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Becoming Famous
Bebe Barkley has never released a sex tape. She's not America's Next Top Model. She didn't get pregnant at 16, and has never auditioned for American Idol. In fact, she's holed up in a hotel room at the Waldorf in New York City, totally depressed. But even though she doesn't know it yet, she's about to become famous. A former equestrian rider, Bebe had a bright future until a tragic accident changed everything. Now she's unable to return to her old life, yet incapable of moving forward. Follow her as she ventures from New York to LA, the City of Broken Dreams, where she will find everything she's ever wanted, only to risk losing the things she truly loves. Join Bebe in her heart-stopping journey in Becoming Famous.
- GenresNew AdultYoung Adult
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Scott
2 books85 followersNatalie Scott grew up in Melbourne, often referred as the cultural capital of Australia because of its great restaurants, trendy cafes and great shopping! Natalie developed a love of books when her fourth grade teacher read the book Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis.
In high school Natalie devoured the classics, her favorite being Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger. At University she studied English Literature and Communications, though she will openly admit to spending a lot of time at the college pub where she liked to make up outrageous stories before traveling extensively through Europe and the United States.
Throughout her travels, she fell in love with sunny California where she attended classes at UCLA Writer’s Program. Natalie also attended numerous writers’ conferences including Santa Barbara, San Diego State and Grubstreet. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Fiction award given at the Southern California Writers Conference. In her spare time, Scott worked as a spokes model for companies including the AMC Network,, We Entertainment, Hasbro, Adobe and Sony.
The Aussie gal is a foodie who loves Vegemite and currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona where she enjoys sharing her passion for food, enjoys exploring new restaurants, happy hour, traveling, and a passion for books and fashion.
Scott’s debut novel, Rules for Riders, is a fast and furious, coming-of-age story set in the world of equestrian riding.
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
In high school Natalie devoured the classics, her favorite being Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger. At University she studied English Literature and Communications, though she will openly admit to spending a lot of time at the college pub where she liked to make up outrageous stories before traveling extensively through Europe and the United States.
Throughout her travels, she fell in love with sunny California where she attended classes at UCLA Writer’s Program. Natalie also attended numerous writers’ conferences including Santa Barbara, San Diego State and Grubstreet. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Fiction award given at the Southern California Writers Conference. In her spare time, Scott worked as a spokes model for companies including the AMC Network,, We Entertainment, Hasbro, Adobe and Sony.
The Aussie gal is a foodie who loves Vegemite and currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona where she enjoys sharing her passion for food, enjoys exploring new restaurants, happy hour, traveling, and a passion for books and fashion.
Scott’s debut novel, Rules for Riders, is a fast and furious, coming-of-age story set in the world of equestrian riding.
Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
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August 31, 2015
Enter Natalie Scott's Becoming Famous Giveaway at Tome Tender!
Win one of three copies - Click on Banner to enter! -U.S Only -
Having survived the betrayal of a former friend, the loss of a brother and the death of her prized horse, Bebe Barkley’s life has been spiraling downward. Once a top Equestrian rider, once in love with her trainer, today she is filled only with despair, frozen in time, her life caught in a gridlock of movement. Maybe a new address on the other side of the country is in order? Can she find a new life, new dreams and new love in Los Angeles? Will it be as easy as Becoming Famous? From the author of the romantic drama, Rules for Riders, comes the saga of the life of Bebe Barkley, where old enemies show their claws, fame is almost instantaneous and once again, Bebe must choose between the glamour and glitz, and what truly matters in life, but first she must learn the value of those around her, and decide if the risk is worth the cost. The fickle and fleeting love of the public or the pleasure of besting an old enemy, are they worth risking what truly matters in life?
Natalie Scott sends us on another journey into the lives of the beautiful people, one deeper, more volatile and more tension-filled than before. Have the characters grown up or has Ms. Scott’s style matured with a gritty charm and magnetic bite? Better than the afternoon soaps, more powerful than the nighttime soaps, Ms. Scott has a nailed all of the torment, the angst and the thrill of living in a world of make believe, where the lines are written, the action cued and the characters must remember to separate their own reality from the roles they play! Wonderful character development, great dialogue and interaction, and a plot more twisted than a ball of tinsel! Take a walk through the lives of the rich and famous, but first read about their past lives in book 1!
I received this copy from Natalie Scott in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: July 30, 2015
Publisher: Perfect Bound Marketing (2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1939614538
ISBN-13: 978-1939614537
Genre: NA drama
Paperback: 204 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Win one of three copies - Click on Banner to enter! -U.S Only -
Having survived the betrayal of a former friend, the loss of a brother and the death of her prized horse, Bebe Barkley’s life has been spiraling downward. Once a top Equestrian rider, once in love with her trainer, today she is filled only with despair, frozen in time, her life caught in a gridlock of movement. Maybe a new address on the other side of the country is in order? Can she find a new life, new dreams and new love in Los Angeles? Will it be as easy as Becoming Famous? From the author of the romantic drama, Rules for Riders, comes the saga of the life of Bebe Barkley, where old enemies show their claws, fame is almost instantaneous and once again, Bebe must choose between the glamour and glitz, and what truly matters in life, but first she must learn the value of those around her, and decide if the risk is worth the cost. The fickle and fleeting love of the public or the pleasure of besting an old enemy, are they worth risking what truly matters in life?
Natalie Scott sends us on another journey into the lives of the beautiful people, one deeper, more volatile and more tension-filled than before. Have the characters grown up or has Ms. Scott’s style matured with a gritty charm and magnetic bite? Better than the afternoon soaps, more powerful than the nighttime soaps, Ms. Scott has a nailed all of the torment, the angst and the thrill of living in a world of make believe, where the lines are written, the action cued and the characters must remember to separate their own reality from the roles they play! Wonderful character development, great dialogue and interaction, and a plot more twisted than a ball of tinsel! Take a walk through the lives of the rich and famous, but first read about their past lives in book 1!
I received this copy from Natalie Scott in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: July 30, 2015
Publisher: Perfect Bound Marketing (2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1939614538
ISBN-13: 978-1939614537
Genre: NA drama
Paperback: 204 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
September 25, 2015
When Bebe Barkley starts training as a boxer, it didn’t occur to me to hope that she might take it up as a career. I don’t follow women’s boxing but it’s hard to imagine Bebe as a professional. Still, I wish she’d entered into some competitions, because that element was the most lacking in Becoming Famous. Tho’ we’d not expect Bebe to resume riding, she really ought to accomplish something that depends on more on discipline & dedication than good looks & good luck. In Becoming Famous, Bebe achieves huge success as a model & as a TV actress, seemingly without really trying, tho’ her boxing lessons pay off when she auditions successfully for a major role in a TV cop show. She can thank Lady Luck as well when some Middle Eastern type lays down a big wager for Bebe @ the craps table in Vegas - several lucky throws later Bebe scoops up the money & runs, leaving him frustrated & herself with a stash to bankroll a trip to Bali. She also gets a lot of help from her friends. Conveniently for her, lots of them are gay, which means that they’re ready to supply coiffures, designer gowns, apartments, & walkers & dance partners, without making any awkward sexual demands. Sometimes I wondered what they got out of being around Bebe, other than her being an ambulatory advertisement for their hairdressing ability & fashion sense.
Bebe does acquire a new man, who directs advertising videos. They meet cute when Bebe show up on the site late with her hair a mess, but get together after each’s best friend, Kelsey & Cowboy (no, I did not believe that name) become an item. For reasons I didn’t quite get, except that Bebe has become awfully averse to risk (a very strange phobia for a rider), she takes off after Dan gets critically wounded by being shot @ a Jack in the Box in LA. “You’re a runner,” Kelsey admonishes her, “every time life gets to hard to hand you, you run.” While playing the tourist @ luxurious resorts in the South Pacific, Bebe encounters an Aussie surfer hunk but for contrived reasons remains technically faithful to Dan - Aussie’s chastely grieving for his own recently deceased surfer girlfriend Sylvia, who’s supposed to have drowned. (I’m sorry to admit that it was difficult for me to keep a straight face @ this point & I was wishing Natalie Scott had let Sylvia meet a shark under water instead, that would have have really been jumping the . . . )
One thing confused me. Bebe & friends are invited to a Shakespearean themed costume party & are then contemptuous of the host & hostess being dressed as Antony & Cleopatra. “‘Isn’t it meant to be Shakespearean?’ whispers Dan. ‘Last time I checked, Cleopatra & Marc Antony weren’t exactly Elizabethan.’’” Obviously one of the places Dan failed to check last time was the table of contents to an edition of Shakespeare’s plays. But what was the point in displaying their ignorance?
Bebe returns & reconnects with Dan & re-encounters her old school Frenemy Finn, whom she bests in the auditions for the TV undercover cop show. But Bebe makes one more unwise choice & ends up in the ICU having ODed on coke. As we finish this installment of Bebe’s saga, we have discovered that Billy, Bebe’s trainer & 1st lover, is now engaged to Caroline, whose boyish figure was an object of Bebe’s scorn in Rules for Riders, but whose zest for competition has survived Bebe’s. Personally I don’t think the promised movie in which Bebe & Finn will star as equestrian rivals is going to be what Bebe really needs - she’s had too much make believe in her life already & found too much easy success. I don’t think Bebe needs necessarily to return to the ring, but she badly needs devotion & effort, if not quite Army Ranger school.
Natalie Scott was kind enough to give me a signed copy of Becoming Famous & I hope she won’t think me ungrateful for finding fault in her heroine. Actually, I think it’s not inappropriate that Bebe stumble off the path when her head has been turned by glamour & success in make believe worlds such as modeling & TV. Even @ her most superficial, she belongs with the energetic & admirable class of young main fictional characters such as Beth Cassidy or Thea Atwell, rather than among the aimless slackers begotten by Holden Caulfield, one of whom I recently encountered in Amber Dermont’s The Starboard Sea. In our next outing, I hope Bebe will succeed @ a challenge to do some real good & to get what she wants the hard way.
Bebe does acquire a new man, who directs advertising videos. They meet cute when Bebe show up on the site late with her hair a mess, but get together after each’s best friend, Kelsey & Cowboy (no, I did not believe that name) become an item. For reasons I didn’t quite get, except that Bebe has become awfully averse to risk (a very strange phobia for a rider), she takes off after Dan gets critically wounded by being shot @ a Jack in the Box in LA. “You’re a runner,” Kelsey admonishes her, “every time life gets to hard to hand you, you run.” While playing the tourist @ luxurious resorts in the South Pacific, Bebe encounters an Aussie surfer hunk but for contrived reasons remains technically faithful to Dan - Aussie’s chastely grieving for his own recently deceased surfer girlfriend Sylvia, who’s supposed to have drowned. (I’m sorry to admit that it was difficult for me to keep a straight face @ this point & I was wishing Natalie Scott had let Sylvia meet a shark under water instead, that would have have really been jumping the . . . )
One thing confused me. Bebe & friends are invited to a Shakespearean themed costume party & are then contemptuous of the host & hostess being dressed as Antony & Cleopatra. “‘Isn’t it meant to be Shakespearean?’ whispers Dan. ‘Last time I checked, Cleopatra & Marc Antony weren’t exactly Elizabethan.’’” Obviously one of the places Dan failed to check last time was the table of contents to an edition of Shakespeare’s plays. But what was the point in displaying their ignorance?
Bebe returns & reconnects with Dan & re-encounters her old school Frenemy Finn, whom she bests in the auditions for the TV undercover cop show. But Bebe makes one more unwise choice & ends up in the ICU having ODed on coke. As we finish this installment of Bebe’s saga, we have discovered that Billy, Bebe’s trainer & 1st lover, is now engaged to Caroline, whose boyish figure was an object of Bebe’s scorn in Rules for Riders, but whose zest for competition has survived Bebe’s. Personally I don’t think the promised movie in which Bebe & Finn will star as equestrian rivals is going to be what Bebe really needs - she’s had too much make believe in her life already & found too much easy success. I don’t think Bebe needs necessarily to return to the ring, but she badly needs devotion & effort, if not quite Army Ranger school.
