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True Images #1
Candid
Life is simple for high school senior, Sienna Whitfield. With a few good friends, a camera, and a dream, she has everything she needs to be happy. But when Jordan Rubio, the most popular girl at Haskins High, makes her mad, she decides to use the power of photography to right a few social wrongs. As if that doesn’t cause enough drama in her life, she realizes she’s falling for the new guy, Lee Franklin. Strong and protective, he’s just what she needs to survive the craziness she’s stirred up at school. If only she didn’t have to keep her feelings for Lee a secret from her mom…
240 pages, ebook
Published April 17, 2012
44 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 4, 2017
Such An Adorable Story
Life is simple for high school senior, Sienna Whitfield. With a few good friends, a camera, and a dream, she has everything she needs to be happy. But when Jordan Rubio, the most popular girl at Haskins High, makes her mad, she decides to use the power of photography to right a few social wrongs. As if that doesn’t cause enough drama in her life, she realizes she’s falling for the new guy, Lee Franklin. Strong and protective, he’s just what she needs to survive the craziness she’s stirred up at school. If only she didn’t have to keep her feelings for Lee a secret from her mom…
My Review...
I first want to start off by saying LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the cover of this novel! It always draws me to read the description after seeing just the cover. I feel like a cover has to be essence of what the novel is and the words are the soul of the novel. I might be dramatic as my daughter would say but that's just me!
Secondly, the characters and the storyline. Sienna and Lee a story that's told over and over again and never gets old. A boy and girl meet fall in love are some how pulled apart by some force that's been there all along but some how now it's a problem. Blah, blah, and blah! However, what sets this book apart from all others is the characters that you fall in love with, the storyline that intertwines them in which we often fall right in love with. We live with them in our story book like!
Lastly, this was such an adorable coming of age, high school novel about putting aside your happiness to make the world a little better.
I recommend this story for anyone whose a romantic at heart.
Life is simple for high school senior, Sienna Whitfield. With a few good friends, a camera, and a dream, she has everything she needs to be happy. But when Jordan Rubio, the most popular girl at Haskins High, makes her mad, she decides to use the power of photography to right a few social wrongs. As if that doesn’t cause enough drama in her life, she realizes she’s falling for the new guy, Lee Franklin. Strong and protective, he’s just what she needs to survive the craziness she’s stirred up at school. If only she didn’t have to keep her feelings for Lee a secret from her mom…
My Review...
I first want to start off by saying LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the cover of this novel! It always draws me to read the description after seeing just the cover. I feel like a cover has to be essence of what the novel is and the words are the soul of the novel. I might be dramatic as my daughter would say but that's just me!
Secondly, the characters and the storyline. Sienna and Lee a story that's told over and over again and never gets old. A boy and girl meet fall in love are some how pulled apart by some force that's been there all along but some how now it's a problem. Blah, blah, and blah! However, what sets this book apart from all others is the characters that you fall in love with, the storyline that intertwines them in which we often fall right in love with. We live with them in our story book like!
Lastly, this was such an adorable coming of age, high school novel about putting aside your happiness to make the world a little better.
I recommend this story for anyone whose a romantic at heart.
May 17, 2016
This YA coming of age story was really well done. The characters grabbed my attention right from the start and the romantic tension was skillfully crafted. It was hard to put down, and I really enjoyed the message--of seeing people for what they truly are instead of the masks they wear, especially in high school. The only thing I wasn't thrilled with was the quick ending. It definitely had a conclusion and didn't leave me hanging at the end, but I would have liked to see a little more aftermath to tie up a few loose ends. There is another book, so maybe I'll get my questions about certain characters answered there. Overall, it's a nice, solid YA read that I can recommend. It has a clean romance and good morals to inspire and uplift.
**I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
**I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 6, 2016
Sienna is finishing up her last year of high school and decides to shake things up. She's a photographer and takes her job on the school paper and yearbook staff serious. She'd rather spend her money on camera equipment than on clothes and makeup. When she decides to use her photos on her blog to make some of the nice kids at school more popular, she angers the reigning popularity king and queen. I'm the type of person who likes to stay in the background and not ruffle any feathers, so it was hard for me to understand why in the world she would want to stir things up and cause problems for herself. I had to admire her for trying to build others up and not caring too much about the consequences, because there's no way I was that mature at her age. It's refreshing to see a high school character who can see beyond herself, as I wish I could've been more like this back then.
When new boy, Lee, moves in, there's an immediate attraction between the two, but there's also one huge complication--her very overprotective mother. Lee is such a great guy that shows characteristics of a true gentleman. His patience, strong will, and protectiveness are very appealing. As for Sienna's mom, I'm so glad she isn't my mom! A past mistake leads her to believe that Sienna needs to be shielded from everything and controlled, almost to the point of treating her like an inmate. I felt that she went over the top in her reactions and rules, even coming across as a hypocrite in a way, but as a mother myself, I can understand where she is coming from and I could feel her intense love through the mess.
The story unfolds in a very progressive way and I felt like I was back in high school again--almost. The feelings, rivalries, and drama are all there. I liked the bits of conflict and the way things were resolved, although not always completely. There are a few little mysteries to be solved. I really enjoyed the story and I'm eager to read the next book.
Content: mild romance (kissing, implied past relationship). Clean!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
When new boy, Lee, moves in, there's an immediate attraction between the two, but there's also one huge complication--her very overprotective mother. Lee is such a great guy that shows characteristics of a true gentleman. His patience, strong will, and protectiveness are very appealing. As for Sienna's mom, I'm so glad she isn't my mom! A past mistake leads her to believe that Sienna needs to be shielded from everything and controlled, almost to the point of treating her like an inmate. I felt that she went over the top in her reactions and rules, even coming across as a hypocrite in a way, but as a mother myself, I can understand where she is coming from and I could feel her intense love through the mess.
The story unfolds in a very progressive way and I felt like I was back in high school again--almost. The feelings, rivalries, and drama are all there. I liked the bits of conflict and the way things were resolved, although not always completely. There are a few little mysteries to be solved. I really enjoyed the story and I'm eager to read the next book.
Content: mild romance (kissing, implied past relationship). Clean!
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
November 3, 2012
Candid was simply fantastic!! There are so many reasons why I say you should dive into this book. One reason would be that I LOVED the fact that Lee was such an outstanding guy. He isn't the typical male in high school who is out to be a player and get all the ladies. He was such a gentleman. The author did a fantastic job writing this character as well as the others, but he really stood out.
The story is about Sienna Whitfield, who uses her love of photography to stir up the social status of some not-so-friendly people, and students she feels deserve more recognition for their good qualities and the true characters they are. Sienna has never had a relationship due to her mother's hate of guys. Her bad experience during her high school days, trickles down into her parenting and won't allow Sienna to be anything other than friends with any male until she's in college.
That all changes when Lee, the new student sets his eyes on Sienna. This was such a cute story and one that brought out lots of giggles and also a little frustration. I absolutely must mention Lee's parents. I loved his mother, she's a handful of Southern hospitality, but when you read this, you will understand why. There was a specific scene where they were having dinner with Sienna and her mom that had me just cracking up due to their reasoning why Lee will never cross the line. I can't tell you anymore about it because I don't want to spoil the experience for you, but It was perfect!
The characters were great. The chemistry was great. The story was fantastic.
Sienna is changing people's lives, one Candid photo at a time.
We would like to thank Michelle for the opportunity to review this enjoyable story.
The story is about Sienna Whitfield, who uses her love of photography to stir up the social status of some not-so-friendly people, and students she feels deserve more recognition for their good qualities and the true characters they are. Sienna has never had a relationship due to her mother's hate of guys. Her bad experience during her high school days, trickles down into her parenting and won't allow Sienna to be anything other than friends with any male until she's in college.
That all changes when Lee, the new student sets his eyes on Sienna. This was such a cute story and one that brought out lots of giggles and also a little frustration. I absolutely must mention Lee's parents. I loved his mother, she's a handful of Southern hospitality, but when you read this, you will understand why. There was a specific scene where they were having dinner with Sienna and her mom that had me just cracking up due to their reasoning why Lee will never cross the line. I can't tell you anymore about it because I don't want to spoil the experience for you, but It was perfect!
The characters were great. The chemistry was great. The story was fantastic.
Sienna is changing people's lives, one Candid photo at a time.
We would like to thank Michelle for the opportunity to review this enjoyable story.
March 22, 2013
Occasionally I ask myself why I am still reading young adult books way past young adult hood and the answer is because they can be wonderful books. Candid is an excellent example of this. Great strong minded characters that get caught up in the enevitable high school drama and not only rise above it but manage to find their strengths and surprisingly enough love along the way. The main characters vision being through the lens of her camera was a great angle that I really enjoyed.
June 26, 2015
I actually liked this book more than i thought I would. I really liked how the book promoted virtue and chastity...a book I'm happy to have my teen read.
March 5, 2017
This was the first book I ever read by Michelle and I loved it. I've since gotten to know her as a person and as an author, and she's just an awesome person all around! -Julie L. Spencer
July 29, 2017
This was a cute, clean story (3.5 stars). Felt very young and a bit cliche and silly at times. There was the "insta-love" (just didn't quite catch how Sienna and Lee fell for each other so hard and so fast), and the over-protective mother (got pregnant as a teen, so Sienna isn't allowed to date at all during high school). Then there were the vague comparisons in my mind to a book I read (and loved) as a teen called "The Popularity Plan" ... only similar really in that someone is trying to make someone popular (here, through pictures). The story touched on the fact that not everyone would even WANT to be part of the popular crowd (in fact Sienna herself thinks it would be awful, yet she still plans and plots to make other people popular).
So ... maybe a good read for pre-teen/teen girls. Not really one of the YA books that can connect with an older audience though. Too much high school drama.
I picked this up as a free Kindle offering. At under 300 pages, it actually felt a bit shorter even, as there were spaces between sentences (most kindle books do not have that, seem much more compact). I see that the second book is available in the Prime Lending Library, and there was a sneak peek (switching to Lee's pov) but I don't know that I'll continue on.
So ... maybe a good read for pre-teen/teen girls. Not really one of the YA books that can connect with an older audience though. Too much high school drama.
I picked this up as a free Kindle offering. At under 300 pages, it actually felt a bit shorter even, as there were spaces between sentences (most kindle books do not have that, seem much more compact). I see that the second book is available in the Prime Lending Library, and there was a sneak peek (switching to Lee's pov) but I don't know that I'll continue on.
July 6, 2017
Great story!!
Loved this story! Sienna is such a headstrong and independent young lady. Loved her strength and tenacity. Her mom drove me absolutely crazy though. I'm a single mom with three teenagers and a pre-teen and I felt she was completely overboard with her actions.
On to book 2!!
Loved this story! Sienna is such a headstrong and independent young lady. Loved her strength and tenacity. Her mom drove me absolutely crazy though. I'm a single mom with three teenagers and a pre-teen and I felt she was completely overboard with her actions.
On to book 2!!
July 3, 2017
Fun, teen read
This was a fun teen read that showcased a lot of the things I found fun about highschool. I loved how the main character used photography as a way to show true sides of people. It was sweet, fun, and clean, I'd rate it PG, maybe even G.
This was a fun teen read that showcased a lot of the things I found fun about highschool. I loved how the main character used photography as a way to show true sides of people. It was sweet, fun, and clean, I'd rate it PG, maybe even G.
August 7, 2020
What a fun book!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet teen romance, this one about a photographer who gets herself in trouble by trying to "right wrongs" with her camera.
I look forward to reading the sequel soon!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet teen romance, this one about a photographer who gets herself in trouble by trying to "right wrongs" with her camera.
I look forward to reading the sequel soon!
July 5, 2017
Cute story
I honestly downloaded this book originally because it was free and out of my normal realm of reading styles. It was a cute story and I like the writing style
I honestly downloaded this book originally because it was free and out of my normal realm of reading styles. It was a cute story and I like the writing style
August 3, 2017
3.5 Corny at times but cute
September 15, 2019
I love this book its so good I am reading the 2end one right now and i love it so fare
May 27, 2012
I had never heard of Candid by Michelle Pennington until she contacted me asking if I'd like to review her book. It sounded like a really cute book so I instantly said yes. This book was far more than just cute-it was outstanding! I devoured this book in one sitting, I just couldn't stop reading not for one second.
Candid is about a senior girl named Sienna Whitfield. When we first are introduced to Sienna she is on her way to her schools football game to get some photos for the paper. I instantly liked Sienna. She's not a character of perfection, we first meet her and she's having a bit of an embarrassing spell with a gate that seems to hate her. Her love for photography and passion to go far in life was really something that I loved about her. She was driven something that I could relate to. Honestly, Sienna was one of those characters who I thought "Hey, she kind of reminds me of me." it allowed me to really relate to the main character and get so engrossed in her story that I couldn't stop reading.
When I first read the summary I thought oh man this girl is gonna cause some series drama at her high school. And yes, there is drama in this book but nothing like I was expecting. In fact what Sienna did actually did some good even if at first you didn't really see the good in it. Though her actions did have consequences let me tell you. I won't reveal exactly what kind, but lets just say she made the wrong people mad that is for sure. But even with the consequences, I liked that Sienna was posting these photos of classmates that didn't get the kind of notice or attention that they should have on blog. Yes she's a blogger! That was really cool to get to read since I myself am a blogger! Just the concept of her blog was really cool and inspiring! She wouldn't have been the same character I liked if she didn't post those pictures on her blog.
Lee. Oh man, Lee. That boy had me drooling over him the moment he smiled at Sienna. Lee is what every girl wants. He's sweet, kind, hilarious, good-looking while still possessing a personality to die for, and not to mention he's got the kind of manners that seems to be non-existent these days with guys. He's just...Lee. I loved this character more than I can say. It was so obvious how much he liked Sienna but she was just to blinded by the fact she didn't think she was pretty to even see that this guy was head over heels for her. Their whole relationship is pretty complicated like seriously complicated, but at times oh so bittersweet.
In Candid Sienna's mom has set this rule that she is not allowed to date until she graduates from high school. Sienna never had a problem with this rule. One guys never seemed to notice her and two its not like she was really into any of the guys at her school. Then Lee enters the picture and everything changes. These two have the kind of chemistry ever girl wishes she and her biggest crush had. It's so real and true that it makes you go "Awww!" I was so frustrated with Sienna's mom through out this book because she just seemed so unrealistic about the whole dating thing. Yes, I understood where she was coming from but then I just didn't anymore. You can't help yourself when you have feelings for someone and because of her moms mistake she is getting punished. Well, I shouldn't say punished because really she isn't being punished. Her mom loves her. She really does and you soon see that everything she is doing is because of how much she loves Sienna.
Michelle Pennington has a way of writing a story that instantly takes you captive. She wrote this really fantastic story that had all the right touches of romance and drama, and those moments were you burst out laughing. Candid is defiantly a book that needs to be ready by anyone who loves to get lost in a story with fantastic characters. I'm giving Candid 5 out of 5 stars! I can not wait for the second book in the series to come out! I need some more Lee. Read this book you will love it as much as I did and you won't be able to stop reading until you've read the very last page!
Candid is about a senior girl named Sienna Whitfield. When we first are introduced to Sienna she is on her way to her schools football game to get some photos for the paper. I instantly liked Sienna. She's not a character of perfection, we first meet her and she's having a bit of an embarrassing spell with a gate that seems to hate her. Her love for photography and passion to go far in life was really something that I loved about her. She was driven something that I could relate to. Honestly, Sienna was one of those characters who I thought "Hey, she kind of reminds me of me." it allowed me to really relate to the main character and get so engrossed in her story that I couldn't stop reading.
When I first read the summary I thought oh man this girl is gonna cause some series drama at her high school. And yes, there is drama in this book but nothing like I was expecting. In fact what Sienna did actually did some good even if at first you didn't really see the good in it. Though her actions did have consequences let me tell you. I won't reveal exactly what kind, but lets just say she made the wrong people mad that is for sure. But even with the consequences, I liked that Sienna was posting these photos of classmates that didn't get the kind of notice or attention that they should have on blog. Yes she's a blogger! That was really cool to get to read since I myself am a blogger! Just the concept of her blog was really cool and inspiring! She wouldn't have been the same character I liked if she didn't post those pictures on her blog.
Lee. Oh man, Lee. That boy had me drooling over him the moment he smiled at Sienna. Lee is what every girl wants. He's sweet, kind, hilarious, good-looking while still possessing a personality to die for, and not to mention he's got the kind of manners that seems to be non-existent these days with guys. He's just...Lee. I loved this character more than I can say. It was so obvious how much he liked Sienna but she was just to blinded by the fact she didn't think she was pretty to even see that this guy was head over heels for her. Their whole relationship is pretty complicated like seriously complicated, but at times oh so bittersweet.
In Candid Sienna's mom has set this rule that she is not allowed to date until she graduates from high school. Sienna never had a problem with this rule. One guys never seemed to notice her and two its not like she was really into any of the guys at her school. Then Lee enters the picture and everything changes. These two have the kind of chemistry ever girl wishes she and her biggest crush had. It's so real and true that it makes you go "Awww!" I was so frustrated with Sienna's mom through out this book because she just seemed so unrealistic about the whole dating thing. Yes, I understood where she was coming from but then I just didn't anymore. You can't help yourself when you have feelings for someone and because of her moms mistake she is getting punished. Well, I shouldn't say punished because really she isn't being punished. Her mom loves her. She really does and you soon see that everything she is doing is because of how much she loves Sienna.
Michelle Pennington has a way of writing a story that instantly takes you captive. She wrote this really fantastic story that had all the right touches of romance and drama, and those moments were you burst out laughing. Candid is defiantly a book that needs to be ready by anyone who loves to get lost in a story with fantastic characters. I'm giving Candid 5 out of 5 stars! I can not wait for the second book in the series to come out! I need some more Lee. Read this book you will love it as much as I did and you won't be able to stop reading until you've read the very last page!
July 10, 2012
I have never read a book like Candid before. I was intrigued by the story of a girl who loved photography. When I started, I was immediately taken with the story. Until the end, I enjoyed Candid all the way!
Michelle Pennington’s writing easily captured me. It didn’t take long for me to get completely absorbed by the whole story. Her writing was easy to read. Everything flowed nicely and even better, she had a new and fresh idea to go with her superb writing.
Pennington does an excellent job of portraying actual high school life. She had cliques, popularity, social hierarchy, and teenage drama all mixed into this book. It was all too realistic in the best possible way. It was so easy to relate to because I remember going through the exact same thing! The best part of this novel was Sophia, Sienna’s mom. I wanted to hate Sophia for her overprotectiveness for Sienna. She was just so strict! But the reason I couldn’t come to hate her or even dislike her, was the fact that it showed the depth of love she had for Sienna. She’s Sienna’s mother, so naturally she’ll be protective of her one and only daughter. Being an only child, raised by a single parent (a father no less) I understood Sophia’s reasoning for being so strict. Although it was extreme, even for me, it was expected. I liked how both Sienna and Sophia ended up handling it in a much better way. It was definitely one of my favorite parts of the novel, where I saw growth from both characters.
I really liked Sienna as the main character. I found her to be very relatable. She was a motivated and intelligent person. Sienna was savvy and tough. She doesn’t take any crap from anyone, but she’s still upfront and an ultimately kind person. Her passion for photography was immense, intense, and very consuming. The way she was in “the zone” while taking pictures was absolutely amazing. I’m no photography expert, but it was wonderful to see something like that, how Sienna could look at someone, find the best angle, best position for a photo. I felt that passion and love coming from Sienna. Although Sienna did cause some trouble for herself and for her classmates, she had good intentions and great things did come out of what she did. I was proud of Sienna throughout the whole book. Sienna was a wonderful character from the start of the book and she was even more so at the end.
My favorite part of this book was the budding romance between Sienna and Lee. What I love most about their relationship was the actual development of it. It was slow and perfect and there was no instant love. Sienna and Lee started off as friends and basically stayed friends (for specific reasons) but I felt their chemistry. Because of the circumstances they were in, they got to know each other well which allowed me to get to know them well. Their feelings for each other were real and they felt real and most importantly, they were believable. Their feelings for each other and their sort-of-relationship had a basis and a foundation that I find lacking in many novels. And I have to note that Lee was basically my dream boyfriend when I was high school. Not only was he handsome and athletic, but he was a respectful gentleman. He was definitely mature for his age and he was just an all around great person. What I loved most about him was his caring nature, his protectiveness towards Sienna and how he always looked out for her.
Overall, Candid was one enjoyable book. I was surprised at how much I came to love the book and care for the characters written within. I cannot wait for whatever Michelle Pennington has planned next for Sienna.
*Thanks to Michelle Pennington for sending me a copy for review and to my good friend Tiffany @ Escaping One Book at a Time for the recommendation :)
More Reviews on my blog: Words, Pages, and Books
Michelle Pennington’s writing easily captured me. It didn’t take long for me to get completely absorbed by the whole story. Her writing was easy to read. Everything flowed nicely and even better, she had a new and fresh idea to go with her superb writing.
Pennington does an excellent job of portraying actual high school life. She had cliques, popularity, social hierarchy, and teenage drama all mixed into this book. It was all too realistic in the best possible way. It was so easy to relate to because I remember going through the exact same thing! The best part of this novel was Sophia, Sienna’s mom. I wanted to hate Sophia for her overprotectiveness for Sienna. She was just so strict! But the reason I couldn’t come to hate her or even dislike her, was the fact that it showed the depth of love she had for Sienna. She’s Sienna’s mother, so naturally she’ll be protective of her one and only daughter. Being an only child, raised by a single parent (a father no less) I understood Sophia’s reasoning for being so strict. Although it was extreme, even for me, it was expected. I liked how both Sienna and Sophia ended up handling it in a much better way. It was definitely one of my favorite parts of the novel, where I saw growth from both characters.
I really liked Sienna as the main character. I found her to be very relatable. She was a motivated and intelligent person. Sienna was savvy and tough. She doesn’t take any crap from anyone, but she’s still upfront and an ultimately kind person. Her passion for photography was immense, intense, and very consuming. The way she was in “the zone” while taking pictures was absolutely amazing. I’m no photography expert, but it was wonderful to see something like that, how Sienna could look at someone, find the best angle, best position for a photo. I felt that passion and love coming from Sienna. Although Sienna did cause some trouble for herself and for her classmates, she had good intentions and great things did come out of what she did. I was proud of Sienna throughout the whole book. Sienna was a wonderful character from the start of the book and she was even more so at the end.
My favorite part of this book was the budding romance between Sienna and Lee. What I love most about their relationship was the actual development of it. It was slow and perfect and there was no instant love. Sienna and Lee started off as friends and basically stayed friends (for specific reasons) but I felt their chemistry. Because of the circumstances they were in, they got to know each other well which allowed me to get to know them well. Their feelings for each other were real and they felt real and most importantly, they were believable. Their feelings for each other and their sort-of-relationship had a basis and a foundation that I find lacking in many novels. And I have to note that Lee was basically my dream boyfriend when I was high school. Not only was he handsome and athletic, but he was a respectful gentleman. He was definitely mature for his age and he was just an all around great person. What I loved most about him was his caring nature, his protectiveness towards Sienna and how he always looked out for her.
Overall, Candid was one enjoyable book. I was surprised at how much I came to love the book and care for the characters written within. I cannot wait for whatever Michelle Pennington has planned next for Sienna.
*Thanks to Michelle Pennington for sending me a copy for review and to my good friend Tiffany @ Escaping One Book at a Time for the recommendation :)
More Reviews on my blog: Words, Pages, and Books
June 20, 2012
3.5 stars
Candid is a story about Sienna Whitfield; a high school student, who has a few close friends and she loves photography. She takes pictures for the school paper on a regular basis so she always has her camera handy. She loves taking pictures because she loves being able to capture a real image that speaks volumes. Sienna tries and makes the non-popular students popular with her pictures, so she can get back at the popular crowd for being mean to others students including herself. Sienna doesn’t realise the impact she can cause with just a few pictures but it’s a good job she has new boy, Lee Franklin to lean onto for support. But as her feelings for Lee start to turn into something more, she has to try and convince her mother her feelings are real, and that in itself is a job in itself. Can Sienna really change the rules at school with her pictures and can she and Lee overcome the obstacles their lives thrown at them?
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, sweet and likeable read that had a great premise with lovely characters. Sienna was a great role model especially with the morals that she believed in. She stands up for what she believes in and it’s a great quality to have. She always tried to do the right thing, if not by herself, then by her mother or her class mates. Sienna’s interest in photography was also very refreshing story to read about and she also loves blogging. It was nice to see this author step out of the box and write about little things like blogging that makes you, as a reader, feel more connected to the character. The only problem I had with Sienna was, I do think she got too carried away and became a little reckless; doing things and not thinking of the consequences first. It did start to annoy me a little because then she would then constantly worry about what she’d done. I just wanted her to think before she acted a little more. Now, I loved Lee, he was a great love interest; one with great qualities because he was very honest. He always tries to do the right thing by his parents and by Sienna, plus he was very swoon-worthy, so that’s an automatic win. And Sienna’s mother, she was a hard character to like in my opinion. She rules Sienna with the mistakes she made for herself; having a baby at a young age that she almost stops Sienna living her life to the fullest and trusting her. I was glad to see Sienna stand up for her though.
Overall, Michelle Pennington did a fantastic job creating a lovable romance story and creating that perfect blend of excitement to make Candid a good contemporary read. I’ll definitely look forward to more work from this author in the near future.
Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book.
Candid is a story about Sienna Whitfield; a high school student, who has a few close friends and she loves photography. She takes pictures for the school paper on a regular basis so she always has her camera handy. She loves taking pictures because she loves being able to capture a real image that speaks volumes. Sienna tries and makes the non-popular students popular with her pictures, so she can get back at the popular crowd for being mean to others students including herself. Sienna doesn’t realise the impact she can cause with just a few pictures but it’s a good job she has new boy, Lee Franklin to lean onto for support. But as her feelings for Lee start to turn into something more, she has to try and convince her mother her feelings are real, and that in itself is a job in itself. Can Sienna really change the rules at school with her pictures and can she and Lee overcome the obstacles their lives thrown at them?
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, sweet and likeable read that had a great premise with lovely characters. Sienna was a great role model especially with the morals that she believed in. She stands up for what she believes in and it’s a great quality to have. She always tried to do the right thing, if not by herself, then by her mother or her class mates. Sienna’s interest in photography was also very refreshing story to read about and she also loves blogging. It was nice to see this author step out of the box and write about little things like blogging that makes you, as a reader, feel more connected to the character. The only problem I had with Sienna was, I do think she got too carried away and became a little reckless; doing things and not thinking of the consequences first. It did start to annoy me a little because then she would then constantly worry about what she’d done. I just wanted her to think before she acted a little more. Now, I loved Lee, he was a great love interest; one with great qualities because he was very honest. He always tries to do the right thing by his parents and by Sienna, plus he was very swoon-worthy, so that’s an automatic win. And Sienna’s mother, she was a hard character to like in my opinion. She rules Sienna with the mistakes she made for herself; having a baby at a young age that she almost stops Sienna living her life to the fullest and trusting her. I was glad to see Sienna stand up for her though.
Overall, Michelle Pennington did a fantastic job creating a lovable romance story and creating that perfect blend of excitement to make Candid a good contemporary read. I’ll definitely look forward to more work from this author in the near future.
Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to review this book.
July 25, 2012
We’re always told not to judge people by outer appearance, but really, as a teenager it’s kind of hard to listen to that and really get it. Candid runs with this idea, but shows that there are people out there who think otherwise.
Taking place in a high school setting, Sienna is a girl who actually has a pretty good head on her shoulders and sees that there’s more to school than popularity. However, she decides it’s time to change perceptions of people and shake things up a little through the use of photography.
I loved the process Pennington took to show how easy it is to quickly change a perception because it’s so true, people are fickle sometimes…Especially in high school. However, I was always somewhat conflicted because Sienna tended to look down in a way at the popular “pretty people” crowd and I didn’t always understand why she’d want to put people in that type of spot. It’s said multiple times that being popular wasn’t as great as it looked, so I had a hard time rooting to have her character get her way. I also had a problem really liking her, but it’s hard to put my finger on why I couldn’t. I think a main issue for me was that she was strong mentally on social issues, but she still had “girly” concerns about the way she looked and usual hangups. However, after considering the characters for a while I see that Michelle Pennington wrote characters that were realistically flawed.
The subplot of her relationship with the character Lee was definitely a plus point. Sienna’s mother was kind of crazy, but I did get that she loved her daughter. Though towards the end it seemed that her mom’s rules were definitely just making them want to be together more. I really felt that Lee and Sienna had a deeper understanding of one another. They were all kinds of adorable and you wanted them to be together to have their moment. My only quip with their relationship was that I wished there was a little more development. They were sweet, but I felt like they needed a bit more of a spark between them.
Michelle Pennington writes a cute read for a first in the True Images series. Though there are some development issues, her characters were written well and likable for the most part. I hope future books down the road make the mother less archaic, and we get to see more of a relationship between our main characters. Though characters at times rubbed me the wrong way, it’s more of an issue of personal preference of female characterization. If you’re looking for a quick fluffy read with a predictable yet likable plot, Candid is a good choice. Thanks to the author for providing me a copy for review!
