Scan barcode
yuraaa's review against another edition
3.0
*3.75, I didn’t expect to enjoy this so much since I had no expectations going into the book and it was soo fast paced, it’s a short book (242 pages) and it was reallyy good
abbyomdahl's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so cute! A quick read. It got a little slow in the middle but came together so wonderfully at the end.
bookslifeandeverythingnice's review against another edition
3.0
The first aspect of this book that I noticed was was the eye catching cover. The bright pink of the makeup and brush set against the black background made for a striking image. I would recommend Opportunity Knocks by Alison Sweeney to someone looking for a quick fun beach type read. The book takes us along with Alex, a makeup artist trying to break into the business. It was a fun interesting way to get a behind the scenes look at the entertainment industry. The author does a great job at pulling the reader into the story right away. Even so, I was constantly apprehensive about Alex getting in trouble, which is the premise of the story. There were several red herrings as to when she was going to get in trouble with her boss. Also, for some reason I didn't relate to and understand Alex as much as I had hoped. The romance is captivating, which is an aspect the author got right in her previous novels as well. Overall, Opportunity Knocks is a quick fun read. There were a few critiques on my part, but nothing that would stop me from recommending this as a great summer read.
doublearegee's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. It was really distracting that she named the boyfriend Billy, the boss Hillary and the boss's hair stylist Monica. Also, Sami Brady tends to end chapters really abruptly.
joyousreads132's review against another edition
2.0
So I remember now why I don’t enjoy reading celebrity-written novels. I mean, don’t get me wrong. There are actually talented celebrity writers out there, but you can tell this one was written by an amateur because it shows. She was fond of telling instead of showing and the characters are nothing but cardboard cutouts possessing the personalities of bland gruel. Let’s not even talk about the plot. If you think Hollywood is far out of realism, this book blows that perception out into outer space.
Alex Cleary is a fledgling makeup artist who hasn’t made it to Hollywood. She knows what she wants to do but just hadn’t quite caught a break. For now, she’s taking small time gigs while helping out in her family’s pool business along with her on-again, off again boyfriend. Who, by the way, seems to be only interested in her for the career her family name can afford him. On the other hand, hers wasn’t going anywhere, and her life is at a standstill. Until she finally snags the opportunity of a lifetime: working as Hillary P.’s (even her name sounds pretentious *gag* ) makeup artist.
Lauded as a Devil Wears Prada wannabe, Opportunity Knocks tells the story about how easily it is for Hollywood to squash your dreams. Actor or not, it’s a shark infested water and you’re a bleeding, flailing bait. Alex Cleary finds herself on the cusp of a breakthrough but when she trusted the wrong people, it was all over even before it begins. Hillary P. is your typical egomaniacal villain bent on showing off her influence and power. She’s rude, a devil of a diva, and she makes sure everyone knows just how big her head is.
The writing is barely passable; the only good thing it had going for it was the fact that you’ll fly through this book. Though, now that I’ve thought about it, I think I skimmed a lot of nonsense. The characters are what you see what you get – no depths, no charms. They are just there to play their parts. You don’t get to know them any deeper than what’s there on the pages. Overall, I’m just happy I gave her work a chance. At least I know now to avoid them in the future.
Alex Cleary is a fledgling makeup artist who hasn’t made it to Hollywood. She knows what she wants to do but just hadn’t quite caught a break. For now, she’s taking small time gigs while helping out in her family’s pool business along with her on-again, off again boyfriend. Who, by the way, seems to be only interested in her for the career her family name can afford him. On the other hand, hers wasn’t going anywhere, and her life is at a standstill. Until she finally snags the opportunity of a lifetime: working as Hillary P.’s (even her name sounds pretentious *gag* ) makeup artist.
Lauded as a Devil Wears Prada wannabe, Opportunity Knocks tells the story about how easily it is for Hollywood to squash your dreams. Actor or not, it’s a shark infested water and you’re a bleeding, flailing bait. Alex Cleary finds herself on the cusp of a breakthrough but when she trusted the wrong people, it was all over even before it begins. Hillary P. is your typical egomaniacal villain bent on showing off her influence and power. She’s rude, a devil of a diva, and she makes sure everyone knows just how big her head is.
The writing is barely passable; the only good thing it had going for it was the fact that you’ll fly through this book. Though, now that I’ve thought about it, I think I skimmed a lot of nonsense. The characters are what you see what you get – no depths, no charms. They are just there to play their parts. You don’t get to know them any deeper than what’s there on the pages. Overall, I’m just happy I gave her work a chance. At least I know now to avoid them in the future.
mnboyer's review against another edition
3.0
A young woman named Alex is working as a makeup artist in California, doing her best to save up money to move out of her parent's house, and suddenly finds that she's getting dumped by her longtime boyfriend. Luckily for her, she's on the set of a famous tv personality's show when the resident makeup artist is whisked away to the hospital. Alex is on hand, she does some makeup, and boom she's hired -- and she's asked to move to New York to continue working with said celebrity. It seems like these events come at the perfect time. Add to this she ends up in the bed of a hunky, hunky movie star...well, nothing could be better.
Except Alex accidentally blabs to a reporter about her boss's crazy antics and suddenly she's violated her NDA and is about to owe someone $5 million that she will never, ever have. Alex, her new beau Billy, and a few others create a plan to get the reporter to squash the story. They have 48 hours to get this done.
Okay, so the plot comes rather quickly, but it is a short book -- making it the perfect short read. However, you do find yourself having a lot of questions. Did this movie star really fall this hard for a girl within about five minutes of knowing her? How many people are willing to put their careers on the line to help this makeup artist? Alex keeps saying how independent she is but is there ever a moment where you feel like she actually is?!
For me, the depth wasn't there. It makes for a fun, quick read, but it is something that once you read it you're not going to go tell your best friend about. You're not in love with any of the characters. The story just falls a little flat (and is a little too perfect with its tidy ending) and of course, "show versus tell" is an issue throughout. So it is something you can get through quickly but isn't going to stay in your soul.
PS: This is written, I'm told, by a celebrity -- had no idea. Still not entirely sure who Alison Sweeney is because I never watched "The Biggest Loser" but again, I'm told she's kinda famous. For what it is worth.
Except Alex accidentally blabs to a reporter about her boss's crazy antics and suddenly she's violated her NDA and is about to owe someone $5 million that she will never, ever have. Alex, her new beau Billy, and a few others create a plan to get the reporter to squash the story. They have 48 hours to get this done.
Okay, so the plot comes rather quickly, but it is a short book -- making it the perfect short read. However, you do find yourself having a lot of questions. Did this movie star really fall this hard for a girl within about five minutes of knowing her? How many people are willing to put their careers on the line to help this makeup artist? Alex keeps saying how independent she is but is there ever a moment where you feel like she actually is?!
For me, the depth wasn't there. It makes for a fun, quick read, but it is something that once you read it you're not going to go tell your best friend about. You're not in love with any of the characters. The story just falls a little flat (and is a little too perfect with its tidy ending) and of course, "show versus tell" is an issue throughout. So it is something you can get through quickly but isn't going to stay in your soul.
PS: This is written, I'm told, by a celebrity -- had no idea. Still not entirely sure who Alison Sweeney is because I never watched "The Biggest Loser" but again, I'm told she's kinda famous. For what it is worth.
jacquelynrovene's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
skmyers05's review against another edition
4.0
I love Allison Sweeney as an actress on Hallmark channel, so when I saw that she had written books I was intrigued. The story did not disappoint. It was an easy read and enjoyable. A great book for taking a break from reality.