📘 Beyond Hollywood Strip
by Shamron Moore
Genre Fiction ◦ Chick lit
Format & Source Print ◦ For review, TLC
Publication Vigliano Books ◦ 2014
Dates Read August 17 – 24, 2014
Rating ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
📝 My Review
I’ve got to say, Hollywood Strip was one of my favorite reads of 2013, and a total guilty pleasure at that. I had no idea that a sequel was being written, and when I found out, I was super excited to hop back into the Hollywood life. I have to say, I was not disappointed at all, and the sequel definitely lived up to my expectations.
So what’s the story? Well, Callie Lambert is a new big actress in Hollywood, after having moved there from a humble life as a dental assistant in Michigan. In the first book, we see her as she finally makes a name for herself as an actress, and in this one, the sequel, we pick up where we left off in Callie’s world, now a successful and famous starlet. We follow along on her struggles with landing new roles, finding love, and battling with fellow actresses. Everything is going as usual for Callie until she receives an email that rocks her whole world: she has a long lost sister she knew nothing about.
I love these books so much even though they are total brain candy. See, sometimes I want to read books about average, everyday women because I can relate. Then other times, I want to read about women who are totally different than me and who lead these lives that I know nothing about and can hardly even imagine. The Hollywood Strip series completely falls into the second category and I love it! I love reading about this world and thinking, “OMG, people really live like this?! I’m so jealous! The fame! The money! The thrills! Wait, no, I’m not jealous! The drama! The scandal! The heartbreak!” I’m always on a bit of a roller coaster when I’m wrapped up in Callie’s life and it is so much fun to be on.
This book had all of the same attributes in it that made me love the first: fun, scandalous, thrilling, and incredibly fast paced and exciting. After being in a bit of a reading slump lately due to my pregnancy brain and tiredness, this book got me turning the pages at that lightning speed pace again, just like my pre-pregnancy days. It was exactly what I needed – a total escape. On the other hand, I also liked that this sequel had a little bit of a serious side to it, what with the long lost sister and long held family secrets. You get to see and learn about another side of Callie which you will love. Even though she can be a bit of a b*tch at times, ultimately you end up liking her and finding yourself rooting for her in the long run. At least that’s how it went for me.
I have one minor complaint, and that is having read the first book over a year ago and not having the best memory in the world, I forgot a few of the details and characters. While in the sequel, Moore touches a bit on these past storylines and characters whenever they come up again, I would have liked a little bit more backstory again to remember more fully. I would have / should have read the first one again before this! Either way, I was still able to fully immerse myself in the story, and really enjoyed it.
If you are looking for scandal, drama, and tons of fun in a fast paced book, I highly recommend you pick up this series. I really can’t say enough good things about these books. I am crossing all my fingers that this series will continue. In the meantime, I think I ought to find more novels about Hollywood because I am hooked! Have any suggestions for me?
Giveaway (ENDED): One lucky reader will win their very own copy of this book! If you’re interested, please just let me know in a comment below. Please be 13 years or older and have a U.S. mailing address. Please leave your email. You can earn one extra entry by leaving a book suggestion of something similar in your comment, because, ya know… I NEED MOAR! Hollywood drama.. MOAR, MOAR! Winner will be drawn via random.org on August 27, 2014. Thanks and good luck!
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