Soundtrack:
It’s Gonna Be Love – Mandy Moore
Met This Girl – McFly
Outside Looking In – Jordan Pruitt
Playing God – Paramore
Taking place in a high school setting, Sienna is a girl who actually has a pretty good head on her shoulders and sees that there’s more to school than popularity. However, she decides it’s time to change perceptions of people and shake things up a little through the use of photography.
I loved the process Pennington took to show how easy it is to quickly change a perception because it’s so true, people are fickle sometimes…Especially in high school. However, I was always somewhat conflicted because Sienna tended to look down in a way at the popular “pretty people” crowd and I didn’t always understand why she’d want to put people in that type of spot. It’s said multiple times that being popular wasn’t as great as it looked, so I had a hard time rooting to have her character get her way. I also had a problem really liking her, but it’s hard to put my finger on why I couldn’t. I think a main issue for me was that she was strong mentally on social issues, but she still had “girly” concerns about the way she looked and usual hangups. However, after considering the characters for a while I see that Michelle Pennington wrote characters that were realistically flawed.
The subplot of her relationship with the character Lee was definitely a plus point. Sienna’s mother was kind of crazy, but I did get that she loved her daughter. Though towards the end it seemed that her mom’s rules were definitely just making them want to be together more. I really felt that Lee and Sienna had a deeper understanding of one another. They were all kinds of adorable and you wanted them to be together to have their moment. My only quip with their relationship was that I wished there was a little more development. They were sweet, but I felt like they needed a bit more of a spark between them.
Michelle Pennington writes a cute read for a first in the True Images series. Though there are some development issues, her characters were written well and likable for the most part. I hope future books down the road make the mother less archaic, and we get to see more of a relationship between our main characters. Though characters at times rubbed me the wrong way, it’s more of an issue of personal preference of female characterization. If you’re looking for a quick fluffy read with a predictable yet likable plot, Candid is a good choice. Thanks to the author for providing me a copy for review!
Soundtrack:
It’s Gonna Be Love – Mandy Moore
Met This Girl – McFly
Outside Looking In – Jordan Pruitt
Playing God – Paramore
July 6, 2012
What a well-written contemporary young adult novel! I really enjoyed Candid. I was intrigued by the summary, especially this part:
"she decides to use the power of photography to right a few social wrongs."
I would have loved to have the gumption and means to do that during high school. I was not one of the popular kids...I was in Advanced Placement classes and the band (guess that makes me a nerd), although I was also a twirler so that helped balance things out. However, I was very, very far from the group of popular students. And, freshman year, I was a target for a group of popular kids in my biology class. I'll never forget what being bullied and taunted felt like.
So, I totally understood Sienna's frustration with the 'mean girls.' For no apparent reason, the most popular girl in school, Jordan, decides to start making fun of Jordan. Instead of just sitting back and taking the abuse, Jordan decides to fight back. She takes photos at school events, namely football games, for the school paper and yearbook committee. Sienna constantly has her camera with her. She starts posting some attention-worthy pictures, snapped candidly, on her blog. These pictures place the popular kids in a new light, not a favorable light like they expect. Soon, word about Sienna's blog gets out, and Sienna's influence brings some students into popularity, and takes others, like Jordan, down a few notches.
In the midst of all of this, Sienna starts a friendship and then something more with the new guy at school, Lee. Only problem is, one, she's not allowed to date, and two, Jordan wants Lee for herself.
There were a lot of things I really liked about Candid. I liked the premise, and Sienna's strength of character. I liked how she stood up for herself. I loved the tension between Sienna and Lee. Things as simple as walking to class together and holding hands were thrilling for them, and the emotions were very sweetly written. That falling-in-love feeling really took me back to my teen years. I thought the way Sienna's mother's past was written into the story was very well-handled and the conflict and eventual resolution between Sienna and her mother was a great addition to the story.
I had two problems with Candid. The ending felt pretty abrupt to me, and the events at the end of the book were too predictable. I would have liked a little more of a surprise. Sienna was brave but sometimes just too trusting and impulsive. I would have liked to see more foresight from her with regards to her social experiment.
Other than that, I really enjoyed Candid. It's a fun, fast read. I will definitely be reading the next book in the True Images series!
"she decides to use the power of photography to right a few social wrongs."
I would have loved to have the gumption and means to do that during high school. I was not one of the popular kids...I was in Advanced Placement classes and the band (guess that makes me a nerd), although I was also a twirler so that helped balance things out. However, I was very, very far from the group of popular students. And, freshman year, I was a target for a group of popular kids in my biology class. I'll never forget what being bullied and taunted felt like.
So, I totally understood Sienna's frustration with the 'mean girls.' For no apparent reason, the most popular girl in school, Jordan, decides to start making fun of Jordan. Instead of just sitting back and taking the abuse, Jordan decides to fight back. She takes photos at school events, namely football games, for the school paper and yearbook committee. Sienna constantly has her camera with her. She starts posting some attention-worthy pictures, snapped candidly, on her blog. These pictures place the popular kids in a new light, not a favorable light like they expect. Soon, word about Sienna's blog gets out, and Sienna's influence brings some students into popularity, and takes others, like Jordan, down a few notches.
In the midst of all of this, Sienna starts a friendship and then something more with the new guy at school, Lee. Only problem is, one, she's not allowed to date, and two, Jordan wants Lee for herself.
There were a lot of things I really liked about Candid. I liked the premise, and Sienna's strength of character. I liked how she stood up for herself. I loved the tension between Sienna and Lee. Things as simple as walking to class together and holding hands were thrilling for them, and the emotions were very sweetly written. That falling-in-love feeling really took me back to my teen years. I thought the way Sienna's mother's past was written into the story was very well-handled and the conflict and eventual resolution between Sienna and her mother was a great addition to the story.
I had two problems with Candid. The ending felt pretty abrupt to me, and the events at the end of the book were too predictable. I would have liked a little more of a surprise. Sienna was brave but sometimes just too trusting and impulsive. I would have liked to see more foresight from her with regards to her social experiment.
Other than that, I really enjoyed Candid. It's a fun, fast read. I will definitely be reading the next book in the True Images series!
August 1, 2013
This being a debut novel that didn't have any reviews going in, I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into. Turns out, I was actually pleasantly surprised. :) I began Candid late one night and stayed up a few hours to read it all the way through...cause I just couldn't seem to put it down. Sienna is your typical girl-next-door senior, easily getting by the social war zone of high school by staying under the radar. But when she takes the job to photograph the football team's home games, trouble stirs up between her and the queen bee of the school, little miss cheerleading captain Jordan. So...Sienna decides it's time to kick the bee's nest and see if she can use her photography blog's newfound popularity to change the perception the student body has on a couple of people. And no, I don't mean finding the most humiliating pictures and poking fun, but spotlighting the kinder people that hang with the popular crowd. Dethroning the queen...who hasn't wanted to do that at one point in their lives?
As much fun as it is to watch the popular crowd squirm, what I really loved about this novel was the growing attraction between Sienna and Lee, the new hottie in school that seemed to have his eyes solely on Sienna, much to the popular crowd's dismay. Only problem was, her mom didn't allow her to date, cause for some reason (ie. mommy's past hormonal mistakes) all teenagers are horny, can't control their urges, are doomed to throw themselves at one another and pop out a kid. Yeah...um...I didn't have that problem in high school Did you? Unfortunately for Sienna, her mom doesn't listen to reason, or believe her when she says that she and Lee aren't looking to jump into that any time soon. She tries to respect her mom's wishes, cause she before Lee, she actually agreed dating in high school and getting emotionally attached to a guy wasn't worth risking the future she had planned out. But now that she's met Lee...well that kind of thinking was just plain silly!
