Between The Lines by Tammara Webber
Between The Lines by Tammara Webber | |
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Category: Teens | |
Reviewer: Robert James | |
Summary: A great setting and well-written characters make this teen contemporary a recommended read. | |
Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
Pages: 384 | Date: February 2013 |
Publisher: Penguin | |
External links: Author's website | |
ISBN: 978-0141347462 | |
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Emma is a seventeen year old actress, thrust into the spotlight in a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with a co-star who half of America's teens are drooling over. Reid is a Hollywood heartthrob with an ego the size of Los Angeles and a reputation as a player. When the two meet, sparks fly - but can Emma trust the superstar, or would she be better off going for the less-exciting but more sensible Graham?
I picked this up after loving Easy, despite there being a love triangle at the centre of it. (For those who know my feelings on love triangles, that's a real sign of confidence in Webber as an author!) There's significant differences between this and Easy - this fits far more into YA than the 'New Adult' genre of which Easy's one of the standard bearers. In addition to the characters being slightly younger, there's a lighter tone.
The dual narration from Emma and Reid worked pretty well here - Emma is a brilliant character who I really grew to care for, Reid is well-written but punchable. Very punchable. To the point where every five pages I was thinking I REALLY want to hit this guy. I can't recall many other instances where I've actually wanted to inflict physical harm on a narrator, so Webber deserves credit for making me feel this strongly about him! I liked Graham, and was rooting for him and Emma to get together right up until she finally made her choice - I was genuinely intrigued as to who she'd pick, and couldn't have predicted it with any certainty at any point.
I also really enjoyed the setting as the three teens and the rest of their co-stars filmed the movie, while trying to party as much as possible and avoid the unwanted attention of fans. Emily, Emma's best friend back at home, provided an interesting counterpoint as well, living a much more normal life and checking out the Hollywood rumour sites to let Emma know what was being said about her without Emma having to see hurtful stuff for herself.
Overall, I thought this was a fun read and will definitely pick up the next one in the series.
For more excellent dual narratives in teen fiction over the last couple of years, Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt, Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley, Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry and Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson are all well worth checking out.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Between The Lines by Tammara Webber at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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