The View Was Exhausting

The View Was Exhausting

Mikaella Clements

Enjoyment: Quality: Characters: Plot:

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.


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  • sophberc
    Sep 23, 2024
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  • Serenade
    Mar 09, 2025
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  • bookgang
    Mar 30, 2025
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     Vogue described this as “a perfect summer read,” and I have to co-sign this comment. This book is now my go-to summer recommendation for a sophisticated romance with enough dimension for a thoughtful book club discussion. 

    The fake dating trope rarely works for me, but this debut examines the media and public’s obsession with Hollywood figures. Whitman ("Win) Tagore is a well-known actress making headlines with a jet-setting playboy named Leo Milanowski. The two have made headlines for a decade with their on-again, off-again romance. The public doesn't know that the entire relationship is staged. 

    The two manipulate the press for necessary coverage and to gain favor and attention when necessary. All these situations are carefully orchestrated events between two friends. 

    As you might guess, this gets complicated but in all the best ways. Rather than leaning into the stereotypical plotlines, this goes into smart places like examining what it is like to be a woman of color in Hollywood. 

    This wife writing duo truly crafted one of my new favorite romances. I can't wait to see what they write together next!

     

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