For fans of Tessa Bailey and Hannah Grace, Cinematic Destinies is a feel-good, contemporary romance about a trio of adult children searching for love and beauty in the shadow of their parents’ legendary Hollywood fairy-tale romance.
Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Patricia Leavy’s Cinematic Destinies, which releases on September 2nd 2025.
Legendary actor Finn Forrester and his wife philosopher Ella Sinclair Forrester met on the location shoot for Jean Mercier’s film Celebration. The world has been captivated by their fairy-tale romance since Finn famously proposed on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. As the couple now prepares to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary, they wonder if their children will ever find love.
Eldest daughter Betty is excelling in a medical residency program in New York City—and has convinced herself that distancing herself from emotions is the path to success. Youngest son Albert, a recent college graduate, is trying to find his footing in Boston as he struggles with his identity. Free-spirited Georgia, her mother’s spitting image and an actress following in her father’s footsteps, has been cast in Jean Mercier’s final film, mysteriously titled Beauty. When she arrives on set in Iceland and meets her costar, sparks fly. Is history repeating itself? How has growing up in the shadow of the world’s most iconic love story affected each of the Forrester children?
In this highly anticipated conclusion to The Location Shoot and After the Red Carpet, we see how Finn, Ella, and their children fulfill their cinematic destinies.
“DAD, DID YOU READ THE TRADES?” Georgia asked as she helped herself to a piece of grilled chicken.
“I did. You’re making quite the splash, little peach,” he replied.
She beamed. “Everyone’s predicting this will be my big breakout role. That nothing will ever be the same again.”
“You’re very talented. Just remember what I’ve always told you, what Grandma used to tell me. Be truthful in your performances. People need their stories told. And never forget it’s a privilege to be an artist.” He glanced over at Albert and said, “That applies to you too, with your visual art. You’re also very talented.”
Albert smiled bashfully and Georgia jumped back in, “I know, Dad. I love getting lost in the stories.”
“You’re in for quite an education. Being in a Jean Mercier film is a singular experience. No one works the way he does. Be prepared. No rehearsals, no blocking. Half the time, no damn clue what’s going on,” he said with a chuckle.
Georgia nodded. “I know. His style is legendary. I think it will be perfect for me. I never overprepare. I always try to find the moment. Let it happen naturally.”
“He wouldn’t have cast you if he didn’t think you’d be exceptional. He’s got a knack for these things. You’ll grow a lot on this job. It will be good for you in more ways than you can imagine.” Finn let out a puff and continued, “Hell, my first Mercier film changed my whole life. It’s where I met your mother.”
Finn and Ella stared at each other from opposite ends of the table.
“Uh, hello. Not to mention you snagged an Oscar,” Georgia said.
Finn laughed. “Trust me, the gold I scored on that set was your mother.”
“So true,” Ella said matter-of-factly. She giggled in her husband’s direction and then looked at Georgia and asked, “So, are you going to tell us what the film is about?”
“It’s all top secret, so you have to promise not to say a word,” Georgia instructed.
“It will be hard to resist calling the tabloids. You know, when I have time in between facilitating the miracle of life,” Betty joked.
Albert laughed, covering his mouth.
Georgia stared her down.
“Just teasing. Scout’s honor,” Betty said.
Georgia rolled her eyes. “It’s called Beauty. We’re filming in a remote location in Iceland. The script is pretty sparse. Some kind of metaphor or something.”
“Yeah, that’s how Jean works,” Finn remarked.
“Basically, two men fall in love with my character. An old guy, and one who’s more my age,” Georgia explained.
“Please tell me you don’t have any sex scenes with Michael. I don’t think I can handle it,” Finn lamented.
“Dad!” Georgia whined.
“I’m serious,” he said.
“Don’t worry. Nothing like that,” she assured him.
“He better not hit on you for real either,” Finn added.
“Dad! Gross! He’s old like you.”
Finn and Ella burst into laughter.
“Yeah, well that may not stop him. When your mom and I met him on the set of Celebration, he was quite the player.”
“Oh, don’t listen to your father,” Ella chimed in. “Michael has been blissfully married to Lauren almost as long as we’ve been together. He’s also a friend. There are some lines he wouldn’t cross.”
“Your mother is right. Much bigger chance that Jean hits on you,” Finn said.
“Ick! He’s like two hundred!” Georgia wailed.
Ella laughed. “Age hasn’t slowed him down one bit. His reputation with women is well-earned. I can speak from experience. After all, he tried to feel me up when we first met. Come to think of it, I was a bit younger than you at the time.”