All in all, really cute book. Guess it was since I couldn't put it down. And any book that can keep me up late cause I absolutely want to know NOW what's going to happen, gets five stars in my book.
Novel provided by author for honest review.
As much fun as it is to watch the popular crowd squirm, what I really loved about this novel was the growing attraction between Sienna and Lee, the new hottie in school that seemed to have his eyes solely on Sienna, much to the popular crowd's dismay. Only problem was, her mom didn't allow her to date, cause for some reason (ie. mommy's past hormonal mistakes) all teenagers are horny, can't control their urges, are doomed to throw themselves at one another and pop out a kid. Yeah...um...I didn't have that problem in high school Did you? Unfortunately for Sienna, her mom doesn't listen to reason, or believe her when she says that she and Lee aren't looking to jump into that any time soon. She tries to respect her mom's wishes, cause she before Lee, she actually agreed dating in high school and getting emotionally attached to a guy wasn't worth risking the future she had planned out. But now that she's met Lee...well that kind of thinking was just plain silly!
All in all, really cute book. Guess it was since I couldn't put it down. And any book that can keep me up late cause I absolutely want to know NOW what's going to happen, gets five stars in my book.
Novel provided by author for honest review.
August 26, 2012
Sienna is a normal high school student, just beginning her job for the school taking pictures of the sports teams at school. Her mother is pretty strict on her dating in high school, and just so happens to be a teacher at her school. Every part of Sienna's life is looked at for approval by her mother. But when Lee, a new student at school shows up her world is turned upside down.
Sienna runs a photography blog, in which she posts pictures from her daily life at school and sometimes of the sports teams. After posting some attractive photos of some of the sports students at school her blog gets really popular fast. And in my opinion she kind of lets that go to her head. She says that she is using it for good,to help the lesser known students at school get some attention.
There were a couple of things that I didn't love about the story. The relationship between Sienna and her mother was hard, but understandable. The relationship Sienna had with her blog was a little overwhelming to the story, but still understandable for me who also runs a blog.
The thing that did not feel balanced was Sienna's relationship with Lee. It was very one sided and I could not see what Lee saw in her. He was of course the hottest guy in school. None of Sienna's friends tried to hit on him, even when she pretended not to have any interest (unbelievable) And even after finishing the story I feel that I never really got to learn much about him or why he was so intended on only being with Sienna, even when Sienna was being selfish and uncaring. When trying to get into Sienna's head to see why exactly she felt that way, I couldn't quite see where she was coming from, I felt a little detached emotionally from Sienna's and Lee's "romance"
I think that the story has more to say about the relationship between Sienna and her mother, than the high school sweet-heart Lee. The evolution for the reader learning about why Sienna's mother was so hard on her. And how Sienna had to learn to build trust and freedom from her mother seemed to be more of the basic focus of the plot to the story, using Lee as a guidance to build up the emotions between Sienna and her mother more than it built upon the story of Lee and Sienna.
Sienna runs a photography blog, in which she posts pictures from her daily life at school and sometimes of the sports teams. After posting some attractive photos of some of the sports students at school her blog gets really popular fast. And in my opinion she kind of lets that go to her head. She says that she is using it for good,to help the lesser known students at school get some attention.
There were a couple of things that I didn't love about the story. The relationship between Sienna and her mother was hard, but understandable. The relationship Sienna had with her blog was a little overwhelming to the story, but still understandable for me who also runs a blog.
The thing that did not feel balanced was Sienna's relationship with Lee. It was very one sided and I could not see what Lee saw in her. He was of course the hottest guy in school. None of Sienna's friends tried to hit on him, even when she pretended not to have any interest (unbelievable) And even after finishing the story I feel that I never really got to learn much about him or why he was so intended on only being with Sienna, even when Sienna was being selfish and uncaring. When trying to get into Sienna's head to see why exactly she felt that way, I couldn't quite see where she was coming from, I felt a little detached emotionally from Sienna's and Lee's "romance"
I think that the story has more to say about the relationship between Sienna and her mother, than the high school sweet-heart Lee. The evolution for the reader learning about why Sienna's mother was so hard on her. And how Sienna had to learn to build trust and freedom from her mother seemed to be more of the basic focus of the plot to the story, using Lee as a guidance to build up the emotions between Sienna and her mother more than it built upon the story of Lee and Sienna.
November 1, 2012
www.bookstoconsider.blogspot.com
A great start to a promising contemporary series. Michelle writes realistically enough and you have the feeling that this could happen to you too! Certainly there was more than enough drama to keep readers hooked throughout the novel. Personally I'm not a big fan of contemporary novels but I devoured this novel in 3 hours!
The Plot: The story takes place in a typical high school and the drama is that usual popular vs the not popular crowd. But it wasn't in any way boring. Pennington adds a lot of great aspects like the photography (which I completely enjoyed!) and the really strict mother. I also enjoyed that even though there was a bit of insta-love, it didn't feel that way and I could enjoy the building of the relationship. The biggest obstacle being the strict mother, the relationship only blooms late in the novel. It was a refreshing idea, even though if it were happening to me, I'd be really mad with my mother! Great atmosphere and attention-grabbing plot with lots of juicy drama!
The Characters: I really loved the characters in this novel. The main character Sienna was amazing! I really enjoyed the change in her, becoming more fearless and self-assured. Furthermore she was a photographer and I really enjoyed the precise informations in the novel regarding photography. Lee was a bit too perfect for me, really, no flaws?! Marisol, the best friend, was really funny and I was really hoping she would play a bigger role and that her relationship with Will would be a bit on the spotlight, but no such luck. Nonetheless the characters were really great.
Candid is a great contemporary novel that you shouldn't miss. The second installment to this series has been released in September; however it doesn't focus on Sienna. I can't believe it took me such a long time to start reading Candid, I loved it!
A great start to a promising contemporary series. Michelle writes realistically enough and you have the feeling that this could happen to you too! Certainly there was more than enough drama to keep readers hooked throughout the novel. Personally I'm not a big fan of contemporary novels but I devoured this novel in 3 hours!
The Plot: The story takes place in a typical high school and the drama is that usual popular vs the not popular crowd. But it wasn't in any way boring. Pennington adds a lot of great aspects like the photography (which I completely enjoyed!) and the really strict mother. I also enjoyed that even though there was a bit of insta-love, it didn't feel that way and I could enjoy the building of the relationship. The biggest obstacle being the strict mother, the relationship only blooms late in the novel. It was a refreshing idea, even though if it were happening to me, I'd be really mad with my mother! Great atmosphere and attention-grabbing plot with lots of juicy drama!
The Characters: I really loved the characters in this novel. The main character Sienna was amazing! I really enjoyed the change in her, becoming more fearless and self-assured. Furthermore she was a photographer and I really enjoyed the precise informations in the novel regarding photography. Lee was a bit too perfect for me, really, no flaws?! Marisol, the best friend, was really funny and I was really hoping she would play a bigger role and that her relationship with Will would be a bit on the spotlight, but no such luck. Nonetheless the characters were really great.
Candid is a great contemporary novel that you shouldn't miss. The second installment to this series has been released in September; however it doesn't focus on Sienna. I can't believe it took me such a long time to start reading Candid, I loved it!
April 24, 2013
Ah, high school life again. Although this book utilizes the time-honored cliche of pretty-but-extremely-mean cheerleaders, there was hope! Unfortunately I felt that the story relied too heavily on typical high school stereotypes, which left me a bit disappointed. I don't disagree that there are stereotypes (and much truth to them), I just think that the lines aren't so clear. Anyhow, there were a few editing errors (Alyssa/Allysa, missing periods, missing/extra/weird quotation marks) but they didn't disrupt the story too much.
Overall the story was interesting, especially for the YA audience. I think the portrayal of Sienna and her mom's relationship was mostly realistic. There was a fair amount of PG romance, a few humorous moments, and some great friendship moments. Mostly, though, this is simply a glimpse of life as a teenaged girl, trying to get through her senior year...while attempting to discredit your predictable head-cheerleader-that's-used-to-getting-her-way-for-everything. I'm not sure that there was much character growth in Sienna, though I do think she is fairly believable as a high school student/teen. I thought the terminology used throughout the book (photography and sports) was great, and I especially liked that Sienna works a part time job (like I did!). Lastly, I'm not sure that I believe Lee could be a real person - he was just so darn perfect: physically, emotionally, and mentally. There was one part of the book that made me believe he could be real, but the rest of the time? Too perfect!
I suppose what I'm missing the most is an epilogue type chapter, just to let us know what happens next - or maybe that's just a sign that I liked the book more than I thought? That the characters were that interesting? That the climax wasn't that climax-y? That the falling action was too short? Perhaps i just want senior year to be done with! Lee ask her to prom already! ;)
Overall the story was interesting, especially for the YA audience. I think the portrayal of Sienna and her mom's relationship was mostly realistic. There was a fair amount of PG romance, a few humorous moments, and some great friendship moments. Mostly, though, this is simply a glimpse of life as a teenaged girl, trying to get through her senior year...while attempting to discredit your predictable head-cheerleader-that's-used-to-getting-her-way-for-everything. I'm not sure that there was much character growth in Sienna, though I do think she is fairly believable as a high school student/teen. I thought the terminology used throughout the book (photography and sports) was great, and I especially liked that Sienna works a part time job (like I did!). Lastly, I'm not sure that I believe Lee could be a real person - he was just so darn perfect: physically, emotionally, and mentally. There was one part of the book that made me believe he could be real, but the rest of the time? Too perfect!
I suppose what I'm missing the most is an epilogue type chapter, just to let us know what happens next - or maybe that's just a sign that I liked the book more than I thought? That the characters were that interesting? That the climax wasn't that climax-y? That the falling action was too short? Perhaps i just want senior year to be done with! Lee ask her to prom already! ;)
June 20, 2012
So happy that Michelle Pennington asked me to take a look at her book, Candid. One of the best things about the book blogging world is meeting new authors and discovering new books you might not otherwise have had a chance to pick up. You can catch my interview with Michelle and also enter the giveaway (ends 7/3/12)by heading here:
http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.bl...
Sienna is in the middle of full blown high school drama. It really took me back to the days. (and honestly made me so glad I wasn't there anymore!) Sienna is a photographer and a blogger, two very awesome things. She is also a kind girl (mostly) who tries hard to please her teachers and mother. I enjoyed watching Sienna grow outside of herself to include others. She took a journey to self awareness and it was fun to watch.
So, honestly, the whole situation between Sienna and her mother was entirely frustrating to me. I think that is saying something because I myself am a mother of both a teenage son and a teenage daughter. My protective mother instincts often surface and I have to tamp them down to some degree, knowing that my kids need to make their own decisions. I'm always hoping and praying that they remember the things we've taught them and make good decisions. Sienna's mother is totally NOT like this. She is controlling and yes, I think a bit crazy. Good thing I had the chance to ask the author a bit about this. (see interview below)
I really enjoyed reading Candid. It was well done and had me invested in the story and characters. I read it in warp speed, I think. My teenage daughter will enjoy reading it too. We are both hopeless romantics and if you want a knight in shining armor, it would have to be Lee. He is seriously the sweetest hunk of Haskins High.
http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.bl...
Sienna is in the middle of full blown high school drama. It really took me back to the days. (and honestly made me so glad I wasn't there anymore!) Sienna is a photographer and a blogger, two very awesome things. She is also a kind girl (mostly) who tries hard to please her teachers and mother. I enjoyed watching Sienna grow outside of herself to include others. She took a journey to self awareness and it was fun to watch.
So, honestly, the whole situation between Sienna and her mother was entirely frustrating to me. I think that is saying something because I myself am a mother of both a teenage son and a teenage daughter. My protective mother instincts often surface and I have to tamp them down to some degree, knowing that my kids need to make their own decisions. I'm always hoping and praying that they remember the things we've taught them and make good decisions. Sienna's mother is totally NOT like this. She is controlling and yes, I think a bit crazy. Good thing I had the chance to ask the author a bit about this. (see interview below)
I really enjoyed reading Candid. It was well done and had me invested in the story and characters. I read it in warp speed, I think. My teenage daughter will enjoy reading it too. We are both hopeless romantics and if you want a knight in shining armor, it would have to be Lee. He is seriously the sweetest hunk of Haskins High.
October 26, 2012
Were you the Book Worm, the Jock, the Cheerleader or on the Yearbook staff in high school? No matter which you were, reading this book will take you back to your time in high school. It's been twelve years but this story made me feel like it was just yesterday. The "in crowd" was never accepting of those who were not a part of their circle and would often target the unpopular students to make their lives miserable. Back then, we didn't express ourselves through blogs, Facebook, etc ... If we didn't like someone we just spread rumors about them and ruined their lives the good old fashioned way. Now it's all out there on the Internet ... you can realistically make the less popular football player more popular overnight with the right photo and a little photoshop magic. There is nothing supernatural about this story and that is what made it real! Just when I thought I could start predicting the outcome of Sienna's actions, the author kept me on my toes and that is what made this a very enjoyable read!
The story was very well written with Sienna's clever use of causing trouble at school with a DSLR Camera and her blog. Like it or not, that's how the world works today. Students in high school take their frustration out on others through social media and sometimes that misuse comes back to bite them in the behind. That is what made this story genuinely relatable. While reading, I kept thinking of people I went to high school with that were like the characters portrayed in the story. Michelle Pennington made me glad I didn't grow up in this age of cyber bullies and social media. I recommend this book to parents who might need a reminder of how the world works today in schools and how it differs greatly from how we grew up.
The story was very well written with Sienna's clever use of causing trouble at school with a DSLR Camera and her blog. Like it or not, that's how the world works today. Students in high school take their frustration out on others through social media and sometimes that misuse comes back to bite them in the behind. That is what made this story genuinely relatable. While reading, I kept thinking of people I went to high school with that were like the characters portrayed in the story. Michelle Pennington made me glad I didn't grow up in this age of cyber bullies and social media. I recommend this book to parents who might need a reminder of how the world works today in schools and how it differs greatly from how we grew up.
May 19, 2021
3.5 ⭐
May 22, 2012
Can a simple photography blog change old perceptions? High School..... ugh, not my favorite phase of life :) The hierarchy is enough to give anyone a headache, right? That's part of what makes Candid an interesting read.... that and the complicated dating life, or lack thereof, of Sienna Whitfield.
