Damage Control: The Hollywood Series, Book 2

After 35 years of what I thought were a wonderful marriage, my wife fell in love with our female minister. I never had time nor courage to catch up with what was happening so fast. I was shut out of my marriage for the next 20 years and was invisible. I foolishly hung on, hoping things would change but I couldn’t compete with my wife’s new standards and she became mentally abusive and degrading towards me. We’ve been separated but still married for 5 years but I became introverted, reclusive, isolated, and constantly depressed (lessening with time). I started reading lesbian books in an effort to understand their feelings towards each other and why they did what they did to me. I love most of the books and wish I could have such a relationship, one I never truly had with my wife. I understand better how this happened between them. DAMAGE CONTROL is truly the best lesbian book I’ve read by far. The development of the deep feelings between Grace and Lauren was fascinating as was the devotion of their friends. The portrayals of the detractors was unfortunately equally real, especially the mother! The book was long, giving the author time to fully develop the plot and characters. Well done JAE.

Beautifully written novel of perception, labels, prejudices, and Hollywood reality. Grace is a hugely popular movie star and Lauren is her publicist. Grace discovers she might not be who she thinks she is. Lauren fears the consequences of mixing business with pleasure not just for herself but for Grace, too. Jill is a wonderful addition as friend and confidante to Grace. She comes out in two ways that could destroy her career, but does it with style! The characters and plot were well developed and relatable. A very good read. I enthusiastically and unequivocally recommend this and all of Jae’s works. A true treasure of an author. Thank youPeace

I once read that Jae is the "master of the slow burn." This book definitely epitomizes that moniker. What a glorious, tantalizing build up between characters. I know she's written several more 'slow-burns' in more recent years, but that doesn't mean these earlier books don't hook me in everytime.Grace and Lauren don't know what hit them as they each discover their feelings for the other in turn. Jae's methods of letting you know the characters first, and falling in love as they do, is commendable. She gives us the ultimate inside peek at how these characters learn to control and not control their feelings and it was enthralling as well as endearing. Damage Control was well-written, well-developed, and engaging to the last page.

My first Jae book and honestly I can’t complain! Definitely a page-turning book! If you are looking for chemistry and romance, this is the book you need! I am not an expert but I felt it was a slow burn romance it takes time, you know is going to happen and when it happens 🔥it felt like I was seating on the edge of a chair anxiously just waiting! A lovely story!

While this is not Jae's best book (Backwards to Oregon all the way), there is a feeling you get when you're reading something that is somewhat well written. It's this good light feeling akin to relief, because you've waded through all the crappy books of the genre (with miraculous 5 star reviews that were most likely from publishers or people paid for their reviews) and here is something that while is not profound or brilliant, is actually decent. In simple terms, I liked this book. I actually liked it better than the first in the series. The love story was sweeter. The characters were likable. It's a formulaic romance, but that doesn't matter, because it doesn't suck. And it doesn't make me regret buying it. If you're looking for a feel good book that is easy to read (and there is nothing wrong with that), then this is a good choice.

This book took far too long to read. It was very long. A little too long if you ask me. I liked the time jump at the end, but that felt like the story should just be beginning and not ending. I thought the relationship between Grace and Amanda seemed forced since Grace or Jill were never mentioned in Amanda’s book. It just seems like the author wanted to link them so she made a way for them to connect. I never like the stories of straight girl becomes lesbian and everything works out perfectly because that is never the case. I thought the authors perceptions of Hollywood and how they treat Gay and Lesbian actors was way off. I mean in 2015 gay people are all over T.V. and they aren’t shunned. I dunno it just seemed a bit dated. Like this boom should have been set in the early 2000’s and not in 2015.I also felt that the voices of the two main characters got muddled. It took a lot of concentration to know who was speaking when even if the author used their names. It just felt like I was reading the same character. Overall not the worst book but ok many things happened and it was far too long. I really did not like the paparazzi car crash scene. It was way too “on the nose” very princess Diana like and that was just terrible.

There's something special about a well written slow burn romance. This story certainly qualifies as one in my book. Jae uses the time offered by the slowly developing relationship to offer fantastic character development, making the eventual change from PR agent/client to friends to dating to, at long last, lovers seem more organic and natural than it would have been if they would have gotten together back when it was first clear that they were attracted to each. Highly recommended.

Definitely a fun read! The thing I love about Jae’s books the most is the plot problem. She keeps you guessing, and just when you think the puzzle pieces are fitting in nicely, Jae comes along and turns the table over. This one was absolutely splendid. I enjoyed it to the very end.

I hurried to buy this book after one reviewer's description of it as "truly dreadful". Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I like Jae, so what could she possibly have done to merit such condemnation? I can see some of what that previous reviewer was getting at although I'm not quite so harsh. If this had been written by any number of average romance lesfic writers out there we might be kinder, but because it's Jae, perhaps we expect more? I have to concur with Ms Grobler that others she has written are better.One of the problems here is that it takes flipping ages for Grace to cobble on to the fact that she has more than friendly feelings for Lauren. And it's not ever really clear how she makes that leap either! Just because Lauren gives her hot dogs and buys her ice cream? I don't think so! So, I'm afraid I have to agree, this isn't her best...let's hope for better next time!

I do enjoy Jae's books and I suppose it's fair that one reason is because I kinda know what I'm going to get. But hey nothing wrong with that. And she is a master (mistress?) of the turns and twists along the way. This book is no exception and follows Grace's story and especially her relationship with her mother while she stumbles through Hollywood's attitude to lesbianism with her best friend and publicist - who both happen to be gay... But Grace is straight ~ although her divorce from her action star husband is getting messy and raising questions. I enjoyed the story and I like that we met characters from the first Hollywood Series book...

An excellent performance by Jae. This tale of self discovery and genuine romance amidst the manipulation and marketing of Hollywood hype is a great read for a cold winters day. Warm to the sympathetically drawn characters of workaholic publicist Lauren and gorgeous ' straight girl next door ' Grace, rediscovering themselves in unexpected ways behind the scenes of the film industry. Always great vfm. Jae has another Oscar worthy script in this one. 😁

I really like Jae’s writing style, its warm crisp clear and succinct. Well-developed realistic characters, you want to find out what happens to all the characters and not just the main two, Lauren and Grace. Excellent love story expertly paced which leaves you wanting more. I recommend this marvellous book.

I really enjoyed this, even more than Bk 1. It was fun to come across Amanda but I loved the two main characters in this one. So glad the outcome was what I had hoped for.