YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

From the fantastic author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & Prejudice comes a story of all the drama and comedy of four friends who grow into themselves at a performing arts high school.

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.


Join Martha and I :)

Started already :)

The Auditions
Carter (view spoiler)[I actually like the start of the story! It's strong, gripping and gives me the feeling that I'm going to look forward for more, the idea that it's going to be a great book all throughout. And I already liked Carter. How cool is that to like a character immediately?
(hide spoiler)]

Sophie (view spoiler)[For me, Sophie is ambitious, and I mean it in a good way. Passion is oozing from her narration and I liked how she's visionary and futuristic. Excited to get to know her more, and of course, when she writes her own songs, not from Emme. (hide spoiler)]

Sorry Mei I ran out of time! Definitely starting this tonight :)

Mei I've messed up! I can't find my copy anywhere so I've had to order it again! It should get here Friday :( they didn't have an ebook version agh! So sorry!

That's okay! No rush :) I'm not that far yet anyway. Hope your copy gets there soon!

I'll start as soon as I can :) Are you enjoying it so far?

Yes! It's a good and promising start.

Yey! :)

Senior Year

Emme (view spoiler)[I feel like Emme's going to be my favorite character of all of them. She's the shy, in the background type but I can feel she's approachable, a good friend and easy to get along with! I can't wait to read more about her.

I also hope Sophie doesn't turn out to be the friend who only remembers when she needs something. Emme has talent, too! (hide spoiler)]

Carter (28%): (view spoiler)[Reading about Carter reevaluating his passion and interests makes me think what things in my life had I accepted just because it was a routine? I love Carter's POV, too, he wasn't the arrogant famewhore celebrity, but he's not the too damaged one either, he was broken, too, but in his status in life, about what he wants to do. He makes me empathize with him, I feel like he's real. Nice characterization, then, Eulberg :) (hide spoiler)]

Sophie (40%): (view spoiler)[Agh!!! I couldn't take her POV!!!! She's just a famewh*re who uses her friends to take advantage of everything to get her long dreamed limelight. And she doesn't care about ART! How could she! And it's even her boyfriend's! But not for long... Because Carter is just for publicity and his looks. She'll break up with him. This girl is unbelievable. She can't even support her "best friend"'s talent. (hide spoiler)]

Mei wrote: "Started already :)

The Auditions
Carter I actually like the start of the story! It's strong, gripping and gives me the feeling that I'm going to look forward for more, the idea that it's going to ..."


Agree really like the start! All the characters have unique voices. I'm intrigued too - Sophie doesn't shine as much as everyone expected? What happened with Emme?
Interesting :)

46%: (view spoiler)[I think Emme and Tyler are going too fast. They just had one date and this is where they are now...

On the other hand... Ugh! I feel how hurt Ethan is, seeing Emme and Tyler! And Emme does not have any clue about his feelings! (hide spoiler)]

51% (view spoiler)[I am so SHIPPING Ethan and Emme! Gah!! (hide spoiler)]

54%: (view spoiler)[Agh! I can't believe Sophie! What a crap! She's full of herself! Too focused on being a star she has to drag everyone down. She just proves how a loser she is.
(hide spoiler)]

Martha, I'm happy you liked the beginning, too! Hope it goes well until the end for both of us. I agree the four POVs have unique voices.

65% (view spoiler)[FINALLY! What a terrible way to find out Sophie's using Emme but at least she found out already. What a selfish b*tch. I'm glad Ethan is there to support and protect Emme. She doesn't need a Sophie in her life. (hide spoiler)]

Reading this on my lunch break haha
Senior year:
Emme - I really like Emme so far. I feel like I can relate to her the most. Her friendship with Sophie is very interesting to read about.
Carter - huh weird! Is all carter's chapters written like that - as though it's a script? I get why the author did it but it kind of throws me out of the story at the moment. Sure I'll get used to it though. I like Carter too - I'm glad he's not the arrogant celebrity and shows a lot of his own struggles too

79%: (view spoiler)[Ugh!!! I'm dreading that moment when Ethan finally confesses his feelings to Emme! If he doesn't do that as the book ends I'm gonna explode!!!

