WATCH ME by Lauren Barnholdt Book Review (Previously published as Reality Chick)
Publication Date: June 20th 2006 by Simon Pulse
Rating: 
– Acceptable | 
Book Summary: She thinks she has nothing to hide…
Ally has everything under control. She’s about to move into a house full of strangers and have her life broadcast to the world, but as long as she still has her long-distance boyfriend, Corey, nothing can go wrong. Nothing, that is, until Ally starts spending time with her housemate Drew, the hot and sensitive guy who always seems to be around when she needs someone the most.
As suspicions and lies start pulling Ally and Corey apart, she’s not sure if she can trust anyone, not even herself. Ally is about to learn the hard way that life is what happens when everyone is looking, and it doesn’t always capture her good side….
Book Review Overview:
- Love that WATCH ME features college-aged teens
- If you take out the cameras, WATCH ME is a realistic portrayal of a long-distance college relationship
- Ending was sweet and satisfying, but it isn’t my favorite Barnholdt
WATCH ME by Lauren Barnholdt is a quick, fun contemporary read. I’ve had WATCH ME sitting on my shelves for a while, and I finally picked it up when I decided I needed a good Lauren Barnholdt fix.
On a side note, title changes are confusing. WATCH ME by Lauren Barnholdt was originally published under the title Reality Chick with a different cover. I had a difficult time finding it on GoodReads at first since WATCH ME is still under its original title.
Minus the fact that Ally is on a reality television show, I think that the premise of WATCH ME is pretty realistic. I think from the very first page of the novel, readers can guess that Ally and Corey’s relationship is going to go downhill. It’s inevitable. Ally experiences a ton of insecurities about her relationship with Corey despite the fact that they’ve been together for almost two years. The distance is a problem, plus the fact that college is an overwhelming experience that changes you. I think that at the end, Ally was very mature about the way she handled her relationship with Corey.
Like a good reality television show, WATCH ME is full of fun and interesting characters:
- Jasmine: the sexy, flirty girl who doesn’t want to be tied down by a boyfriend
- Simone: the soft-spoken virgin
- Ally: the girl with the long-distance boyfriend
- James: the ghetto guy who claims he’s a player
- Drew: the hot, Abercrombie type
As far as first impressions go, I didn’t like Jasmine. She’s just the kind of girl that I don’t see myself being friends with. But as the novel progressed, I grew to like her. She’s fun, comfortable with her body, and she’s extremely loyal to her friends. She was definitely my favorite secondary character.
I thought that the ending of WATCH ME was sweet and satisfying. However, I don’t think that WATCH ME comes even close to the level of my favorite Barnholdt novel, Two-Way Street. There was chemistry among the characters, but WATCH ME lacked romantic tension because Ally was in a relationship for almost the entire book.
Despite the fact that I thought WATCH ME was just okay, this is not stopping me from reading the rest of Barnholdt’s novels. I’m determined to read the rest of her books until I find another one that I love just as much as Two-Way Street.
I would definitely recommend WATCH ME by Lauren Barnholdt to those who are fans of contemporary romance, reality television, and juicy gossip. Read WATCH ME if you like books by Elizabeth Scott or Jennifer Echols. And of course, if you are a Lauren Barnholdt fan, you should definitely still check this one out.
Why I’m Biased: I’m a big Lauren Barnholdt fan ever since I read Two-Way Street.
Other Book Reviews:
Escaping Through Books
Paranormal Indulgence
Reading Lark
About the AuthorLauren Barnholdt is also the author of Two-Way Street, The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney, Four Truths and a Lie, and One Night That Changes Everything. She lives in Waltham, Massachusetts. |
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Book Review, Three Stars - Audience: Young Adult, Author: Lauren Barnholdt, Book: Watch Me, Borrow It, Genre: Contemporary, Genre: Romance, Publisher: Simon Pulse | 
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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs… for now.
Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.
Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.
Expected Publication Date: January 10th 2012 by Dutton Juvenile
I know I’ve only read one John Green book ever, and I’m really not the biggest nerdfighter out there, but there has just been so much excitement building up for this book. I’ve already got this one pre-ordered so I’m to receive it ANY DAY NOW.
A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets . . .
A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.
A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to such unexplored pleasures.
Bourne may be a prince of London’s underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them . . . even her heart
Expected Publication Date: February 28th 2012 by Avon
Sarah MacLean easily won me over with her Love by Numbers series. I’m excited to read more of her stuff! I hope I enjoy this series just as much.
Thumped by Megan McCafferty
It’s been thirty-five weeks since twin sisters Harmony and Melody went their separate ways. And now their story has become irresistible: twins separated at birth, each due to deliver twins…on the same day!
Married to Ram and living in Goodside, Harmony spends her time trying to fit back into the community she once believed in. But she can’t forget about Jondoe, the guy she fell for under the strangest of circumstances.
To her adoring fans, Melody has achieved everything: a major contract and a coupling with the hottest bump prospect around. But this image is costing her the one guy she really wants.
The girls’ every move is analyzed by millions of fans eagerly counting down to “Double Double Due Date.” They’re two of the most powerful teen girls on the planet, and they could do only one thing to make them even more famous:
Tell the truth.
Expected Publication Date: April 24th 2012 by Balzer + Bray
I was a bit hesitant about reading something new by Megan McCafferty but I was anxious for no reason. I love Bumped and now I eagerly await for its sequel.
The Traitor in the Tunnel by YS Lee
I Queen Victoria has a little problem: there’s a petty thief at work in Buckingham Palace. Charged with discretion, the Agency puts quickwitted Mary Quinn on the case, where she must pose as a domestic while fending off the attentions of a feckless Prince of Wales. But when the prince witnesses the murder of one of his friends in an opium den, the potential for scandal looms large. And Mary faces an even more unsettling possibility: the accused killer, a Chinese sailor imprisoned in the Tower of London, shares a name with her long-lost father. Meanwhile, engineer James Easton, Mary’s onetime paramour, is at work shoring up the sewers beneath the palace, where an unexpected tunnel seems to be very much in use. Can Mary and James trust each other (and put their simmering feelings aside) long enough to solve the mystery and protect the Royal Family? Hoist on your waders for Mary’s most personal case yet, where the stakes couldn’t be higher – and she has everything to lose.
Expected Publication Date: February 28th 2012 by Candlewick Press
I’ve already read this one but it’s one of those books that I need to have a final copy of!
Other Notable Titles
These are some that I am extremely looking forward to, but it is still early for them to have covers and/or descriptions:
- Written with My Own Heart’s Blood (Outlander, #8) by Diana Gabaldon – You know this means that I have to do an epic reread of the entire series in 2012 but it will be SO WORTH IT. Oh my god, I am so excited just writing about it.
- Shadows (Ashes, #2) by Ilsa J. Bick – Ashes left off with me wanting more. It was probably one of my favorite books this year and I can’t wait to get back into the world Bick has created!
- Untitled (Daughter of Smoke and Bone, #2) by Laini Taylor – Again, another series that I started and loved.
- Rebel Heart (Dustlands, #2) by Moira Young – Yet another sequel that I’m on the look out for in 2012. I started so many series in 2011, and this is one of the few that I plan on continuing. More Saba and Jack please!
- The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt – Huge Barnholdt fan so I’m excited for anything that she puts out. This one has a cover, but no description yet. Whatever it’s about, I’ll probably read it regardless.
- Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins – Do I really need to explain this one?
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Memes - Author: Diana Gabaldon, Author: Ilsa J Bick, Author: John Green, Author: Laini Taylor, Author: Lauren Barnholdt, Author: Megan McCafferty, Author: Moira Young, Author: Sarah MacLean, Author: Stephanie Perkins, Author: YS Lee, Book: A Rogue by Any Other Name, Book: Isla and the Happily Ever After, Book: Rebel Heart, Book: Shadows, Book: The Fault in Our Stars, Book: The Thing About the Truth, Book: The Traitor and the Tunnel, Book: Thumped, Book: Written with My Own Heart's Blood, Series: Ashes, Series: Bumped, Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Series: Dustlands, Series: The Agency | 1489 words
SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS by Lauren Barnholdt
Publication Date: July 12th 2011 by Simon Pulse
Rating:
Summary: On the last day of her junior year, Hannah’s boyfriend Sebastian dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah’s side…until it’s time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava’s boyfriend, Noah, who’s such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah’s good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction–and one night, into a passionate kiss.
The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Sebastian, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think…
Review Overview:
- Love Barnholdt’s writing style of alternating chapters of past and present
- Main character, Hannah, is so easy to relate to! She lets me relive high school and experience the drama without having to emotionally scar myself first-hand;
- Lauren Barnholdt is easily becoming one of my favorite contemporary authors!
I absolutely love Lauren Barnholdt’s writing style. – don’t know if all her novels are told in this style – alternating back and
forth from past to present – but I really like how it makes the story flow. Just when something juicy happens in the present, I am jolted back to the past. My anticipation just builds with each chapter and I am so eager to read on.
One set back that readers might have with this novel is essentially the plot of the novel. I think its pretty obvious from the summary alone that the main character, Hannah, does something with her best friend’s boyfriend that she shouldn’t have. Everyone – readers and main character alike- know it’s wrong, which only intensifies Hannah’s guilt and our empathy as a reader. For those who have problems with cheating, I should say that the cheating did not take place throughout the whole book / summer. The novel essentially takes place on the first day of school with flashbacks to the past during the alternating chapters.
I’m not going to ramble on defending Hannah, because if you read the book, I really don’t think that anyone needs to defend her further. She’s quite aware of what she’s done and I think she handles the situation very well. And hey, Sometimes It Happens.
Barnholdt just makes Hannah so easy to relate to. My high school experience had been far from this dramatic, so Barnholdt kind of helped me relive high school and experience this drama through the eyes of Hannah, without having to actually get emotionally scarred first-hand. One of the most memorable things I found in the book was Hannah’s urge to Facebook stalk her ex-boyfriend. Because everyone does it, and I certainly do it – even if we know that it’s probably not the brightest idea.
SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS is another fantastic novel by Lauren Barnholdt. While for me, it did not live up to her other novel Two-Way Street, I am now determined, more than ever to get my hands on all her books! SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS is a fun, light novel perfect for a beach read! I read it straight through and still cannot get enough of Barnholdt’s writing.
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Book Review, Four Stars - Audience: Young Adult, Author: Lauren Barnholdt, Book: Sometimes It Happens, Genre: Contemporary, Genre: Romance, Publisher: Simon Pulse | 741 words
- Action Packed
- Hahaha Funny
- Keeps You Guessing
- Heartwarmer
- Makes You Think
- Masterful World-Building
- Must Buy
- Page-Turner
- Poetic Prose
- Romantic Read
- Tear-Jerker
