Will The Real Abi Saunders Please Stand Up?
by
Pub May 6th 2014
by Entangled Teen
ARC for Review
Summary
Abi Saunders might be a kickboxing champion, but when it comes to being the center of attention, she’d rather take a roundhouse kick to the solar plexus any day. So when her trainer convinces her to audition to be the stunt double for hot teen starlet Tilly Watson, Abi is shocked—and a little freaked out—when she gets the job.
Being a stunt double is overwhelming, but once the wig and makeup are on, Abi feels like a different person. Tilly Watson, to be exact. And when Tilly’s gorgeous boyfriend, Jon, mistakes Abi for the real star, Abi's completely smitten. In fact, she’s so in love with her new life, it isn’t long before she doesn’t have time for her old one.
But when the cameras are turned off, will she discover running with the Hollywood A-list isn’t quite the glamorous existence she thought it was?
My Impressions
Le Sigh…First impressions, loved the cover but thought, nah I won’t pick this up then I read the synopsis and was intrigued. The next day when I was still thinking about this book I thought you know what if it’s made that lasting of an impression on you then do it Ria! Girls who kick butt are soooo totally my thing so I took the plunge and made the commitment. **the song kung fu fighting, played lovingly in my mind while I assessed my reading schedule**
Second impressions…Though there were some aspects I found enjoyable, for the most part I have to say this one wasn’t for me. I was kind of disappointed…But Hey! Sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you don’t. Just ask the almond joy people, they’ll verify. The beginning was really, really, good and I was expecting to love the characters more and more. Abi is this uber super duper good kick boxer who is offered the opportunity of a life time. Reserved, due to a sheltered upbringing with difficulties she has a hard time taking the plunge. Cue the amazing supportive friends with a pinch of parental and dojo support and you have the back drop of Abi’s foundation. I was cheering her on! I cheered for her success and admired her strength in taking the chance.
Third impressions, oh boy…What happened to the girl everyone loves and supports?..Man, talk about a 180. As soon as Abi dons the “movie star” persona it was like she immediately embodied ALL of the negative stereo types that are considered a usual staple amongst bratty celebs. I don’t typically let the way I feel for a character sway my opinion of the book but Abi really let me down time and time again. She causes the people who have always been there for her and supported her, mounds and mounds of grief. I actually had a moment when I cringed because you know what they say about karma and I was happy that Abi got her just desserts! Sigh!! Very loud, VERY long SIGH!! I’ve never read a book where the protagonist and the antagonist are one and the same. I’m thinking Abi just needed to find herself and stumble a bit along the way. I wish it didn’t but the stumbles really frustrated me wanted to shake her a lot.
Lasting impressions, this is a book about youth, mistakes, and the ugly side of reality. Abi needed to find herself and embrace the person she was meant to be. Life is full of obstacles and most of the time they are our own doing. Getting swept away by the pressures of glam and expectations is an easy trap to fall into. Having everything change in an instant isn’t something anyone can ever prepare for. Looking back I feel bad for Abi’s situation and how she got lost in her head. I enjoyed the moments when the REAL Abi Saunders would show up. I wish she would’ve been around WAY more. Like I said this wasn’t for me but it might be for you. We are taught plenty of fundamental lessons throughout the book and Ms. Hantz kept it interesting all of the way through. The good news is Abi figures it out at the end. ;)
My Rating
3.0 Dojo, Matt, Coffee, Motorcycle, Makeup, Jon, Stunts, Party, Cocktails, Premiere, Paparazzi, Muffins, Cinnamon Kisses filled stars! For a light and breezy read check out this book!!
About the Author
Sara Hantz comes from the UK and now lives in Australia (via ten years in New Zealand). Sara lectured for many years before deciding to devote more time to her writing and working in the family business. She has two grown-up children and, when not writing or working, she spends more time than most people she knows watching TV--in fact if TV watching were an Olympic sport she'd win gold. She is also the author of In the Blood and The Second Virginity of Suzy Green. You can find Sara on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahantzauthor?ref=hl Twitter: @sarahantz Her website www.sarahantz.com and on Goodreads.
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This just makes me sad. I just got this one and was thinking about sneaking it in - guess I'll wait.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so your review was honestly great, but I could not stop laughing after the almond joy people verifying long to concentrate! I mean, seriously! It took me by complete surprise, and I almost spit out my soda! Thank you for the laugh. I needed that! Anyway, as much as I love a kick butt girl, I think this is just one of those that I am going to have to continue passing up!
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