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the_horror_maven's review against another edition
5.0
Backstage is one of those sequels that you just can't help but love more than the first novel. Not only did it present us with fully evolved characters, but also with an outstanding look at the early 20s experience. Jacqueline E. Smith knew how to portray early adults just blossoming into adulthood, and the pain that can come along with that change. She covered the effects of stardom on the younger crowd, and how it changes people and relationships. In the end, I didn't think that I was reading about world renowned superstars; instead, I felt as though I was reading about my best friends.
Having come down from the high that is Boy Band, I quickly moved onto this tantalizing sequel. Even though I was reading more for the boys than for Mel, the main character, I was pleasantly surprised by the maturation of our heroine. She didn't come off as the love sick, early adult that she was in Boy Band, but a knowledgeable college student/friend to superstars. We begin to see her struggling between her college classes, and the star experience, and it is interesting to see her trying to embrace what she thinks she should be doing, and what she ended up doing instead. Throughout the novel it seems as though she is ashamed for not doing the classic college experience even though she has become widely successful, and that is something that is very common in today's early adults. We all think that we have to follow a specific path, or else we are failures, when that is not the case at all. She is growing into the person she is supposed to be, and by entering her first real relationship she has grown in strides.
In Boy Band, we were presented with a band of boys who gained stardom early, and thrived off of the fame and high that they got from performing; but in Backstage, their fame is bittersweet and begins to deteriorate their personal lives. They begin to understand how fragile their images are, and how relationships can be tainted by the press and fame that hounds them on a daily basis. Watching how they rarely got time for themselves broke my heart and made me realize just how often we all have to put a front on to try and come off as a certain person to society. But for these boys, they had to do that 24/7, and it had a huge impact on themselves and their relationships with each other. Fame comes between many of them, and watching their struggles made me feel for them and the road that they chose to take. It was in this novel that they came to fully realize that this road that they have chosen changed them forever, and they will never be known as anything other than members of the band "The Kind of September".
Smith pulled out all of her remarkable writing tricks in this novel, and even though it was short, its effect was stronger than any longer novel that I have read. She has come to understand her characters and their story more, and she allowed them to tell their own story without much guidance. I haven't devoured a book as quickly as I have Backstage, and if you haven't picked up Smith's work, then you are missing out on a complete literary experience. I look forward to reading the third novel in this series, and it has easily become one of my favorites. While it does surround a carefree concept, there were real obstacles presented within the characters, and those were what humanized them.
Having come down from the high that is Boy Band, I quickly moved onto this tantalizing sequel. Even though I was reading more for the boys than for Mel, the main character, I was pleasantly surprised by the maturation of our heroine. She didn't come off as the love sick, early adult that she was in Boy Band, but a knowledgeable college student/friend to superstars. We begin to see her struggling between her college classes, and the star experience, and it is interesting to see her trying to embrace what she thinks she should be doing, and what she ended up doing instead. Throughout the novel it seems as though she is ashamed for not doing the classic college experience even though she has become widely successful, and that is something that is very common in today's early adults. We all think that we have to follow a specific path, or else we are failures, when that is not the case at all. She is growing into the person she is supposed to be, and by entering her first real relationship she has grown in strides.
In Boy Band, we were presented with a band of boys who gained stardom early, and thrived off of the fame and high that they got from performing; but in Backstage, their fame is bittersweet and begins to deteriorate their personal lives. They begin to understand how fragile their images are, and how relationships can be tainted by the press and fame that hounds them on a daily basis. Watching how they rarely got time for themselves broke my heart and made me realize just how often we all have to put a front on to try and come off as a certain person to society. But for these boys, they had to do that 24/7, and it had a huge impact on themselves and their relationships with each other. Fame comes between many of them, and watching their struggles made me feel for them and the road that they chose to take. It was in this novel that they came to fully realize that this road that they have chosen changed them forever, and they will never be known as anything other than members of the band "The Kind of September".
