Review: The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta

Whitman ‘Win’ Tagore and Leo Milanowski are the greatest love story of our time.

International movie star meets the beautiful son of a millionaire. Their kisses write headlines and their fights break the internet. Nobody needs to know it’s not real.

Win knows that Hollywood demands perfection – especially from a woman of colour.

Leo just wants to enjoy life, and shift press attention away from his dysfunctional family.

Together they control the narrative.

Except this time, on the shores of Saint-Tropez, Leo is hiding a secret that is about to send Win’s world spinning. Now everyone’s dream couple must confront the messy reality of their relationship. Just as they’re starting to realise that they might actually be falling in love…

Whitman Tagore and Leo Milanowski are a power couple of the celebrity world. Their on-off romance fills social media and is lapped up by the press. But little do their adoring public know that their relationship is all an act, designed to boost Win’s acting career. Every photo op is manufactured, every kiss is scripted. But can a fake romance really go on for years without real feelings becoming involved? As the pair reunite once again for a sun kissed summer in Saint Tropez secrets begin to spill, and it’s time for them to face the truth of their relationship once and for all.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a slow burner, but once I got into it I couldn’t put it down. It’s clear from the start that there is more to Leo and Win’s ‘fake’ relationship than meets the eye, that there’s clearly a history of deep affection between them, and I was willing for them to see sense. Win in particular was so blinkered by ambition that I wanted to shout at her at times!

This book gives a real insight into the world of ‘celebrity’, of how much goes on behind the scenes. Behind every famous person lies the indispensable team that makes the star: the stylist, the agent, the publicist (in this case the wonderful Marie - a Rottweiler of the publicity world with a heart of gold). It also made me wonder how many real life celebrity ‘relationships’ were all for show. A few certainly spring to mind! Behind it all though lies the constant pressure of social media and the press. The fear of putting a foot wrong that could end a career. Cancel culture. Being a celebrity is like walking a tightrope. It’s like having two selves, the real you and the fictional self you present to the world.

The View Was Exhausting is less of a sunny summer romance and more of a deep dive on celebrity culture and the price of fame. It’s a great read. I love the fact that we get both Win and Leo’s perspectives, and I love even more the fact that it was jointly written by a married couple! Thanks to Emily at Headline Books for the gorgeous review copy!