What do you think?
Rate this book
The Porn Star's Daughter
How do you escape the stigma of your parents' porn empire? For Tali Hunter it's easy . . .
-Attend college in New Orleans, a city her parents hate. Check. -Overhaul her image to leave all traces of her past behind. Check. -Invent a story about a stay-at-home mom and a business-mogul dad where the world of pornography has no place. Check. Check. Double check. Tali's plan goes sideways when the first person she meets in the airport recognizes her. James is not only hot-he's also attending the same school-and has the power to expose her secret.
Tali dives into college life for better or worse. Laugh or cry, what she wants isn't what she gets. She faces a roommate who has no regard for social norms, a sleazy dean that wants to capitalize on her family money, and an attraction to the one person who knows her secret-exactly what she doesn't need at a time she doesn't want it. Tali can keep running from her past or pull her friends close and embrace her future.
The Porn Star's Daughter is a steamy, laugh-out-loud story about self-acceptance and sexual empowerment.
-Attend college in New Orleans, a city her parents hate. Check. -Overhaul her image to leave all traces of her past behind. Check. -Invent a story about a stay-at-home mom and a business-mogul dad where the world of pornography has no place. Check. Check. Double check. Tali's plan goes sideways when the first person she meets in the airport recognizes her. James is not only hot-he's also attending the same school-and has the power to expose her secret.
Tali dives into college life for better or worse. Laugh or cry, what she wants isn't what she gets. She faces a roommate who has no regard for social norms, a sleazy dean that wants to capitalize on her family money, and an attraction to the one person who knows her secret-exactly what she doesn't need at a time she doesn't want it. Tali can keep running from her past or pull her friends close and embrace her future.
The Porn Star's Daughter is a steamy, laugh-out-loud story about self-acceptance and sexual empowerment.
292 pages, Paperback
Published January 16, 2024
10 people are currently reading
4566 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 3, 2023
Oh wow! What a college life😆. There was a lot of fun, silliness and sadness. I'm happy with Tali's character development and I like the friendship in this story, it's weird but strong💪 and most of all i love this two lines😊
"Most people in the world spend most of their time judging you. And the only way to get over it is to embrace it. To seek out the haters, listen to what they have to say to you, and love it.”
“You use it to fuel your fire. You love it for making you stronger.”❤️
"Most people in the world spend most of their time judging you. And the only way to get over it is to embrace it. To seek out the haters, listen to what they have to say to you, and love it.”
“You use it to fuel your fire. You love it for making you stronger.”❤️
dnf
October 6, 2023yes, i picked this book up because of its title lmaoo. i thought it was gonna be a fun read, but… it’s just not for me. this is also the author’s first book. i’m still willing to pick up her future books, but i’ll be more selective about it. this type of romances aren’t really my thing.
the characters were your typical college people. Coventry was depicted as this slutty girl who wanted nothing to do with classes and everything to do with sex and drugs. i don’t think irl that’d continue to happen lol. for the whole 43% of the book, she didn’t attend ANY classes, was treating people like shit and tryna act edgy all the damn time. then we had Tali, who was tryna hide the fact that her mum was a porn star, but she herself let everyone know that in certain ways. i found none of them likable, they were all immature and childish in their own ways.
the writing style was reminding me of any YA book you can think of. it wasn’t anything special. we got the POV of Tali and James sometimes, none of which really were interesting enough to follow.
and the plot… it was sooo YA-like and if you know me, you know that i’m honestly not into YA books or that type of stories at all. it was cheesy and it was more a book about day to day life at college and not the proper difficulties of being a porn star’s daughter. i was bored reading about this melodrama between Tali and James, Coventry’s behaviour which Tali was always complaining about but done nothing to stop it and then Lane and Brock being worried for her unnecessarily. it was all just cheesy for me, personally, and i couldn’t continue reading it anymore. i just wasn’t interested enough anymore. anyway, i wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone above age 17. everyone below that age may or may not enjoy it lol.
the characters were your typical college people. Coventry was depicted as this slutty girl who wanted nothing to do with classes and everything to do with sex and drugs. i don’t think irl that’d continue to happen lol. for the whole 43% of the book, she didn’t attend ANY classes, was treating people like shit and tryna act edgy all the damn time. then we had Tali, who was tryna hide the fact that her mum was a porn star, but she herself let everyone know that in certain ways. i found none of them likable, they were all immature and childish in their own ways.
the writing style was reminding me of any YA book you can think of. it wasn’t anything special. we got the POV of Tali and James sometimes, none of which really were interesting enough to follow.
and the plot… it was sooo YA-like and if you know me, you know that i’m honestly not into YA books or that type of stories at all. it was cheesy and it was more a book about day to day life at college and not the proper difficulties of being a porn star’s daughter. i was bored reading about this melodrama between Tali and James, Coventry’s behaviour which Tali was always complaining about but done nothing to stop it and then Lane and Brock being worried for her unnecessarily. it was all just cheesy for me, personally, and i couldn’t continue reading it anymore. i just wasn’t interested enough anymore. anyway, i wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone above age 17. everyone below that age may or may not enjoy it lol.
January 17, 2024
The Porn Star's Daughter-a standalone
By Kay Stephens-debut author
Rating: 2/5 ⭐⭐
Publication 1/16/24, Read 1/14/24
Thanks to NetGalley and Direction 71 Press for this ARC💛 ! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.
✔️New Adult/College freshmen
✔️Rom-Com
✔️ Roommates
✔️ Found Family
⚠️sexism, stalking, sex*al harassment, bullying, alcoholism, drug addicts
Summary- Talia wants a fresh start in college where no one knows her or her mother's name. She happens upon James, a drunken army veteran and fellow freshman. She sits with him at the airport and he is immediately smitten. He somehow ends up in her orbit with her roommate Coventry, his roommate Seth, and later Trinity.
The characters:
♀️ FMC Taglia "Talia" Hunter (18) dressed like a stripper, wore expensive shoes. She was a push over and worried too much about what people think. Her parents have a porn star empire, her mother an adult film star- Missy Mariola.
♂️ MMC James Callen (21) He's a vet with PTSD and daddy issues who he smoked and drank his days away. He pined after Talia but his actions and decisions were so clouded I didn't get him at all.
Coventry Devereaux-a chaotic and childish college student who never went to class. She was all id, I wonder why she was so hurt about Seth and Talia's betrayal She never showed she cared about anything or anyone.
Seth- a childish boy trying to play a grown up. He wanted everyone to like him, but clearly needed someone (Coventry and James) to take care of him.
Trinity-the most mature and civilized of the gang. She did what she had to do to survive and hero worshipped Talia's mother.
Lane-Talia's frenemy. I wasn't sure why she was around, to expose Talia or keep an eye on Brock?
Brock- pretended to be Talia's protector but only wanted her for sex.
Andrew Delano-revealed to Talia's classmates who she really was, but also hero worshipped her mother. He was mentally unstable and James took him under his wing.
