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Something Real #1
Something Real
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.
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.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2014
About the author
Heather Demetrios
12 books1,448 followersHeather Demetrios is a critically acclaimed author, writing coach, and certified meditation teacher. She has an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a recipient of the PEN America Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award for her debut novel, Something Real. Her novels include Little Universes, I’ll Meet You There, Bad Romance, as well as the Dark Caravan fantasy series: Exquisite Captive, Blood Passage, and Freedom’s Slave. Her non-fiction includes the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Code Name Badass: The True Story of Virginia Hall, and she is the editor of Dear Heartbreak: YA Authors and Teens on the Dark Side of Love. Her honors include books that have been named Bank Street Best Children’s Books, YALSA Best Fiction For Young Adults selections, a Goodreads Choice Nominee, a Kirkus Best Book, and a Barnes and Noble Best Book. Her work has appeared in LA Review of Books, Bustle, School Library Journal, and other fine outlets.
In addition to her writing, Heather is passionate about bringing words and mindfulness to women in the refugee community as well as "helping the helpers" on the ground through mindfulness and therapeutic writing. She works in communications and mindfulness outreach for Becky’s Bathhouse, a wellness center and safe space serving refugee women in Lesvos, Greece. Find out more about how you can support their work here.
Find out more about Heather and her books at heatherdemetrios.com.
In addition to her writing, Heather is passionate about bringing words and mindfulness to women in the refugee community as well as "helping the helpers" on the ground through mindfulness and therapeutic writing. She works in communications and mindfulness outreach for Becky’s Bathhouse, a wellness center and safe space serving refugee women in Lesvos, Greece. Find out more about how you can support their work here.
Find out more about Heather and her books at heatherdemetrios.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 743 reviews
January 6, 2017
Something Real is a very unique YA read, very realistically written and it also managed to make me laugh several times. I like that it talks about standing up for what you believe in, speaking up for yourself and exercising your rights as a person in the story of Chloe or more popularly known in America’s TV as Bonnie Baker.
I appreciate that the plot allows the reader to get a glimpse of the real life of a celebrity whose life is documented on reality TV. It makes me denounce all dreams of fame and popularity. (lol!). But the story also implies that no matter who you are, things become relatively easier with friends and people who genuinely care for you. It’s a good read to start 2017. ;)
May 23, 2014
Not only is this a wonderful story, but it touches you from many angles: family, romance, friendship, homosexuality, privacy - just to name a few. It's thought provoking and inspiring, with characters who are just plain genuine.
Chloe (aka Bonnie™) is a celebrity who was literally born into a reality show. This show, reminiscent of Jon & Kate Plus 8, was a real eye opener on how reality TV isn't reality at all. Not only that, but they're almost criminal in how they affect children who don't even have a choice in the matter. Can you imagine your whole life chronicled for the world to see? Your childhood tantrums found with a simple Google search? It's incredibly frustrating to see these kids' lives manipulated - more like hounded - by the network, even more so to see their mother's uncaring attitude towards their psychological welfare. I came to hate her with a passion. I understand needing to provide for your family, but was this really her only choice? And at what cost? I felt like she was doing it for selfish reasons more than not. You will want to slap her regularly while reading this, I guarantee it.
Impressively so, considering the high number, all the characters are fleshed out with personality and depth. Granted, most of the family are kids and thus have minor roles, but you can still feel their energy. We're put right in the middle of the chaos, giving us a real sense of the weight and intensity of such a full house. We do get intimate with a couple of members, Benton especially, whom I adored completely. He and Chloe share this impenetrable bond that will make you wish you had a brother like him in your life. His fun loving personality and supportive nature makes him downright likeable. Aside from the family, we also have a couple of best friends who are spirited, kind, and understanding. And finally, a love interest who will leave your heart aflutter. Patrick is the escape that Chloe needs. The slice of life that is completely her own. She cares so much about him, though, that she would rather live with a broken heart than have him experience life with paparazzi vultures. While I understand why, I did wish she didn't take the easy way out so much when it came to their relationship - the last time was one too many, I found - but it does make for some emotional moments.
Ultimately, this story is about Chloe's longing for a normal life, and this is conveyed with powerful truths about today's society. We come to understand her deep hatred for fame, for this destruction that is MetaReel. I loved how realistic she was, with simple - yet what felt like unreachable - hopes and dreams. She has to learn to stop being who she is expected to be, and become who she wants to be. The pacing is perfect. The ending is absolutely satisfying in all ways except for one: I wanted to see Chuck bleed! The last time he was outside threatening Chloe, telling her she wasn't going to ruin his career and all that shady nonsense, I was certain she was getting it all on camera to show him a taste of his own medicine for once. It would have been soooo satisfying. But no. The ending doesn't bode well for him, at least, so there's that, but I wanted to experience his downfall! Gah!
Full of eye openers and emotional turmoil, Something Real challenges the way we look at Reality TV. Privacy is even becoming an illusion in today's online world. This is without a doubt a must read for any contemporary fan!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
Chloe (aka Bonnie™) is a celebrity who was literally born into a reality show. This show, reminiscent of Jon & Kate Plus 8, was a real eye opener on how reality TV isn't reality at all. Not only that, but they're almost criminal in how they affect children who don't even have a choice in the matter. Can you imagine your whole life chronicled for the world to see? Your childhood tantrums found with a simple Google search? It's incredibly frustrating to see these kids' lives manipulated - more like hounded - by the network, even more so to see their mother's uncaring attitude towards their psychological welfare. I came to hate her with a passion. I understand needing to provide for your family, but was this really her only choice? And at what cost? I felt like she was doing it for selfish reasons more than not. You will want to slap her regularly while reading this, I guarantee it.
Impressively so, considering the high number, all the characters are fleshed out with personality and depth. Granted, most of the family are kids and thus have minor roles, but you can still feel their energy. We're put right in the middle of the chaos, giving us a real sense of the weight and intensity of such a full house. We do get intimate with a couple of members, Benton especially, whom I adored completely. He and Chloe share this impenetrable bond that will make you wish you had a brother like him in your life. His fun loving personality and supportive nature makes him downright likeable. Aside from the family, we also have a couple of best friends who are spirited, kind, and understanding. And finally, a love interest who will leave your heart aflutter. Patrick is the escape that Chloe needs. The slice of life that is completely her own. She cares so much about him, though, that she would rather live with a broken heart than have him experience life with paparazzi vultures. While I understand why, I did wish she didn't take the easy way out so much when it came to their relationship - the last time was one too many, I found - but it does make for some emotional moments.
Ultimately, this story is about Chloe's longing for a normal life, and this is conveyed with powerful truths about today's society. We come to understand her deep hatred for fame, for this destruction that is MetaReel. I loved how realistic she was, with simple - yet what felt like unreachable - hopes and dreams. She has to learn to stop being who she is expected to be, and become who she wants to be. The pacing is perfect. The ending is absolutely satisfying in all ways except for one: I wanted to see Chuck bleed! The last time he was outside threatening Chloe, telling her she wasn't going to ruin his career and all that shady nonsense, I was certain she was getting it all on camera to show him a taste of his own medicine for once. It would have been soooo satisfying. But no. The ending doesn't bode well for him, at least, so there's that, but I wanted to experience his downfall! Gah!
Full of eye openers and emotional turmoil, Something Real challenges the way we look at Reality TV. Privacy is even becoming an illusion in today's online world. This is without a doubt a must read for any contemporary fan!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
February 23, 2016
"There's nothing real about reality TV."
When we meet seventeen yr. old Chloe Baker, she is just finding out that her family's reality TV show "Bakers Dozen" is going back on the air after a 4 year break. She is devastated by this news, because for the last few years she has been able to live a relatively anonymous life as a teenager who goes to a regular school, and has real friends. Growing up on this reality show was so traumatizing to her, it gives her anxiety to even have her school picture taken.
The highlight of this book for me was Chloe's relationship with Patrick Sheldon. He's about as swoonworthy as a book boyfriend can get. He was sweet, protective, supportive and romantic. I could gush about him all day, there were times I couldn't stop grinning because they were just so adorable. I also loved Chloe's relationship with her brother Benny. He was such an awesome and important part of the book I wouldn't even call him a side character. Two of my favorite scenes in the book involved Benny, let's just say they had to do with cantaloupes and a t-shirt. :))
I also thought that Beth Baker's character was written to perfection. I really do believe that a mom would have to be this selfish, cold, and narcissistic to exploit their children and family in this way. Which is really sad. I was constantly appalled by her. My attitude about reality TV is that if grown adults want to make jackasses out of themselves on TV and have cameras on them all the time that's one thing, but it imo it shouldn't even be legal to involve children under 18 in it. It's wrong on so many levels, and I think this book portrayed that very well.
I also loved how the book showed what it's like for kids growing up today, where all of your peers have cell phone cameras that instantly link to social media accounts. The lines between what's real and what's fake become blurred. To be honest, as a mom it gives me anxiety to even think about it. I will be the first to admit that I did some really dumb things as a teenager, but at least it can't be googled!
"I'm sitting here on the Kaye Gibbons show, and all I can think is that the whole country is sick. Sick with this idea that it's good to be known and seen by as many people as possible, to show every part of our lives to the public at large. Whether it's Facebook photos, blogs or reality TV, it's like nobody is content to just live life. The worth of our existence seems to be measured in pixels and megabytes and "likes."
I thought this book was kind of the whole package, it was thought provoking, funny, sweet and romantic all rolled in one:)
As much as I enjoyed this book, I loved I'll Meet You There even more. I love everything about Heather Demetrios's writing. We're talking she's one of the best y/a authors out there imo. I would recommend her books to anyone, but especially fans of Gayle Forman or Stephanie Perkins:))
Thanks to Maida and Ya for the br! :))
June 9, 2015
*4.5 Stars*
His hands settle on either side of my waist, and I lean into him. It's terrifying, caring about someone this much. To allow them to be the air you breathe.
I think it goes without saying that I've found an amazing new author to obsess over. There is literally nothing-ABSOLUTELY NOTHING-better than an author who knows how to write characters that are both diverse and unforgettable and a story that is not only authentic, but makes you crave for more even as you turn the last page. It isn't often that I become completely sad for a story to end, but twice in a row, as I've read her books, I've slowly started to turn into a melancholy piece of work as I realized, yet again, that a new favorite set of characters were about to disappear from my life forever.
"Patrick...I'm sorry, I wanted to but-"
"Don't listen to a word my sister tells you, Patrick Sheldon. Unless it's that she wants you."
I. Am. Going. To. Kill. My. Brother.
Ever calm, cool, and collected, Patrick gives me a sardonic raise of his eyebrows, then he turns and flashes Benny a half smile. "Excellent."
I won't lie and say I got immediately sucked into this one like I did with her other contemporary, I'll Meet You There. There was just something so touching about that boy who came back from the war a broken man and Sky's struggle to get out of her suffocating hometown. In that regard, I saw many similarities in the story-the idea that our main character was suffocating and longing for a different role in life. And while I still was immediately drawn to the wonderful and absolutely addictive writing style of Demetrios, I struggled to follow all the chaos surrounding the first quarter of the book. We get introduced to a very hectic lifestyle where cameras are shoved into the main character's face at every turn and we meet all 11 of her siblings in a rapid fire of thoughts and different scenarios. And while it wasn't necessarily difficult to follow, I still struggled to fall effortlessly into the story because I was so tired after a long work week. It was just a lot, at first.
Patrick watches off to the side, his hands in his pockets. I love the way he looks at me. There's chaos all around him-shrieking kids, a camera crew, my mother. But he's undaunted, calm as ever, just leaning against the wall. It's like he can put the world on mute for me.
But, as I have discovered with Demetrios's writing, it did NOT take me long to fall hard for this story. Or namely...for a boy named Patrick. Gosh, really? I mean, REALLY?! How is it possible for an author to create such visceral characters that I physically ache for them to truly exist. Seriously-first Josh, the soldier who still has his claws sunk deep into my heart (I'm not sure I'll ever recover from him-MY GAHD). And now? Now we have the super sensitive Patrick who would do literally anything-ANYTHING-for Bonnie/Chloe. It was beyond adorable to see what he was willing to do to get time with her, to protect her, to be there for her....when something started to go awry with the show, he'd immediately find a way to contact her and was always understanding and always irate on her behalf. It was utterly heartwarming to see how much he loved and cared for her. If he could have wrapped her up in his arms to shield her from the world, I really think he would have. The amount of support in his warm brown eyes was almost too much to handle...seriously.
Sheldon1015: Hey...you awake?
Sheldon1015: Your phone is off. I think you have enough evidence if you want to tell the police you have a stalker-I left way too many anxious boyfriend texts.
Sheldon1015: Crap. MetaReel can't read your texts can they? I don't know how them tapping your phone actually works.
