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The Rock Star in Seat 3A: A Novel
It's Hazel's thirtieth birthday and she has everything she's ever a kickass job, a dream apartment in New York City, and the perfect boyfriend—who's just days away from proposing. Hazel thinks she's happy but isn't quite ready to settle down. So when her most far-fetched fantasy enters the realm of the possible, shouldn't she drop everything to see it through?
The morning after her birthday, Hazel boards a flight to L.A. only to get the surprise of her life. When she's bumped up to first class, extra legroom and free drinks are absolutely the last things on her mind when she catches sight of her her all-time biggest celebrity crush, rock star Finn Schiller! Only the night before she'd confessed her infatuation with the gorgeous musician, and her boyfriend joked that she had a free pass if she ever met him. Hazel can't believe fate has actually thrown them together.
Even more unbelievable is that during the flight they genuinely connect. Finn likes her uncensored cursing and wicked sense of humor, and that she's unlike all of his groupies; Hazel likes his killer looks, ripped physique, and soulful music. But what started as a fantasy quickly becomes a real attraction, and after a dream date and taste of the rock-star life with Finn in L.A., Hazel is forced to examine the track her life is on. Indulging in a passionate affair with a rock star seems crazy—but could she ever forgive herself if she walked away from her wildest dream coming true? And is her wildest dream the stuff that happiness is made of?
A lively novel about a down-to-earth New York City girl who suddenly finds herself in a rock 'n' roll Cinderella fantasy, The Rock Star in Seat 3A is seasoned with Jill Kargman's signature wit and hilarious dialogue. This is a fairy-tale romance with a twist.
The morning after her birthday, Hazel boards a flight to L.A. only to get the surprise of her life. When she's bumped up to first class, extra legroom and free drinks are absolutely the last things on her mind when she catches sight of her her all-time biggest celebrity crush, rock star Finn Schiller! Only the night before she'd confessed her infatuation with the gorgeous musician, and her boyfriend joked that she had a free pass if she ever met him. Hazel can't believe fate has actually thrown them together.
Even more unbelievable is that during the flight they genuinely connect. Finn likes her uncensored cursing and wicked sense of humor, and that she's unlike all of his groupies; Hazel likes his killer looks, ripped physique, and soulful music. But what started as a fantasy quickly becomes a real attraction, and after a dream date and taste of the rock-star life with Finn in L.A., Hazel is forced to examine the track her life is on. Indulging in a passionate affair with a rock star seems crazy—but could she ever forgive herself if she walked away from her wildest dream coming true? And is her wildest dream the stuff that happiness is made of?
A lively novel about a down-to-earth New York City girl who suddenly finds herself in a rock 'n' roll Cinderella fantasy, The Rock Star in Seat 3A is seasoned with Jill Kargman's signature wit and hilarious dialogue. This is a fairy-tale romance with a twist.
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First published May 22, 2012
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About the author
Jill Kargman
28 books235 followersJill Kargman is deathly afraid of clowns. And mimes. Wait, mimes are worse. She lives in New York City where she writes magazine articles and trashy novels and enjoys wrap sandwiches. She is the author of teen books Bittersweet Sixteen, Summer Intern, and Jet Set, plus some excellent grown-up books. And by grown-up books she doesn't mean porn; she means not young adult but plain old adult. Her articles have appeared in Vogue, Teen Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country, Travel + Leisure, Elle, Elle Décor, and a bunch of British magazines you've never seen. She went to Yale where she did not study writing and has three children who keep her young. And exhausted.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
June 20, 2012
I really wanted to like this book based off the premise: regular girl randomly meets her rock star crush, it's massive attraction at first sight, hot affair ensues, fantasy stuff, right? Great premise, hot fantasy. However, Hazel leaves her sweet, doting boyfriend of three years to go off to fantasyland with a virtual stranger after two days. She talks like she's 16, instead of the over-the-hill 30th birthday she just suffered through (referenced many times). The made-up words splattered through her hipster lingo just make her seem immature and further highlight the underdevelopment of the character. Ten different slang words about her vomit episode on the plane? Stop talking about it already! The other characters are even less developed than Hazel, I didn't care about any of them. Spoiler alert: when Hazel eventually comes to her senses (15 pages from the end) and leaves Finn the rock star (after touring Europe with him of course), sweet boyfriend takes her back - Boo! I was really hoping he'd tell her off. Normally I adore pop culture references, but not in EVERY OTHER sentence, the entire book. Ugh. It was difficult to read. Pretty much from the first page, the author seems to be trying way too hard to be funny/cool/likeable. Luckily it was a short book, 200 pages exactly. The only reason I give it two stars instead of one is that in the author's note, she infers that her rock star character was inspired by a life-long love of Trent Reznor. I can't completely hate on her for that.
