Book Review: "Hollywood, Ending" by John Green

As someone who stayed up until 2:00 am to finish The Fault in Our Stars the day it was released, I’ve been waiting for a new love story from John Green for a while. This is Green’s first foray into adult fiction, and it was so much more than I expected.

“I figured that in the night sky of my life, Kai Laramie would be one of those shooting stars that streaks across the sky but then burns up almost before you can even get excited.”

Kai and Juniper meet when both are cast in a new movie called Andy Warhol Never Gets Old. Juniper is a former child star who has exceptional talent but a bit of a reputation for being hard to direct. This is Kai’s first movie, and he cannot believe he’s gotten to this point.

Even though much of the moviegoing public doesn’t know who Andy Warhol is anymore, Kai and Juniper’s performances generate star-making buzz. The sky’s the limit for both of them, and they start falling in love. But then the moviemaking machine starts its manipulations, and threatens to destroy everything—including their burgeoning relationship.

“I do not want to want to be loved by strangers, but I do not want to want most of what I want.”

There are sentences, paragraphs in this book that took my breath away. This is an emotional book, with some possible triggers, but it’s an incredibly timely look at the price of fame and the way everyone feels like they own a piece of you. I really loved this.

Book Review: "The A-Listers" by Berlin Wick

Former child star Jace Wilder is going to be starring in one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. Iron Horizon, based on the story of the rock band with the same name, is unlike anything Jace has ever done. His manager—as well as his controlling mother—are concerned the film might damage his reputation.

His costar in the movie is British actor Lennox Rome, who parlayed being a social media influencer into an acting career. The two actors have never met, but Lennox beat Jace for a film award despite being new to the industry, and they’ve been pitted against each other ever since.⁣

The film traces the band’s story from their start in high school to the two leads falling in love, which ultimately led to their failure. In order to do their story justice, Jace and Lennox must ensure their chemistry and camaraderie are completely authentic.

From the moment they meet, both men feel an unmistakable pull toward the other. But neither has been in a relationship with a man before, and neither really understands what their feelings for one another means. Yet as the tabloids circle, they have to worry about not only hurting their career, but each other as well.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between Jace and Lennox, and there is a lot of steam. However, Jace’s mother is so crazily manipulative, so it really took me out of the story whenever she popped up. I also dislike miscommunication as a trope, and that reared its head a few times in the book. But in the end, the romance outweighed the obstacles, and left me smiling.

Book Review: "The Good Sister" by Sally Hepworth

Whoa, Sally Hepworth has done it again with her newest book, The Good Sister!

I've been wanting to read this since I received an awesome advance copy of the book from St. Martin's Press (along with some amazing gardening swag) and it lived up to every rave I've seen. Had to stay up until 2:00 a.m. to finish!!⁣

Some women would do anything for their sisters.

Rose and Fern are twin sisters, and they’re very close. They have dinner together three nights a week. But even though they’re twins, they couldn’t be more different.

Fern works in the local library (don’t ask her about the printers or photocopiers) and has a very strict routine. She has some sensory processing issues and can’t stand loud noises or crowds, or people touching her. Rose has always looked out for Fern, ever since they were young.

What Rose wants more than anything is to have a baby, but she is unable to get pregnant. When Fern learns of this, she thinks that perhaps she could get pregnant and give the baby to Rose as a way of thanking her. But what Fern doesn’t realize is that this one decision made out of selflessness will upend her world, and change so many things.

I'm going to leave the plot summary there. I love a book that surprises you, one that slowly becomes a different story than you were expecting. Bravo to Hepworth for keeping me guessing and for creating some very memorable characters, especially Wally.

Many of you know my relationship with thrillers so I’m so excited about how much I enjoyed The Good Sister!! Thanks again to St. Martin's Press for the complimentary advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review!!