Competing with the Star by Krysten Lindsay Hager

 

Competing with the Star
Krysten Lindsay Hager
(The Star Series, #2)
Published by: Limitless Publishing
Publication date: March 22nd 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult


Hadley Daniels’s life seems perfect…
Before the beginning of sophomore year of high school, Hadley and her family move to a beautiful beach town, where she makes amazing new friends and lands the boyfriend of her dreams-Nick Jenkins. He’s the kind of guy every girl swoons over, and it isn’t long until Hadley discovers some are still swooning.
A famous ex-girlfriend makes matters more complicated…
After some time dating, Hadley and Nick form a deep bond. But insecurity sets in when Hadley discovers her boyfriend once had a huge crush on her friend-who just happens to be the beautiful former teen TV star, Simone Hendrickson.

The past is the past-or so they say…
Hadley confronts Nick, who confesses about his history with Simone. Though he claims to only have eyes for Hadley now, it’s hard to believe-especially when she’s blindsided with the news that Nick and Simone kissed after school.
Now Hadley must determine who is telling the truth. Love, betrayal, friendship…who needs soap opera drama when you’re busy competing with a star?



While I enjoy books written with all age groups in mind, this one had a bit too much teenage angst for me. I do see it appealing to girls between the ages of thirteen and seventeen years.
It is an emotionally charged story of young love, new friendships and fitting in.
More than anything it is about feeling you belong.

Several aspects of this story I could relate to on a personal level. A family member had an anaesthesia reaction with results such as explained in the novel. I also know kids living in the Midwest who have had some notoriety in the media. Fortunately they seem better adjusted than Simone. When I was not annoyed with her, I felt sorry for her.

Harley's rollercoaster emotions regarding her new boyfriend relationship seemed plausible. Those are years as a young girl and as a mother I am happy are behind me. I felt bad she got such unhelpful advice. Especially that about preserving a friendship she had her doubts about. 
I would have preferred a stronger lesson on being true to oneself..

The best aspect of the book for me was the importance of grandparents as a continuing role in the family unit.


Author Bio:
Krysten Lindsay Hager is a book addict who has worked as a journalist and humor essayist. She is the author of the LANDRY’s TRUE COLORS SERIES and the STAR SERIES. TRUE COLORS was her debut novel and the first book in the LANDRY’S TRUE COLORS series. BEST FRIENDS…FOREVER? (Book 2) was #1 in Amazon’s hot new releases in teen & young adult values and virtues fiction and #1 in Amazon’s hot new release in children’s books on values. Landry in Like (Book 3) was #3 in Amazon’s Hot New Releases for Girls & Women. Her work has been featured in USA Today, The Flint Journal, the Grand Haven Tribune, the Bellbrook Times, and on the talk show Living Dayton. Check out her YA novel, NEXT DOOR TO A STAR (book 1 in the STAR SERIES) and COMPETING WITH THE STAR: Book 2 in the STAR SERIES. You can follow her at: http://www.krystenlindsay.com.


XBTBanner1

Comments

  1. Great review, Laura! This sounds like an emotional read and I love it when there's a compelling family aspect in a novel! Glad you liked it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for reading and reviewing Competing with the Star!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for reading and reviewing Competing with the Star!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you for visiting.
I love to hear comments
and like to visit you back.

Popular posts from this blog

Three Days To Forever ~ Lauren Carr

A Fanciful Twist's 8th Annual Virtual MAD TEA Party Extra special, as it is the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland ♥

Alicia Connected: Tricked with Treats by Derek Fisher