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Idol Hands
Tara can pinpoint the moment when everything in her life it was when she fell in love with Aidan Forrest - who just happened to be a part of the biggest boy band in the world, Idol Hands. She spent two years as his "secret girlfriend," hiding from the media to protect his career, until he broke up with her, breaking her heart, and leaving behind a secret that Tara has never shared. Fourteen years after their breakup, she's in a bad marriage, and a dead-end job. When she sees a television documentary in which Aidan confesses that he still loves her, she makes a life-changing she leaves her husband to go and find Aidan. With no real plan of attack it's not going to be easy, but Tara knows that she can't give up.
- GenresChick Lit
282 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 4, 2013
I didn't really know what to expect when I pulled Idol Hands up on my kindle and I got a lot more then what I really thought I was going to get. I can't even begin to explain the emotions I went through while reading this. I planned on taking my time with this book, but the story pulled me in so bad that I felt like it was a race to get to the end. I NEEDED to know how things were going to work out. That doesn't happen to me very often, and I always enjoy it when a book does that to me.
Its written in diary style, and I was a little nervous about that. . . I tend to get to pulled into a story and its hard for me to remember dates, but it didn't make a difference to me once things really started going. In my opinion this book wouldn't have worked half as good if it was written in a different style.
Its such an emotional story and I found myself really feeling for Tara. The things she did and put herself through to try and make her dream of a perfect love come true were truly heartbreaking at times. I had a couple of mixed thoughts through out the read. First I could identify with her feelings of not going anywhere in life. I think everyone at one (or more) times sits backs and thinks "Is this what I really want for myself, did I make the right choices in life?" But like me, most people start thinking of all the good that has happened for them, give a shrug of the shoulders and a little smile and continue on. Then I thought that maybe she was going through a mid-life crisis, and just needed a break to find herself or maybe get some closure on some things. These two thoughts waffled back and forth almost the entire read for me. Towards the end (and I'm trying to not give anything away) I started to guess that what I was thinking wasn't really the case with Tara.
I would have never, in a million years guessed at the ending. It took me completely by surprise, but worked so good. The epilogue was like getting closure as a reader. It explained a lot of things that I was really just guessing at.
I have to admit that I was never into any boy bands growing up. I think the popular ones when I was a kid were N'sync and The Back Street Boys. I knew that a lot of girls loved them but I really never understood how fans could be so obsessed over it. It was pretty cool to get an almost inside look into that kind of fan, and get a more understanding view as to why all those girls I grew up with were like that.
Would I recommend this book? Yeah, it was a wonderfully emotional read, mixed in with suspense and mystery.
**Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book from the author for a honest review.**
http://zephyrbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Its written in diary style, and I was a little nervous about that. . . I tend to get to pulled into a story and its hard for me to remember dates, but it didn't make a difference to me once things really started going. In my opinion this book wouldn't have worked half as good if it was written in a different style.
Its such an emotional story and I found myself really feeling for Tara. The things she did and put herself through to try and make her dream of a perfect love come true were truly heartbreaking at times. I had a couple of mixed thoughts through out the read. First I could identify with her feelings of not going anywhere in life. I think everyone at one (or more) times sits backs and thinks "Is this what I really want for myself, did I make the right choices in life?" But like me, most people start thinking of all the good that has happened for them, give a shrug of the shoulders and a little smile and continue on. Then I thought that maybe she was going through a mid-life crisis, and just needed a break to find herself or maybe get some closure on some things. These two thoughts waffled back and forth almost the entire read for me. Towards the end (and I'm trying to not give anything away) I started to guess that what I was thinking wasn't really the case with Tara.
I would have never, in a million years guessed at the ending. It took me completely by surprise, but worked so good. The epilogue was like getting closure as a reader. It explained a lot of things that I was really just guessing at.
I have to admit that I was never into any boy bands growing up. I think the popular ones when I was a kid were N'sync and The Back Street Boys. I knew that a lot of girls loved them but I really never understood how fans could be so obsessed over it. It was pretty cool to get an almost inside look into that kind of fan, and get a more understanding view as to why all those girls I grew up with were like that.
