Next Door To A Star

Star #1

by Krysten Lindsay Hager

Hadley Daniels is tired of feeling invisible.

After Hadley’s best friend moves away and she gets on the bad side of some girls at school, she goes to spend the summer with her grandparents in the Lake Michigan resort town of Grand Haven. Her next door neighbor is none other than teen TV star Simone Hendrickson, who is everything Hadley longs to be—pretty, popular, and famous—and she’s thrilled when Simone treats her like a friend.

Being popular is a lot harder than it looks.

It’s fun and flattering when Simone includes her in her circle, though Hadley is puzzled about why her new friend refuses to discuss her former Hollywood life. Caught up with Simone, Hadley finds herself ignoring her quiet, steadfast friend, Charlotte.

To make things even more complicated, along comes Nick Jenkins…

He’s sweet, good-looking, and Hadley can be herself around him without all the fake drama. However, the mean girls have other ideas and they fill Nick’s head with lies about Hadley, sending him running back to his ex-girlfriend and leaving Hadley heartbroken.

So when her parents decide to relocate to Grand Haven, Hadley hopes things will change when school starts…only to be disappointed once again.

Cliques.

Back-stabbing.

Love gone bad.

Is this really what it’s like to live…

Next Door To A Star?

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

I write YA and contemporary novels with hope, humor and happily ever afters, as well as dealing with self-doubt and finding where you belong.

Keep up with Krysten on all the platforms:
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Reviews

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next Door to a Star is a true Krysten Hager story! I seriously wonder how she's managed to hang on to these teenage feelings so well....well enough to write about them in eerily accurate detail.

When Hadley's best friend moves, she's left with trying to figure out where she belongs. An opportunity to spend the summer at her grandparents' house is a dream come true, especially because their neighbor is a teenage actress and what better way to be cool than to become friends with Simone? Things don't always play out the way one plans, as Hadley soon learns. Sometimes it's better to find out who your true friends are than to put on an act.

Hadley is such a true-to-life 15 year old girl -- the drama, the emotions, the insecurities, the fears, the constant waffling, the deep concern with appearance, the obsession with makeup and celebrities, trying to fit in, trying to be like someone else, the readiness for "firsts" in her life, and the list goes on. This story is pretty accurate and I loved watching Hadley figure life out through failures and triumphs.

At first, it's hard to like Hadley because she's so busy trying to something she's not, it's hard to see who she really is. She's so busy trying to scramble up the popularity ladder, not caring who she knocks off, that at times, she seems almost mean, yet I could understand the torment she went through in deciding her course and actions. As the story progresses and she comes into herself more and more, it's easier to like her and to understand where she's coming from. I really liked some of the other characters and their roles in the story, yet there were others that I couldn't stand. Really...WHY are there mean girls in the world?! Fun setting, fun story, and fun characters.

Content: mild romance; nothing else of note. Clean!

**I received a copy in exchange for an honest review**

[T.H. Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit I wasn't sure about this book at first. I almost gave up on it, but I'm so glad I didn't. Krysten Lindsay Hagar has created a very convincing young teen. The voice is so youthful, I had to remind myself and adult wrote it. Don't get me wrong, the writing is solid, but the character comes across as relatively immature, which is normal for a girl her age. My issue was that I didn't much care for Hadley. She was insecure and shallow. Both of those are also very legitimate trates in a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl, which made it difficult to really care what happened to Hadley.

I was ambivalent at best over whether or not she made new friends, got to meet her idol, or hang out with the popular girls. But see that's just the thing, girls that age grow up a lot and change as a result of that growth. Because Hadley was so difficult to like in the beginning, for me, her development was that much more rewarding.

Plot
This is basically the story of a girl trying to fit in. When her best, and really only, friend moves away, Hadley realizes no one else in her small school wants her around. Eager for a fresh start, she spends the summer by the lake with her grandparents who just happen to live next to, Simone, a girl who used to star on a teen soap that sounds a bit of Dawson's Creek. Simone only reluctantly spends time with Hadley, preferring her popular friends, the story of Hadley's life. Charlotte, the butt of many jokes by the cool kids, is willing to spend time with Hadley, which means Hadley's less interested. She blows Charlotte off time and again to be with Simone instead, even though Simone stands her up repeatedly. This is when I really didn't like Hadley. But Hadley learns a lesson about what matters and her growth is organic, logically flowing from the events in her life.

Characters
Other than disliking most of the characters, they are very believable as the often shallow, messed up young teens they are. In fact, Hadley is one of the most authentic young teen characters I've read in awhile. Because of that, I'm really glad I'm not a teen any more. I'd forgotten how mean they can be to one another, how much image matters, and how rude they can be without remorse.

Ending
The ending wasn't earth shattering, but it was definitely worth sticking through the story for. Watching Hadley, Simone, and some of the other girls really grow and become more self-aware gave me hope for their generation (one my fifteen-year-old daughter is a member of).

What Didn't Work for Me
1. The pacing. There were too many times when the story just moved way too slow for me. Hadley would go into town and get ice cream at least a dozen times and nothing much seemed to happen as a result. There seemed to be a lot of events that didn't advance the plot.
2. Black holes. A couple of things I thought would lead to something else, never did, leaving me scratching my head as to why they were mentioned.
3. The epiphany. Hadley realizes something in a pretty big moment, but the way it unfolds came across as odd to me.

What I Enjoyed About Next Door to a Star
1. The author's voice. Hadley comes across as so authentic, there are times I still can't believe it was written by an adult.
2. The friendship dynamics. So much of the fighting among teen girls, not being allowed to like a boy because one of your friends liked him first, not being able to talk to someone because someone else is pissed at them, the shifting loyalties and jockeying for position, took me straight back to my own teen years. More middle school than high school, but it definitely went on until graduation in some form or another.
3. First kisses. The romance was super sweet because of the ages of the characters, but I thought the emotions the author brought to it were spot on.
4. The character development. They had a lot of room to grow, and grow they did. Their growth all seemed to be a logical progression of the events in their lives and never felt forced.
5. The entertainment angle. It's refreshing to read a young adult novel about show business that gives us the less pleasant side of it. Simon's experiences were realistic and not sugar-coated.

Bottom Line
While Next Door to a Star moves slow at times, it's filled with a colorful cast of young teens who think and act like the kids on the cusp of adulthood they are.

Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hadley's best friend is moving and the summer looks long. She gets the opportunity to go spend the summer with her grandparents, who live next door to TV star Simone Hendrickson. Things start out a bit awkward but they are able to become friends. Sort of. Hadley also meets a new friend, Charlotte, who she enjoys hanging out with, but she's not as cool as Simone. Then there's Nick who likes her and then doesn't. Hadley is one confused teenager trying to figure out where she fits in.

Ms. Hager has an ability to write about the awkward teenage years where I'm nodding my head, remembering certain feelings and then rolling my eyes at how oblivious Hadley is. Those are some confusing, frustrating years! Simone is tough for Hadley to figure out--there are times that she treats her as a true friend and other times when she acts like she doesn't know she exists.

I enjoyed getting to know all the characters, even the mean ones. Some of them developed into more likable characters along the way and others just stayed mean. This is a quick, fun read that teens and adults can enjoy. There's drama, friendship and romance. I'm looking forward to reading what Ms. Hager comes up with next!

I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.

Mel's Shelves

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hadley's best and only friend has to move and will soon forget about Hadley and make other friends. Because she doesn't want to spend the summer on her own she's relieved when her parents allow her to stay with her grandparents in Grand Haven. There she will live next door to Simone, who's a former television star. Hadley is greatly impressed by this and is surprised when Simone wants to hang out with her. That means she gets to be with the popular girls, but that isn't so easy. She might be with them from time to time, but that doesn't mean she is one of them. It's a lot safer to hang out with Charlotte, who's less popular and doesn't care what people think of her at all. There's also a boy Hadley likes, will he like her back? Will her life be better now that Hadley's staying next door to a star or will it only complicate things?

Hadley is a great girl and I loved her kindness and character. What I like about Krysten Lindsay Hager's writing is that when I'm reading it it feels like I'm inside the mind of a teenager. I admire the way she makes her stories come to life. She knows how to write from the point of view of her main characters, also when they are young. I think that's such a rare quality. It's why I would recommend this book to any teenage girl. It's both realistic and fun to read. There are so many girls like Hadley and Krysten Lindsay Hager has phrased what's going on inside their world and what matters to them really well.

