Nothing ever happens in Little, CA. Which is just the way Carter Moon likes it. But when Hollywood arrives to film a movie starring former child star turned PR mess Adam Jakes, everything changes. Carter's town becomes a giant glittery set and, much to her annoyance, everyone is starry-eyed for Adam. Carter seems to be the only girl not falling all over herself to get a glimpse of him. Which apparently makes her perfect for the secret offer of a lifetime: playing the role of Adam's girlfriend while he's in town, to improve his public image, in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Her family really needs the money and so Carter agrees. But it turns out Adam isn't at all who she thought he was. As they grow closer, their relationship walks a blurry line between what's real and what's fake, and Carter must open her eyes to the scariest of unexplored worlds - her future. Can Carter figure out what she wants out of life AND get the guy? Or are there no Hollywood endings in real life?
*A Big Thanks to Netgalley, Scholastic, and Kim Culbertson*
At first I was a little wary of this book. It took me a little bit to start to like the characters, but when I did, everything just clicked for me and I really enjoyed this book.
I think what I was turned off by at first was the Adam Jakes character, and in my mind I automatically equated him to someone like Justin Bieber. And I was not thrilled to read a whole book that made me think of someone that I view as an entitled douche. As the story went on though he became his own persona in my mind, and I actually came to like his character, all flaws included.
I really liked Carter though, and I liked reading a book where the girl didn't feel fake or like the only thing she cares about is finding a guy to love her. I love books where I feel completely different about the characters in the end.
Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she's pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn't exactly Ethan Price's type, either. He's probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund... or does he?
As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie's a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan's brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.
But when Stephanie steps into Ethan's privileged world, the "acting" begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating "them." And Stephanie faces a question she's too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?
I ended up liking this more than I thought I would and it surprised me by not being a typical smut filled romance novel. It was actually very sweet and funny and more times than I could count made me wish I could reach into the book and smack the characters. haha.
I would recommend this as a good book to read while relaxing on vacation. It's short, sweet, and if you're anything like me than the tension between the main characters will drive you at least a little bit crazy!
Eight years have passed since the young Princess Bitterblue, and her country, were saved from the vicious King Leck. Now Bitterblue is the queen of Monsea, and her land is at peace.
But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisers, who have run the country on her behalf since Leck's death, believe in a forward-thinking plan: to pardon all of those who committed terrible acts during Leck's reign; and to forget every dark event that ever happened. Monsea's past has become shrouded in mystery, and it's only when Bitterblue begins sneaking out of her castle - curious, disguised and alone - to walk the streets of her own city, that she begins to realise the truth. Her kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year long spell of a madman, and now their only chance to move forward is to revisit the past.
Whatever that past holds.
Two thieves, who have sworn only to steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, who possesses an unidentified Grace, may also hold a key to her heart
I really enjoyed this book, but I think that Graceling is still my favorite. I still have to read Fire though, so maybe that will change.
This book did take me a long time to read (I think I renewed it from the library 3 times, which is unheard of for me!). It took me so long, not because of the quality of this book, but because of other things going on and me just being too busy to read.
The story was really good and I LOVED the characters, I think Teddy and Saf are my favorite characters, although they are both completely different. I also loved Death, but he kind of grew on me haha.
I'm so glad I found Graceling last year and was introduced to this world, because I love it! I honestly think that these are books with the most well constructed world building that I've ever read!
