My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The other day when we stopped by the local library so my daughter could pick up a few books she'd reserved, I noticed this book in the YA section. The cover caught my eye because it's so pretty and elegant. As soon as I read the blurb, I was intrigued. So I asked her to borrow it for me. :)
Sarah Freebody lives in a Welsh town and is very interested in movies. One day when she's filmed during the May Day parade, she catches the eye of a famous director and he wants her in one of his movies. She's offered a job as an actress and travels to the studio to get started. Suddenly she's become Clara Hope, and is thrust into the life of living in hotel rooms, acting alongside some well-known actors, make-up, fashion, parties, and falling in love with the older man who gives her so much attention.
But things aren't always what they seem, and she soon finds herself in an awful situation that turns her life upside down. It also forces her to re-evaluate her life and make a choice about where she wants to go. She knows she can no longer trust who she thought she could, and instead realises that the one person she thought was vain and obnoxious is the one who cared about her the most all along.
I LOVED this book! It's seriously addictive.
Sarah/Clara was such an awesome narrator as she takes us through the turn of events that turned her from a young naïve girl enamoured with silent movies, into a woman who learns the hard way that sometimes what you think you want the most doesn't turn out the way you thought it would. This is ultimately a story of disillusionment. But it's also one about personal growth and growing up.
The 1920's setting during the silent film era was fascinating. I loved being swept into the past and looking at the world through the eyes of a girl who was strong and independent in a world which didn't give girls/women the credit they deserved. Yet at the same time, so many of them did as they desired. I also really enjoyed the way the industry was portrayed. I guess some things never change. LOL.
This little book is a fast, interesting read that hooked me in right away. It's intriguing and filled with great characters. It also takes several unexpected turns that all lead to a very satisfying end. Loved it!
*thumb up*
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