It's a Wrap

Waiting for Callback #3

by Honor Cargill, Perdita Cargill

Elektra James is back and her life is more hilariously chaotic than ever!

Elektra is hoping for BIG things this year... She's finished her first feature film (even if her character was unexpectedly killed off half-way through filming), hosted the party of the year (well, before her mum arrived and threw everyone out - how embarrassing!) and managed to become Archie Mortimer's Actual Real Life girlfriend (for now anyway...), so things are most definitely moving in the right direction. But with social media to navigate (#actinggoals #instanightmare), GCSEs looming and a seemingly never-ending parade of failed casting calls, Elektra's road to acting stardom is proving to be as rocky as ever.

Full of humour and warmth, this is the perfect series for fans of Holly Smale, Katy Birchill, Beth Garrod and Marianne Levy.

Genres: Young Adult

358 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2018

About the author

I co-write the funny teen Waiting for Callback series (with my mum, Perdita Cargill which I promise is not as weird as it sounds). I'm 18 and I'm in my first year at Oxford Uni reading Classical Archaeology and Ancient History which I admit is a bit niche. I love stories but I'm a slow reader because I'm dyslexic so bear with me on here because I'm going to have a very small, slow shelf! Writing is easier for me (thank God for spell check, co-writers and editors). Get in touch with me either on here or through the contact form on our website or through Instagram.

Reviews

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final Waiting for Callback book, and boy, I will miss this series! It was a fun ride with fantastic characters, lots of humour, acting, auditions, romance, and more.

I am so sad, this is the final book in the Waiting for Callback series, but I just want more and more of it. Though I have to say it is tied up nicely, but still, give me more Elektra. Auditions! Drama! Romance!

We start this book with a birthday bash gone bonkers. Sweet 16 Elektra! It also brings a certain boy back to town, this time with a cute puppy! *swoons*

And then the book really starts, Raw is now finishing and there is a lot of promotional work to be done by all the actors. Things like social media, interviews, photographs, you name it and it will be done. There are also some retakes, and then later on the trailer. I have to say I still have no clue what the movie is about, but I guess that is part of the charm? It is so bad it is good? :P

Next to that Elektra is on the hunt for new auditions and she really lucks out with a fun guest role in a big series. I had so much fun reading those parts, especially that boobie accident. She is having a lot of fun with the role, and I was so happy for her. Though also worried for those around her should she ever have to dance. *grins*

And of course it is an important year for Elektra with exams looming in the horizon. Very important exams even, and she really needs to revise, study, revise, and do all the work.

I am happy that we also get a nice heap of romance between Archie and Elektra. They are such a cute couple, though I have to say it felt a bit stilted at times, not sure how to explain, but sometimes I just missed that spark. The spark I saw in the other book.

I adored that, like the other books, we have mails, newspaper/magazine snippets between the chapters or in the middle of the chapters. And let's not forget scripts.

Moss shouldn't be so eh about Carlo and Elektra being friends. Come on, Elektra is happy with Archie, and you are continually on her case because she texts the guy you like (but all the while you refuse to talk to him as he is a man and an actor and blabla). Because the guy texts back. In the end I had a big laugh at what Carlo and Elektra did to really and FINALLY convince Moss that they were just best friends. Hello, guys and girls can be friends without romance or love.

I was pretty pissed at Fionaaaaaaaaaaa and her PR stuff. Really woman? Instead of briefing or having a slight understanding of Elektra and her life (and the exams she has to do) you kept pushing her even to the point that you just took over her accounts and then was surprised when poop hit the fan. Sorry, maybe this woman should get a bit of empathy training to learn how to work with people (and especially teenagers).
Of course, maybe Elektra should just have said no and continued on or given up the whole thing in the long run, but I can very much understand why she choose to hand it over. She is busy with work, with exams that are coming up, she is doing auditions, the poor girl barely has any time left. And then she is getting pushed by people around her to participate in promoting and all that crap. The pressure is real.
I was a bit surprised that she knew so little about Twitter, I guess it is true what the newspapers here say, Twitter and Facebook aren't popular with the teens.

I am kind of disappointed in the ending, I really wanted to know more about Eulalie and that ring she had around her finger! Give me that story! Plus, I would have loved to see more of Elektra as Clemency, it is a role perfect for her. Oh oh and let's not forget that part where Archie said a certain thing, I want Elektra tell him the same thing! Eep!

While I do love the new cover and that the whole series has had a whole rehaul, I am also very sad, as I now have 2 books in the old covers and one in the new one. *sad face*

All in all, I could probably rave and hype about this book for a long time, I am sure I missed mentioning some stuff, but I don't want to make my review too long, so I will stop here. I will just finish with that I would recommend this laugh-out-loud series to everyone in need for drama, romance, dogs, auditions.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Amy (Golden Books Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the 3rd book of the Waiting for Callback trilogy, we once again follow teen actress Elektra, as she navigates her budding career, friendships, family, being the owner of a rather naughty Dalmatian puppy and a romance with fellow actor Archie. This time, Elektra is promoting the film we saw her shoot in book two, Raw, and it was really interesting to get an insight into what that process might be like, as was getting to see Elektra on another set and learning more about that. I also really enjoyed Elektra and Archie`s relationship and how they`re a prominent part of this story, without their relationship causing much drama or forming a major part of the plot. I loved pretty much all of Elektra`s family and friends, and they definitely add to the humour of the book, which made me laugh so much as I was reading this. Between them, all the different, rather eccentric characters Elektra meets professionally, the embarrassing situations Elektra finds herself in while trying to establish a brand for herself and Elektra`s delightfully witty narration, I laughed aloud and possibly even audibly snorted a few times. If you`re looking for a book to brighten your day, this would be one of my go to recommendations as it cheered me up immensely on the day I read it. While I`d relish the chance to follow Elektra`s career for quite a few more books, this was a lovely ending to a lovely trilogy, and I can`t wait to read whatever Perdita and Honor release next. 4.5/5

[Karen Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

On her third trip, Elektra remains less than comfortable with the day-to-day reality of the acting profession. This time round she’s preparing to publicise her movie, RAW, touted as the worst movie ever, and trying desperately to get another job while keeping up with her school studies and general life events.
As to be expected with this series, there’s equal parts laughter and excruciating embarrassment. Elektra is rather awkward...but she’s well-meaning so we’re fully on her side.
The plot is fairly simple. But there’s plenty about the role of social media, the expectations we have of actors and a close friendship.
If you’ve enjoyed the first two, you’ll know what to expect and won’t be disappointed.

[Cora Tea Party Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I wish I could read more about Elektra James. This series is amazing and I love it.

[John Naylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part three of a trilogy has to be bigger! It has to be funnier! It has to sparkle more!

This does.

It has more layers than a young adult book should have. From social satire to alienation to how the media (including social media) work. There is so much good in this book. It has an ending that it needed. To thine own self be true is one of the messages of the book and it is one that is important.

It has one of the best marketing meetings I have ever read. I was sat reading it in a Leeds park with tears of laughter. It turned out that other parts were just as funny to me too.

I read book two and talked about starting acting because of this series. I now have acted on screen and I have forthcoming projects too. This series literally has given me a new aim in life. They also are just a brilliant trilogy to read.

Just an idea but next up...
Waiting For Callback: The Movie.

I could play the dad or one of the film crew. Just an idea...

I loved the series. I thank the authors heartily. Thank you for the words.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end credits have rolled on Elektra story, #ItsAWrap by @perditact and Honor, and what a fine and amazing ending it was. 😍😭

Waiting for Callback is my favourite teen series to date, Elektra faces some harsh and critical truths about acting but she fights back! 🎞📚🎬

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Never Judge a Book by it’s Cover


A more detailed and fangirly review will be added shortly. This is for you, Perdita and Hon as your first review on GR!

[isabelle x · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a wrap was a funny and entertaining read all about acting and the media around it. It carries on from the previous two books instantly and slots in perfectly.

I found Elektra to be (as usual) awkward, cringey but relatable. She was a lovely character to read about and was easy to like so it felt as if you were her friend.

I would recommend this book to ages 12+ and to anyone who loves acting or is interested in that type of thing.

[Alix Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final book in a trilogy carries a staggering amount of weight. While the second book in a series has the pressure to hold up to the standard of the first one, the third is really the make or break moment. In my opinion, It's a Wrap is the most perfect ending to the trilogy that I could have ever hoped for; a loving farewell to the characters who I have grown to love dearly. Everything was just so well done - from the continued fantastic characterisation, the amazing dialogue and the hilarious cringe moments that make this series so wonderful. I loved the relationship between Elektra and Archie, and also the friendship between Elektra and Moss, which in this book becomes more complicated due to Moss' tumultuous love life. I think Perdita and Honor are fantastic at portraying good, healthy relationships, whether romantic or friendship, which I think is really important for a book that is primarily enjoyed by young people.

The comedic scenes in this book were better than ever; I especially loved that dinner party filming fiasco! The new characters were amazingly done, and I felt that in this book we got a lot more of Elektra's professional acting life as it developed, which was so interesting to read. Her confident, adventurous attitude is so refreshing to read, and I think this series does really show people how important it is sometimes to just put yourself out there, be confident, and be yourself. It's a Wrap also discusses some vital issues such as body image, pressure from social media, and the various ways young men and women are forced to act in a certain way, that isn't them. There are just so many things in this book that make it great for anyone and everyone to read. It's such a cliché, but the Waiting for Callback books really do contain something for everybody.

I will miss Elektra, Moss, Archie, Eulalie and Elektra's mum and dad with all my heart. These books have always been a welcome escape in times of stress or just when I'm not feeling my best. These books are the very most hilarious and heartwarming books there are out there. And I will miss them so very much.

Thank you, Perdita and Honor, for writing these books, and I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us. Keep doing what you're doing, you're utterly brilliant at it.

[Rosanna Threakall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of my fav series of all time <3

[Jessikah Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this <3

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant and brilliantly funny end to an excellent series.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious. Like belly laughing Hilarious. I read the book before this one and was just begging for more!

[Enor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Elektra's countdown to the release of the film RAW. Showing the hardships of finding another role, getting through GCSES and not posting the right things on social media.

[Kirsty]

Can't remember the rest of the series enough. Will come back to when I have more time.