What Happens On Location by Nan Campbell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’ve been looking forward to reading this book so much. I reread Like They Do in the Movies so I could refresh my memory on Helen – and also visit with Chelsea and Fran for a bit. Then I dove in. And read it in a single day. (Thanks to NetGalley’s “read aloud” function)

Helen Cho, film producer and CEO of a new production company, knows that achieving her career dreams means making hard decisions. With her latest feature film in crisis, she needs a new director immediately. At the top of the very short list of replacements? The woman responsible for breaking up Helen’s marriage.

Nora Darmody’s dreams of a directing career have not panned out as she hoped. When the offer from up-and-coming Propolis Pictures falls into her lap, there’s no way she can say no, even if that means working with Helen Cho. Because the last time Nora checked, their friendship died the moment Nora moved out of her pool house.

Both their careers hang in the balance. If they’re going to work together, Helen has to ignore her angry feelings of betrayal, and Nora must dim the spotlight of attraction that glows whenever Helen reenters the frame. Can they let go of the past and trust each other again, or will old wounds and unspoken feelings derail them before the final cut?

So, what did I love about this book? Pretty much every damn thing. Helen’s rage and fear and confusion. Nora’s determination and undying attraction to so many things about Helen. And the story, itself. One of best parts was identifying all the tiny cameos from nearly all of Campbell’s other books. I think the only novel that didn’t get a tie-in was The No Kiss Contract. It was great to get a little check-in with Genevra and Babs. And now, of course, I want to reread The Rules of Forever. Damn you, Nan Campbell, for writing books and characters that I fall in love with! But please don’t stop.

I know this is a short review but there was so much for me to love with this book that I don’t really know what else to say. Other than if you’ve enjoyed any of Ms. Campbell’s other works, you’ll likely love this one. And if you haven’t read the other books in her catalogue, you could absolutely read this one as a stand-alone. But you’ll have more fun if you’ve read the other books, too.

A HUGE thanks to Nan Campbell, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley. You all helped make my day so much better.



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