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In the Back Row With You
Welcome to The Eclipse cinema, where the seats are patched with duct tape, the décor has seen better decades, and the air carries a smell that’s equal parts stale popcorn and mystery. But for those who can look past its shabby charm, it's a haven for the coolest films that no chain would ever screen. Tess Fitzgerald, its beleaguered and grumpy owner, has been keeping the place afloat by sheer willpower—until a burst pipe forces her to seek a bank loan.
Enter Zara Shaw, a relentless, "can-do" business advisor assigned by the bank to whip The Eclipse into shape. Zara is ambitious, driven, and armed with corporate jargon that makes Tess’s skin crawl. All Tess wants is to share good films with the world—what could a corporate lackey possibly understand about that?
But Zara is determined to bring The Eclipse back into the black (not to mention, the modern world) no matter how much Tess resists. As these two clash over the cinema’s future, sparks fly, and an undeniable attraction threatens to turn everything upside down.
In the Back Row With You is a witty, tender story of unexpected love, and the struggle to hold onto what matters most.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 22, 2024
35 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 10, 2025
Tess owns and runs The Eclipse, a small town cinema in England with her sister Fi. She inherited it from her mother, and before that her grandfather. However, because of many reasons it has not been maintained very well, and after a disastrous water leak she finds lots of work needs doing.
Zara is a business advisor at the bank that Tess approaches to borrow money from. She is confident in her ability to turn around the fortunes of The Eclipse, but from the beginning her and Tess butt heads. Tess doesn’t trust the bank, but slowly she grows to trust Zara.
The animosity between Zara and Tess is refreshingly blunt, they both rub each other the wrong way, but respect the other. Over time this changes to friendship, and love.
This is a really well written book, lots of humour - some specifically British, but hilariously funny.
Zara is a business advisor at the bank that Tess approaches to borrow money from. She is confident in her ability to turn around the fortunes of The Eclipse, but from the beginning her and Tess butt heads. Tess doesn’t trust the bank, but slowly she grows to trust Zara.
The animosity between Zara and Tess is refreshingly blunt, they both rub each other the wrong way, but respect the other. Over time this changes to friendship, and love.
This is a really well written book, lots of humour - some specifically British, but hilariously funny.
December 4, 2024
Enjoyable rom-com with all of Natasha West's usual humour and flair. I'm always excited when she releases a new book, and this one was no exception. It was happily devoured in am afternoon, and left me with a smile on my face.
November 30, 2024
Delightful and hilarious!
Tess is the perfect combination of self aware movie snob and honorable cinema owner. And Zara? I get Zara in my bones. Financially Type A, passionate and determined business consultant (also what I do). It's a sticky world out there, but it's a lot less scare when you're not alone!
Tess is the perfect combination of self aware movie snob and honorable cinema owner. And Zara? I get Zara in my bones. Financially Type A, passionate and determined business consultant (also what I do). It's a sticky world out there, but it's a lot less scare when you're not alone!
January 12, 2025
Two thumbs up
This is a lighthearted, enjoyable read. I bought it initially because I regularly read this author more so than because of the preview. But I was
rewarded with a good read. There's warmth, a villain, and interesting heroines. There's no sweaty sex scenes, so if that's what you prefer this isn't the book for you. Still. There's a sweetness between the characters that is warming. I would've liked one particular character to have received a bit more of a comeuppance, but you can't have everything I guess. Ms. West does not disappoint.
This is a lighthearted, enjoyable read. I bought it initially because I regularly read this author more so than because of the preview. But I was
rewarded with a good read. There's warmth, a villain, and interesting heroines. There's no sweaty sex scenes, so if that's what you prefer this isn't the book for you. Still. There's a sweetness between the characters that is warming. I would've liked one particular character to have received a bit more of a comeuppance, but you can't have everything I guess. Ms. West does not disappoint.
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January 16, 2025There is a lot of humor throughout the story, especially with snappy dialogue and funny characters. The author has given the two women some really tough situations to work their way out of, and plenty of trust issues that interferes with their romance. This book is a fun ride, especially if you love movies and appreciate the intent to keep classics in the theater.
Note: this is from my review for The Lesbian Review
Note: this is from my review for The Lesbian Review
November 30, 2024
SO MUCH BETTER. THAN EXPECTED (smile)
It took me a bit to get into these characters. When Zara entered the story it became quite interesting. I learned a lot about cinemas, and good marketing ideas too.
It took me a bit to get into these characters. When Zara entered the story it became quite interesting. I learned a lot about cinemas, and good marketing ideas too.
April 28, 2025
4 stars. Super cute and funny. I loved all of the movie references and how much they main characters were movie nerds. That was cute and they had great chemistry together. Definitely one of the better books that I've read lately from West. This was so entertaining and light.
August 26, 2025
Decent, but one of the lovebirds was scarcely developed at all. Charming & HEA per usual West.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews