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When You Wish
Star Beck is super-duper megastar famous. She rocks–literally–every night in concert for thousands of cheering fans. But the pop star life–tour buses, fauxmances, size 0 minis–is getting a little old. Star can’t help wondering what it would be like to be a regular girl–without paparazzi trailing her every move, and without people being nice just because, well, she’s Star Beck. And when she discovers that her mom has been lying to her for years about something very important, Star decides to find out what the world beyond her stage is like after all.
In the blink of an emerald green eye, Star finds herself . . . buying a car. Eating cheeseburgers. Swapping her stilettos for flip-flops. Getting a job that doesn’t require dancing, winking, or mall appearances. And falling for the cutest, realest boy she’s ever met. But how will she know if he feels the same way? Because for once in her life, someone is going to have to like her for who she really is.
In the blink of an emerald green eye, Star finds herself . . . buying a car. Eating cheeseburgers. Swapping her stilettos for flip-flops. Getting a job that doesn’t require dancing, winking, or mall appearances. And falling for the cutest, realest boy she’s ever met. But how will she know if he feels the same way? Because for once in her life, someone is going to have to like her for who she really is.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
37 people are currently reading
1269 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Harmel
28 books16.5k followersKristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling, USA Today bestselling, and #1 international bestselling author of The Paris Daughter, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker’s Wife, and a dozen other novels that have been translated into more than 30 languages and are sold all over the world.
Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began her career as a sportswriter, covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. In addition to a long magazine writing career, primarily writing and reporting for PEOPLE magazine (as well as articles published in numerous other magazines, including American Baby, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and more), Kristin was also a frequent contributor to the national television morning show The Daily Buzz. She sold her first novel in 2004, and it debuted in February 2006.
Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Worthington, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She is also the co-founder and co-host of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began her career as a sportswriter, covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. In addition to a long magazine writing career, primarily writing and reporting for PEOPLE magazine (as well as articles published in numerous other magazines, including American Baby, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and more), Kristin was also a frequent contributor to the national television morning show The Daily Buzz. She sold her first novel in 2004, and it debuted in February 2006.
Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Worthington, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She is also the co-founder and co-host of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
January 14, 2021
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this YA book. I got SO much nostalgia for the Britney Spears/ Christina Aguilera/ Jessica Simpson era it was ridiculous. This book is about Star Beck. She is a pop star who's mom is her manager and she is larger than life. She's 16 but has been in the limelight since she was kid and feels like she's never really been able to live for herself. She's constantly being told what to do, where to be, what to eat, how to look, etc. She's never had a real kiss-- they've all been staged for publicity, including her relationship with male popstar Jesse (aka JT?). Anywho, her mom is a pretty selfish person and is clearly out for herself but the final straw comes when Star finds out that her dad (who she thought abandoned them) has been writing to her for 6 years. She chops her famous red hair, dyes it, and runs away to go find her dad. She starts on a bus (trying to go from LA to FL) and then ends up buying a car. She's 16, has a license, and knows how to drive stick. I HIGHLY doubt thats true. Why would a popstar need to drive, especially a stick shift? There are a lot of things that happen very coincidentally (like that) that are completely unrealistic, but they move the story along and big picture I think this is so entertaining. This showed the harder side of being a young popstar but really it was the nostalgia factor that won this for me. I also loved the romance with Nick and shipped it completely!
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Star goes to St Petersburg FL looking for her dad. On the way, the train schedule isn't working so she's stuck in a diner and comes across someone selling an old VW Bug. She buys it and drives the rest of the way. When she gets there her dad is out of town for a few days but she befriends a guy named Nick. She decides to get a job working in his family's Italian restaurant and her waitressing career starts off ROUGH. Anyway, they form a friendship under the impression her name is Amanda Pepper. They bond, especially when she finds out her dad sucks and is actually after her money. She tells Nick everything and he is really mad at first (especially when the popstar Jesse comes to sweep her off her feet) but they make up in the end. Her mom still sucks but not as bad as her dad. Nick and his family becomes her family and I love that. She goes back to being a popstar but because she loves it and she takes over her own management, etc.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Star goes to St Petersburg FL looking for her dad. On the way, the train schedule isn't working so she's stuck in a diner and comes across someone selling an old VW Bug. She buys it and drives the rest of the way. When she gets there her dad is out of town for a few days but she befriends a guy named Nick. She decides to get a job working in his family's Italian restaurant and her waitressing career starts off ROUGH. Anyway, they form a friendship under the impression her name is Amanda Pepper. They bond, especially when she finds out her dad sucks and is actually after her money. She tells Nick everything and he is really mad at first (especially when the popstar Jesse comes to sweep her off her feet) but they make up in the end. Her mom still sucks but not as bad as her dad. Nick and his family becomes her family and I love that. She goes back to being a popstar but because she loves it and she takes over her own management, etc.
September 10, 2016
Actual rating: 3.75 stars
I wound up enjoying this, surprisingly enough. It’s really funny, and I laughed out loud a few times. I have a very weird sense of humor, just saying.
(She’s applying for a job. And she’s trying to live the normal life, so she has to make up a name.)
I don’t have a clue why I found this funny. Maybe it’s because she blurted out “Pepper” of all things.