May 26, 2012
This wasn't really a book for me, hence the low rating. I mean, I don't care much about music. Or about celebrities. And I don't fantasize about meeting rock stars or other celebrities. So, why did I pick up this book? I’m not sure. It seemed like a nice and light read, is all I can say.
Other than that, the writing was so loud. So terribly loud, that I almost could not follow along with the roller-coaster language assaulting my brain. Written in a language that is not mine (I mean, culturally - New York style, I guess), I had a hard time getting into this story. I have the feeling the writing relaxed later on, or maybe I got used to it by then.
Then the profanities: there is an abundance of them in this book, especially at the beginning. I don't like that sort of language if it happens all the time, so I felt uncomfortable with that.
But when Hazel wasn’t cursing away with her friends, she was a nice person. Nothing like the brain-dead women you may encounter in some chick-lits and she was reasonably normal about meeting and dating a rock star. Of course, initially, she was all “Wow, it’s him! {profanities} I want to kiss him!!” but she settled down soon enough and didn’t let her star-struck brain take over. She treated him almost like she would any other person, which I liked about her. I could also understand why she might jeopardise her relationship with the dependable Wylie: sometimes you have to go beyond what you know to find out what you really want.
All fine so far. But some of the story was plain boring and 20 pages from the end, I was wondering whether this was it, when there suddenly was a twist to the story that I hadn’t seen coming and that hadn’t been sufficiently hinted at earlier on in the story. It was too sudden and that didn’t feel right.
The rock star was a rather card board cut-out type of guy, I never really got to understand what Hazel liked about him other than his music (is that enough to be infatuated with someone?). I could take him or leave him, he was nothing special in my eyes.
So, altogether not a fantastic reading experience for me. If you love the idea of living out a fantasy with your favorite celebrity you’re starting off with an advantage. You may like this way more than I did.
Other than that, the writing was so loud. So terribly loud, that I almost could not follow along with the roller-coaster language assaulting my brain. Written in a language that is not mine (I mean, culturally - New York style, I guess), I had a hard time getting into this story. I have the feeling the writing relaxed later on, or maybe I got used to it by then.
Then the profanities: there is an abundance of them in this book, especially at the beginning. I don't like that sort of language if it happens all the time, so I felt uncomfortable with that.
But when Hazel wasn’t cursing away with her friends, she was a nice person. Nothing like the brain-dead women you may encounter in some chick-lits and she was reasonably normal about meeting and dating a rock star. Of course, initially, she was all “Wow, it’s him! {profanities} I want to kiss him!!” but she settled down soon enough and didn’t let her star-struck brain take over. She treated him almost like she would any other person, which I liked about her. I could also understand why she might jeopardise her relationship with the dependable Wylie: sometimes you have to go beyond what you know to find out what you really want.
All fine so far. But some of the story was plain boring and 20 pages from the end, I was wondering whether this was it, when there suddenly was a twist to the story that I hadn’t seen coming and that hadn’t been sufficiently hinted at earlier on in the story. It was too sudden and that didn’t feel right.
The rock star was a rather card board cut-out type of guy, I never really got to understand what Hazel liked about him other than his music (is that enough to be infatuated with someone?). I could take him or leave him, he was nothing special in my eyes.
So, altogether not a fantastic reading experience for me. If you love the idea of living out a fantasy with your favorite celebrity you’re starting off with an advantage. You may like this way more than I did.
June 8, 2012
Okay, most of this book is such the stuff of fantasy that I started to seriously wonder if this was just going to turn out to be a dream or something the main character was having. And, OF COURSE, part of the appeal of this book is the fantasy. But, well, I want my fantasy to seem like it COULD happen, you know? This didn't. And then
And maybe this would've been better if it were longer (it's only 200 pages), but I just didn't get much character depth at all, from anyone. I didn't get that Hazel was really struggling between her boyfriend and the rock star. I just. Again, I want more reality in my fantasy.