Would I recommend this book? Yeah, it was a wonderfully emotional read, mixed in with suspense and mystery.
**Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book from the author for a honest review.**
http://zephyrbookreviews.blogspot.com/
February 16, 2013
I had the privilege of reading this book to review it for the author. I say privilege because I really enjoyed this read. I had a few issues with it, which is why I have rated it four stars out of five.
It is written in diary form, which at first I found annoying but it didn't take long for it to grow on me. I honestly think that the story would not have been as good if it wasn't in diary format, a lot would have been missed, or too much description would have been added that really was not needed. So the diary format really worked for this story.
Tara, a woman in her thirties, goes on quite the adventure. Some thoughts in the diary were repeated a little too often, which annoyed me. I started to get annoyed every time she would talk about the lesser known guards and how they would take advantage of their job. I found that the back story, her relationship with Aiden, was often lacking the answers I wanted to hear. I wrote that up to the fact that because it was in diary format we were only getting one side of the story. I got most of the answers I wanted in the end though, I just had to be patient.
I honestly felt bad for Tara. I found myself rooting for her through all of her trials and just hoping that she would succeed. When her travels were good, I wanted her to stick it out there for a bit. Just live in the moments, but like her, I became restless and wanted her to continue. I did feel bad for Gil, I thought that he at least deserved a letter explaining the situation or some form of contact information to be exchanged so that she could find him again in the future, even if to just continue their friendship.
Here's where I spoil things so be warned. The ending is shocking, however, it wasn't something that I didn't see coming.
I would have liked more answers in the end, through the blog entries and news clips. However, I choose to believe that she was not as crazy as they made her out to be. I believe she was honest throughout her journey and that her switch flipped only with what she saw when she finally reached her beloved Aiden.
Some technical errors throughout the read, some spelling errors and typos. However, with all the text, they were very few and far between. Desperate times cause for desperate measures, some measures that were difficult to read, but somehow even harder to put down. All in all, it was a great story, an amazing read, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for some sort of mystery, self exploration journey read. Great job Hill!
It is written in diary form, which at first I found annoying but it didn't take long for it to grow on me. I honestly think that the story would not have been as good if it wasn't in diary format, a lot would have been missed, or too much description would have been added that really was not needed. So the diary format really worked for this story.
Tara, a woman in her thirties, goes on quite the adventure. Some thoughts in the diary were repeated a little too often, which annoyed me. I started to get annoyed every time she would talk about the lesser known guards and how they would take advantage of their job. I found that the back story, her relationship with Aiden, was often lacking the answers I wanted to hear. I wrote that up to the fact that because it was in diary format we were only getting one side of the story. I got most of the answers I wanted in the end though, I just had to be patient.
I honestly felt bad for Tara. I found myself rooting for her through all of her trials and just hoping that she would succeed. When her travels were good, I wanted her to stick it out there for a bit. Just live in the moments, but like her, I became restless and wanted her to continue. I did feel bad for Gil, I thought that he at least deserved a letter explaining the situation or some form of contact information to be exchanged so that she could find him again in the future, even if to just continue their friendship.
Here's where I spoil things so be warned. The ending is shocking, however, it wasn't something that I didn't see coming.
I would have liked more answers in the end, through the blog entries and news clips. However, I choose to believe that she was not as crazy as they made her out to be. I believe she was honest throughout her journey and that her switch flipped only with what she saw when she finally reached her beloved Aiden.
Some technical errors throughout the read, some spelling errors and typos. However, with all the text, they were very few and far between. Desperate times cause for desperate measures, some measures that were difficult to read, but somehow even harder to put down. All in all, it was a great story, an amazing read, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for some sort of mystery, self exploration journey read. Great job Hill!
July 12, 2012
I liked this book. I'm not a big fan of diary format books, and this is one. That alone cost it a bit. The story is great. I loved the portrayal of the protagonist (or is that antagonist... read it and then we'll debate..). At first I really didn't think I'd be able to get into it. I read it because a dear friend had read it and loved it. It's really not my genre though. Regardless, I could relate to Tara in many ways and felt for her quite a bit over her journey. What I disliked about the book was the ending.
