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Mountain Creek Drive #1
Stage Kiss
Homecoming court nominee, Erin Armstrong, has it all, the best friends, the best boyfriend and lead in the school play. But when she catches her bestie and her boyfriend holding hands behind the porta potty her status as Rosemark High’s It girl takes a nosedive.
Determined to win the crown and earn back her social status, Erin enlists the help of quirky theatre kid, Peter Hunt. Together the two craft a plan to ensure Erin’s victory. That is, if the two can keep their growing attraction from sabotaging the project.
A throwback to the early 2000’s, Stage Kiss will have you longing for the days when being brave meant sending an AOL instant message to your crush. Back when Friday nights were made for football games and sleepovers with the friends you’d do anything for.
Get the first installment in the Mountain Creek Drive series today!
Determined to win the crown and earn back her social status, Erin enlists the help of quirky theatre kid, Peter Hunt. Together the two craft a plan to ensure Erin’s victory. That is, if the two can keep their growing attraction from sabotaging the project.
A throwback to the early 2000’s, Stage Kiss will have you longing for the days when being brave meant sending an AOL instant message to your crush. Back when Friday nights were made for football games and sleepovers with the friends you’d do anything for.
Get the first installment in the Mountain Creek Drive series today!
262 pages, ebook
Published November 1, 2018
129 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
April 19, 2019
How lovely is this cover? I have to admit that I was hooked in by the cover first. The synopsis was quite interesting as well and romantic comedies are one of my favorite genres. So I decided to give this book a try.
The author’s writing was really good, witty and funny and had me cracking up at a lot of the scenes. I enjoyed the main character’s POV very much. Her internal monologue was equal parts insight and story-telling with dashes of humor and sarcasm sprinkled over. Which if you haven’t figured out, is pretty good.
Overall, if I had to describe the story in two words, it would be cute and sweet. It’s a light romantic comedy and it was fun. However, there was also a serious undertone to the plot that I feel wasn’t given as much severity and gravity as it deserved given the major impact on the main character. This issue was almost lightly delivered, rather than the with the extreme importance it deserved.
When I was in high school, there was a series called Sweet Dreams consisting of numerous stand-alone teen romance novels that were published from 1981 through to 1996 before Young Adult was actually recognized as a separate genre. Each of the teen novels dealt with the usual high school drama and romance with personal life issues interlocked. I loved those books and they were great for that time.
Stage Kiss is based in the year 2002 and has that same vibe but I feel that the lack of modernity (cellphones, social media etc) acted as a detriment to the story. This book is targeted at a young adult generation and although I enjoyed the story, I feel that a majority of teens probably won’t relate to it. It might even give them an old-fashioned vibe.
The characters were great and this story had a good plot-line with witty writing but it would have been better if the story had been time-framed in the current teen culture.
***Note: Received from Netgalley for an honest review.
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August 30, 2018
Erin is the type of person who would totally intimidate me--especially when I was a teenager. She seemingly has everything handed to her on a silver platter. But she's also an enigma. I spent the whole book trying to figure her out and my conclusion surprised me.
It was fun to have a throw-back to the early 21st century and the events and memories being made were nostalgic. This time of year always takes me back to my own high school days--Homecoming, football games, friends, school, and family. I think that's one of the reasons that I love autumn so much.
This is kind of your typical teenage romance, but it was sweet, clean, and fun, nonetheless.
Content: mild language; mild romance
It was fun to have a throw-back to the early 21st century and the events and memories being made were nostalgic. This time of year always takes me back to my own high school days--Homecoming, football games, friends, school, and family. I think that's one of the reasons that I love autumn so much.
This is kind of your typical teenage romance, but it was sweet, clean, and fun, nonetheless.
Content: mild language; mild romance
April 10, 2018
Content: Clean (a couple mild expletives)
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August 1, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (8/1/2018)!💝
January 24, 2018
I LOVED this book! It brought back so many good memories. This book takes place in 2002 and I was in high school at that time. This made it so easy to relate to, haha. Erin is determined to be homecoming queen. This isn't really her dream, but it's a family thing. Every girl in her family has been homecoming queen for the last few generations. She's doing it to make her mother happy. Erin's plans are disrupted when she catches her boyfriend and bestfriend together. While Erin is hurt, she is more worried about her chance at homecoming than losing her boyfriend. Eventually she realizes that she wasn't really in love with Nick, but it just seemed like a natural next step after being best friends for so long. I think the only thing that bothered me was that Libby did that to her. Which made it frustrating that Jenn and Colleen got mad at Erin when she didn't want to be around Libby right away. I mean, come on! She stole Erin's boyfriend, haha. Erin may seem a bit shallow at first, but she really isn't. She drops everything, including her lead role in a play to help around her grandparents' farm, when her grandfather becomes ill. Then there's Peter of course, another theater geek who sees more than you think he would. Erin used to have a crush on him, but when there was an almost kiss, things turn awkward. She asks him for help to become homecoming queen (now that she doesn't have a date) and he thinks of ways to help. While going along with everything, she starts to feel really close to him and tries to push away the feelings. During everything she starts to realize being homecoming queen isn't the most important thing in the world. Friendships and memories are worth so much more!
Another thing that made this book amazing were all the references to things I love, like Dawson's Creek, She's All That, Harry Potter and even Care Bears (isn't it amazing that a friendship can develop by something so simple). This book may seem to be nothing but a lot of clichés, but this is in such a good way! When I put this book down I had a smile on my face and felt happy. I can't wait to read more in the Mountain Creek Drive books.
Full review to come on: thebookdutchesses.wordpress.com
Another thing that made this book amazing were all the references to things I love, like Dawson's Creek, She's All That, Harry Potter and even Care Bears (isn't it amazing that a friendship can develop by something so simple). This book may seem to be nothing but a lot of clichés, but this is in such a good way! When I put this book down I had a smile on my face and felt happy. I can't wait to read more in the Mountain Creek Drive books.
Full review to come on: thebookdutchesses.wordpress.com
April 25, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
Stage Kiss by M. F. Lorson expecting a guilty pleasure read that was mediocre but enjoyable. And while I had my own assumptions for the direction a book about a girl desperate to be Prom Queen would take, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the majority of the novel. Stage Kiss follows the story of Erin Armstrong, pressured by familial tradition and expectation to win the title of Prom Queen when her world, and subsequently her chances of winning, begin to crash around her as she catches one of her best friends and her boyfriend together. Suddenly it becomes necessary to not only put up a front in order to avoid being pitied by the rest of the school but also to find a new date to Homecoming as the elected Prom Queen would never be dateless.
There's a sort of vapidness to some of the themes of the novel, but in a somewhat realistic manner that really drives home what it's like to be a teenager concerned with the ways in which you come across to those around you. The pressures of family tradition that a parent might place on their child are also present in the fact that the women of her family have won Prom Queen and Erin is the next in line to do so. Her mother even has a frame for the photo already picked out and set upon the mantle. Erin is fairly popular at school, the sort of girl who has her hands in everything from student council to lead role in the school play. And best of all, despite her popularity, Erin never comes across as the mean girl. She may care deeply about things that won't matter ten years down the road, but she is a genuinely kind and helpful person.
