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Girl in Development
Kate, a bookish recent high-school graduate from Massachusetts, moves in with her cousin and uncle in California in order to undertake an internship at a Hollywood production company.
- GenresYoung Adult
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 15, 2013
Samantha Rose is a young girl who would rather be sitting home and reading than going shopping. So it was definitely a surprise when her uncle arranges a surprise summer internship at a hot film development company. Sam is not prepared for Hollywood surrounding. From her spoiled room mate (her Beverly Hills-bred cousin, Kate), to the backstabbing poseurs at her company (ironically named 'Authentic Pictures'), everything about L.A. feels fake. And, although smart, self-protective Sam hates to admit it, it's all a bit intimidating. This book is bound to keep you on your feet,and your emotions will imitate hers.
May 17, 2009
Girl in Development was a quick, fun, and flirty read. I would say a nice blend of Sex in the City meets Devil Wears Prada.
July 23, 2017
2.5 Stars
This book was a cute new adult chic lit. I sometimes found the characters whiney and there really wasn't that much of a plot. It was more focused on character development, as the title might suggest, but even that wasn't really marked. Overall it was a cutesy quick read to cleanse the pallet.
This book was a cute new adult chic lit. I sometimes found the characters whiney and there really wasn't that much of a plot. It was more focused on character development, as the title might suggest, but even that wasn't really marked. Overall it was a cutesy quick read to cleanse the pallet.
April 5, 2021
I thought this was a great coming of age novel and a perfect beach/poolside read. I found myself really being able to visualize the characters and the setting which is very important to me when I read a book. It’s definitely very girl and cheesy but I would recommend it if you’re in a reading slump and need something quick and simple to get out of it!
June 28, 2018
Not a good read. Thin characters, lots of cliche's in both language and concept. Predictability throughout. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, at any age.
January 16, 2024
I don’t care for the plot I just loved the girls’ dialogues and personalities. LA was the perfect setting. Roter is a great author
June 30, 2025
Its an okay book but I didn’t want to deal with the most insufferable cast of characters ever.
March 16, 2017
Quick, light read which was okay but didn't blow my socks off.
May 5, 2008
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com
You can always tell when an author writes about a subject they know inside and out. Jordan Roter has managed to bring her experiences in the world of film development and production to life inside the pages of GIRL IN DEVELOPMENT, and I bet if we asked her, she'd agree that parts of her main character, eighteen-year-old Samantha Rose, are comparable to real life, as well.
Sam is the type of girl who likes simple things--reading a good book, spending time with family and friends, being embarrassed by her parents in public. Okay, she doesn't really like that last one, but she's used to it. But when her Uncle Norman gets Sam an internship at Authentic Pictures as a birthday present (and all because her father had happened to mention that she liked movies), Sam's not quite sure what to do. Sure, going to L.A. for eight weeks, working for a movie company, hanging out with her sometimes snobby and always spoiled cousin Kate--that could be fun. Part of her, though, wishes she could just stay home in Northampton and go about her life as usual.
Hollywood, of course, is nothing, and yet everything, like what she expected. She's both appalled and amazed at the goings-on behind the scenes at Authentic Pictures. She's both flattered and nearly repulsed by the male attention she seems to be attracting like flies to honey. And she's definitely not sure if L.A. holds the type of lifestyle she really wants for herself.
Ms. Roter has managed to write a fun, breezy novel that contains true-to-life characters. Sure, I don't actually know anyone who has ever gotten to go work for a film company in Los Angeles, but reading about it sure was fun! The characters in GIRL IN DEVELOPMENT are all three-dimensional, unlike a lot of other teen chick-lit stories that are out there. And, fortunately for the reader, each and every character in the story is allowed to grow throughout the book, so that by the end you'll be rooting for (almost!) all of them. This is an entertaining read that's sure to please, regardless of age.
You can always tell when an author writes about a subject they know inside and out. Jordan Roter has managed to bring her experiences in the world of film development and production to life inside the pages of GIRL IN DEVELOPMENT, and I bet if we asked her, she'd agree that parts of her main character, eighteen-year-old Samantha Rose, are comparable to real life, as well.
Sam is the type of girl who likes simple things--reading a good book, spending time with family and friends, being embarrassed by her parents in public. Okay, she doesn't really like that last one, but she's used to it. But when her Uncle Norman gets Sam an internship at Authentic Pictures as a birthday present (and all because her father had happened to mention that she liked movies), Sam's not quite sure what to do. Sure, going to L.A. for eight weeks, working for a movie company, hanging out with her sometimes snobby and always spoiled cousin Kate--that could be fun. Part of her, though, wishes she could just stay home in Northampton and go about her life as usual.
Hollywood, of course, is nothing, and yet everything, like what she expected. She's both appalled and amazed at the goings-on behind the scenes at Authentic Pictures. She's both flattered and nearly repulsed by the male attention she seems to be attracting like flies to honey. And she's definitely not sure if L.A. holds the type of lifestyle she really wants for herself.
Ms. Roter has managed to write a fun, breezy novel that contains true-to-life characters. Sure, I don't actually know anyone who has ever gotten to go work for a film company in Los Angeles, but reading about it sure was fun! The characters in GIRL IN DEVELOPMENT are all three-dimensional, unlike a lot of other teen chick-lit stories that are out there. And, fortunately for the reader, each and every character in the story is allowed to grow throughout the book, so that by the end you'll be rooting for (almost!) all of them. This is an entertaining read that's sure to please, regardless of age.
August 29, 2012
Since I moved to Cali, I can say the author is spot on with her description of the area and many of the habits of Angelenos! (If I didn't live here I'd have no idea) The story is pretty thin, but the decadent portrayal of LA's people and places and the relatability of Sam as the classic fish out of water kept me engaged.
I read the entire thing in two bubble baths! It's always nice to find something you can soak in so quickly!
PS: Spa treat enjoyed while reading: Chilled decaf soy latte to drink & Annemarie Borlind's Anti-stress Gel Face Mask
Bubble Bath Book Club rating:
2.5 Bubbles
I read the entire thing in two bubble baths! It's always nice to find something you can soak in so quickly!
PS: Spa treat enjoyed while reading: Chilled decaf soy latte to drink & Annemarie Borlind's Anti-stress Gel Face Mask
Bubble Bath Book Club rating:
2.5 Bubbles
February 24, 2013
Originally reviewed - 3/30/08
Girl In Development was really good read. Again it was a bit reminiscent of the A-List Series by Zoey Dean. However, it seemed a bit more serious. The plot on the other hand was a a tiny bit surprising. I didn't expect the girls' relationship to grow as fast as it did and that made for a pretty good page turner. Jordan Roter did a great job portraying Hollywood in a different light. I wonder what she has in store for readers next?
Girl In Development was really good read. Again it was a bit reminiscent of the A-List Series by Zoey Dean. However, it seemed a bit more serious. The plot on the other hand was a a tiny bit surprising. I didn't expect the girls' relationship to grow as fast as it did and that made for a pretty good page turner. Jordan Roter did a great job portraying Hollywood in a different light. I wonder what she has in store for readers next?
December 5, 2016
Seems like a typical Hollywood drama at first, but became very interesting. The characters were realistic and had great development. The love triangle was a huge part of the story, and if it was taken out, a big point about how confusing the movie-making industry is would be missing, but it still wasn't the only thing to look forward to in this book.
April 9, 2008
This book was pretty good. It was well written, and it was cool hoow it had a quote for every chapter. But Oh My Goodness Gracious!!!! The (supposed to be) Hot kid is such a JERK!!!!! (it was a really good book though) :)
January 20, 2012
I've read this few weeks before I moved to Los Angeles from the Philippines. I gave this as a gift to a very close friend, something to remember me by, cause you know, I'm in LA now. Yeah, its kinda cheesy. But this is a quick, fun and flirty book to read.
April 22, 2017
3,5
Este libro me lo compre como hace un año en la calle, salia mil pesos y como era tapa dura y estaba en muy buenas condiciones, m e lo compre altiro aunque nunca habia escuchado de el.
Tengo que decir que me gusto bastante y disfrute mucho de la escritura.
Este libro me lo compre como hace un año en la calle, salia mil pesos y como era tapa dura y estaba en muy buenas condiciones, m e lo compre altiro aunque nunca habia escuchado de el.
Tengo que decir que me gusto bastante y disfrute mucho de la escritura.
February 2, 2008
i really liked it. its not exactly "deep" its a fun girly summer novel
January 15, 2011
This was a really slow read. I did not enjoy it but I did get through it.
January 11, 2013
... da fuq did I just read? :/ Don't quit your day job, Jordan Roter.
February 11, 2014
A glimpse of Hollywood Glimmer!
August 12, 2012
Reminds me of a YA version of The Devil Wears Prada.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews