"Los Angeles is mine."

Laine is the paparazza. Michael is a hot Hollywood actor. They are always on opposite sides of the velvet rope. But not always. As teens they had the chance to connect, but then opportunities got in the way. Now, they are adults, a chance meeting in a bar with a camera thrown off the balcony brings these two characters onto the same side of the rope. The past has a way of creeping out of the shadows, and in Hollywood, any bit of gossip is fair game to spin.

"I own this city. I walk with its rhythms, run with its breath, speak its language. Los Angeles is my lover."

I am a huge fan of CD Reiss' characters. She delves deep so you get immersed in what they are thinking and feeling. Laine is such a strong female lead. She has been dealt a huge sucky hand but made silk from a sow's ear. Michael is entitled, gifted and never had to work for opportunities. However when Laine's past comes to create massive baggage, Michael stumbles. Makes him human. This novel is more than a romance. It's a look it the world of celebrity from a different lens. As the general public, we purchase celebrity gossip mags, watch TMZ and preach what they are saying as the Gospel. We forget they are people, things are not what they seem at times. We, the public, are too quick to judge. Ms. Reiss does a beautiful job of giving the reader a deep look into these characters through alternating POVs to see the realness of them. There is a third character that I cannot overlook, Los Angeles. This is what made it a Five Star read for me. Through movies, magazines, TV reality shows, etc. they all taint Los Angeles. Make her into something she is not. CD Reiss gives you a true look at my Los Angeles.

If you love CD Reiss' work, this will not disappoint. If you never read her, she concentrates on the main characters. The supporting characters give a lift to the thoughts, feelings and actions of our Hero and Heroine. I highly recommend this book. And CD, if you read this review, we need to meet at Tierra Mia on Spring St Downtown - BEST horchata latte in the city. Need to get you out of Starbucks. ( )

What a lovely contemporary romance! It might be the first time CD Reiss branched out purely into this category, but even her contemporaries feel edgy. They have sharp teeth and dark secrets. As you can guess, I loved it! *grinning*



Laine Cartwright aka Shuttergirl is one of the best paparazzi in Hollywood, she is ruthless, has a great intuition for getting into a right place at the right time, and her word is gold. Michael Greydon is a Hollywood sweetheart. He's got a fantastic reputation, good manners, a gorgeous face and plenty of talent. But once upon a time Laine and Michael were friends, and she had a crush on him. Now she stalks him and makes money on his pictures.


What would happen if these two get romantically involved when their respectful worlds are set against each other? Michael would question his desire to please everyone instead of doing what he wants and Laine will put her career on the line, because who would trust a paparazza who crossed the line into the enemy camp?


It's tender, bittersweet, hot and somehow very real. As usual Miss Reiss describes the atmosphere of L.A. so vividly, the reader has no problem imagining himself right in the thick of it. Laine is complex and self-assured, and doesn't shy away from the truth, even if it's really painful. Michael is full of suppressed feelings and ready to explode. The dynamics between these two is fascinating!


I loved the ending especially: it's somehow made this book even more solid with its happy-for-now, full of possibilities attitude An easy, quick and entirely satisfying summer read, recommended! ( )