Book List: YA Books set in Hollywood

Last week, I talked about Hollywood books for Adults, so this week I'm talking about YA books. 

I love YA books set in Hollywood. It's one of my favorite buzz words.

Book List:

Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita

This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E Smith

Behind the Scenes by Dahlia Adler

Love Scene, Take Two by Alex Evansley

Something Real by Heather Demetrios

Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan

Books Not Pictured:

Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss by Kasie West

Lost in Hollywood by Cindy Callaghan (Middle Grade)

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

Famous in Love by Rebecca Serle

Teen Idol by Meg Cabot

The Daughters by Joanna Philbin

Now a Major Motion Picture by Cory McCarthy 

Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan

Off the Record by Camryn Garrett 

Geekerella by Ashely Poston

Book Lists: Hollywood

I recently finished While We Were Dating and I loved it. I'm a sucker for Hollywood books. So I thought I would make a booklist.

Pictured:

While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner 

Waiting for Tom Hanks by Kerry Winfrey

Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

Not Pictured:

Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev

Upcoming:

Love Scene by Bridget Morrisey

I Kissed a Girl by Jennet Alexander

Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

Hollywood Ending by Tash Skilton

On Your Radar (11)

Title: Love Scene, Take Two

Author:  Alex Evansley

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Publication Date: June 12, 2018

Why it Should be on Your Radar:

New Adult
Hollywood Story
Set on a movie set
Adorable Meet-cute
Best-Selling Author
Seeing a YA book become a movie
Will
Olivia
Misunderstandings
Shipping
That bookstore scene
Baseball Caps
Romance
Great banter
Debut novel


Cover Thoughts: Cute! 
Source: Reviewed for SLJ

Review: Not in the Script

Emma's grown up on TV - through the awkward situations, including her first kiss. She's made some bad boyfriend choices in the past and now that she's about to star in a new teen drama (Coyote Hills) she's sworn off dating co-stars.

That was before she met Jake. The model turned actor who's off limits and not just because of her past. Her BFF adores him (or at least the him on paper). The more Emma hangs out with Jake, the more she falls for him. Can she risk  both her friendship and her heart on another co-star?

My Thoughts: I really really enjoyed this look at Hollywood behind the scenes. I loved seeing what happens on the set of a TV show and the relationships between the co-stars. Lots of drama and misunderstands and hurt feelings that translated into the papers as well as relationships that aren't there just to sell the idea of the show. You have to ask yourself - how much of the Hollywood life is true and how much is made up for the cameras to sell the movie/show. The questions of real friendship and loyalty in the business were brought up. While I liked the idea of Emma having a BFF not from the acting world - her BFF wasn't a true friend. I really loved the relationships Jake had with both his mom and his friends. I loved the moments where Emma and Jake got to know each other and started falling for each other. Their banter, their cute moments, and their hidden moments were adorable. I loved how Emma needed to live her own life and not the life set out before her by the media. She took control of her life including her past. A fantastic book that made me long for a sequel just to stay with the characters longer.

Similar Read:

Review: Everything Leads to You

As a production designer, Emi spends hours looking for the exact piece to make the room come together. When a screen legend dies, she has the opportunity to look through his belongings. She purchases a few items, in which Emi finds a letter from the actor to his daughter.

It’s a heart wrenching letter and Emi decides to track her down. She learns the daughter died years ago, but was survived by her own daughter. Between finishing high school, working on a movie, and figuring out her love life, Emi leads a busy life, but she’s not about to let this opportunity to pass her by. It turns out to be a great decision, because what she finds will change her life.

My Thoughts: This one could be a New Adult book as it takes place just as high school is ending, but focuses a lot on Emi's job. It's a beautifully written novel that discusses a number of issues, but never makes those the main focus of the book. I confess I don't read many LGTBQ books, but I devoured this one. I loved the love story, the Hollywood angle, and the friendship between Emi and Charlotte. I liked how Emi's brother made her promise to do something Epic with his apartment as he let her live there while he filmed a movie on location. I loved reading about Emi putting together sets from the movies and finding the right pieces.  A fantastic teen romance.  