Sheldon1015: Chloe.
Sheldon1015: Chloe.
Sheldon1015: Chloe.
Sheldon1015: This is my cyber version of throwing pebbles at your window. Is it working?
YoSoyChloe: Hey
Sheldon1015: Hey! (I'm still working on the right term of endearment for you, so know that I'm saying more than "hey.")
And Chloe...Bonnie...whatever we call her, she was quite the main character to follow. Growing up in a world with no privacy, Chloe started out her life in a very abnormal fashion-everything she did, everywhere she went, every defining moment in her life was all recorded for America to witness. And wouldn't this mold a child in an odd fashion? Maybe most come out alright, but for Chloe it was suffocating, blinding torment. The walls began to close in around her and she felt she had no other options than to seek a way out...and it destroyed the show forever. Or so she thought.
The room seems to get smaller and smaller as more people crowd into it, and I can't think, it's so loud. I push past my siblings, throw my hand up against a camera lens that blocks my path.
"Get out of my way!" I scream. I stumble blindly past bodies, tearing at the high neck of my dress, gasping for air. I'm choking, gagging. I have to get upstairs before I throw up. Please let me get upstairs. Please, God, please.
Fast forward 4 years later and MetaReel is back, right when Chloe has began to feel normal and whole again. Right when she has normal friends, a normal crush, a normal mediocre life. She immediately gives way to panic and begins to feel the walls closing in around her again, but there's nothing she can do. If she ruins the show again it could cost her family, and she doesn't want to do anything more to hurt them or their image-even if it almost kills her to do so.
"Just thinking about how I'm going to be a lonely old cat lady living all by myself someday," I say.
Tessa shakes her head. "Not if Patrick has anything to do with it."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
I watch my boyfriend score a goal with expert precision. Is there anything he's not good at?
"Chlo, that boy has forever written all over his face when he looks at you. A cat lady you shall never be."
But lets not forget her shining rays of hope: Her brother, Benny, whom I adored, her newly acquired boy, Patrick, her best friends, Mer and Tessa, and then Benny's boyfriend, Matt. When the book finally began to close in and center around this wonderful little cast of characters, that's when the story really began for me. We started to see how deeply rooted her support system was and how much they all cared for her (and Benny-since he was in the same situation). We saw the backlash of not conforming to what your family wants and what happens when you don't follow what everyone thinks you need to be doing. Word gets out that Chloe Baker is actually Bonnie Baker, and the safe little bubble she's created for herself explodes.
"...But I really...I've been wanting to ask you out for a while now, and I wish I'd done it earlier, before all this happened, but I wasn't totally sure...I mean, one minute I'm convinced you feel the same way, and the next you hardly talk to me. But that day you ran out of class, all I wanted to do was follow you. I couldn't handle seeing you upset like that. Um"
...
"Sorry. What was I saying?"
"You wanted to follow me."
This is the best day of my life. Which is weird, because it was maybe the third worst about five minutes ago.
"Right. So. My question is, how do you feel about boyfriends?"
Best. Day. Ever.
"I feel...do you mean boyfriends in general or specific boyfriends?"
"Very specific."
"Isn't there an order to this? Aren't there steps that we're skipping-"
"Screw steps. I want to be with you."
I really enjoy this author and am sad there aren't many books to binge read. I am in a serious I-need-more-by-this-author funk and I don't think it's going to be easy to move on after her last two stories I have read. I can't even begin to express what her books, the friendships, and the boys she creates mean to me, but I hope my ramblings do an okay job. No, this didn't touch I'll Meet You There, but I still loved it for different reasons. Not every book has to reach you in the same ways-all you need is the comfort of that author's writing for you to feel grounded and like you are where you belong. When I read these books, it feels like I'm finally coming home. What more can a girl ask for?
For more of my reviews, please visit:
***********************************
*4.5 Stars*
One thing is has became absolutely crystal clear to me this past week:
Heather Demetrios creates THE BEST male leads. EVER.
Like, wow.
Oh, Patrick. I love you. ♥
Review to come.
His hands settle on either side of my waist, and I lean into him. It's terrifying, caring about someone this much. To allow them to be the air you breathe.
I think it goes without saying that I've found an amazing new author to obsess over. There is literally nothing-ABSOLUTELY NOTHING-better than an author who knows how to write characters that are both diverse and unforgettable and a story that is not only authentic, but makes you crave for more even as you turn the last page. It isn't often that I become completely sad for a story to end, but twice in a row, as I've read her books, I've slowly started to turn into a melancholy piece of work as I realized, yet again, that a new favorite set of characters were about to disappear from my life forever.
"Patrick...I'm sorry, I wanted to but-"
"Don't listen to a word my sister tells you, Patrick Sheldon. Unless it's that she wants you."
I. Am. Going. To. Kill. My. Brother.
Ever calm, cool, and collected, Patrick gives me a sardonic raise of his eyebrows, then he turns and flashes Benny a half smile. "Excellent."
I won't lie and say I got immediately sucked into this one like I did with her other contemporary, I'll Meet You There. There was just something so touching about that boy who came back from the war a broken man and Sky's struggle to get out of her suffocating hometown. In that regard, I saw many similarities in the story-the idea that our main character was suffocating and longing for a different role in life. And while I still was immediately drawn to the wonderful and absolutely addictive writing style of Demetrios, I struggled to follow all the chaos surrounding the first quarter of the book. We get introduced to a very hectic lifestyle where cameras are shoved into the main character's face at every turn and we meet all 11 of her siblings in a rapid fire of thoughts and different scenarios. And while it wasn't necessarily difficult to follow, I still struggled to fall effortlessly into the story because I was so tired after a long work week. It was just a lot, at first.
Patrick watches off to the side, his hands in his pockets. I love the way he looks at me. There's chaos all around him-shrieking kids, a camera crew, my mother. But he's undaunted, calm as ever, just leaning against the wall. It's like he can put the world on mute for me.
But, as I have discovered with Demetrios's writing, it did NOT take me long to fall hard for this story. Or namely...for a boy named Patrick. Gosh, really? I mean, REALLY?! How is it possible for an author to create such visceral characters that I physically ache for them to truly exist. Seriously-first Josh, the soldier who still has his claws sunk deep into my heart (I'm not sure I'll ever recover from him-MY GAHD). And now? Now we have the super sensitive Patrick who would do literally anything-ANYTHING-for Bonnie/Chloe. It was beyond adorable to see what he was willing to do to get time with her, to protect her, to be there for her....when something started to go awry with the show, he'd immediately find a way to contact her and was always understanding and always irate on her behalf. It was utterly heartwarming to see how much he loved and cared for her. If he could have wrapped her up in his arms to shield her from the world, I really think he would have. The amount of support in his warm brown eyes was almost too much to handle...seriously.
Sheldon1015: Hey...you awake?
Sheldon1015: Your phone is off. I think you have enough evidence if you want to tell the police you have a stalker-I left way too many anxious boyfriend texts.
Sheldon1015: Crap. MetaReel can't read your texts can they? I don't know how them tapping your phone actually works.
Sheldon1015: Chloe.
Sheldon1015: Chloe.
Sheldon1015: Chloe.
Sheldon1015: This is my cyber version of throwing pebbles at your window. Is it working?
YoSoyChloe: Hey
Sheldon1015: Hey! (I'm still working on the right term of endearment for you, so know that I'm saying more than "hey.")
And Chloe...Bonnie...whatever we call her, she was quite the main character to follow. Growing up in a world with no privacy, Chloe started out her life in a very abnormal fashion-everything she did, everywhere she went, every defining moment in her life was all recorded for America to witness. And wouldn't this mold a child in an odd fashion? Maybe most come out alright, but for Chloe it was suffocating, blinding torment. The walls began to close in around her and she felt she had no other options than to seek a way out...and it destroyed the show forever. Or so she thought.
The room seems to get smaller and smaller as more people crowd into it, and I can't think, it's so loud. I push past my siblings, throw my hand up against a camera lens that blocks my path.
"Get out of my way!" I scream. I stumble blindly past bodies, tearing at the high neck of my dress, gasping for air. I'm choking, gagging. I have to get upstairs before I throw up. Please let me get upstairs. Please, God, please.
Fast forward 4 years later and MetaReel is back, right when Chloe has began to feel normal and whole again. Right when she has normal friends, a normal crush, a normal mediocre life. She immediately gives way to panic and begins to feel the walls closing in around her again, but there's nothing she can do. If she ruins the show again it could cost her family, and she doesn't want to do anything more to hurt them or their image-even if it almost kills her to do so.
"Just thinking about how I'm going to be a lonely old cat lady living all by myself someday," I say.
Tessa shakes her head. "Not if Patrick has anything to do with it."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
I watch my boyfriend score a goal with expert precision. Is there anything he's not good at?
"Chlo, that boy has forever written all over his face when he looks at you. A cat lady you shall never be."
But lets not forget her shining rays of hope: Her brother, Benny, whom I adored, her newly acquired boy, Patrick, her best friends, Mer and Tessa, and then Benny's boyfriend, Matt. When the book finally began to close in and center around this wonderful little cast of characters, that's when the story really began for me. We started to see how deeply rooted her support system was and how much they all cared for her (and Benny-since he was in the same situation). We saw the backlash of not conforming to what your family wants and what happens when you don't follow what everyone thinks you need to be doing. Word gets out that Chloe Baker is actually Bonnie Baker, and the safe little bubble she's created for herself explodes.
"...But I really...I've been wanting to ask you out for a while now, and I wish I'd done it earlier, before all this happened, but I wasn't totally sure...I mean, one minute I'm convinced you feel the same way, and the next you hardly talk to me. But that day you ran out of class, all I wanted to do was follow you. I couldn't handle seeing you upset like that. Um"
...
"Sorry. What was I saying?"
"You wanted to follow me."
This is the best day of my life. Which is weird, because it was maybe the third worst about five minutes ago.
"Right. So. My question is, how do you feel about boyfriends?"
Best. Day. Ever.
"I feel...do you mean boyfriends in general or specific boyfriends?"
"Very specific."
"Isn't there an order to this? Aren't there steps that we're skipping-"
"Screw steps. I want to be with you."
I really enjoy this author and am sad there aren't many books to binge read. I am in a serious I-need-more-by-this-author funk and I don't think it's going to be easy to move on after her last two stories I have read. I can't even begin to express what her books, the friendships, and the boys she creates mean to me, but I hope my ramblings do an okay job. No, this didn't touch I'll Meet You There, but I still loved it for different reasons. Not every book has to reach you in the same ways-all you need is the comfort of that author's writing for you to feel grounded and like you are where you belong. When I read these books, it feels like I'm finally coming home. What more can a girl ask for?
For more of my reviews, please visit:
***********************************
*4.5 Stars*
One thing is has became absolutely crystal clear to me this past week:
Heather Demetrios creates THE BEST male leads. EVER.
Like, wow.
Oh, Patrick. I love you. ♥
Review to come.
February 18, 2015
"All hail the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. There's not telling what anyone will do once a camera's on them."
17 years old Bonnie™ Baker, a star of TV reality show that has been her "reality" almost all her life, doesn't want to be just a trade mark and live her life in the constant spotlight of media and paparazzi. How far will she go to gain her "normalcy" and free herself from cameras?
"Even mom doesn't understand how being in front of a camera all the time twists and warps you. How one second it makes you feel unbelievably alive and the next publicly strips you down until all that's left is one big question mark."
Something Real can be described as a modern version of 1984. I went to it blind and I loved it immensely. This book is about (dysfunctional) family relationships, fame, publicity and personal privacy. It's very deep and thoughtful story that will definitely make you think about relationships and society, about what is real and what is fake in our lives. It took me couple of chapters to orient myself among so many people in huge Baker family. But once I got to know them, I had to admit that they created quite an entertaining and interesting bunch of characters (which always equals to great read for me). On the top of that, this novel tells a tale of the most adorable and quirky teenage romance that will make you swoon big time!
And this author's writing style? Amazing. She grabs your attention, hooks you in and does not let you go until you finish whole book. I love books like this, when I can't put it down until the last pages. If you haven't read Something Real yet (or any other books by this author), I urge you to do so as soon as possible. You won't regret it!
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG Reading Is My Breathing
June 24, 2015
4-4,5 stars! This book ❤️
"All I can think is that the whole country is sick. Sick with this idea that it's good to be known and seen by as many people as possible, to show every part of our lives to the public at large. Whether it's Facebook photos, blogs, or reality TV, it's like nobody is content to just live life. The worth of our existence seems to be measured in pixels and megabytes and "likes". Those of us whose lives can be downloaded seem to have the most value - until someone more outrageous comes along to claim their time in the spotlight."
