Author: Kim Culbertson
Series: None
Pages: 304
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Date Published: April 29th, 2014
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Format Read: eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for honest review
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Summary:
A deliciously charming novel about finding true love . . . and yourself.
Nothing ever happens in Little, CA. Which is just the way Carter Moon likes it. But when Hollywood arrives to film a movie starring former child star turned PR mess Adam Jakes, everything changes. Carter's town becomes a giant glittery set and, much to her annoyance, everyone is starry-eyed for Adam. Carter seems to be the only girl not falling all over herself to get a glimpse of him. Which apparently makes her perfect for the secret offer of a lifetime: playing the role of Adam's girlfriend while he's in town, to improve his public image, in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Her family really needs the money and so Carters agrees. But it turns out Adam isn't at all who she thought he was. As they grow closer, their relationship walks a blurry line between what's real and what's fake, and Carter must open her eyes to the scariest of unexplored worlds - her future. Can Carter figure out what she wants out of life AND get the guy? Or are there no Hollywood endings in real life?
Nothing ever happens in Little, CA. Which is just the way Carter Moon likes it. But when Hollywood arrives to film a movie starring former child star turned PR mess Adam Jakes, everything changes. Carter's town becomes a giant glittery set and, much to her annoyance, everyone is starry-eyed for Adam. Carter seems to be the only girl not falling all over herself to get a glimpse of him. Which apparently makes her perfect for the secret offer of a lifetime: playing the role of Adam's girlfriend while he's in town, to improve his public image, in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Her family really needs the money and so Carters agrees. But it turns out Adam isn't at all who she thought he was. As they grow closer, their relationship walks a blurry line between what's real and what's fake, and Carter must open her eyes to the scariest of unexplored worlds - her future. Can Carter figure out what she wants out of life AND get the guy? Or are there no Hollywood endings in real life?
-Goodreads
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My Thoughts:
An Open Letter To Catch a Falling Star,
Well you were a creative contemporary weren't you? I adored all of your characters and the inner dialogue. You kept things interesting and gave us a look into fame without being obnoxious. I applaud you for that. It's not an easy job. You were also really quirky and God knows that I'm a fan of the quirk. Because of all of those reasons I really liked you and all of your "Little" hometown charm!
-The White Unicorn
I'm a huge fan of Culbertson's writing style so I knew that this book was going to be a treat. Thank God I wasn't wrong. Catch a Falling Star deals with fame and the thin line between what is real and fake in Hollywood. It poses some really interesting questions about the movie making business while also staying classy. Culbertson has this way of taking her characters out of their comfort zones and helping them figure their lives out in extremely unique ways. This time around she just happens to use a hunky movie star with a bad rap and a money offer that's too good for our heroine to pass up.
This book is full blown romance and swoons. Carter and Adam have the weirdest slow burn thing happening between them, because, technically she's being paid to pretend to be his girlfriend. So, the whole time they're pretending to be an item and slowly falling for each other. There is one of the most awkward first kisses of all time in these pages and it had me laughing so hard. There are some extremely swoony moments where Adam switches from actor mode into something more and you can't help falling for him a little bit and neither can Carter.
Even though the book focuses on this staged romance, it also deals with a whole load of other awesome people. Carter's family is adorable and her brother is messed up and she has a dog named Extra Pickles!!!!! (Best. Dog. Name. Ever) She also has two of the best friends a girl could ask for. I totally understood how she felt about her best guy friend and her celebrity crazy BFF. Also, the movie people were interesting and edgy. They added this odd conflict to what the small town feel of the book.
Oh top of all of that Carter and her best pals run a star gazing blog and spend their nights out on the roof thinking about life. That gives you a slight hint of the quirky and wonderful details that Culbertson uses in her novels. She also masterfully uses all of these things to give Carter a journey into self discovery. Which is delightfully detailed and not overgrown by the romance.
If you're a fan of unique romances with awesome story telling this is the book for you!
Even though the book focuses on this staged romance, it also deals with a whole load of other awesome people. Carter's family is adorable and her brother is messed up and she has a dog named Extra Pickles!!!!! (Best. Dog. Name. Ever) She also has two of the best friends a girl could ask for. I totally understood how she felt about her best guy friend and her celebrity crazy BFF. Also, the movie people were interesting and edgy. They added this odd conflict to what the small town feel of the book.
Oh top of all of that Carter and her best pals run a star gazing blog and spend their nights out on the roof thinking about life. That gives you a slight hint of the quirky and wonderful details that Culbertson uses in her novels. She also masterfully uses all of these things to give Carter a journey into self discovery. Which is delightfully detailed and not overgrown by the romance.
If you're a fan of unique romances with awesome story telling this is the book for you!
Rating:
4 Unicorns = Close to perfect!
4 comments:
Ooo I am glad you liked this! I wasn't sure on this one but I think I will have to give it a shot now :)
Wow, to be honest, this book sounds like so much MORE than I thought it would be. What a great surprise! I love the sound of the slow-burn romance that starts off as pretend... that's such a fun romance style in fiction. I'm looking forward to getting a chance to read this one now! Great review, Christianna!
Oh this sounds like a great read! I haven't tried this author before but this definitely sounds like something I'd like. Great review!
With the generic YA contemporary / romance cover and title I hadn't even noticed this book before, but after your review I'm really interested to give it a try! Thanks for the great review!
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