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Reel to Real Love: 7
2022 Goldie Award Finalist - Science Fiction/Fantasy
Finding the right romantic partner is always a challenge—especially when your first spouse turns out to be a greedy, business-obsessed hardass who winds up on her CEO office floor with a bullet through her brain. After the murder of her first wife, Elaine is ready for a vacation and a solid relationship with a woman who only has time for her. Thanks to some found alien technology, Elaine can get what she wants… sort of. Okay, so a computer-generated tangible holographic image of a twentieth-century film star is about as far from “solid” as it gets. But as her themed pleasure cruise on a passenger starliner progresses and an additional plot to murder Elaine reveals itself, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to her fantasy companion. Ricky might be the result of exceptional programming, but she proves to be more than the sum of her particles. She shows Elaine more affection, and eventually more protection, than any so-called “real” woman in her life ever has, leaving Elaine to wonder—are Ricky’s feelings for her truly artificial? Or is this REEL TO REAL LOVE ?
Finding the right romantic partner is always a challenge—especially when your first spouse turns out to be a greedy, business-obsessed hardass who winds up on her CEO office floor with a bullet through her brain. After the murder of her first wife, Elaine is ready for a vacation and a solid relationship with a woman who only has time for her. Thanks to some found alien technology, Elaine can get what she wants… sort of. Okay, so a computer-generated tangible holographic image of a twentieth-century film star is about as far from “solid” as it gets. But as her themed pleasure cruise on a passenger starliner progresses and an additional plot to murder Elaine reveals itself, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to her fantasy companion. Ricky might be the result of exceptional programming, but she proves to be more than the sum of her particles. She shows Elaine more affection, and eventually more protection, than any so-called “real” woman in her life ever has, leaving Elaine to wonder—are Ricky’s feelings for her truly artificial? Or is this REEL TO REAL LOVE ?
- GenresScience Fiction
380 pages, Paperback
Published July 5, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 14, 2023
Another really fascinating Sci-Fi with Women Loving Women characters and an intriguing conspiracy.
I liked the technology here, it was really amusing but not too difficult to understand, either. The story has lots of great action and drama, almost a thriller I would say with the life-threatening mystery elements.
The characters are relatable and curious to keep you reading, and you believe in their connection, despite the reasonably fast pace of their feelings.
I did have a few more questions about certain things by the end, and how fast it did end and tidy everything up. But that was my only 'complaint' if you can even call it that. I'm basically being very nitpicky.
Ultimately this is a really solid story that keeps you guessing, but also leaves hints along the way. There's great storytelling and action, and a really unique relationship and technology that I think lovers of SciFi and fast-paced drama will love!
I liked the technology here, it was really amusing but not too difficult to understand, either. The story has lots of great action and drama, almost a thriller I would say with the life-threatening mystery elements.
The characters are relatable and curious to keep you reading, and you believe in their connection, despite the reasonably fast pace of their feelings.
I did have a few more questions about certain things by the end, and how fast it did end and tidy everything up. But that was my only 'complaint' if you can even call it that. I'm basically being very nitpicky.
Ultimately this is a really solid story that keeps you guessing, but also leaves hints along the way. There's great storytelling and action, and a really unique relationship and technology that I think lovers of SciFi and fast-paced drama will love!
February 11, 2022
Such a fun ride! I'd hate to spoil any of the surprises in this one; but suffice to say there is way more going on in this story than there appears to be at first. The romance is super sweet, the thriller plot has lots of twists and action, and the sci fi aspects are both fun and mind-bending. Also great humor throughout. Awesome combo.
Read
June 27, 2025Action, excitement, romance – Reel to Real Love by Elle E. Ire has it all.
Elaine Kane, recently widowed after her corporate monster wife Harriet “Harry” Kane was assassinated, has finally emerged from her isolation to go on a vacation on board a cruise ship to rest and recover from the traumatic experience and maybe let loose a little. But it’s not just any ordinary space cruise: the ship is populated with THIs – tangible holographic images of 20th century film stars (including a superb guest appearance by a certain bald starship captain who likes to adjust his shirt a lot), who are used as companions and lovers by the wealthy human guests. Elaine is paired with Richelle, AKA “Ricky”, but at first Elaine wants nothing to do with her. She’s not real, after all, despite how much more expressive and self-aware she seems to be compared to other THIs.
But then things take a turn and Elaine’s relaxing cruise suddenly becomes a plot against her life. She has no one she can trust… except Ricky, who keeps saving her life, which makes Elaine reconsider all she thought she knew about THIs, and love itself, as she begins to fall for her holographic partner.
Elaine and Ricky are fantastic protagonists. Elaine is smart, sensitive and tough, but holds a lot of barriers around herself due to past hurts and PTSD. As she finds herself drawn more and more to Ricky, she begins to open herself up. Ricky is gorgeous. There is so much more to her than what meets the eye. She is emotional, sensitive, and just as real – if not more so – than the actual humans. She is immediately noticeable as not like other THIs, but the truth of her nature is so much more than Elaine – or even I! – could have anticipated.
The plot is easy enough to follow, but it went in a direction I couldn’t predict – and I won’t spoil it here! Suffice to say, the shocking twists and turns of every chapter kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way through, and the romance between Elaine and Ricky was a delight to watch unfold.
The worldbuilding in Reel to Real Love was also a pleasant surprise. I went into the book expecting a straightforward lesbian romance in a sci-fi setting, but instead I found myself intrigued by the hyper-capitalist future envisaged by Ire. The world has been affected by ‘rads’ – radiation – and the rate of birth has plummeted. There are other planets and ancient alien ruins. There is corporate espionage and socio-economic commentary. The POV chapters from Ricky were particularly engaging, as we see “life” through the eyes of a holographic person. It was a deeply interesting exploration of what it means to be “real”. Are Richelle’s feelings lesser because she is not made of flesh and blood?
Reel to Real Love is nothing short of fun. If you’re after something easy, exciting, thrilling, and unexpected, then absolutely check out this book.
Elaine Kane, recently widowed after her corporate monster wife Harriet “Harry” Kane was assassinated, has finally emerged from her isolation to go on a vacation on board a cruise ship to rest and recover from the traumatic experience and maybe let loose a little. But it’s not just any ordinary space cruise: the ship is populated with THIs – tangible holographic images of 20th century film stars (including a superb guest appearance by a certain bald starship captain who likes to adjust his shirt a lot), who are used as companions and lovers by the wealthy human guests. Elaine is paired with Richelle, AKA “Ricky”, but at first Elaine wants nothing to do with her. She’s not real, after all, despite how much more expressive and self-aware she seems to be compared to other THIs.
But then things take a turn and Elaine’s relaxing cruise suddenly becomes a plot against her life. She has no one she can trust… except Ricky, who keeps saving her life, which makes Elaine reconsider all she thought she knew about THIs, and love itself, as she begins to fall for her holographic partner.
Elaine and Ricky are fantastic protagonists. Elaine is smart, sensitive and tough, but holds a lot of barriers around herself due to past hurts and PTSD. As she finds herself drawn more and more to Ricky, she begins to open herself up. Ricky is gorgeous. There is so much more to her than what meets the eye. She is emotional, sensitive, and just as real – if not more so – than the actual humans. She is immediately noticeable as not like other THIs, but the truth of her nature is so much more than Elaine – or even I! – could have anticipated.
The plot is easy enough to follow, but it went in a direction I couldn’t predict – and I won’t spoil it here! Suffice to say, the shocking twists and turns of every chapter kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way through, and the romance between Elaine and Ricky was a delight to watch unfold.
The worldbuilding in Reel to Real Love was also a pleasant surprise. I went into the book expecting a straightforward lesbian romance in a sci-fi setting, but instead I found myself intrigued by the hyper-capitalist future envisaged by Ire. The world has been affected by ‘rads’ – radiation – and the rate of birth has plummeted. There are other planets and ancient alien ruins. There is corporate espionage and socio-economic commentary. The POV chapters from Ricky were particularly engaging, as we see “life” through the eyes of a holographic person. It was a deeply interesting exploration of what it means to be “real”. Are Richelle’s feelings lesser because she is not made of flesh and blood?
Reel to Real Love is nothing short of fun. If you’re after something easy, exciting, thrilling, and unexpected, then absolutely check out this book.
November 18, 2024
A novel concept well executed. Elaine Kane is married to Harriet Kane, CEO of Leviathan, an industry titan when it comes to innovation in technology. Then Harriet is killed in what appears to be an assassination, and Elaine is left with the controlling shares and running a company she doesn't know much about. This lack of knowledge puts in her more danger than she can fathom and her late wife's administrative assistant Stephanie encourages her to go on a singles starship cruise aboard the Leviathan-owned Nebula. One of the perks of VIP treatment is a personalized THI (tangible holographic image), Richelle, serving as her companion.
And then things shift and Elaine isn't sure whether what she's gotten into is real or "reel." The reveal in this brings up a lot about what makes identity and what makes love grow. There's a bit of concern on Elaine's part that she's "falling for her hero" as Richelle saves her from one disastrous situation after another. And there's a twist that is hard to see coming - but it also makes total sense once all the evidence is reexamined. A wonderful story with an HEA.
The author populated the supporting characters with some cheeky nods to film and television, as that's the theme of the singles cruise. It made me smile several times to see these.
And then things shift and Elaine isn't sure whether what she's gotten into is real or "reel." The reveal in this brings up a lot about what makes identity and what makes love grow. There's a bit of concern on Elaine's part that she's "falling for her hero" as Richelle saves her from one disastrous situation after another. And there's a twist that is hard to see coming - but it also makes total sense once all the evidence is reexamined. A wonderful story with an HEA.
The author populated the supporting characters with some cheeky nods to film and television, as that's the theme of the singles cruise. It made me smile several times to see these.
December 13, 2024
It was alright. One of those stories where things mostly happen *to* the protagonists instead of the protagonist causing events. I liked the main characters, the premise and the THI tech/worldbuilding, but the writing style wasn't for me. Random fatphobia kind of soured the story for me—two or three comments about background characters and even the protagonist, but that one got a pass because it was like... Internalized from a terrible person. The rest could've been deleted without impacting anything.
Fun bits included the titles referring to film and TV, and a lot of tropes felt like soap opera shows with a sci-fi twist (which I enjoyed). The last 40 pages felt really rushed as the plot lines wrapped up.
Fun bits included the titles referring to film and TV, and a lot of tropes felt like soap opera shows with a sci-fi twist (which I enjoyed). The last 40 pages felt really rushed as the plot lines wrapped up.
June 10, 2024
I'm a fan of science fiction and I really enjoyed this book.
It's an agreeable read and the story is believable, with no false notes.
I thought I'd found the killer halfway through the book, but I was wrong.
The "Russian doll" effect to reach the final conclusion is excellent.
It's an agreeable read and the story is believable, with no false notes.
I thought I'd found the killer halfway through the book, but I was wrong.
The "Russian doll" effect to reach the final conclusion is excellent.
added-to-work-list
August 23, 2022MC Rep: wlw female
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews