1) Dazzled
Miles Stephens is an English actor who has just been fired from his latest job when he is offered a chance to audition in the US for a new movie based on a very popular book. When he lands the part he begins to learn the ins and outs of Hollywood and most importantly the press.
When he asks his best friend from back home, Claire Milton, to come out with him she does so to support him. But for Claire who has always been in love with Miles it also comes with difficulty as she has to watch him in a relationship with another woman.
When things spiral out of control for Miles will he turn to Claire again or will he try and manage on his own? Will Miles realize what he has had in front of him the entire time or will his new found celebrity status turn him into someone different?
This was a good story about all the highs and lows of becoming a celebrity and learning who truly has your back.
I liked watching the evolution of Miles and seeing how he adjusted to fame and realizing the pitfalls that came with it. He had to give up so much of his privacy and had to be careful to see what was acceptable and what wasn't. He definitely made some mistakes but ended up growing so much as an individual when eh realized who he truly wanted to be at the end.
I really liked Claire and felt bad for her as the supportive best friend as it was clear how uncomfortable she initially was when it was evident so many people did not want her to be around. Yet she also continued to stay to help Miles through it all.
I was so mad at some of the things that happened and how Claire was treated, especially by Miles in a few instances.
There was some great supporting characters that became great friends to both Miles and Claire and it was interesting to see how some of them supported them during the difficult times.
Good read!
2) Playing In The Rain
Ava Lawton has just quit her job after her boss requested her to certain things as part of her job and now she is in a new town, San Diego, with no family and no friends. Yet when she is at her lowest point she receives a note from a stranger that lifts her up and makes her want to find the guy who has brightened her day.
Cody Richards meets Ava in the park and knows right away that the two are meant to be together. He convinces her to help him make a list of things to accomplish in the summer together.
The two begin an incredible friendship which eventually turns into more and will Cody be able to push Ava into living the life that she wants to instead of the one she thinks will impress her father?
This was such a beautiful story although I had everything figured out at the beginning of the story. I still very much enjoyed the story and my heart broke for both Ava and Cody.
I felt bad for Ava in that she was trying to impress her dad and felt like she wasn't measuring up to what he expected of her. Cody pushed her to live outside her norm and she soon discovered that she enjoyed stepping out of her comfort zone as she felt safe with Cody.
I loved that Cody was living life the way most of us should. We should all enjoy life while we have it and not be afraid to try something new. He was ready for life and taught Ava all about living and giving back to the community.
I knew the ending was coming and it was so bittersweet. I was happy for what Ava was now going to do and the lessons Cody taught her about life.
3) Summer of Seventeen
Nick Andrews is 17 and is struggling with life. He lives with his sister Julia who is doign her best to raise him since the death of his mom. His best friend Sean hates his girlfriend, Yansi Alfaro, and the tension between the two of them gets to him.
Yet when Marcus moves into his mom's old room things begin to look up for Nick as Marcus shows him a different side to living life.
Nick also begins to work and tries to balance everything in his life, yet certain events keep pushing him down and soon he sees things spiral out of control. Can he get his life together and try to hang on to those he loves?
This was a great story about what some kids go through and the challenges they may face.
Nick lost so much when he lost his mom and he struggles with respecting Julia and her rules for him. I felt bad for him as well with the tension between Sean and Yansi also put him in a bad spot. I loved his passion for surfing although I wasn't pleased with the drug use and saw where that got him.
I felt the part with Sean was very realistic and I felt bad that Nick was being blamed by everyone for Sean's choices. I was glad that Nick was there to help him and get him to the hospital. I felt so bad for Sean with what was going on with his family and his ultimate actions that resulted from feelings like he was making too many mistakes.
I liked Nick's relationship with Yansi and the highs and lows of it. It was interesting to see how everything came about when they struggled and what happened with her family. The skateboard incident definitely made me sad with her dad. I liked the change with her parents and how they eventually came around to liking Nick and realizing he wasn't a bad kid!
Good read!!
4 Stars
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