Monkey Star

by Brenda Scott Royce

Heading to Hollywood to work as an animal trainer on a big-budget film, Holly Heckerling finds herself torn between the glamour of the film world, the attentions of an A-list actor, her boyfriend, Tom, in New York, and Tallullah, the irresistible monkey she met during a pet-sitting assignment, in the sequel to Monkey Love. Original.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

352 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

Brenda Scott Royce’s books, like her life, mix monkeys and mayhem. Her novels MONKEY LOVE (2006) and MONKEY STAR (2007) chronicle the misadventures of Holly Heckerling, a stand-up comedienne who befriends a monkey while juggling career and romantic entanglements. A former chimpanzee caregiver, Brenda is editor of the Los Angeles Zoo's award-winning magazine, ZOO VIEW. She has contributed to the Huffington Post and penned several episodes of the Disney Junior series, CHUGGINGTON. Brenda's children's books include two titles in the ASPCA's Pet Rescue Club series (CHAMPION'S NEW SHOES and BAILEY THE WONDER DOG) and nonfiction animal books for the Smithsonian Institution, Discovery, Animal Planet, and NatGeo Kids.

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

i should be embarassed that i enjoyed this book so much. but i'm not, and would happily read a third book in this series.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, a little far-fetched, but fun. Silly at times, but written well enough. Good romantic comedy material. Would read another.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very surprising read. For most of the book, I could not stand Holly then she suddenly grew on me. I understand why she did what she did in the end, but I'm so annoyed with the Tom situation. He was the worst character out of the book and his behaviors rubbed me the wrong way. I'm glad Holly grew up during this book because she was a mess unfortunately not much better at the end, but at a good halfway point of her story. I liked a lot of the other supporting characters and also disliked some as well. Overall, a good book. Very quick and easy read.

[Caroline Kunetz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very good. Couldn’t get into it. Kind of weird. Kind of romance but not really. Holly tries to find herself by going to LA and becoming an animal trainer but moves back to NY and takes up with her bad boyfriend Tom

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious story that is extremely well written. I didn't want the book to end!

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly Heckerling is back in Royce’s follow-up novel to her debut hit Monkey Love! Monkey Star picks up a few months after the time where Monkey Love left off. Holly and Tom are set to celebrate their anniversary, and of course Holly finds herself in a predicament that you have to read about to believe.

Once she gets herself untangled, Holly finds that her relationship with Tom may not be on as solid ground as she thought. He’s spending more time with his ex-wife and seems to always put Holly last. On top of everything else, she’s bounced one too many checks and now her landlord wants her out of her apartment post haste. Needing time and space to think, Holly goes to visit her best friend Carter who’s now living in L.A. with her husband, Danny.

Danny, Holly’s former partner in comedy, has landed a role in a movie and invites Holly to visit him on the set. Through a series of twists and turns, Holly ends up as the movie’s new animal trainer. As if trying to figure out how to make a snake climb on cue wasn't enough to deal with, Holly’s also realizing that the movie’s leading man is very interested in her. Holly must decide if there’s any compelling reason to return to New York, when L.A appears to have everything she wants, and more.

Monkey Star is a lot of fun and those who read Monkey Love will likely enjoy this tale as well. Although Monkey Star is a sequel, it stands alone well, and Love need not be read first. Royce’s writing is fresh and engaging. All of the characters have distinct personalities, and seem to jump off the page at times. Brenda Scott Royce is definitely one of my new auto-buy authors!

[Corinna Bechko · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all ways a worthy followup to the Monkey Love, which is one of the funniest books I've ever read.

Somehow Royce pulls off the trick of recreating a screwball comedy on the printed page without ever falling flat. Holly and her gang are back, but this time the action moves all the way across the country to Hollywood. There's a bit of glamour and stardust, but better yet there's coffee, questionable decisions, and, of course, primates! I couldn't put it down.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay I got really into this book when I hit about half-way through and read it for 3 hours straight. I couldn't help myself. It furthered the fun and well unbelievable life of Holly Heckerling. I ended the book content with the outcome, so my rating is high.

Thank you Sara for recommending the series and letting me borrow the books.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stayed up late a couple weekends back to read this. Fun read, crazy Hollywood, crazy characters. It's a second book so I was a bit lost about who was who amongst the main character's family and when events from book one were referenced. Also, Aunt Betty ended up having Betty White's voice in my head. That was distracting ad a couldn't separate the book character and GOLDEN GIRLS' Rose.

[Chrissy Wissler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The actual romance aspect was fairly light, but I couldn't stop reading none-the-less. This is by far the funniest book I've read. I simply couldn't believe half the situations the heroine ended up in. If you want a good laugh and a good story - this is a book you must pick up.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Very cute. Like watching a chick flick with a bag of white cheddar popcorn and a cherry coke.

[SeaBae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and light. Not a lot of plot - in fact, plot is pretty much nonexistent - but funny situations, a winning heroine and a smart, witty voice kept me turning pages at a rapid rate.

[Jessica Mallow · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, silly read. Follow-up book to Monkey Love.

[Tiffany Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute chick-lit read.

[Meagan Laplant]

Great characters! Wish there was another in the series!!

[squeakers · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really cute and funny....must read Monkey love first though......

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a very enjoyable romantic comedy movie/show.

[Pam Rugg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book