Logan Wade is unsatisfied with her life. She just celebrated her 27th birthday alone when her boyfriend closes the door behind her after making sure she is comfortable in a cab. She gets a surprising phone call from the assistant of her famous cousin, inviting Logan to spend a week with her cousin during a break. After a bitter argument between the assistant and Kelsey's father, Kelsey offers Logan the job of her personal assistant.Okay I really tried, really, really tried but I can't even write a decent summary for this book. The book's premise is a good one: what happens when a family history of mental illness is overlooked. Kelsey Wade is a popular pop star, but she also has episodes where she shuts herself in a closet and cries hysterically until one of her parents tell to be "strong Kelsey" and returns to performing. But, to be honest here, if I wanted to know about the rise and fall of Britney Spears, I would look at E True Hollywood Story.I don't think I could really say I finished the book. But since I stopped reading it, I finished readying it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.I admire the authors' goal of wanting to show how the demands of stardom can hide mental illness even from well-meaning close family members. The family's dysfunction is evident and the authors' did a good job of showing the toll it takes on the parents as well as the child-star, growing into adulthood. But the book didn't really seem to have that build up to a climax of the story. I can see that Kelsey's bad behavior was escalating, but I didn't feel the desparation that Kelsey must have been feeling. It gets lost in Logan's self-revelation of a childhood trauma. Overall grade: C- or D+ We are a culture focused on FAME, many children, when asked what they want to be when they grow up, answer "famous." In a society where a reality tv bit player can call themselves a celebrity, write a book, record an album, launch a fashion line, etc. and fame often comes early; this novel is certainly an indictment against our obsession. Logan Wade, enters a world of fame and fortune via being tasked with "minding" an out of control teen pop star. What she encounters is exciting, enticing, frightening and ultimately life-changing. The pacing is fast, the plot is riveting, the dialogue witty, the setting definitely rich and fabulous, and the ending satisfying. What surprised me was the authors' ability to make the characters sympathetic, even likeable in spite of their behavior and reactions. I may not like them, but I have more empathy now than before I read the book. I found myself emotionally involved in this comedy/tragedy, and I dare you to not do the same.*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
What do You think about Between You And Me (2012)?
I liked it! Kept my attention, so that's something. It's totally Britney Spears, right?
—Atishya