Smith pulled out all of her remarkable writing tricks in this novel, and even though it was short, its effect was stronger than any longer novel that I have read. She has come to understand her characters and their story more, and she allowed them to tell their own story without much guidance. I haven't devoured a book as quickly as I have Backstage, and if you haven't picked up Smith's work, then you are missing out on a complete literary experience. I look forward to reading the third novel in this series, and it has easily become one of my favorites. While it does surround a carefree concept, there were real obstacles presented within the characters, and those were what humanized them.
afretts's review against another edition
3.0
This was better than the first, but it ended just when it was getting good!
kaylareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I really like this series and this one was a lot of fun! Im excited to continue with the series.
lucerez's review against another edition
2.0
My typical problem with books centered around romances is that the author is promoting unhealthy behaviors (i.e., victim blaming/gaslighting/creepiness). Here, the problem is actually with the FRIENDSHIPS. These are not adult friendships. These are ... middle school friendships, truly.
There is a central thesis running through the text that your friends are entitled to information about your romantic relationships and that having healthy boundaries is inappropriate (the author calls them "secrets"). If you are single and want to date someone else who is also single, and you are both of appropriate legal age, then no one is entitled to that information. Furthermore, if you catch someone cheating, it is perfectly acceptable to keep that information to yourself - the responsibility for disclosure is on the cheater! They are the one doing something wrong. They put you in a terrible position. They are supposed to be the one to take responsibility for their own actions. The main character was continuously gaslit by her friends the whole book for wanting to have boundaries and keep information to herself.
Also, Joni is a hateful character who behaves hypocritically and never takes responsibility for treating people badly. I have no idea why the main character considers her a friend. She's not. Again, very bad modeling of healthy friendships.
In all, dreadfully boring as well - I found sections repetitive, skipped many pages to get to action. IDK. I also didn't like that the main character seemed so unambitious. I'm not interested in reading about a slacker who hangs around more successful people. No time for losers here.
There is a central thesis running through the text that your friends are entitled to information about your romantic relationships and that having healthy boundaries is inappropriate (the author calls them "secrets"). If you are single and want to date someone else who is also single, and you are both of appropriate legal age, then no one is entitled to that information. Furthermore, if you catch someone cheating, it is perfectly acceptable to keep that information to yourself - the responsibility for disclosure is on the cheater! They are the one doing something wrong. They put you in a terrible position. They are supposed to be the one to take responsibility for their own actions. The main character was continuously gaslit by her friends the whole book for wanting to have boundaries and keep information to herself.
Also, Joni is a hateful character who behaves hypocritically and never takes responsibility for treating people badly. I have no idea why the main character considers her a friend. She's not. Again, very bad modeling of healthy friendships.
In all, dreadfully boring as well - I found sections repetitive, skipped many pages to get to action. IDK. I also didn't like that the main character seemed so unambitious. I'm not interested in reading about a slacker who hangs around more successful people. No time for losers here.
ashleynestlermsw's review against another edition
5.0
Backstage is one of those sequels that you just can't help but love more than the first novel. Not only did it present us with fully evolved characters, but also with an outstanding look at the early 20s experience. Jacqueline E. Smith knew how to portray early adults just blossoming into adulthood, and the pain that can come along with that change. She covered the effects of stardom on the younger crowd, and how it changes people and relationships. In the end, I didn't think that I was reading about world renowned superstars; instead, I felt as though I was reading about my best friends.
Having come down from the high that is Boy Band, I quickly moved onto this tantalizing sequel. Even though I was reading more for the boys than for Mel, the main character, I was pleasantly surprised by the maturation of our heroine. She didn't come off as the love sick, early adult that she was in Boy Band, but a knowledgeable college student/friend to superstars. We begin to see her struggling between her college classes, and the star experience, and it is interesting to see her trying to embrace what she thinks she should be doing, and what she ended up doing instead. Throughout the novel it seems as though she is ashamed for not doing the classic college experience even though she has become widely successful, and that is something that is very common in today's early adults. We all think that we have to follow a specific path, or else we are failures, when that is not the case at all. She is growing into the person she is supposed to be, and by entering her first real relationship she has grown in strides.
