Tag: Hollywood

Book Review: The Chateau on Sunset, by Natasha Lester

Image belongs to Ballantine | Ballantine Books.

Title: The Chateau on Sunset
Author: Natasha Lester             
Genre: Fiction  
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 

After her parents’ deaths, Aria Jones is sent to live with her reclusive starlet aunt at the Chateau Marmont, the hotel on Hollywood Boulevard with a notorious reputation.

Left alone to wander the hotel, Aria sees everything-all the ways people wheel and deal for fame. But the Marmont isn’t meant for young girls with big hearts, and Aria discovers an insidious secret that will haunt her childhood.

As she matures, she finds solace in the hotel’s library. Her sole goal is to be as inconspicuous as possible. Until one day, the hotel is sold to mysterious rock star Theo Winchester and his troubled daughter, Adele. Will Aria realize there’s more to life than being invisible?

This ended up being such a wonderful read! Poor Aria lost her parents and then got thrown into the deep end of craziness in Hollywood—with no road map. I found life in the hotel to be fascinating and horrifying, too. Lots of strong, vivid characters that I loved reading about, mixed with the ugliness of the casting couch era.  I loved seeing Aria grow and change and become such a strong woman who can help and inspire other women.

Natasha Lester is a bestselling author. The Chateau on Sunset is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Ballantine | Ballantine Books in exchange for an honest review.)

   

Book Review and Blog Tour: The Summer Set, by Aimee Agresti

the summer set
Image belongs to Harlequin/Graydon House.

Title:   The Summer Set
Author:   Aimee Agresti
Genre:   Fiction
Rating:   3.5 out of 5

Charlie Savoy was once Hollywood’s hottest A-lister. Now, ten years later, she’s pushing forty, exiled from the film world back at the summer Shakespeare theater in the Berkshires that launched her career—and where her first love, Nick, is the artistic director.

It’s not exactly her first choice. But as parts are cast and rehearsals begin, Charlie is surprised to find herself thriving: bonding with celebrity actors, forging unexpected new friendships, and even reigniting her spark with Nick despite their complicated history.

Until Charlie’s old rival, Hollywood’s current “It Girl,” is brought on set, threatening to undo everything she’s been working towards. As the drama amps up both on the stage and behind the curtains, Charlie must put on one heck of a show to fight for the second chance she deserves in her career and in love.

If you’re looking for an easy read with a Hollywood-insider feel, this is probably a good choice for you. I enjoyed the Shakespeare references, but this novel wasn’t a good fit for me. Charlie and Nick—okay, and basically every other character—acted like a bunch of self-absorbed teenagers with almost zero communication skills. I found this to be a very negative portrayal of people involved in Hollywood in any way, shape, or form, but it might be accurate. I have no idea. It could work as a fun summer read for anyone who loves melodrama, but it doesn’t do much for a serious Shakespeare fan.

Aimee Agresti lives in Washington, DC. The Summer Set is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Graydon House in exchange for an honest review.)