“Gross!” Georgia, Betty, and Albert moaned in unison.
Ella giggled. “Don’t worry, Georgia. He thinks of you as a niece. We’re just teasing. Well, mostly. Jean is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We adore each other.”
“Someone please change the subject. I don’t want to hear any more about how my boss tried to feel up Mom,” Georgia whined.
“Fair enough,” Finn said with a laugh. He turned to his son and asked, “Are you looking forward to the summer classes you’ll be taking at MassArt?”
Albert took a sip of water and responded, “Yeah. Thanks for letting me do it. I know I could have gotten a job right after graduation, but . . .”
“Your mother and I are happy to support your continued education,” Finn assured him.
“Of course we are,” Ella concurred.
“You’ve always been so passionate about drawing. We thought you’d get a job as an illustrator or something. What made you interested in studying animation?” Finn asked.
“I figured this would give me more options to turn art into a career.” Albert looked down and added, “If I develop skills in animation, I might be able to do something in the entertainment industry. Maybe work in television or film. Hollywood even.”
Finn smiled. “It’s smart to create options for yourself.”
“Whatever you do, we couldn’t be prouder, my sweet boy,” Ella added, leaning over and patting his hand. “I know how you get lost in your art and studies, but make sure you leave time for a social life this summer. You’re only young once. Have some fun too.”
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“Yeah,” Albert muttered, picking up his fork and taking a bite of chicken.
“It always sounded like you had some good friends at school. Did they all leave after graduation or are some still in Boston?” Ella asked.
Albert swallowed the food in his mouth and replied, “I still have a few people. It’s why I wanted to move to Harvard Square. My friends are in the same apartment building. I don’t mind taking public transportation to school.”
“Good,” Ella said. She turned to Betty. “What about that nice friend of yours your father and I met last time we visited you in New York? Khalil? How is he? We thought he was lovely.”
“He’s fine. Working crazy hours like me. Honestly, he’s a lifeline. If it weren’t for him, I’d have no life at all. We play a lot of board games and eat a ton of takeout. It’s nice to have someone to keep you company who understands the demands of the job, the insane hours. A few weeks ago, I got new curtains for my apartment, and he came over to help me hang them. We do stuff like that for each other. Since neither of us is from New York, it’s good we have each other.”
“Uh, he totally sounds like your boyfriend,” Georgia said.
“He is not my boyfriend,” Betty protested.
“Board games, takeout, hanging upholstery. It sounds boring and monotonous. From what I hear, that’s a boyfriend,” Georgia said.
Betty rolled her eyes. “What about you? Who’s your latest boy toy?”
“No one, really. And they’re not toys. They’re definitely not boyfriends either. They’re just lovers,” Georgia replied with dramatic flair.
“Okay, that may be enough of that,” Finn said, his face turning red.
Ella laughed. “Don’t listen to your father. There’s nothing wrong with talking about sex.”
“This coming from the woman who wrote about vibrators, blow jobs, and orgasms,” Betty said, rubbing her eyes. “Do you have any idea what that was like for us growing up?”
“You know, for an obstetrician, you have a surprisingly narrow view of sex,” Ella quipped.
“That’s because she and her boyfriend spend all their time playing board games,” Georgia squealed.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Betty repeated.
“Well, if you need sex tips, read Mom’s books. Seems Dad is a lucky guy,” Georgia joked.
They exploded with laughter.
Finn’s cheeks were bright pink. He raised his glass and said, “It’s so much fun having you all here. We love it so much that we want to do it again. Mark your calendars. Your mother and I have a big anniversary coming up on the first of October. To celebrate the occasion, and because I’d do it all again in a heartbeat,” he said, staring at his beloved, “we’re renewing our wedding vows. It’s a very special day for us and we want you here. I’ll take care of the arrangements.” The kids nodded, and Finn continued, “Cheers to being together!”
“Cheers!”
A little while later, they were all in the kitchen cleaning up. Betty, Georgia, and Albert were wrapping the leftovers and putting them away while Finn and Ella finished the dishes. As Ella was drying the last dish, Finn came up behind her, slipped his hands around her waist, and kissed the back of her head. Ella turned toward him. He ran his finger down her cheek and she looked down. Finn whispered something to her. She giggled and skimmed her fingers along his temple, their eyes glued to each other, their faces barely centimeters apart.
“Someone should really tell them to get a room,” Betty whispered to her siblings.
“They’re so weird,” Georgia whispered in return.
Albert smiled. “I think they’re great.”
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