no slut-shaming and no unnecessary drama between the female characters. All the conflict was handled gracefully.
The only criticism I have is that the book felt a little rushed at the end; I would have loved to see more of the characters' lives.
All-in-all, it was extremely enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it if you like a little snark with your dose of hotness.
I've been waiting for this book for ages and right off the bat, I knew it was going to be very interesting. The egotistical character of Lynn Baldwin is an eerie reminder of a certain plagarist who's masquerading as a sweet soccer mom. She's loud, demanding, stubborn and impossible to work with. Jenny outdid herself with this one - I wanted to scream every time Lynn opened her mouth; she's that insufferable.
Enter Jessica Yates, a screenwriter, former sex worker and absolute badass. Jessica has to adapt Beautiful Darkness into something semti-watchable while managing Lynn's temper tantrums and sorting through her feelings towards her producer and friend Jack.
One of the things I loved the most about this book is the healthy portrayal of a D/s relationship, especially including aftercare scenes. I find that in a lot of erotica books, aftercare is ignored or treated as an inconvenience. Another thing I liked is how unapologetically feminist and sex-positive it is; there was no body-shaming, no slut-shaming and no unnecessary drama between the female characters. All the conflict was handled gracefully.
The only criticism I have is that the book felt a little rushed at the end; I would have loved to see more of the characters' lives.
All-in-all, it was extremely enjoyable and I would definitely recommend it if you like a little snark with your dose of hotness.
December 14, 2017
As someone who's read Jenny Trout's reviews of the Fifty Shades books, I thoroughly enjoyed this sly, funny book. I read the sample, and no other book would do until I owned and read the entire thing. I have stayed up late reading this book and laughing.
Like her Boss series, this book can stand on its own, but is so enjoyable as a roman a clef, packed with juicy celebrity gossip and potshots at the terrible writing of Fifty Shades, with some other franchises rolled in for variety. Really, consider reading Jenny's reviews before this novel, you will really appreciate the jokes and references. I was pleasantly surprised by the plot twist, which I did not see coming.
Though this book was a light, fast, and funny read, it wasn't sweet and simple. The protagonists are flawed and human and hungry, and tricky situations don't wrap up neatly, but I appreciate the grit and realism, especially in contrast to the paper dolls that inspired this book. Jenny Trout really makes you understand why Jessica and Jack make the bittersweet choices they do, and cheer for them to get their shit together. If you like pining, welcome to this big beautiful prickly pine forest.
The sex was great, by the way. Holy shit, I love Jessica's sweet, gleeful sadism, and Jack's straining submission. And can I mention, it is really refreshing to see casually bisexual leads in an M/F romance. High five, Jenny Trout.
A quick quibble about the editing - Jenny is dyslexic and I totally get why this happened, but an editor should have picked up on the handful of subtle typos and word substitutions throughout the book. That's not what knocked off the star, though - I just found the flashback format jarring. I don't like missing scenes and pieces of character development and history until the very end, and would prefer to get it in order. Still, a great book, and one I am going to recommend to my friends once I finish this review, if they are still awake.
Like her Boss series, this book can stand on its own, but is so enjoyable as a roman a clef, packed with juicy celebrity gossip and potshots at the terrible writing of Fifty Shades, with some other franchises rolled in for variety. Really, consider reading Jenny's reviews before this novel, you will really appreciate the jokes and references. I was pleasantly surprised by the plot twist, which I did not see coming.
Though this book was a light, fast, and funny read, it wasn't sweet and simple. The protagonists are flawed and human and hungry, and tricky situations don't wrap up neatly, but I appreciate the grit and realism, especially in contrast to the paper dolls that inspired this book. Jenny Trout really makes you understand why Jessica and Jack make the bittersweet choices they do, and cheer for them to get their shit together. If you like pining, welcome to this big beautiful prickly pine forest.
