Bookish Challenges discussion

Hi everyone,

As the new year starts, we're also restarting our Book of the Month! You've decided that the first book of the month for 2025 is Reel by Kennedy Ryan
Please use this thread to discuss the book, making sure you mark the spoilers appropriately.
10 points will be awarded at the end of the month for everyone reading and discussing this book in January 2025.

Looking forward to a new year of captivating reads and interesting discussions!

Happy New Year and as usual, happy reading!

Very excited to read the book, will start once I'm done with my current read :)

At the end of chapter 4

(view spoiler)[So far, I'm still getting into the book and not much has happened yet, but I feel like I will like the book a lot.
I like Neevah, though I'm not so sure about Canon yet. That will hopefully change soon.
The story is intriguing, and I feel like some drama is coming our way.
I especially loved the comment about Neevah being the first black woman to play the role on Broadway, and I'm hoping to see more on that topic. (hide spoiler)]

At the end of chapter 26

(view spoiler)[I like how the story is progressing. The romance in the book hasn't unfolded yet, so the main focus lies on the movie right now.
It's exciting to me, and I especially like seeing the parts of Dessi's life, which I didn't expect in the book.
Also, I am listening to the audiobook, and at the part where Dessi sings, they actually sing and it was so beautiful, that I had goosebumps! Highly recommend giving it a listen. (hide spoiler)]

I’ve started it yesterday, I’m currently at the end of chapter 9.
(view spoiler)[ I don’t like Canon so far, he seems arrogant and entitled. I’m not sure about Neevah yet, it seems to me she’s all over the place (hide spoiler)]

I am just starting chapter 24
(view spoiler)[ At this point I am more involved in the story of Dessi than of the two main characters (hide spoiler)]

Starting chapter 36 (view spoiler)[ Almost 50% done with the book, I felt like it was quite slow so far with not much character development. Chapter 35 gave a bit more insight into Neevah, when she went back home and confronted her sister, which gives me some hope that maybe it will pick up from here (hide spoiler)]

Fiona wrote: "At the end of chapter 26"

(view spoiler)[
That's great, regarding the audiobook. Unfortunately I didn't find it, and I am reading it as an ebook. I think that listening to it might make it more interesting.
(hide spoiler)]

I finished it this morning. I rated it 2 stars, it was ok
(view spoiler)[It did become better after chapter 36, things started to happen, a lot of character development not only for Canon and Neevah, but also for Terry, Neevah's sister. While I somewhat enjoyed the second half of the book, I know that I would not have read it if the book was not BOTM - I expect I would have given up when I was about one third in.
(hide spoiler)]

Elena wrote: "I’ve started it yesterday, I’m currently at the end of chapter 9.
[spoilers removed]"

Definitely feeling the same about Canon

Will continue listening tomorrow at work, and will hopefully finish it then

At the end of chapter 44

(view spoiler)[ A lot has happened since I last checked in.
The movie production is in full swing, and the romance between Neevah and Canon has started. I do like them together, although I'm still not very fond of Canon.
As for the part of Dessi's life... I'm not very invested in her story, to be honest. Maybe that will change? I'll share my thoughts on that later. (hide spoiler)]

Finally got the time to give my review, I rated it 3 stars

(view spoiler)[I'd say I liked the book, but it definitely wasn't amazing. I didn't like Canon and how he behaved in many moments.
There were parts of the story that were very well written, like the part when she was very sick. Other parts, like the whole thing with her sister, I didn't like so much.
Dessi Blue's story I didn't care much for, apart from the singing in the audiobook, which happened once more, that was beautiful.
Overall, I'd say it's a solid book, but for sure not the best one ever written. (hide spoiler)]

Elena wrote: "I finished it this morning. I rated it 2 stars, it was ok
"

(view spoiler)[I get that totally, although I think I liked the first half better (hide spoiler)]

Fiona wrote: "Finally got the time to give my review, I rated it 3 stars "

(view spoiler)[I didn't particularly like the part where Neevah was very sick, I thought it was hurried and only surface level. Also, even though a lot of things happened with Neevah, I couldn't make any opinion of her, I still feel she was all over the place, like the character wasn't properly defined. In contrast, Canon left a strong impression from the beginning, albeit not a pleasant one, and he showed character growth in the second part of the book. I especially enjoyed seeing how he called himself out for being arrogant. He gets extra points for the self-awareness :)
(hide spoiler)]

I find it interesting how different we see it lol

Points have been awarded