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stac_roller's review
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
As a graphic designer I’m guilty of “judging a book by its cover”. When I saw this at my dollar store many years ago I liked the cover and thought it sounded interesting enough. I feel as though it was very rushed and kinda all over the place. Every character including the main Tally felt like a sub character. It was like I ran into a friend, got drinks and she was giving a very quick 2 month recap of what was happening every chapter. It was also a lot more graphic sexually than I was expecting not necessarily a bad thing but just took me by surprise. When I first got it I was thinking it would be more of a teen drama. Overall, let’s just say I’m glad I only paid $1.06 for the book…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
bethanysimm110's review against another edition
3.0
Starlit drops the reader right into the thick of glamorous Hollywood culture as we follow three Starlets attempting to claw their way to the top. This book has it all: actors, parties, drama, scandal, and lots of classic Hollywood affairs.
If you're looking for thought provoking and sophisticated literature, look elsewhere. This book is a textbook definition of literary crack. Though I didn't care at all about what happened to any of the characters and most of the plot developments were a little too easy, the pages kept turning and the book was devoured in one sitting. The characters were shallow and, in some cases, lackluster, but reading Starlit felt like sitting in a coffee shop and overhearing the gossip at the table next to you. Sure, you don't know the people involved, but their lives sound far more scandalous than studying for your college finals. See what I mean? Literary crack.
Again, not recommended when you're looking for your next favorite book, but Starlit will certainly sit on my bookshelves next to Pretty Little Liars, Twilight, and all the other guilty pleasures I own.
If you're looking for thought provoking and sophisticated literature, look elsewhere. This book is a textbook definition of literary crack. Though I didn't care at all about what happened to any of the characters and most of the plot developments were a little too easy, the pages kept turning and the book was devoured in one sitting. The characters were shallow and, in some cases, lackluster, but reading Starlit felt like sitting in a coffee shop and overhearing the gossip at the table next to you. Sure, you don't know the people involved, but their lives sound far more scandalous than studying for your college finals. See what I mean? Literary crack.
Again, not recommended when you're looking for your next favorite book, but Starlit will certainly sit on my bookshelves next to Pretty Little Liars, Twilight, and all the other guilty pleasures I own.
heatheradoresbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I hope she continues to write fiction.
jaesting's review against another edition
3.0
Soap operas have been a big part of American culture for years. I have fond memories of when I was little watching ABC soap operas with my mother and she would make me “tea” (it was actually watered down sugar free KoolAide because I wasn’t allowed to have caffeine) and we would lounge on the couch for 2 hours a day. When I was offered a review copy of Lisa Rinna’s book Starlit, I had to say yes!
If you have ever wondered what it may be like behind the scenes of a soap and what the lifestyle of a soap star may be like, Lisa Rinna of Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place gives us a glance. Starlit is a fictional depiction of Tally Jones and her close friends. We start reading Tally’s story before she is rich and famous. She and her friends Mandy and Sandy are struggling acting students who study with the biggest jerk but most sough after teacher in the industry. When Tally gets her big break, her friends do as well: Mandy becomes an "adult" film star and Sandy gets a job with a high power Hollywood agent. We follow all three women through the book but the focus is on Tally who lands a role on a soap opera. Her life begins a whirlwind when people all over Hollywood begin to see the talent she has.
Of course, what Hollywood story wouldn’t be complete without an awesome antagonist! We soon meet Susie Sheppard who becomes insanely jealous of Tally’s success. Susie feels that she should be the only big dog in Tinseltown and puts her mind to bring Tally down anyway she can. There are some Susie moments that made my jaw hit the floor! But it is Hollywood so nothing should really be a surprise, right?
In interviews, Lisa Rinna has stated this book is fiction with hints of real things that have happened, only names have changed. Starlit is a very quick read (I read it over the course of 2 weekend days) but it is a great read. Rinna keeps the reader engaged through the novel. I do wish there was a little more to the story though. We start with Tally being hired as temporary staff at a large Hollywood party and she quickly gets to the top, has a short rollercoaster ride, then the book ends. However, if you have read any of my other reviews or know me personally, you know that I am disappointed about 95% of the time with the ending of any book I read. I am very happy to say I was not disappointed with the end to Tally, Mandy, and Sandy’s story. I actually smiled at the end!
If you have ever wondered what it may be like behind the scenes of a soap and what the lifestyle of a soap star may be like, Lisa Rinna of Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place gives us a glance. Starlit is a fictional depiction of Tally Jones and her close friends. We start reading Tally’s story before she is rich and famous. She and her friends Mandy and Sandy are struggling acting students who study with the biggest jerk but most sough after teacher in the industry. When Tally gets her big break, her friends do as well: Mandy becomes an "adult" film star and Sandy gets a job with a high power Hollywood agent. We follow all three women through the book but the focus is on Tally who lands a role on a soap opera. Her life begins a whirlwind when people all over Hollywood begin to see the talent she has.
