Review: Emma Hearts LA by Keris Stainton

Title: Emma Hearts LA

Author: Keris Stainton

Publisher: Orchard

Publication Date: 7 June 2012

Source: Review Copy

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

Emma's not sure that LA's for her, but when she accompanies her sister Jane to an audition, a chance meeting with a teen TV star starts to change her new sunshine lifestyle for the better... But what about Oscar, so far her only friend in LA, who's turning out NOT to be the idiot she thought he was?

Soon Emma begins to find herself torn between two boys and reconsidering her entire future.

Maybe LA's not that bad after all.

REVIEW

There is so much more to this book than the synopsis suggests. Emma moves to LA with her mother and sister following her parents break-up. Her mother has the most fantastic job offer that cant be turned down, no ordinary job mind you, Emma's mother is an astro-physicist.  The detail and research Keris has put into astro-physics really shone through the narrative adding depth and detail to the story.

The comparison of life in Britain to life in LA was thought provoking, I think I may now want to go and live in LA [ : D ] Not only for the weather but for the way of life and the believe that anything is possible, oh and the food.

Emma is having a hard time adjusting to her parents break-up and her father being in a new relationship. The move to LA gives Emma the opportunity for a lot of soul searching and developing self-awareness not only of herself but also understanding her reactions to events and criticism. It was lovely to follow. Keris has the unnerving knack of writing in exactly the way I think, which makes her characters so relatable to me. Emma is surprisingly mature for her age, she works her way logically through her problems, she is self-aware and open minded, a loyal friend and a terrific sister. I loved the close relationship she had with her family.

Emma's move to LA was like watching the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle slot into place, everything just fit perfectly. Proving that life can take a completely different route to the one you were expecting but these changes may in fact be the best thing that could happen to you. The way in which the breakdown of a marriage can be viewed as 'for the best' was profoundly portrayed; it is better to be happy and apart than together and miserable. The way parents emotions are reflected by their children was insightful, if you're happy their happy type of thing.

I cannot tell you how much I adored Oscar, he is such a quirky character. Geeky but totally comfortable in his own skin, love love love him. The inclusion of Jessie from Jessie Hearts NYC (review HERE) really added to the story, it was nice to have the updates on the relationships from that book included in this one. The portrayal of fame and how scary it can be to have the paparazzi follow you everywhere, making relationships difficult really made me think about how lonely it must be not having an opportunity to relax and just be yourself. The decision to seek fame is something that needs careful consideration as it isn't just about the talent but how much of normalcy you are willing to give up in order to achieve it. The behind the scenes look at the 'industry' was insightful. 

I have to say that Keris has done it again, she brings wonderfully evolved characters and their settings to life while producing warm fuzzy feelings at the end of it. This book should be on a list of the perfect books to read on holiday.

Saturday Spotlight: NYC Books Challenge

New York Book Challenge

In honour of Keris Staintons wonderful book Jessie Hearts NYC (review here) and the ladies obsession with NYC – Chicklish are running a New York themed reading challenge.

How fab is that.

For full details check out the Chicklish page here

Also for further book ideas and NYC themed book trailers check my Trailer Tuesday post here.

What are you waiting for go join in the fun.

Books I have read with an NYC setting:

Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton – Review here

Where She Went by Gayle Forman – Review here

Beastly by Alex Flynn – Review here

Books I would like to read with an NYC setting:

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

 

I am really looking forward to seeing the books other people have chosen.

 

Go sign up now !!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Review: Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton

Title: Jessie Hearts NYC
Author: Keris Stainton
Publisher: Orchard
Publication Date: 7 July 2011

Source: The lovely lady herself - Keris Stainton



Synopsis: From Amazon
Jessie’s just arrived in New York, hoping to forget about her awful ex.
New Yorker Finn is in love with his best friend’s girlfriend.
They might be perfect together, but in a city of eight million people, will they find each other?

Review:
I adore the ideal of soulmates and destiny; the way fate conspires to bring two people together. These notions are breathtakingly woven into the story. The number of coincidences and near misses that ultimately bring Jessie and Finn together was a joy to follow; the parallels with their thoughts, actions and events was ingenious. The weaving together of the simultaneous plot thread was inspired.

Plus Keris's adoration of NYC shines through the prose, merging beautiful descriptions with realistic imagery making for a three dimensional picture within my imagination.

