Glass Houses by Ciaran Llachlan Leavitt

Glass Houses

Ciaran Llachlan Leavitt

Nothing is ever as simple as it seems…

When director Roan Pirsig dies of an overdose, his nemesis and his protege must come together to finish a film. One, Jae Cavanaugh is a workaholic, making the leap from independent film to Tinseltown’s bright lights; her career hangs in the balance. Can she trust Reed Lewis? She doesn’t have a choice.

The other, moody actress Reed Lewis, as more than a career to consider. She walked away from Hollywood once, does she want her career back? She doesn’t have a choice. She does have a secret.

Can these very different women forge a friendship strong enough to withstand the storm brewing around the film? Do they even have a choice?

——–

Ciaran Llachlan Leavitt takes an interesting turn in the über fiction world, introducing us to the world of Hollywood in the superb ‘Glass Houses. Based on the actual book, ‘Tropical Storm,’ another excellent über tale by the ultimate Xena fanfiction writer, Melissa Good, ‘Glass Houses’ introduces us to Jae Cavanaugh, an independent film director suddenly thrown into the limelight of her first big-budget movie, and Reed Lewis, her recalcitrant movie star known for her moodiness and penchant for walking off the set. While Llachlan subscribes to what seems to be the standard formula of tall, dark and troubled for the über Xena-like Reed, and small, understanding, and gentle for the über Gabrielle-like Jae, that’s where the differences end in this story within a story. Llachlan lends us characters who are moody, grumpy, homophobic, short-tempered-real characters with real problems, emotional baggage and human failings.

Unlike most typical über stories, these characters don’t fall in love immediately, nor do they fall in bed and have fantastic sex chapter after chapter. Their interaction weaves back and forth like a true friendship would, based on genuine affection for each other. This friendship, though, is complicated by the fact Jae is the director of a movie based on two lesbian heroines, trying to coax a credible performance from her star, Reed, who is more than a little homophobic. Complicating matters even more is the fact Jae has failed to share a little secret of her own, only to be faced with the emotional fallout from Reed when she is found out.

While ‘Glass Houses’ has great characters and a riveting story, one must almost have read ‘Tropical Storm’ first before they totally understand the storyline. Also, I found the repeated referral to popular music verses distracting and annoying. It’s a book, I really don’t need musical accompaniment. The biggest letdown, however, was the ending. While you’re certain Jae and Reed will overcome the obstacles in their path and become lovers, it’s almost as if it was an afterthought to include it. Unfortunately, it was like the added features on a DVD, all ‘behind the scenes.’ After spending several hours reading such a beautiful story with such passionate characters, one would expect a little more passionate ending, and as the reader, felt somewhat cheated.

With exception to the ending, overall ‘Glass Houses’ is an enjoyable read with memorable characters you won’t soon forget.

-Outlook Press

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• Amazon
• Goodreads
• Google Books

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