This book is fantastic for all the minor things, as long with the big ones. It is completely different from I'll met you there but just as good, which showed me how talented this author is. When I have more of a free time, I'll definitely read her other books!
What is this book about? Bonnie grew up surrounded by cameras. People she never even met knows how she lost her first teeth, when she first walked, all the things she ever did until she reached 15 and the show stopped. Now, she's 17 years old and her name is Chloe. Oh, and she also has 12 brothers and sisters. Her mother decides, in a sunny and beautiful day, that she will bring the show back. And that's when this book starts, people.
Major points of this book and why everyone should read it:
- Of course, I don't know a thing about being famous and having my life being shown to thousands of people. And strangely, while all my friends always wanted to be famous I never saw a reason to it. Of course, you'd be rich, but what about privacy? What about my personality? Because in this book, we are shown that you can say something and it can be completely edited to be another thing on television. (Isn't that scary?)
- The characters: You'd think with so many characters this book wouldn't be able to focus on each one of them, but it does. This author is just so good in this aspect. Each secondary character has its magic, until we reach a point that we know this 'secondary' character is just as important as the main one. Chloe is main here, but we also have Patrick (stop to swoon), Lex (in all my reading time, I've never started a book hating a character so much and liking her just as much in the end), BENNY (you'll have your own topic, my dear), Beth Baker, Chloe's friends (Mer and Tessa - so supportive and caring).
- Benny/Chloe and Patrick/Chloe: Benny and Chloe are brothers and sisters and only they know what they've been through, that's why they are so close. They are rebellious, kids who had 'everything' while growing up but this 'everything' was equivalent to nothing emotionally. They went through some deep things, especially Chloe. They own get their love stories, though. I won't say a thing about Benny's because it is so good, you'll have to read to see. Anyways, Benny and Chloe just reminded me so much of me and my brother. It's like, you and your brother against the world, because while our parents weren't around, we only had each other. We know each other's imperfections and we just accept them.
- Patrick is SO, SO, SO perfect. He's just... ugh, I wanted to hug you. Having Chloe as a girlfriend isn't easy but you never give up. You're always there, worrying. His worrying through instant message was just ADORABLE. You, my friend, I liked you since page one. Since you weren't even Chloe's girlfriend. There are just some main [guy] characters that you love and you want to yourself, but there are others you love so much that you don't want to steal them because they have already deep feeling for another person and you wouldn't want to see them hurt if you separate them. Chloe, Parker, you fit in the last list.
-Chloe: I couldn't not make a topic for you. Some may say you were childish, but I completely understood you. Why would I want money when I can't have freedom? Privacy? And I, just as you, was one of those kids that would fight and scream if she thought herself to be right. With my brother's support, of course. I don't know why sometimes parents think they are the whole source of rightness, but in this book, Chloe's mom think she's the only one who is correct. And Chloe's dad... oh my, I won't even go there.
“I'm not Bonnie™ or Chloe. I'm the essence of her, the non-trademarked person the camera can never capture and my parents have no right to sign over. There is a sovereign nation encased in this skin that MetaReel can never trademark.”
We have a story, we have characters, and we have difficult situations. I couldn't put this book down! There's evolution, there's love, there's fighting. This book made me think and ache and love. And laugh, of course, with Benny. (A character I will never forget.) This book is just so much then what I expected it to be. It got me right in the feels without it being suffocating. And I needed a book like this, with these family issues. It helps you see the better picture and not judge famous people, because we don't know what they, or any other person, really, goes through. This book, people, is a must-read.
“Somehow, the pain and rage and confusion of the past eighteen years dissolves until all that is left is this one perfect moment; unscripted, unedited, it's ours and ours alone.”
"All I can think is that the whole country is sick. Sick with this idea that it's good to be known and seen by as many people as possible, to show every part of our lives to the public at large. Whether it's Facebook photos, blogs, or reality TV, it's like nobody is content to just live life. The worth of our existence seems to be measured in pixels and megabytes and "likes". Those of us whose lives can be downloaded seem to have the most value - until someone more outrageous comes along to claim their time in the spotlight."
This book is fantastic for all the minor things, as long with the big ones. It is completely different from I'll met you there but just as good, which showed me how talented this author is. When I have more of a free time, I'll definitely read her other books!
What is this book about? Bonnie grew up surrounded by cameras. People she never even met knows how she lost her first teeth, when she first walked, all the things she ever did until she reached 15 and the show stopped. Now, she's 17 years old and her name is Chloe. Oh, and she also has 12 brothers and sisters. Her mother decides, in a sunny and beautiful day, that she will bring the show back. And that's when this book starts, people.
Major points of this book and why everyone should read it:
- Of course, I don't know a thing about being famous and having my life being shown to thousands of people. And strangely, while all my friends always wanted to be famous I never saw a reason to it. Of course, you'd be rich, but what about privacy? What about my personality? Because in this book, we are shown that you can say something and it can be completely edited to be another thing on television. (Isn't that scary?)
- The characters: You'd think with so many characters this book wouldn't be able to focus on each one of them, but it does. This author is just so good in this aspect. Each secondary character has its magic, until we reach a point that we know this 'secondary' character is just as important as the main one. Chloe is main here, but we also have Patrick (stop to swoon), Lex (in all my reading time, I've never started a book hating a character so much and liking her just as much in the end), BENNY (you'll have your own topic, my dear), Beth Baker, Chloe's friends (Mer and Tessa - so supportive and caring).
- Benny/Chloe and Patrick/Chloe: Benny and Chloe are brothers and sisters and only they know what they've been through, that's why they are so close. They are rebellious, kids who had 'everything' while growing up but this 'everything' was equivalent to nothing emotionally. They went through some deep things, especially Chloe. They own get their love stories, though. I won't say a thing about Benny's because it is so good, you'll have to read to see. Anyways, Benny and Chloe just reminded me so much of me and my brother. It's like, you and your brother against the world, because while our parents weren't around, we only had each other. We know each other's imperfections and we just accept them.
- Patrick is SO, SO, SO perfect. He's just... ugh, I wanted to hug you. Having Chloe as a girlfriend isn't easy but you never give up. You're always there, worrying. His worrying through instant message was just ADORABLE. You, my friend, I liked you since page one. Since you weren't even Chloe's girlfriend. There are just some main [guy] characters that you love and you want to yourself, but there are others you love so much that you don't want to steal them because they have already deep feeling for another person and you wouldn't want to see them hurt if you separate them. Chloe, Parker, you fit in the last list.
-Chloe: I couldn't not make a topic for you. Some may say you were childish, but I completely understood you. Why would I want money when I can't have freedom? Privacy? And I, just as you, was one of those kids that would fight and scream if she thought herself to be right. With my brother's support, of course. I don't know why sometimes parents think they are the whole source of rightness, but in this book, Chloe's mom think she's the only one who is correct. And Chloe's dad... oh my, I won't even go there.
“I'm not Bonnie™ or Chloe. I'm the essence of her, the non-trademarked person the camera can never capture and my parents have no right to sign over. There is a sovereign nation encased in this skin that MetaReel can never trademark.”
We have a story, we have characters, and we have difficult situations. I couldn't put this book down! There's evolution, there's love, there's fighting. This book made me think and ache and love. And laugh, of course, with Benny. (A character I will never forget.) This book is just so much then what I expected it to be. It got me right in the feels without it being suffocating. And I needed a book like this, with these family issues. It helps you see the better picture and not judge famous people, because we don't know what they, or any other person, really, goes through. This book, people, is a must-read.
“Somehow, the pain and rage and confusion of the past eighteen years dissolves until all that is left is this one perfect moment; unscripted, unedited, it's ours and ours alone.”
May 13, 2016
I don't know about you guys, but one of my guilty pleasures is watching that tv show, 19 Kids and Counting (now Jill & Jessa Moving On, after the whole scandal, etc.). When I heard about this book, I thought it seemed quite similar, without the religious aspect. I could not have been more wrong. Something Real was so much more than a feel good, guilty pleasure. Instead, it showed how being in the spotlight from such an early age can really mess up a person, and how, sometimes, your family aren't good enough.
Something Real starts with 17 year old Bonnie, now known as Chloe, finally settling at school. Her and her brother, Benton, are starting their senior year at high school. They've had the past 4 years to reclaim their privacy and try and get some normalcy. However, they're thrown for a loop when they get home from school to learn their mother has signed them up for a new series of the hit show, Baker's Dozen, without discussing it with them. Chloe really struggled with being in the show in the first place, and now she's faced with the real possibility of a relapse.
First things first, I adored Chloe! She was one of the realist characters I've ever seen in a book. All she wanted in life was to be a normal 17 year old, is that so much to ask?! For the first 13 years of her life, she has spent every waking moment with a camera focused on her, and had to deal with her parents adopting more and more children, until, on her 10th birthday, her 'present' was a set of triplets to 'complete the family'. It's no wonder she struggled to cope with the pressure, especially when she was blamed for her parents divorce after discovering her father in the shed with his assistant. She was just learning to let people in, and had a budding relationship growing with Patrick, and is worried that when everyone realises she isn't just 'Chloe', but is in fact Bonnie Baker, that everything will go to hell.
I really want to hug Chloe for most of the book. At every turn it seemed like the world was against, mostly in the manifestation of her mother, or the producer. The whole topic of whether or not having children life on camera constituted abuse or not was dealt with really well here, and not taken lightly. Some of the children may have appeared well rounded, and not affected by the show, but for the oldest kids - Chloe, Benton, and Lexie - there were real consequences of the show. Beth, the mother, never seemed to really care about her kids, other than them being a source of wealth for her, and treated Chloe, in particular, like something she'd trodden.
The main focus of the book was on the family aspect of Chloe's reality, but the romance was really cute too. Even when Patrick discovered Chloe was Bonnie, he didn't care. He loved her, and nothing else counting. When he realised the impact Baker's Dozen was having on her, he did everything in his power to help her escape the nightmare that was her home. For Chloe and Benton, having their boyfriend's, Patrick and Matt, there for them was more than just romantic. It was moral support, and the realisation that they could escape and try and find normality. Really, the whole book was so real (just like the title says) and I wish I had read it earlier. If you haven't tried this book yet, I recommend you do.
Something Real starts with 17 year old Bonnie, now known as Chloe, finally settling at school. Her and her brother, Benton, are starting their senior year at high school. They've had the past 4 years to reclaim their privacy and try and get some normalcy. However, they're thrown for a loop when they get home from school to learn their mother has signed them up for a new series of the hit show, Baker's Dozen, without discussing it with them. Chloe really struggled with being in the show in the first place, and now she's faced with the real possibility of a relapse.
First things first, I adored Chloe! She was one of the realist characters I've ever seen in a book. All she wanted in life was to be a normal 17 year old, is that so much to ask?! For the first 13 years of her life, she has spent every waking moment with a camera focused on her, and had to deal with her parents adopting more and more children, until, on her 10th birthday, her 'present' was a set of triplets to 'complete the family'. It's no wonder she struggled to cope with the pressure, especially when she was blamed for her parents divorce after discovering her father in the shed with his assistant. She was just learning to let people in, and had a budding relationship growing with Patrick, and is worried that when everyone realises she isn't just 'Chloe', but is in fact Bonnie Baker, that everything will go to hell.
I really want to hug Chloe for most of the book. At every turn it seemed like the world was against, mostly in the manifestation of her mother, or the producer. The whole topic of whether or not having children life on camera constituted abuse or not was dealt with really well here, and not taken lightly. Some of the children may have appeared well rounded, and not affected by the show, but for the oldest kids - Chloe, Benton, and Lexie - there were real consequences of the show. Beth, the mother, never seemed to really care about her kids, other than them being a source of wealth for her, and treated Chloe, in particular, like something she'd trodden.
The main focus of the book was on the family aspect of Chloe's reality, but the romance was really cute too. Even when Patrick discovered Chloe was Bonnie, he didn't care. He loved her, and nothing else counting. When he realised the impact Baker's Dozen was having on her, he did everything in his power to help her escape the nightmare that was her home. For Chloe and Benton, having their boyfriend's, Patrick and Matt, there for them was more than just romantic. It was moral support, and the realisation that they could escape and try and find normality. Really, the whole book was so real (just like the title says) and I wish I had read it earlier. If you haven't tried this book yet, I recommend you do.
February 2, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
Something Real is the story of Bonnie's . . . . "unconventional upbringing." You see, for most of her life (seriously, she was literally born on camera) Bonnie's ginormous family was the subject of a reality t.v. show called "Baker's Dozen." When the show was cancelled and Bonnie's parents got divorced, she thought it would be her chance to be a regular high schooler. Little did Bonnie know the 13 Baker children would be going back on the air during her Senior year in high school for a new show entitled "Baker's Dozen - Fresh Batch."
