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Hollywood Bliss #1
My Life Starring Mum
Meet Hollywood Bliss Winterman (Holly to her friends). She's the daughter of mega pop-idol Kandhi - the unbelievably famous singer and tenth-richest woman in the world. From the outside, it might look like Holly has the perfect life, but being the average daughter of rock royalty is anything but blissful.
Holly's life is turned upside-down when Kandhi receives some threatening letters, yanks Holly out of boarding school, and traps her in the ultra-luxurious Royal Trocadero Hotel - supposedly for her own protection. All this mother-daughter bonding leads Kandhi to turn Holly into a mini-version of herself - even though Holly really wants to become a vet. And then there's Shug, Holly's least favourite person in the world but the only boy she ever sees. Will Holly ever have a normal life, despite her abnormal mother?
Holly's life is turned upside-down when Kandhi receives some threatening letters, yanks Holly out of boarding school, and traps her in the ultra-luxurious Royal Trocadero Hotel - supposedly for her own protection. All this mother-daughter bonding leads Kandhi to turn Holly into a mini-version of herself - even though Holly really wants to become a vet. And then there's Shug, Holly's least favourite person in the world but the only boy she ever sees. Will Holly ever have a normal life, despite her abnormal mother?
250 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2006
3 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 15, 2011
A really stupid book that I kept reading hoping it would get better. It sounds like Holly lived in the US with her Dad for her early years but she doesn't have any American accent. She uses words like 'candy floss' instead of 'cotton candy'. Holly has a terrible narcissistic neglectful controlling mother. Holly puts up with being locked in a hotel room with guards patrolling the halls and never really rebels or tries to sneak out on her own until the very end. She doesn't care that she doesn't have other children to hang with, or the fact that her Dad never calls her, or the fact that she isn't getting a decent education so she can follow her dream of being a vet. Her mom is rich but never gets a nanny for her. That is terribly unrealistic. The whole book doesn't hold together.
The ending ends on this note:
'...because in spite of everything, she's my mum and I've got to forgive her. Because whatever your mum's done, your mum's your mum, and you only get one, so you've really got to love her whatever...'
That is a lot of hogwash. Not a good message for kids that live with narcissistic controlling neglectful mothers.
The ending ends on this note:
'...because in spite of everything, she's my mum and I've got to forgive her. Because whatever your mum's done, your mum's your mum, and you only get one, so you've really got to love her whatever...'
That is a lot of hogwash. Not a good message for kids that live with narcissistic controlling neglectful mothers.
March 20, 2009
Regardless of her name, Hollywood Bliss is a humble character. Pretty down to earth and well adjusted. Considering how her mom treated her, if I were Holly, I would throw a temper tantrum. It doesn't mean she's not hurt by her mom though. She really tried to please her mom and accept the fact of her mother's fame. Still even Holly had her limit. The most memorable scene from this book for me is when Holly saw her mother singing live. When she saw how her mother thrived in the adoration of the crowd, she felt insignificant. Her mother doesn't need Holly because she will never be satisfied with only a meager love from Holly. It's really sad when a child think her parents didn't need her.
The only misgiving I have with this book is the ending. It's too abrupt. It would be better if there was a bit more elaboration after that considering what happened.
The only misgiving I have with this book is the ending. It's too abrupt. It would be better if there was a bit more elaboration after that considering what happened.
December 24, 2017
Rayban, Chloe My Life Starring Mum 279 p. Bloomsbury -
Holly's mum is the famous British singer Khandi. When a threat against Holly shows up, she is whisked away from her school and her friends to a high-security hotel where her mother alternately ignores her or tries to turn Holly into a younger version of herself.
The story moves very quickly, keeping the reader's interest, until the very end, where it abruptly sputters and dies mid-stream. This has happened in so many books that I have read that I wonder if authors have lost the art of the denouement. There is absolutely no resolution, only a short, unsatisfying reunion scene, with a flippant end. Despite that, I think younger readers will enjoy Holly's life and adventure and are probably not knowledgeable enough to be frustrated by the ending. There are five clunky, unnecessary uses of swear words, though.
