Reviews provided by Syndetics
Publishers Weekly Review
When Audrey breaks up with her musician boyfriend, Evan, he is inspired to write a song about it, a catchy tune that launches his band to the top of the music charts--and that makes Audrey the target of paparazzi and gossip magazines--and the queen bee at school. Although Audrey tries to hide from fame, it finds her anyway (a first date with a co-worker ends with a police escort from a record store, where a crowd has trapped them). Audrey's phenomenal celebrity seems unlikely but she herself feels completely believable, and readers will find her both sympathetic and funny. Benway displays a keen ear for dialogue; this first novelist has a knack for showcasing her characters' wit as well as their sincere concern for one another. Right after Audrey hears Evan's song for the first time, for example, she asks her best friend, "So do I kill myself now, or do I wait and do it in front of Evan so he feels really, really, really bad?" "You're not going to kill yourself," the friend replies. "Remember in health class, when they talked about how adolescents drink to mask pain? That's what you're going to do." (Note to worried adults: they drink a milkshake.) Irresistible. Ages 12-up. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-When 16-year-old Audrey decides to dump her band-singer boyfriend, she has no idea that he will go on to write a chart-topping song about their breakup. Music lovers will appreciate Audrey's passion for her favorite bands and the song lyrics and music references that fill this novel. Other readers-particularly teen girls-will enjoy her reaction to sudden notoriety, as Audrey fends off paparazzi, unexpectedly finds herself in gossip magazines, and attempts to have a normal life despite it all. Her touching romance with an ice-cream-shop coworker hits some snags because of the situation, but Audrey perseveres. There are some good observations here about our society's obsession with famous people, but mostly this is a light read about a high school junior in an unusual situation. While Audrey sometimes comes off as overly passive as she tries to ignore the events around her, and the ending is predictable, the story will keep teens reading. Audrey's parents, her best friend, and her new love interest are all strong characters. An enjoyable first novel that's sure to be a hit.-Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Within a few weeks after their breakup, Audrey's boyfriend, Evan, writes and performs a rock song about their split that catches the attention of a music executive and catapults Evan and his band to stardom. Because she is the song's subject, Audrey suddenly becomes a celebrity, too, and over the course of a school year, she finds herself dodging paparazzi, rock stars in search of a muse, and star-crazed classmates. Set in Southern California, Benway's memorable debut is a highly entertaining fantasy of teen fame, narrated in Audrey's sardonic voice and perfect timed comedic lines that channel contemporary YA culture: It makes my parents crazy how I can do all of this at once, talk on the phone and email and IM. I'm just like, how can you not? Readers will be captivated by the well-drawn supporting characters, particularly Audrey's loving, bantering parents and vibrant best friend, and fans of David Levithan and Rachel Cohn's Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (2006) will find a similarly raw, honest celebration of music, friendship, romance, and teen resilience.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2008 Booklist
Horn Book Review
Audrey's ex, Evan, writes a hit song about their breakup after she dumps him. Suddenly Audrey is (in)famous: the paparazzi chase her, reporters call her, and message boards dissect her every move. In this light yet smart look at fame and notoriety, Audrey proves to readers that she's more than just what Evan's song makes her out to be. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Book Review
This fluffy-but-fun debut novel grabs the latest slot in the growing canon of the you-don't-really-want-to-be-famous subcategory of chick-lit. Benway follows 16-year-old Audrey as she suffers the pangs of her breakup with Evan, her talented musician boyfriend. Evan writes a song about her that becomes a smash hit, resulting in instant, unwelcome fame for Audrey. Audrey struggles to continue her normal life with her family, school and quirky BFF Victoria while the paparazzi hound her, reporters slant their coverage of her and adoring fans mob her. Individual characterizations slop together a bit as everyone speaks with similar snappy patter, including her new, initially dorky boyfriend, James. This profusion of teen wit, however, both quells the mayhem of Audrey's life and holds the story together. Readers won't find much substance here but they will find entertainment, well pitched to the target audience of mid-teen girls. A pleasant little romp. (Fiction. YA) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.