Review: well written & remarkable feel-good story!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 8, 2011
And my dad, you're a great actor but you're a better father. - Angelina JolieIt doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was. - Anne SextonDanielle McKinley is a typical fifteen-year old and lives comfortably with her mother Leila and Leila's boyfriend Alan in Michigan. everything is routine but not boring or tedious for her until she learns that her absentee father is Mark Ocean - a famous-but-soon-to-be-not-famous action star. Mark needs to jump start his career if he wishes to keep his celebrity status shining once more. acknowledging his daughter Dani and inviting her to visit him in California might just be the right move he needs.laced with humor and providing glimpses into the lives of the rich, famous and spoiled, author Jessica Park's novel is a feel-good story about relationships, love and growth.i adore Dani's character. she is smart, well-adjusted, able to accept things as they are, forgive herself and others and move on. she is far from perfect but neither is she the angsty type. Dani did display a few streaks of rebelliousness though but her whole personality is so endearing that one could easily forgive her shortcomings. despite being exposed to the trappings of a glamorous lifestyle and basking in her father's limelight, she still longs for her simple life. this is what i really like about her. even with her head in the clouds, she keeps her designer-shod feet on solid ground.Mark's character is also wonderful. his transformation from being self-centered to a caring person is skillfully presented. when he finally realizes that there are more important things in life than one's name and face on the silver screen, his journey to becoming a better person and a good father is all set.i was amazed as well by how the author contrived situations that brought drama, twists and fun to the whole story.Relatively Famous is very well written and remarkable. i highly recommend this book to be part of one's TBR pile this summer and beyond!Disclosure of Material Connection: i received a copy of Relatively Famous from the author herself. i did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was i obligated to write a positive one. all opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. this disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.