Natalie Scott was kind enough to give me a signed copy of Becoming Famous & I hope she won’t think me ungrateful for finding fault in her heroine. Actually, I think it’s not inappropriate that Bebe stumble off the path when her head has been turned by glamour & success in make believe worlds such as modeling & TV. Even @ her most superficial, she belongs with the energetic & admirable class of young main fictional characters such as Beth Cassidy or Thea Atwell, rather than among the aimless slackers begotten by Holden Caulfield, one of whom I recently encountered in Amber Dermont’s The Starboard Sea. In our next outing, I hope Bebe will succeed @ a challenge to do some real good & to get what she wants the hard way.
August 21, 2015
I did receive ARC from NetGalley for honest review and that what I'll give. I read lots of books but this one was very poorly written both grammatically and plot wise. If there was no editor then let a friend who teaches English help edit. Also don't drink energy drinks or coffee as book skips around so much. Interesting ideas but not formed well. Get some assistance and write again!!
August 24, 2015
According to my Kindle, I'm at 25%. I can't believe I even made it that far. This book is horribly written. Finding out that it's a sequel just makes me fear for whomever read the first one and thought a second was needed.
This book skips around like an ADHD kid with 3 Red Bulls in him. There are NO descriptions. There is NO real plot. And the whole thing fails on so many levels, it's almost indescribable.
But let's get one thing clear, what Bebe did with the will for her suicidal friend was completely illegal and NEVER would have worked. Dating a lawyer just to get him to write her a will that she asks her friend to sign soon after, without him reading it, getting his own lawyer, or even getting it notarized, is complete BS and I'm calling it! At that point, people could even use that will as evidence that she basically murdered him since there were no witnesses to him signing it and it gave all his property to her upon his death. Motive, baby! Lots of motive at that point.
Horrible. Awful. Headache-inducing. Avoid avoid avoid.
ARC from NetGalley
This book skips around like an ADHD kid with 3 Red Bulls in him. There are NO descriptions. There is NO real plot. And the whole thing fails on so many levels, it's almost indescribable.
But let's get one thing clear, what Bebe did with the will for her suicidal friend was completely illegal and NEVER would have worked. Dating a lawyer just to get him to write her a will that she asks her friend to sign soon after, without him reading it, getting his own lawyer, or even getting it notarized, is complete BS and I'm calling it! At that point, people could even use that will as evidence that she basically murdered him since there were no witnesses to him signing it and it gave all his property to her upon his death. Motive, baby! Lots of motive at that point.
Horrible. Awful. Headache-inducing. Avoid avoid avoid.
ARC from NetGalley
July 3, 2020
"You know, Bebe, when I first met you, I thought you were the most fun, exciting girl I'd ever met. I would've followed you anywhere. But I was wrong. You're a runner, Bebe, every time life gets too hard for you to handle, you run. You can run to the end of the earth for all I care. But you will never outrun yourself."
That quote basically explains Bebe exactly how she is and what makes her such an unlikable character.
Bebe has let her past make her into a victim of sorts or that the card, she always plays when things start to get tough. Somehow even though this girl never showers or anything like that she is always told how beautiful she is. Things just seem to fall into Bebe's life even though she never takes care of herself and always finds ways to screw people over when things stop going her way.
To me she had no redeeming qualities and the whole book just seemed way too unrealistic.
The amount of times I just wanted to stop reading this book was more, then I've had in a very long time. If I hadn't of gotten this book from Netgalley I would have stopped reading it about a quarter of the way through.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review and state my honest opinion.
See reviews first on my blog
That quote basically explains Bebe exactly how she is and what makes her such an unlikable character.
Bebe has let her past make her into a victim of sorts or that the card, she always plays when things start to get tough. Somehow even though this girl never showers or anything like that she is always told how beautiful she is. Things just seem to fall into Bebe's life even though she never takes care of herself and always finds ways to screw people over when things stop going her way.
To me she had no redeeming qualities and the whole book just seemed way too unrealistic.
The amount of times I just wanted to stop reading this book was more, then I've had in a very long time. If I hadn't of gotten this book from Netgalley I would have stopped reading it about a quarter of the way through.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review and state my honest opinion.
See reviews first on my blog
December 16, 2015
Hell no. Nope. Just nope.
Guys, am I the only one who could not finish up this book? I tried, I swear to God I tried reading it, but after awhile, my annoyance turned into anger, and I just locked my Kindle. I could not take it anymore. I usually hate DNF-ing a book, especially if it was one for review, but I am so so sorry.
Firstly, this book started out way too robotic for me. It's like every sentence ends. LIKE, "I went to eat breakfast. When I am done, I grabbed my keys and walked out the front door. I met James. I am bored. Blahtotheblah." GAH. Okay, I was a little bit annoyed with that part, but you know what sends me over the edge. The story plot.
What plot? EXACTLY. WHAT PLOT? There wasn't any direct plot in this book. I felt like I don't even know why this is a book. It felt like reading someone's biography. The whole book was all over the place and I honestly could not stand to read it.
I am so sorry, but this is not good. Sorry.
Guys, am I the only one who could not finish up this book? I tried, I swear to God I tried reading it, but after awhile, my annoyance turned into anger, and I just locked my Kindle. I could not take it anymore. I usually hate DNF-ing a book, especially if it was one for review, but I am so so sorry.
Firstly, this book started out way too robotic for me. It's like every sentence ends. LIKE, "I went to eat breakfast. When I am done, I grabbed my keys and walked out the front door. I met James. I am bored. Blahtotheblah." GAH. Okay, I was a little bit annoyed with that part, but you know what sends me over the edge. The story plot.
What plot? EXACTLY. WHAT PLOT? There wasn't any direct plot in this book. I felt like I don't even know why this is a book. It felt like reading someone's biography. The whole book was all over the place and I honestly could not stand to read it.
I am so sorry, but this is not good. Sorry.
September 9, 2015
Received this book from NetGalley for an honest review. Sadly, I had to DNF this book at 33% since it bored me to tears and confused the hell out of me. At this point there does not seem to be a plot line of any sort and nothing has happened. Additionally, the characters make some insane decisions which don't seem logical at all and make the story hard to follow.
Bebe the main character comes off as a sociopath since she doesn't seem to really care about anyone but herself. She coerces a friend into signing a last will and testament that she had drawn up because she figured he would die soon. There had been no foreshadowing of this potential death and no reason for her to draw up the last will and testament, which would never stand up in court. Additionally, she spends hours in the gym boxing and is constantly described as having not showered, which does not seem attractive in the slightest.
Bebe the main character comes off as a sociopath since she doesn't seem to really care about anyone but herself. She coerces a friend into signing a last will and testament that she had drawn up because she figured he would die soon. There had been no foreshadowing of this potential death and no reason for her to draw up the last will and testament, which would never stand up in court. Additionally, she spends hours in the gym boxing and is constantly described as having not showered, which does not seem attractive in the slightest.
September 16, 2015
Bebe is likeable, but yet there are parts of her character which I did not like - so it is realistic in that part. i just can't endorse all of the happenings for a YA read, but the story is alright.
Bebe had hopes of being a great equestrian rider, but those plans ended and now she is making the big move to L.A. She takes up boxing and acting which leads to a new future, a famous future. Bebe goes through a relationship where she loves, fears loving and losing, and then comes to resolution about taking a chance in a relationship. It hurts to lose someone you love such as when the other person dies. Who wants to go through that?
I received this book through Net Galley and this is my honest review.
Bebe had hopes of being a great equestrian rider, but those plans ended and now she is making the big move to L.A. She takes up boxing and acting which leads to a new future, a famous future. Bebe goes through a relationship where she loves, fears loving and losing, and then comes to resolution about taking a chance in a relationship. It hurts to lose someone you love such as when the other person dies. Who wants to go through that?
I received this book through Net Galley and this is my honest review.
August 26, 2015
I didn't read the second book but it is easy to know the characters a fast pace book I love it!
August 30, 2015
I was lucky enough to receive this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Ok, so I'm going to begin with the negatives. But, no matter what, I beg you to continue reading until I get to all the positives because they are definitely worth waiting for! I'll start with the main character. Honestly, in this book, I wasn't a huge fan of Bebe Barkley. She seemed kind of harsh as well spending the majority of her time moping around, sleeping, or drinking. I did, however appreciate her character evolution by the end when she had more structured days working as an actress. She was a bit hard to root for up until that point. But by page 189, I loved what Kelsey (Bebe's close friend), said to her about what love and life is all about. It was seriously one of the greatest motivational pep talks ever recorded. The section also made Bebe seem more real and easy to relate to.
Next comes Bebe's hairdresser friend Antonio. Now, in theory, Antonio would seem like the greatest of sidekicks. He dropped everything to come and stay with her and is always picking up the shambles of her life and trying to piece them back together. Unfortunately, Antonio's character seemed a little forced especially in the way he spoke. He was too casual in his "baby girl" and "girlfriend" phrases because they were thrown in too frequently. It was too much and made him seem ditzy, not genuine and unrealistic. Again, it wasn't a bad idea for a character, it just needed to be tuned down some.
Continuing on with the character theme, it was a bit frustrating as a reader when the story would introduce (or reintroduce someone who was in the previous book), that had little to no backstory and didn't add much to it because the reader simply doesn't know enough about them to care what happens to them. The ones that I noticed in particular were Christian, Jules, Finn, Zane, Whiskey, Lucca and Lola. These weren't bad characters in and of themselves, it would just be very helpful to know more about them. This brings me to my next point. Just for reading simplicity, it would be easier to have a smaller cast of characters where their personas are thoroughly developed and the relationships are clearly defined as to how each character is connected to the lead character(s). And if the extra doesn't have a strong enough relationship and/or backstory, it'd be simplest to cut them out altogether.
Now for the positives:
I loved the descriptive qualities used throughout and especially during the vacation sequences. "Jimbaran Bay is a picturesque fishing village with a scenic crescent of white sand and blue sea, spectacular, gray-white cliffs, the rolling white waves..." (Page 135). I love it! The reader is totally right there in the scene taking in the sights. Lines like that or, "We lay on the ground, staring up at the sky while watching an infusion of pink, purple, and blue fireworks sprinkle down upon us." (Page 114), are completely gorgeous and written so elegantly they deserve individual attention and immense praise. There were, of course, many more beautiful phrases but those just happen to be the two that stuck out.
The character Shorty, was loveable for his oddities and also made me literally laugh out loud. Bebe and Dan were adorable and sweet in a frictional, opposites-attract kind of way. The encounters Bebe had with leading-man Dan were well thought out but would've been nice had they been a tad more expanded upon (or had a more developed backstory, meet-cute interactions and so on). They were overall nice and incorporated some intriguing plot ideas between the two of them. I adored the second-to-last chapter entitled "Dan". Everything in it seemed real and gave resolution to what was going on in their storyline. It was unbelievably swoon-worthy and wonderful! This book all-in-all had lots of positive characteristics and is definitely worth the read for anyone interested in Young Adult Contemporary!
**(Just as a side note I love the length of this story, it was extremely manageable and I flew through it because of the well-paced chapter breaks.)
Next comes Bebe's hairdresser friend Antonio. Now, in theory, Antonio would seem like the greatest of sidekicks. He dropped everything to come and stay with her and is always picking up the shambles of her life and trying to piece them back together. Unfortunately, Antonio's character seemed a little forced especially in the way he spoke. He was too casual in his "baby girl" and "girlfriend" phrases because they were thrown in too frequently. It was too much and made him seem ditzy, not genuine and unrealistic. Again, it wasn't a bad idea for a character, it just needed to be tuned down some.
Continuing on with the character theme, it was a bit frustrating as a reader when the story would introduce (or reintroduce someone who was in the previous book), that had little to no backstory and didn't add much to it because the reader simply doesn't know enough about them to care what happens to them. The ones that I noticed in particular were Christian, Jules, Finn, Zane, Whiskey, Lucca and Lola. These weren't bad characters in and of themselves, it would just be very helpful to know more about them. This brings me to my next point. Just for reading simplicity, it would be easier to have a smaller cast of characters where their personas are thoroughly developed and the relationships are clearly defined as to how each character is connected to the lead character(s). And if the extra doesn't have a strong enough relationship and/or backstory, it'd be simplest to cut them out altogether.
Now for the positives:
I loved the descriptive qualities used throughout and especially during the vacation sequences. "Jimbaran Bay is a picturesque fishing village with a scenic crescent of white sand and blue sea, spectacular, gray-white cliffs, the rolling white waves..." (Page 135). I love it! The reader is totally right there in the scene taking in the sights. Lines like that or, "We lay on the ground, staring up at the sky while watching an infusion of pink, purple, and blue fireworks sprinkle down upon us." (Page 114), are completely gorgeous and written so elegantly they deserve individual attention and immense praise. There were, of course, many more beautiful phrases but those just happen to be the two that stuck out.
The character Shorty, was loveable for his oddities and also made me literally laugh out loud. Bebe and Dan were adorable and sweet in a frictional, opposites-attract kind of way. The encounters Bebe had with leading-man Dan were well thought out but would've been nice had they been a tad more expanded upon (or had a more developed backstory, meet-cute interactions and so on). They were overall nice and incorporated some intriguing plot ideas between the two of them. I adored the second-to-last chapter entitled "Dan". Everything in it seemed real and gave resolution to what was going on in their storyline. It was unbelievably swoon-worthy and wonderful! This book all-in-all had lots of positive characteristics and is definitely worth the read for anyone interested in Young Adult Contemporary!
**(Just as a side note I love the length of this story, it was extremely manageable and I flew through it because of the well-paced chapter breaks.)
October 20, 2015
This is the rollicking good story of Bebe Barkley and her riotous road to fame and glory. Buckle your seatbelt and get ready to ride as this outrageous YA story takes you from New York to Los Angeles, showing once and for all that girls really DO just wanna have fun.
Bebe loves to "see, be seen, and be seen seeing." It's an old adage about overprivileged people, and Bebe certainly embraces that role. But not at first.
In New York, she's down and almost out when she's literally rescued off the street by a fabulous but insecure young artist named Blue, and she settles into his high-rise loft and begins her coast-to-coast party.
Not letting a little thing like Blue's unexpected death get in the way (she had him sign over his entire valuable inventory of paintings to her in a weak moment), she mourns his loss for a whole day or so while reflecting on the meaning of her friend's passing:
"Blue had run all the way from South Dakota to New York to escape his past. He'd reinvented himself, becoming the toast of the New York art world. But his demons had followed him. No matter how hard he'd run, in the end he could not outrun himself."
The same might be said of Bebe, who alludes to some hard times in her recent past. Perhaps she's more vulnerable than she projects outwardly. And she projects a lot.
Her best new friend Kelsey -- herself the beneficiary of Blue's generosity -- is only one of the zany cast of characters that populate the book. There's also Roccho, the heart-of-gold tough guy boxing trainer; her effervescent hairdresser Antonio, who fortuitously arranges for Bebe to get modeling headshots taken soon after he performs a fantastic makeover on her; and, there's nefarious, predatory Winston, Blue's agent who is heartbroken when he finds that Bebe has donated most of Blue's valuable art collection to a non-profit gallery in SoHo.
And that's just the events in New York.
But never fear, the party rolls on in L.A., where the ghost of a forties-era starlet haunts Bebe's apartment house, and, just for fun, Bebe slips a half-tab of Ecstasy into the drink of a crabby neighbor they call The Dragon Lady -- then steps back to enjoy the effects of her little prank.
So much partyring to be had, and so little time.
Bebe's big adventure on the West Coast is not all fun and games, as we find out through a series of misadventures in Las Vegas and other exotic locales. A new character named Cowboy makes a big impression, and an Australian named Whiskey makes Bebe all hot and bothered.
Mostly, it's just a big Young Adult romp, and fans of the genre are sure to enjoy it. Five stars for Becoming Famous, and an impatient wait for the next book in the series.
Bebe loves to "see, be seen, and be seen seeing." It's an old adage about overprivileged people, and Bebe certainly embraces that role. But not at first.
In New York, she's down and almost out when she's literally rescued off the street by a fabulous but insecure young artist named Blue, and she settles into his high-rise loft and begins her coast-to-coast party.
Not letting a little thing like Blue's unexpected death get in the way (she had him sign over his entire valuable inventory of paintings to her in a weak moment), she mourns his loss for a whole day or so while reflecting on the meaning of her friend's passing:
"Blue had run all the way from South Dakota to New York to escape his past. He'd reinvented himself, becoming the toast of the New York art world. But his demons had followed him. No matter how hard he'd run, in the end he could not outrun himself."
The same might be said of Bebe, who alludes to some hard times in her recent past. Perhaps she's more vulnerable than she projects outwardly. And she projects a lot.
Her best new friend Kelsey -- herself the beneficiary of Blue's generosity -- is only one of the zany cast of characters that populate the book. There's also Roccho, the heart-of-gold tough guy boxing trainer; her effervescent hairdresser Antonio, who fortuitously arranges for Bebe to get modeling headshots taken soon after he performs a fantastic makeover on her; and, there's nefarious, predatory Winston, Blue's agent who is heartbroken when he finds that Bebe has donated most of Blue's valuable art collection to a non-profit gallery in SoHo.
And that's just the events in New York.
But never fear, the party rolls on in L.A., where the ghost of a forties-era starlet haunts Bebe's apartment house, and, just for fun, Bebe slips a half-tab of Ecstasy into the drink of a crabby neighbor they call The Dragon Lady -- then steps back to enjoy the effects of her little prank.
So much partyring to be had, and so little time.
Bebe's big adventure on the West Coast is not all fun and games, as we find out through a series of misadventures in Las Vegas and other exotic locales. A new character named Cowboy makes a big impression, and an Australian named Whiskey makes Bebe all hot and bothered.
Mostly, it's just a big Young Adult romp, and fans of the genre are sure to enjoy it. Five stars for Becoming Famous, and an impatient wait for the next book in the series.
September 25, 2015
I received this book for my review. I started this book and it had a hard time gaining my interest. The book seemed to jump around and it was fast paced in that the days moved quickly. I found the main character Bebe Barkley mysterious and I believe that is why I stayed with the book.
The book has many events that occurred to and around Bebe. Some of the book was farfetched for me. I would never move in with someone I just met. But it worked for Bebe. Blue was a great character, he seemed to balance Bebe. I just wish we had more of Blue but his story was great.
Bebe took up boxing but other than to get her aggression out you didn’t understand what it meant to her. And why she had aggression towards people she thought were the boxing bag until much later.
Kelsey’s character I wished we had more on but she is the one that brings things to light to Bebe. I just believe that it would be nice to know why she did some of the things that she did. Did she have an overwhelming need for love and that is why she fell so fast for Cowboy?
Cowboy and Dan, I just wanted more evolution for them. The tid bits that were provided were making me want more.
I do not want to give away anything but I will tell you that I was screaming at Bebe’s stupidity in the later chapters of the book.
It was the later chapters that gripped me and made me increase my rating for this book. Even though I wasn’t 100% in love with the ending I could handle that the book was over.
I suggest that when you read this book that realize that all of the jumping around at the beginning of the book is a true representation of Bebe’s character and life. That is who she is and if that was what the author was trying to get across by jumping around it came across loud and clear.
The book has many events that occurred to and around Bebe. Some of the book was farfetched for me. I would never move in with someone I just met. But it worked for Bebe. Blue was a great character, he seemed to balance Bebe. I just wish we had more of Blue but his story was great.
Bebe took up boxing but other than to get her aggression out you didn’t understand what it meant to her. And why she had aggression towards people she thought were the boxing bag until much later.
Kelsey’s character I wished we had more on but she is the one that brings things to light to Bebe. I just believe that it would be nice to know why she did some of the things that she did. Did she have an overwhelming need for love and that is why she fell so fast for Cowboy?
Cowboy and Dan, I just wanted more evolution for them. The tid bits that were provided were making me want more.
I do not want to give away anything but I will tell you that I was screaming at Bebe’s stupidity in the later chapters of the book.
It was the later chapters that gripped me and made me increase my rating for this book. Even though I wasn’t 100% in love with the ending I could handle that the book was over.
I suggest that when you read this book that realize that all of the jumping around at the beginning of the book is a true representation of Bebe’s character and life. That is who she is and if that was what the author was trying to get across by jumping around it came across loud and clear.
August 19, 2015
THIS REVIEW WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED AT
CHAPTERFIVE.WIX.COM/CHAPTER5
RATE: 6/5
MY THOUGHTS:
An artists who looks like her brother and a woman in need of some healing? That made becoming famous an insta- click for me and Natalie Scott is amazing, you’ll love this one.
It took me no time at all to dive right back into Bebe and Blue’s story
Bebe’s life gets turned on its side when Blue Benson takes her as his new roommate. I think he was smitten with her immediately.
It’s hard for me to go into details without giving things away about the story but let’s just say that Bebe’s situation wasn’t really surprising to me at all but that doesn’t mean Natalie Scott didn’t surprise me more than once in Becoming Famous. From the very first page of the book I was proud of Bebe and Blue for take things into their hands.
They screw up sometimes but they realized what happened and they decided it was time to change things. Sure there was a stupid thing here and there but hey we love angst. Bebe was a little cold and standoffish at first but that was her way to protect herself. I came to understand her pretty quickly and her relationship with this hottie.
Loved that Scott’s book give us a lesson that can be learned if you look hard enough.
Overall, pretty happy I read this book it was funny, sweet, sexy and of course a very easy read which I devoured it one night.
CHAPTERFIVE.WIX.COM/CHAPTER5
RATE: 6/5
MY THOUGHTS:
An artists who looks like her brother and a woman in need of some healing? That made becoming famous an insta- click for me and Natalie Scott is amazing, you’ll love this one.
It took me no time at all to dive right back into Bebe and Blue’s story
Bebe’s life gets turned on its side when Blue Benson takes her as his new roommate. I think he was smitten with her immediately.
It’s hard for me to go into details without giving things away about the story but let’s just say that Bebe’s situation wasn’t really surprising to me at all but that doesn’t mean Natalie Scott didn’t surprise me more than once in Becoming Famous. From the very first page of the book I was proud of Bebe and Blue for take things into their hands.
They screw up sometimes but they realized what happened and they decided it was time to change things. Sure there was a stupid thing here and there but hey we love angst. Bebe was a little cold and standoffish at first but that was her way to protect herself. I came to understand her pretty quickly and her relationship with this hottie.
Loved that Scott’s book give us a lesson that can be learned if you look hard enough.
Overall, pretty happy I read this book it was funny, sweet, sexy and of course a very easy read which I devoured it one night.
September 8, 2015
I received the book as an ARC from Net Galley.
