The Invisible Woman

Geek Actually #1.2

by Rachel Stuhler

This is the 2nd episode in the first season of Geek, Actually, a 13-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. This episode written by Rachel Stuhler.

Meet your new best girlfriends in this sexy, genre-busting serial that’s all about feminism, friendship, and fandom.

When Christina meets her new charge on set, Vivi, she’s pleasantly surprised at the definite spark between them. Taneesha’s attempt to speak up at her new job backfires in a big way. Michelle ventures out to a party, but is she really ready to move past Ted?

Join this tight-knit group of lady geeks as they navigate the ups and downs of their personal and professional lives. Michelle is a hard-nosed fantasy and sci-fi editor used to things going her way. Taneesha is a talented video game programmer used to being the odd (wo)man out. Aditi is a fantasy writer on the verge of her big break. Christina is a rebel on the sidelines of Hollywood. And Elli is a fan—of anything and everything that keeps her from “proper adulting.” They might live far apart, but through the power of the internet and a shared love of all things geek, they are ready to face the world together.

49 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2017

About the author

Rachel Stuhler grew up in Rochester, NY, so obsessed with movies and books that she spent as little time as possible in the real world. In her late teens, this obsession led her first to New York as a terrible production assistant and then to Los Angeles, where she spent four years working as a script supervisor (and pining after writing jobs) until one day an actor told her, “If you think you can do it better yourself, just do it.”

Within a year, Rachel had sold TV movies to Lifetime and Hallmark and because she doesn’t know when to quit, began dreaming of writing a novel. After forcing countless crew members, family, and friends to read manuscripts, Rachel came to write Absolutely True Lies. She continues to work on TV movies and plot her next move in world domination, or reading about world domination, which is more fun and a lot less work.

Reviews

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd episode of the first season of Geek Actually, a 13-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. Rachel Stuhler wrote this episode. In The Invisible Woman by Rachel Stuhler, we get an insight into Christina's life as an on-set assistant. She has been asked to be the PA for a new actress on the show called Vivi. There is a spark between the two of them, will this be the start of a new relationship between the two of them? Taneesha has been feeling stuck in her job and decides it's time to stand up for herself and makes some suggestions, hoping that the new company will take her seriously, but it backfires on her. Will she be stuck in a no-end job? Michelle has recently separated from Ted and trying to move on with her life. What will happen though when Ted shows up to a publishing party with a date on his arm? Aditi is still busy working away on her novel, but what happens when she hits a writer's block and starts to procrastinate? Elli, having enough money for her latest convention and cosplay outfit quits another job at the coffee shop and starts to work on her newest costume. Geek Actually is the perfect serial for the geek chic's inside of us all and being a serial episode is a quick fast read.

[Delitealex · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Another fun fast read. This serial style is ok. I'm loving all the geekiness with movies and games. Christina and Taneesha are my faves of this one. I really enjoy Christina's craziness and hope Taneesha gets some respect for her work soon. This was a good story and I can't wait to see what's next.

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe you missed my obsession coverage of ReMade, a YA weekly serial that I gushed over for 15 weeks in the fall/winter. NOT A PROBLEM because we are back today with another amazing serial - Geek Actually!

Episode 2, The Invisible Woman, introduces us to Christina and Vivi, while giving us a deeper look into Taneesha's world of mansplaining. I thought Vivi was going to be an annoying character that caused tension and instead I got a complex character that I quickly fell in love with. I love the dynamic between her and Christina (read it and you'll know what I mean 😉). On the flip side, Taneesha speaks up during a meeting and gets shot down. I was so ready to reach through the audio and strangle the little snot who called her out. I hope he trips while getting his morning coffee.

[Carol Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

The women of Geek Actually are all going through tough times in Episode #2. The episode started with a bit of their group chat and to be honest I wasn't a fan of that style. I was happy the author went back to a regular narration quickly.

Taneesha is still not being appreciated at her new company. I'm hoping she moves on soon. She is worth way more than they're giving her credit for. We're finally really meeting Christina and I'm not sure what to think of her yet. I think the new actress on set, Vivi, is definitely bad news for her, even if she's fun for the time being. Michelle's husband is officially out of the house, but she really is does spend too much of her energy on work and not enough on relationships.

This is the second episode with a bit of a steamy section. Even though they're geeks, these women are pretty, smart and sexy. They may not always make the best decisions, but who does?

[Amy! · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm definitely starting to get more invested in these characters and their stories. I think this serial will just get more enjoyable with each episode.

[kelly {BookCrushin} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review coming soon!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I got this episode from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
My review of the previous episode wasn’t very favourable, but I decided to give the second instalment a chance because I really wanted to know what happened with Aditi and Taneesha, though I felt no connection to the other characters. This episode, however, has picked up considerably and now I HAVE to read the next. I don’t really understand if each episode is written by different people or if this is just the way the writing sort of happened, but there is a marked improvement compared to the previous one. If somebody were to ask me, I’d recommend that they plough through the first one, as it gets so much better. It’s a shame as the first episode is the first impression, but at this point I might recommend it to a few people that I know could like it. The writing is nothing spectacular, but the story is entertaining. We get to see other characters that only briefly appear before. One of those characters I really like (Christina) and another one I find extremely annoying (Elli). And I still can’t care about (Michelle). I’ve already started on the 3rd episode, so I’ll be back!

[Dev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I really like the idea of this series - what could be better than a diverse group of geek ladies, but for some reason it's just not entirely clicking with me. Maybe it's the 'episode' format of it or maybe it's because the only character I really find likable so far is Taneesha. Maybe it's because I'm so unused to reading anything set in the 'real world' or maybe it's because nothing has really HAPPENED, plot-wise, yet. Although I'm thinking it's not really supposed to be plot-driven so maybe it's just not for me.

[Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

{I was give a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review}

An interesting continuation to the first part of this Box set. Loved getting to know more about each of the characters, specially Christina and Ellis, and the developing of Taneesha and Michelle's story-lines kept me hooked throughout the whole read.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd "episode" of the Geek Actually series. I found myself anxious to see what happens next with the characters. You delve into the others quite a bit more and found myself wanting more at the end.

I found this to be a fast read, just like the first one.

[Paul Franco · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little more interesting than the first, with Christina added, showing what life is like on a Hollywood set for a lowly gofer. This takes up most of the chapter.

[NotSarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked getting past the introductions from the first installment.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an entertaining novella series! This episode delved further into the challenging work environments these women tackle daily. Despite their differences, their friendship binds them.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm gradually coming to the conclusion that this serial just isn't for me. I was looking forward to it because I've liked SerialBox's other serials (Tremontaine is delighful), and was tempted by the promise of diversity in chick-lit - but I just don't like this one.

I think it's less that there's actually anything wrong with it (clearly, lots of people have thought it's great), and just that it isn't for me. To be fair, the blurbs keep comparing it to Sex and the City, which I also wasn't super fond of. Just not my subgenre, I guess.

On the plus side, I do like Michelle. And I'm glad I gave it a shot, even though I don't think I'll continue with the series.