This might be a time where I was just too old for a particular YA book. There's nothing wrong with the story . . . there just wasn't much story. At over 400 pages, Something Real got to be more than a little repetitive and, coming someone who chooses reality television shows (don't judge) for my brain candy when I'm not reading, this story seemed to be a bit of a rip-off of another show about a large family with a money-grubbing shrieking harpy for a mother . . .
Ugh, if there's one thing I really don't need more of in my life it's something that reminds of of Kate Gosselin.
Have no fear, Kate, I will. I like my reality shows to feature illiterate trashy bitches who call each other "prostitution whores" and do things like this . . .
Watching parents (or in this case reading about parents) exploit their children makes me want to HULK SMASH!!!!
And call me a purist, but titling all of the chapters "The One With . . . " seemed like a rip-off of another VERY popular show.
I'm giving this one 2.5 Stars because I found it to be perfectly mediocre. The good thing is, I loved I'll Meet You There by the same author, so I'm more willing to accept the fact that this is a case of "it's not you, it's me."
Something Real is the story of Bonnie's . . . . "unconventional upbringing." You see, for most of her life (seriously, she was literally born on camera) Bonnie's ginormous family was the subject of a reality t.v. show called "Baker's Dozen." When the show was cancelled and Bonnie's parents got divorced, she thought it would be her chance to be a regular high schooler. Little did Bonnie know the 13 Baker children would be going back on the air during her Senior year in high school for a new show entitled "Baker's Dozen - Fresh Batch."
This might be a time where I was just too old for a particular YA book. There's nothing wrong with the story . . . there just wasn't much story. At over 400 pages, Something Real got to be more than a little repetitive and, coming someone who chooses reality television shows (don't judge) for my brain candy when I'm not reading, this story seemed to be a bit of a rip-off of another show about a large family with a money-grubbing shrieking harpy for a mother . . .
Ugh, if there's one thing I really don't need more of in my life it's something that reminds of of Kate Gosselin.
Have no fear, Kate, I will. I like my reality shows to feature illiterate trashy bitches who call each other "prostitution whores" and do things like this . . .
Watching parents (or in this case reading about parents) exploit their children makes me want to HULK SMASH!!!!
And call me a purist, but titling all of the chapters "The One With . . . " seemed like a rip-off of another VERY popular show.
I'm giving this one 2.5 Stars because I found it to be perfectly mediocre. The good thing is, I loved I'll Meet You There by the same author, so I'm more willing to accept the fact that this is a case of "it's not you, it's me."
March 31, 2016
Something Real follows Chloe Baker better known as Bonnie Baker of the reality tv show, Baker's Dozen". Think Kate Plus 8 etc etc. Chloe's entire life has basically been in front of cameras for all the world to see (literally, her birth was televised) and how the affects of living her life on camera has affected her emotionally and mentally. When she was 13, she attempted suicide because her parents were divorcing and the cameras were in her face all the time. Her parents stopped the show after that. So now four years later, she's in high school trying to be normal and almost succeeding, but the cameras are back.
I really enjoyed this one. I didn't absolutely love it because I didn't get that emotional punch in the gut that I was expecting hence my four star rating. But I think the best part about this is the familial relationships. I really loved how much Chloe and Benton, her brother, cared about each other. Benton is also gay and I liked his side story and OMG I WOULD LOVE A NOVELLA OR SPIN OFF OF BENTON AND MATT AND HOW THEY FELL IN LOVE PLS THANKS. This is one of the best and most touching sibling relationships I've ever read. The portrayal of family as a whole was realistic and sort of hard to read about. This picture perfect family, literally, has real flaws and ugly moments that can't be taken back. I felt so bad for Chloe. I mean her huge flaw was that she ran away from her problems but it acknowledged and I can't even blame her or get annoyed with her. The pace of novel was great and engaging. I liked the ending because it wasn't perfect. Overally a really solid YA contemporary and debut!
I really enjoyed this one. I didn't absolutely love it because I didn't get that emotional punch in the gut that I was expecting hence my four star rating. But I think the best part about this is the familial relationships. I really loved how much Chloe and Benton, her brother, cared about each other. Benton is also gay and I liked his side story and OMG I WOULD LOVE A NOVELLA OR SPIN OFF OF BENTON AND MATT AND HOW THEY FELL IN LOVE PLS THANKS. This is one of the best and most touching sibling relationships I've ever read. The portrayal of family as a whole was realistic and sort of hard to read about. This picture perfect family, literally, has real flaws and ugly moments that can't be taken back. I felt so bad for Chloe. I mean her huge flaw was that she ran away from her problems but it acknowledged and I can't even blame her or get annoyed with her. The pace of novel was great and engaging. I liked the ending because it wasn't perfect. Overally a really solid YA contemporary and debut!
February 8, 2015
See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads
It's been a while since I've read Something Real but the story has stayed with me this whole time. This book has pretty much everything from family, friend and romantic relationships as well as diversity, a little humour but a lot of depth as well.
Chloe and her family are the stars of the reality TV show, Baker's Dozen. The TV show has been running ever since Chloe was young and goes by the name, Bonnie™, on the show. The show was cancelled after Bonnie™'s scandal but now 17, the show has decided to pick up once more. I absolutely loved the idea of this reality TV show and it was one of the main driving points that made me want to read this. I definitely wasn't disappointed. It was so interesting to see what it's like for Chloe and her 12 other siblings to have to be on camera pretty much 24/7 at home with no privacy. I felt so angry for Chloe, because her life is impossibly hard due to this popular TV show. Her mum doesn't even listen to what Chloe had to say, she pretended to be the Perfect Mother on television, but off air, she was barely motherly.
This is a very character driven book. Each and every character--even the minor roles were fleshed out with so much detail, it was glorious. The sibling relationships had to be my favourite. I adored Benny and Chloe, they're the same age and were always looking out for one and another. They did everything together and had each other's backs the entire time. It was so nice to see how tight they were. I loved the Lex and Chloe dynamic too. They aren't all that close and are pretty cold towards each other, but throughout the story their sisterly bond changes a lot. The familial aspect of Something Real was well rounded, and had a lot of depth.
The thing I had quibbles with was the romance. Patrick felt too perfect for me, and I really expected him to have more depth like all the other characters. The romance Chloe and Patrick had also felt unrealistic at times. That being said, I felt that Chloe deserved a relationship where things weren't too difficult and crazy, because the poor girl had enough of that with her home life.
The TV aspect doesn't just end with Chloe being filmed 24/7. We get the whole thing. We get snippets of past episodes from years back, we get the difficulty with the paparazzi, we get interviews and events and the fame, but also we get Chloe's struggle to get her own life back. I also loved how the media was also included into this. Demetrios doesn't skimp over details.
In all, Something Real is a novel I definitely will be recommending to people who want to be introduced to the contemporary genre. It encompasses pretty much everything. I will also be buying myself a hardcopy, because I can definitely see myself rereading this in the future.
It's been a while since I've read Something Real but the story has stayed with me this whole time. This book has pretty much everything from family, friend and romantic relationships as well as diversity, a little humour but a lot of depth as well.
Chloe and her family are the stars of the reality TV show, Baker's Dozen. The TV show has been running ever since Chloe was young and goes by the name, Bonnie™, on the show. The show was cancelled after Bonnie™'s scandal but now 17, the show has decided to pick up once more. I absolutely loved the idea of this reality TV show and it was one of the main driving points that made me want to read this. I definitely wasn't disappointed. It was so interesting to see what it's like for Chloe and her 12 other siblings to have to be on camera pretty much 24/7 at home with no privacy. I felt so angry for Chloe, because her life is impossibly hard due to this popular TV show. Her mum doesn't even listen to what Chloe had to say, she pretended to be the Perfect Mother on television, but off air, she was barely motherly.
This is a very character driven book. Each and every character--even the minor roles were fleshed out with so much detail, it was glorious. The sibling relationships had to be my favourite. I adored Benny and Chloe, they're the same age and were always looking out for one and another. They did everything together and had each other's backs the entire time. It was so nice to see how tight they were. I loved the Lex and Chloe dynamic too. They aren't all that close and are pretty cold towards each other, but throughout the story their sisterly bond changes a lot. The familial aspect of Something Real was well rounded, and had a lot of depth.
The thing I had quibbles with was the romance. Patrick felt too perfect for me, and I really expected him to have more depth like all the other characters. The romance Chloe and Patrick had also felt unrealistic at times. That being said, I felt that Chloe deserved a relationship where things weren't too difficult and crazy, because the poor girl had enough of that with her home life.
The TV aspect doesn't just end with Chloe being filmed 24/7. We get the whole thing. We get snippets of past episodes from years back, we get the difficulty with the paparazzi, we get interviews and events and the fame, but also we get Chloe's struggle to get her own life back. I also loved how the media was also included into this. Demetrios doesn't skimp over details.
In all, Something Real is a novel I definitely will be recommending to people who want to be introduced to the contemporary genre. It encompasses pretty much everything. I will also be buying myself a hardcopy, because I can definitely see myself rereading this in the future.
January 20, 2019
*4.75/5 stars*
“You know those primitive tribal people who believed a camera could steal your soul? Turns out they were right.”
So this is the weirdest thing: I actually didn't like the author's most beloved work I'll Meet You There, which has not only so much higher rating than this one, but also around 6 thousand times more readers on GR. It had some great points, but I really hated some other aspects of it which I won't spoil you about, and also couldn't connect to the characters much. In this case, Something Real wasn't a perfect book either, especially since it's the author's first work I think, but I just absolutely connected with this book.
“I’m sitting here on the Kaye Gibbons Show, and all I can think is that the whole country is sick. Sick with the idea hat it’s good to be known as seen by as many people as possible, to show every part of our lives to the public at large. Whether it’s Facebook photos, blogs, or reality TV, it’s like nobody is content to just live life. The worth of our existence seems to be measured in pixels and megabytes and “likes.” Those of use whose lives can be downloaded seem to have the most value – until someone outrageous comes along to claim their time in the spotlight.”
I loved the characters, their struggles and the deliciously swoon-worthy but also supportive romance! Which was ironically the lowest point for me in I'll Meet You There, while here, it was one of the strongest points. Something Real deals with the downsides of fame, consent (or lack of it), growing up in an environment where you're filmed 24/7 for reality TV, with absolutely no privacy, nothing of your own. And how that kind of lifestyle can warp you and change your personality until you don't recognize where the reality 'star' begins and you end.
“Even Mom doesn't understand how being in front of a camera all the time twists and warps you. How one second it makes you feel unbelievably alive and the next publicly strips you down until all that's left is one big question mark.”
It's very much centerd on family, and not always in good ways. I seriously despised Bonnie's.. or rather Chloe's mother and stepfather. One of the best family relationships, on the other hand, was the one between Bonnie and her older brother, Benny! They had such a supportive and loving dynamics. I also loved the relationship betweeen Benny and his boyfriend Mike!
Thetre's also some friendship thrown in the mix, which we don't get to see enough, because this book mostly centeres on family and romance - which was fan-freaking-tastic! Patrick has his honored place among my book boyfriends now! I loved how passionate, caring and supportive relationship he and Bonnie had. Patrick and Benny were the biggest support system for Bonnie through her hard times, since her mother pretty much cared only for the image of her as the best TV mom, being a role model for other mothers in the country, which was pretty ironic thing considering how she was only caring mother for the cameras. Her stepfather wanted the fame, and her father was just a selfish human being.
“I'm not Bonnie™ or Chloe. I'm the essence of her, the nontrademarked person the camera can never capture and my parents have no right to sign over. There is a sovereign nation encased in this skin that MetaReel can never trademark.”
That's one of the thing I've noticed about Heather Demetrios's books, they always portray families, but not the loving and supportive kind. They do ultimately love each other in some small ways, but it's always such an unhealthy, flawed and painful way to live and treat your children. Also both the mother in I'll Meet You There and in Something Real are one of the most selfish human beings in the stories.
“Hate is a lot like love. It's warm and fills you up until every part of you is tingling to release it.”
All in all, an amazing contemporary book which should definitely get more hype! Great heroine I could easily connect to, even though I can't really imagine such a way of life and I don't watch reality TV. Some great side characters - espeiclly Benny. Loved loved loved the romance here! (And boy, am I very picky in this!) Highly recommended contemporary read.
“After graduation, we can just … ride into the sunrise,” he says.
“The sunrise?”
His lips twitch. “If we ride into the sunset, we’d wind up in the middle of the Pacific.”
“You know those primitive tribal people who believed a camera could steal your soul? Turns out they were right.”
So this is the weirdest thing: I actually didn't like the author's most beloved work I'll Meet You There, which has not only so much higher rating than this one, but also around 6 thousand times more readers on GR. It had some great points, but I really hated some other aspects of it which I won't spoil you about, and also couldn't connect to the characters much. In this case, Something Real wasn't a perfect book either, especially since it's the author's first work I think, but I just absolutely connected with this book.
