First, I want to say I love reading debut novels, to see how the author writes, and if I'll ever read them. Based off of Isabel Banta's debut novel Honey, Yes! Incredibly written and well thought out!
This is set in the 90s-early 00s. The beginning starts off with our main character, Amber Young. She has the stereotypical absent father, alcoholic mother jam you see with many pop stars who rose to fame during that era. She goes from audition to audition, never quite making the mark until she's signed to preform in a girl group: Cloud9. Here, she meets three other girls, the most prominent in this story, Gwen.
After the failure to bring the girl group up and opening for the heartthrob ETA boy band, Gwen goes solo, and so does Amber. Here, Amber is portrayed to the media (and the writing of her songs) to be this sex symbol, in a way. To the way she's dress and the way she is talked to, it is very sexualizing.
She battles through heartbreak, eating disorders, and alcohol use. Her first album was a hit, however did not bring in as much revenue as her competitors, Gwen and Savannah. After many tries, takes, and nights awake; her second album, self titled, is produced. A much bigger hit.
I want to complement on how the author actually wrote out songs, magazine graphics, and "Genius" profiles for both Amber and Gwen. It really adds value to the story and brings it to life.
One thing I have to pick on, however: Ambers eating disorder. This would have added much more to the plot and would've added a realistic value to the story. She is mentioned quite a few times that she fainted from not eating, and the occasional rejection of food; however, it is never truly talked about during the story.
Overall, fantastic novel! I would reccomend to anyone interested in the nostalgic 90s pop scene. Thank you Celadon Books and BookishFirst for a copy of this novel!
This is set in the 90s-early 00s. The beginning starts off with our main character, Amber Young. She has the stereotypical absent father, alcoholic mother jam you see with many pop stars who rose to fame during that era. She goes from audition to audition, never quite making the mark until she's signed to preform in a girl group: Cloud9. Here, she meets three other girls, the most prominent in this story, Gwen.
After the failure to bring the girl group up and opening for the heartthrob ETA boy band, Gwen goes solo, and so does Amber. Here, Amber is portrayed to the media (and the writing of her songs) to be this sex symbol, in a way. To the way she's dress and the way she is talked to, it is very sexualizing.
She battles through heartbreak, eating disorders, and alcohol use. Her first album was a hit, however did not bring in as much revenue as her competitors, Gwen and Savannah. After many tries, takes, and nights awake; her second album, self titled, is produced. A much bigger hit.
I want to complement on how the author actually wrote out songs, magazine graphics, and "Genius" profiles for both Amber and Gwen. It really adds value to the story and brings it to life.
One thing I have to pick on, however: Ambers eating disorder. This would have added much more to the plot and would've added a realistic value to the story. She is mentioned quite a few times that she fainted from not eating, and the occasional rejection of food; however, it is never truly talked about during the story.
Overall, fantastic novel! I would reccomend to anyone interested in the nostalgic 90s pop scene. Thank you Celadon Books and BookishFirst for a copy of this novel!