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Love in Disguise #1
Among the Stars: Liebe wie im Film
Elise Jameson hat die weltberühmte Bestsellerserie „Viking Moon“ geschrieben – aber keiner weiß es. Denn nach einem schrecklichen Unfall ist Elise taub, unglaublich schüchtern und bleibt lieber inkognito. Doch dann werden ihre Bücher mit Hollywoodstar Gavin Hartley verfilmt, und man besteht auf die Anwesenheit der Autorin am Set. Kurzerhand beauftragt Elise die wunderschöne Unbekannte Veronica Wilde damit, ihren Platz einzunehmen, während sie selbst sich als Assistentin ausgibt. Als sie neue Freunde findet und Gavin näherkommt, fällt es ihr jedoch zunehmend schwer, sich hinter ihren Lügen zu verstecken. Ist es Zeit, der Welt zu zeigen, wer sie wirklich ist?
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 29, 2016
7 people are currently reading
1060 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
March 2, 2016
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
Confession Time: I hardly read Coming of Age novels but once in awhile, I do find myself reading a few that catches my attention. And so when I first read the blurb to Flirting With Fame by Samantha Joyce, I was intrigued and knew I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book.
Flirting With Fame was one of those reads that you couldn’t put down. This book completely was like a fresh breath of air. Ms. Joyce did an amazing job with this novel with her smart and clean writing. She had readers like myself fully invested into this story. Raw emotions and vulnerability were beautifully scattered throughout the story giving a greater understanding of a heroine finding her voice in the world.
I love the concept and storyline of this book of a young teen writer hiding behind her stories and the fame that came with publishing a book that is adored by millions of fans. For Elise Jameson, she was a gifted and talented author. And her Viking Moon series is a smash hit and was soon in production to be made into a TV series. Elise should be basking in the glory of her successful series but Elise lacks the confidence due to her hearing disability and the physical scars caused by an accident. So when she published her books, she used the penned name which is not uncommon but what was uncommon was that she had used a random photo of someone. So when Elise runs into the girl of the photo she used, Elise was taken aback when this person claimed and took credit as Audrey Harte. Suddenly, Elise was forced into this charade of pretending to be Audrey Harte’s personal assistant because she was too afraid to admit to the public that she was the real Audrey Harte.
As Elise continues to pretend to be the personal assistant, she finds herself striking a friendship and bond with the leading actor of the Viking Moon Series. As Elise slowly begins to open up to him, will she be able to tell him the truth that she is indeed the real author of Viking Moon? Or will she continue to hide behind her pen and paper?
“Kissing him in real life was nothing like those kisses I’d seen on the screen. It was better. He tasted sweet, like peppermint candy.”
Flirting With Fame is indeed a coming of age story that is filled with raw emotions and heart. I absolutely adore Elise as she discovers her voice and self worth. Samantha Joyce has truly written a gem of a read as she reminds readers that no one should make you feel unworthy or undeserving. This precious gift we call LIFE is meant to be LIVED and so thank you Samantha Joyce for this wonderful novel and of course for that lovable cowboy Clint who brought a smile onto my face.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Samantha Joyce
Confession Time: I hardly read Coming of Age novels but once in awhile, I do find myself reading a few that catches my attention. And so when I first read the blurb to Flirting With Fame by Samantha Joyce, I was intrigued and knew I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book.
Flirting With Fame was one of those reads that you couldn’t put down. This book completely was like a fresh breath of air. Ms. Joyce did an amazing job with this novel with her smart and clean writing. She had readers like myself fully invested into this story. Raw emotions and vulnerability were beautifully scattered throughout the story giving a greater understanding of a heroine finding her voice in the world.
I love the concept and storyline of this book of a young teen writer hiding behind her stories and the fame that came with publishing a book that is adored by millions of fans. For Elise Jameson, she was a gifted and talented author. And her Viking Moon series is a smash hit and was soon in production to be made into a TV series. Elise should be basking in the glory of her successful series but Elise lacks the confidence due to her hearing disability and the physical scars caused by an accident. So when she published her books, she used the penned name which is not uncommon but what was uncommon was that she had used a random photo of someone. So when Elise runs into the girl of the photo she used, Elise was taken aback when this person claimed and took credit as Audrey Harte. Suddenly, Elise was forced into this charade of pretending to be Audrey Harte’s personal assistant because she was too afraid to admit to the public that she was the real Audrey Harte.
As Elise continues to pretend to be the personal assistant, she finds herself striking a friendship and bond with the leading actor of the Viking Moon Series. As Elise slowly begins to open up to him, will she be able to tell him the truth that she is indeed the real author of Viking Moon? Or will she continue to hide behind her pen and paper?
“Kissing him in real life was nothing like those kisses I’d seen on the screen. It was better. He tasted sweet, like peppermint candy.”Flirting With Fame is indeed a coming of age story that is filled with raw emotions and heart. I absolutely adore Elise as she discovers her voice and self worth. Samantha Joyce has truly written a gem of a read as she reminds readers that no one should make you feel unworthy or undeserving. This precious gift we call LIFE is meant to be LIVED and so thank you Samantha Joyce for this wonderful novel and of course for that lovable cowboy Clint who brought a smile onto my face.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Samantha Joyce
February 7, 2016
The things I love about this book are A LOT. The surprising and achingly vulnerable characters. Love that jumps off the page. And the delightful humor. This story is an absolute joy.
Elise wins your heart immediately and it's all too easy to follow her through her hilarious, romantic, and awkward blunders. This is more than a romance, it's a coming of age that grabs your heart and takes you on a ride. I'm telling you, there is a scene in this book that had me laughing so hard I snorted. It's in my favorites of all time.
If you want a feel good story that will surprise you at every turn, this is the book for you.
Elise wins your heart immediately and it's all too easy to follow her through her hilarious, romantic, and awkward blunders. This is more than a romance, it's a coming of age that grabs your heart and takes you on a ride. I'm telling you, there is a scene in this book that had me laughing so hard I snorted. It's in my favorites of all time.
If you want a feel good story that will surprise you at every turn, this is the book for you.
January 8, 2016
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of this story, and I absolutely ADORED it. The premise is so unique and compelling. Elise slays—slays—as a narrator. She has this charming authenticity and is so well drawn. And the other characters are just as brilliant. (Can I just say Clint? CLINT.) Told in a fresh, one-of-a-kind voice, Flirting with Fame is brimming with personality, heart, and swoons.
Five glorious stars.
Five glorious stars.
February 12, 2016
Oh, my goodness. SO MANY FEELS. This book is just wonderful on so many levels. There's a fresh, romantic love story, and so many secondary characters that are beautifully developed. I had about a thousand things going on this week, but despite all that, here I am, still in my pajamas on a Friday afternoon, because I was desperate to finish this book and know how it ended.
FLIRTING WITH FAME is about Elise, a college freshman with a huge secret: She's really Aubrey Lynch, the author of the popular Viking Moon series, except nobody knows it. Thanks to scars she bears as the result of a tragedy when she was young-- the same tragedy that left her Deaf-- she's afraid to show the world her true face. Instead, the author photo on her books is of a beautiful woman Elise found online. But when the Viking Moon books are to be made into a TV series and Aubrey Lynch is expected on set to give her input, Elise strikes up a deal with the girl on the back of the book and poses as her assistant. Elise thinks she can pull off her plan, but she doesn't bank on falling for Gavin, the actor playing the main character. Or on the fact that he just might like her back.
There are so many things I adored about this book. I immediately loved Elise- she's someone who has accomplished so much early in life, but she's vulnerable and insecure at the same time because of how she looks. There are some amazing friendships in the book. Jin, Reggie, and Clint are fantastic characters (I wish I had a Clint in my life)! Gavin is a really interesting character as well, one with secrets of his own, and the way he interacted with Elise was both sweet and swoonworthy.
This is the kind of writing that makes you keep turning pages, even though you should have been asleep hours ago and know you're going to be exhausted in the morning. This is the kind of story I love because the characters aren't perfect. They're flawed and make mistakes and that makes them real. That makes them human. One major thing I took away from this book is that how other people see us isn't our problem-- it's theirs, and isn't for us to worry about. I think it's an important lesson that everyone needs to be reminded of from time to time. All we can do is be ourselves, and what people do with that is up to them.
FLIRTING WITH FAME definitely deserves five stars, and Samantha Joyce has become an instabuy author for me! (Also, the fact that this is the first FLIRTING WITH FAME book makes me giddy. I want more of these characters!)