In Boy Band, we were presented with a band of boys who gained stardom early, and thrived off of the fame and high that they got from performing; but in Backstage, their fame is bittersweet and begins to deteriorate their personal lives. They begin to understand how fragile their images are, and how relationships can be tainted by the press and fame that hounds them on a daily basis. Watching how they rarely got time for themselves broke my heart and made me realize just how often we all have to put a front on to try and come off as a certain person to society. But for these boys, they had to do that 24/7, and it had a huge impact on themselves and their relationships with each other. Fame comes between many of them, and watching their struggles made me feel for them and the road that they chose to take. It was in this novel that they came to fully realize that this road that they have chosen changed them forever, and they will never be known as anything other than members of the band "The Kind of September".
Smith pulled out all of her remarkable writing tricks in this novel, and even though it was short, its effect was stronger than any longer novel that I have read. She has come to understand her characters and their story more, and she allowed them to tell their own story without much guidance. I haven't devoured a book as quickly as I have Backstage, and if you haven't picked up Smith's work, then you are missing out on a complete literary experience. I look forward to reading the third novel in this series, and it has easily become one of my favorites. While it does surround a carefree concept, there were real obstacles presented within the characters, and those were what humanized them.
Having come down from the high that is Boy Band, I quickly moved onto this tantalizing sequel. Even though I was reading more for the boys than for Mel, the main character, I was pleasantly surprised by the maturation of our heroine. She didn't come off as the love sick, early adult that she was in Boy Band, but a knowledgeable college student/friend to superstars. We begin to see her struggling between her college classes, and the star experience, and it is interesting to see her trying to embrace what she thinks she should be doing, and what she ended up doing instead. Throughout the novel it seems as though she is ashamed for not doing the classic college experience even though she has become widely successful, and that is something that is very common in today's early adults. We all think that we have to follow a specific path, or else we are failures, when that is not the case at all. She is growing into the person she is supposed to be, and by entering her first real relationship she has grown in strides.
In Boy Band, we were presented with a band of boys who gained stardom early, and thrived off of the fame and high that they got from performing; but in Backstage, their fame is bittersweet and begins to deteriorate their personal lives. They begin to understand how fragile their images are, and how relationships can be tainted by the press and fame that hounds them on a daily basis. Watching how they rarely got time for themselves broke my heart and made me realize just how often we all have to put a front on to try and come off as a certain person to society. But for these boys, they had to do that 24/7, and it had a huge impact on themselves and their relationships with each other. Fame comes between many of them, and watching their struggles made me feel for them and the road that they chose to take. It was in this novel that they came to fully realize that this road that they have chosen changed them forever, and they will never be known as anything other than members of the band "The Kind of September".
Smith pulled out all of her remarkable writing tricks in this novel, and even though it was short, its effect was stronger than any longer novel that I have read. She has come to understand her characters and their story more, and she allowed them to tell their own story without much guidance. I haven't devoured a book as quickly as I have Backstage, and if you haven't picked up Smith's work, then you are missing out on a complete literary experience. I look forward to reading the third novel in this series, and it has easily become one of my favorites. While it does surround a carefree concept, there were real obstacles presented within the characters, and those were what humanized them.
lailalostinpages's review against another edition
3.0
I read Backstage by the lovely Jacqueline E. Smith, and it had just the right amount of drama.
Things ended on one bad cliffhanger in the end of Boy Band, and although these books make me feel like I’m reading a One Direction fan fiction, I really do enjoy reading them.
I love the characters still, I love how the relationship between Mel and Sam developed, and I definitely recommend this series to anyone who needs a lovey dovey cliche light read, because this one fulfills that really well.
Full review at:
https://lebookworm7.wordpress.com/2017/01/18/book-review-backstage-by-jacqueline-e-smith/
Things ended on one bad cliffhanger in the end of Boy Band, and although these books make me feel like I’m reading a One Direction fan fiction, I really do enjoy reading them.