“I’m sitting here on the Kaye Gibbons Show, and all I can think is that the whole country is sick. Sick with the idea hat it’s good to be known as seen by as many people as possible, to show every part of our lives to the public at large. Whether it’s Facebook photos, blogs, or reality TV, it’s like nobody is content to just live life. The worth of our existence seems to be measured in pixels and megabytes and “likes.” Those of use whose lives can be downloaded seem to have the most value – until someone outrageous comes along to claim their time in the spotlight.”
I loved the characters, their struggles and the deliciously swoon-worthy but also supportive romance! Which was ironically the lowest point for me in I'll Meet You There, while here, it was one of the strongest points. Something Real deals with the downsides of fame, consent (or lack of it), growing up in an environment where you're filmed 24/7 for reality TV, with absolutely no privacy, nothing of your own. And how that kind of lifestyle can warp you and change your personality until you don't recognize where the reality 'star' begins and you end.
“Even Mom doesn't understand how being in front of a camera all the time twists and warps you. How one second it makes you feel unbelievably alive and the next publicly strips you down until all that's left is one big question mark.”
It's very much centerd on family, and not always in good ways. I seriously despised Bonnie's.. or rather Chloe's mother and stepfather. One of the best family relationships, on the other hand, was the one between Bonnie and her older brother, Benny! They had such a supportive and loving dynamics. I also loved the relationship betweeen Benny and his boyfriend Mike!
Thetre's also some friendship thrown in the mix, which we don't get to see enough, because this book mostly centeres on family and romance - which was fan-freaking-tastic! Patrick has his honored place among my book boyfriends now! I loved how passionate, caring and supportive relationship he and Bonnie had. Patrick and Benny were the biggest support system for Bonnie through her hard times, since her mother pretty much cared only for the image of her as the best TV mom, being a role model for other mothers in the country, which was pretty ironic thing considering how she was only caring mother for the cameras. Her stepfather wanted the fame, and her father was just a selfish human being.
“I'm not Bonnie™ or Chloe. I'm the essence of her, the nontrademarked person the camera can never capture and my parents have no right to sign over. There is a sovereign nation encased in this skin that MetaReel can never trademark.”
That's one of the thing I've noticed about Heather Demetrios's books, they always portray families, but not the loving and supportive kind. They do ultimately love each other in some small ways, but it's always such an unhealthy, flawed and painful way to live and treat your children. Also both the mother in I'll Meet You There and in Something Real are one of the most selfish human beings in the stories.
“Hate is a lot like love. It's warm and fills you up until every part of you is tingling to release it.”
All in all, an amazing contemporary book which should definitely get more hype! Great heroine I could easily connect to, even though I can't really imagine such a way of life and I don't watch reality TV. Some great side characters - espeiclly Benny. Loved loved loved the romance here! (And boy, am I very picky in this!) Highly recommended contemporary read.
“After graduation, we can just … ride into the sunrise,” he says.
“The sunrise?”
His lips twitch. “If we ride into the sunset, we’d wind up in the middle of the Pacific.”
July 24, 2014
As someone who turns on the television maybe five times a year--for the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open, and ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas--I couldn't adequately understand the hype over Something Real. I've never watched a reality TV show--not unless you count Food Network's "Chopped"--and was ignorant of the existence of "Honey Boo Boo" and "Dance Moms" until very recently. I may be young, but I really do live under a bookshelf. Needless to say, Something Real flew over my head, though not under my radar, until I read and loved Demetrios's sophomore novel, Exquisite Captive.
I'll admit it--the hype is right. For once. Something Real is a surprisingly poignant, emotional, and realistic debut. From the beginning itself, it's impossible to feel distant from the story at hand as Chloe's life is a tragic joke. Beth and Andrew Baker, once poor high school sweethearts with a dream of parenting a Baker's Dozen--or thirteen children--had their lives changed when MetaReel, a reality TV channel, decided to make their hopes a reality. For the first thirteen years of her childhood, Chloe's life has been documented on television--from her birth to her first steps to her medical overdose which put the show on hiatus for four years. Now seventeen, Chloe is finally living a normal life--friends, a potential boyfriend, and actual high school. But when she realizes her mother has signed up the family for another season of "Baker's Dozen", forcing Chloe back to her television persona of Bonnie and a life on camera, Chloe simply cannot deal.
What I find shockingly depressing about "Baker's Dozen" is the viewer reaction to the show. Beth Baker is a role model of The Perfect Mother. Not only does she seamlessly run a household with thirteen children, but she has survived the infidelity of her husband and lived to find love again, marrying Kirk. Although Beth knows Chloe and her older brother, Benny, aren't eager to be back on "Baker's Dozen," she is forced to seek employment with MetaReel due to financial reasons. Chloe's reaction to "Baker's Dozen" immediately forces her into our hearts and her volatile relationship with the camera, her mother, and even her older sister Lex who loves being on television, are all so beautifully written. Demtrios creates nuanced familial relationships with so much depth, whether it be Chloe and Benny's easy sibling friendship or even Chloe and Lex's difficult sibling rivalry, both these sibling relationships of different natures are impossible to label or explain because they are multi-layered. Admittedly, I did find it difficult to condone many of Beth's actions, particularly towards the end of the novel, but I suppose a mother with thirteen children truly may react in the manner she does--I'll never know.
Something Real is all-the-more endearing not for its reality television plot, but rather for Chloe's struggles to lead a normal life despite it all. Whether it be her tight friendship with her high school friends--who are seriously amazing friends--or her blooming romance with Patrick, the cute guy who sits behind her in government class, Chloe's internal battle to remain true to herself in the face of media dramatics is admirable. Chloe and Patrick's romance is a cornerstone of support throughout the difficult experiences Chloe undergoes. Of course, I found it far too perfect, but in Demetrios's defense it certainly made sense to write an easy, uncomplicated romance when so many other plot threads were complex. (Plus, if you want complicated romance from Demetrios just pick up Exquisite Captive--the gray matter is there in spades!)
One of my favorite aspects of the tale, though, were the snippets from magazines, newspapers, or simply scripts from older "Baker's Dozen" episodes that are littered at the close of every chapter in Something Real. Demetrios brings her story alive by giving it a wider audience--paparazzi, scientists who study the psychological ramifications of reality television, etc.--and I loved this tactical decision. For me, it brought the effects of this story home in a truly impactful manner. Something Real isn't an altogether perfect debut novel, but then again, whose debut is perfect? Demetrios has written a thought-provoking piece, one ideal for the young adult genre as it forces readers to reflect on their exposure to media and the manner in which it shapes their lives. Moreover, this novel--lightly--touches upon difficult futuristic decisions, hinting at New Adult themes, which I further appreciated. I, for one, would love a New Adult follow-up novel, perhaps from the perspective of a different character. We won't be getting one, I don't think, but a girl can certainly dream, yes?
I'll admit it--the hype is right. For once. Something Real is a surprisingly poignant, emotional, and realistic debut. From the beginning itself, it's impossible to feel distant from the story at hand as Chloe's life is a tragic joke. Beth and Andrew Baker, once poor high school sweethearts with a dream of parenting a Baker's Dozen--or thirteen children--had their lives changed when MetaReel, a reality TV channel, decided to make their hopes a reality. For the first thirteen years of her childhood, Chloe's life has been documented on television--from her birth to her first steps to her medical overdose which put the show on hiatus for four years. Now seventeen, Chloe is finally living a normal life--friends, a potential boyfriend, and actual high school. But when she realizes her mother has signed up the family for another season of "Baker's Dozen", forcing Chloe back to her television persona of Bonnie and a life on camera, Chloe simply cannot deal.
What I find shockingly depressing about "Baker's Dozen" is the viewer reaction to the show. Beth Baker is a role model of The Perfect Mother. Not only does she seamlessly run a household with thirteen children, but she has survived the infidelity of her husband and lived to find love again, marrying Kirk. Although Beth knows Chloe and her older brother, Benny, aren't eager to be back on "Baker's Dozen," she is forced to seek employment with MetaReel due to financial reasons. Chloe's reaction to "Baker's Dozen" immediately forces her into our hearts and her volatile relationship with the camera, her mother, and even her older sister Lex who loves being on television, are all so beautifully written. Demtrios creates nuanced familial relationships with so much depth, whether it be Chloe and Benny's easy sibling friendship or even Chloe and Lex's difficult sibling rivalry, both these sibling relationships of different natures are impossible to label or explain because they are multi-layered. Admittedly, I did find it difficult to condone many of Beth's actions, particularly towards the end of the novel, but I suppose a mother with thirteen children truly may react in the manner she does--I'll never know.
Something Real is all-the-more endearing not for its reality television plot, but rather for Chloe's struggles to lead a normal life despite it all. Whether it be her tight friendship with her high school friends--who are seriously amazing friends--or her blooming romance with Patrick, the cute guy who sits behind her in government class, Chloe's internal battle to remain true to herself in the face of media dramatics is admirable. Chloe and Patrick's romance is a cornerstone of support throughout the difficult experiences Chloe undergoes. Of course, I found it far too perfect, but in Demetrios's defense it certainly made sense to write an easy, uncomplicated romance when so many other plot threads were complex. (Plus, if you want complicated romance from Demetrios just pick up Exquisite Captive--the gray matter is there in spades!)
One of my favorite aspects of the tale, though, were the snippets from magazines, newspapers, or simply scripts from older "Baker's Dozen" episodes that are littered at the close of every chapter in Something Real. Demetrios brings her story alive by giving it a wider audience--paparazzi, scientists who study the psychological ramifications of reality television, etc.--and I loved this tactical decision. For me, it brought the effects of this story home in a truly impactful manner. Something Real isn't an altogether perfect debut novel, but then again, whose debut is perfect? Demetrios has written a thought-provoking piece, one ideal for the young adult genre as it forces readers to reflect on their exposure to media and the manner in which it shapes their lives. Moreover, this novel--lightly--touches upon difficult futuristic decisions, hinting at New Adult themes, which I further appreciated. I, for one, would love a New Adult follow-up novel, perhaps from the perspective of a different character. We won't be getting one, I don't think, but a girl can certainly dream, yes?
August 22, 2016
Bonnie Baker is a household name in America, thanks to a reality TV show that she, her parents, and her twelve siblings have been on called "Baker's Dozen." But the hit show went off the air four years ago, much to Bonnie's relief. She and her family now live in a different town and she goes by the name Chloe. She's got great friends, a possible love interest, and a town full of people who know nothing about her. But now MetaReel, the production company that made "Baker's Dozen," is back, and Chloe is going to have to be Bonnie again...and face up to her parents' divorce and her own breakdown that caused the show to go off the air.
Review:
I was really excited for the release of this book. I expected it to be warm-hearted and cute, something I could race through. Instead, I got one of the most emotional reads I've had all year. It's FAR MORE than it appears to be.
First of all, let's talk about the MC, Chloe. She's sweet. She's smart. She's funny. And she has major anxiety and panic attacks at the thought of any camera. At the beginning of the book, Chloe is about to get her yearbook picture taken, and it's traumatizing. And as a reader, you realize immediately that this book is not fluff. Chloe is someone you really want to cheer on - you want her to take action, and you want her to get what she wants because frankly, her situation really, really sucks.
Benton, Chloe's brother, is her sounding board and keeps her from jumping off the ledge. He hates MetaReel and Baker's Dozen as much as Chloe does, but he's more grounded about it. I loved the relationship between the two of them and how much they stick together and take care of one another.
Benton is also instrumental to Chloe getting together with Patrick Sheldon, a guy she's been crushing on for ages. Honestly, guys, this dude is THE BEST. He loves Chloe for who she is. He pushes her to be the best she can be. And he sticks with her even when she tries to push him away. PLUS, he's quirky and smarty, and says and texts adorable and witty things and...gah. The romance between Chloe and Patrick is SO swoony and so romantic. It's seriously Anna and the French Kiss levels of adorbs, guys.
I want to fangirl over this book (I kinda just did), but it deserves more than that. Something Real made me think about our society and about how, just by watching and observing, we might be hurting and exploiting people who don't have a choice in the matter. It sounds obvious that a book with a girl on a reality TV show would be dealing with themes and issues of privacy, celebrity, and the voyeuristic nature of the entertainment industry, but the way that Demetrios explored those issues was with compassion for her characters and a really balanced look at how hard it is to care about your family but want to be independent.
At the same time, Something Real is shocking in its a portrayal of the "Jon and Kate + 8" kind of entertainment that makes headlines and money. And it's an honest portrayal of how good people can really be changed by what society wants from them. Bonnie's mother Beth, and her stepfather Kirk don't really seem like terrible people - Beth's intentions with the 13 kids were always honourable, and in order to feed 13 kids, you do need money - but she's been so warped by the idea of fame and of keeping up appearances that by the end of the book, you're not sure what she wants out of this other than the money.
