Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the gifted copy.
Title: The View Was Exhausting
Author(s): Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta
Release Date: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Genre(s): Contemporary, Romance, Adult Fiction
Synopsis:

Faking a love story is a whole lot easier than being in love . . .

The world can see that international A-list actress Whitman ("Win") Tagore and jet-setting playboy Leo Milanowski are made for each other. Their kisses start Twitter trends and their fights break the internet. From red carpet appearances to Met Gala mishaps, their on-again, off-again romance has titillated the public and the press for almost a decade. But it's all a lie.

As a woman of color, Win knows the Hollywood deck is stacked against her, so she's perfected the art of controlling her public persona. Whenever she nears scandal, she calls in Leo, with his endearingly reckless attitude, for a staged date. Each public display of affection shifts the headlines back in Win's favor, and Leo uses the good press to draw attention away from his dysfunctional family.

Pretending to be in a passionate romance is one thing, but Win knows that a real relationship would lead to nothing but trouble. So instead they settle for friendship, with a side of sky-rocketing chemistry. Except this time, on the French Riviera, something is off. A shocking secret in Leo's past sets Win's personal and professional lives on a catastrophic collision course. Behind the scenes of their yacht-trips and PDA, the world's favorite couple is at each other's throats. Now they must finally confront the many truths and lies of their relationship, and Win is forced to consider what is more important: a rising career, or a risky shot at real love?

The View Was Exhausting is a funny, wickedly observant modern love story set against the backdrop of exotic locales and the realities of being a woman of color in a world run by men.

My Review:

The View Was Exhausting is an exhilarating debut novel. Mikaella Clements and Onjulli Data give readers the romance and drama that I can't help but love with their appealing characters and A-list plot.

Whitmore Tagore, aka Win, is an international actress. Everyone knows her and eats up everything that is on Twitter and in the tabloids. She may be this superstar but keeping it together is harder than it looks. But she has a partner in her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Leo Milanowski. Leo is a bad boy to the media but to those who know him, he is a sweetheart that can always provide a good laugh.

Whit always looks to Leo when she may be getting bad press because everyone is rooting for them. They are the next #Bennifer! They share a good bond and are at ease with one another. When more drama, secrets, and lies arise, their relationship both personally and professionally is tested.

I really enjoyed this read. I liked the romance because it's a fake relationship with a potential for more. The authors also touch on race by highlighting how hard it really is for people of color. Whit is of British and Indian descent and it's really sad that she has to control her public life so much in fear of retaliation that could hurt and even end her career. It's so great to see the authors touch on this in such a sensitive and delicate way.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I give The View Was Exhausting 4 stars. It's much more than a celebrity whirlwind romance. The authors debut is beautiful and fascinating. Imagine getting a deeper look inside the lives of your favorite celebrity couple. You can't help but be drawn to it. I truly look forward to reading more from this duo.

 This free site is ad-supported. Learn more
​