Showing posts with label Sisterhood of the Traveling Bookclub. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sisterhood of the Traveling Bookclub. Show all posts

Thursday, September 8, 2016

SOTTBC - A Night With Audrey Hepburn by Lucy Holliday



Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Club read A Night In With Audrey Hepburn for our August pick. You'll find our reactions below, but we all thought this was a fun, great summer read. I was definately the odd person out when it came to which ship everyone was shipping as you can see below.

SPOILERS, OBVIOUSLY


Here is a little about A Night In With Audrey Hepburn
Actress Libby Lomax has retreated into the world of classic movies, where the immortal lives of her favourite screen goddesses seem to offer so much more in the romance department than her own life.

After a terrible day on set where she embarrasses herself in front of the entire cast and worst of all, it’s sexy bad-boy star, Dillon O’Hara, she plonks herself down on her battered couch to watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s for the trillionth time.

Suddenly, Libby is astonished to find screen icon Audrey Hepburn, complete with little black dress, trademark sunglasses and vintage cigarette holder, sitting beside her and proffering advice.
Has Libby got what it takes to turn her life from a Turkey to a Blockbuster? Perhaps with a little bit of Audrey Hepburn magic, she might just pull it off…

A night in with Audrey Hepburn is the first in a series of three books following the life and loves of Libby Lomax as she blossoms from Z-lister to A-lister and all of the stages in between with a little bit of help from some very special friends.
You can add it to Goodreads, and purchase from the following retailers

Chapters // Amazon // Kobo // Book Depository

And you can check out each of our reviews ...

Kathy // Kelly // Christy // Kim 

Here is the colour scheme so you know whose comments are whose.

Kathy
Kelly
Kim
Christy
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 1999

Ooooh! A fun flashback as I assume she’s not going to be a teenager the entire time.

Her mother sounds like a typical stage mom which would be annoying. I love that she’s not into it but the back of the book tells us she ends up on a set of some kind so ….

Hahaha. “The Showbiz Walkers” makes me laugh.

LOVED "The Showbiz Walkers." Ridiculously funny.

OMG! As if she just asked him if he was one the Showbiz Walkers. Too funny. I like this already. It is super cute. Love their banter about Breakfast at Tiffany's and how he would prefer to see The Matrix. Are retrospectives a thing in the USA I do not recall ever seeing one here in Canada (Ottawa at least).

Sort of. They are doing something for Gene Wilder.

As if her father cancelled on her birthday. That is not okay (and it was already their reschedule birthday celebration).

Her dad is the worst.

So I know the back of the book tells me that Dillon O’Hara seems to be the love interest but I kind of hope Olly ends up being the love interest of the series. He’s adorable and they are super cute together as kids. I hope they are at least friends in the current timeline.

Team Olly.

This sounds cute. Although her mother sounds totally overbearing!

Olly is so cute!

That is terrible about her dad. Cancelling on her much-belated birthday celebration?? Rude.

Well, this book is definitely off to an interesting start!!

Also, I really like Olly. And his sister! (I hope I don't end up regretting this or something.)

ALSO -- Brunch at Bloomingdales! Hahaha!

Chapter One


Ah, so that is what she is doing on set. Her costume sounds awful! Not sure I would want this role.

‘It’s got a massively plunging neckline, and it’s totally sheer down the back so you can sort of see my bum - but through the lace so it’s really classy’ OMG! Cass is too much. TOO MUCH. I am giggling like an idiot on the bus.

‘I don’t think for a minute that he is going to stop dead in his tracks, grab the nearest passing crew member and whisper “By god, tell me the name of that flat-chested brunette with the pear-shaped bottom” …’ I am cackling so hard. This book.

OLLY WORKS ON THE SET! AND THEY ARE FRIENDS! Will I ship it? Probably. I also had to laugh at the assistant being scandalized that she was going to eat while in wardrobe.

Of course she insults Dillon to his (sort of) face and proceeds to have the most embarrassing ‘meet cute’ ever. Poor, Libby. Her sister struts in and steals the attention and she gets fired. I will admit Dillon sounds hot though.

Ok this is already funny. I’m smiling as I read - Libby is hilarious - and I love getting behind-the-scenes info on TV land!

Oh my gosh I was dying when it turned out to be Dillon in there! I love that Libby is so herself, and he seems to be into that! But Libby’s sister is already driving me bananas.

KATHY I AM SHIPPING OLLY AND LIBBY!!

Oh Lord did she just set her head on fire...I would probably die of shame.

I would too. Like, OF COURSE this would happen to me.

It’s been ages, but I am kind of getting a ‘Bridget Jones’ vibe from this?

Warty Alien. Lord Chief Arsehole. 😆😆😆

And of course Lord Chief Arsehole is exactly that. Ugh

Chapter Two

I love that her and Olly are so close (and his sister, too). THEY KISSED?! Sounds like years ago but still. They kissed! I am pretty sure I am going to want her with Olly and not Dillon but we will see.

Their cheese obsession made me laugh. So much.

Poor Libby! Her landlord sounds like an ass and potentially a pervert.

She really is having the worst day ever. I want to watch Breakfast At Tiffany’s and drink champagne now. Also, I think Olly and Libby should kiss.

Ahhh! ‘Audrey’ has shown up!

UM OBVIOUSLY LIBBY IS THE GIRL OLLY WAS IN LOVE WITH! OK so shipping them now. Just get some wine and cheese and make out! Hahaha.

I would never live in that crappy apartment. And I totally get that she wants to watch her movie in peace and comfort. That’s how I deal with a crappy day (although nothing on the scale of Libby’s, haha): comfort food, a good book or show or movie to let me turn off my brain, and solitude.

Audrey!

Cheese, what a great gift.
Does anyone think the girl that Olly was in love with from afar was Libby?? I have a feeling that is where this book is going.

Poor Libby! Nothing seems to be going right for her.

He totally loves her!

Chapter Three

Of course she thinks that it is an impersonator, or that she is a crazy person. I wouldn’t believe she was Audrey Hepburn either. She seems lovely though. I would immediately, like Libby, think I was having a stress related hallucination.

‘Your sister is in bed with Gregory Peck?’ hahaha. Now I want to watch Roman Holiday.

I love Libby! ‘I mean, sure, he’s good-looking and talented and all that, but he’s no Gregory Peck, is he?’ A girl after our own hearts, ladies.

Audrey Hepburn referring to herself as nothing terribly special may be the most laughable thing. She was stunning.

I love Audrey Hepburn. But I can see that. Because who realizes how awesome they are?

I love that Audrey gave her a bad haircut. This book needs to be a movie, I think. How fun would it be?!

Where did she go?!

So are we thinking ghost or hallucination?

I love that Audrey Hepburn cut Libby’s hair! And that she maybe did a bad job of it, haha. Short hair like that is tough to pull off!

Audrey has arrived!! And is totally how I see her in her movies. (Well, the parts I've watched, anyways.)

Omg, her hair!

Chapter Four

All that wasted cheese! I bet it smells horrible.

Bogdan Jr doesn’t sound too bad and I love that he secretly wants to be a hairdresser. He fixed Libby’s hair disaster. I am imagining a chic short style very much like Audrey’s.

I love Bogdan, Son of Bogdan.

Her mother is awful. 100% and her sister is not much better. Using her as an errand girl and being upset about the lost job instead of the fact she lit herself on fire.

I knew that guy was a paparazzi the second she let him in. I am also not surprised Ms Victoria Secret Model is cheating on Dillon. Am surprised it is with the yoga instructor.

Okay so… ‘Fire Girl’ is super cute and I do not know who I ship Libby with. This whole banter-y exchange has me second guessing myself.

I like Dillon but love Olly.

Oh no the cheese! Can I confess that all of that cheese going bad broke my heart a little??

Son of Bogdan sounds great and I feel like he basically gave Libby a perfect hair cut.

Libby’s mother is so awful. So stage-mother-y and overbearing, and Cass is not much better. I feel like Libby has just been lost somehow in THEIR dream, you know? Does she even want to be an actor

Yes, I knew there was something off about that guy scurrying in the door!

Well now I’m a little swoon-y about Libby and Dillon!

Ok, I love Son of Bogden, AND The fact that he's a hairdresser in training.

Also, I do not like her mom and sister. They seem so selfish and full of it.

The spa scene had me rolling!!

Chapter Five

‘I’m not imagining that I’m about to become his One True Love, or anything. Or even one of his Many True Lusts, nice though this would be’ I love Libby. Seriously. I feel she is a kindred spirit.

This needs to be a movie and Dillon needs to be an actor that people attracted to men will have ‘naughty bedroom related thoughts’ about. 😉

Channing Tatum? ;)

He is Irish and charming and hot? Yup. Am now Team Dillon.

Oh no…. He has asked her to the Made Man party, hasn’t he? Her sister is going to kill her.

Assumption confirmed. I hope Libby goes anyway.

Oh yes this would make a great movie!!

I don’t know about this party. Definitely this will be that Made Man party, and I feel like no good can come from this.

I do not like this Dillon fellow.

Still Team Olly.

Chapter Six

I love that it is Audrey who has to convince her to go to the party with Dillon. I am also laughing at how obsessed Audrey is with coffee. It is cute.

Coffee and the internet. Go Audrey!

I laughed waaay too hard at the whole ‘spanx’ misunderstanding. Hahaha. Scandalized Audrey is my favourite.

Awww. Olly brought her soup and I feel awful that she lied to him. I get WHY she did but I still feel awful.

Who is everyone hoping she ends up with at this point?

Team Olly.

OK my feeling is that Olly is end-game and Dillon is just Mr. Right Now, you know?

Call me old fashioned, but I totally agree that a man should pick you up at your door with flowers for a date. I'm just a romantic like that.
Poor Olly!!

Chapter Seven

The party was as awful for Libby as I expected it to be. First Rhea, and that awful Dave guy who is just creepy and finally her sister who is oblivious.

I cannot believe Cass is dating Dave and that he pretty much tried to score with Libby. What an asshole.

Cass and her boyfriend are both the worst.

Gotta love that Dillon was her white knight though and got her out of there. I hope they have a fun date instead of that awful party.

This party sounds awful, and Cass’s boyfriend is the WORST.

Good grief, her sister is SUCH A BITCH!! And of course she would be dating the agent. Ugh.

Also, Dillon is freaking confusing as hell. Men.

Chapter Eight

Everytime he calls her Fire Girl I legit swoon/squeal inside. It is ADORABLE! I am pretty sure I have firmly switched ships.

He is taking her back to his place instead?!  Does this mean there will be some sexytimes?!

‘I haven’t had sex for so long that I may, actually, have completely forgotten how to do it’ 😂 Have I mentioned I love Libby? Because I do.

It is cute that he called his mom for advice about Libby’s eye! And the kiss!!! This is pretty much an all around swoony chapter and I appreciated that.

Team Olly but I did like Dillon in this chapter.

Wow they’re going to his place??????? Oh boy.

Hahaha, she totally does have an imaginary friend!!

Chapter Nine

Stop with the judging, subway passengers! Like none of you have done the Walk Of Shame before.

It is hilarious how Libby is going on and on about how good the sex was and I love it even more that it's her skills she talking about.

I can’t believe she woke up and he was gone. I mean, I guess I can - it isn’t like I expect the best from Dillon or anything - but I find that so disappointing.

Yes, disappointing because I love him. Ugh! Be better, Dillon.  I did chuckle when Olly offered to bash Dillon’s head in with a pan. I mean…. the guy obviously is in love with her.

And now things are weird between her and Olly.

Oh, god. So awkward right now. Especially the whole ‘safe sex’ conversation. I am sad that it wasn’t THE cheese. Haha.

Am I the only one that thinks Olly is obviously in love with Libby? Or am I completely getting it all wrong

Chapter Ten

Audrey is back! Can she explain where she comes from?? I don’t get it. Is she a ghost? She doesn’t seem to know that she’s...dead. And yet she knows how to use Wikipedia and Net-a-Porter.

She sort of does. She didn't know about saved credit cards.

I love whenever Audrey pops up. At this point I don’t even care if we get an official explanation as to why. I am considering her a ghost and that is the end of it. I love Audrey’s outrage over her black eye and how Libby has to keep explaining it was her sister, not Dillon.

I think she's a ghost.

I am sorry, it is hysterical that Audrey looked up Dillon’s ex girlfriends on the internet. WIkipedia. OMG! Modelizer just came out of Audrey Hepburn’s mouth. I cannot with this book.

Do any of you know Net-a-Porter? Is it a UK thing? I am almost afraid to go look in case I want to buy all the things.

‘You fantasize about me?’ hahahahah. Audrey is so scandalized for a second.

Ooooh Bogdan Jr. said he heard TWO voices in Libby’s!

Even more hilarious she thinks she’s got a multiple personality disorder. He compares her to Psycho. OMG. Poor Libby. I would probably think I was going crazy too. Bogdan Jr is the best though.

Audrey and the cappuccino machine makes me laugh so much.

Chapter Eleven

OK so her doctor friend is understandably concerned about her following that voice mail Libby left her. But it sounds like Audrey is not a hallucination brought on by a tumour...so that’s good? But she’s still some sort of delusion, right?

She has a seriously great friend to travel there that quickly. Nora is great. She also makes it sound like it is not a tumour and is actually a whole lot less scary than I would be picturing if I were Libby. I appreciate that the novel isn’t pretending that what is happening isn’t weird or worrisome. It makes it feel less kitschy or something.

Love that they are bonding over bad fathers (and honestly...how is that book not done, already?!)