I think Next Door To A Star is a wonderful read. The story isn't far fetched and it's genuine. The attraction of this book is that what happens to Hadley could happen to any girl who's spending her summer in a holiday town while at the same time it's definitely exciting enough. For adults it will be a nice trip down memory lane and for young adults it will be a great, realistic read.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hadley Daniels can pick apart how she looks and her social status, both to feel small as well as to have goals to make it to a higher level in these areas. Can she transform during the summertime when she stays with relatives at a resort town? After all, her new next-door neighbor is a teen star who involves Hadley in her group of friends. This could be the step up Hadley’s been desiring.

There’s a lot of teen drama with gossiping, backstabbing, and the other negatives, but there’s also many positives in this novel. Hadley is a character you can cheer for in her pursuit of friendship and romance. There’s also a lovely summer setting that the reader can sink into.

This novel is all teen voice and I felt Hadleys’ yearning intensely. She really wanted to fit in, get along with others, have fun, and be part of a group. As a reader, I felt like reaching out to her to give her advice since she seemed to be bumbling along before learning important lessons and feeling comfortable with herself. Krysten Lindsay Hager wrote a winner of a YA novel. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Shelle Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Next Door to a Star is the perfect example of why teenage friendships can seem so hard. Hadley doesn’t mean to be a loner, but making friends is not always easy for her, or so she thinks. She is easily intimidated by the “popular” girls and doesn’t always let her own attributes shine through. As is typical with most teens she just wants to fit in. Also, as is typical with most teens, she doesn’t realize that the “grass is always greener”. Just because the popular crowd seems to have it all doesn’t mean that life is any easier for them. This was a well written depiction of the drama and sorrow of the A- crowd.

I spent the first part of this book frustrated with Hadley. It just seemed like she wanted too badly to be included with a crowd of ‘friends’ that she had very little in common with. As the story progressed though, it became obvious that most of the characters were doing the same thing. I was very pleased with the friendship dynamic that eventually evolved, because it clear from the start that that is how it was supposed to be. I do see a future for this group of girls.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this coming of age story that dealt with how Hadley began to grow and develop into a confident young woman. I think there's probably some Hadley in all of us and I found myself frustrated with her often as she kept trying to fit in with the popular girls. Hager's ability to delve into the young adolescent soul is beautiful. Hadley is, after all, very young and while I wanted her to grow up and realize she certainly didn't need the approval of Simone and her social group, I appreciated how very real the characters were. They are wonderfully flawed, vulnerable, and completely lovable.

This is, for the most part, a character study with a fairly large cast of characters. The plot isn't the main focus and moves at a gentle (and at times a bit slow) pace. The characters, dialogue, and setting shine, examples of some really lovely writing.

Overall, a gentle, clean (no cringe-worthy moments) read. I highly recommend it for all who love YA coming-of-age stories.


I received this book in an exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Next Door to a Star is an angsty YA story by Krysten Lindsay Hager. As I mentioned, this is a young adult story full of all the teenage issues/angst/drama that comes with being a teen. The story is about friendship, cliques, fitting in, popularity, betrayal, young love, emotion, and heartbreak.
Hadley Daniels is a typical teenage girl- who feels like an outsider and longing to be part of the ‘popular’ groups… she just longs to fit in. After her best friend moves away, Hadley has a hard time, becoming the target of the ‘mean girls’. Then things get interesting when Hadley goes to spend the summer at her grandparents home, discovering that the girl next door is none other than Simone Hendrickson, the famous teen television star. Simone is everything Hadley would love to be- and so Hadley is over-the-moon when Simone befriends her. But popularity may not be as great as it appears. Add a cute boy to the mix and things take a complicated turn.
Hadley’s story is set to continue in “Competing With the Star” (Book #2).

Thank you, Krysten Lindsay Hager!

[Nali's Shelter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione completa sul blog: http://nalisshelter.blogspot.com/