The sex was great, by the way. Holy shit, I love Jessica's sweet, gleeful sadism, and Jack's straining submission. And can I mention, it is really refreshing to see casually bisexual leads in an M/F romance. High five, Jenny Trout.
A quick quibble about the editing - Jenny is dyslexic and I totally get why this happened, but an editor should have picked up on the handful of subtle typos and word substitutions throughout the book. That's not what knocked off the star, though - I just found the flashback format jarring. I don't like missing scenes and pieces of character development and history until the very end, and would prefer to get it in order. Still, a great book, and one I am going to recommend to my friends once I finish this review, if they are still awake.
August 4, 2019
As a drama about the trials of adapting a popular book to film, and also as a satirical skewering of Fifty Shades of Grey and its author, Say Goodbye to Hollywood is great. As a kinky romance, I’m not entirely sure I bought it. That’s a shame, because Trout’s writing is witty and funny and she writes a pretty good sex scene, with enough emotion to make the book’s single hardcore bdsm encounter satisfying even if you’re not really into the acts depicted. But I never really warmed to Jessica and Jack, and their happy ending felt rushed and kind of morally suspect in a way the narration just brushed off; it was out of keeping with Jessica’s earlier thoughtfulness about other women and their feelings, even women she has good reasons to dislike, and it undermined the otherwise refreshing mostly positive approach the book has to women’s interactions with each other. I would have liked to see more of the Hollywood drama and less of the romance, honestly, which is probably not a sparkling recommendation for a romance novel. Still, it was fun and an easy read, and I enjoyed the satirical drama portion of the plot a lot.
November 12, 2017
Love how there are lots of twists and turns to the story . And the main characters Jack , Lyn and Jessica.
The Narrator Lucy was great loved how her voiced changed for all 4 characters
This story is about the authors take on 50 shades of Grey and how the success of her made her out to be bigger than a queen. Her book story is called Beautiful Darkness
When a Hollywood studio wants to turn Lyns story into a movie she calls Jack. He as a producer calls on his old friend Jessica to cast write it Jessica does a fantastic job but the Author Lyn doesn’t understand how Jessica needs to play around with the story beautifulDarkness
Lyn has a royalty kiss fit
Also Jack the producer of the movie and Jessica the screenwriter has a past of a Dom and a Sub but you need to get this to listen because it’s not your normal Dom and Sub
Grab it and see
The Narrator Lucy was great loved how her voiced changed for all 4 characters
This story is about the authors take on 50 shades of Grey and how the success of her made her out to be bigger than a queen. Her book story is called Beautiful Darkness
When a Hollywood studio wants to turn Lyns story into a movie she calls Jack. He as a producer calls on his old friend Jessica to cast write it Jessica does a fantastic job but the Author Lyn doesn’t understand how Jessica needs to play around with the story beautifulDarkness
Lyn has a royalty kiss fit
Also Jack the producer of the movie and Jessica the screenwriter has a past of a Dom and a Sub but you need to get this to listen because it’s not your normal Dom and Sub
Grab it and see
November 22, 2017
Lucy Rivers is my favourite female narrator, so I knew I'd enjoy the performance. I'm always amazed at how she gives each character a different voice. There are subtle changes in accent, tone & pitch for each one, yet none of them seem forced or unnatural.
For me, that's essential in audiobooks. Too many times I've listened to a narrator doing different authors and felt like it was the same old characters in different situations.
That never happens with Lucy!
Jenny Trout, on the other hand, was a new experience for me. One I'd happily repeat!
I don't want to give away too much of the story, so all I'll say is that she took a fresh approach to a romance sub-genre that has been flogged to death; she avoided instalove/lust magnificently; and her characters have humour, depth and personality.
I eked out my listening to almost a week because I didn't want the story to end.
A very well deserved 5 stars.
For me, that's essential in audiobooks. Too many times I've listened to a narrator doing different authors and felt like it was the same old characters in different situations.
That never happens with Lucy!
