Book: L.A. Candy
Author: Lauren Conrad
Publisher: Harper collins
Reviewed by: Kat (Age 22)
Amazon.com Price: $10.79
Purchase: Here
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When Jane and Scarlett are approached by a producer who wants them to be on his new series, a "reality version of Sex and the City," they can hardly believe their luck. Their own show? Yes, please!
Soon Jane is TV's hottest star. Fame brings more than she ever imagined possible for a girl from Santa Barbara—free designer clothes, the choicest tables at the most exclusive clubs, invites to Hollywood premieres—and she's lapping up the VIP treatment with her eclectic entourage of new pals. But those same friends who are always up for a wild night are also out for a piece of Jane's spotlight. - Official synopsis from the book jacket
L.A. Candy: Part 1 in the LA Candy series should have been the title of this book.
I’m all for reading books that are part of a series but I do appreciate when I’m warned. I’m also a believe that a complete novel should have a beginning, a middle and a conclusion. Sure, it’s fine to leave a couple of open ends to be wrapped up in the sequel but it is not correct practice for a story to just stop halfway through, with absolutely nothing resolved and everything open ended. I’d been reading in bed late one evening and actually climbed out from the cosy covers to start up my computer and look up the novel on Amazon. I honestly thought I’d received a misprint and the last thirty or so pages must have been missing. Alas, it wasn’t the case.
This is my chief complaint regarding ‘L.A. Candy’, and unfortunately it overshadows all the book’s positives in my eyes.
L.A. Candy is a surprisingly strong debut novel. There have been a number of novels and books from young celebu-tants in recent years that have been considerably lacking and my expectations weren’t very high for Lauren Conrad, star of MTV’s ‘The Hills’ debut novel. Lauren stuck to something she knew and a subject that fascinates the average reader. Through ‘L.A. Candy’ we get a behind the scenes look at some of the more awkward and secretive elements of contemporary ‘reality’ series.
Lauren has a fun and youthful writing voice that has been likened to Gossip Girl author Cecily Von Ziegesar. The novel is easy breezy and light hearted. While there is no great depth or moral to be taken from the story (so far), it’s certainly an enjoyable read that pulls the author into a world the average girl doesn’t experience. If it weren’t for the ending I’d be giving the novel a glowing review. It’s up to you to decide if you want to read it now and deal with the sort of cliff hanger while waiting for the sequel. You have been warned which is something I couldn’t say for myself.
Review #2 by Amanda
Lauren Conrad is best known for her role in MTV’s reality shows Laguna Beach and The Hills. She already has her own clothing line, but who knew she could also write? In her debut novel, she borrows a lot from her own experiences as a reality television darling. The novel chronicles the journey of a couple of friends who move to Los Angeles after high school and find themselves picked to star in a reality series, billed as a younger and more real Sex and the City.
The writing was surprisingly good, and the story has potential. I say it has potential because Lauren has a three book deal, so there is more of the story to come. She ended the first book with a huge cliff hanger, not providing any resolution to the conflict she created. I wish the book would have had a more solid ending. I couldn’t really get into the story until about half way into the novel because the first half was basically an introduction to the two main characters, and then, suddenly, there were no more pages. I don’t really think I’m invested enough in the characters to run out and pick up the next book when it hits shelves though.