I read Something Real in fits and starts - totally not the right way to read a book - but it's the kind of book where you can't just read one sentence or a couple of pages. I would put it down for a day, and then find that I needed to wait for a point when I had a good chunk of time in order to read again because it pulls you in so completely that you really can't put it down.
Guys, this is already one of my favourite reads of this year, and I suspect it will be one of my favourite reads of 2014. It's that affecting. I beg of you, if you like romance or contemporaries of any kind, get thee to a bookstore and pick this one up.
Read the rest of this review at Mostly YA Lit
Review:
I was really excited for the release of this book. I expected it to be warm-hearted and cute, something I could race through. Instead, I got one of the most emotional reads I've had all year. It's FAR MORE than it appears to be.
First of all, let's talk about the MC, Chloe. She's sweet. She's smart. She's funny. And she has major anxiety and panic attacks at the thought of any camera. At the beginning of the book, Chloe is about to get her yearbook picture taken, and it's traumatizing. And as a reader, you realize immediately that this book is not fluff. Chloe is someone you really want to cheer on - you want her to take action, and you want her to get what she wants because frankly, her situation really, really sucks.
Benton, Chloe's brother, is her sounding board and keeps her from jumping off the ledge. He hates MetaReel and Baker's Dozen as much as Chloe does, but he's more grounded about it. I loved the relationship between the two of them and how much they stick together and take care of one another.
Benton is also instrumental to Chloe getting together with Patrick Sheldon, a guy she's been crushing on for ages. Honestly, guys, this dude is THE BEST. He loves Chloe for who she is. He pushes her to be the best she can be. And he sticks with her even when she tries to push him away. PLUS, he's quirky and smarty, and says and texts adorable and witty things and...gah. The romance between Chloe and Patrick is SO swoony and so romantic. It's seriously Anna and the French Kiss levels of adorbs, guys.
I want to fangirl over this book (I kinda just did), but it deserves more than that. Something Real made me think about our society and about how, just by watching and observing, we might be hurting and exploiting people who don't have a choice in the matter. It sounds obvious that a book with a girl on a reality TV show would be dealing with themes and issues of privacy, celebrity, and the voyeuristic nature of the entertainment industry, but the way that Demetrios explored those issues was with compassion for her characters and a really balanced look at how hard it is to care about your family but want to be independent.
At the same time, Something Real is shocking in its a portrayal of the "Jon and Kate + 8" kind of entertainment that makes headlines and money. And it's an honest portrayal of how good people can really be changed by what society wants from them. Bonnie's mother Beth, and her stepfather Kirk don't really seem like terrible people - Beth's intentions with the 13 kids were always honourable, and in order to feed 13 kids, you do need money - but she's been so warped by the idea of fame and of keeping up appearances that by the end of the book, you're not sure what she wants out of this other than the money.
I read Something Real in fits and starts - totally not the right way to read a book - but it's the kind of book where you can't just read one sentence or a couple of pages. I would put it down for a day, and then find that I needed to wait for a point when I had a good chunk of time in order to read again because it pulls you in so completely that you really can't put it down.
Guys, this is already one of my favourite reads of this year, and I suspect it will be one of my favourite reads of 2014. It's that affecting. I beg of you, if you like romance or contemporaries of any kind, get thee to a bookstore and pick this one up.
Read the rest of this review at Mostly YA Lit
May 12, 2015
Heather Demetrios is SO underrated! More people need to read her books.
Just do it! :D
Just do it! :D
October 12, 2015
Once again I just love Heather Demetrios's writing. If you've never read a book by her, seriously go pick one up.
"You know those tribal people who believed a camera could steal your soul? Turns out they were right."
I loved this book. I'll admit here and now that I've always been a fan of reality TV (especially the Real Housewives franchise). However, it wasn't until this summer that I really understood what went into making a reality tv show. I first watched UnReal on Lifetime (which is a GREAT show) and it has to do with the behind the scenes workings of a bachelor/bachelorette show. After I watched that I became really interested in the behind the scenes stuff. And then I realized I had added this book to my TBR many months before and it was exactly the kind of book I wanted to read. While I know this is a book of fiction, I can't help but think there is a bit of truth to it....
Bonnie Baker has been a reality tv star since the day she was born, literally. Her birth was recorded on live television. Ever since then her life and the lives of her 12 other siblings have been at the center of the public eye. However, it's not until Bonnie is 13-years-old that the show Baker's Dozen is cancelled. The cameras go away for 4 years and during these years Bonnie is figuring out who she is, not what the cameras made her be. But after these 4 years of almost solitude the cameras have returned to the Baker household and they leave Bonnie feeling anxious and also just really angry. While the cameras take over Bonnie's house and her life she really tries to not let the show consume her. She doesn't want to be the old Bonnie again. She wants to herself, she wants to be Chloe.
"I could morph into the Bonnie everyone used to love or a new Bonnie, who's clever and witty and explains away the most painful night of her life with a roll of her eyes and a self-deprecating joke or two. It'd be that easy. But I don't want to play by Chuck's rules. In his world, you have to sell your soul to gain your dignity. I don't think that's a fair trade."
I loved all of the characters. Especially Bonnie and Benton. Benton was just hilarious and wonderful and he really provided the much needed comic relief. And I really liked Bonnie too because in a way I could really relate to her and I'm sure many other people could too. I know the vast majority of us haven't been a reality tv show but I think a lot of us have had the feeling of playing a role. Everything has to seem ok so no one suspects anything is wrong and in turn you become a person that doesn't really exist. I think this is what happened to Bonnie after all those years of being on reality television. She lost her self and wasn't able to find it again until the cameras were gone.
This book really makes you realize how messed up the world is. I don't want to assume that America has the most reality tv shows BUT WE DO HAVE QUITE A FEW....I would never be able to deal with being a tv. It's so fake and bleh. It brings the worst out of people but yet we all seem to love watching it. It's kind of messed up. I mean in the book you can see how horrible Bonnie's parents had become, especially her mother. Her mother started the show because all she wanted was a child and was told it would never happen. However, once a tv company stepped in and offered her this show and the chance of having children, her wish came true. But by the time Bonnie is 17 years-old, her mother has become a reality tv monster that really isn't a mother anymore. She's an actress.
"I'm sitting here on the Kaye Gibbons Show, and all I can think is that the whole country is sick. Sick with the idea that it's good to be known and seen by as many people as possible, to show every part of our lives to the public at large. Whether it's Facebook photos, blogs, or reality TV, it's like nobody is content to just live life. The worth of our existence seems to be measured in pixels and megabytes and "likes." Those of us whose lives can be downloaded seem to have the most value--until someone more outrageous comes along to claim their time in the spotlight."
The reason I gave 4 stars rather than 5 is because I wasn't really happy with the ending. It left off on a cliffhanger for me and now I just want to know more. But maybe that's the point? With reality TV you want to more and more and you're never really satisfied. I feel like the author did the same thing with the ending to show that we really are just nosy people that get off know about other people's lives. Huh. Interesting.
I also wasn't a big fan of Patrick and Lexie. The romance between Bonnie and Patrick happened a little to fast for me and it just seemed a little too perfect. And then Lexie was just bleh. I feel like if I read the other book that has to do with her and her story, I'll like her better. We'll see!
Overall, I really loved this book. It really got me thinking about some stuff. Will I still watch reality TV? Yes. But do I have a different outlook on these people's lives? Yes, definitely. So go read this book! Or any other book by Heather Demetrios because she is an AMAZING author!
"You know those tribal people who believed a camera could steal your soul? Turns out they were right."
I loved this book. I'll admit here and now that I've always been a fan of reality TV (especially the Real Housewives franchise). However, it wasn't until this summer that I really understood what went into making a reality tv show. I first watched UnReal on Lifetime (which is a GREAT show) and it has to do with the behind the scenes workings of a bachelor/bachelorette show. After I watched that I became really interested in the behind the scenes stuff. And then I realized I had added this book to my TBR many months before and it was exactly the kind of book I wanted to read. While I know this is a book of fiction, I can't help but think there is a bit of truth to it....
Bonnie Baker has been a reality tv star since the day she was born, literally. Her birth was recorded on live television. Ever since then her life and the lives of her 12 other siblings have been at the center of the public eye. However, it's not until Bonnie is 13-years-old that the show Baker's Dozen is cancelled. The cameras go away for 4 years and during these years Bonnie is figuring out who she is, not what the cameras made her be. But after these 4 years of almost solitude the cameras have returned to the Baker household and they leave Bonnie feeling anxious and also just really angry. While the cameras take over Bonnie's house and her life she really tries to not let the show consume her. She doesn't want to be the old Bonnie again. She wants to herself, she wants to be Chloe.
"I could morph into the Bonnie everyone used to love or a new Bonnie, who's clever and witty and explains away the most painful night of her life with a roll of her eyes and a self-deprecating joke or two. It'd be that easy. But I don't want to play by Chuck's rules. In his world, you have to sell your soul to gain your dignity. I don't think that's a fair trade."
I loved all of the characters. Especially Bonnie and Benton. Benton was just hilarious and wonderful and he really provided the much needed comic relief. And I really liked Bonnie too because in a way I could really relate to her and I'm sure many other people could too. I know the vast majority of us haven't been a reality tv show but I think a lot of us have had the feeling of playing a role. Everything has to seem ok so no one suspects anything is wrong and in turn you become a person that doesn't really exist. I think this is what happened to Bonnie after all those years of being on reality television. She lost her self and wasn't able to find it again until the cameras were gone.
This book really makes you realize how messed up the world is. I don't want to assume that America has the most reality tv shows BUT WE DO HAVE QUITE A FEW....I would never be able to deal with being a tv. It's so fake and bleh. It brings the worst out of people but yet we all seem to love watching it. It's kind of messed up. I mean in the book you can see how horrible Bonnie's parents had become, especially her mother. Her mother started the show because all she wanted was a child and was told it would never happen. However, once a tv company stepped in and offered her this show and the chance of having children, her wish came true. But by the time Bonnie is 17 years-old, her mother has become a reality tv monster that really isn't a mother anymore. She's an actress.
"I'm sitting here on the Kaye Gibbons Show, and all I can think is that the whole country is sick. Sick with the idea that it's good to be known and seen by as many people as possible, to show every part of our lives to the public at large. Whether it's Facebook photos, blogs, or reality TV, it's like nobody is content to just live life. The worth of our existence seems to be measured in pixels and megabytes and "likes." Those of us whose lives can be downloaded seem to have the most value--until someone more outrageous comes along to claim their time in the spotlight."
The reason I gave 4 stars rather than 5 is because I wasn't really happy with the ending. It left off on a cliffhanger for me and now I just want to know more. But maybe that's the point? With reality TV you want to more and more and you're never really satisfied. I feel like the author did the same thing with the ending to show that we really are just nosy people that get off know about other people's lives. Huh. Interesting.
I also wasn't a big fan of Patrick and Lexie. The romance between Bonnie and Patrick happened a little to fast for me and it just seemed a little too perfect. And then Lexie was just bleh. I feel like if I read the other book that has to do with her and her story, I'll like her better. We'll see!
Overall, I really loved this book. It really got me thinking about some stuff. Will I still watch reality TV? Yes. But do I have a different outlook on these people's lives? Yes, definitely. So go read this book! Or any other book by Heather Demetrios because she is an AMAZING author!
Read
December 20, 2015I've now read
two
of Heather Demetrios's novels in the span of
two
days, & I can't even begin to express how impressed I am with this author. Something Real & I'll Meet You There are both such complex & profound novels, & I'm still trying to wrap my mind around them both.
Something Real is SO different from Heather Demetrios's other novel-- I'll Meet You There-- but it's just as brilliant! This author has such versatility. I'm amazed that she can write books about 2 totally different sets of characters (from 2 vastly different sets of circumstances) & yet, she can make me care about & connect w/ them all. Moreover, BOTH novels are cogent portrayals of American life & culture.
Proper Review to Come...
*4.75/5 stars*
Something Real is SO different from Heather Demetrios's other novel-- I'll Meet You There-- but it's just as brilliant! This author has such versatility. I'm amazed that she can write books about 2 totally different sets of characters (from 2 vastly different sets of circumstances) & yet, she can make me care about & connect w/ them all. Moreover, BOTH novels are cogent portrayals of American life & culture.
Proper Review to Come...
*4.75/5 stars*
June 8, 2015
Something Real is one of those books that's impossible for me to review with any sort of grace. I want to fangirl the heck out of it. I wish I could just tell everyone to read to it because it's amazing and they'd listen to me. I know it doesn't work that way, though, so let me try to explain with at least some coherency why you need to drop everything and read this book.