(She never went to high school, and doesn't know any schools in Florida. Naturally.)
Oh my god, the things she says. They’re hilarious. Sweet Valley High? LOL.
(Sorry, guys. I have a terrible sense of humor.)
Okay, moving on. When You Wish is not at all realistic. It’s all very surreal. Star/Amanda is 16 and she’s the most popular in America. Say what? She’s so young. Child actor — believable. But to have her debut album hit #3 on the charts just within the first two weeks it not. Because she’s THIRTEEN. At fourteen, she releases her second album, and then by the time she’s sixteen, she’s already won two Grammys. Seriously, this is not America. Ignore that, and her life is still a bit of a stretch. But whatever; it’s not like the book’s supposed to be realistic… Is it?
Star/Amanda is very quick to deny what she doesn't want to know. Like with her father. She so badly wants to believe he’s the father she remembers him as, not who her mother tells her he is. It’s sad, really. Her parents suck at being parents.
I really liked Ben, even though he was barely a part of the story. He should have had a bigger role. :)
Cute Textbook Boy, I love you. ♥
When You Wish is a cute book; I’d recommend it. :)
I wound up enjoying this, surprisingly enough. It’s really funny, and I laughed out loud a few times. I have a very weird sense of humor, just saying.
(She’s applying for a job. And she’s trying to live the normal life, so she has to make up a name.)
“Your name?” she says with a laugh.
“Oh! It’s … Amanda,” I tell her.
“Amanda what?” she asks? […]
“Pepper!” I say. […] Okay, it sounds a bit weird. But Pepper could be a last name. Right?
I don’t have a clue why I found this funny. Maybe it’s because she blurted out “Pepper” of all things.
(She never went to high school, and doesn't know any schools in Florida. Naturally.)
“Where did you go to high school?” he asks.
“Back in California … you wouldn't know it.”
“Try me,” Nick says cheerfully. “I have some friends in L.A.”
“Uh,” I stall. “Sweet Valley High.” […] Nick looks at me funny.
“Amanda,” Nick says slowly. “That’s a series of books.”
“Which they named after my school.”
Oh my god, the things she says. They’re hilarious. Sweet Valley High? LOL.
(Sorry, guys. I have a terrible sense of humor.)
Okay, moving on. When You Wish is not at all realistic. It’s all very surreal. Star/Amanda is 16 and she’s the most popular in America. Say what? She’s so young. Child actor — believable. But to have her debut album hit #3 on the charts just within the first two weeks it not. Because she’s THIRTEEN. At fourteen, she releases her second album, and then by the time she’s sixteen, she’s already won two Grammys. Seriously, this is not America. Ignore that, and her life is still a bit of a stretch. But whatever; it’s not like the book’s supposed to be realistic… Is it?
Star/Amanda is very quick to deny what she doesn't want to know. Like with her father. She so badly wants to believe he’s the father she remembers him as, not who her mother tells her he is. It’s sad, really. Her parents suck at being parents.
I really liked Ben, even though he was barely a part of the story. He should have had a bigger role. :)
Cute Textbook Boy, I love you. ♥
When You Wish is a cute book; I’d recommend it. :)
January 31, 2009
This book was ... okay. It's written from the point of view of 16 year old Star Beck, an insanely popular famous pop singer, like Brittney Spears or whoever the one now is. Kelly Clarkson? It's about how the pop star's life is far from perfect - her mother controlling what she wears and eats, fake relationship with famous pop king as a publicity stunt, everyone just trying to get her money, everything that happens in her life being taped by the media, people spreading rumors that she's in rehab for alcohol abuse whenever she gets sick, etc, etc, etc.
Early in the book, Star discovers that her father, who walked out on them when she was very young, has been trying to contact her for many years but her mother has kept the letters from her. She embarks on a quest for "normalcy" - changes her hair and makeup so she won't be recognized and takes off in search of her father. It's the story of what happens when she meets him, how she adjusted to "normal" life and romance, and how she took back control of her career.
It was not the best written book I've ever read, but far from being the worst. Once I got in a few chapters, I was hooked and didn't want to put it down. There was only one part of the book that I found unbelievable based on how the character was written, and unfortunatly that was a pretty important part - it led to the big conflict that led to the end of the book. I had trouble believing that she would call Jesse instead of Ben. Otherwise, it was a decent story in that respect.
And it is a somewhat empowering story for teenage girls, I think.
Early in the book, Star discovers that her father, who walked out on them when she was very young, has been trying to contact her for many years but her mother has kept the letters from her. She embarks on a quest for "normalcy" - changes her hair and makeup so she won't be recognized and takes off in search of her father. It's the story of what happens when she meets him, how she adjusted to "normal" life and romance, and how she took back control of her career.
It was not the best written book I've ever read, but far from being the worst. Once I got in a few chapters, I was hooked and didn't want to put it down. There was only one part of the book that I found unbelievable based on how the character was written, and unfortunatly that was a pretty important part - it led to the big conflict that led to the end of the book. I had trouble believing that she would call Jesse instead of Ben. Otherwise, it was a decent story in that respect.
And it is a somewhat empowering story for teenage girls, I think.
June 11, 2012
After reading
I had become a huge fan of Kristin Harmel. So naturally I went out and purchased all of her books I could find!
This is the first of her young adult novels. And it delievers just much as her others. Star Beck is a teen sensation who's so famous she's got everything, expect her dad. She runs away from the spotlight to go in search of her father and goes on the journey of a lifetime posing as an "normal" teenager.
This was fun to read and I really enjoyed the story and the characters. For some reason I pictured Justin Timberlake as her superstar boyfriend. I think he really fit the description from when Justin was first breaking into acting and still with Nsync. Highly recommended to all for a light summer fun read!
I had become a huge fan of Kristin Harmel. So naturally I went out and purchased all of her books I could find! This is the first of her young adult novels. And it delievers just much as her others. Star Beck is a teen sensation who's so famous she's got everything, expect her dad. She runs away from the spotlight to go in search of her father and goes on the journey of a lifetime posing as an "normal" teenager.
This was fun to read and I really enjoyed the story and the characters. For some reason I pictured Justin Timberlake as her superstar boyfriend. I think he really fit the description from when Justin was first breaking into acting and still with Nsync. Highly recommended to all for a light summer fun read!
March 10, 2022
Cute, easy read. Not totally believable but the main character Amanda/Star is likeable and that goes a long ways. She proves to have some street smarts about her parents in the end which is a lovely finish.
August 7, 2018
2/3. this is a book i read in middle school, and which was on the plastic beach reads shelf-insert on the side of one of the YA shelves in the library. i've read it before but forgotten it, clearly, because i used to consume books like gasoline and then immediately expel them in clear, memory-less fumes. not to get too into it but i was very obsessed with these sorts of books on celebrity culture either because
1. they're FUN, or because
2. not to psychoanalyze myself but clearly i was very lonely and needed to sink myself one YA novel at a time into these glitzy little alternate lives in order to escape or at least temporarily stretch outside of my own body. it was the brand of wish fulfillment most available to me or whatever. hence the fact that even at 19 i still have all of Airhead by meg cabot memorized, because i read that literally about seven hundred times. it's about having your brain transplanted into the body of a literal model! and thus a better life. and not even by choice, so you can retain some degree of nobleness and rightful indignation in the face of your beautiful beautiful fate - my love of this was probably some early form of dysphoria, or at least dysmorphia, or probably just the bud of womanhood and the subsequent dream of experiencing full and glorious inhabitation of femininity.
anyway the book itself is just one large repetition of each one of Star's thoughts (which is optimal for a certain kind of headspace-entering, and for fully imagining yourself as the character, which was something that i was unbeknownst to myself looking for in books at 13. probably. again, not to psychoanalyze myself). every page in the beginning, for example, she says some variation of: but my mom loves me and I'm Star Beck and there's no way to escape this gilded cage of fame... Right?
sadly it was not as fun as i wanted it to be, and the lush 90s painting of a cover misled me into thinking it would be slightly more surreal, along the lines of a tyra banks modelland or a weetzie bat. neither of which i have read! the love interest was stupid as fuck and in fact boring to death. however that's harsh because i think his biggest strength was his visual aspect which as i obviously was looking at him through the sieve of words printed on shitty brown-yellow YA paperback pages could not effectively see. i think it was dumb how he winked so much. anyway, is this a review? i feel like it is. here, how about if you are one of the two and a half people that read this you let me know in the comments.
1. they're FUN, or because
2. not to psychoanalyze myself but clearly i was very lonely and needed to sink myself one YA novel at a time into these glitzy little alternate lives in order to escape or at least temporarily stretch outside of my own body. it was the brand of wish fulfillment most available to me or whatever. hence the fact that even at 19 i still have all of Airhead by meg cabot memorized, because i read that literally about seven hundred times. it's about having your brain transplanted into the body of a literal model! and thus a better life. and not even by choice, so you can retain some degree of nobleness and rightful indignation in the face of your beautiful beautiful fate - my love of this was probably some early form of dysphoria, or at least dysmorphia, or probably just the bud of womanhood and the subsequent dream of experiencing full and glorious inhabitation of femininity.
anyway the book itself is just one large repetition of each one of Star's thoughts (which is optimal for a certain kind of headspace-entering, and for fully imagining yourself as the character, which was something that i was unbeknownst to myself looking for in books at 13. probably. again, not to psychoanalyze myself). every page in the beginning, for example, she says some variation of: but my mom loves me and I'm Star Beck and there's no way to escape this gilded cage of fame... Right?
sadly it was not as fun as i wanted it to be, and the lush 90s painting of a cover misled me into thinking it would be slightly more surreal, along the lines of a tyra banks modelland or a weetzie bat. neither of which i have read! the love interest was stupid as fuck and in fact boring to death. however that's harsh because i think his biggest strength was his visual aspect which as i obviously was looking at him through the sieve of words printed on shitty brown-yellow YA paperback pages could not effectively see. i think it was dumb how he winked so much. anyway, is this a review? i feel like it is. here, how about if you are one of the two and a half people that read this you let me know in the comments.
