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Spotlight
A fallen star. A runaway bride. They're about to be pitted against each other by a very powerful man. Madison Miller has everything - beautiful, talented and just a little bit naive; she's the small-town girl who swept to victory on America's hottest talent show to become the nation's sweetheart. She's also head-over-heels in love with the man who's masterminded her career - the head-spinningly powerful, lethally attractive Beau Silverman. But there's trouble in paradise... Jess has bolted from her approaching wedding and a dead-end job in London to chase dreams of being a fashion designer in New York. But she's finding life in the Big Apple tough, until she meets a man who makes her an offer she can't refuse. It means a taste of a life she's never had - glamorous parties, paparazzi, haute couture - but at what price? Sweeping from the hotspots of LA to the coolest bars of New York, SPOTLIGHT cuts a gloriously fun swathe through the world of celebrity and glamour, with a page-turning story at its heart.
- GenresChick Lit
340 pages, Paperback
First published December 27, 2008
2 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Ilana Fox
5 books80 followersIlana Fox has worked for a variety of national newspapers and websites, including the Daily Mail, The Sun, The Telegraph & The Mirror. She's also worked for a range of start-ups and etailers, including ASOS.com, Arcadia Group and River Island. Ilana is currently CMO at audioBoom and can be found causing trouble in Soho.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 26, 2011
A bright pink cover, with sparkly silver stars and a pair of never-ending legs could be off putting, how many of us judge a book by it's cover? Plenty, I'd say. Don't be put off! This is a great read that pulled me in from page one.
Two leading female characters; Madison Miller - America's latest sweetheart and the winner of the hottest TV talent show and Jessica Piper - an English wannabe fashion designer who has fled to New York after 'not quite' getting married. Both Madison and Jess become involved with Beau Silverman - one of the most powerful men in American TV, handsome, smooth talking, wealthy, but also unscrupulous, mean and totally rotten.
The plot is fast and well thought out, if a little OTT in places. Madison approaches meltdown and Jess is thrust into the whirlwind that is show business, both of them controlled by Beau and his entourage.
There is plenty of celebrity, glamour, champagne and designer clothes but Spotlight also touches some really serious problems - drugs, alcohol, eating disorders and domestic violence are all dealt with sensitively and realistically.
This is a really entertaining read, I raced through it in a couple of days and really cared about Madison and Jess and really despised the awful Beau.
Two leading female characters; Madison Miller - America's latest sweetheart and the winner of the hottest TV talent show and Jessica Piper - an English wannabe fashion designer who has fled to New York after 'not quite' getting married. Both Madison and Jess become involved with Beau Silverman - one of the most powerful men in American TV, handsome, smooth talking, wealthy, but also unscrupulous, mean and totally rotten.
The plot is fast and well thought out, if a little OTT in places. Madison approaches meltdown and Jess is thrust into the whirlwind that is show business, both of them controlled by Beau and his entourage.
There is plenty of celebrity, glamour, champagne and designer clothes but Spotlight also touches some really serious problems - drugs, alcohol, eating disorders and domestic violence are all dealt with sensitively and realistically.
This is a really entertaining read, I raced through it in a couple of days and really cared about Madison and Jess and really despised the awful Beau.
February 8, 2015
Ilana Fox sure knows how to write a baddie. Beau didn't have even one redeeming quality about him. A control freak that prays on young girls. Madison leaves her hometown for NewYork in the hopes of becoming a star. Meanwhile Jess bolts from her wedding to a guy she doesn't love. Straight to New York. And into the evil clutches if Bea.
This is my first time reading this author and I have to say. If you want an easy read. That will leave you wanting more. Then check out this book.
This is my first time reading this author and I have to say. If you want an easy read. That will leave you wanting more. Then check out this book.
June 24, 2010
Just read this book a couple of weeks ago, and I loved it.
July 2, 2010
I loved this book. This is the kind of book where you start reading it and then realise you've been reading for hours. Likeable and strong female characters and a delicious plot. X
January 9, 2011
A fallen star. A runaway bride. They're about to be pitted against each other by a very powerful man. Madison Miller has everything - beautiful, talented and just a little bit naive; she's the small-town girl who swept to victory on America's hottest talent show to become the nation's sweetheart. She's also head-over-heels in love with the man who's masterminded her career - the head-spinningly powerful, lethally attractive Beau Silverman. But there's trouble in paradise... Jess has bolted from her approaching wedding and a dead-end job in London to chase dreams of being a fashion designer in New York. But she's finding life in the Big Apple tough, until she meets a man who makes her an offer she can't refuse. It means a taste of a life she's never had - glamorous parties, paparazzi, haute couture - but at what price? Sweeping from the hotspots of LA to the coolest bars of New York, SPOTLIGHT cuts a gloriously fun swathe through the world of celebrity and glamour, with a page-turning story at its heart.
Plot: I thought the plot of Spotlight was actually great. Ever so slightly predictable, yes, but I enjoyed it none-the-less. I was more interested in Madison's side of the story than Jess' but despite whose story we were following, I was always turning the pages desperate to find out which way the plot was going to twist and turn next. I loved that the book was set in America, and Fox has done a good job getting all the descriptions correct and it was infinitely more glamorous and expansive than it would have been if it was set in England (with the greatest of respect to England). The book takes a more serious turn as it nears it's conclusion and although it seemed to just occur, it did also seem a natural way for the plot to go.
Characters: I absolutely loved Madison Miller. I didn't expect to, I expected her to be a diva and be really annoying but she was actually incredibly sweet. As for Jess, I liked her but I found her very naive, particularly how easily she believed Beau Silverman when he was telling her about his relationship with Madison. I really don't think any one could be that naive, but bar that I did like her. Beau Silverman rivals Fox's previous baddie Josh for how evil they both can be and I think Beau just shaded it. He was horrible.
Writing: Ilana Fox is definitely a hugely talented writer, both of her books so far have been very readable and hard to put down and I enjoy the way she tells a story. I do think that sometimes she put too much emphasis on cramming as much as she could in a chapter and I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Madison as she disappeared for a little bit but apart from that I have no qualms at all over Fox's writing.
Overall: I thoroughly enjoyed reading Spotlight, it was a fairly light read and it was just what I was looking for. I was constantly kept entertained whilst reading it and couldn't wait to see how it all ended. It was by no means perfect, but it did exactly what I expected it to do and it provided me with a good few hours of escapism. It asked a lot of questions of the whole reality TV scene and I do wonder how much of it is true and how much of it is actually fiction. I guess we'll never know! I can't wait for Ilana's next novel and hopefully it'll be just as good as her first two books.
Plot: I thought the plot of Spotlight was actually great. Ever so slightly predictable, yes, but I enjoyed it none-the-less. I was more interested in Madison's side of the story than Jess' but despite whose story we were following, I was always turning the pages desperate to find out which way the plot was going to twist and turn next. I loved that the book was set in America, and Fox has done a good job getting all the descriptions correct and it was infinitely more glamorous and expansive than it would have been if it was set in England (with the greatest of respect to England). The book takes a more serious turn as it nears it's conclusion and although it seemed to just occur, it did also seem a natural way for the plot to go.
Characters: I absolutely loved Madison Miller. I didn't expect to, I expected her to be a diva and be really annoying but she was actually incredibly sweet. As for Jess, I liked her but I found her very naive, particularly how easily she believed Beau Silverman when he was telling her about his relationship with Madison. I really don't think any one could be that naive, but bar that I did like her. Beau Silverman rivals Fox's previous baddie Josh for how evil they both can be and I think Beau just shaded it. He was horrible.
Writing: Ilana Fox is definitely a hugely talented writer, both of her books so far have been very readable and hard to put down and I enjoy the way she tells a story. I do think that sometimes she put too much emphasis on cramming as much as she could in a chapter and I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Madison as she disappeared for a little bit but apart from that I have no qualms at all over Fox's writing.
Overall: I thoroughly enjoyed reading Spotlight, it was a fairly light read and it was just what I was looking for. I was constantly kept entertained whilst reading it and couldn't wait to see how it all ended. It was by no means perfect, but it did exactly what I expected it to do and it provided me with a good few hours of escapism. It asked a lot of questions of the whole reality TV scene and I do wonder how much of it is true and how much of it is actually fiction. I guess we'll never know! I can't wait for Ilana's next novel and hopefully it'll be just as good as her first two books.
June 29, 2012
In America Madison Miller had a dream to become a famous singer and she
was going to do all that she could to make it happen. Starting off in an
Exotic Strip Club , Madison meets Beau Silverman- record manager of Slade.From this moment he offers her a sweet deal and the chance for all her dreams to come true and become "the girl in the Spotlight". After a series of events , Madison realises that being famous has its price and it is now up to her to make the decision of a lifetime , Is it really worth it all
to be famous?. Across the Ditch in the UK is Jess Piper, in a dead-end job
as a assistant fashion writer for the Daily World . Jess dreams of
becoming a famous Fashion Designer , on a whim she jets to New York where she meets Beau , who also offers Jess the chance at her dream. But as Jess gets sucked in deeper into his world , can Jess escape before it consumes her. When Jess and Madison meet it's like looking at Twins , can these girls though turned against each other by Beau, form a bond to get out together before both their lives are ruined. If you enjoyed this , then check out her first book "The Making of Mia".
was going to do all that she could to make it happen. Starting off in an
Exotic Strip Club , Madison meets Beau Silverman- record manager of Slade.From this moment he offers her a sweet deal and the chance for all her dreams to come true and become "the girl in the Spotlight". After a series of events , Madison realises that being famous has its price and it is now up to her to make the decision of a lifetime , Is it really worth it all
to be famous?. Across the Ditch in the UK is Jess Piper, in a dead-end job
as a assistant fashion writer for the Daily World . Jess dreams of
becoming a famous Fashion Designer , on a whim she jets to New York where she meets Beau , who also offers Jess the chance at her dream. But as Jess gets sucked in deeper into his world , can Jess escape before it consumes her. When Jess and Madison meet it's like looking at Twins , can these girls though turned against each other by Beau, form a bond to get out together before both their lives are ruined. If you enjoyed this , then check out her first book "The Making of Mia".
October 16, 2016
This book is suitable if you are looking for:
- Endless drama
- Realistic and believable storyline
- A look at modern dog-eat-dog society
- Non-stereotypical goody-two-shoes chic-lit
One line summary: A page-turner filled with realistic drama.
I was already fascinated by Ilana Fox after 'The Making of Mia' and she did not let me down with this one. I absolutely loved how she brought realistic drama into her works. The way the author introduced the characters, developed them and brought them together was flawless. I also appreciate how the story was told from flashbacks and perspective of different characters instead of a straight forward third person point of view. It kept the storytelling process fresh. The only comment I have is probably the drama was resolved a little too quickly but appropriately, nonetheless. In my opinion, Ilana Fox has re-defined chic-lit. Like 'The Making of Mia', I could picture this book be made into a movie. I now pronounce myself as Ilana Fox's fan!
- Endless drama
- Realistic and believable storyline
- A look at modern dog-eat-dog society
- Non-stereotypical goody-two-shoes chic-lit
One line summary: A page-turner filled with realistic drama.
I was already fascinated by Ilana Fox after 'The Making of Mia' and she did not let me down with this one. I absolutely loved how she brought realistic drama into her works. The way the author introduced the characters, developed them and brought them together was flawless. I also appreciate how the story was told from flashbacks and perspective of different characters instead of a straight forward third person point of view. It kept the storytelling process fresh. The only comment I have is probably the drama was resolved a little too quickly but appropriately, nonetheless. In my opinion, Ilana Fox has re-defined chic-lit. Like 'The Making of Mia', I could picture this book be made into a movie. I now pronounce myself as Ilana Fox's fan!
January 19, 2012
Whoa. This book is something else! I'll never look at a reality talent show the same way again! This book is about the more unseemly side to fame. It makes me glad one of my child hood dreams to become famous hasn't!
January 19, 2011
This was not one of my favourites, I thought it was a bit far fetched, it was set abroad in a show biz world.
January 23, 2011
not as amazing as the making of mia - but still engrossing and enjoyable as it teaches you so much about the dirty world of Reality TV!
June 25, 2012
Really quick read - didn't take long at all. Great storyline, with twists and turns along the way. Sex scenes a bit... forward, but other than that, good book!
February 10, 2013
Another DNF for me. Lost my interest while reading it. The storyline is predictable and boring, but it isn't that bad. Might give this book another try later.
January 21, 2013
what a great story with a great story line. I had this book for weeks before I decided to give it a go. also glad I did. am certainly becoming a fan of llana Fox.
March 1, 2014
Fast-paced, biting and really addictive! Your not-so-ordinary rags-to-riches tale with a hint of suspense and intrigue!
July 18, 2016
I did not like this book it started out predictable and a bit depressing I stop reading on page 30
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews