Thursday, June 25, 2009

Girl Stays In The Picture by Melissa De La Cruz

Amazon.com:

If you can't be a mega teen superstar sensation then maybe you'll be lucky enough to join her entourage.

Devon -- one name only, please -- is the latest and jail-bait-est pop star to hit number one on the Billboard chart, and she's making her big-screen debut in Juicy. But after her stint in rehab, the studio isn't so sure she's their girl anymore. If they cut any more of her lines, she'll be a silent film actress! Can Devon regain her star status? She needs to watch her back and make sure that flash doesn't catch her causing a scene, and we don't mean the kind you can yell "Cut!" after.

Livia has lost the weight and gained the attitude in the Hollywood party scene. Her dad's an Oscar-winning producer, and with a hot Beverly Hills boyfriend on her arm as well as her photos all over the pages of Gosizzle.com, Livia looks like she has a perfect life. But looks can be perfectly deceiving....

And there's fresh-faced Casey, who left a job bagging groceries at the Piggly Wiggly to play personal assistant to her best friend...and Devon's rival. She's got the biggest crush on the biggest star of the film -- a hot Brit known for loving and leaving. Will Casey stay true to herself while trying to find a place in his universe?

Stars. They're just like us. But what does that mean for the rest of us? Stay tuned, people.

For me, Girl Stays in the Picture was squee-worthy to the tune of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Sleepaway Girls. Pretty much good clean fun. I was surprised at how on their own these teenagers were but I think that goes along with the whole Hollywood lifestyle. I loved the glimpse in to film sets and overworked assistants.

One thing that really excited me about this book was that I couldn't pick a favorite character, usually I gravitate towards one or two that I feel like I understand better but in Girl Stays in the Picture I loved them all equally! For me that shows the strength of the characters. They all had their own unique storylines, Devon and her mess of a mother and the chance to clean up her act, but does anyone care? Livia, always in the background until a weight loss surgery brings her out of the shadows, and Casey who's totally out of her element with the Hollywood elite! I just loved them all. You better believe I'm excited beyond belief that this is a series.

This book was an addiction for me, at 432 pages I wouldn't call it short. I somehow was finished it within 24 hours, which is pretty much unheard of for me with a book this size. I just couldn't put it down. I loved being right there in the adventures these three new friends were experiencing.

And oh the ending, how perfect. Can you say cliffhanger! I think I've already searched several times for information on the next book in the series and haven't found anything. I'm ready for it, bring it on!

I think this is the most fun I've had with a book in a few months and I'm excited I have a few of Melissa's other books to read!

Girl Stays in the Picture was released June 2nd!

4.5/5 Stars
Review copy provided by Amazon Vine

12 comments:

  1. I find that in a lot of YA books the kids are on their own quite a bit. It used to bother me, but remember Nancy Drew? She didn't have much parental supervision either. So I guess it's the nature of the genre.

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  2. Wow, talk about a rave review!

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  3. I just found out about this book and I think it looks and sounds great. Your review makes me like it more.

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  4. Anonymous10:03 AM

    I enjoyed this book, although I wasn't a fan of the MAJOR cliffhanger. :P

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  5. think book sounds great, glad you enjoyed it :)

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  6. Anonymous12:05 PM

    I remember reading De La Cruz "Skinny Dipping" series, which were fun; maybe I'll try this one. It sounds great for summer!

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  7. Great review. I was definitely drawn to this one... the cover and inside description. I'm glad you liked it. Guess that means I should read it!

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  8. I love Melissa's writing and this one sounds great but the cover looks so mature, like the book's for older readers! Odd, huh?

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  9. Bookworm- I agree, the cover models look like they are in their 20s but the characters are actually in their mid to late teens :)

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  10. I am so excited to read your review! Tomorrow I am supposed to go pick up a copy that has been reserved for me at the library. Your review was my reminder, so they don't put it back on the shelf!

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  11. I have a question... who attempted to kill devon? i mean it didnt say in the end except for "someone you know very well" was it randall?

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