EL, MS - OPTIONAL
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2007/...
Holly's mum is the famous British singer Khandi. When a threat against Holly shows up, she is whisked away from her school and her friends to a high-security hotel where her mother alternately ignores her or tries to turn Holly into a younger version of herself.
The story moves very quickly, keeping the reader's interest, until the very end, where it abruptly sputters and dies mid-stream. This has happened in so many books that I have read that I wonder if authors have lost the art of the denouement. There is absolutely no resolution, only a short, unsatisfying reunion scene, with a flippant end. Despite that, I think younger readers will enjoy Holly's life and adventure and are probably not knowledgeable enough to be frustrated by the ending. There are five clunky, unnecessary uses of swear words, though.
EL, MS - OPTIONAL
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2007/...
April 26, 2020
I loved this book and its sequel when I was a teenager and then for some reason made the stupid mistake of donating my copies of the books, but now many years later I have finally re-purchased them and can finally re-read them!
The book follows Holly(wood) B Winterman, daughter of tenth richest woman in the world, singing superstar Khandi. Life as the child of a superstar is not all it's cracked up to be and we get to see that from how Holly manages to navigate this wild life.
On my re-read these years later I was really surprised and impressed at how good the writing is honestly, it's funny and makes sense and I was surprised to see a swear slipped in, were YA books a bit more mature back then in terms of swearing or am I just being dumb? Who knows!
But I really love these two books and I will continue to re-read them for many years to come! My only regret is that there aren't more books following Holly as she grows up as I'd gladly read them.
The book follows Holly(wood) B Winterman, daughter of tenth richest woman in the world, singing superstar Khandi. Life as the child of a superstar is not all it's cracked up to be and we get to see that from how Holly manages to navigate this wild life.
On my re-read these years later I was really surprised and impressed at how good the writing is honestly, it's funny and makes sense and I was surprised to see a swear slipped in, were YA books a bit more mature back then in terms of swearing or am I just being dumb? Who knows!
But I really love these two books and I will continue to re-read them for many years to come! My only regret is that there aren't more books following Holly as she grows up as I'd gladly read them.
January 8, 2019
Nice easy reading with a great concept
May 12, 2022
Where was the romance :/ terrible
October 12, 2018
This is a middle grade book about a girl who gets taken from her school unexpectedly by her superstar mom and has her entire life changed.
Part of me enjoyed this book and part of me had some negative feelings towards it. I don’t want to get too spoilery so i won’t talk much about the plot.
I didn’t like Kandhi at all. I thought she was controlling and a terrible mother all the way until the end. That being said, I’m sure she was exaggerated to make a point.
This is a good book for young teens to read who are struggling with their relationship with their moms. If I had read this during my younger days I might have felt better. That being said, I’m disappointed that the end was so dramatic and the only time we really get good mother daughter connection. I think it could send the wrong message to girls this age.
Part of me enjoyed this book and part of me had some negative feelings towards it. I don’t want to get too spoilery so i won’t talk much about the plot.
I didn’t like Kandhi at all. I thought she was controlling and a terrible mother all the way until the end. That being said, I’m sure she was exaggerated to make a point.
This is a good book for young teens to read who are struggling with their relationship with their moms. If I had read this during my younger days I might have felt better. That being said, I’m disappointed that the end was so dramatic and the only time we really get good mother daughter connection. I think it could send the wrong message to girls this age.
August 11, 2011
I read this book about three years ago and then, it was one of my favourite books! I have reread it recently and it doesn't even come close to some of the books that I am reading now. I am in love with the Twilight saga and Sarah Dessen which I hate to say it, are way better than this book!