And maybe this would've been better if it were longer (it's only 200 pages), but I just didn't get much character depth at all, from anyone. I didn't get that Hazel was really struggling between her boyfriend and the rock star. I just. Again, I want more reality in my fantasy.
Read
June 3, 2012The Rock Star in Seat 3A was one of my "vacation reads," but I quickly regretted bringing so few books -- this one was almost left at the airport.
The writing is awkward, unpolished and dull, and honestly? It felt like something a teenager would script and share with her friends on Facebook. Hazel curses like a sailor, but that's not unforgivable; I had more of an issue with the fact that she was boring, immature and silly.
I have no problem with fun, light reads -- I mean, shouldn't reading be fun? But this book taxed me in the worst way. I can get behind the idea of coincidentally being seated next to your rock god crush on a flight, but the dialogue and writing were too atrocious to continue. I tossed it back in my suitcase after 80 pages or so.
It's a quick read, though. If I cared, I could have finished it on the plane ride. I slept instead.
The writing is awkward, unpolished and dull, and honestly? It felt like something a teenager would script and share with her friends on Facebook. Hazel curses like a sailor, but that's not unforgivable; I had more of an issue with the fact that she was boring, immature and silly.
I have no problem with fun, light reads -- I mean, shouldn't reading be fun? But this book taxed me in the worst way. I can get behind the idea of coincidentally being seated next to your rock god crush on a flight, but the dialogue and writing were too atrocious to continue. I tossed it back in my suitcase after 80 pages or so.
It's a quick read, though. If I cared, I could have finished it on the plane ride. I slept instead.
August 8, 2012
Romances with love triangles where both potentials are worthy, make me anxious. Because I really love a HEA and I can't see any way for that situation to end where everyone wins. Then I sit there feeling bad for some imaginary guy, maybe having a conversation with the heroine, which then may happen out loud instead of just in my head, causing people in general vicinity to look at me funny...
Best to avoid the entire thing. That said, this book resolved that dilemma pretty well. Granted, you have to take Hazel's fabulousness with being so desirable to these 2 great guys plus being uber cool, witty and fabulously careered up with a grain of salt, but that's why we call it fiction.
Best to avoid the entire thing. That said, this book resolved that dilemma pretty well. Granted, you have to take Hazel's fabulousness with being so desirable to these 2 great guys plus being uber cool, witty and fabulously careered up with a grain of salt, but that's why we call it fiction.
April 25, 2015
Initial Impressions 8/21/12: Didn't care for this book much at all. It definitely was not how I thought it would be.
Firstly, I knew that Hazel was meeting her rock star crush, but I did NOT know that she'd be dumping her almost-fiance to go traipse around with him. I guess that's what I get for not looking into books before I read them!
Anyway, besides that fact, it was super crass! I'm no saint or anything and I've never cared about swearing in books before, but this was almost overkill with the language for me - All of it. Swearing, sexual innuendos, pop culture references, the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Just not for me at all. I'm glad it was a short book because otherwise I wouldn't have finished it.
Review as originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide: Okay, so... Here's where my problem lies: Poor research on my part; before reading books, I've stopped reading the entire summary because I like to be thrown into the story and not have anything at all spoiled by reading the synopsis of the book. I saw the giveaway on BookTrib and thought it looked like a cute little chick lit story. Girl meets her crush and they start to hit it off. Sounded great! What I didn't realize -- and far too late -- was that it wasn't as innocent as it seemed.
Hazel has a boyfriend. An awesome one. An awesome one who proposed to her and she pretended she didn't see it. Right off the bat, I'm not a fan of Hazel. To make things worse (for me, better for Hazel), she meets Finn and they hit it off. They started to really hit it off and then Hazel's questioning breaking it off with her boyfriend to kick it with a rock star and her all-time biggest crush. To me, I was like, "No! How disloyal!" and I threw a fit (in my head) about where this story was going. I was saddened by how much it was not like I thought it was! But like I said, kind of my fault for not looking into that!
Anyway, so the rest of the book.... Ahh ummm, still didn't care for it. Okay, so I'm no saint or anything, and I've never been hesitant about a book before because of its language, but this book was just way too crass for me. Okay, anecdote time:
I actually began reading this book because I took it on the plane with me on vacation a few weeks ago. I thought, "Cute book about being on an airplane while I'm on an airplane!" I'm cheesy, I know. So I started reading, and my boyfriend was sitting next to me and he glanced at the book and was like, "What are you reading!?!" because this book is not censored in any way, shape, or form. Cursing, followed by sexual innuendos, followed by more curses, followed by more sexual references and cursing and sex. It was just overwhelming! I've never been bothered by swears or sex in a book before, but this was just a little too much for me and lots of things taken too far. Thrown in an onslaught of pop culture references that I didn't care for and I was ready to put the book down and back away slowly.
Lesson learned: Although YA lit may not always appear age-appropriate, it will still be much more appropriate to read in public places!
I guess the moral of the story is that sometimes it's not a bad thing to look further into books before reading them! I try not to ruin things with mysteries, but this was clearly an open book and I should have checked it out better before jumping in!
Firstly, I knew that Hazel was meeting her rock star crush, but I did NOT know that she'd be dumping her almost-fiance to go traipse around with him. I guess that's what I get for not looking into books before I read them!
Anyway, besides that fact, it was super crass! I'm no saint or anything and I've never cared about swearing in books before, but this was almost overkill with the language for me - All of it. Swearing, sexual innuendos, pop culture references, the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Just not for me at all. I'm glad it was a short book because otherwise I wouldn't have finished it.
Review as originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide: Okay, so... Here's where my problem lies: Poor research on my part; before reading books, I've stopped reading the entire summary because I like to be thrown into the story and not have anything at all spoiled by reading the synopsis of the book. I saw the giveaway on BookTrib and thought it looked like a cute little chick lit story. Girl meets her crush and they start to hit it off. Sounded great! What I didn't realize -- and far too late -- was that it wasn't as innocent as it seemed.
Hazel has a boyfriend. An awesome one. An awesome one who proposed to her and she pretended she didn't see it. Right off the bat, I'm not a fan of Hazel. To make things worse (for me, better for Hazel), she meets Finn and they hit it off. They started to really hit it off and then Hazel's questioning breaking it off with her boyfriend to kick it with a rock star and her all-time biggest crush. To me, I was like, "No! How disloyal!" and I threw a fit (in my head) about where this story was going. I was saddened by how much it was not like I thought it was! But like I said, kind of my fault for not looking into that!
Anyway, so the rest of the book.... Ahh ummm, still didn't care for it. Okay, so I'm no saint or anything, and I've never been hesitant about a book before because of its language, but this book was just way too crass for me. Okay, anecdote time:
I actually began reading this book because I took it on the plane with me on vacation a few weeks ago. I thought, "Cute book about being on an airplane while I'm on an airplane!" I'm cheesy, I know. So I started reading, and my boyfriend was sitting next to me and he glanced at the book and was like, "What are you reading!?!" because this book is not censored in any way, shape, or form. Cursing, followed by sexual innuendos, followed by more curses, followed by more sexual references and cursing and sex. It was just overwhelming! I've never been bothered by swears or sex in a book before, but this was just a little too much for me and lots of things taken too far. Thrown in an onslaught of pop culture references that I didn't care for and I was ready to put the book down and back away slowly.
Lesson learned: Although YA lit may not always appear age-appropriate, it will still be much more appropriate to read in public places!
I guess the moral of the story is that sometimes it's not a bad thing to look further into books before reading them! I try not to ruin things with mysteries, but this was clearly an open book and I should have checked it out better before jumping in!
June 10, 2012
Cue The Cranberries' "Disappointment".
November 5, 2012
This book wasn't your typical fall in love with a rock star book. Hazel is madly in love with her awesome chef boyfriend Wylie and loves her job at Badass Games. She's been a gamer chick her whole life and has built her life around it. When she has to fly out to LA to prepare for a launch party for their newest game, she ends up next to her Rock Star Idol, Finn Schiller. They have an instant connection on the plane after bonding over the worst turbulence they've both ever encountered and by the end of the trip Hazel is torn over what to do...
She really loves Wylie, but this new prospect with Finn makes her feel more alive than she ever has. Wylie wants to marry her and she's not sure she's ready to settle down with him now and honestly not sure she will ever want to settle down and get married. Hazel seems to be going through a mid-life crisis a bit early, she's just turned thirty for pete's sake.
The story is a great one about finding yourself and making mistakes and living your life to the fullest even if you aren't sure what you're doing. It's about figuring out what's best for you and up til the very end you still aren't sure who she is going to end up with: the tortured rock star who's being the star in her dreams and who she grows to love very much or the man who's been her rock, her family for three years who she also loves very much.