The book is about Bebe Barkley. After her dreams of becoming a professional equestrian champion are shattered, Bebe tries to find a new path in life. Her impulsive and larger than life attitude allows her to follow her heart from New York to LA, making friends with eccentric artists, fellow aspring actresses, broody boxers, and bossy but hotter than hell directors along the way. It is a well written story with characters you can fall in love with. The story's only down fall is how I wanted to see more depth and emotion from the characters themselves. Don't get me wrong! The author does a fantastic job at letting the reader get to know them. It is a good start, but I felt like a lot of things were left unsaid and there are things that I definately wanted to hear. It was as if the author was only brushing the surface of who the characters were, instead of digging deeper and fully developing personalities for them. The personalities are definately there though, but I would have loved to see more. What I loved most about this book was the romance between Bebe and Dan. The Christmas scene - definately my favorite out of the entire book! The spontaneity of their relationship and the love they show one another is something every girl wishes for or thanks their lucky stars for when they have it.
The book is about Bebe Barkley. After her dreams of becoming a professional equestrian champion are shattered, Bebe tries to find a new path in life. Her impulsive and larger than life attitude allows her to follow her heart from New York to LA, making friends with eccentric artists, fellow aspring actresses, broody boxers, and bossy but hotter than hell directors along the way. It is a well written story with characters you can fall in love with. The story's only down fall is how I wanted to see more depth and emotion from the characters themselves. Don't get me wrong! The author does a fantastic job at letting the reader get to know them. It is a good start, but I felt like a lot of things were left unsaid and there are things that I definately wanted to hear. It was as if the author was only brushing the surface of who the characters were, instead of digging deeper and fully developing personalities for them. The personalities are definately there though, but I would have loved to see more. What I loved most about this book was the romance between Bebe and Dan. The Christmas scene - definately my favorite out of the entire book! The spontaneity of their relationship and the love they show one another is something every girl wishes for or thanks their lucky stars for when they have it.
September 16, 2015
I received Becoming Famous from Netgalley, before I knew it was a sequel. After reading both books, it is definitely better to read Rules For Riders first, so that you understand what Bebe is talking about at some points in the book, though you could read Becoming Famous as a stand alone- you might be a little confused, but there is so much more going on in this book, that you will not be disappointed. I enjoyed reading Becoming Famous, I felt like I was in a whirlwind of famous designers, actors and skeevy people that I didn’t want to be around. The characters in this book make it so charming, and funny, that you won’t want to put it down. The only thing that I would change about this book is the way that it goes so fast- I would love more description about what is going on in some scenes, and it felt like sometimes it would just skim past certain events, that I wanted to know more about. Other than that, I really liked this book and wold recommend it to people who enjoy funny, fish out of water experiences. This book gets 4 out of 5 for me.
If you want to read more about Natalie Scott or more of my review, check out my blog www.comfyreading.wordpress.com
If you want to read more about Natalie Scott or more of my review, check out my blog www.comfyreading.wordpress.com
February 27, 2016
Becoming Famous is the story of Bebe as she rebuilds her life after her career goals are dashed and she must start again. Bebe decides to take life by the horns and live it to the fullest. She flees first to New York then to California and life takes her on a roller coaster both in her new career in Television and modeling and on a personal level as she makes many friends and can always find a party when she needs them, but eventually Bebe tires of he lifestyle and she must decide if she is ready to risk herself and reinvent her life once again. Bebe lives the high life and reading along with her was like living life in the fast lane. I enjoyed her many exploits but I was glad to see how different she became as her story unfolded. A special thanks to the publisher who not only provided a free copy for me, but if you leave a comment on this post I will select a winner who will get a free Kindle copy. Name will be drawn on March 7th. Enter by 9 pm on March 7th. If you win I will forward your name and email to the publisher.
August 28, 2015
"Bebe Barkley was a champion equestrian rider with a bright future until tragedy struck." The book opens with Bebe alone and depressed in a New York hotel separated from everyone she loves. She can’t seem to move forward with her life, but doesn’t refuses to admit defeat in her life.
As a 21 year old girl, I totally related to Bebe as I have felt lonely and lost in my own life. Becoming Famous is really Bebe’s story of finding herself again. Without giving too much more away, I really liked this book!
It skips around a lot but I kind of enjoyed the roller coaster ride. It was true to her character as I followed the main character’s ups and downs throughout the whole book. It’s definitely a page turner, I couldn’t put it down and gobbled it up in three days!
I would seriously recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast fun read!!!
As a 21 year old girl, I totally related to Bebe as I have felt lonely and lost in my own life. Becoming Famous is really Bebe’s story of finding herself again. Without giving too much more away, I really liked this book!
It skips around a lot but I kind of enjoyed the roller coaster ride. It was true to her character as I followed the main character’s ups and downs throughout the whole book. It’s definitely a page turner, I couldn’t put it down and gobbled it up in three days!
I would seriously recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast fun read!!!
September 1, 2015
Bebe Barkley at the beginning of this book is REALLY messed up. She screwed up her life royally and gave up the one thing she really actually loved. Her dream of being a Olympic Equestrian.
I think I enjoyed the book because its really how Bebe gets her shit and her life together. We meet some incredibly colorful characters (including some really hot guys! Which always makes for a fun read.)along the way who go along with her on her journey.
Becoming Famous is for any girl who’s felt messed up, made bad decisions but is still trying her best to get back on track.
AS a bonus, Bebe just happens to become famous! I loved how the author knew specific places that really exist in LA that Bebe went to!
If your looking for something fun and light, to end your summer, it’s a GREAT beach read ☺
I think I enjoyed the book because its really how Bebe gets her shit and her life together. We meet some incredibly colorful characters (including some really hot guys! Which always makes for a fun read.)along the way who go along with her on her journey.
Becoming Famous is for any girl who’s felt messed up, made bad decisions but is still trying her best to get back on track.
AS a bonus, Bebe just happens to become famous! I loved how the author knew specific places that really exist in LA that Bebe went to!
If your looking for something fun and light, to end your summer, it’s a GREAT beach read ☺
September 2, 2015
I read Rules for Riders when it first came out and Becoming Famous is just as fast paced. But what I really liked about Becoming Famous is a lot of the characters are really flawed and screwed up. I find in more traditional romance and young adult novels the characters are totally beautiful and perfect.
What I like about this book, especially the main character Bebe Barkley, is that she starts off in a really bad place. She’s alone and depressed. She’s walked away from her former life as a champion equestrian rider.
Another thing I liked about this novel is it’s really about Bebe’s struggle to find herself. The offset of that is that she becomes famous in the process. What a bonus!
However, there are a lot of twists and turns along the way that keep you guessing. If anyone is looking for a fun summer read I would recommend this book.
What I like about this book, especially the main character Bebe Barkley, is that she starts off in a really bad place. She’s alone and depressed. She’s walked away from her former life as a champion equestrian rider.
Another thing I liked about this novel is it’s really about Bebe’s struggle to find herself. The offset of that is that she becomes famous in the process. What a bonus!
However, there are a lot of twists and turns along the way that keep you guessing. If anyone is looking for a fun summer read I would recommend this book.
September 4, 2015
Natalie Scott captured the minds of young women who have always fantasized about becoming Famous. This is a must read novel for young women who crave excitement by experiencing new adventures.
Bebe Barkley was a teenage girl who became depressed and defeated by losing her "dream" to become a champion equestrian. She was soul searching after her dream was crushed. She became reluctant and went through an "identity crisis" in terms of a new exploration of finding herself.
At times her choices were not always healthy and appropriate which can be indicative of how a woman's brain is not fully developed until she is 25!
She learned to stop running away from inner conflicts and fears by coming back to face the love of her life, career, and friendships.
I would highly recommend this book!
Linda Levin M.A.
Child and Family therapist
Author
Parenting Coach
Bebe Barkley was a teenage girl who became depressed and defeated by losing her "dream" to become a champion equestrian. She was soul searching after her dream was crushed. She became reluctant and went through an "identity crisis" in terms of a new exploration of finding herself.
At times her choices were not always healthy and appropriate which can be indicative of how a woman's brain is not fully developed until she is 25!
She learned to stop running away from inner conflicts and fears by coming back to face the love of her life, career, and friendships.
I would highly recommend this book!
Linda Levin M.A.
Child and Family therapist
Author
Parenting Coach
September 13, 2015
Becoming Famous was a very entertaining story from beginning to end. Bebe gets herself into so much trouble but always manages to come out on top. This book is a follow up to Rules for Riders but you don't have to have read that to understand this story line. It works well as a stand alone as well since it touches on parts from Rules for Riders. I found myself impressed with Bebe in the beginning when dealing with Blue but at times I also wanted to smack her in the head and ask what the heck was wrong with her or what was she thinking. At times you just see disaster headed her way (party towards the end). Overall a great book that flows great. Natalie Scott is great and I can't wait for whatever comes next in Bebe's adventures!!
October 7, 2015
Bebe Barkley is a hot mess, when the book first opens. But that's what I kind of liked about it. She is sitting alone and depressed in a hotel room. The book is really about her progression to Becoming Famous. Don't get me wrong, It's not exactly an easy ride. There are a lot of pitfalls, but I really enjoyed the colorful characters that Ms. Scott creates, which makes this book such a fun ride!
A lot of people have commented that the book is fast paced and jumps around. I actually liked the writing style. For me this was not a bad thing. A lot of books have dull spots, what i liked is how the pace never slowed and just kept going. I am looking forward to the author's next installment.
If you're looking for a book you can't put down, I would recommend this quick read.
A lot of people have commented that the book is fast paced and jumps around. I actually liked the writing style. For me this was not a bad thing. A lot of books have dull spots, what i liked is how the pace never slowed and just kept going. I am looking forward to the author's next installment.
If you're looking for a book you can't put down, I would recommend this quick read.
November 9, 2015
Scott does a good job bringing in a variety of characters that feel different from each other and telling their story. For me it started out a little on the fast paced side but not quite to the point of feeling rushed. There were a few little issues I had with continuity and dialogue that didn't seem to further the story but nothing terribly off track. Overall this is an easy quick read perfect for soap opera loving readers. I wouldn't give the green light for younger readers but I do feel that older readers who enjoy YA books will enjoy this one. I received an ARC through the author in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion, which may or may not mirror your own.
November 25, 2015
First of all, the character starts off in a really bad place. Bebe is alone and depressed in the beginning. However what I really liked is that the character has an arc and things slowly start to get better for her. I've had times in my life where I've been lonely and depressed so I can really relate to the character.
It's a fairly easy read and as things get better for Bebe, so does the pace of the novel. There are lots of fun, wild, crazy characters which kept things interesting. I have to admit, i finished this book in three days. If you're looking for a fun, fast read that won't strain your brain, i would recommend this book.
It's a fairly easy read and as things get better for Bebe, so does the pace of the novel. There are lots of fun, wild, crazy characters which kept things interesting. I have to admit, i finished this book in three days. If you're looking for a fun, fast read that won't strain your brain, i would recommend this book.
August 30, 2015
I tried to read this book. I really did. The synopsis sounds good. I was all excited. 15 percent in, I thought it was all over the place. I did not like any of the characters. I skimmed a little bit more and then I gave up. sorry :(
November 16, 2015
A likeable read for my eleven year old daughter, thou not the genre within the YA genre she's typically drawn to. The characters provide a mind provoking look at what every young adult goes through in life when finding oneself after a slip.
September 8, 2015
Natalie Scott did a wonderful job of developing the characters in this book. I felt this was especially true with Bebe the main character. Truth be told I didn't particularly like her in the beginning, but by the end of the novel she had turned into a well rounded heroine
December 30, 2015
I used to watch soap operas. This book reminds me of them a little bit. There is some good and bad is it but so the soaps were the same way for me. See what you think of this book! * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
September 15, 2015
Great fast paced read!. I hope it becomes a series... love the charactors!
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February 12, 2016**2.5 Stars** I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. Review will be up on Boundless Book Reviews.
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