The Location Shoot - (A Red Carpet Romance) by Patricia Leavy (Paperback)

About the Book

When Hollywood movie star Finn Forrester and philosopher Ella Sinclair meet on an exotic film set in Sweden, their connection is palpable. Living on location, making a film that explores the big questions of life, they fall madly in love. Will they be able to trust it and ask themselves the biggest question of all?

Book Synopsis

Controversial filmmaker Jean Mercier is shooting a film on location in Sweden. While spending the summer creating his latest work of cinematic art, he lives in a nearby inn with his lead actors: Albie Hughes, British veteran of stage and screen; Charlotte Reed, British indie film queen; Michael Hennesey, American TV heartthrob; Willow Barnes, fallen former teen star looking to make a comeback; and Finn Forrester, legendary Hollywood movie star. Mercier invites his friend Ella Sinclair--a beautiful, bohemian-spirited American philosopher known for her provocative writing--to stay with them for the summer. When Ella arrives, Finn is instantly enchanted by her, and soon they fall madly in love. Finn wants to plan a life together, but Ella harbors fears and convinces him to wait until the film wraps to decide their future. In a case of life imitating art, the film they are creating explores "the big questions" and prompts the stars to reflect on the crossroads they face in their own lives. How will their experiences on location affect them when they return home? The answers won't come until months later, when the cast and crew reconvene on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival--but their revelation will make for one unforgettable night.

Review Quotes

2024 Readers' Favorite Book Awards Silver Medal Winner in Romance - General
2024 Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite in Women's Fiction
2024 Best Book Awards First Place Winner in Fiction: Women's
2024 Best Book Awards Second Place Winner in Artistic & Technical: Book Cover - Overall Design
2023 Best Book Awards Finalist in Best Cover Design in Fiction, Fiction: General, and Fiction: Inspirational
2023 Firebird Book Award First Place Winner in Contemporary Novel
2023 Firebird Book Award First Place Winner in Pop Culture Fiction
2023 Firebird Book Award First Place Winner in Romance
2023 Firebird Book Award First Place Winner in Summer Beach Read
2023 Literary Titan Book Awards Gold Winner
Featured in Ms. Career Girl's "10 Perfect Books to Get Your Fall Reading List Started"
Featured on She Reads in "Novels to Read if You Love Classic Movies"

"Each character is more charming than the next . . . the intellectual discussions throughout the book prove fresh and engaging and will keep the pages turning. A quick-witted depiction of moviemaking best suited for contemplative romantics."
--Kirkus Reviews

". . . The Location Shoot is hard to put down. Leavy's literary style is engaging and immersive . . . The characters grapple with questions many of us face, making the story relatable and enjoyable. Leavy is a master storyteller, skillfully weaving together a narrative that keeps us engaged from start to finish. The pacing is well-balanced, ensuring the story moves forward while allowing for meaningful reflection on the characters' experiences. Ultimately, it's a must-read for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and entertaining exploration of love, relationships, and self-discovery. Highly recommended!"
--Readers' Favorite, 5-star review

"The Location Shoot, penned by Patricia Leavy, is an enlightening exploration of art, philosophy, and life's profound queries. . . . The narrative's charm isn't solely defined by the romantic entanglement of a central couple but also by its well-sketched ensemble cast . . . the story reaches a fulfilling conclusion, brimming with a sense of humanity and personal transformation."
--Literary Titan, 5-star review

"A tour de force! Much more than a romance, this novel celebrates the romance of life itself. Set on an exotic film location with a fabulous cast of characters that come to life on the page, this book grabs hold of your heart and mind. The Location Shoot poses big questions about the meaning of life and love, and the answers are profoundly satisfying. Leavy's voice in fiction is singular. She brings her laser-like wit, intelligence, and hopefulness to this enchanting and truly unforgettable love story."
--Laurel Richardson, award-winning author of Lone Twin

"The Location Shoot is a stunning exploration of love, hope, dreams, and art bundled together in sheets of romance and laughter overheard from characters you just want to spend more and more time with. A truly joyous read!"
-- J. E. Sumerau, author of Scarecrow

"The Location Shoot is a masterpiece. Leavy's astonishing talent for exploring the human condition through light and escapist reading is on full display in this gorgeously written novel. Sexy celebrity romance meets rom-com meets literary fiction. This profoundly engaging book gave me all the feelings, from laughter to happy tears. I fell completely in love with the characters through Leavy's masterful dialogue. This book was so captivating that I read it in one sitting, unable to put it down. The ending is pure perfection."
--U. Melissa Anyiwo, editor of Gender Warriors

"An intelligent, thought-provoking romance set in a gorgeous location in the endlessly riveting world of filmmaking. The Location Shoot is absolutely spellbinding. The atmospheric details are exquisite, the characters finely drawn, and the story captivating. This book is a celebration of love, friendship, and the magic of art. Completely immersive; I could not put it down! The ending is unforgettable and deeply satisfying. A must-read!"
--Jessica Smartt Gullion, author of October Birds

"Wow! Leavy has written a gorgeous novel about the meaning of life and how art is woven into the fabric of human existence. The characters show us that the biggest question is best answered through art and love. Life, like art, is about improvisation, taking chances, and pushing through our fear. I devoured this book."
--Sandra L. Faulkner, award-winning author of Poetic Inquiry: Craft, Method and Practice

"Quaint romance gives way to a deeper allegory about human development. Leavy illustrates how a lifetime of intense publicity and relentless exposure can trap people in an eternal childhood of the heart, from which they must break free. I expect--and hope--to see Finn Forrester and Ella Sinclair in the news again."
--Alexandra "Xan" Nowakowski, coauthor of Other People's Oysters

"Life imitates art in this wildly romantic novel. Leavy's unique talent for weaving a thoughtful meditation on the arts into a sexy beach read is on full display in this triumphant page-turner of a book that follows the personal lives of a group making a film about the meaning of life. You will fall in love with the characters, but more than anything, The Location Shoot makes you fall in love with life itself. A profoundly beautiful and inspiring read. I didn't want it to end. Highly recommend!"
--Jessie Voigts, PhD, founder of Wandering Educators

"The Location Shoot by Patricia Leavy is a fun and light summer escape for romance fans. A perfect book to take to the pool."
--Sarahlyn Bruck, author of Light of the Fire

"Leavy's latest novel is less about the film world as a place of make believe, and more about the real questions of life. Get the book, get on location, enjoy!"
--Mary E. Weems, Cleveland Arts Prize Winner and author of Blackeyed

"Patricia Leavy is a captivating writer . . . People are raving about this book. [Leavy] does such a masterful job . . . The Location Shoot, get it."
--John Busbee, founder and producer of The Culture Buzz

About the Author

Patricia Leavy is an award-winning, best-selling author. Formerly Associate Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College, she has published more than forty books and has received career awards from the National Art Education Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, and more. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women's Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz when they established the "Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice" and in 2024 the London Arts-Based Research Centre established The Patricia Leavy Award for Arts-Based Research. Her website is www.patricialeavy.com. She lives in Kennebunk, Maine.