Reviewed by Angela S. for TeensReadToo.com
This novel by reality TV starlet Lauren Conrad chronicles the lives of Jane Roberts and her best friend, Scarlett Harp, as they move to LA and become the stars of a reality TV show. The book, which is based loosely on Conrad's own life, is a little slow in the beginning, but picks up a bit once Jane and Scarlett are discovered at a club by a TV producer.
From that point on the two, though a little hesitant at first, decide to audition for the show and their lives change drastically.
While Jane takes to the cameras being around easily, Scarlett is not so excited and wonders what she got herself into. Throw into the mix two other cast members, Gaby, a total ditz, and Madison, a total witch with a nice girl facade, and things get even more complicated.
When Jane starts dating Jesse, who happens to be the best friend of her friend-slash-major crush, Braden, things spiral out of control quickly and the jealousy of someone Jane thought she could trust ruins her life in an instant.
With lots of run-of-the-mill Hollywood cliches (blondes, drugs, cosmetic surgery, etc), L.A. CANDY almost fails to deliver an original storyline. In addition, in pretty much every single chapter, Jane and her friends are drinking (usually vodka soda for Jane) making it seem to the unknowing person who has never been to LA that you can't have any fun in Tinseltown without being drunk.
It is a quick and light read that would be great for the beach or a day when you don't need any actual depth in what you're reading. However, the ending is a cliffhanger and leaves you wanting to know what happens to Jane next.
This novel by reality TV starlet Lauren Conrad chronicles the lives of Jane Roberts and her best friend, Scarlett Harp, as they move to LA and become the stars of a reality TV show. The book, which is based loosely on Conrad's own life, is a little slow in the beginning, but picks up a bit once Jane and Scarlett are discovered at a club by a TV producer.
From that point on the two, though a little hesitant at first, decide to audition for the show and their lives change drastically.
While Jane takes to the cameras being around easily, Scarlett is not so excited and wonders what she got herself into. Throw into the mix two other cast members, Gaby, a total ditz, and Madison, a total witch with a nice girl facade, and things get even more complicated.
When Jane starts dating Jesse, who happens to be the best friend of her friend-slash-major crush, Braden, things spiral out of control quickly and the jealousy of someone Jane thought she could trust ruins her life in an instant.
With lots of run-of-the-mill Hollywood cliches (blondes, drugs, cosmetic surgery, etc), L.A. CANDY almost fails to deliver an original storyline. In addition, in pretty much every single chapter, Jane and her friends are drinking (usually vodka soda for Jane) making it seem to the unknowing person who has never been to LA that you can't have any fun in Tinseltown without being drunk.
It is a quick and light read that would be great for the beach or a day when you don't need any actual depth in what you're reading. However, the ending is a cliffhanger and leaves you wanting to know what happens to Jane next.
hated this book - love the show "the hills" - thought i would give the book a try. she should stick to reality tv.
Very quick read, and no depth to any of the characters, this book lacks a major component to a novela real plot. But oh wait, its loosely based on The Hills. Ok, ok. I tune into The Hills for my weekly dose of mindless television and guilty pleasure, but lets be honest, is the show really about anything? Not unless you consider who is dating who, what new trends are in the stores and where these people eat their meals substance. And that is about as much as you will get out of this novel from Lauren Conrad.
Dont get me wrong, I like Lauren Conrad, but this book is clearly written for girls under the age of 18. After the age of 18, one can consider this book fluff reading for those looking for a quick poolside read. If you arent a teenage girl, I dont recommend this book for you. Entertaining? Sure, about as much as The Hills. Great novel that keeps you turning the pages anxiously awaiting what will happen? Not so much.
Dont get me wrong, I like Lauren Conrad, but this book is clearly written for girls under the age of 18. After the age of 18, one can consider this book fluff reading for those looking for a quick poolside read. If you arent a teenage girl, I dont recommend this book for you. Entertaining? Sure, about as much as The Hills. Great novel that keeps you turning the pages anxiously awaiting what will happen? Not so much.
I was very disappointed in this book. I read it quite quickly to "get it over with" since I spent $15.00 on it. I thought the story went fast because of the super short chapters (which helped greatly). When I read the first 100 pages I kept wondering if this book was going anywhere. I thought it was quite boring and the verbiage annoying. The characters and plot could have been developed with more detail and depth. I was really upset and don't want anyone else to waste their money. I really wanted it to be a lot better than it was. It left a cliff hanger and an ending that was rushed. I definitely won't read anymore Lauren Conrad books. It would be a great book for young adults except for the language.
I read this book in the course of several hours. Conrad has first hand knowledge of being a reality tv star and with her insight combined with the with realistic plot makes one eager to tear through this book. I began reading as soon i got home from work yesterday and finished at about 1AM. The resolution of the book leaves you with a cliffhanger that I had to buy the next book earlier today. I was surprised at how much I liked this book. As i know that i personally never read a book twice and will just collect dust on my shelf, I almost feel saddened that I am to part with this book and post it for someone else to enjoy.
Quick, fun and entertaining read. If you watched The Hills on MTV you'll love this book, it gives some behind the scenes looks at the making of a "reality" show. End of the book leaves you hanging fo more, can't wait til the next one in the series comes out!!
First off if you weren't into "The Hills" you will not like this book! If you were a fan, then it's pretty much like watching an episode with behind the scenes footage. Personally I found it more likeable to read about it than watch it. Quick, fun, beach read.
Reviewed for www.Chicklitclub.com - If you love Chick Lit, join the club!
LA Candy by reality TV starlet Lauren Conrad chronicles the lives of Jane
Roberts and her best friend Scarlett Harp as they move to LA and become
the stars of a reality TV show. The book, which is based loosely on
Conrad's own life, is a little slow in the beginning but picks up a little
once Jane and Scarlett are discovered at a club by a TV producer. From
that point on the two, though a little hesitant at first, decide to
audition for the show and their lives change drastically. While Jane takes
to the cameras being around easily, Scarlett is not so excited and wonders
what she got herself into. Throw into the mix two other cast members,
Gaby,a total ditz and Madison, a toal bitch with a nice girl facade, and
things get even more complicated. When Jane starts dating Jesse, who
happens to be the best friend of her friend-slash-major crush, Braden,
things spiral out of control quickly and the jealously of someone Jane
thought she could trust ruins her life in an instant. With lots of run of
the mill Hollywood cliches (blonds, drugs, comestic surgery etc) LA Candy
almost fails to deliver an original storyline. In addition, in pretty much
every single chapter Jane and her friends are drinking (usually vodka soda
for Jane) making it seem to the unknowing person who has never been to LA,
that you can't have any fun in Tinsletown without being drunk. LA Candy is
a quick and light read that would be great for the beach or a day when you
don't need any actual depth in what you're reading.
LA Candy by reality TV starlet Lauren Conrad chronicles the lives of Jane
Roberts and her best friend Scarlett Harp as they move to LA and become
the stars of a reality TV show. The book, which is based loosely on
Conrad's own life, is a little slow in the beginning but picks up a little
once Jane and Scarlett are discovered at a club by a TV producer. From
that point on the two, though a little hesitant at first, decide to
audition for the show and their lives change drastically. While Jane takes
to the cameras being around easily, Scarlett is not so excited and wonders
what she got herself into. Throw into the mix two other cast members,
Gaby,a total ditz and Madison, a toal bitch with a nice girl facade, and
things get even more complicated. When Jane starts dating Jesse, who
happens to be the best friend of her friend-slash-major crush, Braden,
things spiral out of control quickly and the jealously of someone Jane
thought she could trust ruins her life in an instant. With lots of run of
the mill Hollywood cliches (blonds, drugs, comestic surgery etc) LA Candy
almost fails to deliver an original storyline. In addition, in pretty much
every single chapter Jane and her friends are drinking (usually vodka soda
for Jane) making it seem to the unknowing person who has never been to LA,
that you can't have any fun in Tinsletown without being drunk. LA Candy is
a quick and light read that would be great for the beach or a day when you
don't need any actual depth in what you're reading.
It's times like this that I really hate how popular book series have become. Why does no one just want to write a story anymore - one with a beginning, a middle, and an end? Why do even new authors have to come out with a series of books that promise absolutely no finality to a story?
This book, were I reading it at a library or a coffee shop, would have taken me no more than 2 hours to read. AND THERE WAS NOT AN ENDING. Because it's a series. But it absolutely did not have to be. The next two or three or however many of this trash there is could have been put together so the reader doesn't turn the page expecting the next chapter and seeing the "Acknowledgements" page. It's not the first time it's happened to me, but it is just as crappy.
It's not even a great story, I just like things to be wrapped up when I finish. The only joy I got out of this book was trying to figure out which character corresponded to which person in Conrad's real life. I probably could have read the wiki entry for that.
This book, were I reading it at a library or a coffee shop, would have taken me no more than 2 hours to read. AND THERE WAS NOT AN ENDING. Because it's a series. But it absolutely did not have to be. The next two or three or however many of this trash there is could have been put together so the reader doesn't turn the page expecting the next chapter and seeing the "Acknowledgements" page. It's not the first time it's happened to me, but it is just as crappy.
It's not even a great story, I just like things to be wrapped up when I finish. The only joy I got out of this book was trying to figure out which character corresponded to which person in Conrad's real life. I probably could have read the wiki entry for that.
Really enjoyed this book!