Overall, this wasn't it for me. it took me 3 days to read and it was a chore! I felt lost in what the plot was, just being fueled by a Mary Sue and her degenerates. Trinity was probably the most relatable even though she was an orphan and stripper. I understood her motivations and her message of women's empowerment. There were some funny scenes, but the characters were just too weird without direction.
By Kay Stephens-debut author
Rating: 2/5 ⭐⭐
Publication 1/16/24, Read 1/14/24
Thanks to NetGalley and Direction 71 Press for this ARC💛 ! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.
✔️New Adult/College freshmen
✔️Rom-Com
✔️ Roommates
✔️ Found Family
⚠️sexism, stalking, sex*al harassment, bullying, alcoholism, drug addicts
Summary- Talia wants a fresh start in college where no one knows her or her mother's name. She happens upon James, a drunken army veteran and fellow freshman. She sits with him at the airport and he is immediately smitten. He somehow ends up in her orbit with her roommate Coventry, his roommate Seth, and later Trinity.
The characters:
♀️ FMC Taglia "Talia" Hunter (18) dressed like a stripper, wore expensive shoes. She was a push over and worried too much about what people think. Her parents have a porn star empire, her mother an adult film star- Missy Mariola.
♂️ MMC James Callen (21) He's a vet with PTSD and daddy issues who he smoked and drank his days away. He pined after Talia but his actions and decisions were so clouded I didn't get him at all.
Coventry Devereaux-a chaotic and childish college student who never went to class. She was all id, I wonder why she was so hurt about Seth and Talia's betrayal She never showed she cared about anything or anyone.
Seth- a childish boy trying to play a grown up. He wanted everyone to like him, but clearly needed someone (Coventry and James) to take care of him.
Trinity-the most mature and civilized of the gang. She did what she had to do to survive and hero worshipped Talia's mother.
Lane-Talia's frenemy. I wasn't sure why she was around, to expose Talia or keep an eye on Brock?
Brock- pretended to be Talia's protector but only wanted her for sex.
Andrew Delano-revealed to Talia's classmates who she really was, but also hero worshipped her mother. He was mentally unstable and James took him under his wing.
Overall, this wasn't it for me. it took me 3 days to read and it was a chore! I felt lost in what the plot was, just being fueled by a Mary Sue and her degenerates. Trinity was probably the most relatable even though she was an orphan and stripper. I understood her motivations and her message of women's empowerment. There were some funny scenes, but the characters were just too weird without direction.
October 9, 2023
I'm afraid this book was not my 'cuppa'. I have the impression the author thinks airports are dirty, full of drunk tourists, zombi-like people. Tali, the heroine is the 18 year old daughter of a porn star and has just flown in to New Orleans from LA to start college. (In my experience you just walk off a domestic flight into the mainstream domestic terminal; aren't warnings to not go back only for international flights? Maybe I'm wrong.) She trips over a drunk man in baggage handling, (James), then later drinks from his dubious whiskey bottle when he offers it to her - even though she's afraid of 'vomit germs'. If she was so ashamed of her porn star mother and that life, then why accept a boob job for her 18th birthday? After that, I was pretty much over it, but struggled through to give my thoughts.
The writing didn't flow as well as it could have and I had to keep going back to re-read sentences. Polishing and simplifying would do this ARC a world of good and I understand this is the author's debut novel. Told via third person narration from both the H/h's points of view. This book is aimed at the YA/NA market and whilst I've read plenty of this genre over the years, I couldn't pretend to like this story much at all. A younger person may think differently. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in return for my opinion.
The writing didn't flow as well as it could have and I had to keep going back to re-read sentences. Polishing and simplifying would do this ARC a world of good and I understand this is the author's debut novel. Told via third person narration from both the H/h's points of view. This book is aimed at the YA/NA market and whilst I've read plenty of this genre over the years, I couldn't pretend to like this story much at all. A younger person may think differently. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in return for my opinion.
October 8, 2023
Reminds me of an early 2000's Romcom. But that's about all it has going for it. Overall decent book but the characters were all superficial. The relationships developed didn't make sense and there were a few loose ends with no resolution. The book was also very choppy it wasn't smooth and the version of received to read had many typos. Overall it was ok, not my genre.
November 8, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This one had a lot to unpack. At first glance, seeing the title and the cover led me to believe this would be a humorous read, and to some extent, it was. There were parts that were laugh out loud funny, but the core of this book dealt with many issues young adults deal with as they enter college and the adult world without their parents for the first time. The FMC, Tali, is the daughter of a famous porn star from, we can assume around the late 80s-early 90s, as it's stated that the internet wasn't a thing yet when her mother was filming. Tali has spent her entire life trying to hide who her mother is and where her family gets its wealth, as she's just wanted to be seen as a normal girl by her peers. She leave Los Angeles to attend college in New Orleans, figuring the distance will give her the space to reinvent herself, but it seems like too many people she meets along the way know her secret due to her resemblance to her mother being so strong. There is drug use, drug selling, alcohol use/abuse, prescription pain killer abuse, stripping/prostitution, a former Army Vet with some PTSD (who is a 22 year old freshman, and the closest thing to our MMC), and parental death, amidst the general struggles of college students. It's really more a story of struggle and acceptance, than humor and romance. Was it worth the read? Absolutely.
This one had a lot to unpack. At first glance, seeing the title and the cover led me to believe this would be a humorous read, and to some extent, it was. There were parts that were laugh out loud funny, but the core of this book dealt with many issues young adults deal with as they enter college and the adult world without their parents for the first time. The FMC, Tali, is the daughter of a famous porn star from, we can assume around the late 80s-early 90s, as it's stated that the internet wasn't a thing yet when her mother was filming. Tali has spent her entire life trying to hide who her mother is and where her family gets its wealth, as she's just wanted to be seen as a normal girl by her peers. She leave Los Angeles to attend college in New Orleans, figuring the distance will give her the space to reinvent herself, but it seems like too many people she meets along the way know her secret due to her resemblance to her mother being so strong. There is drug use, drug selling, alcohol use/abuse, prescription pain killer abuse, stripping/prostitution, a former Army Vet with some PTSD (who is a 22 year old freshman, and the closest thing to our MMC), and parental death, amidst the general struggles of college students. It's really more a story of struggle and acceptance, than humor and romance. Was it worth the read? Absolutely.
October 1, 2023
This was a very good starting point for Kay Stephens. The writing was good, I could mostly follow what was happening and I overall did enjoy the book.
With a 3 star review though, does come heavy criticisms. Every single character was shallow at best and overall awful at worst (Coventry). The story followed a three month long bender in New Orleans aka the first semester in college; it really seemed like every major plot point was happening while everyone was too plastered to even realize. It would’ve been a lot more realistic, if anything, for at least some of the menial stuff to be included like a single conversation with Coventry where she wasn’t being plain weird or even just dealing with the aftermath of the dorm room seemingly always being a disaster to rival Katrina.
When I first opened the book, I got the vibe that there was going to be at least some soul searching and self acceptance in store for Taglia. It was disappointing to see that it was 95% accepting her mom’s role and doing nothing for herself.
With a 3 star review though, does come heavy criticisms. Every single character was shallow at best and overall awful at worst (Coventry). The story followed a three month long bender in New Orleans aka the first semester in college; it really seemed like every major plot point was happening while everyone was too plastered to even realize. It would’ve been a lot more realistic, if anything, for at least some of the menial stuff to be included like a single conversation with Coventry where she wasn’t being plain weird or even just dealing with the aftermath of the dorm room seemingly always being a disaster to rival Katrina.
When I first opened the book, I got the vibe that there was going to be at least some soul searching and self acceptance in store for Taglia. It was disappointing to see that it was 95% accepting her mom’s role and doing nothing for herself.
March 1, 2024
Kay Stephens’ debut novel, A Porn Star’s Daughter, is a humorous coming of age story. Main character, Tali, wants to create a new life for herself away from her parents and their adult industry jobs (hence the title of the book). The other MC, James, is an “old” freshman, starting college after serving his initial four years in the military.
How the two MCs meet is fun and unique. The book started off well with the feeling of uncertainty that comes with starting college, being on your own for the first time and meeting new people. It took me back to my own first days/weeks of my freshman year at college. But as the book went on, it kind of dove into a more absurd and humorous feel. Think if the movies “The Hangover” and “Accepted” had a baby. The bizarre events that all surround the heavy use of alcohol and drugs, characters trying to fit in with others, and a group of misfit friends who become family. That is this book!
There are a handful of side characters with eclectic personalities that serve as what you’d expect to see/meet at college. Quirky roommates, fellow classmates and those you see regularly in your dorm but don't necessarily know who they are. All those relationships you come across and have to figure out where you yourself fit in, if you even fit in at all. There is some character growth for Tali at the end of the book. More so realizing she didn’t need to reinvent herself, but rather embrace who she is and where she came from.
I think A Porn Star’s Daughter was a fun read. If you like humor, absurd stunts/events, and a group of quirky college aged misfit characters, this is the book for you!
** I won this book as part of a GoodReads giveaway **
How the two MCs meet is fun and unique. The book started off well with the feeling of uncertainty that comes with starting college, being on your own for the first time and meeting new people. It took me back to my own first days/weeks of my freshman year at college. But as the book went on, it kind of dove into a more absurd and humorous feel. Think if the movies “The Hangover” and “Accepted” had a baby. The bizarre events that all surround the heavy use of alcohol and drugs, characters trying to fit in with others, and a group of misfit friends who become family. That is this book!
There are a handful of side characters with eclectic personalities that serve as what you’d expect to see/meet at college. Quirky roommates, fellow classmates and those you see regularly in your dorm but don't necessarily know who they are. All those relationships you come across and have to figure out where you yourself fit in, if you even fit in at all. There is some character growth for Tali at the end of the book. More so realizing she didn’t need to reinvent herself, but rather embrace who she is and where she came from.
I think A Porn Star’s Daughter was a fun read. If you like humor, absurd stunts/events, and a group of quirky college aged misfit characters, this is the book for you!
** I won this book as part of a GoodReads giveaway **
March 19, 2024
How do you escape the stigma of your parents' porn empire? For Tali Hunter it's easy . . .
-Attend college in New Orleans, a city her parents hate. Check. -Overhaul her image to leave all traces of her past behind. Check. -Invent a story about a stay-at-home mom and a business-mogul dad where the world of pornography has no place. Check. Check. Double check. Tali's plan goes sideways when the first person she meets in the airport recognizes her. James is not only hot-he's also attending the same school-and has the power to expose her secret.
Tali dives into college life for better or worse. Laugh or cry, what she wants isn't what she gets. She faces a roommate who has no regard for social norms, a sleazy dean that wants to capitalize on her family money, and an attraction to the one person who knows her secret-exactly what she doesn't need at a time she doesn't want it. Tali can keep running from her past or pull her friends close and embrace her future.
I enjoyed this story. Will recommend to others.
-Attend college in New Orleans, a city her parents hate. Check. -Overhaul her image to leave all traces of her past behind. Check. -Invent a story about a stay-at-home mom and a business-mogul dad where the world of pornography has no place. Check. Check. Double check. Tali's plan goes sideways when the first person she meets in the airport recognizes her. James is not only hot-he's also attending the same school-and has the power to expose her secret.
Tali dives into college life for better or worse. Laugh or cry, what she wants isn't what she gets. She faces a roommate who has no regard for social norms, a sleazy dean that wants to capitalize on her family money, and an attraction to the one person who knows her secret-exactly what she doesn't need at a time she doesn't want it. Tali can keep running from her past or pull her friends close and embrace her future.
I enjoyed this story. Will recommend to others.
Want to read
January 18, 2024Thank you for this ARC, I am super appreciative that I was even thought of.
I decided not to give it a rating because I couldn’t relate to it and I also wasn’t the biggest fan of one of the characters. I didn’t finish because I always promised myself I wouldn’t force myself to get through a book if I wasn’t feeling it a good chunk into the book.
However I can see others loving and enjoying this book, so If you’re a newcomer and haven’t read it try it out, we all have our own opinions and different reasons for not enjoying a book.
I am not saying this book isn’t good at all what I’m saying is that it just isn’t for me.
So again thank you so much for this opportunity ❤️
I decided not to give it a rating because I couldn’t relate to it and I also wasn’t the biggest fan of one of the characters. I didn’t finish because I always promised myself I wouldn’t force myself to get through a book if I wasn’t feeling it a good chunk into the book.
However I can see others loving and enjoying this book, so If you’re a newcomer and haven’t read it try it out, we all have our own opinions and different reasons for not enjoying a book.
I am not saying this book isn’t good at all what I’m saying is that it just isn’t for me.
So again thank you so much for this opportunity ❤️
March 14, 2024
First thank you to Kay Stephen’s for the signed copy and hand written note.
I’ve seen some bad reviews for this book and I don’t really understand why. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s a cute story. Especially for a college age /YA person. I personally enjoyed reading.
Congrats Kay on your first novel!
I’ve seen some bad reviews for this book and I don’t really understand why. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s a cute story. Especially for a college age /YA person. I personally enjoyed reading.
Congrats Kay on your first novel!
January 17, 2024
This is definitely an entertaining story, and a very clever idea. Tali is a college student attending school in New Orleans. She chose a school as far from her mother as possible in order to escape the one thing that has haunted her all of her life: her mother's career as a porn star. Each day she wakes up hoping to avoid her mother's lifestyle becoming public. But there are way too many people trying to figure her out, and secrets don't stay hidden for long. Some, like James, fall for her instantly, while others see her as an extension of her mother. Tali has to learn to love herself as she is and accept those around her for who they are.
This sort of felt coming-of-age, with Tali trying to figure out what to do with her life and how to handle herself on her own. It was interesting watching her in her new relationships and the situations she gets into. She is very immature and this effects her decisions, obviously, but who isn't when they are 18 and go to college for the first time? The love story in it is sweet but quick and I feel like it needed to take more time to develop - especially James. The writing was good in some parts and green in others. The dialogue especially needed polishing, and some of the minor characters were hit or miss in this area. This is Stephens' debut and not bad for a first book. I did enjoy reading the story and hopefully her upcoming novels will improve. Grateful to the publisher for the copy!
This sort of felt coming-of-age, with Tali trying to figure out what to do with her life and how to handle herself on her own. It was interesting watching her in her new relationships and the situations she gets into. She is very immature and this effects her decisions, obviously, but who isn't when they are 18 and go to college for the first time? The love story in it is sweet but quick and I feel like it needed to take more time to develop - especially James. The writing was good in some parts and green in others. The dialogue especially needed polishing, and some of the minor characters were hit or miss in this area. This is Stephens' debut and not bad for a first book. I did enjoy reading the story and hopefully her upcoming novels will improve. Grateful to the publisher for the copy!
January 3, 2024
I apologize for the delay in writing my review, I was diagnosed with cancer last year and I didn't read as much as I wanted. So first off thank you to NetGalley and the author the the eArc. I will say the title is what pulled me into this book not so much the cover. If I am honest if not for the title I would have passed it by it's always the cover that pulls me in.
So this book did take me a little time to get into I can't lie I walked away from it a couple of times but kept coming back to it because I was intrigued. Taglia, as the main character, was a complete mess you hear me but by the end of the book she was my lovable mess. When I say I was rooting for her to come out ahead of all the bulls**t she had been through. It was a rollercoaster of emotions from trying to hide who her mother was and people kept finding out because let's face it her mother's genes were strong. The constant drug use/alcohol abuse, prescription pain killers my girl was a mess you hear me.
This book shows you that no matter what your circumstances are in life you can always find your people the people who are supportive of you no matter what. That's what Tali did with her new college friends James, Seth, and Coventry all a little messed up in their own little way.
My favorite line from this book is that most people in the world spend most of their time judging you. And the only way to get over it is to embrace it. This book had a lot of fun, sadness, and silliness wrapped in it. Although cute and entertaining it was somewhat all over the place but not in a bad way.
As a mother and sister who has seen what trauma can do to a person the characters in this book and what they went through weighed heavy on my heart. If you have never witnessed this first hand it can be hard to believe that four students would easily wrap themselves up in alcohol and drug use the way they did. I wanted to reach in and wrap my arms around them and tell them that I loved them.
The porn star's daughter will make you think twice about judging a person based on their actions, it makes you take a deeper look into your own life and ask one question. Who am I to judge? Because in some way or another, we have all made questionable decisions in life that we are not so proud of. See growing up is about living and learning, making mistakes and learning from them, Falling but having the courage to get right back up and that's exactly what these kids did. The main characters learned and grew from their mistakes and I can't lie I was all teeth like a proud mother or big sister.
My only advice to the author would be to set the chapters a little differently because it was hard to follow along. Sometimes I couldn't tell whose voice was being used and it was a little frustrating. Other than that I loved this book. I also loved how it normalized being a sex worker if only the world would embrace it the way the author did in this book.
So congratulations Kay Stephens on your debut story! I can't wait to read more from you.
So this book did take me a little time to get into I can't lie I walked away from it a couple of times but kept coming back to it because I was intrigued. Taglia, as the main character, was a complete mess you hear me but by the end of the book she was my lovable mess. When I say I was rooting for her to come out ahead of all the bulls**t she had been through. It was a rollercoaster of emotions from trying to hide who her mother was and people kept finding out because let's face it her mother's genes were strong. The constant drug use/alcohol abuse, prescription pain killers my girl was a mess you hear me.
This book shows you that no matter what your circumstances are in life you can always find your people the people who are supportive of you no matter what. That's what Tali did with her new college friends James, Seth, and Coventry all a little messed up in their own little way.
My favorite line from this book is that most people in the world spend most of their time judging you. And the only way to get over it is to embrace it. This book had a lot of fun, sadness, and silliness wrapped in it. Although cute and entertaining it was somewhat all over the place but not in a bad way.
As a mother and sister who has seen what trauma can do to a person the characters in this book and what they went through weighed heavy on my heart. If you have never witnessed this first hand it can be hard to believe that four students would easily wrap themselves up in alcohol and drug use the way they did. I wanted to reach in and wrap my arms around them and tell them that I loved them.
The porn star's daughter will make you think twice about judging a person based on their actions, it makes you take a deeper look into your own life and ask one question. Who am I to judge? Because in some way or another, we have all made questionable decisions in life that we are not so proud of. See growing up is about living and learning, making mistakes and learning from them, Falling but having the courage to get right back up and that's exactly what these kids did. The main characters learned and grew from their mistakes and I can't lie I was all teeth like a proud mother or big sister.
My only advice to the author would be to set the chapters a little differently because it was hard to follow along. Sometimes I couldn't tell whose voice was being used and it was a little frustrating. Other than that I loved this book. I also loved how it normalized being a sex worker if only the world would embrace it the way the author did in this book.
So congratulations Kay Stephens on your debut story! I can't wait to read more from you.
November 28, 2023
The Porn Star’s Daughter is the first read that was provided to me directly through NetGalley.
This book did take me some time to get through, as it was slow-moving in the beginning, as far as setting up the plot and the story. However, once I was able to dive much deeper into the story, I was intrigued. Taglia, as a main character, was a mess, but a LOVEABLE mess. You cannot help but want to see her come out ahead, despite the complications in her life that stem from being the daughter of Missy Mariola, a well-known porn star.
Some of my favorite parts of the book are the times that are spent together, with Taglia, Coventry, Seth & James, in the dorm rooms. While my college experiences were definitely not like these, I can imagine that there are some people who have these types of experiences during their college careers, and hopefully, these are depicted well by the author.
The “found friends” that become family trope….one of my all-time favorites.
The embracing and normalization of sex-work in this book are also refreshing, as someone who is fully supportive of this industry and would love to see more of this in different forms of media. KUDOS to Kay Stephens for embracing and championing this.
My only real critique of this book would be that the chapter breaks are not set up very well and it was often very difficult to figure out whose voice was being used, as it seemed to be a first-person POV, but jumped around a bit without expressing whose voice was being used. I had to use a lot of context clues around the chapter breaks to figure out who we were with at times.
This book was otherwise fun and will be a great addition to any contemporary fiction bookshelf once it is released!
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD:
-Coventry was absolutely something else. She was NOT a favorite character of mine but I still could not bring myself to stop reading her sections with great interest. She was wild, messy, and honestly very selfish at times. But she obviously had an air of mystery and intrigue about her that kept not only Seth coming back for more but Tali as well!
