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sapphicsolace's review against another edition
3.0
So I actually read Under the Lights earlier this year (because y'know, lady romance) and I loved that one. This was okay, I felt it was a little cliche but I enjoyed it. It was interesting reading this with the knowledge Van was a lesbian though. If you want to read the second book but don't have interest in this one it's skippable.
slc333's review against another edition
3.0
Cute, predictable YA romance. I enjoyed it and liked both Ally & Liam (despite some stupid decisions, mainly on Ally's part). But you could see where she was coming from even as you knew it was the wrong choice.
jdeelee's review against another edition
1.0
at first drawn to van and ally's strong relationship but was disappointed in how cliche the obstacles became and ally's lack ot communication with her friends
spencerhillpress's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
sarah1984's review against another edition
4.0
27/9 - I'm surprised by how much of a good time I had reading this YA romance. I've previously read [bc:Last Will and Testament|23595151|Last Will and Testament (Radleigh University, #1)|Dahlia Adler|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1416550685s/23595151.jpg|42914026] and [bc:Out on Good Behavior|25223500|Out on Good Behavior (Radleigh University, #3)|Dahlia Adler|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1453698398s/25223500.jpg|44938991] and enjoyed both of them (although I did learn after finishing Out on Good Behaviour that it depicted the pansexual main character poorly, something that would have lowered my rating if I had known while I was reading), but I was a little nervous of how I would go with YA Adler vs NA Adler. The writing was on par with her previous books and Ally's voice seemed authentic to an older teen living on the outer edges of Hollywood. I wouldn't call this a 'romance', there were some romantic elements to the story, but as the closest Liam and Ally got to on-page sex (the actual deed was done between chapters, after the screen had faded to black) was a scene where she got down to her underwear, and it seemed to me that their age determined a lot of their behaviour, I felt like this belonged on my YA shelf instead of romance.
I didn't like Vanessa, practically from the first time she's introduced to us (over the phone) I was put off by the way Ally made excuses for her unacceptable behaviour. On page three
'She [Vanessa] hung up without waiting for me to say goodbye, which was also typical, but it's hard to blame Van for her flightiness when she's in a profession that forces her to be fake on a daily basis.'
That statement immediately gave me a dim view of Vanessa. I can't believe that everyone in Hollywood is a Kardashian or Miley Cyrus type of person. There must be some actors who are more normal, who look at the acting profession more like Liam does.
I liked Liam (my immediate idea of him was of him looking like a Hemsworth, Chris specifically, despite sharing a name with the youngest of the brothers) and while I completely understood where Ally was coming from with her insecurities and desire to have a 'normal' boyfriend, I also felt really sad for him. I felt like he did what she wanted, whenever possible, and got punished for it.
The only other thing that really bugged me was when, on page 89, Ally noticed the fridge magnet Liam had in his trailer, of a koala BEAR. How many times do we (Australians) have to explain that there is no such thing as a koala BEAR, they do not exist and never have. In fact there are no bears at all in Australia. Koalas are a marsupial who have a pouch they carry their young in, like kangaroos and possums. Sometimes, it feels like I'm talking to a wall. The next person who asks about a koala bear is getting a drop bear sicked on them!
I will definitely read the next book in the series.
I didn't like Vanessa, practically from the first time she's introduced to us (over the phone) I was put off by the way Ally made excuses for her unacceptable behaviour. On page three
'She [Vanessa] hung up without waiting for me to say goodbye, which was also typical, but it's hard to blame Van for her flightiness when she's in a profession that forces her to be fake on a daily basis.'
That statement immediately gave me a dim view of Vanessa. I can't believe that everyone in Hollywood is a Kardashian or Miley Cyrus type of person. There must be some actors who are more normal, who look at the acting profession more like Liam does.
I liked Liam (my immediate idea of him was of him looking like a Hemsworth, Chris specifically, despite sharing a name with the youngest of the brothers) and while I completely understood where Ally was coming from with her insecurities and desire to have a 'normal' boyfriend, I also felt really sad for him. I felt like he did what she wanted, whenever possible, and got punished for it.
The only other thing that really bugged me was when, on page 89, Ally noticed the fridge magnet Liam had in his trailer, of a koala BEAR. How many times do we (Australians) have to explain that there is no such thing as a koala BEAR, they do not exist and never have. In fact there are no bears at all in Australia. Koalas are a marsupial who have a pouch they carry their young in, like kangaroos and possums. Sometimes, it feels like I'm talking to a wall. The next person who asks about a koala bear is getting a drop bear sicked on them!
I will definitely read the next book in the series.
sungmemoonstruck's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Adler's writing style is fun and engaging, and the supporting characters in this book are great, from teen star Vanessa Park to jerk-with-a-heart Josh to Liam Holloway, the sweet, vulnerable, real, and wonderful love interest who's probably my favorite book boy of the year so far. Liam is the stuff that chick lit dreams are made of. But the main character Ally just made me want to scream--if she didn't want her best friend fake-dating her boyfriend, she could have a. told her best friend that she was dating Liam and b. just said so. Ally just kept on creating trouble for herself throughout the book, hurting the people who cared about her most and priding herself on being superior to all the "fake Hollywood people" while being just as fake herself.
I would try another book by this author, especially since she kept me reading despite the massively irritating main character, as long as it has a minimum of Ally.
Adler's writing style is fun and engaging, and the supporting characters in this book are great, from teen star Vanessa Park to jerk-with-a-heart Josh to Liam Holloway, the sweet, vulnerable, real, and wonderful love interest who's probably my favorite book boy of the year so far. Liam is the stuff that chick lit dreams are made of. But the main character Ally just made me want to scream--if she didn't want her best friend fake-dating her boyfriend, she could have a. told her best friend that she was dating Liam and b. just said so. Ally just kept on creating trouble for herself throughout the book, hurting the people who cared about her most and priding herself on being superior to all the "fake Hollywood people" while being just as fake herself.
I would try another book by this author, especially since she kept me reading despite the massively irritating main character, as long as it has a minimum of Ally.
blattzirkus's review against another edition
4.0
I would have given the book 5 stars if the main character Ally didn't turn out to be so annoying so many times. And if there would have been a little more TV & Movie background, but that's my preferance. After all, it was a fun read.
brittanyallyn's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyable, cute, fun book. The only major problem for this book is that the majority of the conflict was caused by the main character's sometimes understandable, but mostly not, insecurity, which I found to be lazy of the author. There were a couple of unused plot threads that could've been used instead, such as Jade, the agent who Ally hates who never actually gets any page time, Zoe Knight, who began as an antagonist before fading into the background, or even any of the dozens of nameless reporters, but instead almost every single problem was caused by Ally's insecurity. If not for that annoying habit I may have rated this book 5 stars.
missriki's review against another edition
4.0
Hollywood YA with a smart, ambitious protagonist and a swoon worthy love interest with abs to die for? Check and check. And thank goodness! This was just the lighthearted, fun read that I was looking for and I absolutely adored the characters in this book!
I loved the incredible, always-there-for-you-no-matter-what friendship between Ally and Vanessa. Dahlia Adler does a great job of writing two girls who have very different goals in life yet rely on each other for support. I loved that Ally was reluctant to get into the Hollywood scene and how she maintains her integrity and poise even when the industry tries its best to get her down.
Oh, and Liam! (And incidentally, Liam’s abs!) What a wonderful love interest for Ally! If Ally is reluctant to get involved in Hollywood dealings, then Liam stands by her side. He’s a little unimpressed by all of the fame and fortune himself and I loved how he embraces Ally and their absolutely adorable study sessions. So cute! The scenes where they “study” French are worth the price of admission alone. Their chemistry is undeniable and so fun to read.
This book is a wonderful behind-the scenes look at Hollywood life and has a great, upbeat pace, with a swoon worthy love story and plenty of drama. Fans of contemporary YA will adore this book!
*UPDATE: In this novel we meet bad boy Josh, who I loved, and you’ll be happy to know that he gets his own story in Adler’s follow-up novel, UNDER THE LIGHTS. It is split POV between Josh and Vanessa (who gets her own wonderful love story) and it is amazing!
