Book Review- Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus' So Close

Thank You to Sparkpress for providing me with an advanced copy of Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus’ latest novel, So Close, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT- Amanda Beth Luker was raised in an impoverished Florida town, by a wild-child teen mom. Now in her twenties and looking to escape her upbringing, Amanda falls in love and runs away to live in Miami. Unfortunately, love is a fickle thing and she is struggling to make ends meet working at a high-end resort hotel. Amanda is nearly defeated, when she meets a few rich and powerful people who might be able to help her improve her circumstances, including a congressman mounting a presidential campaign and a handsome playboy who seems to be her polar opposite. Will Amanda be defined by her past or will she be able to change her circumstances?

LIKE- I’m a fan of the writing collaborations between McLaughlin and Kraus, so I was very excited to be approved for an advanced copy of So Close. As with their previous novels, So Close, has a strong protagonist and is a good mix of comedy and heartfelt drama. It was easy for me to get swept up in Amanda’s story and her desperation to change her life. I also enjoyed the glamour as Amanda gets introduced to how the other-half lives, extreme wealth that creates a strong contrast to her own family circumstances. So Close has an overriding moral message, of the “grass isn’t always greener on the other side” and on not rushing to judgement with regard to other people’s lives.

DISLIKE- From the first time that he is introduced, I did understand the romantic connection between rich playboy, Pax and Amanda. The chemistry wasn’t there and it felt awkward. I felt like he was somewhat unnecessary to the story or at least his role should have been minimized. The romance storyline, was far less engaging, that the story of Amanda climbing up the ladder as a political aide. When she is working, Amanda is shown as competent and plucky, but with Pax, she seems to lack confidence. On one hand, this is showing different sides to a character and allowing her insecurities to show, but as a reader it was off-putting. I never felt that Pax was likeable, so I never rooted for their relationship to succeed. I wanted to root for them.

RECOMMEND- Maybe. So Close is a summer, beach-read type of story. In this election year, its theming is timely. I enjoyed So Close, but I’m doubtful that it will stick in my memory for very long.

Book Review - Elise A. Miller's Star Craving Mad

Last year, I participated in the BookSparks annual summer reading challenge. This year, I found my "book- plate" to be too full to take on the challenge, but I was excited to read Elise A. Miller's Star Craving Mad, which is part of the 2015 challenge. Thank You to SparkPress for an advanced copy of Miller's novel, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT - Maddy Braverman is a first grade teacher at an elite private school in Manhattan. Single and lonely, Maddy straddles between setting an example as a wholesome teacher and hitting the New York dating scene. Her world is turned upside down when the school year begins and she has a new student, Lola, the daughter of A-List celebrities, Nic and Shelby Sebolt. Maddy begins to fantasize about hunky Nic, who is not only married, but seems otherworldly. She is rocked to the core to discover that Nic is more attainable than she imagined and before she knows it, she is caught up in a love affair and thrown into Nic's celebrity lifestyle. Maddy is uneasy about her secret life, especially when she realizes that the fallout would affect not only Lola, but also Maddy's friends and family, including her free-spiritied and handsome teaching assistant, James.

LIKE - For starters, what a great title. I love the play on words and it perfectly sums up Maddy's behavior while she is having an affair with Nic. The themes in Star Craving Mad are engaging. The story fulfills that part of me that loves to read about celebrities and the crazy rich, so it was entertaining to see this behind the curtains look through Maddy's eyes. However, the flip-side of Star Craving Mad, is it's a story with heart. Although Maddy is having an affair with a married man, we see her going through the conflicting emotions and ultimately, we root for her to make better choices. She's a likable protagonist and as she interacts with the children in her classroom, there is an element of sweetness and innocence add to the story that gave me the warm fuzzies. 

DISLIKE - My interest in the story waned the last third of the book. I think it may be that Maddy took so much crap for so long, that it was getting to be a drag. I regained interest in the story at the very end when she had her redemption. It was a satisfying ending. 

RECOMMEND -  Star Craving Mad is an enjoyable chick-lit, summer type of read. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure that in the grand scheme of my "Books Read in 2015" it will remembered. It provided a good escapist read while on my summer vacation.