Monday, March 13, 2017

{Blog Tour} America’s Next Reality Star - Laura Heffernan (Review & Giveaway)




In AMERICA’S NEXT REALITY STAR, Jen is cast on a reality show after she loses her job, her boyfriend, and her home. She hopes to win the cash prize but finds she also wants to win the heart of fellow contestant Justin. Fans of Sophie Kinsella's Confessions of a Shopaholic won't want to miss this charming, witty read published by Kensington’s Lyrical Shine.


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About America’s Next Reality Star:

Title: America’s Next Reality Star
Author: Laura Heffernan
Publisher: Lyrical Shine - Kensington
Series: Reality Star #1
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9781516101542

SEEKING THE SMART ONE

Twenty-four-year-old Jen Reid had her life in good shape: an okay job, a tiny-cute Seattle apartment, and a great boyfriend almost ready to get serious. In a flash it all came apart. Single, unemployed, and holding an eviction notice, who has time to remember trying out for a reality show? Then the call comes, and Jen sees her chance to start over—by spending her summer on national TV.

Luckily The Fishbowl is all about puzzles and games, the kind of thing Jen would love even if she wasn’t desperate. The cast checks all the boxes: cheerful, quirky Birdie speaks in hashtags; vicious Ariana knows just how to pout for the cameras; and corn-fed “J-dawg” plays the cartoon villain of the house. Then there’s Justin, the green-eyed law student who always seems a breath away from kissing her. Is their attraction real, or a trick to get him closer to the $250,000 grand prize? Romance or showmance, suddenly Jen has a lot more to lose than a summer . . .

Add to your TBR list:  Goodreads

Available at:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes

Review:

This story follows Jen who is a 24-year-old marketing assistant.   She currently lives in Seattle, has a decent job, and a boyfriend who she is hoping to take things to the next level soon.  One day everything changes and she loses her job, finds out her apartment complex was sold, and finds out that her boyfriend has a wife.    Jen had applied to be on a random reality TV show that she didn’t know much about and when everything went bad she learns she made the show.

Jen was a very loveable character to read about.  She had a typical life in Seattle until one day everything changes.  Jen tries to stay as positive as she can and feels this reality show is what will help her to change her life when she wins the grand prize.  Jen is very good at puzzles and did great at the casting call.  We get to learn a lot about Jen while she is in the Fishbowl and see how determined she is to win. We also see that she wants a very level playing field and can’t stand people who take advantage of the system.

The author does an amazing job creating all the personalities of people in the house.  Each of the characters on the show started to grow on me while reading the book.  I would have loved to see how everyone ended up after the show.   Ed was just such a solid relationship advice guy I could totally keep reading about him and see who he would be paired up with.   Also, Birdie did she get back to twitter after the whole incident I need to know!

I loved how the author connected a lot of the characters in the book.  During the show, we don’t get any outside perspective we only get what is going on in the house with the contestants, but we can tell that other things are happening out in the real world.   The author does a great job bringing all the past events that might have seemed small and pulling them all together to make one complete picture.  I loved how everything was summed up and the ending of the book was great.  

Spolierish:   I guess my one compliant if any was the some of the scenes with Jen and Justin in the book.  The author does a great job creating chemistry, but the falling so much for each other while barely talking doesn’t add up for me.   It felt like I could have used more a buildup in their relationship.

I would suggest this is as nighttime read.  It was easy to follow along during the book and very relaxing to read.  I felt like there were natural stopping points while reading that allowed me to pick up the book and put it down right before bed and not feel overwhelmed while reading or that I had to finish the book in one sitting.

I received a copy of this book from Barclay Publicity to provide an honest review.  This does not affect my opinion of this book.


My Rating: 4/5


Excerpt:

He touched my chin with two fingers, bringing my gaze up to meet his. Damn those green eyes. I searched them for answers, wishing I knew whether he was putting on an act for the audience. Even with the lights off, the cameras stationed in the yard would capture us. The producers filmed everything, day and night. Everyone in America would know if we kissed. For a moment, I struggled to remember why that was bad.
“I guess it’s not your fault, since I got the question right,” I said begrudgingly, shifting slightly backward.
“If that is the best I can get, I’ll take it. But I’m going to work on complete forgiveness. I’ll pay you double interest on our bet—six cents.”
“Well, then,” I laughed. “Maybe I’ll have to reconsider once I get my money. I’d hate to have to send Birdie to break your kneecaps.”
The image of five-foot-tall Birdie coming after Justin with a baseball bat cracked him up. I laughed, too, crossing my legs and settling more comfortably in the lounger. My knee practically touched Justin’s leg. He didn’t move.
We sat quietly for a few minutes. I wondered if he heard my heart pounding. Even not wanting to get caught kissing on national television with a near-stranger, I found something about Justin irresistible. Possibly his smile. Or his dimples. His brains. The ease of talking to him. His personality. The fact that he was practically perfect for me in every way.
That line of thinking wasn’t helping. I needed to change the subject before I started calling him Mary Poppins.
“It’s a beautiful night.” I gestured at the sky.
“Yes, it is,” Justin said, his eyes never leaving my face. Did he lean forward slightly? Only inches separated our lips.
The warmth definitely wasn’t the beer. I licked my lips nervously and leaned in, closing the gap. If he moved the tiniest bit…
“So—”
Copyright © 2017 by Laura Heffernan


About Laura Heffernan:

Laura Heffernan is living proof that watching too much TV can pay off. When not watching total strangers participate in arranged marriages, drag racing queens, or cooking competitions, Laura enjoys travel, baking, board games, helping with writing contests, and seeking new experiences. She lives in the Northeast with her amazing husband and two furry little beasts.

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4 comments:

  1. I love the idea of the reality show!!! Sounds fun - glad you enjoyed it. Great review!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've never been a fan of reality show books, since I'm not a reality show fan, but I can see the appeal

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not a big reality show watcher, but it was an interesting book. Thank you for stopping by!

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