Reviews

I don't know if there's an actual genre difference between Young Adult and Teen Fiction, but to me there is, and this book falls in the second category. I almost lost a contact because of how often I rolled my eyes. Ally was annoying and her priorities were hella out of whack, but if you remember she's a teenager, it makes sense. And this is the kind of stories Twilight-gobbling teens would love. The actual writing wasn't bad, esp for a first novel, but it was lacking introspection and heart. I'll read book two for the lesbians but I hope it's not told from Ally's bananas point of view.

theloveofinches's review against another edition

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5.0

I'm disappointed in myself for taking so long to read one of Dahlia's books. now I just need to get home so I can read the rest!

sophie5927's review against another edition

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3.0

The French is this was really cringey and badly said. If an author wants to include a language that they don’t speak, I think the least they can do is do their research and use it well.

alienor's review against another edition

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4.0

●•Reread 04/07 : Don't judge me. Trust me, I need it.•●

SPECIAL EDIT 04/24 (see below)

EXT. COUNTRY HOUSE - 04/22
In some one-horse town of French country, far later than the dusk, a woman's shrill cry split the dark silence.

INT. COUNTRY HOUSE - 04/22
Four pairs of eyes ~~3 of whom are pets, and yes, that's unnerving just the same~~ are staring at a strange creature who's frantically clapping her hands.

ANNA, French Reviewer and Teacher, 30s and who isn't a creature, thank you very much, stops squealing.

ANNA
(excited)
That was sooo good!

INDY, 6, cat, resumes toileting after throwing another WTF?! glance around him.

JOY, 7 months, boxer, ambles over to the couch and sits down in front of Anna.

ANNA
(louder)
I mean, this book was just so freaking cute! No, no, I'm not saying it was perfect but come on, look at me! LOOK AT ME!

(stands up and does an awkward little dance)
It made me so happy!

JOY
(staring)
...

The phone RINGS. Anna drops the e-reader she was still clutching to her heart ~~no comment, I know how lame it sounds~~ and searches under the blanket to answer the call --

*3259 rings later*

ANNA
Hey sorry I couldn't find my fucking phone in time -

VOICE
(over phone)
Whatever but hey! What were you doing today? I tried to call you like, thousands times!

ANNA
Oh God you will not believe what I just read : a contemporary romance setting in (whisper) Hollywood.

VOICE
(incredulous)
You did not. I mean, you hate everything Hollywood related! You don't even know most of the actors' names in the movies you watch, and I don't even talk about your stupid gossip magazines phobia!

ANNA
I know, and that's exactly why I'm beyond enthusiastic right now. Hear me out : you know I crave for realistic and multi-layered characters and how much it's difficult to find believable and adorable romances lately, yet how stunning as it is, this book offered me everything I was desperate to read. Don't get fooled, I'm not saying that it's perfect, it really isn't, but even if the story isn't free of cliché, I fucking adored it - (starts writing down). Look, let me tell you what I loved, okay?

VOICE
Okay, okay, it does seem amazing, but didn't you just say that it wasn't perfect?

ANNA
But that's the beauty of it! Please don't expect a perfect book, because you would be disappointed. Indeed there are cliché (for example : Ally doesn't realize that she's gorgeous, Liam is well, insanely hot, we come across a few overused sayings...). However, how could I complain when the writing was compelling, the dialogues funny and that I ended loving the characters as they'd be friends of mine? When it seems that I haven't root for a couple that much for months? I couldn't. I won't.

▒ THE END ▒

PS : For once, after many books where French language was terrible, I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of grammar errors (except bonne nuit) and I wanted to throw a little thank you here, because that's amazing.

Edit : The truth is, I thought about the book again and I realized that almost all the women were portrayed in a bad way. I mean, it's mostly Ally's vision of them and I already said that she was far from perfect and could be annoying - her evolution was amazing and that's why I loved this book but still. Frankly, I think that it didn't bother me as much as usual because... Well, because it's Hollywood and I have preconceived ideas, I must admit, and I'm sorry about that. I fell in love with this story so much that it overtook my usual peeves, so please take this into account, for what it's worth.♡

Oh, and before I forget, of course,

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chrissireads's review against another edition

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3.0

I have had Behind The Scenes on my radar for what seems like ages, so I was pleased to finally get around to picking it up on my week break from my job. It was engaging and fun to read.

It centres around Ally who has a famous teen actress as a best friend. Ally doesn’t have it easy. Her father’s medical bills are threatening her dream to go to Columbia to study. Ally and her friend Van come up with a plan to solve the issue which would involve Ally being Van’s on-set assistant. Ally has a great time being an assistant, she gets to earn good money and spend some time with Van whilst Van films. She also finds herself falling for Liam, Van’s stunning co-star. However, Van’s publicist decides that Van and Liam should ‘date’ for the tabloids which begins to cause all sorts of problems for Liam and Ally.

Behind The Scenes is such a readable love story. It being centred in Hollywood means there’s so much drama to read about. It’s great to try and imagine what happens in Hollywood. We all know that it isn’t exactly what it seems. I loved reading about how contrived relationships can be in the media. I’m pretty sure that it happens much more than we might think.

What I loved about Behind The Scenes was the story of friendship amongst the romance. Ally and Van’s friendship was real and survived the test of time (and Hollywood) even though they were so different. The romance is completely adorable too. Liam is such a fantastic character. I really believed in the relationship.

Dahlia Adler’s writing style is so easy to read. I found it really comforting to read. I lapped up the story, completely engrossed in the plot. I shall definitely be reading more from Dahlia in the future if this book is anything to go by!

frogy927's review against another edition

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2.0

This book was remarkably mediocre. I enjoyed the last 25%, but everything before that had a very same-y feel, like I've read all the tropes before and enjoyed them better then. I wish I had known that you didn't need to read the first one first, since the sequel is really the one I'm interested in. I guess I'll find out if it's any better.

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