This review was first posted on Music, Books and TeaAllow me to start this off by saying that this is not a book I would normally read. The only Meg Cabot books I have ever read were the Princess Diaries series, and those were back when I was in middle school. In fact, the only reason I started reading this was because I was put into the Surf Shop at work and I hadn't gotten a book with me to help pass the hours. (Believe me, being a shop assistant isn't as fun as it can seem). One of my workmates handed me the book, and I read it purely out of boredom. I expected it to be a light chick-lit read, but I am happy to say it was so much more than that! We're introduced to Heather Wells as she's in a changing room, trying on a pair of jeans. She's shocked to find the jeans are a little big on her, until she overhears a conversation between another customer and a sales assistant explaining the concept of 'vanity sizing'. Cue funny confrontation between Heather and aforementioned sales assistant. Then Heather receives a phone call from the director of the 'residence hall' (i.e, Dorm) she works in. One of the freshmen has died. And it is here that the plot really begins. I found this to be an enjoyable read, especially as we are introduced to characters like Magda, Pete, Jordan (Heather's ex who is also a popstar), Cooper (swoon!) and Christopher Allington. These secondary characters really helped shape the story and plot, especially Cooper. I loved Cooper. I want to live in that Brownstone and do all of Cooper's finances for him. Seriously, I don't know what it was that attracted me to him, but something did and I really liked it. I loved the interactions between Jordan and Heather, from her dragging him to help judge a lip-syncing competition to him getting conked on the head and landed in hospital. The lyrics at the beginning of each chapter were a nice touch, especially as they kept me reminded that Heather was once a manufactured pop star who made the (possible) mistake of insisting to sing her own songs. I liked how her back story was carefully wove into the story as well.Heather was a resilient main character, who, yes, did make some silly decisions and did occasionally get on my nerves, but I loved her for them. She seemed real to me, and was, for the most part, a fully believable main character.Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I won't be rushing out to buy the sequels, but I'd definitely take the chance to borrow them to read them, as I am interested to see where Heather and her mystery-busting skills go next!
Music, Books and Tea
This review was first posted on Music, Books and TeaAllow me to start this off by saying that this is not a book I would normally read. The only Meg Cabot books I have ever read were the Princess Diaries series, and those were back when I was in middle school. In fact, the only reason I started reading this was because I was put into the Surf Shop at work and I hadn't gotten a book with me to help pass the hours. (Believe me, being a shop assistant isn't as fun as it can seem). One of my workmates handed me the book, and I read it purely out of boredom. I expected it to be a light chick-lit read, but I am happy to say it was so much more than that! We're introduced to Heather Wells as she's in a changing room, trying on a pair of jeans. She's shocked to find the jeans are a little big on her, until she overhears a conversation between another customer and a sales assistant explaining the concept of 'vanity sizing'. Cue funny confrontation between Heather and aforementioned sales assistant. Then Heather receives a phone call from the director of the 'residence hall' (i.e, Dorm) she works in. One of the freshmen has died. And it is here that the plot really begins. I found this to be an enjoyable read, especially as we are introduced to characters like Magda, Pete, Jordan (Heather's ex who is also a popstar), Cooper (swoon!) and Christopher Allington. These secondary characters really helped shape the story and plot, especially Cooper. I loved Cooper. I want to live in that Brownstone and do all of Cooper's finances for him. Seriously, I don't know what it was that attracted me to him, but something did and I really liked it. I loved the interactions between Jordan and Heather, from her dragging him to help judge a lip-syncing competition to him getting conked on the head and landed in hospital. The lyrics at the beginning of each chapter were a nice touch, especially as they kept me reminded that Heather was once a manufactured pop star who made the (possible) mistake of insisting to sing her own songs. I liked how her back story was carefully wove into the story as well.Heather was a resilient main character, who, yes, did make some silly decisions and did occasionally get on my nerves, but I loved her for them. She seemed real to me, and was, for the most part, a fully believable main character.Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I won't be rushing out to buy the sequels, but I'd definitely take the chance to borrow them to read them, as I am interested to see where Heather and her mystery-busting skills go next!