Jenny Trout, on the other hand, was a new experience for me. One I'd happily repeat!
I don't want to give away too much of the story, so all I'll say is that she took a fresh approach to a romance sub-genre that has been flogged to death; she avoided instalove/lust magnificently; and her characters have humour, depth and personality.
I eked out my listening to almost a week because I didn't want the story to end.
A very well deserved 5 stars.
May 22, 2017
I really should honestly know by now not to start reading a book by Jenny Trout in the evening. Because I will not be sleeping until it's read. I bought this book as soon as it was out, but only now got around to reading it and I'm so sad I put it off so long. I was drawn in immediately. The plot with the "famous author", especially knowing who it's based on, is so hilariously terrible (terrible for Jessica, not terrible writing). I also love love love books that show sex workers in a positive light, and Trout is always respectful of them and writes it well. I wasn't even disappointed by the little amount of sex! The characters were deep and engaging and I just overall really enjoyed the book.
November 14, 2017
This is a great story within a story. We’re introduced to Lyn the author of Beautiful Darkness just like 50 SOG she hit it big and it’s become a movie, Jack will be producing and Jessica the screenwriter. Of course not everything goes to plan as Lyn wants nothing changed from her words in the book and wants complete control. Aside from this we see a whole other side to Jack and Jessica with a Dom/Sub role connection throughout. I loved how in this case Jessica was the one in charge, the Dom and Jack was sexy as sin in his sub scenes. This book has it all laughter as well as a little kink and of course a few twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Great read and highly recommend. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
June 14, 2017
This is a fun read, which I mostly enjoyed as a delicious and funny takedown of an E.L James/Cassandra Clare type novelist who tries to control the movie version of her novel to the detriment of everybody involved, including the screenwriter heroine and the producer Jack.
The book doesn't work quite so well for me as a romance, but I enjoyed the screenwritery bits too much to mind. I did like that the heroine isn't ashamed of her sex worker past, and I love how competent she is at her job(s). This is also that rare thing, a D/s story that is F/m.
The book doesn't work quite so well for me as a romance, but I enjoyed the screenwritery bits too much to mind. I did like that the heroine isn't ashamed of her sex worker past, and I love how competent she is at her job(s). This is also that rare thing, a D/s story that is F/m.
September 14, 2018
So going into this book I didn't know very much about the 50 Shades books. The sole experience I have had with them is a roommate attempting to sarcastically sexy read a few passages. Still, even only know the very little I did, this book was cracked me up.
It's incredibly well written and the characters are done so well that I had to set the book down a couple times because Lynn reminded me to much of a former boss. Even with romance not being my first choice of genera I loved it.
It's incredibly well written and the characters are done so well that I had to set the book down a couple times because Lynn reminded me to much of a former boss. Even with romance not being my first choice of genera I loved it.
June 20, 2020
This was an awesome story. The glimpse behind Hollywood was entertaining. Although this was a BDSM story in a story, there wasn't any real erotic sex scenes. I don't like jumping back and forth in time when listening, but don't mind it when reading, it wasn't too hard to keep track of where you are in the story. I really loved the characters, especially the difficult ones. The love story was wonderful. The narrator did a great job with the different voices. She brought the story to life.
March 21, 2017
It's fun. If you hate 50 Shades of Grey, you'll probably enjoy this frolic where a fictional author an awful lot like James is skewered.
Also worth noting, fabulous strong female friendships and a passage where a 50-something female film director who wears Converse sneakers is described as looking like one of the coolest woman on the planet. (Yes!)
And the two main protagonists are both in their late 30s. Which, given that one is a male movie star who IRL would be more likely to be dating a 20-something, is satisfying. (So, this is not one of Trout's May December novels, a trope which I for one was awfully tired of.)
So, why only the three stars? I didn't quite buy a key plot point, a breakup scene that felt like it came out of nowhere. Otherwise, fun. Fluffy fun.
