Tagline: Her future is so bright, she’s gotta wear shades
STORY (from the publisher): Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don’t just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom–they are actually head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat’s grandmother, an eccentric star from Hollywood’s golden age, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed family members?
Stars Collide, by Janice Thompson | Book Review
REVIEW: Unlike the topics most books set in Hollywood cover, this series is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce a television show, and I suspect that with a background in TV writing, Thompson has a good spin on this. Telling the story of a family-friendly sitcom, Stars Collide, book one has lots of humor in these pages.
Despite the fact that I could barely keep my eyes open when starting this novel, it does impresses me with its easy reading. Surprising since I am not a fan of first-person writing. It helps too that there is probably more actual dialogue rather than inner thought. The story is different than your typical Christian rom-com. There are hilarious misunderstandings – although some are taken to an extreme, which I will elaborate on later and some great moments between our leading lady and leading man (particularly the “surprise” nearer the end).
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‘STARS COLLIDE,’ by Janice Thompson. #BookReviews #RomanceFiction #Fiction #FWArchives Click To TweetNo one does romantic comedies quite like Janice Thompson. Her “Weddings by Bella” series is one of those I read and did enjoy at the time. The antics go a bit too far. How the news of Kat’s faux engagement gets out is really more controllable than the author (and Kat) want us to believe; and it’s a tad annoying that Kat and Scott didn’t take better care that things didn’t get as far as they did. Some instances such as Scott’s parents being victimized by the press (which isn’t altogether untrue) or everyone assuming a pretend proposal is for real just made me roll my eyes at the cliché. Still, the book is adorably cute. I loved the “insider” look at Hollywood and am already enjoying book two! Anyone who likes all things Hollywood will find a jewel in this charming romantic comedy.
Conclusion: Fun and entertaining best describes Stars Collide. It has a well-meaning but human hero and its heroine is likable plus this is really an ideal, light summer-time read. If you liked Thompson’s prior works or old Hollywood, check this one out.
About the Book:
Author: Janice Thompson
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: 2011
Series: Backstage Pass – Book 1
Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Shop the Book: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Rating: 4 out of 5
4 Comments
Ooh, Rissi, now I have to borrow this from my friend!
We had an author's convention in February and Janice Thompson was one of the speakers, a really fascinating woman who had written many manuscripts before a friend of hers found them crammed in the closet and insisted she try to get them published.
This sounds like a really fun book and right up my alley!
I really enjoyed this book, Carissa. It was an easy read that caught me up in its plot a lot quicker than I expected – and I loved that!
There are a lot of old Hollywood movie references which is cute and I liked the setting of the story. :-)
Janice has a fabulous writing style – her humor is great so I am not surprised she is a lovely lady. :-) That is really neat to know, too – I love that she had manuscripts hidden away! Wish I had that much to start with. LOL! ;-)
Hope you enjoy this one, Carissa – I need to get my last two books/reviews wrapped!
Loved your Review. I read this book earlier this year and I liked it, too!
Loved the references to old movies, movie lines, and Doris Day! Great Story!
Thank you for reading. :-)
I really liked this novel but not as well as Thompson's "Bella" series. It was so much more… entertaining. There was something about this book that felt… restrained. Still it was loads of fun in true Janice Thompson style. ;-)