FLIRTING WITH FAME is about Elise, a college freshman with a huge secret: She's really Aubrey Lynch, the author of the popular Viking Moon series, except nobody knows it. Thanks to scars she bears as the result of a tragedy when she was young-- the same tragedy that left her Deaf-- she's afraid to show the world her true face. Instead, the author photo on her books is of a beautiful woman Elise found online. But when the Viking Moon books are to be made into a TV series and Aubrey Lynch is expected on set to give her input, Elise strikes up a deal with the girl on the back of the book and poses as her assistant. Elise thinks she can pull off her plan, but she doesn't bank on falling for Gavin, the actor playing the main character. Or on the fact that he just might like her back.
There are so many things I adored about this book. I immediately loved Elise- she's someone who has accomplished so much early in life, but she's vulnerable and insecure at the same time because of how she looks. There are some amazing friendships in the book. Jin, Reggie, and Clint are fantastic characters (I wish I had a Clint in my life)! Gavin is a really interesting character as well, one with secrets of his own, and the way he interacted with Elise was both sweet and swoonworthy.
This is the kind of writing that makes you keep turning pages, even though you should have been asleep hours ago and know you're going to be exhausted in the morning. This is the kind of story I love because the characters aren't perfect. They're flawed and make mistakes and that makes them real. That makes them human. One major thing I took away from this book is that how other people see us isn't our problem-- it's theirs, and isn't for us to worry about. I think it's an important lesson that everyone needs to be reminded of from time to time. All we can do is be ourselves, and what people do with that is up to them.
FLIRTING WITH FAME definitely deserves five stars, and Samantha Joyce has become an instabuy author for me! (Also, the fact that this is the first FLIRTING WITH FAME book makes me giddy. I want more of these characters!)
February 29, 2016
Oh, wow. This book was total sleeper hit for me.
I wasn't so sure going into it. It started off very slowly for me and I began losing patience. I was worried that this incredibly promising premise was going to fall flat.
I am SO HAPPY to report that it didn't!
About a third of the way in, I was completely hooked. And now, having just turned the last page, my heart is completely overflowing and I am hopelessly in love with this story, these characters, and all these feelings.
I loved the unique set-up of this book. The painfully shy, scarred (in more ways than one) nineteen year old author of a bestselling series who is afraid to show herself to the world finds herself on the sidelines of her own life, as she buries herself deeper into the lies she's created to avoid public recognition. It works. It lays the foundation for a beautiful self-acceptance story wrapped up in a sweet, charming love story. It’s perfectly done. It never feels preachy or heavy handed. It’s charming and cute, laced with heat and a little angst, all combining into this lovely fairytale-esque story that I didn’t want to put down.
There's a lot of emotion here. Elise is heartbreaking and sometimes frustrating, but her heart is enormous and it is impossible not to love her. Likewise, the secondary characters make up this amazing, quirky, supportive crew that help Elise come to terms with her past, and accept herself for who she is. In the middle of all of this is a romance that completely stole my heart.
In the end, I'm so glad I stuck with it. Flirting with Fame was such a unique and captivating story. A little heartbreaking. A little breathtaking. Completely rewarding. It looks like this might be the first in a series and I am fully on board with that! ~ Shelly, 4.5 stars
I wasn't so sure going into it. It started off very slowly for me and I began losing patience. I was worried that this incredibly promising premise was going to fall flat.
I am SO HAPPY to report that it didn't!
About a third of the way in, I was completely hooked. And now, having just turned the last page, my heart is completely overflowing and I am hopelessly in love with this story, these characters, and all these feelings.
I loved the unique set-up of this book. The painfully shy, scarred (in more ways than one) nineteen year old author of a bestselling series who is afraid to show herself to the world finds herself on the sidelines of her own life, as she buries herself deeper into the lies she's created to avoid public recognition. It works. It lays the foundation for a beautiful self-acceptance story wrapped up in a sweet, charming love story. It’s perfectly done. It never feels preachy or heavy handed. It’s charming and cute, laced with heat and a little angst, all combining into this lovely fairytale-esque story that I didn’t want to put down.
There's a lot of emotion here. Elise is heartbreaking and sometimes frustrating, but her heart is enormous and it is impossible not to love her. Likewise, the secondary characters make up this amazing, quirky, supportive crew that help Elise come to terms with her past, and accept herself for who she is. In the middle of all of this is a romance that completely stole my heart.
In the end, I'm so glad I stuck with it. Flirting with Fame was such a unique and captivating story. A little heartbreaking. A little breathtaking. Completely rewarding. It looks like this might be the first in a series and I am fully on board with that! ~ Shelly, 4.5 stars
January 10, 2019
This review may contain SPOILERS!
After finishing "Cinder & Ella" by Kelly Oram, and liking it as much as I did, I thought it was a good idea to start this book, because it sounded kind of similar. Well, it wasn't a bad book, but not a particularly good one either. The plot had some parts that just sounded unfinished to me, one example is that the parents didn't find out about Elise's scheme with Veronica and the money. Also Elise behaved weirdly at times, like one time she is full on fangirling about Gavin, to Gavin, and another time she seems more calm and collected talking to him. This just varies from time to time, which makes me pretty confused. The book isn't per se a bad book, it just wasn't the book for me. Although, for other it might still be an enjoyable and nice read!
3/5 stars
After finishing "Cinder & Ella" by Kelly Oram, and liking it as much as I did, I thought it was a good idea to start this book, because it sounded kind of similar. Well, it wasn't a bad book, but not a particularly good one either. The plot had some parts that just sounded unfinished to me, one example is that the parents didn't find out about Elise's scheme with Veronica and the money. Also Elise behaved weirdly at times, like one time she is full on fangirling about Gavin, to Gavin, and another time she seems more calm and collected talking to him. This just varies from time to time, which makes me pretty confused. The book isn't per se a bad book, it just wasn't the book for me. Although, for other it might still be an enjoyable and nice read!
3/5 stars
January 12, 2016
Captivating. Heart-wrenching. Phenomenal.
FLIRTING WITH FAME by Samantha Joyce captivated me from the start.
Elise’s character is absolutely likable from page one and with each sentence you fall more and more in love with her. She’s got an incredible, authentic voice, and a wonderful spirit despite her tragic past. The fact that she is deaf offers readers a different perspective to look through in the genre and it draws readers into a world many of us aren’t familiar with.
And when everything is shrouded in silence, the most incredible things can be seen—-not only Elise’s struggle with adapting to her new college setting, but her growth as a woman strands out vibrant against a past that was mostly gray.
Joyce doesn’t disappoint when creating a male counterpart for Elise. Gavin is as kind as he is delicious, with just enough confidence to give him a bad boy smirk. Their dynamic was refreshing because despite his celebrity status, there is a real human behind the actor, one who immediately befriends Elise through common interests. The romance that follows is filled with struggles, tension, and plenty of heat, but it’s developed in an effortless way that helps push both character arcs in the right direction.
I feel the market is always calling for diverse characters and Joyce delivered an incredible one with a plot to match. I read the book in two sittings because I just could not put it down! Elise’s journey is one readers can relate to as the young woman struggles with mistakes, lovers, and the trials of being a new adult. Her compassion is undeniable, and downright admiral considering her past, and through every obstacle she grows into the incredible woman she’s always been meant to be.
FLIRTING WITH FAME made me laugh, gasp, cry, and pant. It’s a gripping story with a fresh perspective and a romance worth fighting for and though the journey may be silent, it screams with passion.
FLIRTING WITH FAME by Samantha Joyce captivated me from the start.
Elise’s character is absolutely likable from page one and with each sentence you fall more and more in love with her. She’s got an incredible, authentic voice, and a wonderful spirit despite her tragic past. The fact that she is deaf offers readers a different perspective to look through in the genre and it draws readers into a world many of us aren’t familiar with.
And when everything is shrouded in silence, the most incredible things can be seen—-not only Elise’s struggle with adapting to her new college setting, but her growth as a woman strands out vibrant against a past that was mostly gray.
Joyce doesn’t disappoint when creating a male counterpart for Elise. Gavin is as kind as he is delicious, with just enough confidence to give him a bad boy smirk. Their dynamic was refreshing because despite his celebrity status, there is a real human behind the actor, one who immediately befriends Elise through common interests. The romance that follows is filled with struggles, tension, and plenty of heat, but it’s developed in an effortless way that helps push both character arcs in the right direction.
I feel the market is always calling for diverse characters and Joyce delivered an incredible one with a plot to match. I read the book in two sittings because I just could not put it down! Elise’s journey is one readers can relate to as the young woman struggles with mistakes, lovers, and the trials of being a new adult. Her compassion is undeniable, and downright admiral considering her past, and through every obstacle she grows into the incredible woman she’s always been meant to be.
