Publication date: Oct. 21, 2014
Publisher: Poppy
Category: Young Adult - Contemporary
Source: Received ARC at BEA
Summary: When Paige Townsen, a young unknown, gets cast in the movie adaptation of a blockbuster book series, her life changes practically overnight. Within a month, Paige has traded the quiet streets of her hometown for a crowded movie set on the shores of Maui, and is spending quality time with her co-star Rainer Devon, one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive. But when troubled star Jordan Wilder lands the role of the other point in the movie’s famous love triangle, Paige’s crazy new life gets even crazier. (Adapted goodreads.com)
My Thoughts
Famous in Love is about Paige Townsen, a teenager whose dream of becoming an actress comes true when she is chosen to play the lead role in a movie adaptation of a bestselling teen book series. (Sound familiar?) The movie seems to be a little more Twilight than Hunger Games but I really liked the idea of seeing this story through Paige’s eyes. What it must be like to go from regular teenager to superstar. From a girl who attends school every day to acting on set and attending premieres. From talking to celebrities you used to read about in magazines to maybe even dating one of them (or two!). And the affect this must have on you and your personal relationships. This all gets touched upon throughout the book as Paige struggles to fill her new actress shoes without losing who she is.I struggled with Paige a lot. Her character didn't really develop much and despite seeing the book through her eyes, I felt like I barely got to know her. We know she feels like the black sheep of her family. We know that she has two best friends, Cassandra and Jake. The latter she had semi-romantic feelings for at one point. The dynamic of the friendship gets complicated when she leaves them behind to film the movie. We know she struggles with acting on set because she’s so new to this. And we know all these things because we’re told this but we don’t actually see much of it. I wanted to know what Paige thought and how she felt and then see her mending/burning/crossing bridges with everyone in her life instead of complaining. She has amazing people in her life to begin with and when things get difficult, she doesn't face them until much later and without much said. Then luckily for her when she steps onto the set, the crew is kind and she’s got two leading men - Rainer Devon and Jordan Wilder - who support her. And again, it's this instant love triangle and we're just supposed to buy it. Especially her relationship with Jordan which is very, very instantaneous.
Both Rainer and Jordan are good guys. Rainer is this seasoned professional who is a bit of a partier and the most "Hollywood" of the three but he's good to Paige. Jordan has also been in the acting game for a while but he keeps his personal life private and is genuinely interested in film. It's funny because even though we see the least of him, I felt that we got to know his character best and he was the biggest (only) highlight of the book.
Do I recommend?
I wasn't a big fan of this book and the ending was, in my opinion, ridiculous. It felt incomplete (then I found out it was a trilogy so that's a little better) and Paige's decision didn't make sense. But even though this wasn't a winner for me, I am curious to read more of Rebecca Serle's work. I bought When You Were Mine soon after reading this because I do see something in her writing.
Collaborative feature with Alexa!
If you were in any movie adaptation of a book, what role would you want to play? And which actor would you fall in love with if you were co-stars?
I was trying to be somewhat practical and think of books with petite girls that have long dark hair and dark eyes. First I thought of Allie from The Immortal Rules but truthfully, I don't want to play a vampire. Then I thought of June from the Legend series.. and it just clicked. That's who I'd want to play! Plus getting to kiss Day is definitely a plus.
As for the actor I would fall in love if we were co-stars, the answer was immediate and obvious - JOSHUA JACKSON. I've loved him since the Mighty Duck movies, then Dawson's Creek. I've watched his lesser known movies and the mainstream ones I wish he hadn't been in (ugh, Urban Legends). I became a fan of Fringe and now I'm watching his latest show, The Affair. And he is still just as dreamy as ever.
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