November 30, 2018
I found this in my library’s e-book offerings before bed as I was searching for a quick bedtime escapist/fun read (adding balance to my dissertating PhD life). I knew from the description it would be a “classic” depiction of a fictional famous person like other books that populate my famous shelf. As I have noted before, I rather love this funny little sub genre of contemporary realistic fiction (ish...let’s be honest many of the books here are pretty fantastical). I was right: famous child/young adult star, overbearing and somewhat selfish momager, running away from it all to live a “normal life” out of the spotlight, cute boy who doesn’t recognize the star...classic tropes. With a 2008 pub date this is a bit dated but fit the bill for my escape into fame.
June 19, 2021
I enjoyed this YA book which was a fun and enchanting read. Kristin Harmel words are so smooth to read, they flow like water going down stream. I loved the way that Star 🌠 makes all the right choices and how she becomes wiser than her years.The story and it's characters make it a wonderful read. ❤️ ⭐
August 1, 2023
Being a Kristin Harmel fame I've been going back and reading some of her earlier books and came across this YA novel. Enjoyable book I read on the beach today. One of her chick lit books before she moved to historical fiction.
August 3, 2023
3.5⭐️ for this sweet book. It was just the easy read I needed between some other pretty in depth books. Star Beck ventured out to find her dad, but ends up finding herself instead. A story of standing up for yourself and what’s right for you.
September 30, 2021
A teenager book, but entertaining.
November 8, 2021
She’s written such fantastic books but this mist by far be her worst. Predictable with no substance like her other books.
Book for teenagers at the most
Book for teenagers at the most
March 24, 2022
This was a quick and easy read. Very early writing of Kristin Harmel, but just as good as some of her more current with. Great young adult book.
May 24, 2023
Fun read, i love a cute y2k type of book where a famous popstar runs away to live a normal life trope. Its a cute and entertaining easy read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2023
3.25⭐
cute little story!
cute little story!
April 1, 2025
Quick and easy young adult read. A pop star teen figures out she’s been isolated from real life and her estranged dad, so goes in search for him and finds herself along the way!
July 12, 2025
A YA novel - pop star Star Beck runs away from home to find her father
March 8, 2019
After falling completely in love with Harmel's The Life Intended, I knew I wanted to give some of her earlier novels a chance. I'm usually a big fan of young adult novels, and the famous person falling for the regular person trope is one of my favorites, so When You Wish sounded like something I was probably going to enjoy, and I definitely did.
It's a cute, sweet coming of age novel that focuses around a sixteen year old girl "Star Beck" who's become a household name in the last six years, thanks to her hit TV show, and the four albums she's released that have each become huge successes. Everyone everywhere wants to be Star Beck, but unfortunately Star herself. She's feeling burned out on being a celebrity, on never having a say in her own life, and from everyone around her treating her like a dollar sign rather than a regular person. When she discovers that her mother has been keeping a huge secret from her, Star decides to run away, and try to live life as a normal teenager for a change. However, how can someone who's never known normal possibly ever be normal, and Star's in for quite a ride on her adventure to discover just who Star Beck truly is.
I've been hearing the term adorkable thrown around quite a bit in the book community lately, and to me, this charming story is the epiphany of this. Star is quirky, hysterically funny, and surprisingly relatable. It was refreshing to see how despite her huge success, she's still very down to earth, and has kept a fairly decent head on her shoulders throughout the entire ordeal. She also may be a celebrity, but she still needs to know that she matters truly to the people she should.
Her journey brings her into contact with a few different people, but I'm going to be honest that "cute textbook boy" was definitely my favorite. While the romance is slightly insta-lovey, I did still really enjoy it, and thought that Star and Nick were so stinkin cute.
As well, since I've only read more serious books by Kristin Harmel, I wasn't expecting this one to be quite so hilarious. The numerous antics Star finds herself in were downright hysterical, and in particular, I loved the passage where Star informs Nick that she attended "Sweet Valley High."
All in all, I adored this and gave it four out of five stars. It stays pretty clean too for the most part, with only mild thematic elements thrown into a few passages. I highly recommend this one, and am wholeheartedly glad that I gave it a chance.
Favorite Quote: "Maybe the people who we love and who love us-the people who see us for who we really are-can be family too."
It's a cute, sweet coming of age novel that focuses around a sixteen year old girl "Star Beck" who's become a household name in the last six years, thanks to her hit TV show, and the four albums she's released that have each become huge successes. Everyone everywhere wants to be Star Beck, but unfortunately Star herself. She's feeling burned out on being a celebrity, on never having a say in her own life, and from everyone around her treating her like a dollar sign rather than a regular person. When she discovers that her mother has been keeping a huge secret from her, Star decides to run away, and try to live life as a normal teenager for a change. However, how can someone who's never known normal possibly ever be normal, and Star's in for quite a ride on her adventure to discover just who Star Beck truly is.
I've been hearing the term adorkable thrown around quite a bit in the book community lately, and to me, this charming story is the epiphany of this. Star is quirky, hysterically funny, and surprisingly relatable. It was refreshing to see how despite her huge success, she's still very down to earth, and has kept a fairly decent head on her shoulders throughout the entire ordeal. She also may be a celebrity, but she still needs to know that she matters truly to the people she should.
Her journey brings her into contact with a few different people, but I'm going to be honest that "cute textbook boy" was definitely my favorite. While the romance is slightly insta-lovey, I did still really enjoy it, and thought that Star and Nick were so stinkin cute.
As well, since I've only read more serious books by Kristin Harmel, I wasn't expecting this one to be quite so hilarious. The numerous antics Star finds herself in were downright hysterical, and in particular, I loved the passage where Star informs Nick that she attended "Sweet Valley High."
All in all, I adored this and gave it four out of five stars. It stays pretty clean too for the most part, with only mild thematic elements thrown into a few passages. I highly recommend this one, and am wholeheartedly glad that I gave it a chance.
Favorite Quote: "Maybe the people who we love and who love us-the people who see us for who we really are-can be family too."
October 10, 2008
Harmel, Kristin. 2008. When You Wish.
I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Typically books written about teens who have it all--money, popularity, good looks, etc--don't do much for me. And on the surface, this book is about that. About a teen girl who supposedly "has it all."
Star Beck. A sixteen year old pop star who already has more than a few bestselling, record-breaking albums to her name. A beautiful long-haired, red-haired princess of pop. But Star is missing a few things--a real mother who is there for her, who listens, who is kind, who is supportive, who isn't all about the money and fame; a real father, one who didn't abandon her when she was three only to resurface when she's one of the most famous teens on the planet; a real boyfriend, one who isn't all about showy kisses for the media and making a big entrance; a real friend, one who won't sell her out to the tabloids. Of course her job is far from average, and her schooling is as well. She's got her GED, but she's not been to a real school in forever. Not since Disney (I think it was Disney in the book, it might have been Nickelodeon.) plucked her out of her ordinary existence and made her the rich and famous "it" girl of the moment. The only girl who doesn't want to be Star Beck is Star Beck.
So after a particularly bad day, Star gives herself a hair cut (at least it wasn't a shave), dyes her hair, and runs away from her hotel room (she's on tour). Now calling herself Amanda, she is determined to make her way to Florida. On her way to see her dad for the first time in thirteen years. Can a pop star on her own survive in the real world? Can she survive without being surrounded by her entourage, her people? Will she like it? Will she love it?
This book is a coming-of-age story, in a way, of a girl realizing who she is and isn't. About a girl realizing that she should have some say in her own life.
I definitely liked it. I think it complements Audrey, Wait well.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. Typically books written about teens who have it all--money, popularity, good looks, etc--don't do much for me. And on the surface, this book is about that. About a teen girl who supposedly "has it all."
Star Beck. A sixteen year old pop star who already has more than a few bestselling, record-breaking albums to her name. A beautiful long-haired, red-haired princess of pop. But Star is missing a few things--a real mother who is there for her, who listens, who is kind, who is supportive, who isn't all about the money and fame; a real father, one who didn't abandon her when she was three only to resurface when she's one of the most famous teens on the planet; a real boyfriend, one who isn't all about showy kisses for the media and making a big entrance; a real friend, one who won't sell her out to the tabloids. Of course her job is far from average, and her schooling is as well. She's got her GED, but she's not been to a real school in forever. Not since Disney (I think it was Disney in the book, it might have been Nickelodeon.) plucked her out of her ordinary existence and made her the rich and famous "it" girl of the moment. The only girl who doesn't want to be Star Beck is Star Beck.
So after a particularly bad day, Star gives herself a hair cut (at least it wasn't a shave), dyes her hair, and runs away from her hotel room (she's on tour). Now calling herself Amanda, she is determined to make her way to Florida. On her way to see her dad for the first time in thirteen years. Can a pop star on her own survive in the real world? Can she survive without being surrounded by her entourage, her people? Will she like it? Will she love it?
This book is a coming-of-age story, in a way, of a girl realizing who she is and isn't. About a girl realizing that she should have some say in her own life.
I definitely liked it. I think it complements Audrey, Wait well.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
November 11, 2012
Reviewed by Chelsea Swiggett for TeensReadToo.com
Most people have the preconceived notion that celebrities have it easy. If you think that, you should go out and get a copy of this book.
Star Beck is famous. She's worshiped by millions of fans, gets an extremely high paycheck, and lives in five-star hotels. But a lot of people seem to think that her life is luxurious, and that she doesn't have a care in the world. While Star's life may have its benefits, it's certainly not easy. She's shuffled from place to place, hardly getting any time to rest. She has to practice her dance moves, watch her calorie intake, and be perfect practically 24/7. She can forget doing anything normal like going to the movies with her friends.
And she's getting sick of the pop star life. So she cuts off and dies her hair, puts on a pair of glasses, and sets off to live a normal life. She actually starts to make real friends and eat fatty foods. She's living a life she never thought would be possible. But, can she keep up her disguise forever, or will someone eventually find out who she really is?
This book was just plain fun. I was hooked as soon as I read the first sentence. Practically everyone's fantasized about living a celebrity life and all the benefits it would entail, but this book was pretty eye-opening on that issue. The celebrity life is a lot harder than it seems on TV!
There are a lot of books about celebrities and people becoming famous, but this one sticks out. Star - despite her name - is just an average, everyday, normal teenager, which makes her quite likable.
Kristin Harmel did an amazing job on her characters, as well as the plot. She never let the book get dull - I was so into the story I didn't realize how fast it was going by. I'm actually pretty sad it's over. Definitely a must read.