However I think that girls of the age of about 9+ would enjoy this book as it looks at the importance of a loving family and one girls longing for this. Even though she could have anything that she wanted, that money could buy, she doesn't have a mother that loves her and looks after the way other mums do.
I wouldn't say that this was a 'must-read' but why not give it a try, I used to love it when I was younger!
However I think that girls of the age of about 9+ would enjoy this book as it looks at the importance of a loving family and one girls longing for this. Even though she could have anything that she wanted, that money could buy, she doesn't have a mother that loves her and looks after the way other mums do.
I wouldn't say that this was a 'must-read' but why not give it a try, I used to love it when I was younger!
March 3, 2016
I really liked this book. I think Kandhi shouldn't be so controling of Holly's life. Also why did she name her daughter Hollywood? That really implies that she wants Holly in show biz. Also rigging the competition so Holly would get her part is really mean to the other girls who had hopes of being in the movie of Kandhi's life. I don't think she should be so overprotective. But if she has to be overprotective at least be around more. I think Holly is obsessed with her tutor which is really weird. Overall this is a good book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes middle school realistic fiction.
June 1, 2008
Imagine that you just want to fit in, have friends, have a pet, have a normal life. But, unfortunately, your mother is one of the top pop stars in the world. So, what with the paparazzi and the bodyguards and the hotels and the private schools, that's a little hard to achieve. Now, add to that a threat against your mother's life-- that may or may not be a publicity stunt-- and the fact that, in order to keep Mum looking and feeling young, no one can know that she has a teenage daughter.
Hilarious, page-turning look at the life of a celebrity's child.
Hilarious, page-turning look at the life of a celebrity's child.
August 30, 2013
2006. For adolescents, probably girls only.
Daughter of celebrity singer who doesn't really 'see' her daughter.
Some times it seems insightful and realistic and warm, other times hopelessly unrealistic.
I guess it wouldn't damage a child to read the book.
It speaks a lot about feelings though there is the sense that nothing is actually traumatic [maybe she is that well adjusted].
Daughter of celebrity singer who doesn't really 'see' her daughter.
Some times it seems insightful and realistic and warm, other times hopelessly unrealistic.
I guess it wouldn't damage a child to read the book.
It speaks a lot about feelings though there is the sense that nothing is actually traumatic [maybe she is that well adjusted].
October 14, 2010
This book is about a teen girl named Hollywood Bliss Winterman. Her superstar mom named Khandi, suddenly sends her off to Boarding School and then she takes her out of Boarding School and puts her in a fancy hotel in London and forgets she's even there. This book is great for anyone.
April 19, 2011
I think this book is not very good. I didn't enjoy it at all because it just kept on going on for ever and ever about the problems of the Hollywood stars and their daughters - yawn. I wouldn't recommend it.
April 19, 2011
This book was OK for me. It just got boring after a while because of the numberless probles that Hollywood and her mum had. I'm not into that kind of celebrity stuff.
I would not recommend this book to people like me who dont like cele stuff.
I would not recommend this book to people like me who dont like cele stuff.
March 9, 2010
its kind of a child-sih read but it's still very fun to read!!! it's interesting how her mom acts and her personality. it's actually funny!
September 17, 2010
I thought it was a good book but i was kind of slow. now claire v is reading it and she loves it.
December 23, 2010
I WOULD LOVE TO BE HER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 16, 2012
No romance but but of celebrity. Coming of age story about a 13 year old girl whose mom is the most popular singer in the world. Very light; suitable for young readers.
August 16, 2013
A story about a girl caught up in her mom's life who is a very famous celebrity. She finds that her mom never has time for her, and is always left out.
March 11, 2015
This isn't the kind of book I usually read .. It wasn't that great nor too bad ..
I expected a bit more romance but the book turned out to be childish
I expected a bit more romance but the book turned out to be childish
July 8, 2010
i think it was good
March 3, 2011
flippen STUPID!
December 10, 2018
read when you're young to appreciate the unrealistic expectations.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews