Latest Read: Starstruck by Rachel Shukert

Starstruck (Starstruck #1) by Rachel Shukert
Publication date: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Category: Young Adult - Historical Fiction
Source: Gift from Estelle (Thanks!)
Summary: Every week young hopefuls arrive in Los Angeles and dream of becoming stars. Including Margaret Frobisher and when she's discovered by a powerful agent, she can't believe her luck. She's more than ready to escape her snobby private school and conservative family for a chance to light up the silver screen. The competition is fierce and Margaret—now Margo—is chasing her Hollywood dreams alongside girls like Gabby Preston, who at 16 is already a grizzled show-biz veteran and sultry Amanda Farraday, who seems to have it all. Missing from the pack is Diana Chesterfield, the beautiful actress who mysteriously disappeared, and there are whispers that Diana's boyfriend—Margo's new co-star—may have had something to do with it. Margo quickly learns that fame comes with a price, and that nothing is what it seems. (Adapted goodreads.com)

The good

Starstruck was this vivid, engaging look into what 1930s Hollywood must have been like. In some ways, it's not all that different from what present day celebrities live through. The constant photos, lack of privacy, people passing judgement and cracks beneath what may seem like the perfect life. Margaret Frobisher is your typical high school girl who loves going to the movies, following her favorite celebrities and indulging her daydreams. According to her parents and their little high society circle, she's supposed to concentrate on becoming a distinguished lady and eventually marrying a reputable man. All that changes when she's approached by an agent and decides she wants to go for it. Turns out she's actually good! (Plus it helps that she's beautiful.) Before she knows it, it's goodbye little Margaret and hello to her new identity - Margo Sterling, up and coming starlet.

I liked seeing Hollywood through Margo's eyes. We see how reality doesn't quite live to the fantasy and how being an actress isn't all it's cracked up to be. It really seems like the author did her homework and honestly, I didn't know people back then had a very low opinion of actresses! Maybe it's because I equate Audrey Hepburn with old Hollywood but Starstruck definitely shows the readers a different side and I enjoyed seeing that. As time goes on, we see what fame does to Margo's life and she does make some friends along the way: fellow actresses Gabby Preston and Amanda Farraday (the book actually alternates chapters between all of them) and her co-star Dane Forrest (who she obviously has "more than friends" sparks with. I loved these two!).

The book basically follows Margo, Gabby and Amanda as they try to make it in Hollywood. It involves a lot of lies, scheming, changes and letting the public believe you're someone you're not. I think of the three girls, Margo tries to hold on to who she is the most and that's why I connected with her character. But Gabby and Amanda  give us another necessary look into fame. Whereas Margo is beautiful, Gabby is cute and sweet which is to her disadvantage and Amanda has a reputation for "working" her way to the top. Aside from their three personal lives, there's also a mystery sub-plot which I can't say I cared for too much in the beginning but the way it unravels in the end definitely shocked and hooked me. Let's just say that by the last page, I was ready to buy the next book in this series (which I did!).

(Super minor) Reservations

Like I said earlier, Gabby and Amanda round out the view of Hollywood and how it affects each of them in different ways. But I didn't connect to their characters nearly as much as Margo. That said, I am interested in seeing what happens next for these two.

Do I recommend?

Yes! I took a chance on Starstruck because it was gifted to me by Estelle and I'm so glad she passed this along to me. I really enjoyed reading a book where I felt like I was transported to another era.

Happy reading!