On Location

Secrets of My Hollywood Life #2

by Jen Calonita

It seems like the summer of dreams come true for Hollywood princess Kaitlin the media loves her (again), super-cute and funny Austin Meyers is finally her boyfriend, and she's starring in a movie by her all-time favorite director Hutch Adams. What could be sweeter? But life on set is not as perfect as the makeup and costumes. And with an old love and a scheming new publicist on the scene, it's about to get a whole lot messier.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Teen

228 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Hi Goodreads!
I'm Jen Calonita, a MG and YA author who loves what I do because it lets me connect with all of you (and no, I wasn't intending for that to rhyme!).

I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it was fourth grade when I put my "three wishes" for a genie down on paper. They were:
#1. Buy all the Cabbage Patch Kids in the world and give them away for free (because apparently that was how I rolled).
#2. I wanted a mansion, limo, lake house, pool and speed boat (still sounds quite nice).
#3. I wanted to be an author for young readers, which I am!

I love writing novels for teens (and for savvy grown ups who know that YA rocks at any age). My first series was "Secrets of My Hollywood Life" and it followed a teen star named Kaitlin Burke who struggled with the fame game. I have also written the stand-alone novels Sleepaway Girls, it's companion book, Summer State of Mind and the Belles series.

I've been writing middle grade too and am having so much fun with my series Fairy Tale Reform School! The fourth book in this series about a school run by former villains is called Tricked and will be out March 2018. Ever wonder what it would be like if your parents got a job with someone like Taylpr Swift? My other middle grade series, VIP, follows super fan Mackenzie Lowell as she tours with her favorite band, Perfect Storm.

I promise to give book updates here, and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or my website. I hope I hear from you!

xo
Jen

Reviews

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kaitlyn Burke is about to film a movie during her break from the night time soap she's on and has her great new boyfriend, when things start going awry. For one thing, her ex-boyfriend (a jerk) is her co-star and, lo and behold, her nemesis from her show, Sky, is going to be in it as well. Add a controlling film publicist, and pretty soon the tabloids are buzzing with all kinds of tall tales and things are very stressful. This is light-hearted y/a, but I do wish the author didn't have her parents use all of those annoying nicknames for her.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series by Jen Calonita. The reader catches up with Kaitlin right before she begins her movie shoot. She is dating Austin and attempting to learn her lines while waiting for filming to begin. However, nothing ever seems to run smoothly in Kaitlin's life. She goes to an emergency meeting and finds out that there is a new studio publicist and co-star for her beloved Hutch Adams project. Can you guess who that co-star is? Of course, it's Sky. So, now Kaitlin has to deal with her ex-boyfriend (the one that broke her heart and used her to get to the top), Sky, and the crazy new publicist. The stress mounts up once again, and Kaitlin has to find a way to calm herself down and go through the movie. You know what else is bad, Hutch is horrible on set. He yells at everyone. Kaitlin's dream job is just not what she had hoped for. Can she make it through all of this drama? Can her relationship with Austin survive her working with her ex-boyfriend (who seems a little too close when the cameras around)? Also, how is Kaitlin going to deal with all of the bad press that comes with the look of dating two boys at once?

I love these books, so I can't give a review without first putting that bias out there. I read these out of order, so at the moment I am catching up. On location gives the reader an idea of what a real movie set ends up being like. It's not as glamorous as we might hope. However, I'm more interested in the soap opera like stories that seem to suck me in. The drama that goes between her and Sky and the undermining things that go into the press are just like reading the tabloids in the grocery store. They are addicting even though you know it is fake.

Austin is just the cutest boy ever and he is perfect for our sweet, naive Kaitlin. He reminds me of a couple of my students. They want to give advice even when they have no idea what they are talking about. They also have a tendency to believe that teenagers should be in complete control of their own lives (famous, or not). Perhaps that is just a teenage trait in general, but it is endearing to me. I can't wait to continue this series and I hope that you will join me in reading them.

[Tangueray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollywood. have you ever thought of how stars really act under the pure pressures, the paparazzi, how they really act with co-stars, the stress, drama, love, hate, etc?

