Review: What a surprise!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 10, 2014
I wasn't expecting much of this book when I downloaded it but it was free so I figured, what the heck. The cover art was off-putting to me. Generally speaking, I find that when the cover of a book is a photograph like this one or one with a partially dressed person, the book is not going to be worth bothering with. I'm so glad I ignored the cover and went ahead and got it.This is probably considered YA. There's really not much mystery to it. It's more or less a Cinderella story about a young girl forced to be the parent of her parent. The mother moves them to Los Angeles to follow her dream of becoming a famous actress. Luck falls their way when the lead character, Kip, takes a photo of a rising child star on the cusp of manhood and they make a connection. I won't go into what follows but it was a great story.I would have liked it if she'd been just a LITTLE bit older. Just 15 at the start of the book, Kip is absolutely an adult. Her love interest is 19. Tho there's no sexual contact between them until she is 16, it bothered me.The sex is not graphic in any way but I think in books aiming at an audience around that age, it would be better if the characters were a bit a) closer in age and b) knew each other longer/better. Most of their relationship happens long distance.That's really the ONLY negative in this book although there were a few typos here and there but not anything major and nothing you wouldn't potentially see in a print book.The characters are well drawn, likable and interesting. The story line, while a bit on the dreamy side is fun and interesting and SO different from the Twilight/Hunger Games/flavor of the month variety out there that it's refreshing. Alex is a bit of a jerk. Gabe has serious issues but at heart they are loving and caring. Family is the heart of the story... not the kind you are born with, tho that is in there, but the kind you make for yourself.This, the first book, ends on a cliff hanger and I immediately downloaded the 2nd book and read it as well. Both books in the same day. That's how much I enjoyed them!I highly recommend them!