Sugar & Spice
An L.A. Candy Novel
In case you haven't noticed, I've been crazy for the young adult (read:teenager!) book trilogy L.A. Candy since I started the series over a year ago.
The books, said to be loosely based on author Lauren Conrad's stint on Hollywood reality series The Hills, had me reading the first two modest sized paperbacks in less than a week. It's the perfect light, gossipy read for wine and a bath, or to tuck into your beach bag for a lazy day of perfecting your tan.
If you've followed my blog, my enthusiastic rants about the first two books are nothing new.
..SO was I equally thrilled with the concluding installment?
In a word, NO!
Okay, so the final book isn't two star, razzie material or anything,
But ... what would be the word I'd use to describe it?
..Weak?
LACKLUSTER.
There you go.
This won't be my most comprehensive review because frankly, I'm really tired right now, don't have the books with me to pull up pages for references, and just generally don't have the energy. But hopefully it gives you an idea of what you can expect.
There may be spoilers in this little jaunt through candy land, so if you're looking to read the book in the near future, hold off on this review.
And if you HAVE read the book, I'd be REALLY heartbroken if you didn't comment and throw your two cents in.
Ok, so now onto the review.
First, what is the story about?
"Sugar and Spice . . . Not everyone's nice.
Fresh from being betrayed by one of her closest friends, new reality-television celebrity Jane Roberts has learned a few lessons. Most important: know who to trust. And in Hollywood, that list is short. Although the press is intent on creating a tabloid war between her and ex-friend/current-costar Madison Parker, Jane just wants to take control of her life. She’s started by swearing off guys and the drama that comes with them. But when her high school sweetheart Caleb and her unrequited L.A. crush Braden show up, both acting sweeter than ever, Jane has a hard time remembering her no-boys rule. . . .
Her best friend, Scarlett, has only one guy on her mind: her new boyfriend, Liam. The girl who once thought love was a four-letter word is now head over heels. The problem is, being on a hit reality show means hanging out with other guys on-camera, and Liam isn’t too happy with pretending to play a bit part in her love life.
Just when everything feels out of control, Jane makes a shocking discovery—one that changes everyone’s definition of “reality” forever.
In her deliciously entertaining novel, television star Lauren Conrad pulls back the curtain on young Hollywood and shows that sometimes the real drama is behind the scenes. "
Okay, so the best element of the first two books in my opinion, was the shameless drama Madsison Parker (read:Heidi Montag) brought to the plot. It's what had me turning pages like mad. I'd be disappointed to start a new chapter and realize Madison wasn't the focus. So I was expecting lots of awesome Madison/Jane drama in the third book. You find out who Madison's blackmailer from Book 2 is (her younger, more beautiful sister Sophie) very early on in the story - and it's highly disappointing, albeit entertaining. After Madison is blackmailed into getting Sophie a spot on the show, you really don't hear much more from the pair until a circumvent climax at the end during an engagement party in Vegas.
A decent chunk of the book is focused on Scarlett and her boring boyfriend Liam's relationship. YAWN. It takes 300 pages for her to realize she loves him and will put their relationship before the show. I know. Original.
Onto Jane's love life.
Braden? or Caleb?
Braden? or Caleb?
Jesse? Braden? or Caleb?
Yep, she goes back and forth in true Jane style and the end leaves you searching for a point to it all.
Trevor Lord, the master with the marionette strings producing the whole thing, gets a run for his money when he leaves his "play book" - a leather notebook he uses to draft his puppet shows of the girls - on the floor of one of Jane's events.
This is the "shocking discovery" she makes about the world of reality television.
In the end, I wanted to see the sleazy Trev fall A LOT more from grace then he did. Yes, Jane and Scarlet quit the show by book's finish, but so what? Someone like Trevor would waste no time roping in a new gaggle of starry eyed wannabes with his promises of fame and fortune.
Better would have been having the network cancel the show due to his secret cocaine, business hampering addiction.
Okay, so maybe I'm a little over expectant in the drama department, and I also have no idea how networks operate.
Over all, I still give this book 3/5 stars.
Why?
There were still a couple nice twists and turns in this concluding book, and I like Conrad's writing style.
I do hope she does more writing.
What did you think of this book?
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