Customer Reviews

Girl Stays in the Picture

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am shamelessly addicted to Gossip Girl, and I read a lot of juvenile fiction, so ordering this book was a natural. Even though it has the usual cast of characters in stock situations, such as untrustworthy bitchy "friend", romantic misunderstandings, innocent girl in over her head, parental conflicts, rich girls with unlimited expense accounts, a trendy setting, and designer clothes, it was a refreshing new take. The characters are likable and we can identify with them. We have Casey who thinks that the bitchy back-stabbing, unlikable Summer is her friend, and Summer isn't anyone's friend. This, like many books in the adult genre will have you guessing who the characters really are. They could be any one of several people, and that makes it fun. Anyone with unsympathetic parents will totally relate to Devon, who is a very strong and likable character. I really loved Olivia as well. I did find it a little unbelievable that Casey's parents allowed her to go to Saint Tropez with scheming Summer and her clueless fawning mother. Since Summer is the catalyst for nearly all of the problems and misunderstandings that the other girls face, and since Summer is the reason that Devon, Olivia and Casey meet and bond, Casey had to go to France! I wouldn't call this book great literature, but it was a very satisfying read. What made the book even more enjoyable was the contrast between what the gossip magazines and internet were saying about Livia, Devon, and Summer, and the way things really were. It was a nice subtle reminder not to believe everything you read. I read it yesterday and finished it in four hours, during tornado warnings and some spectacular storms. Nature couldn't compete with the book. It was fun, interesting, and held this grandmother's attention from beginning to end. Even though there is a mystery that leaves the reader hanging, everyone will speculate on who did it, until the sequel is released. The writing was good, and I liked the fact that an adult like me, could read it and enjoy it, and so could younger readers. The author does not preach or talk down to the reader, and she did not dumb down the writing for her audience. I found this more enjoyable than a lot of adult books in the same genre. This was the most fun I've had with a book all summer. (No pun intended.) Most girls and their moms could read and enjoy this book. I am definitely going to get the sequel to this when it comes out. I hope we don't have to wait too long! I will also pass this book along to my daughter and grand daughter. I think they will love it too. Most of the problems are resolved in a satisfactory way. I would definitely recommend this book.

There was just something about this book that kept me reading until 3 AM. At around 420-something pages, it took me about three and a half hours to read. I just simply couldn't put it down.

I've read many of Melissa de la Cruz's books and I've noticed that many her books have some of the same things : changing POV, a normal average girl thrown into a new world, and lots of drama.

I liked the rotation of POV between the three main characters: Devon, Livia, and Casey. It allowed me to get a feel for each girl and just let me understand the characters a bit better. I did feel that the author mentioned Livia's body issues too much; and I found myself skipping those parts when they were mentioned (in all of Livia's chapters).

Devon's struggle to remain sober added more authenticity to her character, but I found it odd that she didn't notice that her mom and Randall were just using her. I mean Devon's been in the business for many years and she still can't tell when she's being used? That was a bit odd.

And Casey was the stereotypical "normal" girl who gets to experience the rich and famous lifestyle. I was a bit annoyed that it took Casey a while to find out that her friend, Summer, had changed. But I did like the insight into assistant's jobs and the other set tidbits thrown in. Even though the characters were flawed, I still wanted to know what would happen to them.

Now onto the plot. It was predictable. I knew what was going to happen but I couldn't put it down. But Melissa de la Cruz's writing has improved and she can write some great summer reads! While the book is the cliched "Hollywood" book, it has heart. I am dying to know what happens next since the book ended in a cliffhanger (not a big one, but a cliffhanger nonetheless).

Overall: A great summer, drama-filled read perfect for that sunny, lazy day. And even though it's predictable and the character's are a bit flawed, it's a very good fluff read.

This book was amazing, I finished it in a day. However, I'm leaving this comment for one reason, Melissa de la Cruz is not making a sequel, but she does tell readers who did on her faqs page.

This is meant to appeal to the Gossip Girl audience, except that most Gossip Girl readers like GG because it's unexpected, shocking, and kind of brutal. This is like a toned-down version of that, with a Hollywood twist.

Unfortunately, when you take away the edginess, you're left with very little of substance. I didn't believe the characters enough to truly care about them, so while this was a pleasant and reasonably engaging read, it didn't offer anything new or substantial. I found myself bored and had to force myself not to skip to the end in order to be done earlier.

I think that because it is a sleekly-written, entertaining read, it does have some value. It's not a bad book, in fact, it's written with a clean, engaging style that is fun to read. However, if you've read a lot of the most popular series in YA fiction, you won't count this among your favorites, and indeed, days after finishing it, I am having trouble recollecting the finer details about the book. It's an ephemeral pleasure.

If you want to pass a happy afternoon on the beach, you could do worse than to pick this up. But I personally kind of wish I had my afternoon back.

Girl stays in the picture by melissa de la cruz is the enthralling story of three girls, it is a page turner the kind that keeps you up till' 2 am, I fell in love with the characters,
I want more!!!

At first glance, Girl Stays In The Picture looked like a classic "rich girl" novel. You know what I'm talking about, right? The type of novel that is like a Gossip Girl or The A- List copy cat since it mainly focus on fashion, money, and boys. Though, don't get me wrong I love those type of novels, but unfortunately they seem to lack in two things: reality and substance. Luckily, Girl In The Picture had those type of drama issues but with substance and girls that you could relate to in one way or another.

The characters were one of my favorite parts of this novel. I loved how they all came from different backgrounds and had different problems they had to face each and every day. For example, Devon is the it girl pop star turned almost movie star turned rehab star turned movie star once again. Throughout this novel you got to see her fight to be recognized as a girl who can do anything and succeed, not a trashy star who went to rehab. Another one of the girls' was Cassey whose plan was to act like "assistant" to her best friend, Summer, while Summer worked on her new movie. I really liked how Melissa added the typical girl next door in Cassey because I loved how Cassey would do anything for anyone no matter what they did to her. Lastly, there was Livia who is the daughter of the world famous producer Sol Romero. Though, unlike her famous family, Livia was never one for the stoplight. Well, until she got surgery to make her skinny and as she thinks more "likable." Because of this, I was constantly rooting for Cassey to realize that she had something special going for her, her love of writing, and wasn't just anther former over weight girl who would fade into the background.

The plot was another high point. Since, it constantly had twists and turns that dragged you into Girl Stays In The Picture from the start and kept you there. Melissa De La Cruz's writing was also pretty darn good. Plus, I loved how fast it moved even though it had 400+ pages.

The only thing that got me a wee bit angry at this book was the cliffhanger ending because it leaves you on a note that you really didn't expect would happen. Sadly enough, by the looks of Ms. De La Cruz's website, it looks like she hasn't even began work on the next Girl Novel because there is no mention of it at all. Though, no matter how long it takes to get the next one out, I know one thing for sure: I'll definitely be racing out to get it.

Grade: A+

With Melissa de la Cruz's typical fun, dishy style, she offers up a teen rivals, glamour, romance and tabloid fun. Follow along as you get the inside scoop on these fictional characters that could be taken straight from the headlines. Devon's sense of entitlement is fun to follow along with and while we're rooting for Casey, de la Cruz makes her slugging it out laugh-out-loud entertaining. A beach read for any season! I hope there's a sequel.

Melissa de la Cruz begins another hot new series with GIRL STAYS IN THE PICTURE, the story of three women in the South of France who work in the movie industry. Devon is on her last chance with the film Juicy, which is supposed to be her breakout role. Livia can't get used to her new slim self after lap-band surgery removed 100-plus pounds from her frame. Casey is thrilled to be spending her summer as Summer's assistant for the movie. What could be wrong in the stylish and famous Cote d'Azur?

While Devon is like many stars in People or Entertainment Weekly, readers will quickly sympathize with her. She is fresh from rehab and knows she has a drinking problem. But it's not as bad as her mom's, whose fragile episodes keep Devon hopping. The movie was mainly shot when Devon had to go to rehab the previous year, and in this new location with lots of new people, her character is being cut way down. As in cameos.

Livia's father, who is producing the movie, is one of the biggest players in Hollywood. Now that she's thin, her family doesn't know what to do with her. Her mother keeps trying to force her to eat forbidden comfort food. She is happy to spend the summer with her high school boyfriend, popular Trevor, but he never talks about anything except how hot she is. Cutie French local Bruno is a friend from previous summers, and while they talk about the science fiction they both love, she realizes that maybe one person has seen who she is all along.

Casey was captain of her cheerleading squad, president of her class, and Homecoming Queen. Summer went to the same high school, but now has a huge chance at stardom with her role in Juicy. Her pop album did not do as well as Devon's, but she is making sure everyone knows she is the Diva of Now, with hot actor boyfriend Jamie and all the right looks. Casey brings her coffee and picks up her dry cleaning while being treated like dirt.

None of these three can find their footing or a way to stand up for themselves among several phony people trying to bring them down. They become friends as parties and the movie throw them together. As with de la Cruz's The Au Pairs, friendship is the strength of the book. Readers will fantasize about yacht parties, movie work, designer fittings and all the trimmings of the luxe life in this glamorous setting. But the girls' lives stumble as they make several mistakes and support each other toward happiness. While the setting is going to be realistic to few readers, these characters' insecurities and the way they help each other may be more familiar. The ending clearly sets up at least another volume in what is sure to be another popular series for de la Cruz.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

Without going into plot details, I truly enjoyed this book. It was a very short book but it had plenty of colorfoul and entertaining female characters. I read this book on my commute to work in 2 rides.

It's obviously a thinly-veiled reference to Lindsay Lohan and the like and I hope they at least got a chuckle out of it.

This book is a great read. It has your interest and attention. You may never want to put it down. The Characters have you thinking "Is this really what goes on with celebrities". At first it may seem a little dull and slow but then it gets more and more interesting once you keep turning the page. Any teen should absolutely love this book. Main characters Devon (Pop Star), Livia (Celebrity thanks to dad), Summer (gladly hated by Devon), and Casey (Summer's assistant)completes this book. Its mainly about romance, hollywood life, and also new experiences. You never know what will happen next. They're practically just like us. Great Suspense. Melissa De La Cruz is really a great author. This is an must have book.