-The first introduction of the two sets of roommates was quirky and fun and was probably one of my favorite parts of this book!
-It is truly amazing to me, how many college kids recognize this particular porn star with a common last name of Hunter, yet that is what the entire premise of this book is! Haha! Like….someone said her last name and they were like of “Hunter Productions”? Amazing that they deduced this from such a common last name.
-Two couples in the same room…….that’s so hot and I wish more detail had been provided on this instead of just skimmed over. This could definitely have been a full plot point.
This book did take me some time to get through, as it was slow-moving in the beginning, as far as setting up the plot and the story. However, once I was able to dive much deeper into the story, I was intrigued. Taglia, as a main character, was a mess, but a LOVEABLE mess. You cannot help but want to see her come out ahead, despite the complications in her life that stem from being the daughter of Missy Mariola, a well-known porn star.
Some of my favorite parts of the book are the times that are spent together, with Taglia, Coventry, Seth & James, in the dorm rooms. While my college experiences were definitely not like these, I can imagine that there are some people who have these types of experiences during their college careers, and hopefully, these are depicted well by the author.
The “found friends” that become family trope….one of my all-time favorites.
The embracing and normalization of sex-work in this book are also refreshing, as someone who is fully supportive of this industry and would love to see more of this in different forms of media. KUDOS to Kay Stephens for embracing and championing this.
My only real critique of this book would be that the chapter breaks are not set up very well and it was often very difficult to figure out whose voice was being used, as it seemed to be a first-person POV, but jumped around a bit without expressing whose voice was being used. I had to use a lot of context clues around the chapter breaks to figure out who we were with at times.
This book was otherwise fun and will be a great addition to any contemporary fiction bookshelf once it is released!
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD:
-Coventry was absolutely something else. She was NOT a favorite character of mine but I still could not bring myself to stop reading her sections with great interest. She was wild, messy, and honestly very selfish at times. But she obviously had an air of mystery and intrigue about her that kept not only Seth coming back for more but Tali as well!
-The first introduction of the two sets of roommates was quirky and fun and was probably one of my favorite parts of this book!
-It is truly amazing to me, how many college kids recognize this particular porn star with a common last name of Hunter, yet that is what the entire premise of this book is! Haha! Like….someone said her last name and they were like of “Hunter Productions”? Amazing that they deduced this from such a common last name.
-Two couples in the same room…….that’s so hot and I wish more detail had been provided on this instead of just skimmed over. This could definitely have been a full plot point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2024
3.5/5 (Rounded up to a Goodreads 4) -- I want to thank Direction 71 Press for sending me a copy of this because I think it's definitely not something I would've picked up for myself, and reading from different perspectives is always important!
As one would expect - this is the story of a porn star's daughter trying to figure her life out amidst the backdrop of an explicit industry most people would judge her and her family for. I'm not sure our main character Tali really had any other way to be than to embrace the struggles she was going to go through??
The over-sexualization of most things in our modern culture is what leads to situations like this, and while I have true compassion for our main character - I also realized that an author couldn't write this without having lived some of it herself. If you read the author's note at the end - you realize she's been through some really hard times and also some really good times. It breaks my heart for every young woman out there who has felt SO lost in their own body, gone under the knife too young, or lived without true guidance in expressing themselves in healthy manners.
If you're one of the kids whose life feels like an absolute mess, and you feel like you're just winging it with absolutely NO guidance, then you'll probably really enjoy this. It's a light at the end of the tunnel that you can accept your past and move on to being happy. (Because news flash - no one has it figured out at 18!)
**If you're starting to read this and it feels super dramatic etc... that's because it is. When you're that age, everything is dramatic, and your friends feel like they're the best friends you'll ever have in your life, and you're just always high on the romantic side of any situation. Kay Stephens does a really great job of portraying that! I think it jumps past glorification (which I think it could be misinterpreted as very easily) and moves into 'having real conversations about real things' territory pretty quickly!
NOTES:
- Content warnings - drug abuse and explicit sexual content
- short read! I finished this in a day
**Thank you to Direction 71 Press & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
As one would expect - this is the story of a porn star's daughter trying to figure her life out amidst the backdrop of an explicit industry most people would judge her and her family for. I'm not sure our main character Tali really had any other way to be than to embrace the struggles she was going to go through??
The over-sexualization of most things in our modern culture is what leads to situations like this, and while I have true compassion for our main character - I also realized that an author couldn't write this without having lived some of it herself. If you read the author's note at the end - you realize she's been through some really hard times and also some really good times. It breaks my heart for every young woman out there who has felt SO lost in their own body, gone under the knife too young, or lived without true guidance in expressing themselves in healthy manners.
If you're one of the kids whose life feels like an absolute mess, and you feel like you're just winging it with absolutely NO guidance, then you'll probably really enjoy this. It's a light at the end of the tunnel that you can accept your past and move on to being happy. (Because news flash - no one has it figured out at 18!)
**If you're starting to read this and it feels super dramatic etc... that's because it is. When you're that age, everything is dramatic, and your friends feel like they're the best friends you'll ever have in your life, and you're just always high on the romantic side of any situation. Kay Stephens does a really great job of portraying that! I think it jumps past glorification (which I think it could be misinterpreted as very easily) and moves into 'having real conversations about real things' territory pretty quickly!
NOTES:
- Content warnings - drug abuse and explicit sexual content
- short read! I finished this in a day
**Thank you to Direction 71 Press & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
January 5, 2024
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
1.9 rounded up to 2/5.
"The Porn Star's Daughter" by Kay Stephens is a novel that attempts to tackle the challenging question of how one escapes the stigma of having parents in the adult entertainment industry. While the book delves into a unique and potentially engaging premise, it falls short in execution, leaving readers with a mixed experience.
The title promises an exploration of identity, stigma, and the challenges of escaping a controversial family background. However, the execution of the narrative leaves much to be desired. The protagonist, Tali Hunter, is portrayed as deeply ashamed of her mother's profession, yet her own decisions, like accepting a breast augmentation for her 18th birthday, seem incongruent with her supposed embarrassment.
The writing style in the novel could have been smoother, as the narrative felt disjointed and lacked a fluid flow. Characters, unfortunately, come across as one-dimensional and lacking depth. The relationships between characters are underdeveloped, leaving readers disconnected and unable to fully invest in their stories.
The novel struggles with several loose ends that are left unresolved, leaving readers with a sense of dissatisfaction. The plot seems to meander, and the attempt to create tension in certain situations feels forced. The dialogue is inconsistent, jumping between situations and lacking focus, making it challenging for readers to stay engaged.
Furthermore, the book's difficulty in finding clarity and maintaining a coherent narrative hinders its overall impact. The author appears to have tried too hard to exploit certain situations without organically integrating them into the storyline. This effort may leave readers feeling that the novel is attempting to be provocative without offering meaningful substance.