FLIRTING WITH FAME made me laugh, gasp, cry, and pant. It’s a gripping story with a fresh perspective and a romance worth fighting for and though the journey may be silent, it screams with passion.
Read
September 21, 2020Elise Jameson has spent years hiding behind her pen name, never even being able to sign a copy of her bestselling series Viking Moon. With the physical and emotional scars from a tragic accident that left her deaf, stepping out into the spotlight just isn't something she's willing to do. But when the producer of her book-turned-TV show practically sets up camp in her backyard and wants her on set as a consultant her life gets turned upside down.
Flirting with Fame is a captivating story that's full of sweet moments and some surprisingly quirky characters. With a fresh voice and a compelling story line, Joyce delivers a well thought out plot that's a fun and easy read. Flirting with Fame is a truly delightful read and I'm excited to see what Joyce has planned next.
Flirting with Fame is a captivating story that's full of sweet moments and some surprisingly quirky characters. With a fresh voice and a compelling story line, Joyce delivers a well thought out plot that's a fun and easy read. Flirting with Fame is a truly delightful read and I'm excited to see what Joyce has planned next.
January 8, 2016
A powerful story of learning to love who you when you are different from others around you and finding the strength to show the world the real you. While this is a story that is achingly real and emotionally turbulent with ups and downs that most of us can relate to, it had me undeniably hooked throughout the entire book.This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan
February 23, 2016
I received a copy of this title from NetGalley. It does not impact my review.
What Worked
-My mother works with the deaf and hearing impaired, so I’m always interested to read about deaf characters. I liked that there were a few people in Elise’s life that knew sign language and that that was incorporated into the story. Since Elise was a teenager when she became deaf she has good speech and she’s talented at reading lips so a lot of people don’t realize she’s deaf. While I think that it was handled pretty well overall, I did think things were maybe just a tad too easy for her. Only once does she ever have to tell someone to slow down when they’re speaking and the majority of the time she talks with people is through speech instead of sign language, even with the people who are fluent with signing. I think it could have been just a bit more realistic if the communication barrier was greater explored.
-As someone who loves watching tv shows based on books, I loved that aspect of the story. I really enjoyed all the parts where Elise is on set and seeing how emotional she gets when she sees the sets and how the actors represent the characters she created. I wouldn’t have minded getting a little more information on the series, Viking Moon, but I did like that the story stayed focused on Elise and her real life.
-I really liked Elise’s new friend, the “cowboy” Clint. I have to admit a part of me liked him so much because when I was a freshman in college one of my first friends was a guy who thought of himself as a cowboy and it kind of reminded me of those days. I liked that he was often the voice of reason, but was also sweet and funny. I didn’t quite buy into his eventual romantic relationship, though, and how easy it was for him to shift his affections.
-For the most part, I really enjoyed the relationship between Elise and Gavin. I liked how they started out as friends and slowly grew into more. I thought Gavin was pretty adorable and just flawed enough to make him realistic.
What Didn’t Quite do it for Me
-Though I liked the romance between Elise and Gavin, I thought there were some scenes that were a bit too graphic for YA (though thankfully didn’t quite shift into NA territory). There was also a scene with Elise and some basically random guy, followed by some really heavy drinking and drunk shenanigans that really made me like her character a little less.
-I didn’t really care for Elise’s roommate, Reggie. She was pretty self-absorbed and made almost everything all about her. She did have several moments of being supportive, though, so she was a redeemable character.
-I think a lot of people will be able to identify with Elise’s low self-esteem and fear of exposure and understand why she goes so far to keep up the charade. However, I do find it a little hard to believe that she never had to meet in person (or even skype with) her agent, publicist, editor, etc. I also don’t think it’s that realistic that Veronica was able to pose as the author for so long without anyone figuring it out. Side note – Veronica was awful! But she was supposed to be, so I kind of enjoyed how awful she was.
Overall, Flirting with Fame was a pretty cute, fast read. I loved the concept and it was pretty well done for the most part. However, because I really didn’t respect a lot of Elise’s behavior, it made her and the story kind of difficult to like at times and is the reason I can’t quite give it 4 stars.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 3.5 Stars
What Worked
-My mother works with the deaf and hearing impaired, so I’m always interested to read about deaf characters. I liked that there were a few people in Elise’s life that knew sign language and that that was incorporated into the story. Since Elise was a teenager when she became deaf she has good speech and she’s talented at reading lips so a lot of people don’t realize she’s deaf. While I think that it was handled pretty well overall, I did think things were maybe just a tad too easy for her. Only once does she ever have to tell someone to slow down when they’re speaking and the majority of the time she talks with people is through speech instead of sign language, even with the people who are fluent with signing. I think it could have been just a bit more realistic if the communication barrier was greater explored.
-As someone who loves watching tv shows based on books, I loved that aspect of the story. I really enjoyed all the parts where Elise is on set and seeing how emotional she gets when she sees the sets and how the actors represent the characters she created. I wouldn’t have minded getting a little more information on the series, Viking Moon, but I did like that the story stayed focused on Elise and her real life.
-I really liked Elise’s new friend, the “cowboy” Clint. I have to admit a part of me liked him so much because when I was a freshman in college one of my first friends was a guy who thought of himself as a cowboy and it kind of reminded me of those days. I liked that he was often the voice of reason, but was also sweet and funny. I didn’t quite buy into his eventual romantic relationship, though, and how easy it was for him to shift his affections.
-For the most part, I really enjoyed the relationship between Elise and Gavin. I liked how they started out as friends and slowly grew into more. I thought Gavin was pretty adorable and just flawed enough to make him realistic.
What Didn’t Quite do it for Me
-Though I liked the romance between Elise and Gavin, I thought there were some scenes that were a bit too graphic for YA (though thankfully didn’t quite shift into NA territory). There was also a scene with Elise and some basically random guy, followed by some really heavy drinking and drunk shenanigans that really made me like her character a little less.
-I didn’t really care for Elise’s roommate, Reggie. She was pretty self-absorbed and made almost everything all about her. She did have several moments of being supportive, though, so she was a redeemable character.
-I think a lot of people will be able to identify with Elise’s low self-esteem and fear of exposure and understand why she goes so far to keep up the charade. However, I do find it a little hard to believe that she never had to meet in person (or even skype with) her agent, publicist, editor, etc. I also don’t think it’s that realistic that Veronica was able to pose as the author for so long without anyone figuring it out. Side note – Veronica was awful! But she was supposed to be, so I kind of enjoyed how awful she was.
Overall, Flirting with Fame was a pretty cute, fast read. I loved the concept and it was pretty well done for the most part. However, because I really didn’t respect a lot of Elise’s behavior, it made her and the story kind of difficult to like at times and is the reason I can’t quite give it 4 stars.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 3.5 Stars
February 8, 2016
I was in the mood for a light and fluffy romance, and this book was exactly what I was looking for. This story was a coming of age story mixed with cute romance, great messages, and strong friendships. Even though some of the events in this book were a bit cliche, it was still a fun book.
I really liked the main character, Elise, because she was sweet and adorable. However, she did some really dumb things, but at least she always owned up to it. I wanted to shake her for doing those dumb things, but I was glad that she realized how dumb she was being. I just wish Elise wouldn't have made as many stupid decisions as she did, because it lead to some unnecessary drama.
I felt bad so for Elise, and I really sympathized with her. She went through some tough things in her life that really scarred her. I was glad that those issue were addressed in the book. It was nice to see her learn from those things, accept them, and become a stronger person.
Elise had a great group of friends by her side, and I loved them all! Jin, Reggie, and Clint were a diverse set of characters that added a lot of humor and warmth to the story. I liked seeing Elise's friendships with each of them. I thought it was great how they always supported Elise throughout the book, even though they got into some fights along the way.
The romance in this book did feel a little like insta-love. I didn't really feel the connection at first. I thought it was a little bit too sudden. However, I thought Gavin and Elise had some really cute moments together. Gavin was so understanding and supportive of Elise. I loved how he made her a more confident person and showed her that she is perfect the way she is. They had a cute and fluffy romance, even if it was a little rushed in the beginning.
I thought this was a fun and a light romance that ended up being really enjoyable.I loved the message about loving yourself! For being a debut novel, I think Joyce hit this out of the park.