I don't think it's a spoiler to tell you it's a cliffhanger. I dig a good cliffhanger and Hill pulls that off rather well. Loved the concept she's got goin on there. What bothered me about it was the style in which she ended it. Given the format, it was understandably difficult. Still, it left me not so much mind blown as discontent. There were totally a couple unexpected plot twists that even surprised me (and you know how hard I am to surprise).
Overall, I would recommend it to someone looking for something a little off the beaten path but still intriguing. I'm not sure this fits into any genre at all really. It's kinda out on it's own, which is an accomplishment in its own right. You may or may not be thrilled with the ending. You have to be okay with a cliffhanger, or this will frustrate you. Totally worth a check out though. I dig. :)
I don't think it's a spoiler to tell you it's a cliffhanger. I dig a good cliffhanger and Hill pulls that off rather well. Loved the concept she's got goin on there. What bothered me about it was the style in which she ended it. Given the format, it was understandably difficult. Still, it left me not so much mind blown as discontent. There were totally a couple unexpected plot twists that even surprised me (and you know how hard I am to surprise).
Overall, I would recommend it to someone looking for something a little off the beaten path but still intriguing. I'm not sure this fits into any genre at all really. It's kinda out on it's own, which is an accomplishment in its own right. You may or may not be thrilled with the ending. You have to be okay with a cliffhanger, or this will frustrate you. Totally worth a check out though. I dig. :)
October 25, 2012
I wasn't sure how I would feel reading a book in diary format. But you know what? I kinda liked it. I found myself unable to put the book down; it kept demanding me to read 'just one more chapter'. And I ended up giving in to its demands. I was intrigued with Tara's story. I had to know what broke this couple apart and would they find their way back to each other.
But God bless Tara's heart...poor girl could not catch a break. From her rocky marriage (her husband told her he wasn't sure if he loved her or his new $3000 tv more) to her seemed-to-be-doomed-from-the-get-go road trip in search of her first love. Yeah as that saying goes 'What can go wrong...will go wrong!"
Like I said earlier, this book demanded my attention. It sucked me in. I loved that the main character was a thirty something woman making it easier for me to relate to. Not that my 13 years of marriage is bad by any means, cause it’s not, just that we are around the same age. I was able to remember my childhood crushes on (dare I say) New Kids on the Block. I remember day dreaming of them and wondering what it would be like to date one of them, especially Donnie. (Hangs head in embarrassment).
So all in all I really enjoyed this book. It's a quick read that I found hard to put down and very enjoyable. Some parts got a little raw for my tastes...but when desperate times called for desperate measures...what are you gonna do? But I am glad I hung in there. That ending was so messed up…in a very good way of course. I had no idea that is where the author was leading us to and I was completely shocked. Thank you Hill for allowing me to read your work and I hope to work with you again in the future.
But God bless Tara's heart...poor girl could not catch a break. From her rocky marriage (her husband told her he wasn't sure if he loved her or his new $3000 tv more) to her seemed-to-be-doomed-from-the-get-go road trip in search of her first love. Yeah as that saying goes 'What can go wrong...will go wrong!"
Like I said earlier, this book demanded my attention. It sucked me in. I loved that the main character was a thirty something woman making it easier for me to relate to. Not that my 13 years of marriage is bad by any means, cause it’s not, just that we are around the same age. I was able to remember my childhood crushes on (dare I say) New Kids on the Block. I remember day dreaming of them and wondering what it would be like to date one of them, especially Donnie. (Hangs head in embarrassment).
So all in all I really enjoyed this book. It's a quick read that I found hard to put down and very enjoyable. Some parts got a little raw for my tastes...but when desperate times called for desperate measures...what are you gonna do? But I am glad I hung in there. That ending was so messed up…in a very good way of course. I had no idea that is where the author was leading us to and I was completely shocked. Thank you Hill for allowing me to read your work and I hope to work with you again in the future.
October 30, 2012
Thank you to Cynthia Hill for providing me with a free copy of Idol Hands in exchange for fair and honest review. I didn't know much about this book except the story involved a rock star romance - I love my rock band, angst filled, inked up bad boy books. I was hoping this was one of them. It wasn't... it was amazing in an entirely different way.
At first I thought I was reading the diary of a unhappily married woman - who was disappointed with many of the choices she made in life, school, husband, job etc... I thought this book was going to be the same formula of girl hates boring life+ and has a chase encounter with a former ex-boyfriend who happens to be a rock star+girl can't decide what to do now etc etc... Wow-I couldn't have been more wrong!
Tara conjures up many "what ifs" after seeing her ex on one of those celebrity "where are they now" TV shows. I felt bad for Tara as I started to read her diary filled of memories of good times and and a painful downward spiral of heartache after losing Aiden (her rock God ex). I got to spend a lot of time in Tara's bitter twisted head as she puts pen to paper and excavates every encounter of her relationship with Aiden. She wonders if he really could still love her... if they had one last meeting would sparks fly? This book is full of twists and turns and a has one hell of a mind blowing ending. I tore through Idol Hands and Tara's disturbing cross-country adventures in one night. I highly recommend Idol Hands. Enjoy!!!!
At first I thought I was reading the diary of a unhappily married woman - who was disappointed with many of the choices she made in life, school, husband, job etc... I thought this book was going to be the same formula of girl hates boring life+ and has a chase encounter with a former ex-boyfriend who happens to be a rock star+girl can't decide what to do now etc etc... Wow-I couldn't have been more wrong!
Tara conjures up many "what ifs" after seeing her ex on one of those celebrity "where are they now" TV shows. I felt bad for Tara as I started to read her diary filled of memories of good times and and a painful downward spiral of heartache after losing Aiden (her rock God ex). I got to spend a lot of time in Tara's bitter twisted head as she puts pen to paper and excavates every encounter of her relationship with Aiden. She wonders if he really could still love her... if they had one last meeting would sparks fly? This book is full of twists and turns and a has one hell of a mind blowing ending. I tore through Idol Hands and Tara's disturbing cross-country adventures in one night. I highly recommend Idol Hands. Enjoy!!!!
February 22, 2012
Well. Huh. Okay then. I’d like to point out that it’s usually a good thing when I start off my reviews in a bit of a baffled state. This one is going to be hard to write given I try to stay away from spoilers. But I will say before I begin that I would recommend this book. In fact, I’m going to add it to my Favorites List! It had me literally squealing and slapping my head at the end. Idol Hands by Cynthia Hill is a story written in diary format by MC Tara. We meet her and can quickly see that she is in an unhappy marriage to a jerk of a guy. While watching TV one night, Tara sees a former boyfriend, Aidan, giving an interview. Aidan and Tara dated while she was in high school, and he was on his way to becoming a pop star in a boy band. Due to increasing fame, their relationship had to stay under wraps. Aidan says in the interview that he is still in love with an old girlfriend, and Tara believes he means her. She sets out on a journey to find him again – one that takes her from Canada to Philadelphia, then hitchhiking her way across the US to get to California. Her journey is harrowing, frustrating, and at times dangerous. But what will Tara discover when she finally makes it to Aidan? Is her that he still loves?
Without giving away the ending, I will say there is an incredible twist that I never saw coming! I was eating up the last chapters, frantically scanning the pages and trying to figure out what really happened. Idol Hands is definitely not a typical story, and I think I would use the word psychological when describing this twist in events. I do wish that maybe a little more was revealed, but I think Hill wrote the ending so readers can interpret it the way they would like. The writing was great, the diary format flowed along, and I would definitely recommend this book. Just be ready to talk about it – a lot – once you’re finished!