Also worth noting, fabulous strong female friendships and a passage where a 50-something female film director who wears Converse sneakers is described as looking like one of the coolest woman on the planet. (Yes!)
And the two main protagonists are both in their late 30s. Which, given that one is a male movie star who IRL would be more likely to be dating a 20-something, is satisfying. (So, this is not one of Trout's May December novels, a trope which I for one was awfully tired of.)
So, why only the three stars? I didn't quite buy a key plot point, a breakup scene that felt like it came out of nowhere. Otherwise, fun. Fluffy fun.
September 11, 2020
I loved this book, it was romantic, entertaining, and really funny. I didn't love it as much as her other books but I still think it was really good. I loooooved the shade at FSOG; ven though I'm a big fan, I thought it was hilarious because I definitely agree with everything Jenny says about this trilogy.
June 3, 2020
For fans of The Boss series, this was all the good parts of a Jenny Trout/Abigail Barnette book. The characters are somewhat cliched but still believable and empathetic, and the scenes are just as captivating. Exciting!
June 22, 2018
Jenny Trout has made a career move out of ripping Fifty Shades of Grey to shreds and I support her.
June 16, 2019
I could have done without the raunchy bits, but the struggle of trying to adapt an awful book into a script was funny.
June 2, 2020
Very enjoyable. The only reason I took out 1 star was that I don't buy the romance.
January 5, 2021
My only complaint is I wish it had been longer!
April 21, 2024
This was a wonderful book. I'm an amateur playwright and I plan to read this book often if my career flourishes--using this as a 'what not to do' manual. If my career doesn't take off, I am still going to read this often.
I opened up the book eagerly and by page three or so, had started to giggle. I've been reading Jenny's blog since 2012, and cheered at the references she makes throughout the novel. If you're not familiar with her blog, you'll still get the story. This book was very well-put together--the flashbacks worked well, even though there were times I had to flip back and forth to be fully up to speed. I would like to point out that there is a fourteen-page erotic scene in this book, and I was -impressed-. It flowed normally, never dragged, the details were all enriching, and I felt like every word in the scene did its job. Another point in the "this book was written well" count. The -way- Jessica's emotions, and jealousy in particular, were threaded throughout the book were terrific. It's understandable--ex finds somebody new and you work in the same circles.
I wished I could have seen more of Jessica's and Sherri's friendship, but whenever I did, I cheered them on. It seemed like such an easy friendship, and was a wonderful balance.
Recently, I left a job where my supervisor was a lot like Lynn, so I was on Jessica's side maybe more than I should have been? Don't care. It was -wonderful- to read about the decline of someone who starts out with huge smiles that flicker and freeze when she's upset, to full on 'Still Life with an Angry Tomato'. That isn't an exact quote. I'll have to find it. The descriptive phrase made me laugh so much I thought I'd break a rib. However, the actions Lynn chooses to take that result in certain outcomes for Jessica...also reminded me of my former supervisor. It just makes me more glad I left. I know Lynn was modeled after a particular diva author, and I enjoyed seeing that diva-ness in the book. It wouldn't have been so enjoyable if there weren't the other characters to call her out.
I read this book in one sitting. I look forward to doing that again.
I opened up the book eagerly and by page three or so, had started to giggle. I've been reading Jenny's blog since 2012, and cheered at the references she makes throughout the novel. If you're not familiar with her blog, you'll still get the story. This book was very well-put together--the flashbacks worked well, even though there were times I had to flip back and forth to be fully up to speed. I would like to point out that there is a fourteen-page erotic scene in this book, and I was -impressed-. It flowed normally, never dragged, the details were all enriching, and I felt like every word in the scene did its job. Another point in the "this book was written well" count. The -way- Jessica's emotions, and jealousy in particular, were threaded throughout the book were terrific. It's understandable--ex finds somebody new and you work in the same circles.
I wished I could have seen more of Jessica's and Sherri's friendship, but whenever I did, I cheered them on. It seemed like such an easy friendship, and was a wonderful balance.