4 / 5 Fangs
*This ebook was given to me in exchange for a honest review. *
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
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I really liked the main character, Elise, because she was sweet and adorable. However, she did some really dumb things, but at least she always owned up to it. I wanted to shake her for doing those dumb things, but I was glad that she realized how dumb she was being. I just wish Elise wouldn't have made as many stupid decisions as she did, because it lead to some unnecessary drama.
I felt bad so for Elise, and I really sympathized with her. She went through some tough things in her life that really scarred her. I was glad that those issue were addressed in the book. It was nice to see her learn from those things, accept them, and become a stronger person.
Elise had a great group of friends by her side, and I loved them all! Jin, Reggie, and Clint were a diverse set of characters that added a lot of humor and warmth to the story. I liked seeing Elise's friendships with each of them. I thought it was great how they always supported Elise throughout the book, even though they got into some fights along the way.
The romance in this book did feel a little like insta-love. I didn't really feel the connection at first. I thought it was a little bit too sudden. However, I thought Gavin and Elise had some really cute moments together. Gavin was so understanding and supportive of Elise. I loved how he made her a more confident person and showed her that she is perfect the way she is. They had a cute and fluffy romance, even if it was a little rushed in the beginning.
I thought this was a fun and a light romance that ended up being really enjoyable.I loved the message about loving yourself! For being a debut novel, I think Joyce hit this out of the park.
4 / 5 Fangs
*This ebook was given to me in exchange for a honest review. *
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
March 9, 2016
If you're thinking about picking up this book, be careful: It's impossible to put down once you've started.
I have had the privilege of reading this book several times before publication and no matter how busy I thought I was, it's never taken me more than 24 hours to finish it. It's that good, and that re-readable.
The characters jump off the page. They feel like real people from each of their first introductions, to the point that I'm happy to spend time with them even when I know where the story is going. Everyone falls in love with Clint (for good reason!), but my heart will always be with Gavin, who is basically everything I could want in a romantic hero. He's thoughtful and kind instead of egoistic and Alpha, like so many romantic leads are these days. His good looks certainly aren't hurting, either.
Elise is such a good person to follow through the story. Sure, she makes a lot of mistakes, but the mistakes make sense based on who she is and what brought her into the crazy tangled mess she weaves.
Veronica is a fantastic antagonist. In this book, she's a character you love to hate, but there are scenes (Halloween, anyone?) that reveal there is so much more to her than meets the eye. I'm actually thrilled that the second book in this series follows her, so we can learn more about what makes her tick.
A small shoutout to Duncan and Reggie, too, who are endearing. Duncan's character arc in particular was sweet and resonated with me. He might be one of my favorite characters. He's at least in my top six. ;)
Having a deaf main character was also pretty awesome for me, since I grew up learning American Sign Language and have Deaf friends. It's great that her deafness doesn't define her. Sure, she lipreads probably a little better than the average deaf person can, but a story full of "what was that you said?" and small misunderstandings wouldn't move forward as quickly, and I think Joyce made the right choice in that respect. I also love that we get to learn two signs (coffee and dork).
The misunderstandings and fallout that happen also make a ton of sense and I can understand why the characters involved act the way they do.
This book is funny, memorable, and un-put-downable. I recommend it to pretty much everyone I see.
I have had the privilege of reading this book several times before publication and no matter how busy I thought I was, it's never taken me more than 24 hours to finish it. It's that good, and that re-readable.
The characters jump off the page. They feel like real people from each of their first introductions, to the point that I'm happy to spend time with them even when I know where the story is going. Everyone falls in love with Clint (for good reason!), but my heart will always be with Gavin, who is basically everything I could want in a romantic hero. He's thoughtful and kind instead of egoistic and Alpha, like so many romantic leads are these days. His good looks certainly aren't hurting, either.
Elise is such a good person to follow through the story. Sure, she makes a lot of mistakes, but the mistakes make sense based on who she is and what brought her into the crazy tangled mess she weaves.
Veronica is a fantastic antagonist. In this book, she's a character you love to hate, but there are scenes (Halloween, anyone?) that reveal there is so much more to her than meets the eye. I'm actually thrilled that the second book in this series follows her, so we can learn more about what makes her tick.
A small shoutout to Duncan and Reggie, too, who are endearing. Duncan's character arc in particular was sweet and resonated with me. He might be one of my favorite characters. He's at least in my top six. ;)
Having a deaf main character was also pretty awesome for me, since I grew up learning American Sign Language and have Deaf friends. It's great that her deafness doesn't define her. Sure, she lipreads probably a little better than the average deaf person can, but a story full of "what was that you said?" and small misunderstandings wouldn't move forward as quickly, and I think Joyce made the right choice in that respect. I also love that we get to learn two signs (coffee and dork).
The misunderstandings and fallout that happen also make a ton of sense and I can understand why the characters involved act the way they do.
This book is funny, memorable, and un-put-downable. I recommend it to pretty much everyone I see.
March 1, 2016
Flirting With Fame is one of those books that I had no intention of reading but as soon as I read the synopsis I couldn't not read it.
Elise is going through a lot, she and her best friend are starting their freshman year of college in different schools, that isn't very uncommon right? What is uncommon though is having to start college and also having to be on set for filming the television show based on her very own book series. Once Elise finds out she is being impersonated by the person she put on the back of her books she comes up with a plan she thinks will help her. The only problem with that is that things don't always go how we want them, especially when having to lie to friends.
When I got to the meeting of Veronica I was so upset that I almost stopped reading the book all together. I despised her right away, but I decided not to let Veronica get the best of my feelings and kept reading. I'm so glad I did because I feel in love with the characters. Clint was probably my favorite character of the bunch! He had so much personality I just couldn't stop my from smiling whenever he had page time.
After hiding from most people for years Elise is finally discovering who she is and what she wants out of life. This story had such an inspiring message behind it.
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Elise is going through a lot, she and her best friend are starting their freshman year of college in different schools, that isn't very uncommon right? What is uncommon though is having to start college and also having to be on set for filming the television show based on her very own book series. Once Elise finds out she is being impersonated by the person she put on the back of her books she comes up with a plan she thinks will help her. The only problem with that is that things don't always go how we want them, especially when having to lie to friends.
When I got to the meeting of Veronica I was so upset that I almost stopped reading the book all together. I despised her right away, but I decided not to let Veronica get the best of my feelings and kept reading. I'm so glad I did because I feel in love with the characters. Clint was probably my favorite character of the bunch! He had so much personality I just couldn't stop my from smiling whenever he had page time.
After hiding from most people for years Elise is finally discovering who she is and what she wants out of life. This story had such an inspiring message behind it.
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2016
So I knew the moment I opened the publicist email I wanted to read this. Long time friends know I avoid "New Adult" except for some paranormal/fantasy authors and I avoid contemporary romance by in large almost as much. But shit this had so much I love in the summary,
Shy, awkward writer? Check.
Hidden identity? Check.
Coping with anxiety? Check.
I'm also horribly superficial and if I was picturing a young James Marsden as Gavin, well suck a lemon that's my fantasy.
That isn't to say there weren't issues--typical miscommunication issues in romances, a bitchy character who was written shallowly, a bit of a deus ex machina to bring the chars' problems and the central conflict Elise has to resolution. But I gobbled this up faster than blueberries. Its a quick read and while Elise makes dumb decsions (which folk call her out on a lot) I could relate. I make bad decsions when panicked.
So in conclusion LOVE. Though I wonder about Veronica. I felt bad for her in the end honestly.
Shy, awkward writer? Check.
Hidden identity? Check.
Coping with anxiety? Check.
I'm also horribly superficial and if I was picturing a young James Marsden as Gavin, well suck a lemon that's my fantasy.
That isn't to say there weren't issues--typical miscommunication issues in romances, a bitchy character who was written shallowly, a bit of a deus ex machina to bring the chars' problems and the central conflict Elise has to resolution. But I gobbled this up faster than blueberries. Its a quick read and while Elise makes dumb decsions (which folk call her out on a lot) I could relate. I make bad decsions when panicked.
So in conclusion LOVE. Though I wonder about Veronica. I felt bad for her in the end honestly.
March 10, 2016
Despite my best efforts to make this one last I finally finished it last night.
This was such a fun, sweet, UNIQUE read. The concept is so fresh, the characters literally popped right off the page, and the dialogue was perfect. I loved Elise. Gavin (swoon) was an adorable love interest, and can we just talk about Jin and Clint for a minute?? I've never read characters like them before. Clint "the cowboy" who could care less what anyone thinks of him was such a joy to read, and her friendship with Jin was so sweet and funny and touching. Sam Joyce better get on that companion book, now, b/c Iz gotz to read more from this bunch. And I'm dying to delve into Veronica's story.
This was such a fun, sweet, UNIQUE read. The concept is so fresh, the characters literally popped right off the page, and the dialogue was perfect. I loved Elise. Gavin (swoon) was an adorable love interest, and can we just talk about Jin and Clint for a minute?? I've never read characters like them before. Clint "the cowboy" who could care less what anyone thinks of him was such a joy to read, and her friendship with Jin was so sweet and funny and touching. Sam Joyce better get on that companion book, now, b/c Iz gotz to read more from this bunch. And I'm dying to delve into Veronica's story.
August 28, 2017
I really enjoyed this sweet, romantic and kinda emotional story. ♡
February 23, 2016
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Adorable coming of age story filled with sweet romance, laugh out loud humor, fun characters and a great inspirational message!
Opening Sentence: If the Queen of England booked a gig at Fernbrooke’s only theater to do a lyrical jazz routine with a unicorn, I might’ve had an easier time finding parking than I did that night.
The Review:
Elise Jameson is a nineteen year old bestselling author of the Viking Moons series! At the age of fifteen she sold her first novel and it has became a huge success! The film rights were bought for it and it is going to be made into a TV series. All of this is amazing until Elise finds out that they want her to be on set while they are filming so she can give everyone her opinion. Most authors would jump at the chance to be on set and seeing their dreams becoming a reality, but Elise hasn’t been 100% honest about herself.
When she was younger there was a terrible accident that left her face scarred and she went deaf. She is very self-conscious about her scars so when it came time to send in her author photo instead of sending a picture of herself she sent a picture of a beautiful girl she found on the internet! Instead of coming clean Elise decides to track down the girl in the photo and convince her to pretend to be her on the set of the movie. Elise will pose as her assistant and no one will ever have to know the truth.
But watching someone else take credit for all her hard work was much more difficult then Elise thought it would be! Is she finally ready to be honest with her fans, with her friends and most of all with herself?
Elise is a very sweet girl and I definitely sympathized her. Obviously she doesn’t have the best self-esteem, but given her current situation I can understand why. She’s very self-conscious about the scars she has on her face and while most people can’t tell by looking at her, she is also deaf. I can’t imagine what it would be like to go through high school like that, but I loved that she found comfort in writing. Instead of dealing with everything that was going on in her life she wrote all of her aggression, pain, and happiness in to her books. While I can understand her lack of confidence there were a few times it was a little bit frustrating. But overall, I thought she was a wonderful character and I thought her story was very inspirational.
Gavin is a sexy guy that is basically every girls dream come true. He is gorgeous, kind, and a movie star. I loved how sweet he was to Elise right off the bat and the fact that she was deaf didn’t bother him at all. He did act really superficial sometimes, which I didn’t love, but it made sense for his character. I also found his background story interesting and it made me understand him much better. The romance between Elisa and Gavin was cute and slow burning. There was a little more drama between then I liked, but overall, I loved them together!
Flirting with Fame is a cute romance that will make you swoon. This was a fairly quick read and even though it is a new adult novel, I felt like it was very much a coming of age story. There was great humor in the story and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times! The drama was a tad bit overdone at times, and there were a few things that felt a little too convenient. For the most part the pacing was great, but there were a few spots throughout that story that seemed to drag. I liked how Joyce integrated a physical disability into the story. I personally don’t think I have ever read a book where the MC was deaf and I enjoyed learning more about that particular disability. I also loved the inspirational message that was delivered. You should never be ashamed of who you are and no matter what your problems are in life, maybe you can overcome them. The story wasn’t perfect, but overall, I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cute new adult romance.
Notable Scene:
Pain shimmed up my cheek and behind my eye and the world spun, threatening to go black. I moaned and closed my eyes, willing everything to stand still.
A hand touched mine, making me jump. I opened my eyes. At first, all I saw was the sun, piercing my retinas and blinding me. I moaned again and squinted against the light. Something touched my face and shaded my eyes.
With my vision cleared, I found the bluest eyes I’d ever seen—in person, anyway. I knew those eyes well. I’d seen them in plenty of movies. But I’d always thought they were too perfect, added cosmetically, maybe a product of contact lenses. At that moment, they were real, though. And they stared down at me with real concern.
“Gavin Hartley?” I mumbled.
FTC Advisory: Pocket Star/Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of Flirting with Fame. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Adorable coming of age story filled with sweet romance, laugh out loud humor, fun characters and a great inspirational message!
Opening Sentence: If the Queen of England booked a gig at Fernbrooke’s only theater to do a lyrical jazz routine with a unicorn, I might’ve had an easier time finding parking than I did that night.
The Review:
Elise Jameson is a nineteen year old bestselling author of the Viking Moons series! At the age of fifteen she sold her first novel and it has became a huge success! The film rights were bought for it and it is going to be made into a TV series. All of this is amazing until Elise finds out that they want her to be on set while they are filming so she can give everyone her opinion. Most authors would jump at the chance to be on set and seeing their dreams becoming a reality, but Elise hasn’t been 100% honest about herself.
When she was younger there was a terrible accident that left her face scarred and she went deaf. She is very self-conscious about her scars so when it came time to send in her author photo instead of sending a picture of herself she sent a picture of a beautiful girl she found on the internet! Instead of coming clean Elise decides to track down the girl in the photo and convince her to pretend to be her on the set of the movie. Elise will pose as her assistant and no one will ever have to know the truth.
But watching someone else take credit for all her hard work was much more difficult then Elise thought it would be! Is she finally ready to be honest with her fans, with her friends and most of all with herself?
Elise is a very sweet girl and I definitely sympathized her. Obviously she doesn’t have the best self-esteem, but given her current situation I can understand why. She’s very self-conscious about the scars she has on her face and while most people can’t tell by looking at her, she is also deaf. I can’t imagine what it would be like to go through high school like that, but I loved that she found comfort in writing. Instead of dealing with everything that was going on in her life she wrote all of her aggression, pain, and happiness in to her books. While I can understand her lack of confidence there were a few times it was a little bit frustrating. But overall, I thought she was a wonderful character and I thought her story was very inspirational.
Gavin is a sexy guy that is basically every girls dream come true. He is gorgeous, kind, and a movie star. I loved how sweet he was to Elise right off the bat and the fact that she was deaf didn’t bother him at all. He did act really superficial sometimes, which I didn’t love, but it made sense for his character. I also found his background story interesting and it made me understand him much better. The romance between Elisa and Gavin was cute and slow burning. There was a little more drama between then I liked, but overall, I loved them together!
Flirting with Fame is a cute romance that will make you swoon. This was a fairly quick read and even though it is a new adult novel, I felt like it was very much a coming of age story. There was great humor in the story and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times! The drama was a tad bit overdone at times, and there were a few things that felt a little too convenient. For the most part the pacing was great, but there were a few spots throughout that story that seemed to drag. I liked how Joyce integrated a physical disability into the story. I personally don’t think I have ever read a book where the MC was deaf and I enjoyed learning more about that particular disability. I also loved the inspirational message that was delivered. You should never be ashamed of who you are and no matter what your problems are in life, maybe you can overcome them. The story wasn’t perfect, but overall, I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cute new adult romance.
Notable Scene:
Pain shimmed up my cheek and behind my eye and the world spun, threatening to go black. I moaned and closed my eyes, willing everything to stand still.
A hand touched mine, making me jump. I opened my eyes. At first, all I saw was the sun, piercing my retinas and blinding me. I moaned again and squinted against the light. Something touched my face and shaded my eyes.
With my vision cleared, I found the bluest eyes I’d ever seen—in person, anyway. I knew those eyes well. I’d seen them in plenty of movies. But I’d always thought they were too perfect, added cosmetically, maybe a product of contact lenses. At that moment, they were real, though. And they stared down at me with real concern.
“Gavin Hartley?” I mumbled.
FTC Advisory: Pocket Star/Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of Flirting with Fame. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
July 19, 2017
Really lovely new adult novel about Elise, a young deaf woman (I can't speak to whether the details on her disability are perfect, but they FELT reasonable), the two men interested in her, and the other friends and frenemies she acquires.
Disclaimer: I'm acquainted with the author via social media.
A bit of Hollywood stardom, book fandom, and secret identities make for a story with several twists and turns, and a wonderful happy ending, not without some tearful moments along the way.
Disclaimer: I'm acquainted with the author via social media.
A bit of Hollywood stardom, book fandom, and secret identities make for a story with several twists and turns, and a wonderful happy ending, not without some tearful moments along the way.
