Author: Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release date: June 1st 2011
Pages: 368
Genre: Contemporary YA
Source: Won from MaryAnn from Chapter by Chapter - thanks!
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16-year-old Molly Dix loves her ordinary life in suburban Indiana, so when her single mother passes away, she is shocked to discover that her biological father is Brick Berlin, world famous movie star and red carpet regular.My rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Equally intrigued and terrified by her Hollywood lineage, Molly moves to Southern California and plunges head-first into the deep end of Beverly Hills celebrity life. Just as Molly thinks her new life and family couldn't get any stranger, she meets Brooke Berlin, her gorgeous and spoiled half-sister whom welcomes Molly to la-la land with a healthy dose of passive-aggressive "sisterly love."
I have a confession to make. I used to read a lot of these kinds of books. Gossip Girl, It Girl, The A-List, The Clique, Poseur, Secrets of My Hollywood Life - you name it, I've read it. I was obsessed with superficial books about the rich and semi-famous when I was maybe 13 - that was basically all I read. I loved them then, but honestly? I wouldn't want to read them again today. But Spoiled is obviously pretty much the same thing, and I ended up having fun reading it, so I guess that 13-year-old is still in me somewhere...
No, Spoiled is not deep and meaningful. It's not the kind of book that will stick with you or make you think, and its one attempt at depth (the storyline of Molly losing her mother) is underdeveloped and definitely couldn't have made me get emotional. Nor is the plot original - it's basically the same thing as The A-List: Hollywood Royalty. (Yes, sadly, I am an expert on books about ridiculously bratty rich girls.) And the story has 'predictable' written all over it.
But, you know what? I didn't care. I didn't care because Spoiled is so. Much. Fun. The writing style and the way these authors present the whole Hollywood lifestyle is hilarious. The characters aren't likeable most of the time, but they're so much fun to read about. These people are crazy, in the best way possible. I love how the authors balanced presenting the story and lovingly ridiculing the characters.
And that's all I have to say about Spoiled. It's not great literature - really, who would expect that from a book with that cover? - but it is snarky, humorous, and plain fun. It's not the best of rich girl drama books (like I said, expert here...), but it was fun - exactly what I needed.
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sometimes a light fun book is just what you are looking for. It can be a good beach read. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteHannah, we ALL loved those books at some point! I was (am - let's be real here) a Gossip Girl lover - books TV whatever. And sometimes these books are perfect to just have fun!
ReplyDeleteThere's a good book which covers the same topic of a sudden change into the Hollywood or ultra-rich life but it's also supposed to be very meaningful as well. It's Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire. I haven't read it, but everyone's raving about it.
Also, a similar book is Belles by Jen Calonita. A girl finds out her dad's a senator in North Carolina and she gets this really affluent lifestyle and she has problems adjusting. Have you read it?
Ha! That gives me hope, thank you :p
DeleteI loved Don't You Wish! It's another really fun read! I haven't read Belles yet, but it's on my wishlist :)
I just finished Belles, and it wasn't overly dark, but it had some characters working through issues. Otherwise it was all about a character trying to fit in with a new affluent lifestyle. Some guys were really sweet. I think you'd like it. AND it's a series! The next one is Winter White. And it's set in the South which is a good change from Beverly Hills:)
DeleteIt sounds great! Looks like it's the fluffy stuff from books like these but combined with some more serious topics, too, which I love :)
DeleteI actually really liked Belles because all characters grew - even the bitchy one. What I really enjoyed were some of the school events, and the fact that the main characters were individuals.
DeleteOh, I love when all the characters are dynamic like that :)
Delete(I'm near to being a stalker with commenting on your ever. single. post.)
ReplyDeleteWho didn't love that books about pretty, famous girls and life in mansions of rich people? I still love that kind of stuff. Every girl does, they just don't say it out loud :P
Ha, it's not stalkery at all! I'm loving all the comments :D And it's good to knwo I'm not the only one who loves superficial books like that every once in a while :)
DeleteI have been looking for something just plain ol' fun! I've been reading SO many dark and heavy books lately, I just need something light, you know? So I think Spoiled is a book I'll definitely be picking up. It just looks so cute and so fun! <3
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Hannah! <3
-Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life
This looks like it will be a fun read. Thanks for the 411. I have this in my TBR along with Messy and I am so glad to know what I'm in for.
ReplyDeleteThis review is awesome!
I'm reading "Lost Girls" right now. It's a really good book, but very dark and "Lord of the Flies".
Please feel free to visit me at WTF Are You Reading?
I have this book on my TBR and it sounds like it's exactly what I expected it to be. Sometimes a light, fun book with plenty of humor and drama is the perfect thing. And The Clique and Secrets of my Hollywood Life? I adore those:) I think most of us have at least one "rich girl" book we enjoy.
ReplyDeleteSometimes a fun read is all you want. Thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, a light an fun read is appreciated, but I'm not sure if this is something for me. I never got through the fase in which I only wanted to read this type of books :p But maybe it's fun to try out. Thanks for your review and I'm going to keep an eye on this one - just in case.
ReplyDeleteSometimes this is just what I need. A book that is FUN over everything else. Doesn't beat you up emotionally, it's just fun! Great review I hadn't heard of this one before!!
ReplyDelete