Why it’s essential
Winner of the 2022 Romance Audie Award, Kennedy Ryan's cinematic love story features deeply emotional performances from Eboni Flowers, Jakobi Diem, and Nicole Small.
Featured in The top 100 romance listens of all time.
What is Reel about?
Neevah Saint is an up-and-coming actress on Broadway who catches the eye of Canon Holt, director and filmmaker supreme. He’s looking for the star of his newest project, and Neevah is just that person. But her theatrical light isn’t the only thing that draws him to her, and the pair have to work hard to keep their relationship professional.
Editor's review
I have owned a physical copy of Reel practically since it came out. I was drawn in not only as a fan of Kennedy Ryan but also by the absolutely gorgeous cover, which promised swoons and spice just through the look shared between the two cover models sitting together in a director’s chair. Alas, no matter how enticing its cover, I regularly avoided it due to its heft. Kennedy Ryan doesn’t mince words, so every word in that 434-page saga was going to be important, and I was never in the right place for it. One day, I finally picked it up only to stall a few chapters in. I was interested but have trouble reading print on any given day. Audio has truly been a saving grace when it comes to completing fulfilling stories and heartfelt romances when the ability to read with my eyes has evaded me. And almost every time, the audio is an even better experience than I could have imagined with the text version. There’s something magical about a good narrator telling you a story, using the words of a brilliant author.
Luckily, I had easy access to the audiobook for Reel and was immediately drawn into the narration by Jakobi Diem and Eboni Flowers, one of my favorite narrating duos, with singing—singing—by Nicole Small. What had been interesting but slow in a very nicely designed print book was enrapturing to my ears, and I found every opportunity to listen to the book, whether it was in the car, cleaning the house, or resorting to playing a game on my phone. The dual-POV narration was so incredibly well acted that tears were not an uncommon aspect of my listening experience—especially when someone was being particularly vulnerable or heartfelt.
Canon Holt is a filmmaker still mourning the loss of his mother to terminal illness, and Neevah Saint is his new star. As listeners, we shift from the present day to a script detailing another, secondary love story, and the tone shift is perfect for those brief moments. It’s in these sections that we get to hear Nicole Small sing the songs that were produced solely for the audiobook. The lyrics are in the print book, but the audiobook lets you sink further into the experience with vintage-sounding songs that bring out all the heartfelt emotion that a rising star with a secret love might need to convey.
Which brings us to the dual love story that Reel offers. Not only do we have the core romance between Canon and Neevah, who try and try to resist each other but can’t, but also get caught up in the love story of Dessi Blue and the ups and downs of her experience as she travels the world as a rising star. As the story’s current and constant lovers, Canon and Neevah tell us from the beginning that they have unprecedented feelings for each other. They can’t stop thinking about each other when they’re apart, and they can’t stop looking at each other when they’re on set. As the producer, creator, and director, Canon is never not there—and as the star, Neevah is never far away. Their intense emotions reflect their intensity as creatives, and you can’t help but be pulled into their courtship.
Reel gets real about the challenges and pain of living with chronic illness. Content warnings include a past loss of a loved one, chronic illness flare-ups, hospital visits, and discussion of transplants. While Neevah works hard to make sure her Lupus doesn’t take over her life and ability to act and sing, it still catches up to her in multiple situations. These scenes can be startling for the listener, but Kennedy Ryan approaches the illness and everyone’s reaction to it with care and consideration. There isn’t a week that goes by that I don’t think about this book, even several months after listening to it.
Did you know?
Reel is the first novel from a writer and narrators of color to win an Audie Award for Best Romance.
Reel marks the debut ofKennedy Ryan’s Hollywood Renaissance series, which was inspired by the surge in people of color reclaiming their stories and telling them in their own voices, captured in works like Lovecraft Country, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, and Sylvie’s Love. As Ryan shared in an interview: "It started my wheels turning about all the amazing creators whose stories have gone unsung, untold, their contributions in many cases stolen or misattributed."
Kennedy has described the character of Dessi Blue as a fictional composite of historical figures like Billie Holiday, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Adelaide Hall, and other key players from the jazz and blues tradition.
The all-Black production of Macbeth that introduces us to Dessi Blue really happened! (And here’s a bonus image of the Savoy theater.)
Instead of going through an established audiobook publisher, Kennedy Ryan coordinated the production of the Reel audiobook herself, including the recording of two songs in the studio.
What listeners said
"I wish I can give this work of art a million stars!! This book has caught my heart and took it and held it close. Reel has produced REAL tears from me." –Charla, Audible listener
"I am writing this review after just finishing the audio of Reel, and I don't think I have the words to express how much I loved this book … Not only do we have an amazing love story between Cannon and Neevah, but Kennedy has woven in such an amazing social commentary as well … I loved every minute of the narration by Jakobi Diem and Eboni Flowers. They captured Cannon and Neevah's spirit, their passion, Cannon's grumpiness, Neevah's unbreakable drive. A wonderful listen from beginning to end." –LAS, Audible listener
"There are many layers to this story; it kept me interested all the way through. The narration was superb. Obviously, you can never go wrong with Jakobi Diem. Eboni Flowers is awesome as well and top that off with Nicole Small, who is one of my favorite narrators … perfect." –Kawannap, Audible listener
"I have never read a book by Kennedy Ryan I did not love. Her ability to tell a story is incredible. This book did not disappoint. This is one of her best works! Bravo." –Angela, Audible listener
Quotes from Reel
"Winston Churchill said history is written by the victors, but I would amend that to say it’s often written by liars. History is fact. You can’t change what happened, but you can edit it. People lie and leave out the truth, bend it to suit their needs."
"Extraordinary wants no parts of normal."
"We are artists … When there is no joy to be found, we have the power in our hands, the will of our souls, to make it."
"And every time I make you smile, I feel like I’ve conquered the world."
"Tomorrow … is the most presumptuous word in the world."
"Every day that ends with me still breathing has ended well."
About the author
Kennedy Ryan is a USA Today bestselling author who writes for women from all walks of life, empowering them and placing them firmly at the center of each story and in charge of their own destinies. A RITA and Audie Award winner, she has gained a devoted following for her contemporary romance series: The Bennetts, Soul, Hoops, Grip, All the King’s Men, Skyland, and, most recently, Hollywood Renaissance. She and her writing have been featured in outlets from Glamour and Cosmopolitan to O, The Oprah Magazine to Chicken Soup for the Soul. In addition to writing novels, she uses her background in journalism to write for charity and causes, particularly to raise awareness and help families living with Autism. She is a wife to her lifetime lover and mother to an extraordinary son.
About the performers
Jakobi Diem is an audiobook narrator for the "grown and sexy." A formally trained actor, he began performing romance audiobooks in 2016 and has lent his seductive voice to more than 100 titles, including Kennedy Ryan’s Before I Let Go, Hook Shot, and Grip.
Eboni Flowers is a New York City-based performer, voice actor, and teaching artist. She has shared her work with audiences on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theaters, and at Rikers Island prison and homeless shelters, as well as in television, film, commercials, and dozens of audiobooks, including Kennedy Ryan’s Queen Move.
Nicole Small is an actress and singer. Her audiobook performances include Ashley Antionette’s Butterfly series and Alexandria House’s Goal with Jakobi Diem.
