Hey Bookworms,
It’s Monday, and that stinks. Weekends > Weekdays. That’s just math right there. We’re not here to talk about math, though. We are here to talk about BOOKS! I recently finished reading Between You and Me by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. This was the duo that brought us The Nanny Diaries, which I enjoyed, so I was excited when NetGalley offered me a review copy of this title. Full Disclosure: I was given a review copy of this book through NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My nose grows when I lie, because I’m actually Pinocchio writing under a pseudonym. Alright. That was a lie. But the rest of this review? Not so much.
This book starts out with a young Logan Wade. She’s in her 20s, living in NYC, working a stressful job, and dealing with a douchey boyfriend. When she gets a call out of the blue from her long lost (and incredibly famous) cousin’s assistant, she jumps at the chance to spend a weekend in Los Angeles in the lap of luxury. One thing leads to another, and suddenly Logan finds herself in the assistant position for her pop star cousin. That’s when things start to get a little crazy…
I don’t think it helped my opinion of this book that I read this immediately after finishing Angela’s Ashes. It’s hard to feel a whole lot of sympathy for a millionaire having a meltdown when the starvation of children is fresh in your mind. The whole premise of this book (though the authors took pains to say that it was a work of fiction and in no way based on real people) appeared to be a thinly veiled account of the fall of Britney Spears (with the occasional Lindsay Lohan moment.) Also, Logan’s love interest works for an actor who bears a striking resemblance to Matthew McConaughey (right down to the refusal to use deodorant.)
The Nanny Diaries gave a unique glimpse into the lives of the obnoxiously wealthy and the way their family lives worked. This book, on the other hand, read like a sympathetic tabloid. How tragic it was that Kelsey’s parents were controlling and abusive. How her alcoholic father traumatized her childhood. How her parents sponged off her fortune. How her desperation for love threw her into a hasty marriage and mad dash to motherhood. How there seemed to be NOBODY she could trust. Her desire for down home Oklahoma normalcy. Her public demise and her father’s conservatorship. It just felt like I’d heard the story a million times before. I found it was trite, predictable, and melodramatic. McLauglin and Kraus have proven they have the chops to produce an original story- I don’t understand why they chose to borrow so heavily from the tabloids to write this book.
She’s so lucky, she’s a star… (Source)
I know, you guys. Harsh words. However. Just because I didn’t like this book, doesn’t mean you won’t. If you have a sincere interest in the circumstances that could lead pop stars and actresses to self destruct, you might appreciate this work. There are some funny moments, particularly in the quirks of entourages and celebrities. Being among the “normal folk,” it’s hard for us to understand how difficult the spotlight can be, or just how much work goes into maintaining such an image. Is E! True Hollywood Story still on? If you liked that show, and haven’t turned all jaded and cranky like me, this could be your new favorite book.
Between You and Me brings up a lot of dirt on tabloid culture. Do you keep up with celebrity news and gossip? Do you think that by living in the public eye, celebrities should expect invasions of privacy? Is it all part of the package, or should the paparazzi back the heck off ? Tell me about it.
ashley
This book seems right up my alley. I definitely have an addiction to tabloids. I also have the US Weekly and E! App on my phone. *for shame* lol!
Words for Worms
I don’t mind a little celeb gossip from time to time- I like to keep tabs on what silly names are being chosen for celbri-tots and such. I don’t know though. This book… Just meh.
Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader
Oh poo. Sometimes the order in which I read books can have a very negative effect on what I think of a certain book. (That is a run-on sentence!) But you know what I mean. This one sounds a bit too shallow and meh for me. Onward and upward girl!
Words for Worms
Shhhhhh. Don’t talk about run-ons. Half my blog is a giant run-on sentence!
Kelly
Boo, sorry this one was no good for ya. It reminds me of when I reviewed Beneath the Glitter by Elle and Blair Fowler. I just could not work up any sympathy for the petty distresses of young Hollywood-types. lol.
Words for Worms
Maybe I’m getting grouchy in my old age, but I don’t think so. I read Bergdorf Blondes when I was 22 and thought it was ridiculous.
Rory
I didn’t like this one either. I found it to be below ‘meh’. However I also like to read what ridiculous names celebrities name their children. No idea why, but I find it fascinating!
Words for Worms
I think it’s because it’s funny to see what people do when they have all the money ever. “I am so rich nobody will dare denounce my weird kid’s name!” Actually, I think it’s kind of a competition lately.
Rory
North West will always be ridiculous, rich or not.
A celebrity with surprisingly good taste: Tori Spelling. Go figure. I also like Keri Russell (River and Willa).
What is wrong with semi-normal? It doesn’t have to be ridiculous, but don’t make it a joke!
Words for Worms
I’m a big fan of semi-normal and old classics!
Sarah Says Read
Yeah, I don’t think I can take rich girls whining about their problems. Especially if they’re Britney/Lindsay – esque. We get enough of that just from the tabloids and news!
Words for Worms
Then the “normal” cousin got all sucked in and ditched her actual friends… It was annoying. Grrrr…
Cindy
I haven’t read anything by them since Citizen Girl. I didn’t really care for that one, so I haven’t given them another try. Although I am curious about the sequel to The Nanny Diaries.
I do like celeb gossip, or a book about how crazy they could be, but this does not sound like a great read.
Words for Worms
You know, I like celebrity gossip too, at least to an extent. Vicarious living or something. This just wasn’t very well executed.
Jenny @ Reading the End (formerly Jenny's Books)
I always think I would lose my mind if I were surrounded by the press all the time the way some celebrities are; but that sympathy doesn’t translate into a terrific level of interest in celebrity culture. I’ll probably give this one a miss — I didn’t even like Nanny Diaries that much, to be honest.
Words for Worms
If you didn’t dig Nanny, I would absolutely not recommend this. Steer clear, my friend.
RebeccaScaglione - Love at First Book
I’m not much into the whole chick lit genre at all. . . so this is one I will skip! But thanks for the honest review, that’s what I like about your blog! Besides the fact that you’re awesome and like penguins.
Words for Worms
Aww thank you! I try to be honest without being a complete dick… It’s a fine line to walk. 🙂 I do love me some penguins!!!
Melinda
You gave a honest review and that I like. Obviously, I am not interested in this book anymore 🙂
Words for Worms
Thanks, I think? I don’t like writing negative reviews, but these two are so well established and (presumably) wealthy I don’t think I’m going to destroy their careers by not liking their book.
The Underground Writer
I can’t help but feel irritated when books like this get published,and excellent manuscripts from unknown authors are rejected. It is a brutal reminder that publishing is a business and not always fair. Thank you for your honest review!
Words for Worms
Yep. Like you said, publishing is a business. You get one bestseller under your belt and you can write your own ticket.