Even the betrayal of her boyfriend and best friend, though it cuts deep, is not enough to turn her cruel and bitter. Erin, of course, has her moments in which she shows how hurt she is, but at the end of the day, she is able to be happy for them and push past the ways in which they hurt her in order to continue the friendship. Unfortunately, though Lorson does fairly well in this portrayal of her main character she makes a rather glaring mistake with this plot. In fact, I believe that the most minor of changes to the breakup of Erin and her boyfriend, Nick, would have made a world of difference for this book and is literally worth nearly an entire star-point rating, what made this a three-star book rather than a four-star.
You see, Erin catches her boyfriend cheating and then, shortly afterward, he breaks up with her to be with her friend, Libby. While upset, Erin almost instantly grows more upset with the fact that he is now backing out of taking her to Homecoming. The truth is that if the cheating part were removed and it had been more a conversation in which Nick admitted his feelings for Libby, not only would Erin's forgiveness make a heck of a lot more sense, but the book would have been much better just in general. My only other complaint is a small one, centering around the mystery of Erin's sister that is hinted at somewhat poorly throughout the course of the book and then wrapped up far too quickly--right at the end, mind--for how much time was spent focused on it prior.
As for the rest of the book, the shining star in all of it is Peter Hunt, with whom I fell in love rather quickly. The theater teacher's assistant and apparently long-time crush of the main character, Peter is soon enlisted by Erin to help her find the perfect prom date to help her win homecoming. As a dedicated and organized sort of guy with a hidden agenda behind his eventually agreeing to Erin's request, Peter manages to brilliantly handle the backstage of her quest for the leading role. And let's just say, despite the fact that if he's the kind of guy who would go to a bookstore and buy To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby and then ask his friend's preference, realistically those would be books that he already owns and therefore the cuteness of the moment is somewhat ruined by the titles--but, then again, the only thing I really care about here is that he's asking her opinion on which book to read through a shop window (can I say swoon enough?)--Peter was so amazing that I fell in love with him 30% of the way into the book.
While I'm sure all of us can guess at how predictable the end of the novel is going to be--though, perhaps not as predictable as you think--I can definitely say that this is a book worth reading. And I don't even care for contemporary romance 99% of the time. So, if you're looking for a good one to read and you like the kind of books that I do, I really enjoyed this one, myself.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Stage Kiss by M. F. Lorson expecting a guilty pleasure read that was mediocre but enjoyable. And while I had my own assumptions for the direction a book about a girl desperate to be Prom Queen would take, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the majority of the novel. Stage Kiss follows the story of Erin Armstrong, pressured by familial tradition and expectation to win the title of Prom Queen when her world, and subsequently her chances of winning, begin to crash around her as she catches one of her best friends and her boyfriend together. Suddenly it becomes necessary to not only put up a front in order to avoid being pitied by the rest of the school but also to find a new date to Homecoming as the elected Prom Queen would never be dateless.
There's a sort of vapidness to some of the themes of the novel, but in a somewhat realistic manner that really drives home what it's like to be a teenager concerned with the ways in which you come across to those around you. The pressures of family tradition that a parent might place on their child are also present in the fact that the women of her family have won Prom Queen and Erin is the next in line to do so. Her mother even has a frame for the photo already picked out and set upon the mantle. Erin is fairly popular at school, the sort of girl who has her hands in everything from student council to lead role in the school play. And best of all, despite her popularity, Erin never comes across as the mean girl. She may care deeply about things that won't matter ten years down the road, but she is a genuinely kind and helpful person.
Even the betrayal of her boyfriend and best friend, though it cuts deep, is not enough to turn her cruel and bitter. Erin, of course, has her moments in which she shows how hurt she is, but at the end of the day, she is able to be happy for them and push past the ways in which they hurt her in order to continue the friendship. Unfortunately, though Lorson does fairly well in this portrayal of her main character she makes a rather glaring mistake with this plot. In fact, I believe that the most minor of changes to the breakup of Erin and her boyfriend, Nick, would have made a world of difference for this book and is literally worth nearly an entire star-point rating, what made this a three-star book rather than a four-star.
You see, Erin catches her boyfriend cheating and then, shortly afterward, he breaks up with her to be with her friend, Libby. While upset, Erin almost instantly grows more upset with the fact that he is now backing out of taking her to Homecoming. The truth is that if the cheating part were removed and it had been more a conversation in which Nick admitted his feelings for Libby, not only would Erin's forgiveness make a heck of a lot more sense, but the book would have been much better just in general. My only other complaint is a small one, centering around the mystery of Erin's sister that is hinted at somewhat poorly throughout the course of the book and then wrapped up far too quickly--right at the end, mind--for how much time was spent focused on it prior.
As for the rest of the book, the shining star in all of it is Peter Hunt, with whom I fell in love rather quickly. The theater teacher's assistant and apparently long-time crush of the main character, Peter is soon enlisted by Erin to help her find the perfect prom date to help her win homecoming. As a dedicated and organized sort of guy with a hidden agenda behind his eventually agreeing to Erin's request, Peter manages to brilliantly handle the backstage of her quest for the leading role. And let's just say, despite the fact that if he's the kind of guy who would go to a bookstore and buy To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby and then ask his friend's preference, realistically those would be books that he already owns and therefore the cuteness of the moment is somewhat ruined by the titles--but, then again, the only thing I really care about here is that he's asking her opinion on which book to read through a shop window (can I say swoon enough?)--Peter was so amazing that I fell in love with him 30% of the way into the book.
While I'm sure all of us can guess at how predictable the end of the novel is going to be--though, perhaps not as predictable as you think--I can definitely say that this is a book worth reading. And I don't even care for contemporary romance 99% of the time. So, if you're looking for a good one to read and you like the kind of books that I do, I really enjoyed this one, myself.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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September 26, 2019
Okay. time for some honesty here. I really didn't think I was going to like this book when I first started reading it. the main character had a beginning personality that got on my nerves. But as I kept reading I found out I was liking her more and more and the way she was in the beginning made more sense. by the end of the book I couldn't put it down. I sat in my car to finish the last couple chapters because I couldn't wait to even get home to finish it.
I really enjoyed all the characters especially Peter. You get to know him as the book progresses too and you can help but fall for him.
Erin also has a wonderful personality that blossoms as you read. it felt real as you watched her truly find herself and who she wanted to be.
this is a YA contemporary with lots of angst and warm relationships, both romantic and friendly. You can't help but smile as you read. the messages woven in the story are also humbling and make you not able to think of anything else but what you just read as you finish the last page.
if you are wanting a quick feel good book, a book of swoony romance, or even a book that will make you rethink things be sure to grab this book and be ready for a night with no sleep as you turn page after page!
I really enjoyed all the characters especially Peter. You get to know him as the book progresses too and you can help but fall for him.
Erin also has a wonderful personality that blossoms as you read. it felt real as you watched her truly find herself and who she wanted to be.
this is a YA contemporary with lots of angst and warm relationships, both romantic and friendly. You can't help but smile as you read. the messages woven in the story are also humbling and make you not able to think of anything else but what you just read as you finish the last page.
if you are wanting a quick feel good book, a book of swoony romance, or even a book that will make you rethink things be sure to grab this book and be ready for a night with no sleep as you turn page after page!
May 28, 2019
Pretty good book
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2019...
****•Zombie this review with a lot of spoilers; so beware****•
Okay so this review going to a short one since I more likely don’t have much to say. So this book it was actually really good; though I was kind of hesitant about reading it since I thought it was going to be boring “literally” but turn out it wasn’t boring at all.
Plus; I was curious about Erin sister “Annabelle” and why she left and was wondering why she left! But finally found out the reason and she did come back. Hopefully to stay; though it would be interesting to have a story about Annabelle. Also; I was rooting for Peter and Erin to get together (but his name had to be Peter; that is a horrible name like Jet is... yuck! But anyways I was glad that Ashley didn’t end up Homecoming Queen and Amy ended up being it... I felt like I actually read a book by this author with Amy being crown the homecoming queen, and that also; she ended up with an awesome boyfriend in the end.
With that being said; it’s good that Libby (horrible name by the way) Nick and Erin end up friends again though what they did “Libby and Nick” did to Erin was horrible... though in my opinion I believe that she didn’t even want or like Nick the way he liked her at that time... he realize it after they had kiss. I think that she didn’t care for it because she may have still had that full-blown crush on Peter as she said once she started being around Peter more. But in they all get what they wanted ... Erin with Peter; her getting her sister back, Nick and Libby making up, and Ashley not being homecoming queen it ended up being to someone who deserves it because Erin knew she didn’t want to become homecoming queen and Peter shown her that.
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2019...
****•Zombie this review with a lot of spoilers; so beware****•
Okay so this review going to a short one since I more likely don’t have much to say. So this book it was actually really good; though I was kind of hesitant about reading it since I thought it was going to be boring “literally” but turn out it wasn’t boring at all.
Plus; I was curious about Erin sister “Annabelle” and why she left and was wondering why she left! But finally found out the reason and she did come back. Hopefully to stay; though it would be interesting to have a story about Annabelle. Also; I was rooting for Peter and Erin to get together (but his name had to be Peter; that is a horrible name like Jet is... yuck! But anyways I was glad that Ashley didn’t end up Homecoming Queen and Amy ended up being it... I felt like I actually read a book by this author with Amy being crown the homecoming queen, and that also; she ended up with an awesome boyfriend in the end.
With that being said; it’s good that Libby (horrible name by the way) Nick and Erin end up friends again though what they did “Libby and Nick” did to Erin was horrible... though in my opinion I believe that she didn’t even want or like Nick the way he liked her at that time... he realize it after they had kiss. I think that she didn’t care for it because she may have still had that full-blown crush on Peter as she said once she started being around Peter more. But in they all get what they wanted ... Erin with Peter; her getting her sister back, Nick and Libby making up, and Ashley not being homecoming queen it ended up being to someone who deserves it because Erin knew she didn’t want to become homecoming queen and Peter shown her that.
April 19, 2018
Stage Kiss is a quick but incredibly sweet and nostalgic read about the dramas of high school and finding out what's really important.
Erin is a fun main character, and I really enjoyed that she was popular but nice to everyone and a bit of a closet nerd. She's responsible and driven, but she knows when to step back and let others shine. She loves her family, she's a great friend, and she's incredibly forgiving, especially since the story begins with one of her best friends stealing her boyfriend. All in all, Erin isn't perfect, but her good heart really shines as she deals with boy drama and her campaign to be Homecoming Queen.
Peter is a great male lead and a great partner for Erin. Their team-up to ensure Erin wins the crown make for a lot of sweet moments and a good number of laughs. I could really appreciate fighting with yourself to keep from falling for the guy you used to have a crush on, and I liked that Erin was able to work through her feelings and realize that she didn't necessarily need a guy by her side. Of course, as this book is obviously modeled after all those famous romantic comedies and teen movies that Erin is so fond of, Peter makes his own feelings known just in time for the final kiss.
I also really loved the nostalgia of this book. Slow internet, Freddie Prinze Jr., and evil would-be Queens getting their comeuppance--Erin's story definitely felt like a trip back to the early 2000s, and it's a lot of fun.
Overall, Stage Kiss is a light-hearted and fun read that focuses on friendship, growing up, and falling in love. If you're looking for a book to make you smile, this one's perfect.
Erin is a fun main character, and I really enjoyed that she was popular but nice to everyone and a bit of a closet nerd. She's responsible and driven, but she knows when to step back and let others shine. She loves her family, she's a great friend, and she's incredibly forgiving, especially since the story begins with one of her best friends stealing her boyfriend. All in all, Erin isn't perfect, but her good heart really shines as she deals with boy drama and her campaign to be Homecoming Queen.
Peter is a great male lead and a great partner for Erin. Their team-up to ensure Erin wins the crown make for a lot of sweet moments and a good number of laughs. I could really appreciate fighting with yourself to keep from falling for the guy you used to have a crush on, and I liked that Erin was able to work through her feelings and realize that she didn't necessarily need a guy by her side. Of course, as this book is obviously modeled after all those famous romantic comedies and teen movies that Erin is so fond of, Peter makes his own feelings known just in time for the final kiss.
I also really loved the nostalgia of this book. Slow internet, Freddie Prinze Jr., and evil would-be Queens getting their comeuppance--Erin's story definitely felt like a trip back to the early 2000s, and it's a lot of fun.
Overall, Stage Kiss is a light-hearted and fun read that focuses on friendship, growing up, and falling in love. If you're looking for a book to make you smile, this one's perfect.
April 15, 2019
Stage Kiss is about Erin Armstrong who has to deal with her own life after breaking up with her ex-boyfriend, Nick who is in a new relationship with Erin's best friend. She has to come out strong to show her school mate that she was okay with Nick and Libby's relationship. The fact that she has no boyfriend meaning she has no date for her homecoming and she needs to develop a plan in order to have a homecoming date which seeks help from Peter.
The story is cute with the friendship they have which is honestly, I quite envy but I love seeing how close they are. Erin's character is really admirable. She is strong despite the need to deal with the relationship fail with her best friend, she decided to let go as the lead in the theatre she participates in and decided to be assistant stage manager to Peter. I love how Erin's relationship with Peter starts slowly but surely they are going to realize they are meant to be together. Although, I'm quite out from the story for a few times and I could not feel what I'm supposed to feel from the story, however, I liked the story, still. Overall, it is a cute, sweet, has an amazing friendship which is so good.
Rating: 3 Stars
The story is cute with the friendship they have which is honestly, I quite envy but I love seeing how close they are. Erin's character is really admirable. She is strong despite the need to deal with the relationship fail with her best friend, she decided to let go as the lead in the theatre she participates in and decided to be assistant stage manager to Peter. I love how Erin's relationship with Peter starts slowly but surely they are going to realize they are meant to be together. Although, I'm quite out from the story for a few times and I could not feel what I'm supposed to feel from the story, however, I liked the story, still. Overall, it is a cute, sweet, has an amazing friendship which is so good.
Rating: 3 Stars
March 11, 2019
Stage Kiss by M. F. Lorson is the 1st book in the Mountain Creek Drive young adult series, and I loved it. Erin has everything going for her until she catches her boyfriend and best friends together. Still determined to win Homecoming queen, she enlists Peter Hunt, the theater kid to help out. What happens when sparks fly between Erin and Peter. I love this genre, there is something so innocent about young love. I love the quirky people and situations in this book, and watching the characters grow. I found this book to be a quick read, and strongly recommend it to all readers who enjoy a YA sweet romance.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the author. Thank you.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the author. Thank you.
February 15, 2018
This book was an easy, sweet, teen-romance read. It reminded me of the style and feel of Kasie West novels, which is high praise considering she is one of my all-time favorite authors! Fans of hers are sure to enjoy this read. I couldn’t put it down and kept smiling the whole way through the story.
Romance: clean
Language: clean
Romance: clean
Language: clean
March 14, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
June 9, 2018
Super fun meetcute!!
February 10, 2018
Disclaimer: I did receive this novel for review for free, but all opinions are my own and without influence from the author.
When comprising this review I have gone back and forth quite a few times in deciding if it should be a 3 or a 4 star review. I had read another novel by M.F. Lorson a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it so admittedly my expectations going into this novel were quite a bit higher then they would have been had i gone into this novel not knowing her potential as an author.
Stage Kiss follows the story of Erin Armstrong following her break up with her boyfriend Nick. Devastated by the fact that not only has she lost her boyfriend to one of her best friend's she is now faced with the reality of not having a date for the Homecoming Dance. For a girl who has been told since birth that she has to follow in the family tradition of becoming the Homecoming Queen this is a code red disaster. This leaves her scrambling to find not only a date, but the right date. This leads her to enlist the help of Peter Hunt.
The overall premise of this novel is exactly what a YA romance should be. It encompasses all of the traditional elements; love triangle, high stakes deadline, falling in love with someone that you shouldn't be as well as having a widely diverse cast of characters. Although it had all of these elements that should have made it a novel that I loved. However there were some things for me that made this just a novel that I liked reading and not one that I fell in love with. My biggest holdup with this book was the fact that it felt very much like most teen romances that I have read in the past. There was nothing that grabbed my attention as being new or unique. I think that this has a lot to do with the fact that this book was so vastly different and I had found that novel to be one that I still think about. That being said I think this is a novel that a lot of people would enjoy. There are a lot of great element in this book that i believe a lot of people would love, especially those who love quick, quirky and fun teen romances with characters that you can truly root for.
When comprising this review I have gone back and forth quite a few times in deciding if it should be a 3 or a 4 star review. I had read another novel by M.F. Lorson a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it so admittedly my expectations going into this novel were quite a bit higher then they would have been had i gone into this novel not knowing her potential as an author.
Stage Kiss follows the story of Erin Armstrong following her break up with her boyfriend Nick. Devastated by the fact that not only has she lost her boyfriend to one of her best friend's she is now faced with the reality of not having a date for the Homecoming Dance. For a girl who has been told since birth that she has to follow in the family tradition of becoming the Homecoming Queen this is a code red disaster. This leaves her scrambling to find not only a date, but the right date. This leads her to enlist the help of Peter Hunt.
The overall premise of this novel is exactly what a YA romance should be. It encompasses all of the traditional elements; love triangle, high stakes deadline, falling in love with someone that you shouldn't be as well as having a widely diverse cast of characters. Although it had all of these elements that should have made it a novel that I loved. However there were some things for me that made this just a novel that I liked reading and not one that I fell in love with. My biggest holdup with this book was the fact that it felt very much like most teen romances that I have read in the past. There was nothing that grabbed my attention as being new or unique. I think that this has a lot to do with the fact that this book was so vastly different and I had found that novel to be one that I still think about. That being said I think this is a novel that a lot of people would enjoy. There are a lot of great element in this book that i believe a lot of people would love, especially those who love quick, quirky and fun teen romances with characters that you can truly root for.
July 2, 2018
This book was super predictable. I don’t mean that in a bad way. It was obvious how the story was going to go, but I enjoyed every second of it. This book only took me a day to read. Nicely paced and hard to put down. It was just like any of the teen romcoms Erin was always watching. So fluffy and fun with just a dash of trouble. The family drama was a nice shake-up.
Erin was the popular, yet nice girl who was just quirky enough to be fun She was a kind-hearted girl who was doing everything for others. Her mom, her friends, her entire family. I liked the tension of trying to make your parents proud even if it is not what you really wanted to do. Erin couldn't let her mother down even when they wanted different things. Her relationship with her family was strained yet it was obvious they loved each other.
Peter was my favorite character. His humor, his heart, just him in general. I need him! Please, can someone give me a Peter? I loved the banter between him and Erin. I was laughing for most of this book. Peter was also extremely sassy and loved to poke at Erin. His passion for what he did was awesome. I wish I could be so dedicated.
I recommend reading this series in order even if each story follows a different group of friends. Characters overlap and things make more sense that way. I wish that I had read this before Leah’s song (Mountain Creek book 2). The authors say that these books do not have to be read in order, but Stage Kiss and Leah's song both have Jenn in them. I did not like Jenn in the other book and I think I held it against her in this book. She was a bad friend in this book and a bad sister in the next.
So far this series has been great and I definitely want to read the next one.
Erin was the popular, yet nice girl who was just quirky enough to be fun She was a kind-hearted girl who was doing everything for others. Her mom, her friends, her entire family. I liked the tension of trying to make your parents proud even if it is not what you really wanted to do. Erin couldn't let her mother down even when they wanted different things. Her relationship with her family was strained yet it was obvious they loved each other.
Peter was my favorite character. His humor, his heart, just him in general. I need him! Please, can someone give me a Peter? I loved the banter between him and Erin. I was laughing for most of this book. Peter was also extremely sassy and loved to poke at Erin. His passion for what he did was awesome. I wish I could be so dedicated.
I recommend reading this series in order even if each story follows a different group of friends. Characters overlap and things make more sense that way. I wish that I had read this before Leah’s song (Mountain Creek book 2). The authors say that these books do not have to be read in order, but Stage Kiss and Leah's song both have Jenn in them. I did not like Jenn in the other book and I think I held it against her in this book. She was a bad friend in this book and a bad sister in the next.
So far this series has been great and I definitely want to read the next one.
December 6, 2019
התחיל טוב.
המשיך בוסרי ומאוד שטחי
המשיך בוסרי ומאוד שטחי
February 17, 2018
This book is in need of a good copy editor, and it took like two seconds to read. However, the nostalgia factor is a huge plus. In fall 2002, I was a high school freshman. We didn't have a homecoming dance at that time, but I totally remember getting down to Blink-182 and Jimmy Eat World at other dances, late night chats on AIM (and making up THE BEST away messages), and taking those late-nineties/early-2000s teen movies as gospel. I sincerely want to thank the author for reminding me of my awkward yet now much missed youth. 3 stars + 1 more for the memories.
March 11, 2019
*Thank you to NetGalley, M.F. Lorson and Jennifer Costley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
emoji rating scale: 😩🙁😐😀😍
Stage Kiss rating: 😐
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read my review: click here
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Overall, this novel is exactly aligned with what a Young Adult (YA) romance read should be. You have all the right ingredients — broken heart, love triangle, diverse characters, dooming timeline — to create something really magical, but this fell through the cracks for me.
I hate to say this, but at times I just skimmed through the pages, because nothing new, spontaneous, or captivating was jumping out at me. I was also really disappointed to discover that the call-out to the 2000’s was really just a sprinkle here or there, but ultimately, this story could have taken place in any decade.
Erin Armstrong is the girl who has it all (on paper) but after a break up with her boyfriend, a she-who-must-not-be-named sister, and family responsibilities — and let’s not forget, the reality that she may now not be named Homecoming Queen — her life seems to be falling apart at the seams.
Enter Peter Hunt, the perfect person to help her campaign to win the votes. The character that was created here had high hopes for me. Peter wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s a *hot* theatre stage manager, and he’s a nice guy.
Unfortunately, I can’t say much else because there wasn’t much character progression here. Beyond that, there wasn’t even much romance between Erin and Peter. *I know this is a YA guys* But like, there can still be a little more chemistry and swoon worthy moments while still keeping it PG.
This book falls short on voice, character depth, and research on the subject being presented. The ‘theatre’ setting seemed like super glue to make the scenes flow easier. Also, all of a sudden we just ‘knew’ Peter, without much explanation on the background story there.
This book is the first of a series (Mountain Creek Drive), but I’m not sure I want to give the second book a try. This was really not that great of a YA novel for me, and it’s disappointing because YA is — yes, I’m 26 — one of my favorite genres to pick up and get lost in.
Not a winner for me, but I’m willing to try another Lorson book in the future. Would love to hear what anyone else thought about this read, but in the meantime; happy reading!
emoji rating scale: 😩🙁😐😀😍
Stage Kiss rating: 😐
-----
read my review: click here
-----
Overall, this novel is exactly aligned with what a Young Adult (YA) romance read should be. You have all the right ingredients — broken heart, love triangle, diverse characters, dooming timeline — to create something really magical, but this fell through the cracks for me.
I hate to say this, but at times I just skimmed through the pages, because nothing new, spontaneous, or captivating was jumping out at me. I was also really disappointed to discover that the call-out to the 2000’s was really just a sprinkle here or there, but ultimately, this story could have taken place in any decade.
“I did not want to have an intimate moment with Peter Hunt right now. He sucked you in with his caring and conversation, made you feel important and then moved on to the next girl who needed attention”
Erin Armstrong is the girl who has it all (on paper) but after a break up with her boyfriend, a she-who-must-not-be-named sister, and family responsibilities — and let’s not forget, the reality that she may now not be named Homecoming Queen — her life seems to be falling apart at the seams.
Enter Peter Hunt, the perfect person to help her campaign to win the votes. The character that was created here had high hopes for me. Peter wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s a *hot* theatre stage manager, and he’s a nice guy.
“This was the part where the main guy needs to talk but isn’t ready so he goes home and does something physically damaging instead. Peter wasn’t a drinker so my guess is he consumed an unhealthy amount of frozen burritos whilst playing first person shooter games.”
Unfortunately, I can’t say much else because there wasn’t much character progression here. Beyond that, there wasn’t even much romance between Erin and Peter. *I know this is a YA guys* But like, there can still be a little more chemistry and swoon worthy moments while still keeping it PG.
This book falls short on voice, character depth, and research on the subject being presented. The ‘theatre’ setting seemed like super glue to make the scenes flow easier. Also, all of a sudden we just ‘knew’ Peter, without much explanation on the background story there.
This book is the first of a series (Mountain Creek Drive), but I’m not sure I want to give the second book a try. This was really not that great of a YA novel for me, and it’s disappointing because YA is — yes, I’m 26 — one of my favorite genres to pick up and get lost in.
Not a winner for me, but I’m willing to try another Lorson book in the future. Would love to hear what anyone else thought about this read, but in the meantime; happy reading!
Read
January 15, 2018I tried. I thought this sounded adorable, and when offered a review copy, I obliged. It sounded like the perfect read for me.
But...
Sadly, I couldn't do it. I resolved to be a better reader and finisher of books this year. And in two weeks, I've already DNFed two books.
The writing just wasn't working for me. The MC was immature and I was already annoyed in the first chapter. Heck, in the prologue. I know I'm picky, but I feel this one was due to writing style.
Eventually I may give it another go. For now, I'll leave it unrated since it's unfair to fully rate something I didn't make halfway in.
But...
Sadly, I couldn't do it. I resolved to be a better reader and finisher of books this year. And in two weeks, I've already DNFed two books.
The writing just wasn't working for me. The MC was immature and I was already annoyed in the first chapter. Heck, in the prologue. I know I'm picky, but I feel this one was due to writing style.
Eventually I may give it another go. For now, I'll leave it unrated since it's unfair to fully rate something I didn't make halfway in.
March 5, 2019
A cute, fun and easy read YA romance that didn't just concentrate solely on romance but had a fully fleshed story about friendships and family too.
I would have preferred some more insight into the main love interest's thoughts and behaviour but overall a good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher / author for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review.
I would have preferred some more insight into the main love interest's thoughts and behaviour but overall a good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher / author for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review.
January 29, 2018
Erin and her friends met the first day of school, calling themselves the Backpack crew, owing to the fact they all rocked 'the same Care Bears backpack.' Now in their junior year, the four young ladies have developed their personalities, but are also all up for Homecoming Queen. Erin comes from a long line of Homecoming Queens in their small Colorado town of Marlowe Junction, so the pressure is on for her to win. She doesn't feel like she has much chance to lose, as her best-friend-turned-boyfriend Nick is just as liked as she is and he IS on the football team. Their best-friend mothers have prepared them for this event. Nothing can go wrong. Or can it?
