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gothamgal's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this look at reality tv life way more than I thought I might!
subtlebookish's review against another edition
fast-paced
2.0
Why did I reread this? I was looking for an easy read, and I have a vague recollection that I liked it the first time I read it years and years ago. This was not the YA read I was craving. The premise sounds sort of interesting, a group of high school seniors are selected by a popular network (XTV) to be the basis for a new reality show. As someone who loved watching the drama of Laguna Beach and The Hills, this book could have been a hit, but I just didn't care about any of the characters, and there was no suspense at all.
There is drinking, an incidence of child abuse, the occasional f-bombs by teens and adults, and the objectification of teen-aged girls. Also, (spoiler) predatory behaviour by an adult. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
There is drinking, an incidence of child abuse, the occasional f-bombs by teens and adults, and the objectification of teen-aged girls. Also, (spoiler) predatory behaviour by an adult. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Body shaming, Cursing, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
kassy25's review against another edition
4.0
I actually went to a book signing where I met both authors who were both so nice! This was such an interesting book and I view reality television a little differently now. Even though I rarely watch it at all. I loved Jesse the main character! She's funny smart, sassy, and very relatable because she does make stupid and incompetent decisions in the book. However, it was still very insightful into what people think of reality television.
taschima's review against another edition
4.0
You can find more reviews @BloodyBookaholic
With comedy that is sharp as a dagger this novel brings us to the other side of reality T.V. A side you wouldn't have really expected. The things that happen behind the lensses will leave you with your mouth opened, and at certain times, if not all the time, you will want to hit the director where the sun don't shine.
The Real Real is a very funny and engaging novel. I read it non stop and still wanted more by the end. Though not really intense, the novel has it's moments. It's fun, it's light, but at the base of the novel it holds a truth that will change your perspective when you are watching reality T.V.
Not only that, but Emma and Nicola really know how to take the masks off of issues and put them right on the open. First Nanny Diaries, a novel about how rich people often ignore and don't raise their children, now The Real Real, a novel where nothing is what it seems and where sometimes in order to survive you have to sacrifice what is most dear to you.
For the rest of the review, yes there is more, visit us @ Bloody Bookaholic: The Real Real Complete Review
With comedy that is sharp as a dagger this novel brings us to the other side of reality T.V. A side you wouldn't have really expected. The things that happen behind the lensses will leave you with your mouth opened, and at certain times, if not all the time, you will want to hit the director where the sun don't shine.
The Real Real is a very funny and engaging novel. I read it non stop and still wanted more by the end. Though not really intense, the novel has it's moments. It's fun, it's light, but at the base of the novel it holds a truth that will change your perspective when you are watching reality T.V.
Not only that, but Emma and Nicola really know how to take the masks off of issues and put them right on the open. First Nanny Diaries, a novel about how rich people often ignore and don't raise their children, now The Real Real, a novel where nothing is what it seems and where sometimes in order to survive you have to sacrifice what is most dear to you.
For the rest of the review, yes there is more, visit us @ Bloody Bookaholic: The Real Real Complete Review
chibereading's review
4.0
The Real Real is a great, fun, and quirky book which gives teenage girls an insight on how real the reality tv shows teen girls worship really are.
As part of my unofficial new year's resolution list (unofficial because I am a picky reader and incredible stubborn) to broaden my reading library, I am begninning my new attempt into the world of chick-lit/contemporary reads. The Real Real was the perfect first read for my journey. It had just the right amount of chicklishusness without it being so annoying I was tempted to throw it across the room *cough* The Clique *cough*.
Jesse is just your regular everyday girl. She has no desire to have the limelight or to have a camera in her face 24/7. All she wants is to go to school, go to work to save up for college, snag her crush Drew, and hang out with her best friend Caityln in between. Is that what she gets though, Nope!!! Soon she is pushed into the very unreal world of reality television and forced to try to decipher what's reality and what's real.
To be honest, the characters in this book irked me. Jesse was a likeable chracter, though throughout the book she got more and more annoying to me. In the beginning she was a nice normal girl with rational thoughts in here head, then by the middle all that rationalitly leaves her, causing her to make stupid decisions and really lose herself. All annoyingness aside, I still enjoyed the book being told from her viewpoint. Her best friend Caitlyn annoys me most of all throughout the book. I didn't know it was possibly to harbor so much jealousy towards your best friend over something that she couldnt even control. I did though enjoy Drew's chracter all the way through the book.
Although the characters were not my favorite in the world the plot kept my nose in this book from beginning to end. It really was just like watching the making of a reality show. There is always one character that I start to sympathize with because it is seems that everything is going wrong for them. That was Jesse. She is all of a sudden looking at her life from the outside. Scandals, betrayals, and plastic surgery. All the aspects of reality television.
The ending wasn't exactly as I expected it to be. I just know I was shouting "you go girl" all through the last pages. I reccomend this book to all those who love chick-lit, contemporary reads, and reality television!!!
http://blackandblueink.blogspot.com/
As part of my unofficial new year's resolution list (unofficial because I am a picky reader and incredible stubborn) to broaden my reading library, I am begninning my new attempt into the world of chick-lit/contemporary reads. The Real Real was the perfect first read for my journey. It had just the right amount of chicklishusness without it being so annoying I was tempted to throw it across the room *cough* The Clique *cough*.