Most people have the preconceived notion that celebrities have it easy. If you think that, you should go out and get a copy of this book.
Star Beck is famous. She's worshiped by millions of fans, gets an extremely high paycheck, and lives in five-star hotels. But a lot of people seem to think that her life is luxurious, and that she doesn't have a care in the world. While Star's life may have its benefits, it's certainly not easy. She's shuffled from place to place, hardly getting any time to rest. She has to practice her dance moves, watch her calorie intake, and be perfect practically 24/7. She can forget doing anything normal like going to the movies with her friends.
And she's getting sick of the pop star life. So she cuts off and dies her hair, puts on a pair of glasses, and sets off to live a normal life. She actually starts to make real friends and eat fatty foods. She's living a life she never thought would be possible. But, can she keep up her disguise forever, or will someone eventually find out who she really is?
This book was just plain fun. I was hooked as soon as I read the first sentence. Practically everyone's fantasized about living a celebrity life and all the benefits it would entail, but this book was pretty eye-opening on that issue. The celebrity life is a lot harder than it seems on TV!
There are a lot of books about celebrities and people becoming famous, but this one sticks out. Star - despite her name - is just an average, everyday, normal teenager, which makes her quite likable.
Kristin Harmel did an amazing job on her characters, as well as the plot. She never let the book get dull - I was so into the story I didn't realize how fast it was going by. I'm actually pretty sad it's over. Definitely a must read.
October 4, 2010
Kristin Harmel is a new to me author though I have acquired several of her titles that are languishing on my TBR pile. Though I don’t normally find myself drawn to the young adult genre, this book appealed to me on several levels. First, the idea of a teen superstar who is likeable when all we ever hear about is the scandal and drama of the teen celebrities inundating the media nowadays is a refreshing and welcome change. Secondly, I liked that the story was clean. I don’t think the young adult genre should cross over into mainstream adult fiction and there have been a few books I have taken on recently that were marketed as young adult but were excessively graphic and explicit and not for a young adult reader. Last, but not least, When You Wish is a feel good story about a young girl on a journey to take back her life who finds love along the way.
I enjoyed going along for the ride when Star Beck decides to find out what the world is like outside of her reality. When she discovers that her mother has been lying to her for the past six years, she alters her appearance and takes off for Florida to find the father she hasn’t seen in thirteen years. When her funds run drastically low, she resorts to getting a job in a restaurant using a false name. She is drawn to a boy in the restaurant and ultimately gets to know him better and he helps her improve her waitressing skills.
I was quite surprised at the direction the story took when Star finally locates her father, but I felt it made Star a stronger and more realistic character. The author does an exceptional job of giving the reader a front-row seat to Star’s life. Several times throughout the book, I found myself wondering how the truth would be revealed and what the consequences would be for concealing her true identity. In the end, this book turned out to be a very fast and enjoyable read that made me smile.
I enjoyed going along for the ride when Star Beck decides to find out what the world is like outside of her reality. When she discovers that her mother has been lying to her for the past six years, she alters her appearance and takes off for Florida to find the father she hasn’t seen in thirteen years. When her funds run drastically low, she resorts to getting a job in a restaurant using a false name. She is drawn to a boy in the restaurant and ultimately gets to know him better and he helps her improve her waitressing skills.
I was quite surprised at the direction the story took when Star finally locates her father, but I felt it made Star a stronger and more realistic character. The author does an exceptional job of giving the reader a front-row seat to Star’s life. Several times throughout the book, I found myself wondering how the truth would be revealed and what the consequences would be for concealing her true identity. In the end, this book turned out to be a very fast and enjoyable read that made me smile.
April 16, 2013
Cute story about 16 year old Star, a famous teen throb singer and actor. Her mother micromanages everything she does, all based on making sure that she doesn't lose her ability to keep rolling in the dough. Star's father has been out of the picture since she was 3. One day she is given a
One of the things I liked and found to be different is that at the beginning of every chapter there is part of a song that is from an album that Star has made. The lyrics fit in with the chapter somehow. I really liked this because I love music so much.
When Star is incognito she meets a boy named Nick whose mother happens to own the restaurant where Star landed a job. As luck would have it, she
The saddest part of the story is that
Recommendation: A cute, quick read. Not what I'd call a true page-turner, but definitely cute.
One of the things I liked and found to be different is that at the beginning of every chapter there is part of a song that is from an album that Star has made. The lyrics fit in with the chapter somehow. I really liked this because I love music so much.
When Star is incognito she meets a boy named Nick whose mother happens to own the restaurant where Star landed a job. As luck would have it, she
The saddest part of the story is that
Recommendation: A cute, quick read. Not what I'd call a true page-turner, but definitely cute.