In the Novel Secrets Of My Hollywood Life On Location, Jen Calonita talks about the life of an actress named Kaitlin Burke who has to deal with a lot of problems involving the fame and glamour of being famous. She also falls in love with a normal boy named Austin Meyers and has to balance both her relationship and career. Not to mentions she has to make a good impression on Austin's parents. All while her ex-boyfriend and enemy Daniella trys to destroy her role in the Hutch Adams movie; which could either end or help her career. For instants when Kaitlin shows up to a hollywood party for the first time with her non famous boyfriend Austin, the paparazzi would not leave them alone. Soon Kaitlin's ex Drew tries to steal her away from Austin so he can once again use her for the publicity. Before she could leave the paparazzi has already caught them and put the picture as the new hot topic for latest couples.

Jen Calonita writes in Kaitlin's point of view which makes it more conscious about hollywood life. As she uses opinions in the characters point of views to give her fictional story more humor and feelings. You can almost feel the emotions the characters go through throughout the book. Her description of the characters can make you visualize how their appearance is.

Overall in my opinion the book was ok. It was a little slow in the beginning cause it was talking about boring stuff Kaitlin was doing with her life. It started to get more interesting towards the middle of the book when more drama started to happen in Kaitlin's life. I would recommend it for girls interested in this kind of stuff.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book even more than the first, and I didn't even believe that possible! Sometimes I got frustrated with Kaitlin when she didn't tell Austin about all of her problems, and I just wanted to yell at her!

I love all the great characters in the book and all the new ones. Jen Calonita really keeps it in interesting with all the crazy twists!

[Karen Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kaitlin Burke is used to drama; being one of the stars of a long-running TV show means she’s used to her every move being monitored. Now she’s about to spend the summer filming a Hollywood blockbuster we’re about to see just how crazy her Hollywood life can get.
Having taken time out pretending to be a normal person, Kaitlin is happy to have Austin as her boyfriend. However, with so much riding on the success of this movie does Kaitlin have what it takes to stand up for herself in this world?
From the outset, with her ex as the co-star and her nemesis being cast as a starring role at the last minute, things are going against Kaitlin. Snippets of gossip keep turning up in the press, on-set issues are causing problems and there are fights with Austin. Thank goodness she has a good set of friends around her who help look out for her.
As a younger teen I would probably have thoroughly enjoyed this. It feels like there’s lots of inside info, the story rattles along nicely and everything is set up for the next in the series. As an adult, Kaitlin’s lack of self-confidence frustrated me and there were too many toxic elements to this environment to not wonder why it’s got such appeal.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another quick, nostalgic read. I do love this series even with its flaws. Kaitlin was frustrating with the drama she caused for herself by lying all the time and I mostly wanted to punch her. Luckily the book was fast and easy so it didn't feel like as big of a deal. On to the next one soon!

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. Though there were a couple places this book dragged on a bit long the story line was really good and well written. I do really like Kaitlin and her entourage. I am kind of tired of her Mom, her baby brother and Sky. I know they are suppose to provide drama or something to the books but I could enjoy the story line without them. Mom's advice is not always good. Her baby brother constantly pushing himself and liking to pretend he is the star is just annoying and Sky well what can you say about Sky she is a mess.

I love Liz, Nadine and Rodney and of course Kaitlin and Austin. They do make a good couple though they might have to work out a few problems with trust and honesty. I really loved the ending and I do also like the peeks of what making a real movie is like and what perks stars really get.

In all a really good read and a great series with great characters.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

miscommunication trope is the worst. still an easy read, of course after 2 books Sky is still heckin annoying, but reading these books craving for a TV show to be this easy to watch. finished in less than 24 hours which is exactly how fast I finished these in high school

[Meg Dunnigan]

Re-read because I was bored at work but God I loved this book when I was like 13

[Sandra Girard-Demontigny · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story, but I found it more difficult to fully immerse myself in it. I found the characters tiresome and so dramatic... I'm clearly no longer the target audience for this kind of novel.

