I Kissed a Girl

by Jennet Alexander

Overview

Can an up-and-coming horror actress

and the makeup artist for her newest "creature feature"

turn on-set chemistry into the romance of a lifetime?

Lilah Silver's a young actress who dreams of climbing out of B-list stardom. She's been cast as the lead in what could be her breakout performance…but if she wants to prove herself to everyone who ever doubted her, she's going to need major help along the way.

Noa Birnbaum may be a brilliant makeup artist and special effects whiz-kid, but cracking into the union is more difficult than she imagined. Keeping everyone happy is a full-time job, and she's already run ragged. And yet when the beautiful star she's been secretly crushing on admits to fears of her own, Noa vows to do everything in her power to help Lilah shine like never before.

Long hours? Exhausting work? No problem. Together they can take the world by storm…but can the connection forged over long hours in the makeup chair ever hope to survive the glare of the spotlight?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728222707
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	08/03/2021
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	984,477
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 5.50(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Jennet Alexander has been a game designer, a teacher, a singer, a Riot Grrrl, a terrible guitar player, and an adequate crew tech and department head for both stage and screen. She grew up queer in the heart of a large Jewish community in Toronto, Canada, and now lives in a much smaller one with her partner, two kids, and two cats. Most of her wardrobe is still black. Noa and Lilah is her first rom-com. You can follow Jennet on Twitter at @jennetalexander, and find updates at her website, www.jennetalexander.com.

Editorial Reviews

05/03/2021

A queer romance with a side of coming-of-age tale and a sliver of suspense, Alexander’s delightful if occasionally slow debut begins when Noa Birnbaum drops out of college for a job as a makeup artist on the set of a B-list horror movie. She’s excited to paint gore and grime on the cast, and just as excited to meet her crush, the leading actress and “final girl” Lilah Silver. It’s Lilah’s biggest role yet, and she hopes it will be her chance to bust out of horror flicks and into the mainstream, but she’s hiding a secret that makes her feel like she’s acting even when she’s off camera. Sparks fly in the makeup chair and soon enough off-set, too, but a crazed fan, a leak to a gossip magazine, and their own insecurities might drive this budding couple apart. Alexander, who has worked in TV production, brings insider knowledge and hilarious detail to the Hollywood back lot, enhancing both the tender romance and sweet coming-out narrative. A subplot involving a stalker is less successful, though, dragging the novel down in the middle. With hints of Casey McQuiston, a quirky supporting cast, and undeniable heart, this makes a charming addition to the growing list of New Adult queer rom-coms. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"A fast read filled with warmth, romance, coming out, vivid supporting characters, and a behind-the-scenes peek at Hollywood...A charming entry in the new adult queer romantic comedies trend in the vein of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall." — Booklist

"With hints of Casey McQuiston, a quirky supporting cast, and undeniable heart, this makes a charming addition to the growing list of New Adult queer rom-coms." — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

07/01/2021

DEBUT Noa Birnbaum, an aspiring special effects artist, has landed her first film job, doing makeup for an upcoming horror movie. She's worried about playing it cool in front of her celeb crush Lilah Silver, the star of the film. Lilah wants to be taken more seriously as an actress; she also wants to impress her cool makeup artist Noa (Lilah is bi, but not out). They spend many intimate hours together on set, but Lilah's fear of being hurt and Noa's judgmental nature threaten to end their relationship before it can begin. The stress of the job—on-set shenanigans, shooting on location, temperamental film execs—only heightens the stakes of their attraction. VERDICT This debut is perfect for fans of B-movie horror and rom-com flicks alike. The two main characters are both Jewish, and the book features a large cast of queer and trans supporting characters. A content warning for some stalking, but otherwise this a fun, fast-paced read.—Claudia Berger, New York, NY

Library Journal

2021-07-28
A movie star and a makeup artist fall in love on the set of a horror movie.

Noa Birnbaum has just dropped out of UCLA for a makeup gig on a real Hollywood production. Even though it’s a low-budget horror flick called Scareodactyl, Noa loves horror movies, and she’ll gain valuable experience for her portfolio. As an added bonus, she’ll be working with actress Lilah Silver, her longtime crush. Lilah hopes this role, her first leading part, will finally put her career on the map and pave the way to landing more prestigious films. Alexander’s debut has all the hallmarks of new-adult romance: It's about young people freshly out in the world experiencing the awkward, emotional struggles of a first relationship. Lilah is plagued with insecurities: She knows she can act, but too many people assume she’s just a pretty face. She is comfortable with her bisexuality but has never had a relationship with a woman. Meanwhile, Noa feels awkward around Lilah’s cool, Hollywood smoothness. Noa grapples with her own internalized misogyny, which causes her to unthinkingly judge Lilah’s more traditionally femme traits and interests. Lilah and Noa are attracted to each other, but they are young and inexperienced, and their romantic tension is rooted in misunderstandings and snap judgments. They each make assumptions about the other’s behavior, which stalls their budding relationship. Both women’s fears and worries are detailed in long internal monologues, but without action or forward progress their thoughts sometimes devolve to navel-gazing. Production problems and the threat of a stalker bring movement and action to this warm, gentle romance.

A sweet, low-heat debut will appeal to readers who like introspective, angst-y romances.

Kirkus Reviews