On Location

July 19, 2021
A woman stands up for her dreams within a male-dominated industry in this spirited rom-com from Smith (Simmer Down). Thirty-two-year-old television producer Alia Dunn is thrilled when she gets the green light to produce a 12-episode docuseries showcasing Utah’s natural beauty—until she learns that the show’s host will be “train wreck in human form” Blaine Stephens. Thankfully, she has expert field coordinator Drew Irons joining her staff as well—but to accept his help, Alia will have to move past the fact that Drew’s also the flirtatious hottie she connected with on a night out only for him never to call her back. Now Alia must navigate her growing feelings for Drew and stand up to chauvinist Blaine in order to save her show and reputation. Smith addresses workplace sexual harassment with a balance of levity and seriousness, bringing her signature feel-good tone to a heavy subject. It’s thoroughly endearing to watch insecure Alia learn to advocate for herself and others, and Smith sensitively showcases how Alia’s Filipino heritage effects her personal and professional goals. Fun, sexy, and uplifting, this is sure to appeal to lovers of light romance. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary.

August 15, 2021
A 32-year-old showrunner at a travel-themed TV channel films her first series on location in Utah while having lots and lots of sex with a crew member. Told to take more risks in a meeting where her idea for a series on hiking in Utah is spiked, Alia Dunn decides to do the opposite of what she normally would on her way home from work. Thus she finds herself tweeting about a hottie on the subway, going on an impromptu date with said stranger, Drew Irons, and then passionately kissing him after an evening of such bon mots as "You're sex on a stick, Drew." (For the record, he's flattered). Coincidences and miscommunications abound in this novel as Drew, a field coordinator, and Alia find themselves working together on location in Utah on Alia's unexpectedly green-lit series. Saddled with Blaine, a former reality star who is perpetually late, high, and drunk--and frequently naked and erratic--as a host, Alia struggles to keep to the shooting schedule while protecting the crew members from the predatory Blaine. Alia is a call-it-like-she-sees-it woman who takes no flak from anyone and can successfully run a set and schedule, but at the same time she's a woman unable to clear up potentially simple misunderstandings with a man she is lusting over--and then having a tremendous amount of sex with--because she assumes she knows everything and refuses to listen to explanations or ask questions to clear up confusion. The locations are the stars of this unevenly paced story, in which the characters and relationships are multifaceted and yet still clich�d and arguments escalate at supersonic speed just to evaporate days later. A series of explicit sex scenes tied together with a thin story.

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