Paparazzi Princess (Secrets of My Hollywood Life) [Paperback]

Jen Calonita (Author)

Book Description

Series: Secrets of My Hollywood Life | Publication Date: February 10, 2010

As the last season of Family Affair comes to a close, prime-time teen star Kaitlin Burke is no closer to deciding what she wants to do after the show ends. Struggling with career
choices and bummed over a ridiculous catfight with her BFF, Liz, Kaitlin is so mixed up she even starts to semi-bond with her archnemesis, Sky. Worst of all, she falls in with two of Hollywood's biggest party fiends when one of them asks her, "Don't you ever do what you want to do?" Shopping sprees and the Tinseltown nightlife seems fun at first, but soon Kaitlin realizes that being a paparazzi princess just might be her downfall.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

As a Senior Editor at the former Teen People, Jen Calonita has interviewed everyone from Zac Efron to Justin Timberlake.

Jen's currently at work on a new series called Belles, about dueling cousins raised in a privileged southern community, which will debut in spring 2012. She lives in New York with her husband, sons Dylan and Tyler, and chihuahua Captain Jack Sparrow. Jen invites you to visit her online at jencalonitaonline.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Poppy; Reprint edition (February 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316030635
• ISBN-13: 978-0316030632
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #729,414 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

It's no secret how Jen Calonita knows the inside scoop on young Hollywood. A former Senior Entertainment Editor at Teen People, Jen has interviewed everyone from Reese Witherspoon to Zac Efron. An entertainment journalist for the past ten years, Jen has written for TV Guide, Glamour and Marie Claire.

It was her work in the entertainment world that inspired her first series, Secrets of My Hollywood Life. The six-book series is about a teen starlet named Kaitlin Burke who grows weary of the fame game, but loves being an actress. The series has been published in Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Japan and Russia.

Jen has also published two stand-alone novels. Booklist called Sleepaway Girls: "The picture-perfect setting, the sweet little kids, the seductive freedom from parents, and the lure of adult-like responsibility make this the perfect read-alike to suggest to fans of Ann Brashares' Traveling Pants series."
Reality Check is about best friends who get their own reality TV show. Booklist said: "Fans of Meg Cabot's Airhead series and Calonita's Secrets of My Hollywood Life will eat this fun, timely, cautionary tale right up."

Jen is hard at work on a new teen series that will debut in 2012.

When the self-professed entertainment junkie is not working, she can be found doing one of three things: scrapbooking, watching Glee, or going to the movies. Jen resides in Merrick, New York with her husband Mike, sons Tyler and Dylan, and their Chihuahua, Captain Jack Sparrow.

For more about Jen, check out her website: www.jencalonitaonline.com, follow her on Twitter at: www.twitter.com as JenCalonita or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/jen.calonita

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Paparazzi Princess, March 25, 2009

By 

Valerie (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paparazzi Princess (Secrets of My Hollywood Life) (Hardcover)

Family Affair's ending is getting closer and closer and Kaitlin still hasn't decided what she wants to do after the show is over. Kaitlin's family and friends are pushing her in all sorts of directions and she's not sure what she wants. On top of the career trouble, she's also had a big fight with her best friend, Liz. Then Kaitlin meets two of Hollywood's biggest party animals. Hanging out with the girls seems like fun at first, but is it really worth all the drama?

When I saw this in the bookstore the day it came out, I just had to have it. It sat on my bookshelf for a couple of weeks, but once I started reading I was hooked. I've been a big fan of this series for awhile now and this installment didn't really disappoint. I only have two complains. One is that I was expecting more drama involving partying and the paparazzi, since the title IS called Paparazzi Princess. Two is that some of the moments in the book were too cheesy, even for me.

Overall, I thought it was a very solid book in this series and I can't wait for the next one.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Story Siren Reviews:, April 9, 2009

By 

The Story Siren "Kristi" (Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Paparazzi Princess (Secrets of My Hollywood Life) (Hardcover)

This is such a great series. The books are a lot of fun and very cute. Paparazzi Princess, is my favorite of the series so far. The series is very clean, so they are an excellent choice for younger teens and middle grade readers.

The writing is very simplistic and readable. Kaitlin is a great character! An excellent heroine and fictional role model! I was glad to see Kaitlin make some mistakes in this one and still come out on top, by taking responsibility for her actions. If only all Hollywood starlets would have such grace!

Overall an energizing read with great characters and a fun plot! Cannot wait for the next one.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The End of an Affair, June 14, 2009

By 

Deborah "Books, Movies and Chinese Food" (Fairfax, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Paparazzi Princess (Secrets of My Hollywood Life) (Hardcover)

I've learned so much from reading this series. All the secrets that are told in this book really gives an insider's look to the Hollywood industry. This time the reader learns what needs to be done when an actress is making a change in her career and the steps that must be done to keep that career going. I felt that this book showed Kaitlin as more of a Hollywood star and less of a regular teen than previous novels. I didn't think there was anything in this book that screamed normal in this story. Sure she had to face studying for SATs but other than that, all her problems and dilemmas came from being a celebrity. The whole industry from Kaitlin's view is fascinating from the Vanity Fair party to having to deal with socialites who thrive on the paparazzi to learning how celebrities handle music contracts. I also liked how the author took a rather formulaic story (best friends grow apart, new girl comes in between) and put a twist on it and took it to a whole new level. I thought I was going to get the same old predictable storyline but instead I was delightfully surprised.

This has been one of the best YA series I've read this year because it's been fun and informative at the same time. Jen Calonita writes in a way that is entertaining, page turning but without having to resort to sex and language for page filler. I can't wait for the next book in the series to see what else is in store for Kaitlin.