February 17, 2016
4 “We need more diverse books” STARS
ARC via NetGalley.
Thank you, Pocket Star/Simon & Schuster!
If you’re looking for a good story with great character development, cute romance and a diverse cast, you’ve come to the right place. Come meet Elise, a nineteen-year-old college student who wrote a bestselling series when she was only sixteen. Every writer’s dream, huh? Except unlike 90% of the world population, Elise doesn’t want to be recognized for her work.
Years ago, Elise was in an accident that left her scarred and deaf. Because of that, she doesn’t want the world to really see her – she doesn’t want to be under the spotlight. So what does she do when her publicist asks her for a photo to put on the back covers of her bestselling books? She Googles “beautiful girls” and chooses a random picture to send them. BAD IDEA! An even worse one? Looking for “picture girl”, agreeing to pay her half her royalties (WHAT????) so she can pretend to be Aubrey Lynch (a.k.a. Elise a.k.a the famous author) on the set of the TV pilot based on her show.
But Elise does all of that.
Why, you ask? Because guilt and shame can make people do weird things.
I applaud Samantha Joyce’s choice to write a diverse character (guys, we need more of those! Seriously, we do!!!) and take her on a journey of self-discovery. The Elise that starts the book is definitely not the girl who ends it.
Sure I could spend time talking about the romance – it’s cute and sweet and there are some really sexy scenes – but what I’m taking away for this book is Elise’s character development. She goes from the insecure girl who’s blaming herself for what happened all those years ago (and uses that blame and shame as an armor to keep people away) to the woman who’s willing to put the truth out there and face the world.
On one side, I wish there had been more consequences to Elise’s actions, but on the other, I don’t blame the author for choosing to go with a much happier ending than it could’ve been and probably would’ve been in real life. Real life is shitty. Fictional life doesn’t have to be. Either way, it was great to see Elise come to the realization that if she wanted to be happy, she’d have to put herself out there and deal with her problems.
Good for her.
As I said before, the romance was cute. Gavin, the famous and hot actor playing a major role in the TV series, was a sweet guy. Fair warning, the romance was a bit of insta-love (at least that’s how I saw it), but I think it was partially due to the author’s choice to wait so long before introducing Gavin to the readers. To be perfectly honest, I don’t understand why we met Clint, the cowboy, first. 30% in and I was sure Clint was going to be the love interest, but then Gavin comes in and I’m a little lost. Even though I liked Gavin & Elise, I was kind of invested in Clint already because I thought he was an interesting character. Oh, well…
The author also did a good job with Reggie and Veronica (the picture girl). While the first was fun and full of life (the exact kind of friend Elise needed), the “villain” of the story was selfish, annoying and bitchy. I wanted to slap her so many times my hand was itching.
Overall, this was an interesting read with an important topic told in a way that didn’t feel “preachy” or depressing, and with the bonus of cute romance scenes.
Review on the blog: http://usbrazilbookreview.blogspot.co...
ARC via NetGalley.
Thank you, Pocket Star/Simon & Schuster!
If you’re looking for a good story with great character development, cute romance and a diverse cast, you’ve come to the right place. Come meet Elise, a nineteen-year-old college student who wrote a bestselling series when she was only sixteen. Every writer’s dream, huh? Except unlike 90% of the world population, Elise doesn’t want to be recognized for her work.
Years ago, Elise was in an accident that left her scarred and deaf. Because of that, she doesn’t want the world to really see her – she doesn’t want to be under the spotlight. So what does she do when her publicist asks her for a photo to put on the back covers of her bestselling books? She Googles “beautiful girls” and chooses a random picture to send them. BAD IDEA! An even worse one? Looking for “picture girl”, agreeing to pay her half her royalties (WHAT????) so she can pretend to be Aubrey Lynch (a.k.a. Elise a.k.a the famous author) on the set of the TV pilot based on her show.
But Elise does all of that.
Why, you ask? Because guilt and shame can make people do weird things.
I applaud Samantha Joyce’s choice to write a diverse character (guys, we need more of those! Seriously, we do!!!) and take her on a journey of self-discovery. The Elise that starts the book is definitely not the girl who ends it.
Sure I could spend time talking about the romance – it’s cute and sweet and there are some really sexy scenes – but what I’m taking away for this book is Elise’s character development. She goes from the insecure girl who’s blaming herself for what happened all those years ago (and uses that blame and shame as an armor to keep people away) to the woman who’s willing to put the truth out there and face the world.
On one side, I wish there had been more consequences to Elise’s actions, but on the other, I don’t blame the author for choosing to go with a much happier ending than it could’ve been and probably would’ve been in real life. Real life is shitty. Fictional life doesn’t have to be. Either way, it was great to see Elise come to the realization that if she wanted to be happy, she’d have to put herself out there and deal with her problems.
Good for her.
As I said before, the romance was cute. Gavin, the famous and hot actor playing a major role in the TV series, was a sweet guy. Fair warning, the romance was a bit of insta-love (at least that’s how I saw it), but I think it was partially due to the author’s choice to wait so long before introducing Gavin to the readers. To be perfectly honest, I don’t understand why we met Clint, the cowboy, first. 30% in and I was sure Clint was going to be the love interest, but then Gavin comes in and I’m a little lost. Even though I liked Gavin & Elise, I was kind of invested in Clint already because I thought he was an interesting character. Oh, well…
The author also did a good job with Reggie and Veronica (the picture girl). While the first was fun and full of life (the exact kind of friend Elise needed), the “villain” of the story was selfish, annoying and bitchy. I wanted to slap her so many times my hand was itching.
Overall, this was an interesting read with an important topic told in a way that didn’t feel “preachy” or depressing, and with the bonus of cute romance scenes.
Review on the blog: http://usbrazilbookreview.blogspot.co...
July 14, 2017
Auf Among the Stars habe ich mich gefreut. Erwartet habe ich eine lockere Liebesgeschichte. Angesprochen hat mich der Klappentext und durch den Umstand, dass Elise taub ist habe ich mir eine besondere Liebesgeschichte versprochen. Leider wurden meine Erwartungen nicht erfüllt, die Geschichte wirkte leider sehr konstruiert.
Elise hat schon im Teenageralter eine Bestsellerserie geschrieben, nämlich „Viking Moon“. Diese soll nun sogar verfilmt werden, mit niemand Geringeren als Hollywoodstar Gavin Hartle, für den Elise total schwärmt. Doch Elise ist seit einem schrecklichen Unfall sehr schüchtern, dabei beeinträchtigt sie ihre Taubheit eigentlich gar nicht, dafür aber die Nabe im Gesicht. Deswegen hat sie auch ihrer Agentin ein falsches Foto geschickt, als diese ein Autorenbild für den Umschlag wollte. Doch nun soll Elise die Dreharbeiten begleiten, gar nicht so einfach, wenn alle denken, die Erfolgsserie hätte jemand anderes geschrieben......
Die Geschichte klang für mich richtig süß. Der Einstieg in das Buch gelang mir auch leicht. Der Schreibstil ist sehr einfach und flüssig. Ein großer Pluspunkt, da mich Story und Charaktere nicht so überzeugen konnten. Dafür ließ sich das Buch aber trotzdem sehr schön lesen. Elise mochte ich zu Beginn noch, sie wurde mir dann auch nicht wirklich unsympathisch. Aber sie hat sich manchmal so naiv und unüberlegt verhalten, dass ich nur noch mit dem Kopf schütteln konnte. Doch auf der anderen Art war sie auch Süß und liebenswert.
Gavin Hartley, der Hollywoodstar ist einfach nur perfekt. Und dadurch für mich leider ziemlich uninteressant. Er ist ein gefeierter Star, sieht unglaublich gut aus und hat auch noch einen so weißen Charakter, dass man förmlich geblendet wird. Für mich zu viel, er wirkte auf mich nicht echt, sondern gestellt. Wie eine Erfindung, die man im wahren Leben nicht antreffen würde.
Manchmal hatte ich das Gefühl, das ich zu alt für die Geschichte bin. Ich habe eine etwas reifere Geschichte erwartet. Ich finde es aber auch immer schwer, so etwas vorher abzuschätzen. Manchmal sind 19 jährige Protagonistinnen wie Erwachsene und manchmal noch total im Teenagermodus. Man weiß nie so genau, was einen erwartet.
