Date Published: April 29th, 2014
Synopsis: A deliciously charming novel about finding true love . . . and yourself.
Nothing ever happens in Little, CA. Which is just the way Carter Moon likes it. But when Hollywood arrives to film a movie starring former child star turned PR mess Adam Jakes, everything changes. Carter's town becomes a giant glittery set and, much to her annoyance, everyone is starry-eyed for Adam. Carter seems to be the only girl not falling all over herself to get a glimpse of him. Which apparently makes her perfect for the secret offer of a lifetime: playing the role of Adam's girlfriend while he's in town, to improve his public image, in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Her family really needs the money and so Carters agrees. But it turns out Adam isn't at all who she thought he was. As they grow closer, their relationship walks a blurry line between what's real and what's fake, and Carter must open her eyes to the scariest of unexplored worlds - her future. Can Carter figure out what she wants out of life AND get the guy? Or are there no Hollywood endings in real life?
Why in the world have I never read a book by Kim Culbertson before? I honestly thought this was her debut book until I went to her Goodreads page and realized I had missed out on three of her books. Better late than never I guess. Catch a Falling Star could have been one of my teen fantasies manifested. I used to day dream a lot and I will admit what happened with Carter was one of them.
I absolutely adored Carter. She's real and grounded. She loves her family and even understand their foibles. She doesn't make excuses, just loves them and tries to do what she thinks will help them out. Even when she realizes her not real feelings for star Adam James might be changing she doesn't lose perspective and her grasp on reality. Oddly enough, I not only understood Carter's fears regarding change but can relate to them personally. I may not have a fake relationship like Carter does, but many of her problems are some of the ones I have myself.
Adam Jakes was a total enigma. There was never a point where I had a total grasp on who he was and I loved that. I also loved Carter's friends Chloe and Drake. Chloe was hysterical and had me laughing aloud more than once. If you ask me what my favorite part of the book had to be besides Carter and Adam, it would have to be the blog posts regarding the stargazing Carter, Chloe, and Drake or Alien Drake as he was known, did. Those posts are beautiful and gave me lots to think about. I haven't gone star gazing in a very long time, living in the suburbs hasn't really been conducive, but I was yearning to search the skies while reading this book.
I must admit when I started reading this book I wasn't expecting anything really heavy or with depth. Instead I got the lightness I was expected subtly layered with real substance. This book is a hidden gem and if any of Kim's other books are like this one, I am in for a real treat. I can tell you I read this book from start to finish in a couple of hours. It was worth losing sleep over. It'll also be going on my keeper shelf.
*ARC received from publisher for review. All opinions are my opinions are my own and I wasn't compensated for my review* *Purchased a copy of my own as well.*
Purchase Links:
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About the Author
Sourcebooks Fire published Kim’s award winning first YA novelSongs for a Teenage Nomad (2010, originally Hip Pocket Press, 2007) and her second YA novelInstructions for a Broken Heart (2011) which was named a Booklist 2011 Top Ten Romance Title for Youth and won the 2012 Northern California Book Award for YA Fiction. Her third YA novel Catch a Falling Star will be published by Scholastic on April 29, 2014. When she’s not writing for teens, she’s teaching them. She’s a college advisor and teaches creative writing at Forest Charter School. Kim wrote her eBook novella The Liberation of Max McTrue for her students who, over the years, have taught her much more than she has taught them. Kim lives in the Northern California foothills with her husband and daughter.
Member, Sierra Writers
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