A glitzy sequel filled with drama and self-discovery.
Five and a half years after the events of Shine (2020), Rachel Kim is a full-fledged international superstar.
As part of the nine-member group Girls Forever, she’s topping charts, touring internationally, and garnering a devoted fan base. While they may be at the top of their game, it’s not too early to lay the groundwork for the future. With ambitions for her own fashion line and a secret romance with fellow Korean American Alex Jeon, Rachel might have things figured out, but she must be sensitive when it comes to management company DB Entertainment and her band mates. She’s determined not to let individual drama sabotage the group, but is everyone on the same page? With Rachel’s having successfully graduated from the trainee system, this sequel focuses more on business machinations as tremendous fame raises the stakes, highlighting the dark side of industry expectations and tenuous public support. Her instant connection with Alex makes it extremely hard for Rachel not to be reckless despite the high risks, especially for female idols. While Rachel believes she is a conscientious group member, she can be unaware of the unintentionally hurtful effects of her actions. Readers’ awareness of other characters’ motivations is limited by Rachel’s first-person narration and self-focus; those interested in relationship dynamics may be left wanting further nuance, but anyone tuning in for more about Rachel’s trajectory will enjoy her twists, turns, and personal triumphs.
A glitzy sequel filled with drama and self-discovery. (glossary) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 10, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5344-6254-0
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
A worthy second-chance romance.
In this follow-up to 2021’s Better Than the Movies, a 20-year-old college freshman gets a second chance at his dreams.
After the death of his father and his mother’s subsequent physical and emotional disappearance, Wes Bennett left behind all of his plans and the girl he made them with to go home and take care of Sarah, his younger sister. But now, Sarah has graduated, his mom is back on her feet, and by some miracle, Wes has an offer to pitch for UCLA’s baseball team. Liz Buxbaum, the girl he’s always loved, works for the university’s athletic department, taking photos and video of the team for social media, which means that maybe he can have a second chance at love, too. But since Wes left, Liz has made every effort to protect herself from ever feeling that broken again; there’s no room for love, because she doesn’t believe in it anymore. Or she doesn’t want to. This second-chance sports romance includes fake dates, quippy and quirky best friends, real heartache, and the sweet ache of first love. The clever dialogue keeps readers from drowning in the main characters’ emotional push-and-pull. Reading the first novel isn’t necessary for appreciating this one, although knowing the full history between Wes and Liz will only add to the ache and longing readers feel from and for them. Main characters are cued white.
A worthy second-chance romance. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781665947138
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
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