Thursday, October 16, 2014

Review: Famous in Love by Rebecca Serle

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I received this book for free from Hachette Book Group in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Famous in Love by Rebecca SerleFamous in Love by Rebecca Serle
Series: Famous in Love, #1
Published by Poppy on October 21st 2014
Genres: Contemporary, YA
Source: Hachette Book Group
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three-stars

The romantic story of a girl who gets plucked from obscurity to star in the next major feature film franchise based on a book and the ensuing love triangles she gets entangled in on—-and off screen.

Meet Paige Townsen, Rainer Devon, and Jordan Wilder…

When Paige Townsen, a young unknown, gets cast in the movie adaptation of a blockbuster book series, her life changes practically overnight. Within a month, Paige has traded the quiet streets of her hometown for a crowded movie set on the shores of Maui, and is spending quality time with her co-star Rainer Devon, one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive. But when troubled star Jordan Wilder lands the role of the other point in the movie’s famous love triangle, Paige’s crazy new life gets even crazier.

In this coming-of-age romance inspired by the kind of celeb hookups that get clever nicknames and a million page views, Paige must figure out who she is – and who she wants – while the whole world watches.

Being from a small town in the middle of nowhere, Canada, where we hardly get anything exciting happen more than concerts from washed up artists, stardom is really something like another world for me. I’m fascinated by their lifestyle and by how… wildly different living that kind of life must be. So while this book may not be the next Great American Novel, it’s a whole lotta entertainment in a guilty pleasure sort of way.

Paige is just your regular high school girl with big dreams, until one day these dreams become reality when she’s cast in the next big Hollywood book-to-movie. This movie is clearly made to be akin to Twilight in how huge it is. And honestly, how is it not fun to imagine yourself being cast for the role of Bella (could you really be worse than Stewart)? How you would become one of the most known faces in the world in a few weeks flat? Not that I would want that kind of life, to be honest, but it’s pretty crazy to think about. In this aspect, it’s a fun read. I enjoyed seeing Paige get introduced to this kind of world and lifestyle. This average teenager with a relatable voice, combined with the simple writing style, makes it easy to put yourself in her shoes and imagine just what it would feel like. I found her struggles with accepting the reality of it all, as well as her lack of confidence while on the set, to be realistic (well what do I know, really? But they’re struggles I easily picture many new actors having). As for the secondary characters, there’s quite a few to keep track of. Some I kept forgetting their roles, her childhood friends are pointless, really, other than to show that life doesn’t all revolve around her, but a couple of side roles do bring more life to the book. I particularly enjoyed Wyatt and his dedication to the movie and tough lovin’ attitude.

At the end of the day, though, the spotlight is on the love story, and this is where most of the problems lie. Think of the most clichéd romance involving all the tropes in YA, and here you have it. Don’t get me wrong, I have definitely seen worse – this one is at least good for mindless entertainment – but I would lie if I said my eyes didn’t roll a time or two. Paige gets two famous co-stars, both of whom she’s attracted to (didn’t see this coming, did you?): the bad boy persona and the supportive, caring good boy. What makes this triangle, if I dare say, a tad intriguing, is how the book starts with a flash-forward prelude where we see her admit to herself that whatever choice she made between them, it was the wrong one. So it makes you curious to see how this will play out. It doesn’t mean you’ll be satisfied in the end, though. While her intentions are good, being with someone just because they’re living through a hard time while you’re pining for another is beyond selfish – not to mention bound to blow up in your face which will ultimately make matters worse.

Despite the not-so-perfectness of this novel, it is a great choice for when you’re in the mood for some mindless entertainment. Yes it’s got clichés and a lot of fluff, but it’s fun in a too-good-to-be-true kind of fantasy love story. If you go into this knowing what to expect I think you’ll enjoy yourself! 🙂

three-stars

3 Hot Espressos

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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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14 Responses to “Review: Famous in Love by Rebecca Serle”

  3. Lily

    I know where your coming from Giselle even though I live forty minutes outside of Toronto I feel so disconnected from all the media and spotlight attention downtown. That being said, Rebecca Serle is definitely one of those authors who comes out very guilty pleasure reads and it’s no surprise this one was one too! Love the sounds of this one and it seems so cute and fluffy and full of entertainment! I’ll have to add it to my TBR!

  6. Juhina

    i actually was interested in the romance.. I was very frustrated with her and that ending killed me. Like you said, you don’t stay with someone because they’re having a hard time. I ENJOYED the story but if i nitpick the romance.. ugh, I would have seriously hated the main protagonist.

    Great review Giselle!
    – Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

  7. Soma Rostam

    Well, I don’t know what to make of the romance
    It sounds like the kind of thing I usually hate “cringes”
    GREAT review, though, Giselle!
    Your reader,
    Soma R.

  8. Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf

    Even though it wasn’t quite perfect, this still sounds like it was quite an entertaining and engrossing read. 🙂 I absolutely adore anything that has to do with theatre or acting since I’m an actress myself, so this caught my eye the first time I read the blurb as being a complete “me” book. It’s a shame that it was ruined by a dreaded love triangle though… 😐 Anyhow, definitely going to still give this a try while keeping in mind it’s more of a fluffy read. Thanks for sharing Giselle and, as always, fantastic review! <3

  9. Precious

    Hi Giselle! Thanks for the honest, lovely review. Given the cliches and not-so-perfectness of it, I’m glad that you liked it! This one actually caught my eye a few months back. I see the heroine goes for the sacrifice move at the end. 🙁 It happens a lot, I know. But still, I’m glad you found this entertaining! <3

  10. Carmel @ Rabid Reads

    I live in the sticks as well, so I’m always fascinated by how the other half lives. That’s too bad about the love tropes because otherwise, it seemed like this book could have really been something special. Still, everyone needs some mindless entertainment from time to time!