September 15, 2008
16-year-old popster Star Beck is a household name throughout most of America. She sings, she dances, she acts. She’s also not living nearly the carefree life her fans would believe: she hasn’t had a hamburger since she was twelve , her romance with the hottest teen boy pop star is all a publicity sham, and she has no time to herself – ever. Star’s dad left when she was three, and he’s never bothered to keep in touch. Her mom keeps busy shopping, getting manicures and enjoying the other benefits of her daughter’s fame. Then a reporter discovers a letter from her dad: apparently he’s been writing to her once a month for the past six years and her mom has been keeping the letters from her. Angry and confused, Star cuts and dyes her hair, takes all the cash she can find in her mother’s stash, and buys a bus ticket to Florida where her father and new family are living. Incognito, she is soon working as a waitress, driving a hot pink Volkswagen beetle and spending time with a regular boy while she figures out the best way to reintroduce herself to the father who no longer recognizes her. Life out of the spotlight is a welcome relief – but also harder than she’d ever expected. And time is of the essence - it won't be long before the paparazzi find her.
Light reading with a slightly transparent plot. Star’s dilemma goes on a little too long before being resolved, but teens will enjoy reading about the life of someone rich and famous. Give this one to fans of Pop Princess or Confessions of A Backup Dancer.
Light reading with a slightly transparent plot. Star’s dilemma goes on a little too long before being resolved, but teens will enjoy reading about the life of someone rich and famous. Give this one to fans of Pop Princess or Confessions of A Backup Dancer.
October 10, 2010
When You Wish by Kristin Harmel tells the story of Star Beck, a 16 year old pop star. Star is gorgeous, talented and extremely famous. She has it all, or does she?
Even though Star appreciates her lavish lifestyle, she longs to be normal. Her relationship with her mother is rocky and her father abandoned her when she was very young.
After her mother stages another publicity stunt, Star has had enough. She chops off her hair, dyes it, puts on glasses and a baseball cap and grabs the next bus to Florida to find her estranged father. On her journey, she meets some unlikely friends and learns a lot about what it really means to be “normal.”
This was a very cute young adult novel. The book interested me because I’ve recently read a lot of Kristin Harmel and I knew I needed to pick this one up especially because this was one of her first YA books that I’ve read.
I really enjoyed the storyline. I love the idea of being a famous teenager and it must have been fun for Harmel to get in Star’s head to write this novel. I think Star was definitely a relateable character (even though she was famous) and reminded me of any normal teenage girl going through problems.
I loved the unlikely romance (don’t want to give anything away!) but I’ll tell you this- it’s good!
The message in the story about how all families are different and all families have their own problems is so true and a good reminder to us all. No one has the “perfect” life or the “perfect” family, no matter how perfect it looks from the outside.
This book was a quick and easy read and I never wanted to put it down!
Even though Star appreciates her lavish lifestyle, she longs to be normal. Her relationship with her mother is rocky and her father abandoned her when she was very young.
After her mother stages another publicity stunt, Star has had enough. She chops off her hair, dyes it, puts on glasses and a baseball cap and grabs the next bus to Florida to find her estranged father. On her journey, she meets some unlikely friends and learns a lot about what it really means to be “normal.”
This was a very cute young adult novel. The book interested me because I’ve recently read a lot of Kristin Harmel and I knew I needed to pick this one up especially because this was one of her first YA books that I’ve read.
I really enjoyed the storyline. I love the idea of being a famous teenager and it must have been fun for Harmel to get in Star’s head to write this novel. I think Star was definitely a relateable character (even though she was famous) and reminded me of any normal teenage girl going through problems.
I loved the unlikely romance (don’t want to give anything away!) but I’ll tell you this- it’s good!
The message in the story about how all families are different and all families have their own problems is so true and a good reminder to us all. No one has the “perfect” life or the “perfect” family, no matter how perfect it looks from the outside.
This book was a quick and easy read and I never wanted to put it down!
July 8, 2009
How many books have I read that had this topic? Too many to count, that's for sure. I'd really just tell you not to read this, not because I hated it, but because there's nothing really special to it if you've already read another book similar to this. The only difference would be that the pop star here wants to look for her father, and as cliches would go, he turns out to be a gold-digger. And Star actually reveals her secret identity instead of it getting exposed by the media or her arch-nemesis. Which is another thing that's different here. She doesn't have to enroll herself into a normal school and meet the cliched high school hierarchy where she will undoubtedly make a fool of herself.
The whole storyline is cute. Too fluffy for my tastes. It's like one of those extra-sweet-with-three-hundred-sugar-coatings on top kind of books. You're the pop princess. You have the perfect life. You meet the perfect boy. Awww, so sweet. And it ends with quite a sickeningly sweet kiss. What's up with that? It's just too overdone. It already nearly killed me when I saw the weird epilogue, but more so when Nick and Star kissed and she says, straight out of a movie: "I'm better than ever." Oh, please.
This is not to say I don't enjoy romantic comedies, or romance movies. Of course not. I'm a romantic at heart, but this exaggerated and much anticipated stuff just makes me cringe. I'm sure authors can do better than this, right? Where's the over-active imagination in this case, hm?
The whole storyline is cute. Too fluffy for my tastes. It's like one of those extra-sweet-with-three-hundred-sugar-coatings on top kind of books. You're the pop princess. You have the perfect life. You meet the perfect boy. Awww, so sweet. And it ends with quite a sickeningly sweet kiss. What's up with that? It's just too overdone. It already nearly killed me when I saw the weird epilogue, but more so when Nick and Star kissed and she says, straight out of a movie: "I'm better than ever." Oh, please.
This is not to say I don't enjoy romantic comedies, or romance movies. Of course not. I'm a romantic at heart, but this exaggerated and much anticipated stuff just makes me cringe. I'm sure authors can do better than this, right? Where's the over-active imagination in this case, hm?
May 9, 2011
FANTASTIC... even though it was predictable, I still changed my predictions at least twice... I also really liked how Nick wasn't accepting and welcoming to her secrets. In most books the guy is prefect and accepting and never screws up or takes a step back or anything. I really like that this time he was human and not some ultra-understanding rock that she can stand on... it makes the book so much better... It was also REALLY smooth... It took me a total of about two hours to read it all the way through, but I didnt feel rushed and the story was complete. Most of the time when I read books that fast, I have some kind of deadline, I have only skimmed it or the book is written well enough for me to feel like it is finished. Kristin Harmel made it interesting and fun enough that the THOUGHT of only skimming it was terrible. She filled the story out with enough detail and emotion for it to be good and entrancing-idk if thats the right word or not but whatev-while keeping the detail and thought small enough that it isn't boring... the ending was pretty good... I loved the album she releases... another thing about the end is during the press conference, I LOVE what she says about her dad... especially the way his face changes... I just think that those two pages have a GREAT depiction of his character... I DEFINITELY love the book
if I SERIOUSLY think about the books have read lately this is probably one of the best books I have read in a long time... definitely in the top 5
if I SERIOUSLY think about the books have read lately this is probably one of the best books I have read in a long time... definitely in the top 5
July 22, 2011
I love YA books I read in a day! And for some reason, I am really enjoying this author lately. And this book was no expectation. The lead character reminded me of a Hannah Montana type to start, but ended up being different. 16 year old Girl is a famous singer and her mom like forces her to do stuff and she doesn't want to sing anymore, she just wants to find her dad and be normal. Her mom screws her over one final time and she finds out that her dad has been writing to her, so she sneaks out of NYC and down to FL to find her dad. One thing that was annoying is that she is super over paranoid that someone is going to recognize her. Whatever. She rents a cheap room at a cheap motel in the town her dad lives in but has no money, so gets a job at a local Italian restaurant and falls for the son of the owner. She finds her dad as well and at first he seems genuine, but at the same time, something seems off. Her mother finds her and tries to tell her the truth about her dad, but since her mom has screwed her over and lied so much, the Girl doesn't believe her. Turns out, the father just wanted money and everything ends up back to normal. Of course, she also stays dating the normal guy instead of keeping up a charade that her mother cooked up of her dating some other Dude pop star, which was so fake. Happily Ever After! Not overwhelming, not super lame, but a good YA book to read in like 3 hours.
Grade: C+
Grade: C+
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January 26, 2014The basic plot is a young pop star who decides she wants away from the limelight. Star Beck's popular lifestyle is described well in the first portion of the book - we learn about her mom's strict eating rules, her tight schedule, and how she doesn't go to school anymore because she graduated 2 years earlier than normal. We also learn about her fake boyfriend relationship that is only for the cameras and newspapers. After running away, we follow our character through many issues she did not have to deal with before because of her fame and fortune.
This book was enjoyable, but not one I necessarily loved. I did enjoy reading about her famous life and how she adapted to a more "normal" routine, but some of the relationships didn't get deep enough for me. Overall it was a good story, though I did enjoy Italian For Beginners (the other Kristin Harmel book I have read) quite a bit more!
Book Cover: 8/10
Book Title: 6/10
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 7/10
Ending: 8/10
Overall: 37/50
This book was enjoyable, but not one I necessarily loved. I did enjoy reading about her famous life and how she adapted to a more "normal" routine, but some of the relationships didn't get deep enough for me. Overall it was a good story, though I did enjoy Italian For Beginners (the other Kristin Harmel book I have read) quite a bit more!
Book Cover: 8/10
Book Title: 6/10
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 7/10
Ending: 8/10
Overall: 37/50
September 11, 2009
being a pop star is not always so easy.when sixteen year old star beth learns that the father who walked out on her has been writing to her for more than ten years without her knowing, she sets out to find him. with a new hair style, glasses, a pink volkswagon beetle and a new name she arrives to st. petersburg, florida.she find that being normal isn't all that set to be like on tv. she finds a job and soon falls for her boss's son. when she finally tells her father who she is, her father begins to treat her in a very different way then wehen she was just amanda pepper.when star makes a call to her 'boyfrind',whos just realy a friend, she does not know that it will make the paparazzi find her hiding spot.relationships will be tested. what will star choose? a normal life or going back to being the pop star she has been for most of her life?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2011
Star Beck is a super star, she has millions of fans surrounding around her. She enjoys singing and performing on stage in a concert with thousand of fans. But being a super star means you have no freedom, pararazzi trailing her every move,she can't do what others do. She always keep an eye on things around her. She got nervous and frustrated, this is when she decided to find out what life really is beyond her stage. Well, life is never easy without pararazzi also. It's always hard to be accpeted in a new environment. She got no exception, becuase she chose to be as normal as everyone else. Being normal is never easy. Many people hate being normal because they want to be special, they want to be different from everyone else. Once they had experienced for some times, they finally figured out being normal is the hardest thing to do in their life.
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