**Rating 4.5 stars – I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
Without giving away the ending, I will say there is an incredible twist that I never saw coming! I was eating up the last chapters, frantically scanning the pages and trying to figure out what really happened. Idol Hands is definitely not a typical story, and I think I would use the word psychological when describing this twist in events. I do wish that maybe a little more was revealed, but I think Hill wrote the ending so readers can interpret it the way they would like. The writing was great, the diary format flowed along, and I would definitely recommend this book. Just be ready to talk about it – a lot – once you’re finished!
**Rating 4.5 stars – I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
February 24, 2013
Really, really enjoyed this emotional rollercoaster of a book. True rating is 4.5 stars. It's written in diary form so its first person point of view which I enjoy but I know is a turn off for some people. All I can say is give this book a chance, it is worth the risk :)
Tara is a 32 year old married woman, fed up with where she is in life and unable to see things getting any better. One night she watches an interview with an ex band member and old flame from her favourite band from her teenage years. What he says in that interview is a trigger for her to do something radical to change the direction her life has gone in.
I think the less you know about this book before you start reading, the better. Just hop right in, strap up tight and prepare for a wild ride. Tara is character that got under my skin and I wanted to shake her, warn her to stop taking so many risks but most of all I wanted to give her a big hug. By the end of the story, I really cared about her, I wanted her to catch a break and have her happy ending even if I couldn't figure out how that could possibly happen. The fact I felt so strongly for Tara, I think speaks volumes for how skilfully the author has drawn her and how totally engrossed in Tara's world that I became. And that ending...all I can say is wow!
Highly recommended to all who like psychological, mind bender books!
Thanks to Cynthia Hill for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Tara is a 32 year old married woman, fed up with where she is in life and unable to see things getting any better. One night she watches an interview with an ex band member and old flame from her favourite band from her teenage years. What he says in that interview is a trigger for her to do something radical to change the direction her life has gone in.
I think the less you know about this book before you start reading, the better. Just hop right in, strap up tight and prepare for a wild ride. Tara is character that got under my skin and I wanted to shake her, warn her to stop taking so many risks but most of all I wanted to give her a big hug. By the end of the story, I really cared about her, I wanted her to catch a break and have her happy ending even if I couldn't figure out how that could possibly happen. The fact I felt so strongly for Tara, I think speaks volumes for how skilfully the author has drawn her and how totally engrossed in Tara's world that I became. And that ending...all I can say is wow!
Highly recommended to all who like psychological, mind bender books!
Thanks to Cynthia Hill for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
November 12, 2012
Thank you Cynthia Hill for sending me your debut Idol Hands.
Synopsis:
Do you remember the boy band that you had a crush on in your teens? Do you still think of them today? Tara has fond memories of her time with Aidan one of the members of the group Idol Hands. Although their relationship was kept secret she remembers this as a magical time, and a major event in her past. Tara is now thirty two married and unhappy and when husband Steve buys a big screen television, and she loses the money for a down payment for a house. One night Tara was up late and saw a program where Aidan declares his love for his secret girlfriend. Then begins a journey for Tara to find Aidan. Will she find what she hopes? Will there be true love in the end?
My Thoughts:
This novel is nothing like what I thought. I was a little turned off initially because Tara spent a lot of time complaining about her circumstances and living in the past. The novel improved to me as Tara started on her journey. I actually developed some sympathy for her with some of the circumstances she encountered. The writer did a wonderful job weaving a plot that is unexpected. I was very surprised by how it ended.
Are you caught in the past like Tara or living for the present? Tara really struggles to move forward with her life. Is the past really the answer?
Synopsis:
Do you remember the boy band that you had a crush on in your teens? Do you still think of them today? Tara has fond memories of her time with Aidan one of the members of the group Idol Hands. Although their relationship was kept secret she remembers this as a magical time, and a major event in her past. Tara is now thirty two married and unhappy and when husband Steve buys a big screen television, and she loses the money for a down payment for a house. One night Tara was up late and saw a program where Aidan declares his love for his secret girlfriend. Then begins a journey for Tara to find Aidan. Will she find what she hopes? Will there be true love in the end?
