Review: Good concept. Okay execution. CLIFFHANGER!!
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 07 21, 2014
Mia Phoenix is a talented, 19 yo singer with a 9yo kid sister who is all the family she has in the world after a fire killed her parents last year. When she is accepted as a contestant on a reality TV singing competition (think: The Voice), she begins to hope things are changing for the better. Then she meets, Kolton, her famous, rock star coach for the show, and sparks fly between them but the rules say they can't be together. His ex girlfriend doesn't want them together. And you KNOW the other contestants don't want them together.Can they resist the pull of their feelings? Is there a way for them to have it all? Or will they burn up like the Phoenix after whom Mia is named?So the premise for this is great. I'm not a reality TV show fan but I understand the genre and I liked how it was done. Here's my problem with the story:For Kolton, there was no gradual awakening to his feelings for Mia. He never had to fight to keep things on a professional level for her sake or even just because they're under contract. From minute one, he was all in. He was just "waiting for her to catch up."  I even liked that sentiment but NOT the way he did it.He was controlling and manipulative. He may have had good reasons for his actions (in his head, at least) but if I were Mia, I would have run. Though where she would have gone, I don't know. I would have liked her to try, at least.Their whole relationship for the first half of the book was a poster for sexual harassment.A few points:She's 19, he's 28.She's a contestant in a show in which HE is one of the coaches/judges.He's rich and she's poor--he doesn't care if he gets sued by the show.He's already famous and adored. She would end up as a late night talk show punch line with a ruined career and no way to support her sister..She also has nowhere for her sister to go during the show so her options are limited.She even mentions once how the balance of power between them is HEAVILY slanted in his favor.It was annoying. I was cringing at his actions. Finally, about halfway through, he decides to proceed with the relationship at HER pace. Big of him. But that was the point he started becoming likable.Then there was some ridiculousness with his ex--who has to be a secret cat burglar because evidently she can get in ANYWHERE without anyone knowing. Stretched the bounds of credulity for me.Anyway, the story ends abruptly, at the end of the contest, and there's no epilogue. But there is a scene which takes place right after the contest and is (we are told) a snippet from the NEXT book in the (hopefully 2-book) series.In this scene, more ridiculousness--I thought these people had body guards and security cameras?!And we are left hanging: is someone dead?? Burned?? Who will make it?!Very soap opera-y.I tell you this though--now that I actually LIKE Kolton, if the author burns or kills him, I'll be pissed.Also wanted to say: I think the book cover art is atrocious. He is hideous in that drawing and she is just, meh. But who cares about her? LOL I'm glad I didn't look too closely at that picture before I read (or bought) the book.Needs a change.