Candid is set in a normal modern day high school; Where cheerleaders are at the top of the social ladder and average students often go unnoticed. Sienna is one of the average students, and she's happy that way. She has a few close friends, and photography is her passion. She's very focused and has a stable life, and is comfortable with who she is. Her mother's "no dating until you graduate" rule is a bit archaic, but she takes it in stride. She is the type of person that I think all teen girls should strive to be.... themselves! Lee is not your typical jock, it's nice to see a guy with old-fashioned values. Throughout this book both characters grow and mature, they begin to explore (and question) their boundaries... both personally and as a potential couple.
Overall I enjoyed this read; sometimes the photography side and the relationship side came off as independent stories... which was the only thing that poked me about this story. I love how the characters are developed though, I think that the author captured high school and teen life perfectly. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy YA contemporary romance, and those who love popular guy/normal girl couplings.
Candid is set in a normal modern day high school; Where cheerleaders are at the top of the social ladder and average students often go unnoticed. Sienna is one of the average students, and she's happy that way. She has a few close friends, and photography is her passion. She's very focused and has a stable life, and is comfortable with who she is. Her mother's "no dating until you graduate" rule is a bit archaic, but she takes it in stride. She is the type of person that I think all teen girls should strive to be.... themselves! Lee is not your typical jock, it's nice to see a guy with old-fashioned values. Throughout this book both characters grow and mature, they begin to explore (and question) their boundaries... both personally and as a potential couple.
Overall I enjoyed this read; sometimes the photography side and the relationship side came off as independent stories... which was the only thing that poked me about this story. I love how the characters are developed though, I think that the author captured high school and teen life perfectly. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy YA contemporary romance, and those who love popular guy/normal girl couplings.
May 2, 2016
In Haskins, Oklahoma, nothing was more important than football. Unless you're high school senior Sienna Whitfield - to Sienna, nothing was more important than photography. She uses her gift for photography to right some social wrongs at her school. She discovers the power of a great picture, but unfortunately she can't foresee the negative consequences that can come from the extra attention she generates for herself and her photography subjects. She helps some people, but she also makes a few enemies along the way.
I loved Sienna because she has a great heart, she's a great friend, she's passionate about her photography and about helping people, and at her core she's just a high school girl with insecurities who is trying to figure it all out without messing up too badly.
Lee Franklin is the new kid in town. Sienna has never felt the attraction to a guy that she feels for Lee. I love all the attention he pays her and how long it takes for her to figure out that he really does like her. He balances out her tendency to get into trouble and he fiercely protects her (and with all the trouble she's stirring up, she needs a fierce protector!).
I liked the secondary characters in this book - Sienna has some great friends that have her back. Mr. Greeley is a great mentor... I thought her mom was a bit crazy and way too protective. I liked this first book so much that I went straight to the second book and read it, too! I will definitely be reading more by this author!
Content: Clean
Source: Review copy (opinion is 100% my own)
I loved Sienna because she has a great heart, she's a great friend, she's passionate about her photography and about helping people, and at her core she's just a high school girl with insecurities who is trying to figure it all out without messing up too badly.
Lee Franklin is the new kid in town. Sienna has never felt the attraction to a guy that she feels for Lee. I love all the attention he pays her and how long it takes for her to figure out that he really does like her. He balances out her tendency to get into trouble and he fiercely protects her (and with all the trouble she's stirring up, she needs a fierce protector!).
I liked the secondary characters in this book - Sienna has some great friends that have her back. Mr. Greeley is a great mentor... I thought her mom was a bit crazy and way too protective. I liked this first book so much that I went straight to the second book and read it, too! I will definitely be reading more by this author!
Content: Clean
Source: Review copy (opinion is 100% my own)
May 21, 2012
3.5 Stars
I'm not too sure what to say about this book. On one hand, I loved it - it was refreshing to see the book told in the viewpoint of a photographer. Being the sibling of a photographer, I (sort of) related with the photography related things Sienna thought/talked about. In addition, the romance between Lee and Sienna was cute, and I did enjoy it. The supporting characters were also likeable, and the plot was unique and quirky (but predictable).
My problems are relatively minor, but still bug me. One is Sienna's solution to "get back" at Jordan. She . I found her method to be a little shallow and ridiculous, and a little mean. However, in the end, . My other problem was with Lee's relationship with Sienna. Yes, they are cute together. Yes, I enjoyed the romance. However, the start of their relationship seemed so simple and easy, I wasn't really sure about it. Hopefully, it will develop in Focused, the sequel.
Overall, if you're interested in photography, on the yearbook staff/a journalist, or looking for a short, romance-y read, try Candid, because it's short and sweet c:
I'm not too sure what to say about this book. On one hand, I loved it - it was refreshing to see the book told in the viewpoint of a photographer. Being the sibling of a photographer, I (sort of) related with the photography related things Sienna thought/talked about. In addition, the romance between Lee and Sienna was cute, and I did enjoy it. The supporting characters were also likeable, and the plot was unique and quirky (but predictable).
My problems are relatively minor, but still bug me. One is Sienna's solution to "get back" at Jordan. She . I found her method to be a little shallow and ridiculous, and a little mean. However, in the end, . My other problem was with Lee's relationship with Sienna. Yes, they are cute together. Yes, I enjoyed the romance. However, the start of their relationship seemed so simple and easy, I wasn't really sure about it. Hopefully, it will develop in Focused, the sequel.
Overall, if you're interested in photography, on the yearbook staff/a journalist, or looking for a short, romance-y read, try Candid, because it's short and sweet c:
July 26, 2012
Candid was a great high school romance with a hint of forbidden love and revenge!
I loved the concept of using photography to stir up the social ladder pot a bit! In the book Sienna took pictures to expose the unnoticed that deserved to be popular and expose the popular that deserved to be social outcastes. When she does this she finds how much power she has with her photography and how much danger she can get herself into for stirring up all this drama. I thought the common "don't stick to the status quo" high school theme was portrayed nicely in Candid and I really loved the different take Michelle Pennington brought to it!
Now I gotta talk about Lee...you know I always got to give my take on the Hottie of each book. Let me tell you Michelle Pennington can write some hotness! I loved Lee! He's a great guy from the beginning and the second you see him all you can do is Swoooon. He's protective, patient, and freakin' cute! Really, he has it all!
Sienna was pretty awesome herself. She is a photography nerd that typically doesn't care what people think of her t-shirt and jean wardrobe. She grew as a character a lot in Candid and I'm very interested to see how she continues to grow in Focused.
I recommend Candid to anyone who likes a sweet high school romance with some bumps in the road. I can't wait for Focused!
I loved the concept of using photography to stir up the social ladder pot a bit! In the book Sienna took pictures to expose the unnoticed that deserved to be popular and expose the popular that deserved to be social outcastes. When she does this she finds how much power she has with her photography and how much danger she can get herself into for stirring up all this drama. I thought the common "don't stick to the status quo" high school theme was portrayed nicely in Candid and I really loved the different take Michelle Pennington brought to it!
Now I gotta talk about Lee...you know I always got to give my take on the Hottie of each book. Let me tell you Michelle Pennington can write some hotness! I loved Lee! He's a great guy from the beginning and the second you see him all you can do is Swoooon. He's protective, patient, and freakin' cute! Really, he has it all!
Sienna was pretty awesome herself. She is a photography nerd that typically doesn't care what people think of her t-shirt and jean wardrobe. She grew as a character a lot in Candid and I'm very interested to see how she continues to grow in Focused.
I recommend Candid to anyone who likes a sweet high school romance with some bumps in the road. I can't wait for Focused!
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