Something Real will make you laugh, cry, swoon, curse, and swoon some more. Everything about Chloe's situation really sucks. Her mom and step dad are horrible; her real father is absent and just as horrible. Although she loves her brothers and sisters, her home life is chaotic, especially after her mother announces that they will once again be filming their reality show. For four years Chloe has dreaded this very possibility - the intrusiveness of the cameras, her new friends finding out the truth about her past, and her identity once again being shattered. I could go into great detail about how relevant Something Real is to today's world, but let me be honest: I love this book for its characters and their relationships, and, despite the rottenness of Chloe's situation, most of them will make you feel so damn happy.
Chloe is an amazing protagonist. She's now a senior in high school, and it's been four years since the cancellation of "Baker's Dozen". Her family moved to a new state, giving her a fresh start, no longer having to be "Bonnie" any more. Instead, she's chosen a new name for herself. Although Chloe feels like she's constantly floundering, I only have admiration for her desire to be the girl she wants to be, even if she's not quite sure who that girl is or where that girl is going. Plus, she's cool and funny. She had me laughing out loud constantly. She's loyal to the people she loves. Chloe tries to run away from her problems or sweep them under the rug, which I totally understand because that's usually my initial reaction to controversy. But her growth is beautiful, and I loved seeing her learn to fight fiercely for what she wants.
Then there's Benny, her older brother. He's incredible! Benny is always there for Chloe, supporting her, giving her advice, or just being a shoulder for her to lean on. There is constant affection between them, and they talk about everything. Theirs is probably the best brother/sister relationship I've read in a YA book. Benny has a boyfriend, Matt, and their relationship is so preciously handled. One word: cantaloupe. (Now you have to read it so you know what I'm talking about.) Although they've never felt pressured to come out, and they are secure in their feelings for one another, I still hoped that they could show the world how powerfully they love one another. There's this scene towards the end that had me in happy tears, and I dare you not to cry.
Now for my favorite part.
Originally, my review was going to look something like this:
PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK.
But then there's that whole coherency problem.
When we say "book boyfriends" we generally mean they're our favorite boys. When I proclaim Patrick Sheldon as one of the best book boyfriends ever, I mean that literally, within the story, he is one of the best book boyfriends ever. Every time he appeared on the page, it was impossible for me not to highlight something. It's cute because he and Chloe have both liked each other for a year but neither one was sure of the other. So when they finally get together, they're feelings already come across as so genuine and strong. Bonus points: he asks her to be his girlfriend. How often do we actually get that in YA books? During the crazy storm Chloe is going through with her family, he is supportive and thoughtful, always trying to make her feel loved. It's the little things, too, that make up the complete swoon package that is Patrick. He sends her the CUTEST text messages and emails. They have mandatory make-out sessions in the janitor's closet. He's got this too-cool-for-school vibe, but he's kinda nerdy too. Like, he's always asking Chloe multiple choice or fill in the blank questions. He's not afraid to say embarrassingly boyfriend things. I don't want to reveal too much more because then I'll spoil all the wonderful things about their relationship. Basically, if Patrick Sheldon does not make you swoon, you are made of stone and I feel sorry for you.
See? Swoooooooooooon.
Heather Demetrios' writing, too, is wonderful. It's witty, modern, and hip, but not in a trying-too-hard way. I'm basically obsessed with the ending, because it's the kind I adore and salivate over. Chloe and Patrick totally deserve where they're heading, and the fact that they're together, and I believe in it 100%. Something Real is a book I won't soon be forgetting, and you can bet it will be on all my end-of-the-year lists. Hoepfully it will be on everyone's (hint hint).
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
Something Real will make you laugh, cry, swoon, curse, and swoon some more. Everything about Chloe's situation really sucks. Her mom and step dad are horrible; her real father is absent and just as horrible. Although she loves her brothers and sisters, her home life is chaotic, especially after her mother announces that they will once again be filming their reality show. For four years Chloe has dreaded this very possibility - the intrusiveness of the cameras, her new friends finding out the truth about her past, and her identity once again being shattered. I could go into great detail about how relevant Something Real is to today's world, but let me be honest: I love this book for its characters and their relationships, and, despite the rottenness of Chloe's situation, most of them will make you feel so damn happy.
Chloe is an amazing protagonist. She's now a senior in high school, and it's been four years since the cancellation of "Baker's Dozen". Her family moved to a new state, giving her a fresh start, no longer having to be "Bonnie" any more. Instead, she's chosen a new name for herself. Although Chloe feels like she's constantly floundering, I only have admiration for her desire to be the girl she wants to be, even if she's not quite sure who that girl is or where that girl is going. Plus, she's cool and funny. She had me laughing out loud constantly. She's loyal to the people she loves. Chloe tries to run away from her problems or sweep them under the rug, which I totally understand because that's usually my initial reaction to controversy. But her growth is beautiful, and I loved seeing her learn to fight fiercely for what she wants.
Then there's Benny, her older brother. He's incredible! Benny is always there for Chloe, supporting her, giving her advice, or just being a shoulder for her to lean on. There is constant affection between them, and they talk about everything. Theirs is probably the best brother/sister relationship I've read in a YA book. Benny has a boyfriend, Matt, and their relationship is so preciously handled. One word: cantaloupe. (Now you have to read it so you know what I'm talking about.) Although they've never felt pressured to come out, and they are secure in their feelings for one another, I still hoped that they could show the world how powerfully they love one another. There's this scene towards the end that had me in happy tears, and I dare you not to cry.
Now for my favorite part.
Originally, my review was going to look something like this:
PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK. PATRICK.
But then there's that whole coherency problem.
When we say "book boyfriends" we generally mean they're our favorite boys. When I proclaim Patrick Sheldon as one of the best book boyfriends ever, I mean that literally, within the story, he is one of the best book boyfriends ever. Every time he appeared on the page, it was impossible for me not to highlight something. It's cute because he and Chloe have both liked each other for a year but neither one was sure of the other. So when they finally get together, they're feelings already come across as so genuine and strong. Bonus points: he asks her to be his girlfriend. How often do we actually get that in YA books? During the crazy storm Chloe is going through with her family, he is supportive and thoughtful, always trying to make her feel loved. It's the little things, too, that make up the complete swoon package that is Patrick. He sends her the CUTEST text messages and emails. They have mandatory make-out sessions in the janitor's closet. He's got this too-cool-for-school vibe, but he's kinda nerdy too. Like, he's always asking Chloe multiple choice or fill in the blank questions. He's not afraid to say embarrassingly boyfriend things. I don't want to reveal too much more because then I'll spoil all the wonderful things about their relationship. Basically, if Patrick Sheldon does not make you swoon, you are made of stone and I feel sorry for you.
"I love you."
No preamble, no hesitation. He says these three words like it's the most natural thing in the world.
And I get a little weepy, which makes him smile, and I tell him that I love him, God, do I love him, and his lips smear the tears on my cheeks.
See? Swoooooooooooon.
Heather Demetrios' writing, too, is wonderful. It's witty, modern, and hip, but not in a trying-too-hard way. I'm basically obsessed with the ending, because it's the kind I adore and salivate over. Chloe and Patrick totally deserve where they're heading, and the fact that they're together, and I believe in it 100%. Something Real is a book I won't soon be forgetting, and you can bet it will be on all my end-of-the-year lists. Hoepfully it will be on everyone's (hint hint).
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
May 13, 2015
I am what you could say a reality TV addict, I could sit there for all the whole day just watching back to back episodes of a TV programme and the same can be said for books which have reality stars as their subject. I love getting to know these characters and how things have worked out for them with the TV show. The last book I read based on this was Jennifer’s Castle You Look Different in Real Life and it was one which I loved, now I don’t know why I took so long in picking up Something Real, because it was a story I ended up adoring.
Chloe Baker has finally got a life of her own, she had been a reality TV star with her 12 siblings and family for as long as she can remember. Having a camera following you around for nearly every second of your life doesn’t always have its perks, it really sort of wrecked things for Chloe, that when her family finally decided to give it up, it really was the best thing she could have asked for, as it very nearly ended up wrecking her life and destroying her family. So when MetaReel turns up out of the blue four years later to film Chloe’s family once more, Chloe can’t believe it. If I was in Chloe’s shoes, I would have felt exactly the same way, Chloe was just about getting on track with everything, she had even changed her name to get away from it all, so does she really want everyone to get back up in her business again?. And Chloe’s mum was the worst, okay she had a big household to look after and feed, but she was just the most inconsiderate mother I’ve come across in a while. I know she wanted to make Baker’s Dozen the best show ever, but did she have to restort to playing up for the cameras? And not listening to a thing Chloe wanted? She really made me rage in this entire book, Chloe’s dad wasn’t the greatest person either, but with Chloe’s mother it seemed like she didn’t give a crap about anybody, as long as the ratings of the show were good. Chloe had so much to deal with, keeping everything under wraps from her friends before the show went live, trying to keep her panic attacks in check and when it finally seemed like her crush Patrick Sheldon may be liking her back, MetaReel and her cameras were all up in Chloe’s face.
Patrick Sheldon definitely ended up as one of my favourite fictional crushes, he was everything that I would love in a guy in real life. He was the sweetest guy ever, always looking out for Chloe, he knew the stress she had to deal with, but was still willing to make a go of their relationship, despite knowing their faces would be plastered all over the press and their every step would be heavily scrutinised. Which guy would want to be under this constant pressure? Some of his lines just made me swoon and his sweet gestures easily left a big smile on my face. All I know is that this book has so made me want my own Patrick Sheldon!
Family paid an integral part to this story, and I’m glad Chloe did have some members of the family that she could turn to when things got tough for her. Benton was the best brother that anyone could ask for, he was there for Chloe when she needed cheering up and was willing to take her side when people like her mother didn’t. I also loved how Benton just could brighten up an entire scene with his charm and goofy ways. I also appreciated that Chloe was able to forge some stronger relationships with some of her other siblings too. Things could be rocky at times for Chloe and one particular sibling, but I’m glad that through the stress of everything this one was able to come through for her. As Chloe, really did need all the support from her friends and family that were willing to listen.
Something Real was definitely a book which I’m so glad that I picked up, it dealt with a lot of serious issues, but Demetrios was able to weave in some pleasant lighter moments too and some swoony scenes with my Patrick which I hugely appreciated. Demetrios has certainly made me want to read the rest of her books right away.
This review can be found on: The Readers Den
Chloe Baker has finally got a life of her own, she had been a reality TV star with her 12 siblings and family for as long as she can remember. Having a camera following you around for nearly every second of your life doesn’t always have its perks, it really sort of wrecked things for Chloe, that when her family finally decided to give it up, it really was the best thing she could have asked for, as it very nearly ended up wrecking her life and destroying her family. So when MetaReel turns up out of the blue four years later to film Chloe’s family once more, Chloe can’t believe it. If I was in Chloe’s shoes, I would have felt exactly the same way, Chloe was just about getting on track with everything, she had even changed her name to get away from it all, so does she really want everyone to get back up in her business again?. And Chloe’s mum was the worst, okay she had a big household to look after and feed, but she was just the most inconsiderate mother I’ve come across in a while. I know she wanted to make Baker’s Dozen the best show ever, but did she have to restort to playing up for the cameras? And not listening to a thing Chloe wanted? She really made me rage in this entire book, Chloe’s dad wasn’t the greatest person either, but with Chloe’s mother it seemed like she didn’t give a crap about anybody, as long as the ratings of the show were good. Chloe had so much to deal with, keeping everything under wraps from her friends before the show went live, trying to keep her panic attacks in check and when it finally seemed like her crush Patrick Sheldon may be liking her back, MetaReel and her cameras were all up in Chloe’s face.
Patrick Sheldon definitely ended up as one of my favourite fictional crushes, he was everything that I would love in a guy in real life. He was the sweetest guy ever, always looking out for Chloe, he knew the stress she had to deal with, but was still willing to make a go of their relationship, despite knowing their faces would be plastered all over the press and their every step would be heavily scrutinised. Which guy would want to be under this constant pressure? Some of his lines just made me swoon and his sweet gestures easily left a big smile on my face. All I know is that this book has so made me want my own Patrick Sheldon!
Family paid an integral part to this story, and I’m glad Chloe did have some members of the family that she could turn to when things got tough for her. Benton was the best brother that anyone could ask for, he was there for Chloe when she needed cheering up and was willing to take her side when people like her mother didn’t. I also loved how Benton just could brighten up an entire scene with his charm and goofy ways. I also appreciated that Chloe was able to forge some stronger relationships with some of her other siblings too. Things could be rocky at times for Chloe and one particular sibling, but I’m glad that through the stress of everything this one was able to come through for her. As Chloe, really did need all the support from her friends and family that were willing to listen.
