Hollywood Renaissance Series by Kennedy Ryan

Hollywood Renaissance Series by Kennedy Ryan – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.wownovels.com Wed, 20 May 2026 17:50:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.1 http://www.wownovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/favicon.png Hollywood Renaissance Series by Kennedy Ryan – Read Books Online Free Ebooks good best novels to read http://www.wownovels.com 32 32 Score (Hollywood Renaissance #2) Read Online Kennedy Ryan http://www.wownovels.com/score-hollywood-renaissance-2-read-online-kennedy-ryan Wed, 20 May 2026 17:50:18 +0000 https://www.wownovels.com/score-hollywood-renaissance-2-read-online-kennedy-ryan Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary Authors: Kennedy Ryan Series: Hollywood Renaissance Series by Kennedy Ryan
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Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 145746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)

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A scorching second-chance romance between a talented screenwriter and a phenomenal musician from "a fantastic storyteller and superb writer." ―NPR

You never forget your first love. Isn't that what they say? Verity Hill knows this truth intimately. She didn't simply miss Wright "Monk" Bellamy when they parted ways in college. She's haunted by his touch. Every kiss, any lover since—it's a shadow of what they had.

Time heals all wounds. Isn't that what they say? Monk doesn't believe that for a second. He wasn't simply betrayed when he and Verity split. He was devastated, with parts of him left behind in the ruins of all that was destroyed.

More than a decade after their disastrous breakup, Verity and Monk must work together on the set of an epic Harlem Renaissance biopic. With Monk, now a world-class musician, creating the score, and Verity, an award-winning screenwriter, penning the script, there's Oscar buzz before shooting even begins. This once-in-a-lifetime project could catapult them both to new heights, but can they can put the past behind them for the sake of the film…for the sake of something more?

*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************

PRELUDE

Verity

“Art is our weapon. Culture is a form of resistance.”

—Shirin Neshat, “Art in Exile” TED Talk (2010)

Present Day

Opportunity doesn’t always knock. Sometimes it invites you to lunch on a sunny afternoon.

I scan the tables in the rooftop restaurant, pushing past my nerves and searching for the man I’m supposed to meet. Open Air sits atop one of LA’s most luxurious boutique hotels, The V. It’s always a who’s who crowd, with everyone that’s supposed to be someone doing deals and eating meals up here. This high there’s a cool breeze even in the spring, so I pull the light cardigan a little closer around my shoulders and scour the diners one more time in case I’ve missed him.

“Looking for someone?”

Living in LA for nearly the last decade, I should be used to gorgeous women. This one, though, with her long-lashed brown eyes, thick curtain of dark hair hanging to her waist, and miles of smooth tanned skin on display in a minidress that barely hits mid-thigh, is still so breathtaking I find myself stammering.

“Um, y-yeah. I’m meeting someone. We should have a reservation.” I drag my eyes away from her to search the rooftop dining area again. “But I don’t see him yet.”

She steps behind the podium and touches the tablet screen, her thick brows furrowing. “Which name would the reservation be under?”

“Holt. Canon Holt.”

Just saying the famous director’s name triggers a full-body flush of anxiety. He’s one of the most critically and commercially successful Black filmmakers of the past decade, and when my agent told me he requested a meeting, I nearly expired on the spot. I’m still trying to shake off the who me? energy and find the bad bitch bravado needed to conduct myself like the confident professional I’m supposed to be.

“Oh, Canon!” She looks up with a beatific smile so dazzling I almost say, Canon who? and ask for her number on the spot. “He’s already here. They’re in one of our private pods.”

She gestures to the discreet, striped-curtained enclosures lining the azure swimming pool at the rooftop’s center and starts walking.

“They?” I follow her, distracted by the swish of long hair and the jiggle of her ass.

Damn.

God took His time with this one.

Time well spent, Sir. Time well spent.

“My brother’s with him.” She glances over her shoulder, flashing me a knowing grin when my eyes have to bounce up to meet hers.

“Your brother?” I ask, trying to recover some of my dignity.

“Well, my stepbrother. Evan Bancroft. This is my place, and they come here all the time.”

“Open Air is your restaurant?”

“Yeah, my father owns the V hotels, but the restaurant is mine to play with.”

“It’s gorgeous,” I say, skirting the tables draped in white and set with fresh flowers.

The closer we get to the tent with one flap pulled back at the far end of the pool, the more anxious I become. This is a huge meeting, and I hope I can keep my shit together long enough to impress Canon Holt.

“Gentlemen,” she says when we reach the tent. “I believe you’re expecting…”

She turns to me with brows lifted. “I didn’t even ask. What’s your name?”

“Verity Hill.” I ping a glance between the two men, who stand from the table to greet me.

“Nice to meet you, Verity,” she says. “I’m Arietta.”

“Thanks for your help.” I give her a grateful smile, then turn to accept the hand Canon Holt extends. “So nice to meet you, Mr. Holt.”

“Please call me Canon. Thanks for taking time to chat.” He nods to the other guy. “I hope you don’t mind my producing partner, Evan Bancroft, sitting in.”

“Of course not,” I say, shaking Evan’s hand, too. “Nice meeting you.”

Side by side, the two men cut an impressive picture. Canon—brown-skinned, broad-chested, and just over six feet tall—wears a sports jacket with a white T-shirt and dark jeans. He has a reputation for being austere and hard to read, and his impassive expression seems to confirm it. Matching Canon in height and breadth, Evan looks like the quintessential Southern California boy, his bronze- and gold-streaked hair falling in those waves only achieved with an expensive haircut. He has a charming smile that says he’s trying to be one of the guys, but he can’t disguise the aura of wealth and privilege he wears as easily as his black V-neck sweater and flawlessly tailored slacks.

“You guys haven’t ordered anything yet?” Arietta asks once the three of us are seated.

“We thought we’d wait for our guest,” Evan replies. “Have you eaten here before, Verity?”

“No.” I pick up one of the glossy menus and open it, overwhelmed by the number of options. “Wow. This menu feels like a test I should have studied for.”

“I recommend the prawns to start,” Arietta suggests, smiling at me warmly.

“That sounds great.” I set the menu down, needing a moment to settle myself for this conversation and not really caring what we eat.

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The Close-Up (Hollywood Renaissance #1.5) Read Online Kennedy Ryan http://www.wownovels.com/the-close-up-hollywood-renaissance-1-5-read-online-kennedy-ryan Fri, 26 Aug 2022 19:46:24 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/the-close-up-hollywood-renaissance-1-5-read-online-kennedy-ryan Genre: Contemporary, Novella, Romance, Sports Authors: Kennedy Ryan Series: Hollywood Renaissance Series by Kennedy Ryan
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Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	The Close-Up (Hollywood Renaissance #1.5)
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Kennedy Ryan
Language:	English
Book Information:
Set in the dynamic worlds of professional basketball and entertainment, two of Kennedy Ryan’s most critically-acclaimed series—HOOPs and Hollywood Renaissance—collide in this tale of forbidden romance. I met Nazareth Armstrong when I was eighteen years old. From the beginning, my brother warned me to stay away from him. Told Naz to stay away from me. Our hearts didn’t listen. I shared one magical night under the stars with my brother's rival, thinking it was the start of a once-in-a-lifetime something. But one awful moment ended it all. Years later when we meet again, we’ve both pursued our dreams, lived a little, found success…but never found love. What began as a tiny flame when we were young now threatens to consume us. I’m more drawn to Naz than ever, but his complicated history with my brother makes whatever this could be…nearly impossible. But Naz accepts impossible as a dare. Through his clever maneuvering and dogged determination, I find myself on a yacht with him and his friends cruising through the Mediterranean. It’s a whirlwind set ablaze. Away from reality, surrendering to the tender heat of his touch, I forget that everything could burn. This is the love story of Takira, who first appears in Reel, book 1 of the Hollywood Renaissance series. Characters from the HOOPS series also make appearances, but you do not have to read any of those books to enjoy this one. Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.
Books in Series:	Hollywood Renaissance Series by Kennedy Ryan
Books by Author:	Kennedy Ryan

One Thousand and One Dark Nights

Once upon a time, in the future…

I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.

I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and

the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast

library at my father’s home and collected thousands

of volumes of fantastic tales.

I learned all about ancient races and bygone

times. About myths and legends and dreams of all

people through the millennium. And the more I read

the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered

that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually

become part of them.

I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher

and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I

would not be telling you this tale now.

But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off

with bravery.

One afternoon, curious about the myth of the

Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to

see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar

(Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then

sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written

and I had read that by the time he met Scheherazade,

the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand

women.

Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived

in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged

places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had

never occurred before and that still to this day, I

cannot explain.

Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have

taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can

protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to

protect herself and stay alive.

Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.

And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a

point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.

And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that

he might hear the rest of my dark tale.

As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new

one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before

you now.

Then

Takira

High School – Senior Year

“How’s the soup coming, Kira?” my mother shouts from the dining room. “It’s done?”

I roll my eyes and sigh, but not too loudly because I don’t want licks from Mama tonight, and she will pop me if provoked. Or toss the nearest shoe at me.

“Yes, ma’am.” I lift the lid from the fish soup, drawing in a deep breath of the flavor-rich aroma and letting the steam mist my face.

“Good,” she yells. “I hope we have enough of everything. All them boys’ll be hungry.”

The last thing I want to do in the middle of the week is help my mother prepare a full Trinidadian spread for twelve immature jocks. Bad enough I live with one. Now I’m cooking dinner for Cliff’s basketball team instead of watching Vampire Diaries.

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Reel (Hollywood Renaissance #1) Read Online Kennedy Ryan http://www.wownovels.com/reel-hollywood-renaissance-1-read-online-kennedy-ryan Sun, 13 Jun 2021 18:21:07 +0000 http://www.booksnovels.com/reel-hollywood-renaissance-1-read-online-kennedy-ryan Genre: Contemporary, Romance Authors: Kennedy Ryan Series: Hollywood Renaissance Series by Kennedy Ryan
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Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 151085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 504(@300wpm)

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Read Online Books/Novels:	(Hollywood Renaissance #1) Reel
Author/Writer of Book/Novel:	Kennedy Ryan
Language:	English
ISBN/ ASIN:	B091G3LF8S
Book Information:
There is NO cheating between the hero and heroine. Nor do they cheat on anyone else. Award-Winning Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Kennedy Ryan launches a brand new series with a Hollywood tale of wild ambition, artistic obsession, and unrelenting love. One moment in the spotlight. For months I stood by, an understudy waiting in the wings, preparing for my time to shine. I never imagined he would watch in the audience that night. Canon Holt. Famous film director. Fascinating. Talented. Fine. Before I could catch my breath, everything changed. I went from backstage Broadway to center stage Hollywood. From being unknown, to my name, Neevah Saint, on everyone’s lips. Canon casts me in a star-studded Harlem Renaissance biopic, catapulting me into another stratosphere. But stars shine brightest in the dead of night. Forbidden attraction, scandal and circumstances beyond my control jeopardize my dream. Could this one shot—the role of a lifetime, the love of a lifetime—cost me everything?
Books in Series:	Hollywood Renaissance Series by Kennedy Ryan
Books by Author:	Kennedy Ryan

Canon’s Prologue - At 20 Years Old

It’s the magic hour.

Gold dust smatters the horizon, gilding the fine line dividing earth and sky, bathing the shore in light and shimmer.

“It never gets old,” my mother whispers, the awe in her eyes as new as the unfolding sunset.

After a thousand sunsets from a thousand rickety piers, she, a veteran photographer, still holds onto wonder for this view.

A brisk breeze slips beneath my unzipped windbreaker.

“It is beautiful, but we should probably go inside. It’s getting cool out here.”

“It’s not cool out here.” Mama’s eyes, alive in her weary face, snap to meet mine. “Don’t treat me like an invalid, Canon.”

“I’m not. I . . . I’m not.” I study the wheelchair she spends most of her days in now, the camera in her lap, cradled lovingly in unsteady hands. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

The irritation eases from her expression a little, but her lips remain set. “Ever really consider that word? Invalid? In-valid. Because someone can’t walk or get around easily, we invalidate them? We don’t see them, don’t respect their wishes?”

“Ma, I didn’t mean to do that. We been out here for a while. It’s been a long day and I just want it to end well.”

The camera, when she lifts it to her eyes and aims it at the sun, shakes in her tenuous hold until her tightening grip steadies it. “Every day that ends with me still breathing has ended well.”

Her words grind into my heart and I draw a sharp breath through my nose, never prepared for the idea that my mother won’t always be around. May not be around much longer.

“Don’t talk like that, Ma.” I shift my feet, feeling as unsteady as the waves lapping at the legs of the pier.

She tears her eyes away from the camera, from the burnished horizon, to cast me a shrewd glance and scoffs. “Boy, we all gonna die. Question is, how did you live? Did you live or just wait for death to come? Not me. I ain’t waiting for nothing.”

She turns back to the sunset. “Except this. I’ll wait for the magic hour every time. It’s waiting for a miracle, but knowing it’ll come through. Like clockwork, it’ll come through. A miracle you can count on.”

I don’t have the heart to tell her I’ve given up on miracles. She’d only say I’m too young to abandon faith and hope and the luxury of naiveté, but the disease ravaging my mother’s body has accelerated her aging and mine.

“Where’s your camera?” she asks, her sudden question finding me over the sound of sloshing waves.

I slide the backpack from my shoulders and pull out my handheld video camera. I know what she wants. More and more she’s been documenting this journey of hers. Of ours. While it hurts to hear some of the things she tells the camera, things she doesn’t say to me, I never stop her. I’m always ready to capture every word, every glance from the remarkable woman who raised me.

“You are my boy for sure. Couldn’t ever find me without my camera either.” She peers over the camera, up at me. “It’s the love of my life, but as much as you love your art, Canon, I want you to find someone you can love more.”

I laugh and taste salty air. “You didn’t, but you want me to?”

A sad smile sketches fine-line parentheses around her mouth. “We always want more for our children than we had.”

I won’t tell her that me loving someone more than my art would take a miracle. Life has stolen enough of my mother’s illusions. I can’t bring myself to take more.

I turn the camera on. I turn it on her.

“Oh good. It’s on?” She lowers her camera and squints into mine, resolve as bright in her eyes as the sinking sun setting the ocean on fire. “’Cause I got something to say.”

Neevah’s Prologue – At 18 Years Old

I should have known this day would suck.

At breakfast, I knocked over the salt. Late for school, I paused long enough to scoop up a handful and toss it over my shoulder to counter the bad luck, but the damage had already been done.

First period, Mr. Kaminsky called on me just when I realized I’d left my AP English assignment at home. At lunch, I dropped my tray, spilling chocolate milk, mashed potatoes and my fruit cup all over the cafeteria floor. And the worst part of this day? I dropped a line in rehearsal for the final school play, Our Town. I had that monologue down. How did I forget?

“Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?” I recite my character Emily’s words under my breath and pull Mama’s old Camry into our driveway. “Every, every minute?”

I scoured my brain for those words, but for the life of me couldn’t find them anywhere when I needed them. I even knew the line that came next, the stage manager’s response, his answer to the question I couldn’t come up with.

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Read Online Books/Novels:

The Close-Up (Hollywood Renaissance #1.5)

Author/Writer of Book/Novel:

Kennedy Ryan

English

Kennedy Ryan

Read Online Books/Novels:

(Hollywood Renaissance #1) Reel

Author/Writer of Book/Novel:

Kennedy Ryan

English

B091G3LF8S

Hollywood Renaissance Series by Kennedy Ryan

Kennedy Ryan