Recently, I left a job where my supervisor was a lot like Lynn, so I was on Jessica's side maybe more than I should have been? Don't care. It was -wonderful- to read about the decline of someone who starts out with huge smiles that flicker and freeze when she's upset, to full on 'Still Life with an Angry Tomato'. That isn't an exact quote. I'll have to find it. The descriptive phrase made me laugh so much I thought I'd break a rib. However, the actions Lynn chooses to take that result in certain outcomes for Jessica...also reminded me of my former supervisor. It just makes me more glad I left. I know Lynn was modeled after a particular diva author, and I enjoyed seeing that diva-ness in the book. It wouldn't have been so enjoyable if there weren't the other characters to call her out.
I read this book in one sitting. I look forward to doing that again.
December 4, 2018
Really funny, especially knowing the inspiration of this story.
August 3, 2019
Ok, so a bit of backstory: I started reading Jenny's blog a few years back when I was looking for a good recap of the 50 Shades books because I was curious but couldn't bring myself to read actually them. Jenny's posts were fantastic, because she herself is an erotic romance author, and so she didn't go for the cheap (and often sexist) jokes about "mommy porn" that you often see in mainstream coverage of the books. She broke down why the books didn't work by the standards of their own genre, while also tossing in excellent reaction gifs every time Christian did something repulsive while being framed as a hero. I think her novel The Boss (which cleverly subverts the troubling aspects of the 50 Shades books) might be the first modern romance novel I ever actually read.
Ok, so *this* novel, Say Goodbye to Hollywood, is about a woman tasked with adapting a 50 Shades-esque novel for the screen, and her clashes with the E.L. James-esque author. It was really fun and insightful, and nothing short of what I expected based on Jenny's blog... Except I'm a dumdum who forgot that there would be some pretty steamy scenes until I decided to read this on the subway.
Ok, so *this* novel, Say Goodbye to Hollywood, is about a woman tasked with adapting a 50 Shades-esque novel for the screen, and her clashes with the E.L. James-esque author. It was really fun and insightful, and nothing short of what I expected based on Jenny's blog... Except I'm a dumdum who forgot that there would be some pretty steamy scenes until I decided to read this on the subway.
April 7, 2018
Humorous payout
This is a crisp, funny parody of the making of a film that is not very far from 50SoG. I had ss good laugh. Some sex, romance, but that was not the main focus for me.
This is a crisp, funny parody of the making of a film that is not very far from 50SoG. I had ss good laugh. Some sex, romance, but that was not the main focus for me.
March 28, 2017
Say Goodbye to Hollywood by Jenny Trout is a Contemporary romance that has a lot of secret goodies happening in between the pages. Any romance set in Hollywood with actors, screenwriters or industry types are my favorite type of reads. This latest by Jenny has a feel to it that reminds me of Alison Sweeney’s writing, but with Jenny, Say Goodbye to Hollywood is a bit edger and more like a women’s fiction than a chick-lit or a straight up romance. There’s also a major twist here, and it’s not the LOL, oh no she didn’t shade toward the whole movie drama regarding E.L. James’ and Fifty Shades of Grey. Some may say this is a parody, but the overall plot is more about the female protagonist trying to find her place in the world and respect in her career, including the one person who gave her a start and stuck by her through thick and thin, first as a lover and then as a friend and professional counterpart. Jessica Yates is a heroine we can admire and aspire to be, especially by those readers who know what the entertainment industry is like.
