Review - Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson

Title: Catch A Falling Star

Author: Kim Culbertson

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 304

Published: April 29th 2014 by Point 

ISBN: 9780545627047

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: Nothing ever happens in Little, CA. Which is just the way Carter Moon likes it. But when Hollywood arrives to film a movie starring former child star turned PR mess Adam Jakes, everything changes. Carter's town becomes a giant glittery set and, much to her annoyance, everyone is starry-eyed for Adam. Carter seems to be the only girl not falling all over herself to get a glimpse of him. Which apparently makes her perfect for the secret offer of a lifetime: playing the role of Adam's girlfriend while he's in town, to improve his public image, in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Her family really needs the money and so Carters agrees. But it turns out Adam isn't at all who she thought he was. As they grow closer, their relationship walks a blurry line between what's real and what's fake, and Carter must open her eyes to the scariest of unexplored worlds - her future. Can Carter figure out what she wants out of life AND get the guy? Or are there no Hollywood endings in real life? 

 I Give This ...

After a book like this, I'm always reminded that I should read more contemporary.  Or maybe it's just Kim Culbertson.  She has a knack for making me feel like a teenager again, one that's just discovered the "it" person.  It kind of makes me feel giddy.

I think Carter fully believes nothing good can ever happen to her.  Probably because she's thinks it's her personal job to save the world.  Hence her agreement with Adam Jakes to be his girlfriend while he's filming his new movie.  Adam has had a little bit of a PR problem and a little bit of the small town/girl next door might be just what he needs.  What neither of them counted on was how they might really feel about each other by the end of the summer.

I liked how this satisfied every teenage girls dream of meeting the hot superstar guy.  I liked how it made it seem real because it's not your typical boy meet girl, boy falls for girl story.  Adam has many faces and its extremely hard for Carter to see which one is real.  Plus, I completely understood that Carter feels that she can never be enough for Adam.  I also liked that Adam doesn't completely trust Carter either.  It must be hard for him to believe that she's not out for something else.

I really liked how each character how depth beyond their relationship.  Adam has to realize that his actions have consequences.  Being in the limelight means every move is analyzed beyond its original context.  Carter needs to realize that she has dreams beyond her family and her small town and it's ok to go out and fulfill them.   Fear shouldn't be what hold them back.

I'll continue to read Kim Culberston.  She has just the right blend of things I love in contemporary young adult.  

 

Waiting on Wednesday - Catch A Falling Star by Kim Culbertson

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

 

Title: Catch A Falling Star

Author: Kim Culbertson

Publication Date: April 29th 2014 by Scholastic Press 

 

Nothing ever happens in Little, CA. Which is just the way Carter Moon likes it. But when Hollywood arrives to film a movie starring former child star turned PR mess Adam Jakes, everything changes. Carter's town becomes a giant glittery set and, much to her annoyance, everyone is starry-eyed for Adam. Carter seems to be the only girl not falling all over herself to get a glimpse of him. Which apparently makes her perfect for the secret offer of a lifetime: playing the role of Adam's girlfriend while he's in town, to improve his public image, in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Her family really needs the money and so Carters agrees. But it turns out Adam isn't at all who she thought he was. As they grow closer, their relationship walks a blurry line between what's real and what's fake, and Carter must open her eyes to the scariest of unexplored worlds - her future. Can Carter figure out what she wants out of life AND get the guy? Or are there no Hollywood endings in real life? 

 

I've read a couple of this author's books and enjoyed them a lot.  They just have that feel good contemporary feel to them.  I'm looking forward to this one!

 

 

  

Review: Instructions for a Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson

Title: Instructions for a Broken Heart

Author: Kim Culberston

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 304

Published: Available now from Sourcebooks Fire

ISBN: 9781402243028

Source: Publisher sent for review

Description: Three days before her drama club's trip to Italy, Jessa Gardner discovers her boyfriend in the costume barn with another girl. Jessa is left with a care package from her best friend titled "Top Twenty Reasons He's a Slimy Jerk Bastard," instructing her to do one un-Jessa-like thing each day of the trip. At turns hilarious and heartwrenching, Instructions for a Broken Heart paints a magical Italy in which Jessa learns she must figure out life-and romance-for herself.

I Give This ...

 

I wonder sometimes if your enjoyment of contemporary fiction depends on how much you identify with the main character.  Because I really liked this book, but I also really identified with Jessa.  I may be an adult reading teen books, but I remember that first broken heart.

Jessa reacts just the way I thought she would.  She's devastated, but she's not about to let it ruin her trip to Italy.  But, I don't think she was counting on how hard it would be to see Sean everyday, let alone see him with another girl (another aspect I identified with).  She's trying so hard to keep it together, but at the same time you can tell she's also holding on.  Enter in Carissa, who's got a mission to help her get over Sean.

I enjoyed this part of the story.  It was helping Jessa react according to her feelings instead of bottling it all up inside.  She's allowed to be mad and say how she feels.  But after awhile, I felt like the instructions became more about Carissa than about Jessa.  Which was another aspect of the story that really hit home for me.

I also enjoyed the interactions between the two school groups touring Italy together.  They were so different that it made for some funny moments.  I did find the teacher/student relationship a little odd.  But, then I don't know much about drama departments and how they function.  I also didn't feel the romances in the book.  They seemed more like summer flings, but the story was trying to make them seem bigger.

Overall, I enjoyed it for the memories it brought me and reminded me how far I've come since that person.  It was just a feel good story that shows teens that love isn't always permanent.  And if it's not, that just means there's someone else out there!

Songs for a Teenage Nomad by Kim Culbertson

Title: Songs for a Teenage Nomad

Author: Kim Culbertson

Published: September 7, 2010 by Sourcebooks Fire

Pages: 256

ISBN: 9781402243011

Source: ARC sent for review from Publisher

Description: After living in twelve places in eight years, Calle Smith finds herself in Andreas Bay, California, at the start of ninth grade. Another new home, another new school...Calle knows better than to put down roots. Her song journal keeps her moving to her own soundtrack, bouncing through a world best kept at a distance. Yet before she knows it, friends creep in-as does an unlikely boy with a secret. Calle is torn over what may be her first chance at love. With all that she's hiding and all that she wants, can she find something lasting beyond music? And will she ever discover why she and her mother have been running in the first place?

I Give This ...

I was intrigued by this book and how it includes music.  I consider myself pretty diverse in my music tastes, so wanted to see how this book fit with that.  I was surprised at how easily this novel flowed.  And, it doesn't feel you at all even though the lead character is only 14 (or is it 15?).  

Calle was smart and funny.  She's got a lot on her plate for someone so young, but she takes it all into stride.  She knows this all makes her who she is.  I was surprised at her mother.  I didn't like how she evaded Calle's questions.  For some reason that whole mindset of "I'm your mother and I know best" really drives me crazy.  I think Calle was more than old enough to know the truth.  The ending was a little more than I bargained for.  I wanted them to stop running, but felt the circumstances could have been a bit different.  It seemed way too drastic.

I loved that Calle finally found a place to fit in.  She had friends that really cared for her.  Plus, she was able to truly open up to some one (and in turn he opened up to her).  I don't think she every felt comfortable enough to do that.  I'm sure it was a heavy burden to bear. The cast of characters are quirky and each had something to offer to the story.  I'm really glad I picked this one and will be looking forward to the author's future works!