When one of Erin's other best friends, Libby, and Nick corner Erin to tell her they are a couple, Erin is a bit shocked. Sure, she found them holding hands behind a few porta potties a few days ago, but she didn't expect THIS. But as much as Erin is bothered by the fact she'll be stag to the Homecoming dance (social suicide for a candidate), she's also got committee meetings, play rehearsals and a LOT more to think about. When her beloved Grandfather has a stroke, her junior year comes to a shocking halt. Erin has to re-evaluate the important things, all the while her mom espousing the need for her to remain in the running for the title.
Erin decides to delegate what she can, and reorganize some things--enter Peter, tech guy extraordinaire. While he may not be the most recognizable member of the student body, he's able to help her devise a plan to get a great Homecoming date, get a little bit of distance between herself and her ex boyfriend and her friend (?)'s relationship while maintaining the crew's status quo AND learning a bit about what it means to be in a supportive role (versus her normal spotlight).
Stage Kiss is the first book in the Mountain Creek Drive series. If this first book is any indication, the series sounds a lot like a winner. I felt like this had a similar feel to the Hundred Oaks series, but it taking place in 2002 was a great and awesome twist. I loved some of the nostalgia aspects of the book (who didn't want to write 'I love Captain Picard' on their Trapper Keeper?) and felt like even though she was a few years younger than me, I could completely empathize with Erin's plight. While I felt like Erin was very understanding, she did not turn into a Mary Sue--Erin remained, at all times, a well-written character.
I feel like there are a lot of stories possible in this series and I REALLY want to hear more about the Backpack Crew, as well as some of their non-crew classmates. I feel like this series has a lot of potential. And you probably will, too.
I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. The thoughts are my own.
When one of Erin's other best friends, Libby, and Nick corner Erin to tell her they are a couple, Erin is a bit shocked. Sure, she found them holding hands behind a few porta potties a few days ago, but she didn't expect THIS. But as much as Erin is bothered by the fact she'll be stag to the Homecoming dance (social suicide for a candidate), she's also got committee meetings, play rehearsals and a LOT more to think about. When her beloved Grandfather has a stroke, her junior year comes to a shocking halt. Erin has to re-evaluate the important things, all the while her mom espousing the need for her to remain in the running for the title.
Erin decides to delegate what she can, and reorganize some things--enter Peter, tech guy extraordinaire. While he may not be the most recognizable member of the student body, he's able to help her devise a plan to get a great Homecoming date, get a little bit of distance between herself and her ex boyfriend and her friend (?)'s relationship while maintaining the crew's status quo AND learning a bit about what it means to be in a supportive role (versus her normal spotlight).
Stage Kiss is the first book in the Mountain Creek Drive series. If this first book is any indication, the series sounds a lot like a winner. I felt like this had a similar feel to the Hundred Oaks series, but it taking place in 2002 was a great and awesome twist. I loved some of the nostalgia aspects of the book (who didn't want to write 'I love Captain Picard' on their Trapper Keeper?) and felt like even though she was a few years younger than me, I could completely empathize with Erin's plight. While I felt like Erin was very understanding, she did not turn into a Mary Sue--Erin remained, at all times, a well-written character.
I feel like there are a lot of stories possible in this series and I REALLY want to hear more about the Backpack Crew, as well as some of their non-crew classmates. I feel like this series has a lot of potential. And you probably will, too.
I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. The thoughts are my own.
February 28, 2019
Bottom line: A perfectly serviceable novel with sweet romance and poor role models. The 2000s setting does little more than emphasize that this same book could have been published two decades ago.
This is a short, frothy little book with a predictable but compelling romantic arc, infused with some heartfelt family drama. A strong reader could gobble it in one sitting and enjoy being transported into Erin's strange little world. The series had strong potential.
There's not a lot that's technically wrong here, but it was disappointing to me on a few counts. In the last five or ten years, YA has done such a great job of affirming and validating the geeky, nerdy girls that make up the bulk of its readership. I'm not sure why the author(s) chose to center a girl who was ashamed of her closeted nerdiness and putting all her energy into playing Mean Girls, but it just isn't the kind of character I would hand to a teen girl in my life.
Unfortunately, the book falls short on voice, which is where YA contemporary is KILLING it at the moment. Erin doesn't feel at all real--her motivations are very shallow and I don't get the sense she has anything new or interesting to say.
This is the first in a series all set in the same time and place. Hopefully, the next books do something more with the 2000s setting. In this book, it was really just set dressing. It seemed like the authors just set the story 20 years ago so that they wouldn't have to deal with cell phones or learn about the way teens actually live today.
This is not a great YA novel, but if you think of it as an aged-up MG, it does the job. It's clean and accessible, so it'd be perfect for readers that want to start reading about high school characters but still want books that are more MG in theme and reading level.
This part is going to seem nit-picky, but it matters. I requested this book in particular because I am a past and future theatre kid. The theatre setting was... yikes. I wish the author had done some research. I could write an entire rant about the things that don't make any sense, but the real problem was one of attitude. The book keeps telling us that, despite being a leading lady, Erin does NOT have any disdain for the "techies" and run crew, and I think the author doth protest too much. The book is infused with disdain for these kids. Much of the plot involves ingenue Erin nobly giving up her lead part to be assistant stage manager because of a family emergency (???) and discovering, shockingly, that being backstage might be almost as fulfilling! It's... gross, and reeks of a very old-fashioned way of looking at artistic or tech-minded teens.
I received a free eARC of this novel for my honest feedback. All opinions my own.
This is a short, frothy little book with a predictable but compelling romantic arc, infused with some heartfelt family drama. A strong reader could gobble it in one sitting and enjoy being transported into Erin's strange little world. The series had strong potential.
There's not a lot that's technically wrong here, but it was disappointing to me on a few counts. In the last five or ten years, YA has done such a great job of affirming and validating the geeky, nerdy girls that make up the bulk of its readership. I'm not sure why the author(s) chose to center a girl who was ashamed of her closeted nerdiness and putting all her energy into playing Mean Girls, but it just isn't the kind of character I would hand to a teen girl in my life.
Unfortunately, the book falls short on voice, which is where YA contemporary is KILLING it at the moment. Erin doesn't feel at all real--her motivations are very shallow and I don't get the sense she has anything new or interesting to say.
This is the first in a series all set in the same time and place. Hopefully, the next books do something more with the 2000s setting. In this book, it was really just set dressing. It seemed like the authors just set the story 20 years ago so that they wouldn't have to deal with cell phones or learn about the way teens actually live today.
This is not a great YA novel, but if you think of it as an aged-up MG, it does the job. It's clean and accessible, so it'd be perfect for readers that want to start reading about high school characters but still want books that are more MG in theme and reading level.
This part is going to seem nit-picky, but it matters. I requested this book in particular because I am a past and future theatre kid. The theatre setting was... yikes. I wish the author had done some research. I could write an entire rant about the things that don't make any sense, but the real problem was one of attitude. The book keeps telling us that, despite being a leading lady, Erin does NOT have any disdain for the "techies" and run crew, and I think the author doth protest too much. The book is infused with disdain for these kids. Much of the plot involves ingenue Erin nobly giving up her lead part to be assistant stage manager because of a family emergency (???) and discovering, shockingly, that being backstage might be almost as fulfilling! It's... gross, and reeks of a very old-fashioned way of looking at artistic or tech-minded teens.