Jesse is just your regular everyday girl. She has no desire to have the limelight or to have a camera in her face 24/7. All she wants is to go to school, go to work to save up for college, snag her crush Drew, and hang out with her best friend Caityln in between. Is that what she gets though, Nope!!! Soon she is pushed into the very unreal world of reality television and forced to try to decipher what's reality and what's real.
To be honest, the characters in this book irked me. Jesse was a likeable chracter, though throughout the book she got more and more annoying to me. In the beginning she was a nice normal girl with rational thoughts in here head, then by the middle all that rationalitly leaves her, causing her to make stupid decisions and really lose herself. All annoyingness aside, I still enjoyed the book being told from her viewpoint. Her best friend Caitlyn annoys me most of all throughout the book. I didn't know it was possibly to harbor so much jealousy towards your best friend over something that she couldnt even control. I did though enjoy Drew's chracter all the way through the book.
Although the characters were not my favorite in the world the plot kept my nose in this book from beginning to end. It really was just like watching the making of a reality show. There is always one character that I start to sympathize with because it is seems that everything is going wrong for them. That was Jesse. She is all of a sudden looking at her life from the outside. Scandals, betrayals, and plastic surgery. All the aspects of reality television.
The ending wasn't exactly as I expected it to be. I just know I was shouting "you go girl" all through the last pages. I reccomend this book to all those who love chick-lit, contemporary reads, and reality television!!!
http://blackandblueink.blogspot.com/
shutupnread's review
4.0
I actually enjoyed The Real Real quite well. I was expecting this trashy teen novel like Gossip Girls but it wasn't as trashy. It was actually quite good, so I'm very surprised.
I enjoyed reading about the plot and the characters. Heck, even the writing style was nice.
For the plot, I liked how Emma and Nicola allowed the readers (me!) to get a sense of how the real acting world works. That it's not all that glamorous and awesome like rumors say. It's actually really hard work and so much pressure. There's no sense of privacy because you never know when someone's hiding there in the bushes ready to take a picture of you doing something totally embarrassing.
At first, Jesse and her castmates were pretty excited to film this "documentary" because of the popularity and the money that came with it. Little did they know that they were being used and manipulated by the producers and directors who only want them to do things that would "get high ratings". They are lied to and forced to do things that they would never do - usually.
Scandals and dramas are depicted throughout The Real Real.
I liked reading about Jesse because she's the typical high school girl. She comes from a poor background and needs the money which is the reason why she joined the crew but she still manages to have her morals intact. Other people, like Trisha, are too blinded by being on TV and have completely demoralized themselves into doing skanky and sleezy things.
I also liked how humble Jesse is. She doesn't see her true talents and her true beauty because no one ever gave her a chance to shine. She finds new friendships and rebuild old ones. I find her extremely likable and very realistic.
The cover is actually really pretty. Well, at least the girl is and it really depicts the whole bok.
Overall, The Real Real is a very fun and entertaining summer read.
I enjoyed reading about the plot and the characters. Heck, even the writing style was nice.
For the plot, I liked how Emma and Nicola allowed the readers (me!) to get a sense of how the real acting world works. That it's not all that glamorous and awesome like rumors say. It's actually really hard work and so much pressure. There's no sense of privacy because you never know when someone's hiding there in the bushes ready to take a picture of you doing something totally embarrassing.
At first, Jesse and her castmates were pretty excited to film this "documentary" because of the popularity and the money that came with it. Little did they know that they were being used and manipulated by the producers and directors who only want them to do things that would "get high ratings". They are lied to and forced to do things that they would never do - usually.
Scandals and dramas are depicted throughout The Real Real.
I liked reading about Jesse because she's the typical high school girl. She comes from a poor background and needs the money which is the reason why she joined the crew but she still manages to have her morals intact. Other people, like Trisha, are too blinded by being on TV and have completely demoralized themselves into doing skanky and sleezy things.
I also liked how humble Jesse is. She doesn't see her true talents and her true beauty because no one ever gave her a chance to shine. She finds new friendships and rebuild old ones. I find her extremely likable and very realistic.
The cover is actually really pretty. Well, at least the girl is and it really depicts the whole bok.
Overall, The Real Real is a very fun and entertaining summer read.
kellyhager's review
3.0
Jesse is a high school senior in the Hamptons. Her school's been picked for a reality show (The Real Hampton Beach) and they're looking for cast members. She doesn't think she'll get picked (she's not rich or popular) but she is.
It's exciting at first but it quickly gets pretty awful. Her best friend's jealous (she wasn't cast), she's not close with most of the other cast members and she and her crush (also on the show) keep almost getting together, only to have it get screwed up at the last second.
After reading this (and seeing what's been happening to the casts of various reality shows), I really have no idea why anyone would want to do it.
Still, this was an entertaining book.
It's exciting at first but it quickly gets pretty awful. Her best friend's jealous (she wasn't cast), she's not close with most of the other cast members and she and her crush (also on the show) keep almost getting together, only to have it get screwed up at the last second.
After reading this (and seeing what's been happening to the casts of various reality shows), I really have no idea why anyone would want to do it.
Still, this was an entertaining book.
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