Since Say Goodbye to Hollywood was published on the heels of the big hit movie- La La Land. Those who enjoyed La La Land, will like this book, but there is a word of warning with what you’re reading. This isn’t a simple tale of a screenwriter hired to write the script for a blockbuster book, exactly like the rumors and gossip surrounding E.L. James and Fifty Shades of Grey. Jessica isn’t just a talented writer who loves the atmosphere of Hollywood. Jessica was once a stripper, who upon meeting Jack, hot actor and producer, was given a chance to make her dream a reality. She isn’t thrilled at writing the screenplay for the adaptation of the erotic fan fiction best seller, Beautiful Darkness, by the author, Lynn Baldwin, fanfiction writer turned authoress who has made millions. The reason Jessica isn’t all woo-woo at writing a script for a movie that will most likely make a lot of money because of the fan base, is because Jessica knows the BDSM world all too well, which Lynn has no clue about, much like E.L. James. The major twist here, revealed in the first two chapters is that Jessica was once a dominatrix, and still does it on the side but only with one person- Jack.
There is actually one erotic type scene in this book that’s the hottest scene I’ve read this year so far. No foreplay or sex is involved, but OMG it’s smoldering almost X-rated because of how well the scene is written in terms of BDSM involving Jessica and Jack. It’s a one and done type deal to establish the relationship between these two characters. We see flashbacks of these two and how they formed a relationship that transformed into something deeper. Jack is the sexy leading man who respects Jessica immensely. For that alone he will make you swoon. Jessica is very smart and has great intuition. She is very likable. The majority of the characters here are extremely likable.
Now as for the “shade” of this book and the Lynn character and the plot about bringing her book to the big screen, it’s delicious. The shade of it all with E.L. James and everything Fifty Shades of Grey will have you cackling, especially if you’re in the know with all the rumors and drama surrounding this author, the book and the movie production. But there are moments where Jenny pushes readers to sympathize with Lynn. She has a great relationship with her husband, and she really loves her book and believes in it. But she’s also very domineering and wants things her way, or no way. She’s put in her place a few times, and the outcome of Lynn’s future in Hollywood and the movie is beyond good. Her “just desserts” is a perfect end for this almost villainous character, especially for those readers who can’t stand Fifty Shades of Grey and all it entails.
The chemistry between Jack and Jessica is established because of that humdinger of a BDSM scene, but some readers may be disappointed because these two don’t get down and dirty all over the place. The reason why is explained, and there is a buildup that spans the novel. The ending for some may be too sudden and out of left field, but the payoff was well worth the price because you believe in Jack and Jessica, and want them to have their HEA together.
I chuckled more than a few times while I read (mainly because of the whole Fifty Shades/E.L. James shading going on), but it was nicely balanced with what Jessica is going through. The secondary characters are also well rounded, especially Jessica’s best friend actress, Sherri, as well as Marion Cross, the sassy director of the Beautiful Darkness film. She really made an impression on me, and I would love to see a possible spinoff book about her. I think Jenny should write more romance type books set in Hollywood, or possible characters who work in that industry.
Say Goodbye to Hollywood hit a lot of high points for me. This is one book I would recommend any romance reader try, especially those who love Hollywood. Jenny makes sure to show a side of the movie industry that’s actually very positive, but also for the beautiful darkness shade.
Since Say Goodbye to Hollywood was published on the heels of the big hit movie- La La Land. Those who enjoyed La La Land, will like this book, but there is a word of warning with what you’re reading. This isn’t a simple tale of a screenwriter hired to write the script for a blockbuster book, exactly like the rumors and gossip surrounding E.L. James and Fifty Shades of Grey. Jessica isn’t just a talented writer who loves the atmosphere of Hollywood. Jessica was once a stripper, who upon meeting Jack, hot actor and producer, was given a chance to make her dream a reality. She isn’t thrilled at writing the screenplay for the adaptation of the erotic fan fiction best seller, Beautiful Darkness, by the author, Lynn Baldwin, fanfiction writer turned authoress who has made millions. The reason Jessica isn’t all woo-woo at writing a script for a movie that will most likely make a lot of money because of the fan base, is because Jessica knows the BDSM world all too well, which Lynn has no clue about, much like E.L. James. The major twist here, revealed in the first two chapters is that Jessica was once a dominatrix, and still does it on the side but only with one person- Jack.