I received a free eARC of this novel for my honest feedback. All opinions my own.
March 3, 2018
Reviewed for YA Books Central
A cute story.
The story:
Erin's life is seemingly perfect. She's popular, with great friends. She's dating a boy she's been friends with her entire life. But when she finds herself betrayed by one of her best friends and said boyfriend, everything falls off course.
Homecoming. Being queen is what she's always wanted. If she was honest with herself, it's the reason for a lot of things. Her sister was homecoming queen and her mother before her. It's expected. When she reconnects with an old friend, she discovers maybe her priorities were wrong all along. She doesn't need the spotlight after all. She only needs him.
What I loved:
The story really brings you back to high school when the social ladder seemed the most important thing. When who you ate lunch with could determine your social worth and having a boyfriend was a life or death thing. It paints the perfect picture of a time in life most loved, but would never go back to. The friendships are the true star of the book. They can survive anything - from boyfriend stealing to other betrayals.
And of course, Peter. He's too perfect.
What was just okay:
Erin is obnoxious. She cares more about being homecoming queen than anything else. Everything is about her and it got a little old. If I were a teenager, I'd never want to be friends with her.
Final Verdict:
A cute and entertaining read that depicts an extremely accurate view of high school. The good. The bad. The ugly. But in the end, we're left with a heartwarming feeling.
A cute story.
The story:
Erin's life is seemingly perfect. She's popular, with great friends. She's dating a boy she's been friends with her entire life. But when she finds herself betrayed by one of her best friends and said boyfriend, everything falls off course.
Homecoming. Being queen is what she's always wanted. If she was honest with herself, it's the reason for a lot of things. Her sister was homecoming queen and her mother before her. It's expected. When she reconnects with an old friend, she discovers maybe her priorities were wrong all along. She doesn't need the spotlight after all. She only needs him.
What I loved:
The story really brings you back to high school when the social ladder seemed the most important thing. When who you ate lunch with could determine your social worth and having a boyfriend was a life or death thing. It paints the perfect picture of a time in life most loved, but would never go back to. The friendships are the true star of the book. They can survive anything - from boyfriend stealing to other betrayals.
And of course, Peter. He's too perfect.
What was just okay:
Erin is obnoxious. She cares more about being homecoming queen than anything else. Everything is about her and it got a little old. If I were a teenager, I'd never want to be friends with her.
Final Verdict:
A cute and entertaining read that depicts an extremely accurate view of high school. The good. The bad. The ugly. But in the end, we're left with a heartwarming feeling.
February 25, 2019
Before I dive in, I just want to say thank you to both Netgalley and M.F. Lorson for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
So Stage Kiss is a YA romantic comedy with a vibe straight from the 2000s. This book reminded me of one of my favorite movies, She’s All That, so I was hooked from just hearing the premise alone. Erin, our main character, is in the running for Homecoming Queen, and her life is picture perfect…until it’s not. After catching her boyfriend with her best friend – Erin is out of a boyfriend, best friend, and a homecoming date. Feeling the pressure, Erin enlists the help of fellow quirky theatre member, Peter, to ensure she’s the one with the crown. Romantic comedy ensues.
spoiler free review: I enjoyed this sweet teen romance. For me, it brought me right back to high school with references to AIM, vhs, homecoming court, football games, and romcom references. Perhaps my favorite part of this story, though, was Erin’s dynamic arc. She felt very multifaceted and it was fun to watch her grow as a character. If you’re looking for throw-back romcom, look no further than M. F. Lorson’s Stage Kiss.
I gave this one a 3/5 stars. I had fun with this one and enjoyed it. If you’re looking for a lighthearted YA book, this one is for you! There were some minor things that held this one back a little for me (see spoiler’s section), but overall, I recommend Stage Kiss.
For my full length review: https://whimsicalandwitty.com/2019/02...
So Stage Kiss is a YA romantic comedy with a vibe straight from the 2000s. This book reminded me of one of my favorite movies, She’s All That, so I was hooked from just hearing the premise alone. Erin, our main character, is in the running for Homecoming Queen, and her life is picture perfect…until it’s not. After catching her boyfriend with her best friend – Erin is out of a boyfriend, best friend, and a homecoming date. Feeling the pressure, Erin enlists the help of fellow quirky theatre member, Peter, to ensure she’s the one with the crown. Romantic comedy ensues.
spoiler free review: I enjoyed this sweet teen romance. For me, it brought me right back to high school with references to AIM, vhs, homecoming court, football games, and romcom references. Perhaps my favorite part of this story, though, was Erin’s dynamic arc. She felt very multifaceted and it was fun to watch her grow as a character. If you’re looking for throw-back romcom, look no further than M. F. Lorson’s Stage Kiss.
I gave this one a 3/5 stars. I had fun with this one and enjoyed it. If you’re looking for a lighthearted YA book, this one is for you! There were some minor things that held this one back a little for me (see spoiler’s section), but overall, I recommend Stage Kiss.
For my full length review: https://whimsicalandwitty.com/2019/02...
February 7, 2020
This is such a cute book!! A nice, clean Young Adult novel but does deal with pressures & issues that do happen.
It is very reminiscent of the late 90's, early 00's and made me think back on my days in high school. You've got the "mean girl", the "nice" popular girl and her group of friends, AOL, DSL verses dial up, the band: Jimmy Eats World and so much more.
Erin is our nice, popular girl, who ends up catching her boyfriend kissing one of her best friends behind the portal john. But she's not really upset about it. Why? Well...she and her boyfriend went from friends to dating but things didn't really change. And she loves her friend Libby, though she's a little sad and upset because now she doesn't have a date to homecoming, no matter what.
She doesn't know what to do but she does know that she has to become homecoming queen, to carry on a family tradition since her grandmother, mom and sister were all crowned before her. Her mission now is to find the perfect date who will help her win the crown. But is she doing this for herself or because it's important to her mom? In order to have a chance of winning, she enlists the help of an "expert" manager, Peter; who she kind of has had a crush on for a while.
While working together to find the perfect date, dress, etc. they become friends & sometimes it seems like a bit more. What's a girl to do?
I would definitely recommend this book to young people and anyone that enjoys this genre.
It is very reminiscent of the late 90's, early 00's and made me think back on my days in high school. You've got the "mean girl", the "nice" popular girl and her group of friends, AOL, DSL verses dial up, the band: Jimmy Eats World and so much more.
Erin is our nice, popular girl, who ends up catching her boyfriend kissing one of her best friends behind the portal john. But she's not really upset about it. Why? Well...she and her boyfriend went from friends to dating but things didn't really change. And she loves her friend Libby, though she's a little sad and upset because now she doesn't have a date to homecoming, no matter what.
