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Review: Starring Me by Krista McGee + Giveaway

August 10, 2012 by Sana

Title: Starring Me

Author: Krista McGee
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: 10 July 2012
Pages: 320 (eARC)

Synopsis

Kara McKormick is told she’s auditioning to star in a new teen variety show. But it’s what she isn’t told that could change her life.
The feisty New Yorker moves to sunny Orlando to participate in a month-long audition, where she’ll live with nine other contestants and an eccentric housemother. Kara knows that the show already has a big-time celebrity lined up for the co-host, but she doesn’t know who it is.
Chad Beacon quickly rose to fame after winning America’s Next Star, but he doesn’t want his entire career to be about singing. There is so much more he wants to do-like act. The new variety show sounds like the perfect next step for him, but his parents want him to have a co-star who shares his faith since they’ll be spending so much time together.
Acting is high on Kara’s priority list. But a relationship with God? Not so much. In fact, she’s tried to stay away from anything religious. But God is after Kara’s heart and He’s put people in her life who are showing her there’s far more to Christianity than rules and judgment.
And just when it seems that Kara’s going to have to give up her acting dream, God reveals that she may have a starring role after all-in a story so big only He could write it.
My Rating
* * * *
The Review
All Kara McKormick wants is to be an actress. With a talent of blending perfectly into her character that brings her a thrill of performing, Kara believes she has it all. But does she? When she doesn’t have an agent and the her only claim to fame is being on The Book of Love.

So armed with a passion for acting and a determined will, Kara goes to audition for a show when she gets a call. All she knows is that she will be competing with nine other girls and at the end, one girl will get her own SNL-ish show with a famous male co-star. The show that will broaden her horizons like she always wanted.

Starring Me is more about the auditions than the show itself so there are actual scripts in between chapters which are just amazing to read. I got excited every time there was one because they are funny and witty.  Kara is a very humble and likeable character; I liked getting to know her and the way her mind worked. She’s friendly, confident and knows what she wants but she can also be such a girl when it comes to certain things. I admired her strong emotional side and the fact that nothing can deter her from her path. However, she will put all the stops if it has something to do with her family.

Then there is Chad. I liked that I got to know his part of the story as well. His personality is very mature and fame hasn’t really gotten over his head. His parents are protective of him and he respects that. I loved the part about him being home-schooled, it all sounded pretty cool.

The roles of Addy, Jonathan, Flora and Kara’s family compliment each other and I liked how it all connected and fell into place for Kara. Flora is a very wise character however much her appearance says otherwise. Addy and Jonathan each play a significant role in Kara’s life in the book because she never knew what was missing in her life until she started questioning. It isn’t about the belief in God alone, it’s about the willingness to do something. Anything. Determination is key.

In all, Starring Me is a light summer read complete with competitive girls willing to stomp on you to win, killer auditions, a best friend who gets red in the face every time a certain boy is mentioned, a cool bibliophilic housemother, a strong love for family and a dream of a lifetime. I enjoyed reading Starring Me a lot. Really, it’s as much about the journey as it is about the destination itself.

Best Quote:
“Cleansing tears poured from her cheeks and she let them flow, feeling a sense of peace like she had never known before.”

The Giveaway
Thomas Nelson has generously offered two copies of Starring Me for giveaway. Rules are in the Rafflecopter widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing me Starring Me for review.

Categories: arc, contemporary, giveaway, review, young adult

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vegan YA Nerds says

    August 10, 2012

    This sounds like a really fun read and I think it will appeal to a lot of readers right now because reality shows are so popular.

    Thanks for making the ebook option international!

  2. Misa G. says

    August 10, 2012

    Sounds like a great read! I was a little hesitant because of the emphasis on Christianity in the blurb, but after reading your review I might have to give it a try!

    Misa
    Skyway Avenue Reads

  3. snugglemybooks says

    August 10, 2012

    Wooo! Did I mention the comments pop off your page? So cool! Anyway, this sounds so fun. I love it when characters get into their roles in books.

    Kim at Snuggle My Books

  4. snugglemybooks says

    August 10, 2012

    Right? I have nothing whatsoever against Christianity, but it sort of makes me go leery when the books are like: "Love God" throughout the whole thing.

    Kim at Snuggle My Books

  5. buchanl says

    August 10, 2012

    Sounds like a great book and I must admit to enjoying quite a few reality shows

  6. Ron C. Nieto says

    August 11, 2012

    As the rest say… Having religion in the mix usually makes me step back from a book. Nothing personal, just not my thing to read about, it's too complicated and all too easy to offend.

    That said, your review makes it sound really good so this unique take might be just the thing!

    Thanks for sharing,

  7. Alexandra says

    August 17, 2012

    I don't like reality TV, but I do like books about it! Much more interesting in fiction, I must say 🙂 Interesting review by the way 🙂 From Jessica x

  8. kiki says

    August 22, 2012

    I don't mind some reality TV shows but there are others that i can not stand!

  9. Gill B says

    August 30, 2012

    Can't bear most reality shows but having read your review sounds an interesting read.

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