Cover Thoughts: I love the softness of the cover and the skyline in the background

Source: Sent for review for Voya

Review: Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Broadway Lights

Kaitlyn's leaving for New York City and ready to make her Broadway debut. She's not happy about leaving her boyfriend behind for so long, but she's convinced they can make it. She's not ready for a costar who likes her and a jealous boyfriend.

She and Austin keep missing phone calls and thus stop sharing details. Kaitlyn has enough on her mind trying to get ready for a live audience, a snarky costar, adjusting to a new city, and a media fight with two former friends.

As Kaitlyn explores the city, she can't help but wonder why her relationship is falling apart. Nor can she help wonder about the future. There's a great pilot she read, but it might mean working with Sky again. With Sky, in the city for work, they've moved towards friendship. Could she risk it all by attempting to work with her again? All she knows is she's not letting the future scare her anymore and she's ready to take back control of her life.

My Thoughts: Love this series - its fun, flirty, and even though it's about Hollywood, Kaitlyn is a down-to-earth girl adjusting to life's curve balls

Cover: My 2nd favorite in the series

Source: My Library

Sad Fact: This is the 2nd to last book in the series. The last book comes out in Mach 2011

Review: Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Paparazzi Princess

Kaitlyn Burke's still reeling from the news about her hit TV drama ending. She's been working with the same cast and crew for ten years. She can't believe that it's all coming to an end.

Now, her family and her people are pressuring her to find another job pronto while her star quality remains high. But Kaitlyn can't begin to process the ending of her show let alone start looking for a new project.

She can't turn to her best friend because they're in the middle of huge fight. She barely sees her boyfriend. Her family is driving her crazy setting up meetings without asking her or even telling her in some cases. Even Lani is pressuring her to study more for the SATs and creates crazy schedules. Kaitlyn turns to two new girls - heiresses who might not have her best interests at heart. Will she let them lead her astray with parties, dancing, and attention in the tabloids?


My Thoughts: I love Kaitlyn and how she makes her way through Hollywood and life getting herself into scrapes and dealing with them. She's so down-to-earth, but in this book, she gets a little out of control. A fun episode this great addicting series.

The Cover: My favorite one yet of the series.

Source: My Library

Review: Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Family Affairs

Kaitlyn Burke just wrapped up her summer movie which included her co-star Sky - her nemesis. She's headed back to her day job - the popular drama Family Affairs. This season a new character appears for a story arc. While Alexis seems friendly, nice, and charming, there's something a little off. Sky makes her feelings known to Kaitlyn, Alexis is out to steal their jobs and make them look bad. at first Kaitlyn dismisses Sky's idea, but she vows to take a closer look at her co-star.

The new "IT" girl seems to be making splashes wherever she goes. She's talking up Kaitlyn's boyfriend and making diva demands one minute and then becomes a demure newbie the next.

Will Alexis push Kaitlyn over the edge and drag down the family drama?

My Thoughts: This is the 3rd book in the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series and I adore them. I devour these books that contain drama, Hollywood secrets, romance, friendship issues, and work.

The Cover: I like the diary concept, but overall, I'm not crazy about them

The Source: My Library

Review: Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location

Kaitlin Burke is back on top and ready to film a new movie on her vacation with one of Hollywood's leading directors. Before she starts filming her only major concern seems to be finding time for her boyfriend. Once she get on set, problems start popping up. First of all, her co-star is the boy who broke her heart when they weren't technically dating. Not only does she have to work with him, but the publicity team is forcing her to appear with him in public as a couple. She has yet to break the news to her perfect non-Hollywood boyfriend.

Next, her arch nemesis from her tv show will be playing her rival in the movie. Tension always escalates for Kaitlin when Sky's around.
Plus someone on set is spreading rumors about the costars, mixing up call times, and creating havoc with Kaitlin's personal life. Will the movie set and all the bad press sink Kaitlin again or will she combat all the drama?

My Thoughts: The second book in the series is still fresh, funny, and filled with drama. I love Kaitlin and can't wait to read more of her story

The Cover: I like the concept of the diary, but I'm not crazy about this cover.

Source: My Library