C'était une bonne histoire, toutefois j'avais plus de mal à m'imprégner totalement de celle-ci. Je trouvais que les personnages étaient lassant et tellement dramatique... Je ne suis clairement plus le public cible de se genre de roman.

[Harley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series. I was a little worried going in because it's been so long since I read the first book but luckily I had no problem slipping right back into the story.

This one follows Kaitlin as she's going to shoot a big movie. She has to deal with her catty costar Sky from their tv show who's also on the movie and her ex-boyfriend who's playing Kaitlin's romantic interest. The director's a little crazy and the publicist for the movie is trying to cross some lines. Not to mention Kaitlin has finally gotten together with normal guy Austin who she met posing as a high school student.

Safe to say drama ensues. I really love following Kaitlin as she navigates through the world of Hollywood and the secrets about that life she clues us into. She could have saved some of the drama if she'd just opened up about certain things but she's still a entertaining narrator. Can't wait to get into the next book.

[TJL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad.

Not a huge fan of Austin, though. I mean, it's aggravating how Kaitlyn's mom and Laney control her life, but I genuinely think he doesn't get how easily it is for careers to be ruined in Hollywood. He thinks Kaitlyn has the star-power, the money, the bargaining-power to do more than she actually can.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was okay and that it could of been better. I liked the characters but whilst I was reading this book I couldn't help feeling that something was missing. I just didn't connect with the book, I felt myself feeling bored at times.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, the sequel did not grab me like the first book did. The story picks up about a month after we left the first book. Kaitlin and Austin are doing well but shooting for the new movie is about to begin. We meet a couple new characters in this book: Hutch (well, he's not really new, but we just knew the name in the first book) who is the director of the movie. Carol is the new publicist for the company that is funding the movie (and we learn that Laney used to work for her but left, taking some of Carol's clients). And Madison, Sky's new assistant.

Kaitlin gets Liz a job as a second assistant so Liz can satisfy her father by having a job, still hang out with Kaitlin, and learn more about producing. Unfortunately Kaitlin never thought to run is by Nadine (her actual assistant) and that didn't go over well. Matt (Kaitlin's brother) gets a small part in the move as does Rodney (her bodyguard/driver) so most everyone is pretty happy.

Carol decides to change the promotion strategy and wants Drew and Kaitlin to show up together for everything, and act like they are dating. She doesn't care that Kaitlin has a boyfriend. She doesn't care that Drew was Kaitlin's first real boyfriend, and he publicly broke her heart and said was basically using her for her fame. And of course they are now co-stars on this film together. Oh, and Sky is too. As Hutch decided to change the script and add Sky as 'the best friend who betrays her'. So now the three of them are basically the stars of this movie.

The above paragraph is basically what I didn't like about the book. And while I get Hollywood is actually probably a small world, and it's probably pretty common to work with ex's and enemies, this just seemed like alot. Sky and Kaitlin work on the same TV show together and have for YEARS... it doesn't make sense to put them together in a movie. I would think most people would assume it related to the TV show. And of ALL the guys they pick Drew?

And when Drew shows up, he doesn't care that she has a boyfriend. He doesn't care that she repeatedly asks him to stop touching her and reminding him that she is not interested. I can imagine Hollywood can be awful. That it's sexist and self-absorbed. But to have all these characters seeming to sabotage her relationship with Austin was a bit of a struggle for me. (Carol, Drew, Sky, Madison). And once again, Kaitlin is suspicious of Madison and Liz and Nadine don't listen and sure enough Madison is constantly leaking information about her to the press.

Then there's the filming and Hutch does a Jekyll and Hyde and the nice Director she had met, has turned into a tyrant. But instead of Kaitlin confiding in Austin and telling him the truth about her previous relationship with Drew and what Carol is demanding her to do, she keeps it all a secret. (That was weird, by the way. It really didn't make sense why she felt this all needed to be hushed up especially since so much of it either already was public knowledge or soon would be).

Austin finally gets tired of Kaitlin telling him one thing and another happening. They break up. Kaitlin is miserable. Script pieces are being leaked to the media. Private information about Kaitlin is being leaked. Liz and Nadine have a blow out fight. Kaitlin and Sky physically go at it during a fight training session (Kaitlin was mortified afterward). It's all bad.