A differenza di molti altri libri che ho letto in questi anni,questo è uno dei pochi sul quale non ho avuta molta scelta sulle citazioni da proporvi,questo perchè non ho sottolineato quasi niente,ma questo non significa che il libro sia brutto o che non mi sia piaciuto (come molte mie coetanee senza cervello che pensano solo a cercare frasi da sottolineare da mettere sotto le loro foto da ....Avete capito insomma),anzi mi è molto piaciuto,questo perchè la sua storia mi ha tenuta attaccata alle pagine dall'inizio alla fine,perfino durante le mie lezioni di inglese stavo pensando a questo romanzo ed al fatto che volevo sapere come continuava la storia di Hadley,che tra l'altro è anche quasi una mia coetanea. Hadley è una tredicenne/quattordicenne, che dopo il trasferimento di Lexi,la sua migliore amica, viene presa in giro dalla migliore amica di Isabella (non ricordo come si chiama...)che,gelosa di Hadley, continua a sparlarle alle spalle senza però curarsi di farlo quando lei non è presente,insomma una vipera. Le cose dovrebbero andare meglio ora che Hadley si trova in vacanda a Grand Haven con accanto Simone,una star della Tv sua coetanea,ma non è così,infatti la nostra Hadley starà un pò da sola e dovrà convivere con gli sbalzi d'umore della star che sarà alle prese con amiche più vipere che altro che cercheranno di allontanare Hadley e renderla ridicola. La storia continua fino alla fine dell'estate quando lei ormai sarebbe dovuta tornare a casa,ma i suoi genitori non sono d'accordo. Infatti,decidono di trasferirsi a Grand Haven lasciando Hadley in mezzo agli squali nel suo secondo anno di Liceo. Insomma,la nostra Hadley non è proprio fortunatissima ed a tratti mi ricorda un pò me,no bugia,è decisamente la me Americana dei libri,ma pazienza. Come andrà a finire la sua storia? Chi lo sa,chi lo sa,dovreste proprio leggerlo.
(...) E voi dopo questa frase dovevate raccogliermi con il cucchiaino perchè son stata in ansia fino a quando non è arrivata. E' da ieri che sto lì a leggere e mi partono ship alla cavolo,ho persino creato una ship con le mie compagne di classe mentre studiavamo la Divina Commedia,si lo so,non siamo sane di mente,ma che ci posso fare,siamo tutti un matti qui. Che dire,libro bello,ma non eccellente,devo ammetterlo. Mi è piaciuta parecchio la storia,anche perchè mi ritrovavo in alcuni degli atteggiamenti e delle situazioni vissute dalla nostra Hadley,poi Nick mi ha conquistata,come si fa? Ogni romanzo mi devo per forza innamorare di qualcuno,sono impossibile,ma capitemi...
Spero ne facciano un film,sinceramente,anche perchè sarebbe davvero carino da vedere,ovviamente dopo aver letto il romanzo.
Una storia che si legge in pochissimo tempo e che trasmette tante emozioni. Una storia che parla della voglia di essere accettata,di sentirsi all'altezza,pur non riuscendoci mai,della voglia di imitare gli altri per essere migliori,senza però mai esserlo perchè si diventa solo l'ombra della persona che si imita,un romanzo che racconta una storia vera,che avremmo potuto benissimo vivere noi stessi e che per questo mi è piaciuto molto. Un romanzo che affronta anche situazioni difficili come il divorzio e i sentimenti dei figli che devono dividersi tra due genitori che a volte si dimenticano di loro. Un libro bello e da leggere.

[Leila Tualla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading "Next Door to A Star" took me back to those middle and junior high school years (the lets just go from elementary to high school memories). I was unsure of societal ranking; much less what was supposed to be "cool" or not. I remember wanting to stay home with my books and enjoy the rest of my life away from people and their intentions.

I had flashbacks of some of those intentions while reading. We meet the cool, popular girls who everyone had an opinion about, including which one we'd want to be, which one we'd want to be friends with and which one we're still trying to forget to this day. There is the usual cattiness, teenage backstabbing and the are-we-friends-or-aren't-we moments that most (if not all) adolescent girls go through. And oh! The boy crushes of yesteryears. Author Krysten Lindsay Hager nails it.

I loved Hadley. I love her unsure "sureness" and how she proccessed her friendships, her family and the cute boy down the street. I wish I had known someone like her during those years I was "left to fend for myself." I was more like shy, studios book nerd Charlotte who kept her head down and let the world "sort itself out."

And yes, as the Charlotte of the group, I would have seen that Hadley made mistakes. We've all be there and had questionable choices at some point. But she's still such a good character, a great voice and a wonderful FRIEND, overall.

I will definitely keep this book in mind while Christmas shopping for my pre-teen and teenage nieces. Next door to a star took me back to some of those unfortunate, uncomfortable adolescent/teenage period but I was grateful for those moments.

I walked away from those moments and every single unfortunate and uncomfortable moments, then and since, have helped shape me. Granted, I wasn't feeling it at the time.

I particularly loved the sentiment Hadley states towards the end.........which I won't spoil here. Suffice it to say, enjoy those moments. I want to impart to my nieces to enjoy these crazy incidents that we'll look back on and hopefully laugh at. But enjoy just being in the moment. "Sit back and appreciate it."

SO if you want to revisit some of the best and some of the worst times of your high school experience, I suggest you read this one. Take a trip down memory lane, relive your first crush, your first kiss and get to know Hadley who lives "Next Door to a Star."

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hadley Daniels already feels invisible in her school, and after her best friend moves, she finds herself feeling all alone among the crowds and cliques. Thankfully, her plans for summer look bright. They will be spent with her grandparents in Grand Haven, Michigan, staying next door to the popular teenage star Simone Hendrickson. Hadley envisions getting closer to Simone, and they do become friends. However, in her excitement, she begins to neglect her other friend, Charlotte. Then there is Nick Jenkins, the boy that she is crushing on. Unfortunately, he believes some rumors and puts their budding relationship on the back burner. When Hadley’s family decides to move to town, she is positive that the upcoming school year will be the best ever. Who knows what other famous people she will encounter. Could it include her celebrity crush, Jack Brogger? Will she finally have a year to look forward to, which will include best friends, a boyfriend, and a social life?

Who hasn’t dreamed of living next door to a celebrity, hanging out with them, and actually being able to call them a friend? I know I would love that, and I’m an adult! That excitement would only be magnified for a teenager. Hager totally nails teen drama and angst, complete with cliques, first loves, first kisses, and all the associated gossip with that age group. There are a number of humorous scenes, and one in particular involving self-tanners. Unfortunately, that one may be relatable for many readers. I particularly enjoyed Hadley’s grandparents, who are well-meaning but lovably clueless at times. Starting over is tough for anyone, and especially tough for teenage girls. Hager has the ability to transport the reader back in time, and in this case, will have them envisioning what their teenage years would have been like if they had been living next door to a star.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[✨Bean's Books✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, drama drama, drama... LOL Popularity always = drama!
In this cute little tale Hadley's world is about to change all in one summer. After her best friend moves away to Texas she decides to go and stay the summer with her grandparents in the Lake Michigan town of Grand Haven. And next door is lurking none other than Simone Hendrickson a teen Idol and TV star. Hadley and Simone become friends and the drama begins! Boys lies and backstabbing are the name of the game in this entertaining novel.
This was a great little read. This is the second novel that I've read by this author and I have to say that I really enjoy her work. She writes in a way that is very easy to follow and easy to comprehend. Her stories are riveting and her characters are adorable to say the least. Her stories almost seemed to speak from personal experience which I think is what I like the most about them. They bring me back to the days when I was the age of the characters in the novels and having the same High School drama and issues that they're going through. It is very comforting in that way knowing that others have gone through what I have.
Very real and down-to-earth I have to say that I am looking forward to reading more from Krysten Hager and would definitely recommend her books to others ❤️👍🏻💕

[Amel Armeliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished and liked it. Even sometimes I don’t understand why Hadley has to try so hard to become friends with the popular girls but at then I got it. She just wanna have friends, popular or not. She used to be a loner with only one best friend and too bad that best friend was the only friend she had. And then her one and only friend left and forgot about her after that. That’s why Hadley was craving to have a friend like Simone, a former child tv star and the it girl. The kind of friend that only needed you when she got fight with hee popular friends and dumbed you when they’re made up. I kinda hate Simone at first and kinda hate Hadley too when she also dumped a good friend like Charlotte (but not popular) when Simone needs her.
But then everything was going well for all of them. And so glad that finally Hadley had a boyfriend as cute as Nick^^

[Sabrina Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterfully done!!

I started reading this book .. I admit .. a little worried it would be a little too much drama for me. But I was pleasantly surprised.

This book follows a teenager who isn't sure of herself. When her best friend moves away, she seems lost. For the summer, she goes to stay with her grandparents and meets new kids. Some are like her, a little shy and seem awkward.. And some are like she wants to be, confident and popular.

I loved watching this girl become more sure of herself through out the book. She didn't become popular miraculously.. But she became a friend and gained friends because of who she was..

.. And it is set in fabulous Michigan..

Bravo to the author!!!!

[Literary Epic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read for a young teenager.


Hadley’s best friend moves away, leaving young Hadley on her own with to fend for herself. Then the opportunity to stay with her grandparents for the summer arises and she jumps at the chance as the girl next door is an ex tv star!


Things don’t always go to plan for Hadley. She tries to get in with the ‘in crowd’ always on the side lines, while leaving another girl hanging who could be a true friend.


Hadley’s struggles are very real to life and I think young girls could really learn a lot from this story! It was lovely to be able to see Hadley grow, fight for want she believes in!

[Diana Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krysten Lindsay Hager has created another great character who is believable, relevant, and relatable for young teens. Hadley Daniels is spending the summer with her grandparents who live next door to a teenage television star. Hadley has never had much of a social life, but she meets her celebrity neighbor and tries to become friends with her and her group. It's not easy! Over the summer – and even afterwards – Hadley struggles with the ins and outs, ups and downs, joys and sorrows of relationships. Young readers will identify with her and enjoy sharing her journey. Hager nails Hadley's first-person voice as well as her dialogue with friends and family. Hoping for a sequel!

[Paula Genereau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hadley is tired of being invisible to people. After her best friend moved away she finds herself getting into trouble with some girls at school. Well she gets on their bad side. Hadley spends the summer with her grandparents and they live next door to a star. Will she fall in love with him or become really good friends


I received this book for my honest review

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/10/2020)! 🎁

[Anniek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be a Friend to Have a Friend

Hadley manages to survive high school reasonably well with her best friend Lexi by her side, but when Lexi moves away Hadley feels completely invisible. She knows Lexi will soon forget about her and will move on with her new life. When Hadley has the chance to spend the summer with her grandparents in Grand Haven she's really excited to go. Her grandparents live next door to Simone, a former teenage television star. Hadley can't wait to have the opportunity to meet Simone and maybe have the summer of a lifetime. Will Simone become Hadley's friend? Does Hadley have what it takes to be part of the popular crowd?

Hadley is ready to start over at a place where no one knows her and make new friends. I found her a bit of a pushover sometimes and kept hoping she'd be able to stand up for herself. She's a sweet girl and has a lot to be proud of. She wants to be part of the popular crowd so badly that she forgets what's really important. Hadley is a typical teenager with all the drama and insecurities that are coming with it. She's also very kind and tries to keep everybody happy. I loved the way she treats her grandparents and could feel the love she has for them. She felt incredibly real to me, she's the typical girl next door we all know, which is something I liked a lot about her story.

Next Door to a Star is a fabulous read. The story is realistic and it took me back to when I was a teenager. Krysten Lindsay Hager perfectly captures the essence of what being a teenager is really like. People don't change, but they do grow up and I would love to be able to take a sneak peek into the lives of Hadley and the other girls to see how they'd turn out. I think Next Door to a Star is a great read for teenage girls and I believe that most of them will recognize themselves in Hadley and her friends. Krysten Lindsay Hager is an experienced and skillful writer and that shows. I loved the cute romance aspect of the story and enjoyed reading about the lessons Hadley learns along the way. Next Door to a Star is a brilliant story that I highly recommend.

[Lorna Holland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full review now up on my blog: http://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk/...

The main character was an annoying, whiny girl who complained about everything and was never satisfied. She was selfish and self-absorbed, and didn't seem to mind hurting other people to get her own way. The rest of the characters weren't much better either. Simone, the eponymous star next door, was equally annoying, and even more self-absorbed. The boys were childish and immature stereotypes, Morgan and the rest of the 'mean girls' were just downright irritating.

The only decent characters were Charlotte and Asia. Charlotte was sweet, real, and charmingly childlike. She didn't care about fitting in with the popular girls and wasn't afraid to be different, which was a refreshing island in a sea of stereotypical drama. Asia's winning point was her character development. Throughout the course of the book she went from being one of Simone's cronies, to Morgan's BFF, then finally ended up as herself. The part where the girls helped set up Hadley's doll's house was one of my favourite extracts from the book, because it showed that no matter how hard they try to grow up, they're still kids at heart.

The plot was another disappointment, simply because it didn't really go anywhere. Sure, stuff happened, but there were no major plot points and nothing that made me have to keep reading. To be honest I got kind of bored about halfway through and only continued reading because I don't give up on books.

It was just too childish, with too much irritating teen drama, and it wasn't interesting enough for me.

[Haniya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original Post: http://booknauthors.blogspot.com/2015...

I am obsessed with the main character of Landry's True Colors Series. I have been an avid fan of Krysten Hager since the day I read her first book, True Colors. She is an amazing writer who knows the way to indulge a teen in her book. But sadly, Next Door To A Star was an okay read. It isn't amazing but in a nutshell this book is your typical every day story.

The plot is so much related to True Colors, so there was no wow factor for me. But I won't deny the fact that it was enjoyable and fun filled. The book is filled with dozens of teen problems like friendship problems, popularity, jealousy, betrayal. 

This story revolves around a beauty conscious girl who is not so beautiful, Hadley. The character can't literally take a decision in her life. She's confused all the time. Her life is such a mess. The way she solves all her problems and gets a prize in the end is so... amazing. Simone is another hot celebrity character who just can't stop talking about herself. Charlotte is so much like Hadley but she's an embarrassment in front of 'Simone and the girls'. I hated the best friend of Hadley she's such a *censor*. Can't you see that Hadley literally worships you, Simone?!?! 

Overall, a perfect read when your feeling depressed and alone! Highly recommended to tweens!

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows Hadley, she has exactly one friend and of course she's moving away. So she has no one. The summer is approaching and after having a rough year. She's hoping for an amazing summer.

As a teenager it's hard trying to figure out where you fit in. There's an actress who lives near her grandparents. So she decides to go there during the summer. Of course, as you can imagine. A lot of drama ensues.  

I feel that is a YA Read for the younger YA crowd. The writing was good but I think certain things that were described throughout, weren't really necessary. This is a solid three from me. It was a good story but I wasn't emotionally tied to any of the characters....Lissa

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[Terra James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hadley feels like an outcast. She doesn't belong to any group of friends at her school. When her best friend moves away, she's lost. Her parents suggest that she go stay at her grandparents house for the summer. They want her to make friends. She becomes obsessed with the girl next door that played on a TV show. She'll do just about anything to fit in.

[Haley Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Positive honest review coming on Silver Day Book Reviews.

[Anna-marie]

My review is on Reviews From The Heart

[Anna-marie]

My review will be on Reviews From The Heart from 18th September

[Lissa Rice]

(3) I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Review will be up on Boundless Book Reviews.

[Fizza · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a beautifully written YA story that was so hard to put down. I loved every minute of it.

[Erica S · Rating 4 out of 5]

When young teen Hadley is sent to spend the summer with her grandparents in Grand Haven, she is grieving the loss of her recently moved away friend, and feeling awkward and alone. The only good thing about Grand Haven is that her grandparents live next to child star Simone Hendrickson, whom she hopes to befriend. When their grandparents arrange a meeting, Simone is incredibly intimidating to shy, unsure Hadley. She yearns to be as beautiful and put-together as these girls, and feels inadequate beside them. Simone blows hot and cold with her friendship, sometimes including Hadley and being friendly, other times she completely ignores her or ditches her to hang out with the other popular girls. Hadley isn't sure what to make of this, but still desperately desires to fit in and be liked.

This story made me remember middle school and how desperate the desire can be to have people like you. I remember struggling, as Hadley did, between my smart nerdy friend who was there for me, and the siren call of the beautiful and popular girls. I definitely relived those days reading parts of this story, reminding me that the teenage years aren't all hormones and smiles like some adults tend to recall. I felt Hadley's awkwardness in her own skin deeply. Hager handled the emotionality of these characters deftly, and I definitely could feel the rawness of feelings in some of these moments. All in all, this was a good story, I'm glad I picked it up.

[tamisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me preface this by saying: this is not normally the type of book that I would pick up, but I am so glad that I did! If you are doubting whether or not it would be a good read, let me tell you that it is an almost nostalgic reminder of everything about your teenage years. When I look back on High School, I tend to remember mostly the good. This book brought me back to my hometown city, the drama, the popular vs the unpopular, and the confusing emotions that go with adolescence.
Krysten did a GREAT job with the characters and the writing in this story. Being a Michigander myself, I was happy to see places that I recognized. Hadley is the majority of us - trying to find her way, figure out how to navigate life after her best friend moves away, and getting uprooted just when she thinks she has things slightly figured out. Charlotte is the quiet friend, but always loyal - even when she shouldn't be. Simone and her group are the clique everyone wants to be in until they realize that even the clique isn't happy and they are better off doing what makes them happy rather than trying to impress the masses.
I think this book is perfect for those getting ready to go into high school or the ones who are still navigating it. I'm excited to read the next installment and see what happens as they keep growing.