Customer Reviews

Catwalk (On the Runway)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Catwalk by Melody Carlson is the second book in the On the Runway series. Paige and Erin Forrester are on their way to film New York Fashion week for their reality television show On the Runway, but first they both need to walk in a show for a "green" designer, then Erin needs to deal with her best friend Mollie's seeming abandoning her for boyfriend Tony, plus the girls' mother's relationship with Jon is becoming serious. I love this series about two sisters trying to stay true to themselves in the strange world of Hollywood. Paige is the star of the show and trying to keep up her relationship with big star Benjamin. Erin is more comfortable behind the camera and is giving old flame Blake another chance. Paige and Erin have a very believable sisterly relationship with plenty of push-pull and chemistry. They face the real problems of teenagers: parents dating, troubled relationships, and two-faced friends, but with a great twist of glamor. It's the rare young adult Christian series that is completely enjoyable and believable. I can't wait to read what happens next to the Forrester sisters.

This is the second book in this seris and I have read both of them and was thrilled to find Catwalk on the free book list. This is a great read about 2 young girls breaking into the TV industry as well as the fashion industry. Catwalk is about their time in New York on "Fashion Week".

After reading and enjoying Premiere last week, I was anxious to read the next installment in Melody Carlson's new On the Runway series. Catwalk did not disappoint. In fact I think I enjoyed it more than Premiere. Erin and Paige are now on the roll with their new show, but that doesn't mean that Erin is completely comfortable being in front of the camera yet. Catwalk leads the girls to fashion week in New York and lots of fun and surprises await them there.

I enjoyed reading the various shows and people the girls met along with the new situations they managed to get into and out of. What I thought was really cute about this one, was the presence of the Carter House girls. I have actually only read one Carter House girl novel (but have the rest on my tbr pile) but recognized the main players when Erin and Paige meet them in New York. It was neat to see them again, and if you haven't read the Carter House girl series, no worries, the girls really just make a cameo appearance.

Catwalk has new lessons for both Paige and Erin and I really liked how Melody Carlson brought those lessons about. Both girls had to come to the realizations - this isn't beat you over the head Christianity, this is hey - that makes a lot of sense and having some other players reinforce the lessons really was a great way to handle them.

After finishing Catwalk, I am already anxious for the next installment, Rendezvous which comes out in September. Great characters, a fast-moving plot and lots of fun in the fashion world equals a great read in my book.

My Rating: 4.5/5.0

Very disappointed with this book. First time writing a review but was so aggrevated...characters are completely underdeveloped, nothing ties them together and all of them are so boring. I deleted this from my kindle before finishing (another first). Thank goodness it was free.

I really am starting to think that this is Melody Carlson's best YA series to date. As with the first book, Premiere, I really think that these books are great to pass along to any reader who enjoy the girly type of YA. The characters are realistic but put in fun situations that everyone dreams of. Who wouldn't want to be able to host your own TV show and get to travel to New York and LA interviewing celebrities and discovering the latest fashions?

I really like how the book is from Erin's point of view. Paige comes off as slightly superficial at times while Erin is very down to earth. I think that if I were to meet them in person, I would end up liking Erin very much. Paige sometimes seems to get caught up in all the glitz and glamor while Erin is content with just being herself and doesn't care about what other people think. One example of this is how she is excited to learn about the "green" fashion line because it is one of her passions in her life to be more environmental conscious. Meanwhile, Paige immediately dismisses it because she thinks it's below her. The airport security clearance scene was extremely interesting.

I love all the fashion talk that is in this book. There may be some Christian readers who might complain about too much talk about commercial stuff and that teen girls shouldn't be focused on clothes, labels and having all the in things. Well I'm just going to say that even though you can say that, in reality what girls like and want are completely different. Girls who are into fashion will eat up this book as it's a fun look into the fashion industry without having to go into the seedy side of the business. It's a rough industry but it's also interesting to see that the creative side of the business.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see characters from the Carter House Girls series make an appearance in this book. It's great to see what they've been up to since the ending of their series. It's also a great way to reward fans of Carlson's books to see familiar faces in the story. The ending of the book is a little shocking but it drives home an important point about underage drinking and the influence celebrities have on fans.

As I said I loved this book. It's a whirlwind ride into the fast pace world of fashion and I enjoyed every minute of the trip. I can't wait until the next book in the series. HIGHLY recommended.

I would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to Melody Carlson and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Catwalk" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me.

Melody Carlson's "Catwalk" is Book #2 in her "On The Runway" series. Paige and Erin Forrester are back in the spotlight riding on the success of their television show, On The Runway. Their achievement leads them to New York City during Fashion Week. Their goals for the trip are very different - one sister led by professional ambition, the other by helping to promote an earth-friendly cause.

This highly dramatic teen fiction read opens the door to the less-than-fashionable side of New York. Melody Carlson captures her audience, regardless of age, with her deep expressiveness, realistic dialogue and engaging situations. She brings her characters to such life that you want them for your own friends - even when you disagree with them. I can't wait to go back and read book 1 in the series, but book 2 is a solid standalone read.

This was the first book I have read by this author but probably will not read another. I did not realise this was Christian literature and felt that the inclusions of this were out of place within the story line. The characters were very undeveloped and lacking interest. The ending was abrupt but did not leave me wanting more. Fortunately this was a free book and therefore I cannot complain.

When I read the first book,it felt nice so I decided to carry-on.However the book kind of seemed stuck.I didn't like it and I realized thatit is Christian literature.I wish I had read the reviews before.It kept on reperating thanking God,praying,Asking guidance.....
I look for more romance and action in a book.I prefer reading the Bible when I want to pray or remember God.

I very much enjoyed this story that was set in the fashion industry. I hope to read more from this author.

The characters are very stereotypical and predictable. Sometimes they are over-exaggerated - not to mention boring. As for the actual plot, it was terrible. There was nothing at all interesting about this book and it was a pain to read it. I only got it because it was free on kindle and was a christian book.

I have not read Ms. Carson's other books but, better options for christian young adult books would be the Real Life Series by Nancy Rue and Stephanie Perry Moore books.