If you love books with a love triangle that keeps you guessing until the end, this is definitely a book you should read! I loved it!
She really loves Wylie, but this new prospect with Finn makes her feel more alive than she ever has. Wylie wants to marry her and she's not sure she's ready to settle down with him now and honestly not sure she will ever want to settle down and get married. Hazel seems to be going through a mid-life crisis a bit early, she's just turned thirty for pete's sake.
The story is a great one about finding yourself and making mistakes and living your life to the fullest even if you aren't sure what you're doing. It's about figuring out what's best for you and up til the very end you still aren't sure who she is going to end up with: the tortured rock star who's being the star in her dreams and who she grows to love very much or the man who's been her rock, her family for three years who she also loves very much.
If you love books with a love triangle that keeps you guessing until the end, this is definitely a book you should read! I loved it!
May 16, 2012
Hazel is a major video gameaholic. This is perfect as she works for Badass Games. Their greatest claim to fame is Pimps N; Ho's. Hazel is going out to LA to coordinate the release party of Pimps N' Ho's, Volume 5. Hazel has a good job and a great boyfriend in Wylie. Wylie is a chef. Hazel loves to eat and thus she is the perfect taste tester for Wylie's food.
During a game with friends, they shared if they had a "pass" from their partner, who would they have sex with. For Hazel, this is a no brainer. Finn Schiller, lead singer of The Void. Hzael has the opportunity to make her dream come true, when during her flight to LA, she is seated next to Finn in the flesh. What is a girl to do when a rock star wants to jump her bones.
I dedicate The Rock Star in Seat 3A to anyone who dared to dream or having a fling with a rock star! Book your ticket for The Rock Star in Seat 3A. I liked this book a lot. I wanted to be mad at Hazel for hooking up with Finn and leaving Wylie as he was a sweet heart but I could not stay mad at Hazel. Finn was also a gentleman. He is not what you would first expect from his persona. Finn treated Hazel like a goddess. They were so dorky together, that they made a good match. Plus, I could never be upset with Hazel as she makes up for her imperfections with her snarkiness, which I love. I will be checking out more books by Jill Kargman.
During a game with friends, they shared if they had a "pass" from their partner, who would they have sex with. For Hazel, this is a no brainer. Finn Schiller, lead singer of The Void. Hzael has the opportunity to make her dream come true, when during her flight to LA, she is seated next to Finn in the flesh. What is a girl to do when a rock star wants to jump her bones.
I dedicate The Rock Star in Seat 3A to anyone who dared to dream or having a fling with a rock star! Book your ticket for The Rock Star in Seat 3A. I liked this book a lot. I wanted to be mad at Hazel for hooking up with Finn and leaving Wylie as he was a sweet heart but I could not stay mad at Hazel. Finn was also a gentleman. He is not what you would first expect from his persona. Finn treated Hazel like a goddess. They were so dorky together, that they made a good match. Plus, I could never be upset with Hazel as she makes up for her imperfections with her snarkiness, which I love. I will be checking out more books by Jill Kargman.
July 11, 2012
This was a very short, quick novel about a woman (Hazel) who is very happy in her life with her work, friends and almost-fiance, when she meets the rock star she has always dreamed of. He is as sexy and interesting in person as she always thought he would be and they fall for each other. The book follows what happens afterwards. It's a pretty typical story about thinking you want one thing and realizing maybe what you had was better. There was nothing wrong with the story, other than it being a little cliched. What bothered me was the style of writing, which to be fair, probably is very similar to the author's actual voice (as best as I can gauge after reading a book of essays a year or so ago). Tons of profanity, texting abbreviations and made up words. That got annoying after 50 pages.
January 12, 2023
"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." ~ Dr. Seuss
I am not much for romance novels, but liked Jill Kargman's "The Rock Star in Seat 3A". The book is fast paced, making for light, summer reading. If one does not object to sex and foul language.
At Hazel's 30th birthday party dinner, the guests play a "what if" game. If they met their favorite celebrity crush, got a free pass from significant other, who would it be. Hazel's crush is Finn Schiller a popular noir rock star. Guess who her seat mate is when she is upgraded on a flight to L.A.?
Each chapter begins with a quote about fantasy, creativity, reality and dreams, such as the Dr. Seuss quote at start of this review. An author quote from the novel: "we are on different pages of different books on different shelves in different languages...".
I am not much for romance novels, but liked Jill Kargman's "The Rock Star in Seat 3A". The book is fast paced, making for light, summer reading. If one does not object to sex and foul language.
At Hazel's 30th birthday party dinner, the guests play a "what if" game. If they met their favorite celebrity crush, got a free pass from significant other, who would it be. Hazel's crush is Finn Schiller a popular noir rock star. Guess who her seat mate is when she is upgraded on a flight to L.A.?
Each chapter begins with a quote about fantasy, creativity, reality and dreams, such as the Dr. Seuss quote at start of this review. An author quote from the novel: "we are on different pages of different books on different shelves in different languages...".
January 12, 2013
OK I don't know why it must be the rock star lover in me but I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed Hazel's journey discovering where she is in life and what path she really want's to follow. The book did connect on an emotional level too, I would love to see now a second book following on with Finn and his emotional baggage.
August 4, 2012
I liked the idea behind this story, but thought it could have been much better had it been a little longer or developed better. I have read and enjoyed Jill Kargman's books previously, and this one didn't leave a lasting impression like her previous book.
July 1, 2012
This book was a very fast read. Not deep or complex but dreamy and sweet.
August 16, 2017
I read this book front to back in one day. Such a fun, easy read. And Jill writes exactly like she talks which equals hilarious. Definitely recommend for a quick, light-hearted read.
December 30, 2022
Hazel has a perfect life. She has the career she wants as the head of publicity and events at an exciting video game business. She lives with Wylie, a gorgeous chef who loves her madly and has even just proposed. So why did she avoid the proposal thinking she just wasn't ready to be married?
When she has to go to California to set up an event to launch the release of a new game, she can't believe her eyes. Sitting next to her on the plane is Finn, the rock star who has been her crush since her teenage years. Can she even get up the nerve to speak to him? Before that can be decided, the plane goes through turbulence that spins it all around and Hazel ends up throwing up practically on Finn. What a start!
But Finn seems to be interested in Hazel and a spark lights its fire. Soon the two of them are cracking jokes and making plans to see each other when they land. Surely a rock star like Finn couldn't be interested in her romantically. Plus what about Wylie? Hazel broods over her choices but ultimately can't resist Finn and starts a torrid affair with him. She even goes on his tour of Europe? Is this the new life she wants?
Although this romance ends as one might expect, I had a hard time with the novel. I didn't particularly care for Hazel and definitely didn't care for her offhand treatment of Wylie who was nothing but committed and true to her. Others may have a different reaction but I couldn't cheer for Hazel to cheat on Wylie as she did. This book is recommended for romance readers who love a happy ending no matter how hazardous the path to it becomes.
When she has to go to California to set up an event to launch the release of a new game, she can't believe her eyes. Sitting next to her on the plane is Finn, the rock star who has been her crush since her teenage years. Can she even get up the nerve to speak to him? Before that can be decided, the plane goes through turbulence that spins it all around and Hazel ends up throwing up practically on Finn. What a start!
But Finn seems to be interested in Hazel and a spark lights its fire. Soon the two of them are cracking jokes and making plans to see each other when they land. Surely a rock star like Finn couldn't be interested in her romantically. Plus what about Wylie? Hazel broods over her choices but ultimately can't resist Finn and starts a torrid affair with him. She even goes on his tour of Europe? Is this the new life she wants?
Although this romance ends as one might expect, I had a hard time with the novel. I didn't particularly care for Hazel and definitely didn't care for her offhand treatment of Wylie who was nothing but committed and true to her. Others may have a different reaction but I couldn't cheer for Hazel to cheat on Wylie as she did. This book is recommended for romance readers who love a happy ending no matter how hazardous the path to it becomes.
March 5, 2023
Read this in one day and expected to like this book far more than I did, I'm afraid. I liked the author's informal writing style but was otherwise disappointed. Felt like I was reading fan fiction written by a teenage blogger. The plot was not terribly believable (not because of the premise, but because it was clumsily executed).
Characters were one-dimensional stereotypes who mostly just reeked of privilege. There was a lot of pretentious name-dropping and pop culture references that seem stale a decade after publication. The main protagonist comes off as selfish and not even terribly likeable. Oddly enough, given all the time she spends navel-gazing throughout the book, her thoughts and motivations seem shallow and contrived.
