Review: Sweet Read
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 08 10, 2012
Face the Music, Andrea K. Robbins (Review)Allison Banks a 24-year-old grad student has a teaching job with Superstardom, a show that will name one winner gifting them with a large cash prize and recording contract (Think American Idol). Allison tutors the little kids staring in the show while crushing on the shows leading star 27-year-old Chris Knots. Allison and Chris's romance is shaky in the beginning both connecting as friends even though Chris wants more. Allison's male friend Jake, her closest friend on the Superstardom set unintentionally blocks the potential romance, Chris believed they were dating. Once it has been made clear Allison also feels for Chris the two move forward with their romance, stalked by paparazzi and jealous contestants. In the end Allison has to decide if Chris is better off with her our without her.Bookswagger Marcia: Three Crowns, swagger jacked, decent read. I enjoyed where Face the Music was going. I do believe this would fit the YA audience perfectly. The heroine had such a young voice even while carrying the responsibility of her family. Allison Banks is a character I would describe as well meaning, nave and unsure of her place in the world. She fell in love with Chris and their romance had almost a hero worship twinge to it. She believed and acted as if Chris was too good for her. She didn't believe he was interested in her even when he spent time coming to her apartment in between rehearsals for the show. This story was more about the couple trying to come together, the sex scenes were closed-door reminding me of the love stories I used to gobble up when I was younger (mom edited my reads then). I admit there were some things that could have been better. For example the length of time it took for them to become a couple, her mishaps with her sister and her ex-boyfriend Paul. One thing that cannot be denied, I believe Mrs. Robbins is on her way to being a voice to be reckoned with.Bookswagger Danielle: Three Crowns, swagger jacked, decent read. This book reminded me more of a young adult book. I'm not sure if it was because of the singing competition plot or the closed-door sex scenes. The opening prologue really got to me and no matter what Allison did I couldn't help but root for her, even though I will admit her indecisiveness got on my nerves. There were a few things that just didn't quite make sense to me. For example Allison was shy and barely interacted socially but every time I turned around a guy was trying to get with her. This really stood out to me in her interaction with Charlie, I just found it hard to believe she didn't talk to him before the game but all of a sudden it "seemed" or appeared as if they were together. Allie and Chris spent more time skirting around each other than I would like however I did like them together.I liked that Chris was still humble while seeking fame. I imagine it would be hard to remain unchanged while in the spotlight. He further endeared himself to me when he left the celebration to find Allie (that was some type of devotion) me I would have been ghost. The author did a wonderful job with the supporting cast. I liked Allie's interactions with her friends one of them Jake even though he was a bit of a playboy he was charming and likeable.  I felt the love between Allie, her sister Emily and niece. While they were a small family the bond was strong.