Title: If We Were a Movie
Author: Zakiya N. Jamal
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQIA
Pages: 320
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Copy: Physical copy received from publisher
Availability: Available now
Summary: Lights. Camera. Love?
Rochelle “The Shell” Coleman is laser focused on only three things: becoming valedictorian, getting into Wharton, and, of course, taking down her annoyingly charismatic nemesis and only academic competition, Amira Rodriguez. However, despite her stellar grades, Rochelle’s college application is missing that extra special something: a job.
When Rochelle gets an opportunity to work at Horizon Cinemas, the beloved Black-owned movie theater, she begrudgingly jumps at the chance to boost her chances of getting into her dream school. There’s only one problem: Amira works there . . . and is also her boss.
Rochelle feels that being around Amira is its own kind of horror movie, but as the two begin working closely together, Rochelle starts to see Amira in a new light, one that may have her beginning to actually . . . like her?
But Horizon’s in trouble, and when mysterious things begin happening that make Horizon’s chances of staying open slim, it’s up to the employees to solve the mystery before it’s too late. But will love also find its way into the spotlight?
Review: [Minor content warnings for the death of a parent, racism, and homophobia.]
I took If We Were a Movie on a weekend trip, and it was a delightful vacation read. Author Zakiya N. Jamal set up a solid childhood friends to rivals romance set during the summer before senior year, so if you’re looking for something lighthearted to fill an afternoon off, this is would be a good choice.
Rochelle is a little rough around the edges as a narrator. She really doesn’t want to be at Horizon, and she is especially displeased when she finds out Amira will be her boss. It takes a while for her to be able to start making connections with the rest of Horizon’s staff, but once she starts to soften up around them, it’s nice to see. Rochelle’s friends, Taylor and Kerry, both have some minor development and entertaining C-plots brewing, on top of functioning as the ones who frequently prod Rochelle into verbalizing her feelings.
I really enjoyed that even though Rochelle was so prickly about Amira, it was always clear that Amira was competent and a decent person. The slow warming of their relationship—and the reveal of what had ultimately ended their childhood friendship—was well handled. It was honestly pretty funny when Rochelle finally realized that she was attracted to Amira and had been for some time. The ups and downs and ultimate conclusion of the summer romance felt earned, and I was pleased by how that all wrapped up.
While the problems at Horizon and attempting to save it from its financial issues is a pretty consistent B-plot, it is far less engaging than the relationship plot. The mystery of who is sabotaging the Horizon really isn’t a mystery—the only actual suspect turns out to be the one who did it—and I think the stronger story would have been to put all that screen time on the drive to engage with the local community rather than splitting the book’s focus.
Recommendation: Get it soon if you’re looking for a fun, fast romance read this summer. If We Were a Move is a cute sapphic romance with a quirky supporting cast and a worthwhile friends to rivals to lovers plot. While the shenanigans at Horizon are occasionally too predictable, this book is still a pleasant read and worth a look from contemporary romance fans.