Of course, what Hollywood story wouldn’t be complete without an awesome antagonist! We soon meet Susie Sheppard who becomes insanely jealous of Tally’s success. Susie feels that she should be the only big dog in Tinseltown and puts her mind to bring Tally down anyway she can. There are some Susie moments that made my jaw hit the floor! But it is Hollywood so nothing should really be a surprise, right?
In interviews, Lisa Rinna has stated this book is fiction with hints of real things that have happened, only names have changed. Starlit is a very quick read (I read it over the course of 2 weekend days) but it is a great read. Rinna keeps the reader engaged through the novel. I do wish there was a little more to the story though. We start with Tally being hired as temporary staff at a large Hollywood party and she quickly gets to the top, has a short rollercoaster ride, then the book ends. However, if you have read any of my other reviews or know me personally, you know that I am disappointed about 95% of the time with the ending of any book I read. I am very happy to say I was not disappointed with the end to Tally, Mandy, and Sandy’s story. I actually smiled at the end!
southernbellebooks's review against another edition
1.0
Yeah...the rating is reflective of the content. The end.
gek728's review against another edition
1.0
I was gonna give it two stars until the final chapters. The concept of a plot was there. It has promise but it was written like a bad fanfiction without autocorrect. A characters name changed midway through a scene and multiple sentence errors had me hoping for the the end. If it weren’t for the thoughts toward a plot, it would have zero stars
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
In this story, Hollywood is taken on at full tilt! The book follows three actress wannabees, both their successes and failures. Tally Jones is the main character though as she is discovered and starts to live out her true Hollywood dream. She takes the place of veteran actress Susie Sheppard on a hit nighttime drama and the ratings skyrocket.
Unfortunately Susie's movie career crashes and burns due to her own "diva" and and sexual exploits, so she returns to take back her place on the nighttime drama even if she has to use blackmail to do it. She also decides to ruin Tally's life and her dream at any cost.
Tally's life also goes threw some dire straits on it's own with a financial adviser that turns out to be a crook and all the games the paparazzi play in any actor's life. She is determined to turn her life around and fight for what is rightfully hers both in her love life and in her career.
The other two wannabees lives take different directions but they always remain friends and are their for each other through thick and thin.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Yes, you already know I am a huge fan of Days of our Lives where Lisa played Billie Reed from 1992 - 1995, 2002-2003 and again recently this year. I loved her on Dancing With the Stars and in her reality show with her husband Harry Hamilin, Harry Loves Lisa. She is a successful business woman, a hard working mom, and had another book called Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever.
But boy CAN THIS GIRL WRITE FICTION OR WHAT?? I am sure being a daytime drama actress and living the Hollywood lifestyle gave her plenty of ideas for the wonderful book and this reviewer hopes she has plenty more fiction stories left to tell.
This book is a page turner full of drama, sex and excitement!! It is a great beach read, a cozy up by the fire read, a wonderful "escape into a good book!!" read. This is Chick-Lit at it's finest, a great book to share with your BFF's.
If you are not rushing out to buy this book, you better be putting it on your Christmas lists. This is a true winner, a book not to be missed!!!
Lisa, I hope you are working on another fiction novel. I can't wait to read it!!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Gallery Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 19s 16 CFR, Part 255 : 1CGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. 1D
Unfortunately Susie's movie career crashes and burns due to her own "diva" and and sexual exploits, so she returns to take back her place on the nighttime drama even if she has to use blackmail to do it. She also decides to ruin Tally's life and her dream at any cost.
Tally's life also goes threw some dire straits on it's own with a financial adviser that turns out to be a crook and all the games the paparazzi play in any actor's life. She is determined to turn her life around and fight for what is rightfully hers both in her love life and in her career.
The other two wannabees lives take different directions but they always remain friends and are their for each other through thick and thin.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Yes, you already know I am a huge fan of Days of our Lives where Lisa played Billie Reed from 1992 - 1995, 2002-2003 and again recently this year. I loved her on Dancing With the Stars and in her reality show with her husband Harry Hamilin, Harry Loves Lisa. She is a successful business woman, a hard working mom, and had another book called Rinnavation: Getting Your Best Life Ever.
But boy CAN THIS GIRL WRITE FICTION OR WHAT?? I am sure being a daytime drama actress and living the Hollywood lifestyle gave her plenty of ideas for the wonderful book and this reviewer hopes she has plenty more fiction stories left to tell.
This book is a page turner full of drama, sex and excitement!! It is a great beach read, a cozy up by the fire read, a wonderful "escape into a good book!!" read. This is Chick-Lit at it's finest, a great book to share with your BFF's.
If you are not rushing out to buy this book, you better be putting it on your Christmas lists. This is a true winner, a book not to be missed!!!
Lisa, I hope you are working on another fiction novel. I can't wait to read it!!!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Gallery Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 19s 16 CFR, Part 255 : 1CGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. 1D