Customer Reviews

Sweet Little Lies: An L.A. Candy Novel

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The first "L.A. Candy" novel was a surprisingly sweet (no pun intended...well, maybe a little) first novel by reality star-cum-N.Y. Times Bestselling Author Lauren Conrad. Expectations were very low, so when the book hit stands with an engaging mix of wit, humor and surprisingly tight writing, the book became a bonafide hit among teen girls. Alas, the second book in Conrad's purported trilogy of young adult novels strips the characters Conrad created/adapted/mimicked-from-reality of anything appealing and replaces it with idiot-plot contrivances and once-smart characters acting about as smart as their extensions.

First, a note of apology if you've come to this review having never heard of "The Hills" as I will talk openly of the parallels between the book and the "reality" that spawned it. Chances are if you are on this page, you know, but if by some chance you don't, please look it up on Wikipedia and then return later.

"Sweet Little Lies" picks up less than a week after the first book's cliffhanger, with reality superstar Jane Roberts (a thinly-vieled interpretation of Conrad) on a self-imposed exile with Madison (Heidi). Madison had released photographs of Jane cheating on her boyfriend Jesse (Jason) to Gossip Magazine then whisked Jane away before her best friend Scarlet (another side of Conrad's personality) could warn her. Jane had cheated on Jesse in part because of Jesse's erratic behavior and oft-drunkedness and because she was secretly in love with his best friend Braden.

As the book commenced, I was excited to see how Conrad would pay off the explosive turn of events and how it would change the dynamic between the three main female characters in the trilogy. But then, in an inexplicably mind-numbing move, Conrad fails to pay-off any of these developments for at least 240 of the book's 300-and-change pages. Instead she turns Jane, who had been up until this point a smart and sympathetic heroine, into the kind of gullible dumb girl viewers think the girls from "The Hills" really are.

Despite having her best-friend-since-childhood and ex-boyfriend-with-nothing-to-lose tell her in no uncertain terms that Madison was the one who leaked the photos, Jane decides not to believe them and, in another childish move, isolates herself from Scarlet for most of the book while growing closer to Madison, believing every one of her lies and not getting suspicious that every secret she shares with her frienemy just happens to show up in the next week's issue of "Gossip."

In addition to this, Jane re-ignites her romance with Jesse. In the first book it was not-too-subtly hinted that Jesse had drinking problems and a possible drug addiction. Oh well, Jane thinks, and immediately falls back in love with him, even as he becomes an abusive boyfriend. Their relationship sours quickly, but Jane refuses to call it quits even after Jesse takes her on a drunken joyride through Los Angeles, cheats on her repeatedly, continues to drink and do drugs around her and finally becomes emotionally and physically abusive to her.

Look, I'm a big supporter of heroes and heroines of books make mistakes and have three dimensions, but Jane's actions in "Sweet Little Lies" cross the line. This is NOT the kind of book that parents should be recommending that their teenage daughters read, and Jane is no longer a role model. Abusive relationships are a very real thing, and the fact that Conrad lets her main character not only stay in the relationship for such a long period of time but enable him time and again to continue his out-of-control actions is setting the worst possible model for teen girls. The relationship isn't even viewed realistically--it's so obvious from their reconciliation that it is a plot contrivance that will be take hundreds of pages to clear up--which makes the circumstances even sadder. Add in that she alienates her longtime best friend for a woman obviously manipulating every facet of her life and you have made Jane Roberts almost irredeemably unlikable. Since she is supposed to be the anchor of the series, this is a big problem.

There are moments and glimmers where the fun and wit of the first book return, albeit briefly. I'm thinking of a conversation between Jane and her office-mate Hannah (Whitney) in the bathroom while the producers are almost breaking down the door to stop it or when Gaby (Audrina), the dim-bulb of the show, shows surprising insight and depth, but these are fleeting. Conrad also makes attempts to humanize Madison instead of portraying her as a one-dimension villain, which is interesting in theory, but this does not pay off.

Everything about "Sweet Little Lies" screams that the book is merely a placeholder between the fun of the first book and the real pay-offs of the third. Conrad spins her wheels for most of the book's pages and, though the finale sets up an fascinating dynamic between the characters for the final chapter in the trilogy (though I can't imagine HarperCollins will allow such a lucrative franchise to die out so soon), that cannot excuse the fact that, well, nothing of note happens until the last forty pages of this book. In fact, you could slap the last few chapters of this book onto the end of "L.A. Candy" and not miss the first thirty-some chapters at all. Am I interested enough to pick up the third book, especially since it promises to explore the explosive Team Lauren v. Team Heidi seasons of "The Hills"? Probably. But that doesn't excuse that this is a significant let-down with a horrible message for teen girls and excruciating pacing.

I read the 1st book, and purchased this one yesterday, due to being snowed in in NYC I was given a full day of relaxing at home. This book is a fun, light hearted read that makes the time fly by. I am in my mid-twenties, and enjoyed this book. The writing isn't complex, but you have to take the book for what it is. If you enjoy fiction, somewhat chick-lit, you will enjoy this book. It keeps you going, and I read the entire book in about 3 hours. Cute interesting story, touching on some subjects that most girls deal with.

I thought it was a good sequel to the first. Obviously people are you expecting Shakespeare? No. This is fun read loosely based on the aftermath of "L.A. Candy" and if you are expecting a fun, easy, beach read then you won't be disappointed. If you have a sweet tooth for chick flicks then this is a good one! I'm pumped LC wrote a story on it all. Ficton or Nonfiction -Good for her!

I just started reading Lauren Conrad's series, beginning with LA Candy!!! The series has been so entertaining and I can't seem to put my Kindle down!!! I have read all 3 in the last week!

You won't be able to put it down. It is a mindless read that pulls you in and you wish it wouldn't end. Can't wait for the third book. Keep them coming Lauren!

I really liked reading this book. It was hard for me to put down this book. Lauren is a great writer for her age, I can't wait until the next book comes out. There is drama, loses of friends and boyfriends, and new love. I could understand the characters in this book more than I could the first. You will remember this book like you remember your favorite episodes of The Hills. I just found out in the March issue of Seventeen with Lauren Conrad on the cover, that L.A. Candy is going to be made into a movie, isn't that great. Overall this is one of the best books I have read in a long time.

After reading LA Candy, I couldn't wait to read what happened in the next novel. I ended up pre-ordering this book (which I rarely ever do) and am happy I did. I just spent about 2 hours reading the entire thing, and while there are a few spots that are dead, the last few chapters are intense. I will say however, the series has gotten better. This one touches a few issues about alcohol (drunk driving, violence) and I was VERY sad to read the end!

the book came in great condition, no bends, rips, ect cant wait to start reading it after i finish the one im already reading =]

I'm probably too old to love these books as much as I do, but they are my guilty pleasure. If you liked the show The Hills you will love these. It mirrors the show using different characters and drama. All of her books are a quick read and I couldn't put them down!

I'm kind of one the fence about this book.I mean the first book (L.A. Candy) was fantasic I loved it.But this one ugh I mean it wasnt that good but it wasnt that bad.The book doesn't seem as fresh as it was when I read the book it got kind old.I mean the storylines from book one kind of drag on through out book two until like 35 pages left of the book?Really.And the book didn't leave me wanting more like book one did.It kind of ended like OK...and?I mean they only have 3 books in the series meaning I only have 1 book left.I mean I'll read it but not right now.I have better things on my to be read pile than that but I'll get around to it eventually just not now!So one a scale 1-10 I'll give it a 5!