The ending was the least believable aspect of the book. The story chugs along going in a direction only to veer in a sharp U-turn towards a different conclusion in the last twenty pages or so. It almost seemed like the author got sick of writing the book so decided to just wrap things up all of a sudden.
Characters were one-dimensional stereotypes who mostly just reeked of privilege. There was a lot of pretentious name-dropping and pop culture references that seem stale a decade after publication. The main protagonist comes off as selfish and not even terribly likeable. Oddly enough, given all the time she spends navel-gazing throughout the book, her thoughts and motivations seem shallow and contrived.
The ending was the least believable aspect of the book. The story chugs along going in a direction only to veer in a sharp U-turn towards a different conclusion in the last twenty pages or so. It almost seemed like the author got sick of writing the book so decided to just wrap things up all of a sudden.
July 19, 2017
1.5 for a mildly entertaining story. I'm not even really sure how to characterize the gibberish that frequently flowed from the newly-turned 30 year old Hazel, which flip-flopped from something you'd expect to hear when surrounded by a bunch of excited teenaged girls to the outright made up -- and I'm to believe that this woman child is a marketing professional?! Then there's her absolute willingness to upend what even she describes as a perfect (though clearly stagnant) life whom she doesn't seem to always think the most highly of, with her constant references back to the "groupie sluts" and "faceless whores" who came before her.
Sure, the idea behind the story, a chance to indulge in your deepest, most innermost fantasies, with your lifelong idol was a great concept, but this book didn't come anywhere NEAR living up to all of the potential that it had. Or even a fraction of it.
Sure, the idea behind the story, a chance to indulge in your deepest, most innermost fantasies, with your lifelong idol was a great concept, but this book didn't come anywhere NEAR living up to all of the potential that it had. Or even a fraction of it.
May 24, 2019
Terrible story and writing. Seems like it was written by a 15-year old
Woman is practically engaged to Wylie. Then she meets rock star Finn on an airplane. Has a wild fling. When it doesn't work out she goes back to Wylie, who instantly takes her back. Finn still loves her. Everyone loves her.
Super disgusting
Also,.she compares how the two men deal with post-sex drippage. I'm not.even kidding. Finn gets a paper towel and says "I don't want love juice on those sexy panties for the rest of the flight," which reminds her of Wylie: "Wylie would leap for the tissue box and serve as the speediest cum-rag butler.on earth."
Aww,.how sweet. (((Rolls eyes))))
Seriously though....in a way it is refreshing that two dudes are feeling responsible for their "love juice" for maybe the first time in history.
Woman is practically engaged to Wylie. Then she meets rock star Finn on an airplane. Has a wild fling. When it doesn't work out she goes back to Wylie, who instantly takes her back. Finn still loves her. Everyone loves her.
Super disgusting
Also,.she compares how the two men deal with post-sex drippage. I'm not.even kidding. Finn gets a paper towel and says "I don't want love juice on those sexy panties for the rest of the flight," which reminds her of Wylie: "Wylie would leap for the tissue box and serve as the speediest cum-rag butler.on earth."
Aww,.how sweet. (((Rolls eyes))))
Seriously though....in a way it is refreshing that two dudes are feeling responsible for their "love juice" for maybe the first time in history.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2017
I loved this book. I tend to read fiction with too much analysis which is not really healthy for basic enjoyment. I began to analyze hard during the point where Hazel has abandoned reason and decided to go 'all in' with her rockstar fantasy. You can read the rehash from others but my only issue is the realization that Hazel comes to was a bit abrupt for someone immersed and overly consumed in desire and dreams. I think the story could have worked to five stars if it was not a (excuse the lewdness) 'wham, bam, thank you mr." Hazel was more analytical than the person depicted to move the ending along and I felt a bit short changed. I did suspend disbelief and enjoy the esthetics for what they were.
