I keep picking up Nicole Goux books because they look so good, but then they always have Dave Baker's words spattered all over them, and I have immediate regrets. ( )

really superficial without any real meaning
illustrations were lovely though

Becca had turned me off in the beginning. Just being honest. This story covers the woes and struggles of being an up and coming 20-something(?) creative (actor, producer, etc) in LA. There are more characters than Becca, but most of the story centers around her.

You’ll see modern creative culture (some general other strictly acting-based): being pigeonholed into your most iconic role, producers wanting to sleep with you (and the unfortunate power-imbalance that can come from that), people only knowing you for your fame, wanting to make it so badly in the industry, people commenting such nasty things online/stan culture, working on “pretentious” films, etc. But there’s also a look at Los Angeles culture too with the vapid parties, body image, and people wanting to clout chase, I suppose.

There is a lot of smaller things/subtext going on. For example, with Eve(ning Rodriguez) she’s classically-trained but having a harder time getting roles especially with the added hurdle of being a women of color. For that reason, she’s so hard on Becca who got a breakthrough. She doesn’t understand how Becca can squander her opportunity because she’s so hungry for her own break. Honestly, she gets ruthless on some sleeping with the producer for tracks vibe.

I get tired of stories that punish ambitious women. Who cares if Becca didn’t love that dude? There’s nothing wrong with her taking her opportunity to act.

Not bad, but I can acknowledge this doesn’t end in a satisfying way. It’s overall open-ended, but that also strangely works in a way. Also, I liked the art style and the coloring!

SN: The author note at the end was interesting.
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