Hollywood YA with a smart, ambitious protagonist and a swoon worthy love interest with abs to die for? Check and check. And thank goodness! This was just the lighthearted, fun read that I was looking for and I absolutely adored the characters in this book!
I loved the incredible, always-there-for-you-no-matter-what friendship between Ally and Vanessa. Dahlia Adler does a great job of writing two girls who have very different goals in life yet rely on each other for support. I loved that Ally was reluctant to get into the Hollywood scene and how she maintains her integrity and poise even when the industry tries its best to get her down.
Oh, and Liam! (And incidentally, Liam’s abs!) What a wonderful love interest for Ally! If Ally is reluctant to get involved in Hollywood dealings, then Liam stands by her side. He’s a little unimpressed by all of the fame and fortune himself and I loved how he embraces Ally and their absolutely adorable study sessions. So cute! The scenes where they “study” French are worth the price of admission alone. Their chemistry is undeniable and so fun to read.
This book is a wonderful behind-the scenes look at Hollywood life and has a great, upbeat pace, with a swoon worthy love story and plenty of drama. Fans of contemporary YA will adore this book!
*UPDATE: In this novel we meet bad boy Josh, who I loved, and you’ll be happy to know that he gets his own story in Adler’s follow-up novel, UNDER THE LIGHTS. It is split POV between Josh and Vanessa (who gets her own wonderful love story) and it is amazing!
I loved the incredible, always-there-for-you-no-matter-what friendship between Ally and Vanessa. Dahlia Adler does a great job of writing two girls who have very different goals in life yet rely on each other for support. I loved that Ally was reluctant to get into the Hollywood scene and how she maintains her integrity and poise even when the industry tries its best to get her down.
Oh, and Liam! (And incidentally, Liam’s abs!) What a wonderful love interest for Ally! If Ally is reluctant to get involved in Hollywood dealings, then Liam stands by her side. He’s a little unimpressed by all of the fame and fortune himself and I loved how he embraces Ally and their absolutely adorable study sessions. So cute! The scenes where they “study” French are worth the price of admission alone. Their chemistry is undeniable and so fun to read.
This book is a wonderful behind-the scenes look at Hollywood life and has a great, upbeat pace, with a swoon worthy love story and plenty of drama. Fans of contemporary YA will adore this book!
*UPDATE: In this novel we meet bad boy Josh, who I loved, and you’ll be happy to know that he gets his own story in Adler’s follow-up novel, UNDER THE LIGHTS. It is split POV between Josh and Vanessa (who gets her own wonderful love story) and it is amazing!
Hollywood YA with a smart, ambitious protagonist and a swoon worthy love interest with abs to die for? Check and check. And thank goodness! This was just the lighthearted, fun read that I was looking for and I absolutely adored the characters in this book!
I loved the incredible, always-there-for-you-no-matter-what friendship between Ally and Vanessa. Dahlia Adler does a great job of writing two girls who have very different goals in life yet rely on each other for support. I loved that Ally was reluctant to get into the Hollywood scene and how she maintains her integrity and poise even when the industry tries its best to get her down.
Oh, and Liam! (And incidentally, Liam’s abs!) What a wonderful love interest for Ally! If Ally is reluctant to get involved in Hollywood dealings, then Liam stands by her side. He’s a little unimpressed by all of the fame and fortune himself and I loved how he embraces Ally and their absolutely adorable study sessions. So cute! The scenes where they “study” French are worth the price of admission alone. Their chemistry is undeniable and so fun to read.
This book is a wonderful behind-the scenes look at Hollywood life and has a great, upbeat pace, with a swoon worthy love story and plenty of drama. Fans of contemporary YA will adore this book!
*UPDATE: In this novel we meet bad boy Josh, who I loved, and you’ll be happy to know that he gets his own story in Adler’s follow-up novel, UNDER THE LIGHTS. It is split POV between Josh and Vanessa (who gets her own wonderful love story) and it is amazing!