I, too, would love to know if this is all just hallucinations, or what.

Chapter Twelve

Ooooohhhhhhh Libby’s dad’s book has finally come out! After all this time!

Part of me wants to be like ‘WHO FUCKING CARES?!”. Big whoop. He finally finished the thing he stopped talking to his daughter’s for.

Uh oh, some drama between Libby’s parents seems to be brewing.

Now the douchebag wants half of the money that went into the house? Are you kidding me? He probably barely paid anything to it and now he wants to cash in. Nooooope. As if her mom wants Libby to talk to him (because they’ve done so much chatting in the past).

So Audrey is a ghost? Or something? Connected to that nasty chesterfield?

This makes a lot more sense, actually. I bet that couch had interactions with all the girls (Audrey, Marilyn and Grace) and that it somehow is haunted or something. That works for me as an explanation.

Kathy, is it the couch or is there a new piece of furniture in the sequel?

You’ll have to read the next book, Kelly!

OMG Libby! I would be so ridiculously, mortally devastated if it was me!

Rhea is the worst. Poor Libby. That is seriously the most mortifying thing ever. I could not even imagine and that it would go online, too. Ugh. She’s a bitch.

I must add that Libby has the worst father as well. What an ass.

I hate him.

The couch! I wondered if Audrey came with the couch. Haha!

Chapter Thirteen

Dillon does owe Libby an explanation, in my opinion. Woah is he jealous of Olly??

Dillon is not used to having to tell people things. It is his most annoying trait (but sadly, I would forgive him easily I think). Of course he’s jealous of Olly. Olly is in love with Libby and basically Libby is the only one that doesn’t see it.

‘Inappropriate flirting’ Geesh, I love their banter.

You know what? Even if he had some major audition somewhere - and he has his plane ticket to prove it - he still should have left her a note or texted or called to explain. This brings him down a few notches in my eyes.

Right? Like, can you not leave a note?

I am horrible because I would forgive him. He would call me Fire Girl and I would melt (because I am stupid)  I would be like “Fine, but you’re seriously making it up to me later”. I get the impression that he doesn’t do the whole relationship thing and is bad at it.

Hot make out session!

The tension between Olly and Dillon though. Yikes. The entire thing about the directions. Guys and their ‘mine is bigger’ wars.

Oh god. Finding out that the video basically went viral is awful.  I would be mortified and hide in shame.

I would die.

Olly and her are so comfortable with each other. I am pretty sure I am shipping the wrong ship but whatever. #TeamDillon

Rhea is such a bitch for posting that, though I totally saw it coming.

Also, DUH, Libby. Olly os angry cause he lurves you!!

Chapter Fourteen

How cute is it that Audrey still thinks Rhea was throwing fruit around? I mean… haha.

Oh geez Audrey is on Twitter! Adorable.

We need Audrey on Twitter.

I love how proper she is. Full spelling and everything. I love that she started one for Libby too. So funny.

Oh wow people are interested in the necklace Libby made! EMMA WATSON??? That is a big deal! Go for it, Libby!

I think Libby has found her true calling. Jewelry designer extraordinaire. If Emma Watson wants to wear your stuff you’ve hit the big time.

Yikes her dad messaged her.

Ugh is all I have to say to that whole dad thing.

And double yikes, Dillon is being super weird on the phone.

Rhea is with Dillon? UGH! Seriously, Dillon?! SERIOUSLY?!

This gif basically sums up my reaction to all of this…
rooting.gif

Okay, so maybe just me, but still. I wanted you to be better than this. BE BETTER.

I knew we'd see that jewelry making coming in handy eventually.

Dillon. ARGH! I figured he was a flake.

Also, this call with her father should be interesting.

Chapter Fifteen

This dinner with her dad is just awful.

I hate her dad.

I like that Libby realizes at the end though that her dad is just who he is. He is not going to change, and she doesn’t need him to. It was awkward and awful, but eye opening for her as well. I think everyone kind of grows to realize that our parents are people and that they are imperfect and will disappoint us sometimes.

Yes, Libby. Kiss him, hug him. He loves you!!

Her dad has THE WORST timing ever.
And good for her for finally giving him a bit of his own medicine.

Chapter Sixteen

Oh Dillon’s at her place! What is he doing there??

So...am I to believe that Dillon went to his ex’s place to confront her about the video, and the ex was so jealous of Libby that she was saying whatever Libby heard on the phone last night because Rhea was trying to mess with Libby?? I’m not sure that I believe that.

I am dumb, because I do believe it. I believe Rhea is that petty and that selfish and that bitchy. Sorry, I do.

I believe she would do it but I don't necessarily believe he didn't sleep with her.

HE’S ASKING HER TO GO TO ROME? You know what? Why not! Take a chance, Libby! I’m sure this relationship will crash and burn, but I truly believe she will wind up with Olly by the end of the series. Olly clearly loves her.

HECK YES GO TO ROME! GO TO ROME WITH THE HOTTIE. Make out all over Rome, Libby. Do it. The worst that is going to happen is that you’ll fall in love. I am just conveniently forgetting that he probably has a drug habit (oh god, I am one of those girls who like the jerk in the book).

I am Team Olly but would still go to Rome.

I’m kind of sad that she didn’t get to say goodbye to Audrey. But she did get the sunglasses, so that’s something.

THE SUNGLASSES! I am so glad she got to keep them.  And I LOVE LOVE LOVE that they are going to Rome to have their own romantic Roman holiday!

RH.gif
This except more kissing

Yay sunglasses!

OK the way that ended, I’m super excited to read the sequel!! This was such a fun book!!!

This was such a fun, light read that surprised me in the best way. I loved it and found it really charming. I agree, Kim. It reminded me of Bridget Jones’ Diary quite a bit.

So… who did everyone end the book shipping with Libby? I am pretty confident I am the only Dillon fangirl here.

Have I mentioned how much I love Son of Bogdan??

Nooooooooooooo!!

No. No. No. No. This is not how I wanted the story to end. No more Audrey? And she leaves with DILLON??

Gah. Good thing this is a series, or I'd be seriously ticked at this ending. *smirk*

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

SOTTBC - When Everything Feels Like The Movies


Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Club read When Everything Feels Like The Movies for our August pick. You'll find our reactions below, but we all thought this was an important, unflinching book that was extremely well written. Raziel Reid has, at least for me, become an auto-read author and I cannot wait to read whatever he writes next.

SPOILERS, OBVIOUSLY!


Here is a little about When Everything Feels Like The Movies
School is just like a film set: there's The Crew, who make things happen, The Extras who fill the empty desks, and The Movie Stars, whom everyone wants tagged in their Facebook photos. But Jude doesn't fit in. He's not part of The Crew because he isn't about to do anything unless it's court-appointed; he's not an Extra because nothing about him is anonymous; and he's not a Movie Star because even though everyone know his name like an A-lister, he isn't invited to the cool parties. As the director calls action, Jude is the flamer that lights the set on fire.
Before everything turns to ashes from the resulting inferno, Jude drags his best friend Angela off the casting couch and into enough melodrama to incite the paparazzi, all while trying to fend off the haters and win the heart of his favourite co-star Luke Morris. It's a total train wreck!
But train wrecks always make the front page.
You can add it to Goodreads, and purchase from the following retailers


Here is the colour scheme so you know whose comments are whose.

Kathy
Kelly
Kim
Christy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: I read this book ages ago, and so I will mostly be reacting to what you say because all that's really stuck with me is the ending.

‘I guess I am a fantasy’ - Marilyn Monroe (it should surprise nobody that I LOVE this quote). This quote usage bodes well for me loving this novel.

It's such a great quote!  And Marilyn Monroe is pretty apt for Jude, because there's such a disparity between the public persona and the actual reality.

Chapter 1 - Preproduction 

Okay so they said this was ‘racy’ ‘controversial’ whatever. Barely a chapter in and I get it. I get why the pearl clutchers would find fault with this. However… if you think there are not teenagers who are this - YOU ARE KIDDING YOURSELF. I knew people like this when I was a teen. 

I don't really get disturbed by anything anymore.  Thank you, Tampa. ;)

‘Number one, obviously’ Oh, Jude. I already kind of love you. 

Lots of foreshadowing what happens in the end (I know the real life event that inspired this book so…).

Those guys are jerkoffs, and I wish Jude wouldn’t even bother pining after someone like Luke. Sigh. We’ve all liked the asshat. Jude has a twisted sense of humour (total defense mechanism) and he’s more than a little abrasive. It’ll be interesting to see the character development.

I am sad he didn’t tell the police. :(

I didn’t realize that this was based on a true story! I don’t know how I missed that. But even without knowing what the real story is, I have a bad feeling about this.

Yeah, I feel like I’m always saying that I’m not easily shocked or whatever with books, but ok - this is definitely racy!! And these characters are much younger than I thought they were at first! But I knew people who were doing drugs, having sex, all the stuff that freaks grown ups out, when I was this age. So it’s shocking but it’s also real.

Well, that’s definitely an interesting start to the book. I have a feeling that this is not going to be the easiest book to read. 

Chapter 2 - Hair and Make Up

‘but my Grandma said Santa thought I was already too dramatic’ Sorry, but I kind of love his humour. His entirely personality is LOUD.

‘I wanted them to hate me; hate was as close to love as I thought I’d ever be’. Heartbreaking. I am teary eyed guys. This is sad. Any kind of reaction is okay because he doesn’t think he’s worthy of love. The hate is his love. *cries*

I KNOW, right?  But it's true for so many people, right?  The idea that if you can inspire any sort of feeling in someone, you're winning?

I really like the humour and the way Jude sees everything as though it’s a movie. I mean, I know they’re coping strategies and I don’t know that they’re all that effective, but it certainly makes for an interesting read! 

Chapter 3 - The Set

Him breaking down high school into a Hollywood set is kind of perfect. It really makes sense. 

So true.  And yes, it's so like Hollywood.  (Right down to the feeling that everything is life or death when it's really not.)

‘It’s amazing what a pair of heels can do’ Preach, Jude. Preach. 

It breaks my heart to read about the hate that Jude experiences. 

These kids are just in middle school? I really expected this to be high school. 

Chapter 4 - Child Star

Jude’s home life does not sound the best. However, I do agree that commercials are WAY louder than the actual show you are watching. It is annoying.

It's true! And I keep hearing that they're going to regulate it so that everything gets the same volume, but I haven't noticed a different.  (And the volume can even vary from commercial to commercial.

This entire chapter is just making me feel bad for Jude. :(

It feels like wherever Jude is - home, school - there’s no respite from people making him feel like there’s something wrong with him. My heart goes out to him, and I know there are kids really experiencing this on a daily basis in real life.

Eh, he really has some interesting parents there. Sigh. I am so not a fan of bad parents.

Chapter 5 - The Small Screen

Abel, Jude and Angela are holding 3 different conversations basically. Abel is discussing pills, Angela is dissing Marilyn and Jude is musing on the sex skills of Kennedys. Haha.

Hm. I wonder if Abel really does like him. Jude is extremely bold. I am the totally opposite. If I like someone I barely even can talk to them, and Jude doesn’t even really like Abel.

I'm the same way.  I get some sort of selective mutism when around a crush.  Except involuntary.

There is a sort of detached, dreamy quality to this because Jude is either high or pretending things are different than what they actually are. I really like Raziel Reid’s writing.

These kids make me sad. Are they seriously just 8th graders?

Chapter 6 - Rehab

Keefer is automatically my favourite for punching out a kid for saying things about Jude. Love that. 

I feel like there is so much about Jude’s life I could be sad about, but that he would hate that. He’d want to be seen as fabulous. The fact that he thinks of his room as a ‘trendy rehab’ so he’d have some hope of getting out is sad though.

I think a lot of times, you don't really see your life as it actually is because you're too close.  

This book is a really quick read. There’s something about the writing and story that kind of makes me feel compelled to keep reading. This is a bleak book, and I don’t think there’s going to be a happy end to Jude’s story, but I can’t put the book down.

I love Jude’s love for his brother.

“I never wanted to be home. It made me mental. But I never wanted to be anywhere, really” - this makes me so sad! And again, I know it’s true for so many people and that makes it heartbreaking.

I seriously love his little brother. He sounds awesome.

Chapter 7 - Rehab

Sometimes Jude’s mother isn’t all bad, but other times I am like “Whoa, lady. Parenting skills not so much, huh?”. I do like that she was not surprised when Jude told her that he was gay. She (at least for now) seems accepting. 

I had to laugh at Jude’s “I hope Kayne isn’t gay. Straight people can keep him”.

And Tobey seems like classic case of denial. Sorry Tobey, you’re at least bi-sexual.


“It’s not racket. It’s Britney, bitch”- I love this line!

Chapter 8 - Movie Poster

1 - YES! Rocky Horror Picture Show.
2- Mr Dawson is kind of awesome. 

I cheered so hard for the RHPS part.

Although, I am not sure anyone got any hand jobs in any of the classes I was in.
‘I didn’t know that having it all is boring.When you have nothing, you have dreams’. Love this line and it fits Jude perfectly.

That really is a great line.  And also true.

Jude makes me laugh most of the time.. He’s witty and has killer comebacks.

I don’t know, there’s something about this teacher that makes me uneasy.

So his teacher seems nice, but also kind of weird. Is that just me??

Chapter 9 - Flashback

I predict this party will go horribly. It’s most likely a very bad decision to go.

I, too, am obsessed with River Phoenix and love that movie.

Jude is actually nice to Keefer. Loved him telling him not to swear because it was for “trashy degenerates” and Keefer’s reply of “you swear” and Jude’s “exactly”. Nice ‘brother’ stuff.

I love Jude and Keefer.  So, so much.

Jude has some seriously father issues he needs to work through.

Can i just mention again how insane it is that these kids are MIDDLE SCHOOLERS?!?! 

Chapter 10 - Sex Scene

Matthew Shepherd. His story breaks my heart. :(

This party is in fact as awkward for Jude as I expected it to be. 

Yup, the party was basically as awful as I expected. I don’t even understand why Jude would waste his time on someone like Luke. Seriously. I guess it’s because I am not in high school anymore and Luke is the definition of high school boy. I seriously doubt Madison got anything out of that ‘sex scene’.

I don't get the Luke thing either, but I will admit to having really bad taste in girls when I was younger so I can't fault Jude for the same.

This party sounds terrible, btw.

The cruelty of people like these guys at the party always shocks me, even though in a way it doesn’t surprise me, because sometimes people are the worst. But I will never understand the mindset of someone who can be so awful to another human.

Chapter 11 - Train Wreck

I was kind of waiting to find out Jude cut himself. I am not even sure why but it was in the back of mind. Again, he’d probably hate it but I feel sad for him.

I go from feeling sad to laughing at him referencing throwing bottles of perfume at the walls because he liked to pretend they are his personal assistants. Haha.

I couldn’t imagine being stared at the way Jude is all the time. Just for being himself. It’s no wonder he tends to skew things into a better reality (the whole Hollywood thing).

I would hate it. It definitely explains why he ends up reframing everything in his own mind.

I wonder how much of their Walmart drug trip was imagined or not. 

‘Train wrecks always make the front page’ Kind of says it all, doesn’t it?

Like I said before, I’m in the dark about which story this is based on, but I’m really getting a bad feeling now.

It sounds like will definitely make you a train wreck. 

Chapter 12 - Sunset Boulevard 

Jude really is brazen and sadly, I am not surprised his mouth gets him into trouble. You can see what a front this all is though. It’s his armour that he is using to deflect everything else. His entire thing is a defense mechanism

The teacher is giving me weird vibes, but it might just be how Jude is portraying him. I do love that he told Jude that it was better to be hated for being himself than loved for someone he’s not. 

It's bad advice, even though it's true.  Because no one wants to be hated and that's especially true when you're a teenager.

Jude’s dream to go to Hollywood is heartbreaking...even more so because you know from the very first chapter that he’s never going to make it there. 

Yeah definitely getting a creepy vibe from this teacher.

Oh no. When people make plan to leave, things usually end up going terribly wrong. This book is giving me so much anxiety.

Ok, This teacher is kind of creeping me out. 

Chapter 13 - Shoot-Out

Everyone is kind of self destructive in this novel. Angela especially. This gun scene is unsettling.

I liked Angela so much at first and by this point, my opinion had totally changed.

I would be upset if someone ruined my wedding dress. Angelina’s mother should be upset. Oh, and not to mention SHOOTING OUT THE WINDOW!

Jude telling Angela he’d die if he stayed that was some dark foreshadowing (even though he told us in Chapter 1).

Every single decision these characters make is heartbreaking. You want them to do well, and you want things to be different. 

WHAT THE WHAT, ANGELA. Guns?? No! Not okay! 

Russian roulette is not cool, people. Seriously?

Chapter 14 - Fight Sequence

‘Sometimes you just have to keep fooling yourself or you’ll never survive’ This sentence basically sums up Jude’s entire Hollywood fantasy. He does it to protect himself.

It's so true.  It's like how sometimes you have to laugh at your life because otherwise you'd never stop crying.

Jude’s home life...awful. How perceptive is Keef though? He knew that it was bad. I feel really bad for Keef. His fish died. :(

Yeah. The mom’s boyfriend is not someone that should be around kids.

So terrible. Ray needs to go but I have a bad feeling that he’ll be back. 

Ray is such an ass. Also, I feel so bad for Keefer. Poor kid. 

Chapter 15 - 9021-Opiates

Best chapter title EVER.

If only Jude could feel the way he does about Luke for Abel. Abel may not know what he wants or admit to himself that he obviously is at least bi-sexual but he is at least nice to Jude. 

There's a line in the movie Broadcast News that goes something like, "Wouldn't it be great if desperation and insecurity made us more attractive?"   And wouldn't it be even better if we could only be attracted to people who were good for us?

Ugh, his father is back isn’t he? The worst. His mom has the worst taste in guys. 

Haha Schrodinger’s cat.

Chapter 16 - Typecast

The hospital scene? Where he says that was the first time he remembered his dad telling him that he loved him and he might of made it up? Heartbreaking. 

That made me cry.

Dorian Gray joke. Kind of perfect, actually. Of course Jude would be an Oscar Wilde fan.

The fact that his dad gave him money, probably enough money to leave, is going to make whatever happens in the end more heartbreaking right?

‘Like I had to deal with so much hate just to make my skin thick enough so that the spotlight wouldn’t burn’ Ugh *sobs*

Oh, Jude. I bet you’re going to regret staying for the Valentine’s Day dance (he did warn us after all).

I feel like his dad has so much potential to be a good dad. Seriously, I WANT him to be a good dad, because Jude really, really needs him to be. Sigh.

Chapter 17 - Hidden Feature

‘I don’t want to get killed before I get there - my stalker would be so disappointed’ Raziel Reid totally put some massive foreshadowing into these little off handed quips.

I figured Angela had hooked up with Luke after she had stopped hooking up with his brother. Been there, Jude. It sucks when your friend hooks up with the guy you like (even worse when it’s the guy you’re dating...trust me).

I’m a little confused about the stalker stuff...like was that a thing that really happened to Jude? Or will it all be clear in the end? Definitely getting the sense that going back over this once I finish might clarify some things.

Yeah sadly I was not surprised that Angela hooked up with Luke.

Oh, Angela... So not cool, at all.

Chapter 18 - Rewrite

Burning photos. Hahaha. Been there. Done that.

See this is why high school kids are the worst. Luke went back and did the decent thing and they are acting like he committed some crime.

Kenny, Colin and Matt are asshats. That was seriously disgusting. Poor Jude.

Oh Mr Dawson. You had me until you kissed Jude. 

SO MUCH WRONG IN THIS CHAPTER.

I hate what happens in this chapter so much. Matt and his friends are assholes. Also, I knew something was up with that teacher.

Chapter 19 - Hollywood Ending

Jude asking the cat to take care of Keef … *cries* 

It feels like we’re racing towards the ending of this ‘movie’ and I am legit scared because of what Jude told us and what I know from the inspiration behind this book.

Side note  - am unsurprised that Jude’s mom is taking douchebag back.

As I thought, Ray is back.

Chapter 20 - Director’s Cut

Of course they videotaped the bathroom thing. Gross.

I knew it was coming and yet it still hurts. It hurts even more that Angela said “I almost hope he does it”. If you don't know … this was inspired by a true story of a young high school guy who asked a guy to be his Valentine and was shot by the boy he asked.

‘I didn’t want to star in this cheap fucking movie anymore’ *sobs* 

OMG! Keef putting on his makeup because ‘he wouldn’t go anywhere like this’. Why is this book determined to make me ugly cry? 

That legit made me bawl.

Of course it would be ‘poor Luke’. He was being sexually harassed and couldn’t deal with Jude’s shocking advances. *rolls eyes*

Have you heard of the "twinkie defense"?  That was from the guy who murdered Harvey Milk.  He blamed gay panic but also his tendency to eat junk food for killing Harvey Milk.  I hate people.

So….. I like this. A lot. I know not all of you will but I did. What Raziel Reid did was amazing. If, even after everything Jude does to push you away and repulse you, there is enough empathy left to say what happened to him is wrong - that is the entire point. He wasn’t ‘asking for it’ and he didn’t deserve it. No matter what. 

I liked it.  And yes, I definitely think that it's absolutely shocking.  It's so easy to think that this doesn't happen anymore, but it absolutely does

I actually like that he made Jude as shocking, and vibrant as he did. It means you have to try harder. If this novel makes even one person think twice, it’s done it’s job.

Now I am going to go finish ugly crying.

Side note - we need to talk reality vs Jude’s reality because some of the stuff at the end… made it seem like a lot of it happened differently.

No do not go to the school this will not be good. 

Okay from the outset I had no clue that this was based on a real story. Now that I know what it’s based on, I do recall reading about that. Everything about this makes me sad. And the defence they’re talking about for Luke is enraging.

Yes Kathy Keef putting the makeup on Jude was where I nearly lost it!! So so sad.

I am a little confused by the ending…

So I don’t think I can honestly say that I liked or enjoyed this book. But I didn’t dislike it. I don’t know if that makes any sense...I feel like the book has an important message and can spark much-needed discussion and hopefully open people’s eyes, but what a tough read.  

Wow, I totally didn't see that coming. I think I expected Matt and his bully friends to do something, but not Luke. Also, Angela is such a douchebag. Some friend she is, seriously?? Ugh.

The end had me tearing up, especially with his mom and brother in the hospital room, and then later with the dad. Sooooo sad.

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