Product Details * Pub. Date: February 2009 * Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers * Format: Paperback, 352pp * Sales Rank: 35,226 * Age Range: Young Adult * Series: Secrets of My Hollywood Life Series * ISBN-13: 9780316118002 * ISBN: 0316118001I have now caught up with this series. I really shouldn't read series out-of-order, but in this case it didn't threw off the entire read for me. In Family Affairs, Kaitlin and Sky have returned to the set of their hit television show to face a new villain, Alexis, the new actress hired to shake up the storyline a little bit. There is also a whole new group of writers hired to help keep the show as a top ten. Matty is also joining the cast. Alexis seems to be the greatest new addition to the family until she begins to bash her co-workers and throw tantrums on set. Kaitlin and Sky have to set aside their differences and work together in order to take Alexis down from the pedestal she seems to be on and save their jobs. Also, Kaitlin wants to learn how to drive and make Austin's birthday the best ever. How can our shining star handle all of this stress without losing her mind? Will her career make it through another scandal raised by a co-worker?Calonita always provides a fun read that is intriguing and grips the audience into the drama. Her little Hollywood secrets provide interesting advice for those that are always wishing to hit the big time. It gives the audience a quick peak into the life of those stars that we just love to follow in entertainment magazines. Kaitlin is a lovable character that is a good role model for teens. She is in love with a boyfriend that she is not having sex with (rare it seems in YA novels currently) and she is rich but not involved in drugs or other unattractive activities. It's rare to find a heroine that is fun to read about and still believe that they are a good example that kids can relate to. One of my favorite parts of this novel is when Kaitlin attempts to figure out if Austin is telling her that he loves her, or if he is just making one of those statements. I think we all have those moments where we are trying to dissect one thing that is said to draw out the intention and the meaning. Relating to the characters in this story makes it a quick read that I would recommend to girls ages 10-14.5/5 stars
I think this series is curing me of my sometimes overboard-interest in the entertainment business (hello, People magazine and Access Hollywood-- I'm talking to you), because I had a lightbulb moment about halfway through speedreading this book:Everything about this industry is manufactured.In an abstract sort of way, I already knew this. But watching this fairly predictable story play out, it occurred to me how Hollywood stars, famous people, celebrities, whatever you call them, are not to be envied, but considered with empathy and admiration, almost to the point of pity.Because if you think about, they have perks, no question about it. And yet, their entire lives are spent in an almost schizophrenic manner, divided at the very least between the persona presented (that must be maintained) in public and the reality of life that is lived in private, however much of that they have. Some people choose this lifestyle for these exact circumstances; others can't help that it comes along with their passion for the type of career (actor) that fuels the life of the industry.Either way, the more I think about it, the softer my heart becomes towards them, and I find myself coming to the conclusion that one way to honor the difficulty they experience is to simply leave them be. I can't help but feel that they would agree.
What do You think about Family Affairs (2008)?
I loved Family Affairs by Jen Calonita because there was lots of drama that gets really tangled up, but it untangles all at the very last minute. This book reminds me of Mean Girls because Alexis is being mean to Kaitlin and Sky while being nice to others. I like how Kaitlin and Sky team up to try to take down Alexis. I like how Kaitlin and Sky start to become friends and how they start to share some secrets. I like how Alexis tries to take over by being "nice" to take over Family Affairs when she is a huge diva. I like how Alexis lures people into doing something wrong and how she plays them. I like how Kaitlin and Sky are "spying" on Alexis to find evidence of her making trouble to turn her in. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book (Secrets of My Hollywood Life #4), Paparazzi Princess.
—Amy
Buku ketiga ini bacanya agak lamaan berhubung terganggu sama kegiatan macem-macem. Tapi sumpah, setiap baca langsung superexcited! Kali ini, Kaitlin 'dikembalikan' di habitat asalnya: ke miniseri Family Affair yang membesarkan namanya. tapi apa itu lantas bikin hidupnya tenang-tenang aja? Nggak sama sekali--enter Colby, artis pendatang baru yang langsung mencuri perhatian publik.Kaitlin yang di buku2 sebelumnya digambarkan sebagai karakter baik-baik, memperlihatkan sisi lain kali ini: terintimidasi. Rasa iri dan merasa tersaingi Colby membuat dirinya sempat berpikir yang nggak-nggak tentang cewek itu. Lovely! Ceritanya malah semakin hidup dengan perkembangan mengejutkan... Kaitlin berteman dengan Sky?!J'Adore Jen! Nggak sabar beli buku keempatnya!
—Christian
Another cute read. I liked how this one extended a bit more beyond Hollywood and introduced a new scheming character.I'm curious as to how the series will shift now.Still love Austin to pieces. I must say, I'm also glad the author made him a character that is genuinely cute and sweet. He's not dark, twisted and broody (which seems to be the popular thing these days) nor is he an arrogant scene-stealer eager to be in the lights. You just like him since he's so adorable.I love that she channeled Lindsay Lohan for Alexis - the whole thing just screamed it. I think that's what makes the books so much fun: she uses the Hollywood world we already know and gives us a glimpse with a fictional character.
—Noelle