I love the characters still, I love how the relationship between Mel and Sam developed, and I definitely recommend this series to anyone who needs a lovey dovey cliche light read, because this one fulfills that really well.
Full review at:
https://lebookworm7.wordpress.com/2017/01/18/book-review-backstage-by-jacqueline-e-smith/
sreepurna's review against another edition
4.0
Rating : 4/5 stars
Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy
Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy
peachykeenreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Backstage is one of those sequels that you just can't help but love more than the first novel. Not only did it present us with fully evolved characters, but also with an outstanding look at the early 20s experience. Jacqueline E. Smith knew how to portray early adults just blossoming into adulthood, and the pain that can come along with that change. She covered the effects of stardom on the younger crowd, and how it changes people and relationships. In the end, I didn't think that I was reading about world renowned superstars; instead, I felt as though I was reading about my best friends.
Having come down from the high that is Boy Band, I quickly moved onto this tantalizing sequel. Even though I was reading more for the boys than for Mel, the main character, I was pleasantly surprised by the maturation of our heroine. She didn't come off as the love sick, early adult that she was in Boy Band, but a knowledgeable college student/friend to superstars. We begin to see her struggling between her college classes, and the star experience, and it is interesting to see her trying to embrace what she thinks she should be doing, and what she ended up doing instead. Throughout the novel it seems as though she is ashamed for not doing the classic college experience even though she has become widely successful, and that is something that is very common in today's early adults. We all think that we have to follow a specific path, or else we are failures, when that is not the case at all. She is growing into the person she is supposed to be, and by entering her first real relationship she has grown in strides.
In Boy Band, we were presented with a band of boys who gained stardom early, and thrived off of the fame and high that they got from performing; but in Backstage, their fame is bittersweet and begins to deteriorate their personal lives. They begin to understand how fragile their images are, and how relationships can be tainted by the press and fame that hounds them on a daily basis. Watching how they rarely got time for themselves broke my heart and made me realize just how often we all have to put a front on to try and come off as a certain person to society. But for these boys, they had to do that 24/7, and it had a huge impact on themselves and their relationships with each other. Fame comes between many of them, and watching their struggles made me feel for them and the road that they chose to take. It was in this novel that they came to fully realize that this road that they have chosen changed them forever, and they will never be known as anything other than members of the band "The Kind of September".
Smith pulled out all of her remarkable writing tricks in this novel, and even though it was short, its effect was stronger than any longer novel that I have read. She has come to understand her characters and their story more, and she allowed them to tell their own story without much guidance. I haven't devoured a book as quickly as I have Backstage, and if you haven't picked up Smith's work, then you are missing out on a complete literary experience. I look forward to reading the third novel in this series, and it has easily become one of my favorites. While it does surround a carefree concept, there were real obstacles presented within the characters, and those were what humanized them.
Having come down from the high that is Boy Band, I quickly moved onto this tantalizing sequel. Even though I was reading more for the boys than for Mel, the main character, I was pleasantly surprised by the maturation of our heroine. She didn't come off as the love sick, early adult that she was in Boy Band, but a knowledgeable college student/friend to superstars. We begin to see her struggling between her college classes, and the star experience, and it is interesting to see her trying to embrace what she thinks she should be doing, and what she ended up doing instead. Throughout the novel it seems as though she is ashamed for not doing the classic college experience even though she has become widely successful, and that is something that is very common in today's early adults. We all think that we have to follow a specific path, or else we are failures, when that is not the case at all. She is growing into the person she is supposed to be, and by entering her first real relationship she has grown in strides.
In Boy Band, we were presented with a band of boys who gained stardom early, and thrived off of the fame and high that they got from performing; but in Backstage, their fame is bittersweet and begins to deteriorate their personal lives. They begin to understand how fragile their images are, and how relationships can be tainted by the press and fame that hounds them on a daily basis. Watching how they rarely got time for themselves broke my heart and made me realize just how often we all have to put a front on to try and come off as a certain person to society. But for these boys, they had to do that 24/7, and it had a huge impact on themselves and their relationships with each other. Fame comes between many of them, and watching their struggles made me feel for them and the road that they chose to take. It was in this novel that they came to fully realize that this road that they have chosen changed them forever, and they will never be known as anything other than members of the band "The Kind of September".
Smith pulled out all of her remarkable writing tricks in this novel, and even though it was short, its effect was stronger than any longer novel that I have read. She has come to understand her characters and their story more, and she allowed them to tell their own story without much guidance. I haven't devoured a book as quickly as I have Backstage, and if you haven't picked up Smith's work, then you are missing out on a complete literary experience. I look forward to reading the third novel in this series, and it has easily become one of my favorites. While it does surround a carefree concept, there were real obstacles presented within the characters, and those were what humanized them.
breadonthetable's review against another edition
5.0
NOTE: I JUST FOUND OUT I NEED TO WAIT A MONTH FOR THE SECOND BOOK, PLEASE LET IT BE JULY ALREADY!
Title: Backstage (Boy Band #2)
By Jacqueline E. Smith
Genre: Romance
Age category: Young Adults
Blurb:
Melissa Parker might just be the luckiest girl on the planet.
She’s just turned twenty-one.
She’s best friends with The Kind of September.
And she’s dating Sam Morneau, everyone’s ultimate celebrity crush. Of course, no one is supposed to know about that.
As it turns out, no one is supposed to know about a lot of things that happen behind the scenes of life with the planet’s most popular boy band. Now, what should be Happily Ever After for Mel and Sam is turning into a series of secrets, manipulation, and potential heartbreak... Just in time for The Kind of September’s world tour.
Characters:
I loved the characters, it was probably because I already knew them from book #1. Jacqueline never disappoint me in her books. Her characters are full of life. If feels like I’m already friend with them (I’m not, why do they have to be fictional *scream emoji*).
My though:
I’m in love with this series. They are the romance books you always want to read. They made me cry, laugh and roll my eyes at some points. I love how the story developed. And how lies and half-truths are affecting the story. I’m really excited to get my hand on Worldwide (Boy Band #3), I really can’t wait!
Buy or not to buy: GO AND GET YOURSELF A COPY ALREADY! AND DON’T FORGET THE FIRST BOOK TOO!!!!
Title: Backstage (Boy Band #2)
By Jacqueline E. Smith
Genre: Romance
Age category: Young Adults
Blurb:
Melissa Parker might just be the luckiest girl on the planet.
She’s just turned twenty-one.
She’s best friends with The Kind of September.
And she’s dating Sam Morneau, everyone’s ultimate celebrity crush. Of course, no one is supposed to know about that.
As it turns out, no one is supposed to know about a lot of things that happen behind the scenes of life with the planet’s most popular boy band. Now, what should be Happily Ever After for Mel and Sam is turning into a series of secrets, manipulation, and potential heartbreak... Just in time for The Kind of September’s world tour.
Characters:
I loved the characters, it was probably because I already knew them from book #1. Jacqueline never disappoint me in her books. Her characters are full of life. If feels like I’m already friend with them (I’m not, why do they have to be fictional *scream emoji*).
My though:
I’m in love with this series. They are the romance books you always want to read. They made me cry, laugh and roll my eyes at some points. I love how the story developed. And how lies and half-truths are affecting the story. I’m really excited to get my hand on Worldwide (Boy Band #3), I really can’t wait!
Buy or not to buy: GO AND GET YOURSELF A COPY ALREADY! AND DON’T FORGET THE FIRST BOOK TOO!!!!
mommachristy2's review against another edition
5.0
The drama builds in this second book in the Boy Band series! And all of the secrets floating around Mel definitely keep her on her toes as she tries to simply enjoy her new relationship before the band takes off for their third world tour. But things are never that easy, especially for a world famous boy band and those closest to them!
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the series and am quick to pick up the next one to find out how things unfold! I just love Smith!
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the series and am quick to pick up the next one to find out how things unfold! I just love Smith!