My Thoughts:
This novel is nothing like what I thought. I was a little turned off initially because Tara spent a lot of time complaining about her circumstances and living in the past. The novel improved to me as Tara started on her journey. I actually developed some sympathy for her with some of the circumstances she encountered. The writer did a wonderful job weaving a plot that is unexpected. I was very surprised by how it ended.
Are you caught in the past like Tara or living for the present? Tara really struggles to move forward with her life. Is the past really the answer?
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April 23, 2012Full review here
http://www.yourneedtoread.blogspot.co...
Idol Hands...what can you say? At first it looks like a silly Bridget Jones story: some adult woman had a fling as a kid with a New Kid on the Block type. She is stuck in a boring marriage..blah..blah.
One night, she is watching some documentary on the boy band. She hears her old boyfriend say he had always loved her. Off she goes, four hundred bucks in hand, ditching her husband and heading across country to find what she assumes is love of her life.
The woman is a compete narcissist .The book is written in journal form. I completely made the assumpton that she was a goofy, immature, Tigerbeat-magazine-loving nitwit. I rolled my eyes so many times I'm amazed I could close them to sleep.
I had to hang in there to see what happened.
Somewhere in the middle, this book takes such a extreme turn, it is jaw dropping. I can't say much more as it would give all away, but I am begging, pleading for someone to read this book and discuss. I finished this a couple weeks ago, and I am still thinking about it. Dare I admit, I even emailed the author with a "Holy $$%&! What was that?"
This book was amazing. It will stay with you for a while. Read it. . .now.
I'm waiting...
http://www.yourneedtoread.blogspot.co...
Idol Hands...what can you say? At first it looks like a silly Bridget Jones story: some adult woman had a fling as a kid with a New Kid on the Block type. She is stuck in a boring marriage..blah..blah.
One night, she is watching some documentary on the boy band. She hears her old boyfriend say he had always loved her. Off she goes, four hundred bucks in hand, ditching her husband and heading across country to find what she assumes is love of her life.
The woman is a compete narcissist .The book is written in journal form. I completely made the assumpton that she was a goofy, immature, Tigerbeat-magazine-loving nitwit. I rolled my eyes so many times I'm amazed I could close them to sleep.
I had to hang in there to see what happened.
Somewhere in the middle, this book takes such a extreme turn, it is jaw dropping. I can't say much more as it would give all away, but I am begging, pleading for someone to read this book and discuss. I finished this a couple weeks ago, and I am still thinking about it. Dare I admit, I even emailed the author with a "Holy $$%&! What was that?"
This book was amazing. It will stay with you for a while. Read it. . .now.
I'm waiting...
December 26, 2015
I'm not a big fan of first person, so diary-style writing was tough for me. Also, the description of the book is pretty misleading. I kept thinking the protagonist was crazy, then as soon as she dreamed about blood, I knew it wasn't just crazy. So, I think the author did a good job painting a portrait of a seriously disturbed murderer. I actually spent the second half of the book wondering if she was a serial killer too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2012
I have to say, the ending to this book was totally NOT what I expected. I think when I read the last few pages, my mouth dropped open and stayed that way until a few minutes after I read the very end. I don't want to spoil the ending, but I will say this book is like nothing I ever read before. I highly recommend it! :)
September 15, 2012
Interesting look at the edge of fandom bordering obsession. I liked it but I didn't love it, I was dying to know what happened partly because reading Tara's frame of mind and point of view was exhausting and depressing. I actually skipped to the end to see what happened before beck tracking to my original place.
February 21, 2012
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. I loved it.
My review:
http://virginiebarbeau.wordpress.com/...
My review:
http://virginiebarbeau.wordpress.com/...
May 3, 2012
Shockingly good. It's written in a fresh style and really stands out from the pack. Highly recommended.
June 3, 2012
Loved this book! Check out my review here: http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/blogs/wa...
July 28, 2012
Really enjoyed this book. It drew me in quickly. I spent half my time cheering for Tara and half my time cringing at her naïveté. the epilogue was not what I expected at all.
February 2, 2015
Crazy good! Loved the story line and just when I thought I had it figured out, Cynthia spun the story and caught me off guard. I LOVE when that happens!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews