Cecilia Tan

Cathy Yardley

Melissa Blue

Rachel Stuhler

This is the 1st episode in the first season of Geek Actually, a 13-episode serial from Serial Box Publishing. This episode written by Cathy Yardley. Meet your new best girlfriends in this sexy, genre-busting serial that's all about feminism, friendship, and fandom. Michelle and Aditi have been friends for ages, but with Michelle as Aditi's editor for her debut fantasy novel, their relationship is under a bit of strain. Aditi needs to blow off some steam-a hot Tinder date does the trick (and then some). Meanwhile, Taneesha and Elli are both having some job trouble. Join this tight-knit group of lady geeks as they navigate the ups and downs of their personal and professional lives. Michelle is a hard-nosed fantasy and sci-fi editor used to things going her way. Taneesha is a talented video game programmer used to being the odd (wo)man out. Aditi is a fantasy writer on the verge of her big break. Christina is a rebel on the sidelines of Hollywood. And Elli is a fan-of anything and everything that keeps her from "proper adulting." They might live far apart, but through the power of the internet and a shared love of all things geek, they are ready to face the world together.

WTF (Geek Actually Season 1 Episode 1)

Izza

3 stars | it wasn’t mind-blowingly good, but it was entertaining enough for me to want to read more.

Kourtney

I had never heard of a book serial before. I've heard of book series, but never a book serial. For those that are like me and are just hearing it for the first time, a book serial is written in "episodes" - a shorter story. Each episode is published on its own, but it created a story arc that, when completed, can be a full novel, called a "season."

I received Season 1, Episode 1 of Geek Actually from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I have been a Cathy Yardley fan since my mid-20's (I'm now pushing 40). After college, I started to buy books to get back into reading, and one of them was LA Woman by Yardley. I was hooked. It's one of my favorites that introduced me to the "chick lit" publisher Red Dress Ink, and the genre as a whole. So when I saw her name pop up as one of the writer's of Geek Actually, I had to request it! A play on Love, Actually. A boss bitch on the cover. I'm in!

ALL THE THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY: After learning about serials, I discovered this was the first of 13 episodes. For anyone that knows me, you know that I love a good sequel. And 12 "sequels" would put me over the edge. This serial tells the story of 5 friends:

1) Michelle - an editor with a sci-fi/fantasy publisher
2) Aditi - a writer that just happens to be published by Michelle's publishing house, who is going through some writer's block
3) Taneesha - a video game programmer who is experiencing the sexist side of working in a "bro" world
4) Christina - she's not featured as much until the second episode, but she's there, working in Hollywood, behind the scenes.
5) Elli - living in her parent's basement, working a job until she gets enough money to make costumes for the next "con" (like Comic-Con, not like Ocean's Eleven). Looks like someone has some growing up to do.

I did enjoy the first installment of this serial - the stories are interwoven and stand alone nicely. I was drawn into their world and left the episode wanting to hang out with them more. There is some naughty-business mixed in, because every woman needs that side of her as well! I enjoyed it so much, I bought the whole series to continue my adventures with them. I'm just about to start episode 4 and wooooo - it's been an adventure so far!

WHAT MADE ME SCRATCH MY HEAD: NetGalley classified this episode as "erotica" which now makes me think that NetGalley is sitting their clutching its pearls because I would classify this more as a steamy women's fiction. This is nowhere near 50 Shades territory, so please don't let that put you off of it. 

FINAL THOUGHTS: If you're like me, and like women's fiction, or stories about women figuring out their place in this world, then this may be a serial for you. You can read it in bite-sized chunks and never miss a beat. Embrace your inner geek and give this one a try!

WTF (Geek Actually Season 1 Episode 1)

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