Written in third person narrative but mainly focalized from either Jessie's or Finn's perspective. the parallels with the imagery and descriptions from both main characters add another dimension to the main storyline. There are a lot of initial characters and background details to pick up on, but the story is well paced and compelling. I have to say I absolutely adored Finn *swoon* the more I got to know him the more I was routing for him in everything from his family, college to Jessie herself. OK so he has a crush on his best friends girlfriend but he was thrown into circumstances that intensified this crush yet never acted on it til one silly drunken moment and he was instantly overcome with remorse. He is a 'nice' guy.

I instantly identified with Jessie from the first page, it always amazes me that Keris can get into the mind of a teenage girl with such ease. Jessie feelings about the divorce of her parents were relatable, showing the way in which it affects all members of the family, this was heart-wrenching even when you know that it is the best option. The way in which Jessie's fathers relationship was depicted with brutal honesty endeared him to me, there was no white washing or covering up. I actually sniggered for a while at his reaction to Jessie dating; images of J and his thoughts about our children dating filled my imagination even though they are not old enough to have boyfriends yet. I completely understood Jessie's feeling that you could perhaps be a different person by changing location/hair/clothes, I am sure we have all felt like that at some point in our lives. I could actually feel Keris herself shining through the narrative, so much so that I began to picture Jessie as a teenage Keris.

The use of contemporary pop culture references really brings the story to technicolour life. The conversation about Sesame Street had me laughing for ages and the Russell Crowe reference literally made me fall about laughing (this is very difficult to explain when you are reading in public and suddenly snort with laughter).

The use of media stereotyping for the way in which motherhood is portrayed stood out dramatically, you are automatically supposed to be loving, caring, nurturing and self-sacrificing. Yes motherhood does include all of that at times but you should still be viewed as a separate individual with a personality of their own rather than just someones mother. Motherhood is the hardest job I have ever had even if it is the most rewarding.

The way in which both families redefined their relationship in light of the revelations was awe inspiring. Jessie in particular seemed to mature emotionally through the story.

I am having trouble summing this book up because I just want to gush - fantastic, awesome, brilliant - what I will say is that I had a warm, squishy, fuzzy, happy feeling for ages after reading it. So what are you waiting for - go order it now.

Review: Della Says OMG! by Keris Stainton

Synopsis: From Amazon

Don't miss this fantastic debut novel - Keris Stainton is a fabulously contemporary, witty and fresh new voice who teen girls will adore.
Della’s over the moon when she kisses her long-standing crush at a party – but then she discovers her diary has disappeared...
When scans of embarrassing pages are sent to her mobile and appear on Facebook, Della’s distraught – how can she enjoy her first proper romance when someone, somewhere, knows all her deepest, darkest secrets?

Review:
After reading Crank by Ellen Hopkins I needed something on the lighter side to perk me up shall we say ;) I couldn't have picked anything better : D I started reading this book while sat in my garden on Saturday evening, the girlies were riding their bikes in the drive and all was peaceful with the Davies household. I LOL'd from  the very beginning of this book, in fact I snorted with laughter so much that the neighbours now think we have a pet pig *snort*

As you would expect from the title this is in first person narrative; Della is so wonderfully 3 dimensional I imagined this would be my oldest daughter in a few years time *HELP*. At 16 Della has the usual angst regarding sexuality, body image and family/friendships. All dealt with in a frank yet humorous manner that makes it so easy to relate to.

Having been a teenager in the 80's myself I found the 80's reference amazing bringing the story to vivid life within my imagination (the down side of this was that it made me roughly the same age as her parents *feels old*). The writing is typically British with the reference to the trip to the seaside and fish & chips. Truly realistic imagery.

I adored Della's parents and am now creating a role-model plan to follow in order to be like them ;) Anyone fancy a movie & meal theme night?

All the characters were superbly well developed and there interactions completely believable. I was concerned about the relationship between Sid, Leo and Maddy. Odd to say the least!(Re: the sharing) Plus the early sexual activity (yes I know it happens, I may be old but I was a teenager once and that's the problem *has 3 girls*).  I completely adored  Dan, he certainly is The Man. A completely 'modern man' at that. Who wouldnt want a boyfriend that is in touch with his feelings and helps you believe in yourself and be comfortable with who you are. Can I have one please : D (Shush, don't tell J).

Throw in a bit of a mystery plus a plot twist and you have a truly great Summer read. Go and enjoy : D