She doesn't know what to do but she does know that she has to become homecoming queen, to carry on a family tradition since her grandmother, mom and sister were all crowned before her. Her mission now is to find the perfect date who will help her win the crown. But is she doing this for herself or because it's important to her mom? In order to have a chance of winning, she enlists the help of an "expert" manager, Peter; who she kind of has had a crush on for a while.
While working together to find the perfect date, dress, etc. they become friends & sometimes it seems like a bit more. What's a girl to do?
I would definitely recommend this book to young people and anyone that enjoys this genre.
March 12, 2018
Erin Armstrong is a popular girl and a frequent lead in school plays, but she's aiming for Homecoming Queen crown. It seems destined to be until her boyfriend Nick breaks up to be with her best friend Libby. This YA romance is filled with realistic high school relationship drama - I mean, who would be thrilled with their friend after that?
I liked the main character Erin - she may be popular, but she's not mean. While some YA characters are beloved because they're social justice warriors and awaiting sainthood, Erin was likable and funny because she reminded me of real friends I had in high school.
Erin thinks her big dilemma is her lack of a homecoming date and the competition for the crown. In reality, she's learning what it means to be a friend despite hurt feelings. When she ropes an old friend - her freshman year crush Peter - into helping her find the perfect date, something seems to be blossoming in the midst of their rekindled friendship.
The author strikes a fun, light tone that kept me turning pages and laughing. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to stage a high school play, too. This is a great book for those who enjoy YA romance with a happy ending - plus it's a clean romance with no cursing, no sex.
I liked the main character Erin - she may be popular, but she's not mean. While some YA characters are beloved because they're social justice warriors and awaiting sainthood, Erin was likable and funny because she reminded me of real friends I had in high school.
Erin thinks her big dilemma is her lack of a homecoming date and the competition for the crown. In reality, she's learning what it means to be a friend despite hurt feelings. When she ropes an old friend - her freshman year crush Peter - into helping her find the perfect date, something seems to be blossoming in the midst of their rekindled friendship.
The author strikes a fun, light tone that kept me turning pages and laughing. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to stage a high school play, too. This is a great book for those who enjoy YA romance with a happy ending - plus it's a clean romance with no cursing, no sex.
April 3, 2019
While the book was decent, I couldn’t really get behind it.
Not that the book’s subject helped.
Erin was extremely self aware. She knew that things were not dependent on becoming Homecoming Queen. But it still made it tough to take the book seriously from the beginning. Erin was a go-getter and I admire that.
However, I knew that there was no way that her plan would have worked the way they wanted. Peter was adorable. Honestly, he’s my favorite character. He was so cute and you could just tell that he liked her from the beginning. The character arc for Erin was superb but I think that the beginning was a bit exaggerated.
Barring that, it was a cute throwback read.
I went to school in the middle of the 2000’s. I started school in 2002. I didn’t have IM’ing nor any of that stuff. I definitely didn’t truly experience dial up internet. That part was cute.
Stage Kiss definitely read as an early 2000’s movie. It was delightful in the way that “Pretty in Pink” and similar movies are. But the book wasn’t all that great. The characters just couldn’t connect with me. Mind you, it was just me. Me, myself, and I felt that way.
The looks into the theater world was cute but honestly, it just wasn’t for me.
Not that the book’s subject helped.
Erin was extremely self aware. She knew that things were not dependent on becoming Homecoming Queen. But it still made it tough to take the book seriously from the beginning. Erin was a go-getter and I admire that.
However, I knew that there was no way that her plan would have worked the way they wanted. Peter was adorable. Honestly, he’s my favorite character. He was so cute and you could just tell that he liked her from the beginning. The character arc for Erin was superb but I think that the beginning was a bit exaggerated.
Barring that, it was a cute throwback read.
I went to school in the middle of the 2000’s. I started school in 2002. I didn’t have IM’ing nor any of that stuff. I definitely didn’t truly experience dial up internet. That part was cute.
Stage Kiss definitely read as an early 2000’s movie. It was delightful in the way that “Pretty in Pink” and similar movies are. But the book wasn’t all that great. The characters just couldn’t connect with me. Mind you, it was just me. Me, myself, and I felt that way.
The looks into the theater world was cute but honestly, it just wasn’t for me.
February 27, 2019
(I received a free eARC from NetGalley for a voluntary and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own)
Book review: Stage kiss (Mountain Creek Drive #1) by M. F. Lorson (2 stars)
Stage kiss (Mountain Creek Drive #1) by M. F. Lorson
Genre: YA, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 2/5 stars
(Review)
(DISCLAIMER: All thoughts and opinions are my own)
Erin is a Homecoming Court nominee, but when she finds her two best friends, Libby and Nick, who is also her boyfriend, holding hands behind the porta potty, her popularity is jeopardised. Erin enlists the help of Peter, the theatre kid to help her find her perfect Homecoming King to go with her to Homecoming, but she starts falling for him instead.
First off, I don’t have a good impression of Erin, she is really vengeful and cruel, someone I would have totally not pegged as nice and would stay far away from. She always put on this perfect facade for the rest of the world to see until it becomes more of a character rather than a mask.
The story was okay, but predictable. I didn’t emotionally connect to the characters or the story as I couldn’t empathise with Erin.
Book review: Stage kiss (Mountain Creek Drive #1) by M. F. Lorson (2 stars)
Stage kiss (Mountain Creek Drive #1) by M. F. Lorson
Genre: YA, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 2/5 stars
(Review)
(DISCLAIMER: All thoughts and opinions are my own)
Erin is a Homecoming Court nominee, but when she finds her two best friends, Libby and Nick, who is also her boyfriend, holding hands behind the porta potty, her popularity is jeopardised. Erin enlists the help of Peter, the theatre kid to help her find her perfect Homecoming King to go with her to Homecoming, but she starts falling for him instead.
First off, I don’t have a good impression of Erin, she is really vengeful and cruel, someone I would have totally not pegged as nice and would stay far away from. She always put on this perfect facade for the rest of the world to see until it becomes more of a character rather than a mask.
The story was okay, but predictable. I didn’t emotionally connect to the characters or the story as I couldn’t empathise with Erin.
January 29, 2018
This sweet high school contemporary's themes of friendship and family made me like it more than just any mildly romantic contemporary. I thought the main character was a bit of a brat at first, but I quickly learned more about her and the difference between her personality and her mother's aspirations for her. The tension between Erin and her crush of three years Peter was so cute, and all the drama that comes with dating friends and break-ups is relatable for anyone in high school or anyone who remembers high school! I had a group of four friends in high school like Erin was a part of, so those were some of my favorite scenes when they were all together and dealing with things or just having fun. The only thing I would have liked more information on was the sub-plot of Erin's sister, Annabelle. Even though there was tension surrounding her, I think her story was wrapped up too easily in the end.
If you've ever had friend drama, family drama, and/or a crush you can't seem to get over, this book is for you!
If you've ever had friend drama, family drama, and/or a crush you can't seem to get over, this book is for you!
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