January 7, 2023
I like the general theme of the rom com but I just felt like it was soooo unrealistic that I wanted to scream. I mean really… her rock idol falls in love with her because she’s on a flight sitting next to him? And then when she breaks up with her boyfriend he’s just like “I’ll always love you and don’t feel guilty about breaking my heart.” And then when she eventually breaks up with the rock star he also is like “I’ll always love you and don’t feel guilty about breaking my heart.” Breakups aren’t that easy lol. Men don’t come forward with such vulnerability. Frustrating lol. Quick read though, I love a quick read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2017
I was told by other authors and narrators that an author should not read their own book. That really wasn't the case here. Jill did a great job of reading her own work. However, she read it pretty fast. I know I could have slowed it down, but I didn't think of it at the time. I will most likely have to listen to it again. She is very entertaining and very quick and sharp with her writing (tongue). Great story. Not the way some may have thought it would end. I don't want to spoil it for someone else, but the ending was the best one possible and was actually HEA.
January 12, 2018
2.5, but only because the book/lead character pulled its/her head out at the end.
Here we have a woman-child deep in the throes of a one-third life crisis. She then meets her teenage obsession Manic Pixie Dream Rock Star. She proceeds to treat her steadfast boyfriend like shit while she sows her oats. She name checks a whole bunch of male celebrities we now know are pieces of shit (except Woody Allen - we've always known he's a piece of shit). The narrative is written like a bad Tumblr post.
This stage dive hit the floor.
Here we have a woman-child deep in the throes of a one-third life crisis. She then meets her teenage obsession Manic Pixie Dream Rock Star. She proceeds to treat her steadfast boyfriend like shit while she sows her oats. She name checks a whole bunch of male celebrities we now know are pieces of shit (except Woody Allen - we've always known he's a piece of shit). The narrative is written like a bad Tumblr post.
This stage dive hit the floor.
October 2, 2018
The main character is absolutely infuriating. She's a very immature 30-year-old who has no regard for other people's feelings, and she can absolutely disgust you at times. I feel no sympathy for this character and feel bad for her boyfriend. The story is very well written. It's an easy read with great dialogue and is very entertaining. The fantasy element and the meta about fantasy is intriguing and gets you thinking. It was a good read but not something I would likely read again or would recommend to others.
March 26, 2020
This is not Kargman's best work by far. Normally, I adore her writing, but this felt off. The premise seemed fun, but quickly turned a bit repetitive and predictable. Perhaps the issue was that Kargman attempted to write a story outside of the New York City, wealthy households that she knows so well through experience. I found the heroine to be immature and not someone I could root for nor connect with. Luckily I've read enough other work by Kargman to not give up on her, however, I feel sorry for anyone who becomes aware of her through this book.
March 5, 2024
You had me at the title. This book was everything I anticipated it would be (in a very good way). Who hasn't had that experience sometime in their life of falling for a rock star and wondering what life would be like to actually have a relationship with them? Well, this book pretty much covers it, from the exciting highs to the soul-crushing lows. A lifestyle that seems so glamorous on the outside becomes much different on the inside. And sometimes love just isn't enough to make it through. Loved the emotion and humor of this author. Very much enjoyed this book!
July 3, 2018
Very short book - an easy read on a transpacific flight. Had I not been trapped in that setting, I probably wouldn't have finished it. The author doesn't quite have the knack for dialogue yet, and let's the overexaggeration and slang leak into the prose. The lead character (who I really wanted to like) talked and acted like an adolescent instead of just-turned-30. The story wouldn't be a bad one if the characters had a bit more depth and the author had a better editor.
February 7, 2023
So, I was going into to this this book with mixed feelings. Thinking no way would I like it after reading many of the less than glowing reviews; I have to say i thoroughly enjoyed the fantasy. Jill Kargman had me at upgrade to seat 3a next to your childhood crush. I normally don’t consider books like this but, this helped clear my thoughts. Great laughs!!!
February 9, 2025
I was hoping to love this book. Unfortunately, it reads like a 13 year old girl wrote in her diary about her teen heartthrob fantasy and then, as a middle aged woman with middle school writing skills, she decided to spice it up, throw in some stupid words she found on Urban Dictionary so she'd sound like a trendy 30 year old, and self publish it.
June 27, 2018
zoals de cover zegt een snelle beach read. Een fijn zwijmelboek.
hoe groot is de kans dat je jouw idool tegenkomt. en dat hij dan ook nog geïnteresseerd in je is. ja 1 op een miljoen miljoenen.
echte liefde overleeft alles (in boeken en sprookjes)
hoe groot is de kans dat je jouw idool tegenkomt. en dat hij dan ook nog geïnteresseerd in je is. ja 1 op een miljoen miljoenen.
echte liefde overleeft alles (in boeken en sprookjes)
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