There is actually one erotic type scene in this book that’s the hottest scene I’ve read this year so far. No foreplay or sex is involved, but OMG it’s smoldering almost X-rated because of how well the scene is written in terms of BDSM involving Jessica and Jack. It’s a one and done type deal to establish the relationship between these two characters. We see flashbacks of these two and how they formed a relationship that transformed into something deeper. Jack is the sexy leading man who respects Jessica immensely. For that alone he will make you swoon. Jessica is very smart and has great intuition. She is very likable. The majority of the characters here are extremely likable.
Now as for the “shade” of this book and the Lynn character and the plot about bringing her book to the big screen, it’s delicious. The shade of it all with E.L. James and everything Fifty Shades of Grey will have you cackling, especially if you’re in the know with all the rumors and drama surrounding this author, the book and the movie production. But there are moments where Jenny pushes readers to sympathize with Lynn. She has a great relationship with her husband, and she really loves her book and believes in it. But she’s also very domineering and wants things her way, or no way. She’s put in her place a few times, and the outcome of Lynn’s future in Hollywood and the movie is beyond good. Her “just desserts” is a perfect end for this almost villainous character, especially for those readers who can’t stand Fifty Shades of Grey and all it entails.
The chemistry between Jack and Jessica is established because of that humdinger of a BDSM scene, but some readers may be disappointed because these two don’t get down and dirty all over the place. The reason why is explained, and there is a buildup that spans the novel. The ending for some may be too sudden and out of left field, but the payoff was well worth the price because you believe in Jack and Jessica, and want them to have their HEA together.
I chuckled more than a few times while I read (mainly because of the whole Fifty Shades/E.L. James shading going on), but it was nicely balanced with what Jessica is going through. The secondary characters are also well rounded, especially Jessica’s best friend actress, Sherri, as well as Marion Cross, the sassy director of the Beautiful Darkness film. She really made an impression on me, and I would love to see a possible spinoff book about her. I think Jenny should write more romance type books set in Hollywood, or possible characters who work in that industry.
Say Goodbye to Hollywood hit a lot of high points for me. This is one book I would recommend any romance reader try, especially those who love Hollywood. Jenny makes sure to show a side of the movie industry that’s actually very positive, but also for the beautiful darkness shade.
March 30, 2017
If you are one of those that gets butt hurt when anyone disses 50 Shades don’t read this book! Say Goodbye to Hollywood is a wonderful farce that exposes Hollywood and the crap storm that surrounded the making of the movie. The relationship between Jessica and Jack was fun to watch in all of its iterations. Watching Jessica deal with the ego of newbie author Lynn Baldwin’s ego had me in stitches. I loved the character of Jessica. She thought she had it all together until she didn’t. This book was fantastic!
April 1, 2017
This is the first book of Jenny's that I've read, having followed the TroutNation blog for two years. I would 100% recommend this book to anyone that has any passing interest in Fifty Shades of Grey - in a love or hate medium. Not only does the protagonist frequently offer brief expositions as to why Beautiful Darkness (our FSoG counterpart) is so problematic, but the relationship between Jessica and Jack so aptly demonstrates the perfect subversion of Ella and Damon (Ana and Christian), showing what a healthy D/s relationship *should* be (heck, just a healthy relationship in general). Scattered amongst this is some great wit, particularly how successfully Jenny parodies Ana's FSoG inner monologue.
Lynn, the EL James counterpart, is a fantastic "love to hate" character and honestly the most compelling part of the story for me. However, Jessica and Jack's relationship was also a contributing factor. It's so well written!
I think this only loses a star for being a short story. I was left wanting more!
Lynn, the EL James counterpart, is a fantastic "love to hate" character and honestly the most compelling part of the story for me. However, Jessica and Jack's relationship was also a contributing factor. It's so well written!
I think this only loses a star for being a short story. I was left wanting more!
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