On the other hand, I appreciate that there are four POVs, but the entire book focused too much on Emme and Ethan. (hide spoiler)]

85%: (view spoiler)[Aaww. I'm so happy for Carter. I really am. He left CPA with only a semester left but he's never been happy and felt free before. I love that about a person, it makes them glow. When you're happy, it's obvious, and that was what happened with Carter. It's so helpful that her mom is supportive, too. Love that Mr. Samuels appreciates his art. (hide spoiler)]

94%: (view spoiler)[I'm screaming right now!!!! Ugh!!!! I love them so much!!!!!! If that wasn't the best romance story I've read, I don't know what is. I actually feel their love. What they feel towards each other that further prove that. I see it and I feel it and it's so amazing that this is through a book. And it's not the obsession of Ethan and Emme being together. It's how the author wrote it. Amazing. (hide spoiler)]

Ending: One of my best reads this year. Four stars! Definitely love it and regretting why we kept delaying this book. Lol. Hope you enjoy the end Martha! Can't wait what you think!

Senior year:
Ethan - (view spoiler)[ Agh that hurt my heart haha! Poor Ethan. I really feel for him... especially since I think Emme and Carter might become a thing. I kind of hope that they do... I really like Carter too! So conflicted haha!
I really love Emme. I'm intrigued to read Sophie's part next and see her point of view regarding her friendship with Emme. (hide spoiler)]

Yey so glad you enjoyed the ending, Mei! I'm reeeally enjoying it so far. I love the characters :)

Martha wrote: "Senior year:
Ethan - Agh that hurt my heart haha! Poor Ethan. I really feel for him... especially since I think Emme and Carter might become a thing. I kind of hope that they do... I really like C..."

I was really rooting for Emme to find out about Sophie's true colours, but kinda nervous about it. I know she won't take it easy. They've been 'best friends' since eight though.

I guess the only part that I didn't like about the ending (view spoiler)[is Sophie's character development and how Eulberg ended her chapter. With the rest of the characters, even Jack and Ben, I know where they'll end up in, what fields and colleges they'll go to. Everything was specific but still open-ended.

With Sophie, it was broad. Yeah she did graduate at CPA but we only know she wants to be a superstar. But how will she do this? What will be of her progress after Emme said her weaknesses?

Plus, she still remained immature and insensitive 'til the end. I was kinda hoping there's some realization part to her that will entirely change her attitude so she'll be likable even though it's at the end. (hide spoiler)]

Senior year:
Sophie - (view spoiler)[ wow I wasn't expecting Sophie to be that awful!! She really is so selfish! Now I feel even sorrier for Carter and especially Emme. (hide spoiler)]

Hello everyone, I am in the process of writing a fantasy novel. I am working through an outline and setting up the different plots. But since I am writing fantasy I realize that there are many cliches out there in fantasy novels. I created a group called 'fantasy cliches', and I would really appreciate it if you could comment some of your most -hated cliches in fantasy books. Thanks!

Martha wrote: "Senior year:
Sophie - [spoilers removed]"

And Ethan too!!! :( It hurts him seeing Emme be such a great friend to a terrible person like her.

Yes! :( Half way through the next chapter-
(view spoiler)[ Haha I can unfortunately relate to Emme's lack of flirting skills. Tyler seems nice, but forgettable. How is Emme so blind to Ethan's feelings?! (hide spoiler)]

63% - (view spoiler)[ Wow! I'm so glad Emme has finally found out about Sophie! Interesting to see what will happen next.
I'm so proud of Carter for standing up for what he believes in :)
And I totally want Emme and Ethan to end up together!
(hide spoiler)]

Martha wrote: "Yes! :( Half way through the next chapter-
[spoilers removed]"

Hahaha I can relate too! (view spoiler)[Tyler's presence was a nonsense. He and Emme dated but it's as if he never existed actually!