Der große Minuspunkt war für mich die Glaubwürdigkeit. Die Geschichte wirkte auf mich so konstruiert. Ich hatte beim Lesen nicht das Gefühl, das es wirklich ist. Konnte so nicht richtig im Buch versinken. Auf der Gefühlsebene gepackt hat es mich leider auch nicht. Versteht mich nicht falsch, die beiden sind ein süßes Paar und ich finde es toll, wie der Hollywoodstar mit Elise umgeht. Wie er ihren Narben keine Beachtung schenkt und sie so akzeptiert wie sie ist. Und auch wie sich Elise entwickelt hat mir gefallen, lernt zu sich selbst zu stehen.
Fazit:
Eine süße und niedliche Geschichte, die mir aber zu konstruiert wirkte.
Mir hat die Authentizität gefehlt.
Wer gerne jugendliche Liebesgeschichten liest, in denen Realismus kein Thema spielt, wird sich sicherlich mit der Geschichte anfreunden.
Der lockere und leichte Schreibstil der Autorin hat die Geschichte für mich noch mal aufgewertet.
Elise konnte mich nicht völlig überzeugen, ihre Entscheidungen waren manchmal einfach zu naiv.
Und Gavin, der männliche Part war mir viel zu glatt.
Elise hat schon im Teenageralter eine Bestsellerserie geschrieben, nämlich „Viking Moon“. Diese soll nun sogar verfilmt werden, mit niemand Geringeren als Hollywoodstar Gavin Hartle, für den Elise total schwärmt. Doch Elise ist seit einem schrecklichen Unfall sehr schüchtern, dabei beeinträchtigt sie ihre Taubheit eigentlich gar nicht, dafür aber die Nabe im Gesicht. Deswegen hat sie auch ihrer Agentin ein falsches Foto geschickt, als diese ein Autorenbild für den Umschlag wollte. Doch nun soll Elise die Dreharbeiten begleiten, gar nicht so einfach, wenn alle denken, die Erfolgsserie hätte jemand anderes geschrieben......
Die Geschichte klang für mich richtig süß. Der Einstieg in das Buch gelang mir auch leicht. Der Schreibstil ist sehr einfach und flüssig. Ein großer Pluspunkt, da mich Story und Charaktere nicht so überzeugen konnten. Dafür ließ sich das Buch aber trotzdem sehr schön lesen. Elise mochte ich zu Beginn noch, sie wurde mir dann auch nicht wirklich unsympathisch. Aber sie hat sich manchmal so naiv und unüberlegt verhalten, dass ich nur noch mit dem Kopf schütteln konnte. Doch auf der anderen Art war sie auch Süß und liebenswert.
Gavin Hartley, der Hollywoodstar ist einfach nur perfekt. Und dadurch für mich leider ziemlich uninteressant. Er ist ein gefeierter Star, sieht unglaublich gut aus und hat auch noch einen so weißen Charakter, dass man förmlich geblendet wird. Für mich zu viel, er wirkte auf mich nicht echt, sondern gestellt. Wie eine Erfindung, die man im wahren Leben nicht antreffen würde.
Manchmal hatte ich das Gefühl, das ich zu alt für die Geschichte bin. Ich habe eine etwas reifere Geschichte erwartet. Ich finde es aber auch immer schwer, so etwas vorher abzuschätzen. Manchmal sind 19 jährige Protagonistinnen wie Erwachsene und manchmal noch total im Teenagermodus. Man weiß nie so genau, was einen erwartet.
Der große Minuspunkt war für mich die Glaubwürdigkeit. Die Geschichte wirkte auf mich so konstruiert. Ich hatte beim Lesen nicht das Gefühl, das es wirklich ist. Konnte so nicht richtig im Buch versinken. Auf der Gefühlsebene gepackt hat es mich leider auch nicht. Versteht mich nicht falsch, die beiden sind ein süßes Paar und ich finde es toll, wie der Hollywoodstar mit Elise umgeht. Wie er ihren Narben keine Beachtung schenkt und sie so akzeptiert wie sie ist. Und auch wie sich Elise entwickelt hat mir gefallen, lernt zu sich selbst zu stehen.
Fazit:
Eine süße und niedliche Geschichte, die mir aber zu konstruiert wirkte.
Mir hat die Authentizität gefehlt.
Wer gerne jugendliche Liebesgeschichten liest, in denen Realismus kein Thema spielt, wird sich sicherlich mit der Geschichte anfreunden.
Der lockere und leichte Schreibstil der Autorin hat die Geschichte für mich noch mal aufgewertet.
Elise konnte mich nicht völlig überzeugen, ihre Entscheidungen waren manchmal einfach zu naiv.
Und Gavin, der männliche Part war mir viel zu glatt.
February 23, 2016
I wouldn't normally have noticed this book except that a publisher introduced it in an email. I read the synopsis and thought, "This sounds so adorable and perfect for a winter pick me up!" As I devoured this in about one sitting, I completely forgot that this was Samantha Joyce's debut. Take that however you'd like ;)
I think why I connected with this story was how it opened. Elise is at the local book store and it's jammed packed. Her and her best friend, Jin, are there to buy the third book in the hugely popular Viking Moon series on the day it's coming out and the store is heavily promoting it. It was so easy for me to picture this scene and feel the excitement right there with Elise because I've been there, too. I've been to movies on opening day and to book signings and there's just a great vibe when you know everyone there has the same excitement you do. I easily felt Elise and Jin's excitement in Ms. Joyce's words.
Things get a little too exciting for Elise in this story, though, when the author shows up unexpectedly at the bookstore and starts signing autographs. Because Elise is actually the author; she writes the series under a pen name.
Even though at times I didn't agree with all of Elise's decisions and actions, I could easily step back and tell myself that she's not me and she's also only 19 years old. The story was unique, fun, and entertaining enough for me that I didn't find myself dwelling on character analysis. Honestly, this isn't that type of story.
This is a plot driven, "how in the heck is she getting out of this mess?", kind of story. Surprisingly, there is some intriguing history to a couple of the characters but honestly, it only served as a way for the characters to bond. No real angst here!!
Really, what I loved about this story was the "dream come true" moments, the silly drama, and the fact that the heroine is a successful author. I really just enjoyed reading about the entire writing and publishing world! Because doesn't every book blogger want to be an author? ∗insert laugh track here∗
Review appears on
I think why I connected with this story was how it opened. Elise is at the local book store and it's jammed packed. Her and her best friend, Jin, are there to buy the third book in the hugely popular Viking Moon series on the day it's coming out and the store is heavily promoting it. It was so easy for me to picture this scene and feel the excitement right there with Elise because I've been there, too. I've been to movies on opening day and to book signings and there's just a great vibe when you know everyone there has the same excitement you do. I easily felt Elise and Jin's excitement in Ms. Joyce's words.
Things get a little too exciting for Elise in this story, though, when the author shows up unexpectedly at the bookstore and starts signing autographs. Because Elise is actually the author; she writes the series under a pen name.
Even though at times I didn't agree with all of Elise's decisions and actions, I could easily step back and tell myself that she's not me and she's also only 19 years old. The story was unique, fun, and entertaining enough for me that I didn't find myself dwelling on character analysis. Honestly, this isn't that type of story.
This is a plot driven, "how in the heck is she getting out of this mess?", kind of story. Surprisingly, there is some intriguing history to a couple of the characters but honestly, it only served as a way for the characters to bond. No real angst here!!
Really, what I loved about this story was the "dream come true" moments, the silly drama, and the fact that the heroine is a successful author. I really just enjoyed reading about the entire writing and publishing world! Because doesn't every book blogger want to be an author? ∗insert laugh track here∗
Review appears on
April 9, 2016
There was so much to love about Flirting With Fame. Not just the poignant story line, or the growth of the female main character, but the love story, the side characters, the moments they shared and the heartache they had. From moment to moment, I found myself wholeheartedly engaged in this world that Samantha Joyce built and am more than eager to read all of her words from here on out.
This is the story of Elise, the shy, college girl with the heart of gold. Sure she a little bit broken after losing her hearing at a young age, but not so broken that she doesn't enjoy life. She just prefers the solidarity that comes with being on her own. (Totally relateable in that sense to someone like me.) But with her quiet, comes secrets. She's a popular author, but stays out of the spotlight, feeling unworthy of the attention. She uses a pen name and uses a fake picture, pretending to be someone she's not.
But then one day everything falls apart. Or maybe...everything pieces together at the same time? Yeah, that's how I prefer to look at it :) Either way, I won't tell you the story when the story deserves to be told on it's own.
I adored the side characters in this one, almost as much as I did the main characters. I loved Cowboy. His sweetness is not something I see much of anymore in romance books. I adored Reggie and her life-loving attitude as well. She was a girl who owned who she was and the way she looked and OH my goodness did I love her for that.