Then we learn that it was Madison who was caught leaking information (Nadine and Liz realized how their actions were not only unprofessional but they were hurting Kaitlin, so they joined forces and laid a trap for Madison). Madison was fired and Sky had a full on temper tantrum. (Turns out Madison was her cousin). Hutch had to tell her to knock it off and later told Kaitlin he should never have told her that he regretted hiring her, that she was the best part of the movie. And it was Sky he should never have hired. And we learn Carol had leaked the scripts so she was fired. So now Kaitlin was free to date and bring whatever date she wanted to her public events. So she goes and grovels to Austin (who was on his way to go grovel to her) and they make up.

If every story is going to be Sky finding ways to ruin Kaitlin I'm going to get bored with it real quick. Still no back story on their animosity. And it really is somewhat baffling that it's all one sided. It's always Sky going after Kaitlin and Kaitlin reacting as a victim. It's so intentionally malicious. Maybe this is normal. Maybe I'm naive. But I'm hoping Calonita doesn't make it Sky vs Kaitlin for every book. I think the next book focuses on the return to the new TV show's season, so I'm guessing that I'm not going to be happy. I'll still give it a go though.

Things that I do like, I like the "Secrets" Kaitlin talks about. I like Kaitlin. I think she is an interesting character and that there is a lot of potential for her story.

[Moira Combs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read On Location the sequel to the Secrets of My Hollywood Life. The book was about Kaitlin learning to balance her acting career with dating Austin and his developing lacrosse career. She has to deal with back-stabbing costars, Sky and Drew, and he crazy publicist Carol, and her director Hutch who is most likely struggling from multiple-personality disorder. Her publicist Carol wants to make it look as if Kaitlin and Drew are dating. Drew is Kaitlin's ex-boyfriend and she's very hurt by how he treated her in the past. Austin doesn't understand this and it causes a lot of fights between Austin and Kaitlin. Drew doesn't understand why Kaitlin won't get back together with him. Kaitlin has to keep Carol happy by showing up to events with Drew, Drew off her back every time he tries to come onto her, and her boyfriend Austin happy while he watches Drew kiss Kaitlin on set. Kaitlin and Austin end up breaking up towards the end of the book after Kaitlin keeps one too many secrets from him. It's not what either of them want, but it's getting too hard for Austin to handle. Carol gets fired after we learn she leaked part of the movie to a fan, and Kaitlin finally starts to hold her ground. She ends up taking Austin to the game show premiere she is hosting after she begs for his forgiveness right before getting on the red carpet and they get back together. The climactic scene is when Madison gets fired while they are shooting one of the final scenes. She was planting rumors about Kaitlin in magazines and giving the movie bad gossip. Carol also gets fired on the spit when Hutch learns about what he did. Hutch is in such a fit of rage he starts breaking the movie set and throwing lights around. When Sky learns that her assistant is fired she has a fit of rage as well. This brings Hutch to tell her that he wishes he never hired and she is a spoiled brat. I thought the book was good but I enjoyed the first book better. I feel like Kaitlin should've learned the first time to not lie to Austin after she hid her whole identity to him for months. It was good, but I feel like Kaitlin needs to mature a little more. My favorite part was when Matty and Rodney got parts in the movie because they seemed so happy about it.

[Clare Bickham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good fluffy read but not as good as the first book.

Austin and Kaitlin’s relationship was annoying and the drama between them felt repetitive and unnecessary. Kaitlin just needed to learn to communicate better since so many of the relationship issues would have been solved if she had told the truth. Also Austin’s career advice to Kaitlin was not helpful, he seemed to oversimplify Hollywood and acted like Kaitlin could just do whatever she wants without consequences. The resolution between them at the end showed promise for a more secure relationship in future books and I hope we see this develop(I’m sure there will be plenty of other potential drama to keep the story interesting).

It would also be nice to see a more complex version of Sky’s character in later books. As a villain she is too simplistic and her hatred of Kaitlin is so intense but even in the first book it’s not really explained. Everything she does seems a bit much for simple jealousy.

[Chelsea Rapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I read the first book forever ago and kind of remember what happened. I never picked up the other books so I figured hey why not now. I don't mind these books, but I feel like I'm getting too old to be able to rate this anything above a three star. They aren't bad and I'm not the target audience. I mean I still want to read the other ones, so I say that's not bad at all. There's a lot of pettiness in this book, but hey it's a YA book they usually have a lot of drama, especially if the book is considered a Contemporary. I like the premise of this book more with having Kaitlin on set instead of in high school trying to be a "Normal Girl". I like reading about her Hollywood life and pretending to be the star I will never be.

MVP: Nadine

[Kaitlin W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Kaitlin Burke is facing more challenges more then ever. In the previous book she got the main part in a new movie, in this book, she films the movie with her co-worker, Sky Mackenzie who she doesn't like at all. Also, she is having trouble with her relationship with her boyfriend, Austin. In the book Drew ( Kaitlin's ex-boyfriend which is also an actor) is apart of the movie that she is filming, and he is trying to get back with Kaitlin. Austin is flustered with Drew and how is trying keep up with Kaitlin and her job.

This book is pretty good, so if you are considering to read this book you should buy it (if you like realistic-fiction, it's my favorite type of genre).

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's good and it's fun but good lord, I hate a misunderstanding plot as fair as romance. like you could just tell your boyfriend that your handlers are messing up your personal relationships but she refused and it just God it was frustrating. It's a good fun time, maybe if you don't want to watch a teen lead suffer and cry then the second half will probably not be for you. it's like Champagne problems it's still Pain (so to speak ). I think the ending wrapped up a little too nicely too quickly, but I came here for fluff and it's fluffiest.

[Véronique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une des déceptions que j'ai face à cette triologie est l'absence de la continuité des "secrets de la vie à hollywood". Chaque tome commence par le secret numéro 1.
Par contre, si on espace la lecture entre chaque tome. Il y a un bon rappel au début qui n'est pas trop long ni trop détaillé qui permet au lecteur de se remettre dedans.
Le tome 2 inclus des parties de scénarios du film, ce que je trouve personnellement non pertinent.
Outre ça, le livre se lit comme le premier, de façon rapide et légère.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is both frustrating and fantastic. Kaitlin is such a relatable character and even when she’s not making the best choices I still want to see her succeed. I love that we get to see that Kaitlin feels pressure and gets stressed out. I love her relationship with Austin, and the struggles they face are realistic, relatable, and make for an interesting story.
I’m thoroughly enjoying my reread of this series.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BEST BOOK EVER!!!

I chose this rating because this book is a comedy, romantic, fun story about a teens life. I was at the edge of my seat the whole time! Jen Calonita has expressed her creativity through all her books! ... But this series shows it the most. Read this book, and trust me, it will change your life.

[No, David! No! · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are fun, quick books. This is the second one I have read. They don't take much time, and the story moves along. There is funny dialog and some silly twists. Think of it like a fun sitcom episode each time.

[Lalaloopey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drew was so annoying. And tbh, I was imagining he looked like Henry Danger. Where did the buzzcut come from and why was it necessary? Idk why but I would have been perfectly fine if Katelin didn't go after Austin.

[Victoria Weimar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great just like the first one! I love getting the little secrets of Hollywood and I can't wait to read the other books in this series. To see what Kaitlin and Sky are up to.

[Judine Brey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I would have read the earlier book because it took a while to get the characters straight. However, Kaitlin and Austin are adorable, and Calonita knows how to end a novel.

[710Imaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing sequel to Secrets of My Hollywood Life! I highly recommend it.

[Minh · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has many minor characters that I cannot keep up with. Besides, the plot is cheesy but entertaining.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book two. I read it in a day, the plot was super simple, but entertaining. The does show its age with the technology

[Kaitlyn Zambrana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! It is full of fashion, romance, adventure, friendship, family, and so much more. I recommend reading the whole series!