I think I had the same experience as hers. When you're too close to someone, you know everything about him, how he talks, feels, reacts or behaves, that you become immune and you don't notice the new stuff. And even then, Emme and Ethan treated each other as very special for four years that she still thinks it has no meaning.
(hide spoiler)]

Martha wrote: "63% - [spoiler removed]

Yay!! Couple ship!!! ♥

Mei wrote: "Martha wrote: "Yes! :( Half way through the next chapter-
[spoilers removed]"

Hahaha I can relate too! Tyler's presence was a nonsense. He and Emme dated but it's as if he never existed actually!
..."

Yeah you're right! (view spoiler)[ I also feel like Emme dismissed Ethan as someone who just messes around with girls, so it would make sense that she didn't see the kiss as something more.
Totally routing for them now!
But yeah Tyler was such a non-character = only there for plot points I think! (hide spoiler)]

Martha wrote: "Yeah right! [spoilers removed]"

I agree, and it probably was a defense mechanism for her. (view spoiler)[Emme loves him too much that if Ethan cheated on her she'll lose everything—a friend who supported and protected her, and a friend who believed in her talent and dreams.

Ethan's cheating was also given lack of justice. We didn't know Kelsey much, and I still feel it didn't fit well in the plot, like out of place. (hide spoiler)]

Mei wrote: "Martha wrote: "Yeah right! [spoilers removed]"

I agree, and it probably was a defense mechanism for her. Emme loves him too much that if Ethan cheated on her she'll lose everything—a friend who su..."

I agree... If we knew kelsley we might have felt more strongly about the cheating. I didn't seem real to the reader I think

Finished!!
(view spoiler)[ I agree with you Mei... Sophie's ending was disapointing to me. I saw a glimmer of depth to her character and I wish she hadn't remained the 2D villain to the end.
Emme and Ethan are cute :) But yeah the book was really about them. I would have liked to have seen Carter more included with the characters at the end I guess? I also didn't really feel connected to the other band members. I honestly didn't get any personality from Ben?!
But very cute read. 4 stars for me too I think :) (hide spoiler)]
Been great reading with you, Mei! :)

Also.. (view spoiler)[ Was it even explained why Ethan cheated.. Or that just he was a bit of a jerk? (hide spoiler)]

Martha wrote: "Also.. [spoilers removed]"

It wasn't!!! That's why it felt unfair for Ethan, it wasn't rightly justified. (view spoiler)[Based on how he treated Emme, he didn't seem like a jerk! I might even fall in love with him, haha! (hide spoiler)]

Martha wrote: "Finished!!
[spoilers removed]
Been great reading with you, Mei! :)"

I totally agree. If you will notice the frequency of POVs per character, (view spoiler)[it's mostly Emme or Ethan. I love Carter's POV but I just hoped that he felt more fit in the entire plot and story and not just a character with an individual story or separated plot.

Aaaand I think the relationship between Ethan and Carter is still not resolved. Not that they are close, but Ethan sees him in the wrong light. I hope there was some part that made him reevaluate what he thinks of Carter.
(hide spoiler)]

It's great reading with you too! :) Love that we both enjoyed this. And we kept delaying this book! :| Haha!

Mei wrote: "Martha wrote: "Also.. [spoilers removed]"

It wasn't!!! That's why it felt unfair for Ethan, it wasn't rightly justified. [spoilers removed]"

Yeah definitely! Because we weren't shown it we couldn't see Emme's point of view that way, (view spoiler)[ I also wish it would have hinted at Emee's romantic feelings for Ethan in some way - it seemed she only liked him as a friend until the very end? (hide spoiler)]

Mei wrote: "Martha wrote: "Finished!!
[spoilers removed]
Been great reading with you, Mei! :)"

I totally agree. If you will notice the frequency of POVs per character, it's mostly Emme or Ethan. I love Carter..."

Agree again haha! Yes we shouldn't have put it off for so long ^^"

Martha wrote: "Yeah definitely! Because we weren't shown it we couldn't see Emme's point of view that way, [spoilers removed]"

Agreed. (view spoiler)[Even though her romantic feelings didn't feel forced, I wasn't convinced much, like it's lacking more scenes. It was kinda rushed at 93% when Ethan's about to be depressed and Emme realizes she likes him after all.
(hide spoiler)]

Still a great book! I love that it highlights dreams and encouraging each other to reach it :) I'm always inspired reading stories about that!

Yeah! :D