In conclusion, "The Porn Star's Daughter" has a promising premise that explores complex themes but falls short in execution. While the title and the potential for a unique narrative are noteworthy, the lack of character depth, underdeveloped relationships, loose ends, and a disjointed writing style detract from the overall reading experience. The novel might find an audience among those intrigued by its premise, but readers seeking a more immersive and well-crafted exploration of these themes may find themselves disappointed.
1.9 rounded up to 2/5.
"The Porn Star's Daughter" by Kay Stephens is a novel that attempts to tackle the challenging question of how one escapes the stigma of having parents in the adult entertainment industry. While the book delves into a unique and potentially engaging premise, it falls short in execution, leaving readers with a mixed experience.
The title promises an exploration of identity, stigma, and the challenges of escaping a controversial family background. However, the execution of the narrative leaves much to be desired. The protagonist, Tali Hunter, is portrayed as deeply ashamed of her mother's profession, yet her own decisions, like accepting a breast augmentation for her 18th birthday, seem incongruent with her supposed embarrassment.
The writing style in the novel could have been smoother, as the narrative felt disjointed and lacked a fluid flow. Characters, unfortunately, come across as one-dimensional and lacking depth. The relationships between characters are underdeveloped, leaving readers disconnected and unable to fully invest in their stories.
The novel struggles with several loose ends that are left unresolved, leaving readers with a sense of dissatisfaction. The plot seems to meander, and the attempt to create tension in certain situations feels forced. The dialogue is inconsistent, jumping between situations and lacking focus, making it challenging for readers to stay engaged.
Furthermore, the book's difficulty in finding clarity and maintaining a coherent narrative hinders its overall impact. The author appears to have tried too hard to exploit certain situations without organically integrating them into the storyline. This effort may leave readers feeling that the novel is attempting to be provocative without offering meaningful substance.
In conclusion, "The Porn Star's Daughter" has a promising premise that explores complex themes but falls short in execution. While the title and the potential for a unique narrative are noteworthy, the lack of character depth, underdeveloped relationships, loose ends, and a disjointed writing style detract from the overall reading experience. The novel might find an audience among those intrigued by its premise, but readers seeking a more immersive and well-crafted exploration of these themes may find themselves disappointed.
February 22, 2024
The Porn Star’s Daughter is a fun, finding yourself/college love story.
This is Kay’s debut novel, and even though I didn’t love it as much as I’d hoped, there is a lot of potential in Kay’s writing. This is a college romance, which means you need to prepare yourself for all the drama, excitement, and high emotions that come with college life and a story that centers around younger characters. I had a hard time getting into this book; I put it down a few times because I couldn’t connect with the characters, and the story was chaotic. I think part of the problem was that I was hoping for a more fun and lighthearted read, and instead, this story is more dramatic and heavy. There is a lot of potential in this book. I love the story direction Kay was going in, and it’s a unique enough story idea that would draw readers in. A bit of restructuring and this story would be great.
The characters didn’t have the depth I was hoping for. Taglia and her friends are all dealing with various issues in their lives, and their solution to dealing with those life issues is to drink them away. On one hand, the characters seem very one-dimensional and shallow, and on the other, they also show readers that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. You don’t know what is going on in that person’s life. I did love the support system that Taglia and her friends created. They stick together through thick and thin, and it was heartwarming to watch them interact at times. This book tackles some serious issues around alcohol and drug abuse, PTSD, and grief. Kay did a good job handling these issues with thought and care. The romance is ok. It’s full of drama and the ups and downs that often go with college romances. I liked Taglia and James together. Their relationship didn’t wow me, but I enjoyed watching their feelings for each other grow.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
This is Kay’s debut novel, and even though I didn’t love it as much as I’d hoped, there is a lot of potential in Kay’s writing. This is a college romance, which means you need to prepare yourself for all the drama, excitement, and high emotions that come with college life and a story that centers around younger characters. I had a hard time getting into this book; I put it down a few times because I couldn’t connect with the characters, and the story was chaotic. I think part of the problem was that I was hoping for a more fun and lighthearted read, and instead, this story is more dramatic and heavy. There is a lot of potential in this book. I love the story direction Kay was going in, and it’s a unique enough story idea that would draw readers in. A bit of restructuring and this story would be great.
The characters didn’t have the depth I was hoping for. Taglia and her friends are all dealing with various issues in their lives, and their solution to dealing with those life issues is to drink them away. On one hand, the characters seem very one-dimensional and shallow, and on the other, they also show readers that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. You don’t know what is going on in that person’s life. I did love the support system that Taglia and her friends created. They stick together through thick and thin, and it was heartwarming to watch them interact at times. This book tackles some serious issues around alcohol and drug abuse, PTSD, and grief. Kay did a good job handling these issues with thought and care. The romance is ok. It’s full of drama and the ups and downs that often go with college romances. I liked Taglia and James together. Their relationship didn’t wow me, but I enjoyed watching their feelings for each other grow.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
January 19, 2024
A fun and edgy young adult romance about coming into your own and learning from your mistakes along the way.
The Porn Star's Daughter. That title alone piqued my interest and after reading the blurb, I was even more intrigued. This book follows an 18-year-old young woman, Tali, who travels to New Orleans to attend college. This is such a weird time as most of us are away from home for the first time and trying to find our place. For Tali, she has a bit more pressure because she is trying to be anything other than the porn star's daughter. Hopefully, no one will notice her so she can start over and be the complete opposite of what everyone expects her to be.
On the flight, she meets an attractive army vet who just so happens to be attending her school and knows her secret. James is not what he seems. He is hurting and turns to drugs and alcohol but as the book continues you see how much he values Tali. While others would love to make fun of her and tear her down because of who her mother is, he encourages Tali to stay true to her and embrace her weirdness.
The supporting characters were a hoot. I think Seth's naivety helped add so much humor. His friends-with-benefits relationship with Tali's roommate Coventry was a bit toxic and unstable, yet it helped bring James and Talia together. I think the most surprising character was Trinity. Her boldness can be hard to get used to but she is full of wisdom. Her confidence in herself shines through.
College life can be so chaotic so when you find a group of people who understand you and will tell you like it is, you can't let them go. That's exactly what Tali found and learned to cherish on this journey of self-love and acceptance.
The Porn Star's Daughter. That title alone piqued my interest and after reading the blurb, I was even more intrigued. This book follows an 18-year-old young woman, Tali, who travels to New Orleans to attend college. This is such a weird time as most of us are away from home for the first time and trying to find our place. For Tali, she has a bit more pressure because she is trying to be anything other than the porn star's daughter. Hopefully, no one will notice her so she can start over and be the complete opposite of what everyone expects her to be.
On the flight, she meets an attractive army vet who just so happens to be attending her school and knows her secret. James is not what he seems. He is hurting and turns to drugs and alcohol but as the book continues you see how much he values Tali. While others would love to make fun of her and tear her down because of who her mother is, he encourages Tali to stay true to her and embrace her weirdness.
The supporting characters were a hoot. I think Seth's naivety helped add so much humor. His friends-with-benefits relationship with Tali's roommate Coventry was a bit toxic and unstable, yet it helped bring James and Talia together. I think the most surprising character was Trinity. Her boldness can be hard to get used to but she is full of wisdom. Her confidence in herself shines through.
College life can be so chaotic so when you find a group of people who understand you and will tell you like it is, you can't let them go. That's exactly what Tali found and learned to cherish on this journey of self-love and acceptance.
October 22, 2023
I found this book SO HARD to get into. The only word I can think of to describe the first section of this book is pure CHAOS. It feels like so much was thrown in for shock value. I think overall, what I felt while reading this book was sadness.
I don’t think I’m at all a judgemental person; people who know me would agree to that statement. But it was hard to see these four young people drowning their trauma with drugs and alcohol almost constantly. They continued to make decisions that were not consistent with positive living. BUT, even as I say that, I wonder, “Who am I to judge what positive living is??”
So I do have to say, while I didn’t love this book, it has challenged me to truly examine my own beliefs about other people and their life choices. Growing up is all about making decisions, whether they’re “good” or “bad,” and learning from them to become better, more whole versions of ourselves. I do have to say that by the end of this book, all the main characters did learn and grow from their choices and experiences.
The one part of the story that I couldn’t get over, though, is when there was a conflict/relationship trouble in one of the couples, (trying to keep it spoiler-free!) one of the partners moved on immediately to another partner. It made me sad, even though it eventually turned out ok.
Bravo to Kay Stephens on her debut story! She appears to live her life boldly and unapologetically! The writing in this book really was good! Even if I didn’t love this particular story, it is obvious that she is a great writer!! I would definitely read her next book!!
I don’t think I’m at all a judgemental person; people who know me would agree to that statement. But it was hard to see these four young people drowning their trauma with drugs and alcohol almost constantly. They continued to make decisions that were not consistent with positive living. BUT, even as I say that, I wonder, “Who am I to judge what positive living is??”
So I do have to say, while I didn’t love this book, it has challenged me to truly examine my own beliefs about other people and their life choices. Growing up is all about making decisions, whether they’re “good” or “bad,” and learning from them to become better, more whole versions of ourselves. I do have to say that by the end of this book, all the main characters did learn and grow from their choices and experiences.
The one part of the story that I couldn’t get over, though, is when there was a conflict/relationship trouble in one of the couples, (trying to keep it spoiler-free!) one of the partners moved on immediately to another partner. It made me sad, even though it eventually turned out ok.
Bravo to Kay Stephens on her debut story! She appears to live her life boldly and unapologetically! The writing in this book really was good! Even if I didn’t love this particular story, it is obvious that she is a great writer!! I would definitely read her next book!!
November 13, 2023
This book offered a multitude of layers to unpack. Initially, judging by the title and cover, I expected a humorous read, and while it did have laugh-out-loud moments, the core of the narrative delved into the myriad challenges young adults face as they navigate college and the adult world independently. The protagonist, Tali, is the daughter of a famous porn star from the late 80s to early 90s era, a time before the internet was prevalent. Tali has spent her life concealing her family's wealth and her mother's identity, yearning to be perceived as a normal girl by her peers. Seeking a fresh start, she leaves Los Angeles for college in New Orleans, hoping the distance will allow her to redefine herself. However, the strong resemblance to her mother becomes a constant challenge, with many people she encounters along the way uncovering her secret.
The narrative touches on various intense themes, including drug use and selling, alcohol abuse, prescription painkiller misuse, involvement in stripping and prostitution, a former Army Vet coping with PTSD (a 22-year-old freshman and the closest figure to the male main character), and the profound impact of parental death—all set against the backdrop of the general struggles faced by college students. Contrary to initial expectations, the story emerges more as a narrative of struggle and acceptance than one focused on humor and romance.
Was it worth the read? Absolutely. The novel weaves a compelling tale, exploring the complexities of personal growth and acceptance amid the turbulent challenges of young adulthood.
The narrative touches on various intense themes, including drug use and selling, alcohol abuse, prescription painkiller misuse, involvement in stripping and prostitution, a former Army Vet coping with PTSD (a 22-year-old freshman and the closest figure to the male main character), and the profound impact of parental death—all set against the backdrop of the general struggles faced by college students. Contrary to initial expectations, the story emerges more as a narrative of struggle and acceptance than one focused on humor and romance.
Was it worth the read? Absolutely. The novel weaves a compelling tale, exploring the complexities of personal growth and acceptance amid the turbulent challenges of young adulthood.
February 4, 2024
* thank you to Direction 71 and Smith Publicity for sending me this copy for review *
My true rating is 1.5 rounded to 2. While I ended up very much disliking this book, it interested me enough to finish it because there was a lot (A LOT) going on.
What I liked about it: in the beginning the writing was pretty good and the story seemed interesting enough.
What I didn’t like: at a point the story just completely fell apart for me. It was really cringey, slow-moving, and I did not care for any of the characters anymore.
What was described as a book about self-acceptance and sexual empowerment ended up being about a girl (Taglia; goes by Tali) who is essentially ashamed of her mother (Missy) despite the mom actually seeming to be a decent person (based on the maybe three mentions of her). It would have been great to have some deeper discourse of the adult film industry mixed in with how that affected Tali’s upbringing, and some interaction with her mother. Ya know, any background information at all that would have explained what she had to be ashamed about exactly.
I am always SO grateful to receive ARCs but unfortunately, this book really did not work for me.
My true rating is 1.5 rounded to 2. While I ended up very much disliking this book, it interested me enough to finish it because there was a lot (A LOT) going on.
What I liked about it: in the beginning the writing was pretty good and the story seemed interesting enough.
What I didn’t like: at a point the story just completely fell apart for me. It was really cringey, slow-moving, and I did not care for any of the characters anymore.
What was described as a book about self-acceptance and sexual empowerment ended up being about a girl (Taglia; goes by Tali) who is essentially ashamed of her mother (Missy) despite the mom actually seeming to be a decent person (based on the maybe three mentions of her). It would have been great to have some deeper discourse of the adult film industry mixed in with how that affected Tali’s upbringing, and some interaction with her mother. Ya know, any background information at all that would have explained what she had to be ashamed about exactly.
I am always SO grateful to receive ARCs but unfortunately, this book really did not work for me.
November 10, 2023
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
I just couldn't get into this book and ended up having to give up around the half way mark.I did not like any of the characters or want them to succeed. One is self obsessed and with a chip on her shoulder and the other is a mopey drunk and jerk. Add in a cast of side characters who are weird instead of quirky, selfish instead of intriguing, and you get a very unpleasant book.
Add in rough writing for a first time novelist to make things even murkier and unpleasant. There was nothing funny here and it felt like the author was trying to milk jokes out of situations she tried too hard (and unrealistically) to set up in the first place. The book really needed heart and warmth rather than the weirdness. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
January 17, 2024
Eighteen-year-old Tali is escaping Los Angeles and her infamous parents: an adult film star mother and her adult film producer father, divorced since she was an infant. She’s chosen a college in the heart of New Orleans, as it’s a city she knows her parents loathe.
Immediately upon arriving at baggage claim, she literally stumbles over a very masculine pair of legs attached to the still intoxicated but earnest James, who of course knows her notorious folks, and her dreams of reinventing herself go up in whiskey-scented flames.
A bizarre roommate with boundary-smashing issues and a seriously creepy dean add to the growing list of existential threats she encounters in her first few hours on campus.
This book was delightfully subversive, witty, and empowering, a triumph of a feminist, quirky romp that packs plenty of heart.
I loved this book and almost didn’t want it to end,
I was very fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from the author and netgalley, and I’m pleased to share my honest review.
Immediately upon arriving at baggage claim, she literally stumbles over a very masculine pair of legs attached to the still intoxicated but earnest James, who of course knows her notorious folks, and her dreams of reinventing herself go up in whiskey-scented flames.
A bizarre roommate with boundary-smashing issues and a seriously creepy dean add to the growing list of existential threats she encounters in her first few hours on campus.
This book was delightfully subversive, witty, and empowering, a triumph of a feminist, quirky romp that packs plenty of heart.
I loved this book and almost didn’t want it to end,
I was very fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from the author and netgalley, and I’m pleased to share my honest review.
February 16, 2024
I had a difficult time getting through this one. I enjoyed the characters and their chemistry but the rest of it was just so-so to me. My biggest issue was with the concept of her mother as a porn star: in and of itself, this is a difficult cross to bear for any child who is afraid of people finding out but I don’t think I could name a single porn production company and I was shocked at the number of people who could connect Tali to her mother in this way. Or the fact that her mother was no longer making videos but that people could still name her? This made no sense to me. This was more about a daughter learning to live outside her parents’ shadow and as a character study that way, it didn’t really live up to what it was trying to be. The writing was easy to read and could draw you in but the story itself wasn’t for me.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #Direction71Press for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #Direction71Press for an honest review.
January 7, 2024
This book is not the usual kind of story I read.
Tali and James are not your run-of-the-mill romantics.
To be honest, this is the kind of book that grows on you the more you think about it.
Tali has gone off to college in New Orleans, leaving behind her life as the daughter of a very famous porn star. She has to learn who she is away from her mother, and what kind of person she wants to be.
Her roommate Coventry is scary and hilarious. James and his roommate Seth are a puzzle to figure out. She's trying to figure out who she is, how she dresses, what she wants to say in the world. All the while desperately hoping that no one discovers who her mother is.
When things come to an inevitable head, Tali discovers her answers.
Tali and James are not your run-of-the-mill romantics.
To be honest, this is the kind of book that grows on you the more you think about it.
Tali has gone off to college in New Orleans, leaving behind her life as the daughter of a very famous porn star. She has to learn who she is away from her mother, and what kind of person she wants to be.
Her roommate Coventry is scary and hilarious. James and his roommate Seth are a puzzle to figure out. She's trying to figure out who she is, how she dresses, what she wants to say in the world. All the while desperately hoping that no one discovers who her mother is.
When things come to an inevitable head, Tali discovers her answers.
January 13, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a solid debut for Kay Stephens! This is definitely aimed at the upper YA/NA market and while I do read from both genres this one wasn’t really for me. It was a bit slow to start which in part was to help set up the storyline, but it did take me time to get into it. I felt we could have used more depth to the characters. I didn’t feel super connected to the characters but I definitely rooted for Talia! I think further polish will come in future works and with further refining it’ll likely be easier to follow along. I’m excited to see what Kay does next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Direction 71 Press for an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a solid debut for Kay Stephens! This is definitely aimed at the upper YA/NA market and while I do read from both genres this one wasn’t really for me. It was a bit slow to start which in part was to help set up the storyline, but it did take me time to get into it. I felt we could have used more depth to the characters. I didn’t feel super connected to the characters but I definitely rooted for Talia! I think further polish will come in future works and with further refining it’ll likely be easier to follow along. I’m excited to see what Kay does next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Direction 71 Press for an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2023
The Porn Star’s Daughter by Kay Stephens is a cute novel that explores Tali’s freshman life at a college in New Orleans; the one city her mother (a porn star) hates. She stumbles into a drunk at the airport who later turns into her boyfriend and makes friends whom she later calls family with the least expected characters.
This novel was more YA than I’d typically grab for but the title grabbed me; let’s not dissect what that says about me!
Anyways, overall verdict: 3.5/5 ⭐️ & 1/5 🌶️
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
This novel was more YA than I’d typically grab for but the title grabbed me; let’s not dissect what that says about me!
Anyways, overall verdict: 3.5/5 ⭐️ & 1/5 🌶️
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
November 13, 2023
I received an eARC from Net Galley.
I had high hopes for the book based on title and synopsis, but boy, did it disappoint.
The dialog jumped all over the place and was hard to follow without re-reading. The whiplash I got from the characters' mood swings and hate/love relationships.
The whole book was hard to read, hard to stay absorbed in, and absolutely difficult to finish. The author clearly has some things to unpack with drugs and alcohol.
The whole book was like listening to a preschool kid retell his whole day while trying to do 3 other things. It lacked focus and clarity.
I had high hopes for the book based on title and synopsis, but boy, did it disappoint.
The dialog jumped all over the place and was hard to follow without re-reading. The whiplash I got from the characters' mood swings and hate/love relationships.
The whole book was hard to read, hard to stay absorbed in, and absolutely difficult to finish. The author clearly has some things to unpack with drugs and alcohol.
The whole book was like listening to a preschool kid retell his whole day while trying to do 3 other things. It lacked focus and clarity.
January 1, 2024
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I thought the main characters were pretty likable and I always love the found family trope and sex positivity. That being said, I didn’t feel like a lot happened in the book. I know it was supposed to focus on Tali starting college and finding a place for herself away from the spotlight of her mom, but I didn’t think the storylines and friendships ever got fully developed in the book. Overall, I did still really like Tali and James and the premise of the book.
January 6, 2024
Thank you to Smith Publicity for the ARC!
This is the debut from Stephens that follows a college group of misfits that starts with Tali Hunter and the drunken army rat James Callen who are set to attend Filton University. The story weaves identity, sexual empowerment, while adding the people who have deep misconceptions on what it means to be in sex work.
Overall it was an easy read and as a heavy partier in college I related to the blur that is student life, there were just some things that I wish connected better plot and character wise.
This is the debut from Stephens that follows a college group of misfits that starts with Tali Hunter and the drunken army rat James Callen who are set to attend Filton University. The story weaves identity, sexual empowerment, while adding the people who have deep misconceptions on what it means to be in sex work.
Overall it was an easy read and as a heavy partier in college I related to the blur that is student life, there were just some things that I wish connected better plot and character wise.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews