Title: Something Real
Author: Heather Demetrios
Length: 403 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Classification: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Source: Hardback (Won an annotated copy from a giveaway given by the author. Thank you again, Heather!)
Read: June 2014
There’s nothing real about reality TV.Seventeen-year-old Bonnie™ Baker has grown up on TV—she and her twelve siblings are the stars of one-time hit reality show Baker’s Dozen. Since the show’s cancellation and the scandal surrounding it, Bonnie™ has tried to live a normal life, under the radar and out of the spotlight. But it’s about to fall apart…because Baker’s Dozen is going back on the air. Bonnie™’s mom and the show’s producers won’t let her quit and soon the life she has so carefully built for herself, with real friends (and maybe even a real boyfriend), is in danger of being destroyed by the show. Bonnie™ needs to do something drastic if her life is ever going to be her own—even if it means being more exposed than ever before.
Let me just start off by saying that I wasn't sure how much I would like this book. I didn't really know much about this book with the exception of it involving Reality TV and that there have been some good reviews from bloggers that I follow on GoodReads. And I don't watch Reality TV. I have seen a few episodes of different Reality TV shows here and there. But I don't actively seek out to watch any of these shows. And I don't choose to watch any of them.
This book was AMAZING! I was blown away by how much I loved reading this book. I could not put it down. I really tried taking my time to try and savor this beautifully written story.
But I still ended up reading it rather quickly. And when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.
The Story:
I LOVE this story.
I found this story to be unique and wonderfully written. I love Demetrios writing style! (I am really looking forward to reading her other books coming out in the future!)
What a thought-provoking story about a young girl dealing with wanting to be herself and longing to live a normal life when her family's life is back to being broadcast on TV.
I don't think I can even imagine what Chloe had to go through in this story. Growing up as part of a Reality TV series, having a bit of relief and freedom after the show was cancelled for a couple of years, to then be back on TV and having her attempt at a normal life turned upside down! Wow. And all the other personal challenges she is coping and dealing with besides the show.
It was just amazing.
And so well written.
When I discovered that this story was going to be about a family that has 13 children, I was really worried that I would get confused trying to remember all the characters. But it wasn't. It focuses mainly on Chloe (aka Bonnie) and her brother Benton. There are several more characters that have bigger roles than some of the younger children.
I really like that the author addresses so many important subjects in this book and I really feel that these subjects and issues really added to the story and were well addressed.
And I love the way the book is written. I love all the scenes that are written as scripts and the online stuff. I also love that the author included some flashbacks (written like scripts) to past important episodes, I really feel that it helped add to the story and make us as readers more understanding about things that had happened. And I absolutely LOVE the titles of the chapters (I am a huge F.R.I.E.N.D.S. fan!)
The Characters:
Oh my goodness, these characters!
They are so well developed and well written. It was so easy to either love the character or hate certain characters. I wanted to be a part of the story and hug Chloe and Benton. As well as wanting to yell at the producer, parents and step-father.
I REALLY love Chloe. It was so easy for me to feel connected to her as a character. She has some many things she is trying to deal with personally and I love that she is trying to fight for what she wants. I love how easy it is to love her character. And being able to emphasis and root for her.
I also adore the sister-brother relationship between Chloe and Benton. It is a wonderful sibling relationship. They care about each other, they pick on one another, and they will have each other's back. I think it is one of my favorite sister-brother relationships I have ever read about!
I also love Benton's character. He is a well written character and I loved having him in this story.
Lexie was another character I enjoyed in this story. I loved the developing relationship between Chloe and Lexie in the story. And there were times that I would be a bit frustrated with Lexie, but also times that I just simply LOVED her.
Which brings us to another AMAZING character...Patrick!
*Swoon*
Patrick is simply outstanding. I absolutely adored his character. He is a great person, friend, boyfriend, shoulder to cry on, etc.
I love his relationship with Chloe. I love his friendship with Benton.
I feel like I can't find the right words to fully convey the awesomeness that is Patrick.
My Recommendation:
Read this book!
If you like contemporary books or if you enjoy reading realistic books that deal with issues but also have fun and loving moments then I highly recommend Something Real. It is realistic and simply amazing. It is full of characters to relate to and love.
I LOVE this book so much, I am adding Heather Demetrios to my auto-read author list. I am really looking forward to her future books.
My Rating: 5+ Stars (2014 Favorite)
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