I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Lights. Camera. Love?

Rochelle “the Shell” Coleman is laser focused on only three things: becoming valedictorian, getting into Wharton, and, of course, taking down her annoyingly charismatic nemesis and only academic competition, Amira Rodriguez. However, despite her stellar grades, Rochelle’s college application is missing that extra special something: a job.

When Rochelle gets an opportunity to work at Horizon Cinemas, the beloved Black-owned movie theater, she begrudgingly jumps at the chance to boost her chances at getting into her dream school. There’s only one problem: Amira works there…and is also her boss.

Rochelle feels that working with Amira is its own kind of horror movie, but as the two begin working closely together, Rochelle starts to see Amira in a new light, one that may have her beginning to actually…like her?

But Horizon’s in trouble, and when mysterious things begin happening that make Horizon’s chances of staying open slimmer, it’s up to the employees to solve the mystery before it’s too late, but will love also find its way into the spotlight?

Short and Sweet Review

Rochelle Coleman is focused on getting into Wharton college, and although she has great grades she’s just missing one thing from her application a job. Well miraculously Rochelle ends up landing a job at Horizon Cinemas, the only problem is her nemesis Amira works there and will be her boss for the summer. Rochelle looks at Amira as her main competition in school, but they used to be friends and maybe their newfound proximity can help melt the ice. Rochelle may have been reluctant about this job at first but she’s getting in the swing of things, unfortunately Horizon isn’t doing too well, and to make things worse someone is set on sabotaging the theater, now it’s up to the employees to solve this mystery and maybe have a little romance too.

Rochelle is our main character and she takes her academics seriously, so seriously that people have to remind her to have fun. Rochelle is offered the job at Horizon but she never applied so she’s confused as to how she got the job but she needed the job so she goes with it. At Horizon we meet a group of characters that Rochelle will be working with during the summer and each character adds a little something special to the book it really is like a group of teens working for the summer. Amira is the assistant manager and she also happens to be Rochelle’s nemesis we learn more about how this happened during the book but during their time working together Rochelle starts to see Amira in a different light and realizes that this maybe a one sided thing and she should give Amira a chance. We do end up seeing a romance between the two and I found it to be cute. There’s also the subplot of trying to keep Horizon afloat and also finding the person sabotaging the theater with their “pranks.” I enjoyed seeing Rochelle get out of her comfort zone we see her as someone who’s very serious but throughout the book we see her lighten up and realize she can have a little fun. I also loved seeing the group come together and try to find ways to save Horizon. I forgot to mention this earlier but Horizon is a black owned movie theater and there’s a lot of history there. The whole book was great and I read most of it in one sitting I loved the characters and the story and it just had me hooked beginning to end.

Overall, super cute book! For a debut novel Jamal has herself a hit. I love the setting of the movie theater and just seeing all of the different personalities come together, they were a great friend group. The dialogue was great and had me cracking up. Rochelle and Amira made for a great romance and everything happening at the theater could be a movie itself. Definitely check this book out, I think it makes for a great summer read or just read it at anytime!