Now, moving on to Elise. I've already expressed my love for her. She's so stinking sweet, and shy and I just...gah. She was wonderful to me. She was real in the sense that she grows from the beginning to end of this book and that in itself, is a perfect heroine.
Oh, and Gavin? Yeah, you can move him up the list of book boyfriends for me. Sexy, sweet, and absolutely adorable. I love him. I love how he treated those around him, especially his gentle ways with Elise.
Overall, this book is heartwarming perfection and if you haven't read it yet, then seriously change that. ASAP.
This is the story of Elise, the shy, college girl with the heart of gold. Sure she a little bit broken after losing her hearing at a young age, but not so broken that she doesn't enjoy life. She just prefers the solidarity that comes with being on her own. (Totally relateable in that sense to someone like me.) But with her quiet, comes secrets. She's a popular author, but stays out of the spotlight, feeling unworthy of the attention. She uses a pen name and uses a fake picture, pretending to be someone she's not.
But then one day everything falls apart. Or maybe...everything pieces together at the same time? Yeah, that's how I prefer to look at it :) Either way, I won't tell you the story when the story deserves to be told on it's own.
I adored the side characters in this one, almost as much as I did the main characters. I loved Cowboy. His sweetness is not something I see much of anymore in romance books. I adored Reggie and her life-loving attitude as well. She was a girl who owned who she was and the way she looked and OH my goodness did I love her for that.
Now, moving on to Elise. I've already expressed my love for her. She's so stinking sweet, and shy and I just...gah. She was wonderful to me. She was real in the sense that she grows from the beginning to end of this book and that in itself, is a perfect heroine.
Oh, and Gavin? Yeah, you can move him up the list of book boyfriends for me. Sexy, sweet, and absolutely adorable. I love him. I love how he treated those around him, especially his gentle ways with Elise.
Overall, this book is heartwarming perfection and if you haven't read it yet, then seriously change that. ASAP.
January 23, 2016
I received an ARC of FLIRTING WITH FAME in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Pocket Star/Simon & Schuster, NetGalley, and Samantha Joyce.
FLIRTING WITH FAME is a sweet and highly satisfying romance. The story is about a young woman who has been scarred and deaf since a tragic accident years earlier. As a teen, she wrote a wildly popular series of books, but, because of her scars, she hides behind lies and uses a fake photograph—taken from Google—for her book jacket. When her books become a tv series, she’s asked to come to the set. Afraid to reveal her true identity, she locates and hires the woman, whose photo she borrowed, to act as the author on the set. There, Elise pretends to be the author’s assistant. She falls for Clint, the actor playing the lead role. But to find herself, Elise must come clean and tell everyone who she is, even if it causes her heartache.
I thoroughly enjoyed FLIRTING WITH FAME. The writing is beautiful, the pacing is excellent, and the characters are fun and well-drawn. The story is poignant and heartwarming from start to finish.
I can’t wait to see what Samantha Joyce writes next.
FLIRTING WITH FAME is a sweet and highly satisfying romance. The story is about a young woman who has been scarred and deaf since a tragic accident years earlier. As a teen, she wrote a wildly popular series of books, but, because of her scars, she hides behind lies and uses a fake photograph—taken from Google—for her book jacket. When her books become a tv series, she’s asked to come to the set. Afraid to reveal her true identity, she locates and hires the woman, whose photo she borrowed, to act as the author on the set. There, Elise pretends to be the author’s assistant. She falls for Clint, the actor playing the lead role. But to find herself, Elise must come clean and tell everyone who she is, even if it causes her heartache.
I thoroughly enjoyed FLIRTING WITH FAME. The writing is beautiful, the pacing is excellent, and the characters are fun and well-drawn. The story is poignant and heartwarming from start to finish.
I can’t wait to see what Samantha Joyce writes next.
March 14, 2025
well i don't really know what i was expecting from this book, but i can definitely say i had fun with it. this is one of those books that is cute and fun, but yet i can say that samantha joyce added in a serious undertone, with how insecure eliae is about herself. elise has had a very difficult time after her accident leaves her scarred.
what i really loved about this book was how samantha joyce wrote a character that is strong, but she still needs to learn that herself because she is insecure and feels like people see her differently.
there were times where i really really didn't like how elise handled situations, but at the same time being someone who has had my own insecurity issues, i can also somewhat understand. she wants to be noticed but at the same time she wants to fly under the radar and not be seen as the girl with all these scars.
this is a great book for readers who have felt unsure about themselves and have just wanted to stay hidden behind others.
be prepared to laugh, cry and rejoice while experiencing the story of elise and the rest of the unforgettable characters and see what happens when a girl starts Flirting with Fame.
what i really loved about this book was how samantha joyce wrote a character that is strong, but she still needs to learn that herself because she is insecure and feels like people see her differently.
there were times where i really really didn't like how elise handled situations, but at the same time being someone who has had my own insecurity issues, i can also somewhat understand. she wants to be noticed but at the same time she wants to fly under the radar and not be seen as the girl with all these scars.
this is a great book for readers who have felt unsure about themselves and have just wanted to stay hidden behind others.
be prepared to laugh, cry and rejoice while experiencing the story of elise and the rest of the unforgettable characters and see what happens when a girl starts Flirting with Fame.
February 2, 2016
* ARC provided by Pocket Star/Simon & Schuster, NetGalley, and Samantha Joyce for an honest review *
This is the first time I have read anything by this amazing author but it won't be the last.
Simply delightfully, this coming of age story will captivate you and take you on an emotional ride.
Humor, love and life lessons are peppered all through out the story and if you are not paying attention, you will miss some of the best nuances of this tale.
Elise is perfection at narrating her tale. Her voice fresh and witty, I fell in love with this compelling novel from the moment I began reading.
Be prepared to laugh, cry and rejoice while experiencing the story of Elise, Clint and the rest of the unforgettable characters and see what happens when a girl starts Flirting with Fame.
We give this 5 B&B stars
January 10, 2016
I received an arc through NetGalley.
I loved the premise of Flirting with Fame so I was eager to get my hands on it because books like these has been my to go lately. It really was a cute book, I enjoyed it a lot for the most part! I did have some tiny issues with it too but nevertheless the book was a good read.
I loved Elise's friendship with Jin, although I feel like the friendship between them kinda got put away until the end of the book, I would've liked more texting/calling between them since he was away. I also must add how much I loved Clint, what kind of darling he was!!
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a cute book that's all about finding yourself mixed with some awesome characters and romance!
I loved the premise of Flirting with Fame so I was eager to get my hands on it because books like these has been my to go lately. It really was a cute book, I enjoyed it a lot for the most part! I did have some tiny issues with it too but nevertheless the book was a good read.
I loved Elise's friendship with Jin, although I feel like the friendship between them kinda got put away until the end of the book, I would've liked more texting/calling between them since he was away. I also must add how much I loved Clint, what kind of darling he was!!
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a cute book that's all about finding yourself mixed with some awesome characters and romance!
August 7, 2016
I'm not normally a fan of contemporary or romance, but Flirting with Fame pulled me in right away. Elise is such an interesting character. She's strong, yet she's very vulnerable, and as a writer I liked the position she found herself in when it came to Veronica and living a double life. It definitely did sound like something worthy of a book and I liked the whole book-within-a-book bit when it came to Elise being an author herself.
The other characters, especially Clint and Reggie, were a blast to read about and the cast felt fully fleshed and described by the end. Even Veronica grew on me a bit.
Flirting with Fame has a very unique premise among young adult and new adult romances and it really resonated with me. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
The other characters, especially Clint and Reggie, were a blast to read about and the cast felt fully fleshed and described by the end. Even Veronica grew on me a bit.
Flirting with Fame has a very unique premise among young adult and new adult romances and it really resonated with me. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
July 15, 2016
I love stories about writers coming into their craft, and FLIRTING WITH FAME, truly delivered on this promise. Joyce illustrates deep sensitivity and complexity with the character Elise, and I found her journey to self-acceptance inspiring. While I loved the romance within the book, my favorite aspect, I must say, were the friendships and community Elise developed throughout the novel. In the end, this novel is about honesty and connecting with others in a way that is absolutely fearless and genuine. A great debut with gorgeous writing and incredible heart.
March 24, 2016
I love this book! Elise is such a great character and I really felt her struggles. Such a well-written book and a heartwarming read. The secondary characters were developed well and I found myself loving each one. The romance was sweet, there were many humorous and awkward moments. I just couldn't put this down and I CAN'T wait until book two is released. I think I may just read this one again, because I miss the diverse characters so much!
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