Something Real was definitely a book which I’m so glad that I picked up, it dealt with a lot of serious issues, but Demetrios was able to weave in some pleasant lighter moments too and some swoony scenes with my Patrick which I hugely appreciated. Demetrios has certainly made me want to read the rest of her books right away.
This review can be found on: The Readers Den
February 26, 2014
An ARC of this title was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.
Initial thoughts:
I adored this book. I wanted to slap Bonnie™'s mother more than once, and I just loved how Chloe and Benny got each other through it all. That family was pure chaos! And Patrick...suh-woon. Yep. I loved this book, and I'm kinda surprised it didn't get more hype before it's release because it's full of win. I don't even like reality TV all that much, but it's probably my dislike for it that made this book even better because I have a feeling it's pretty close to how all the behind-the-scenes stuff goes down. Also, I've often thought that putting kids on camera for entertainment without their consent could be likened to child abuse, and I was glad to see that aspect wasn't taken lightly here.
Full review:
What has happened to me that all -- well, most of -- the books that I adore lately have been contemporaries?!? I used to despise this genre, but now I can't even remember why. Because now, these are my go-to books. When I'm in a funk or a reading slump or whatever, I pick up a contemp and I'm happily entertained for hours.
With Something Real, I think I'll be entertained for eons. This is the kind of book I can read over and over again. This story garnered ALL THE FEELS from me. And so rather than splitting up my review based on characters and plotting, etc., like I usually would, I'm going to do this one a little differently. I'm going to separate my feelings and what triggered them.
Anger
First and foremost, my anger comes from being a mother. As a parent, I cannot fathom subjecting a child to being in the spotlight like this, let alone a family consisting of thirteen children. Times are going to be tough as it is, but how does any self-respecting mother do this to her children? Especially considering what one of the eldest has already suffered because of being on a show that is broadcast nationally. Beth Baker-Miller™ is one of the worst kinds of human beings...those who live for attention and don't care about the cost, even when it's their own family. There was not a single redeemable quality in this woman, and what she did or didn't do at the end of this novel made me question whether she even deserved to have the other children in her care.
Also, I have mad hate for the show's producer Chuck, who is the slimiest of all in this story. He manipulates, cajoles, coerces, and threatens, and he is beneath scum. I imagine a lot of reality TV show producers to be of his ilk, and for the sake of everyone who has to deal with swine like this, I am sorry. I'm not a big fan of reality shows, but I imagine it's not as fun to be the subject of them as it might appear or as others make it out to be. I'm rather intrigued by the leaps and bounds this book took to show the behind-the-scenes stuff. On one hand, I hope this is all entirely fictional, but on the other, I'm pretty sure it's not, and I feel awful for ever having watched a single minute of this kind of drivel, entertaining as it might be at times.
Sadness
The main character Bonnie™/Chloe hasn't had the easiest transition from reality TV stardom to normal girl. But she's relatively happy with her normal girl status now that she's starting her second year of public school as a high school senior. Until her mom and stepdad decide to start doing the show again, without consulting any of the rest of the family, that is. Chloe has suffered the most at the hands of the Baker's Dozen show, and you'd think her family would at least have the decency to forewarn her that the show was being picked back up, but aside from her brother Benton™, no one seems to care what this might do to Chloe's fragile state of mind.
Grief
What I hate most is that Bonnie™/Chloe's mother doesn't even notice the repercussions. She thinks her daughter is acting like a typical spoiled teenager who's not getting her way. I don't think Beth Baker-Miller™ realizes that it's taken Chloe four -- FOUR -- years to finally find some amount of normalcy in her life after what happened in the last season of Baker's Dozen. Which makes my heart hurt even more for Chloe. But worse than that, I wished physical violence on this mother and the stepfather she brought into these kids' life after the sh!t hit the fan in that last season. How could any mother be so oblivious, let her own desires outweigh those of her children, whether they come from her loins or not?
More Anger
Which brings me to my next point. The way that everyone allows Chloe to be portrayed on national television is an abomination. Seeing it from Chloe's eyes and then seeing how everything is edited to make it more dramatic, or to make it look as if Bonnie/Chloe™ really is the poster-child for Teenagers Gone Wild, I wanted to do more than cut cords or palm cameras out of Chloe's face. No one deserves to have their whole life on display for strangers like this. It more than borders on child abuse in my opinion. And I'm really glad to see that this aspect wasn't taken lightly in this story. There's even talk of getting the ACLU involved, so kudos.
Happiness
I am unbelievably grateful that Chloe had a sibling like Benny to help get her through all the drama. Beginning, middle, and end...he was there through it all. He pushed Chloe when she needed it, but he also gave her space to do what she needed to do when she wasn't being rational. Benny was her back-up and Chloe was his. I love how out of all the siblings, these two are the closest, have the best connection, and stand by each other, no matter what. I think the only times I laughed in this story with true frivolity -- because of all my fury at the other characters in the story --were when it was just Chloe and Benny hanging out, shootin' the sh!t. Also, Benny drunk is kinda priceless. I'm not condoning underage drinking, per se, but when the situation warrants...
Off-handed Humor
Okay, so I said that I didn't laugh all that much, but I did snicker a lot. Ugh, I hate that word, but it's the best description. Here's why:
Swoons
Benny may have been a great counterpart to Chloe's persistent pessimism, but Patrick brought the swoons and more. We talk about book boyfriends all the time, but usually as in "I would want this guy to be my boyfriend in real life". In this case, I don't think I've met a more perfect guy to be this character's boyfriend. He's patient, forgiving, caring, but he still manages to be a separate entity and not too clingy. A girl should be so lucky as to have a guy like Patrick in her life. He takes all of this reality TV stardom stuff in stride. Patrick does everything he can to make a relationship outside of that world a possibility for Chloe, and I think that without his soothing presence, Chloe might not have managed nearly as well as she did. Also, he gave her the strength to stand up for herself. I know the saying always goes "Behind every great man, there's a great woman", but I think the opposite holds true, as well, especially for this couple. It takes a solid partnership to make any relationship work, and that's what we have here.
Also, there's that scene in the janitorial closet. My god. =)
Another thing I really enjoyed about this novel was all of the extras included: press releases, twitter feeds, blog posts, interviews, etc. And, of course, those cute text messages between Patrick and Chloe on her secret phone. It really lent to the air that this was reality, that this is how life goes for someone in Chloe's position. It also made for an even more entertaining reading, especially how each piece was spun one way or another. This book really makes me sad for all of those kids who were on Jon & Kate Plus 8.
I am honestly surprised that this novel didn't receive any hype prior to its publication. It is so unbelievably genuine and completely from the heart, and it ranks up there with my favorite YA contemporary novels ever. I don't think I've ever read a novel that compelled me to be one with the narrator and simultaneously feel so much, and I'm really hoping this isn't a one-time deal. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what else Heather Demetrios brings to this genre, and I hope she continues writing with this outstanding voice of hers.
Wow, this review turned out to be way longer than I anticipated, and the sad thing is I haven't said all that I have to say about this lovely book. But you should read it. You should absolutely read it. :D
GIF it to me straight:
Why is no one talking about this book?!?
This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.
Initial thoughts:
I adored this book. I wanted to slap Bonnie™'s mother more than once, and I just loved how Chloe and Benny got each other through it all. That family was pure chaos! And Patrick...suh-woon. Yep. I loved this book, and I'm kinda surprised it didn't get more hype before it's release because it's full of win. I don't even like reality TV all that much, but it's probably my dislike for it that made this book even better because I have a feeling it's pretty close to how all the behind-the-scenes stuff goes down. Also, I've often thought that putting kids on camera for entertainment without their consent could be likened to child abuse, and I was glad to see that aspect wasn't taken lightly here.
Full review:
What has happened to me that all -- well, most of -- the books that I adore lately have been contemporaries?!? I used to despise this genre, but now I can't even remember why. Because now, these are my go-to books. When I'm in a funk or a reading slump or whatever, I pick up a contemp and I'm happily entertained for hours.
With Something Real, I think I'll be entertained for eons. This is the kind of book I can read over and over again. This story garnered ALL THE FEELS from me. And so rather than splitting up my review based on characters and plotting, etc., like I usually would, I'm going to do this one a little differently. I'm going to separate my feelings and what triggered them.
Anger
“Even Mom doesn't understand how being in front of a camera all the time twists and warps you. How one second it makes you feel unbelievably alive and the next publicly strips you down until all that's left is one big question mark.”
First and foremost, my anger comes from being a mother. As a parent, I cannot fathom subjecting a child to being in the spotlight like this, let alone a family consisting of thirteen children. Times are going to be tough as it is, but how does any self-respecting mother do this to her children? Especially considering what one of the eldest has already suffered because of being on a show that is broadcast nationally. Beth Baker-Miller™ is one of the worst kinds of human beings...those who live for attention and don't care about the cost, even when it's their own family. There was not a single redeemable quality in this woman, and what she did or didn't do at the end of this novel made me question whether she even deserved to have the other children in her care.
Also, I have mad hate for the show's producer Chuck, who is the slimiest of all in this story. He manipulates, cajoles, coerces, and threatens, and he is beneath scum. I imagine a lot of reality TV show producers to be of his ilk, and for the sake of everyone who has to deal with swine like this, I am sorry. I'm not a big fan of reality shows, but I imagine it's not as fun to be the subject of them as it might appear or as others make it out to be. I'm rather intrigued by the leaps and bounds this book took to show the behind-the-scenes stuff. On one hand, I hope this is all entirely fictional, but on the other, I'm pretty sure it's not, and I feel awful for ever having watched a single minute of this kind of drivel, entertaining as it might be at times.
Sadness
The main character Bonnie™/Chloe hasn't had the easiest transition from reality TV stardom to normal girl. But she's relatively happy with her normal girl status now that she's starting her second year of public school as a high school senior. Until her mom and stepdad decide to start doing the show again, without consulting any of the rest of the family, that is. Chloe has suffered the most at the hands of the Baker's Dozen show, and you'd think her family would at least have the decency to forewarn her that the show was being picked back up, but aside from her brother Benton™, no one seems to care what this might do to Chloe's fragile state of mind.
Grief
What I hate most is that Bonnie™/Chloe's mother doesn't even notice the repercussions. She thinks her daughter is acting like a typical spoiled teenager who's not getting her way. I don't think Beth Baker-Miller™ realizes that it's taken Chloe four -- FOUR -- years to finally find some amount of normalcy in her life after what happened in the last season of Baker's Dozen. Which makes my heart hurt even more for Chloe. But worse than that, I wished physical violence on this mother and the stepfather she brought into these kids' life after the sh!t hit the fan in that last season. How could any mother be so oblivious, let her own desires outweigh those of her children, whether they come from her loins or not?
More Anger
Which brings me to my next point. The way that everyone allows Chloe to be portrayed on national television is an abomination. Seeing it from Chloe's eyes and then seeing how everything is edited to make it more dramatic, or to make it look as if Bonnie/Chloe™ really is the poster-child for Teenagers Gone Wild, I wanted to do more than cut cords or palm cameras out of Chloe's face. No one deserves to have their whole life on display for strangers like this. It more than borders on child abuse in my opinion. And I'm really glad to see that this aspect wasn't taken lightly in this story. There's even talk of getting the ACLU involved, so kudos.
Happiness
I am unbelievably grateful that Chloe had a sibling like Benny to help get her through all the drama. Beginning, middle, and end...he was there through it all. He pushed Chloe when she needed it, but he also gave her space to do what she needed to do when she wasn't being rational. Benny was her back-up and Chloe was his. I love how out of all the siblings, these two are the closest, have the best connection, and stand by each other, no matter what. I think the only times I laughed in this story with true frivolity -- because of all my fury at the other characters in the story --were when it was just Chloe and Benny hanging out, shootin' the sh!t. Also, Benny drunk is kinda priceless. I'm not condoning underage drinking, per se, but when the situation warrants...
Off-handed Humor
Okay, so I said that I didn't laugh all that much, but I did snicker a lot. Ugh, I hate that word, but it's the best description. Here's why:
"I'm surprised she doesn't get a sunburn from the rays of her own awesomeness," Benny says as she heads to the first floor.
_____
There should be a class on what to do with your hands during awkward moments. Like, no other animal has to stand with these ridiculous appendages that make everything worse. Hands are awkward as hell. I watch Tessa disappear down the hall, belonging, being absorbed into the crowd.
_____
"Did you apparate here or something? The bell rang two seconds ago."
_____
"How was the salon?" Tessa asks, after we're through psychoanalyzing my date. "Did you get claw-the-rapist nails?"
Swoons
"When his lips finally leave mine, his fingertips stay on my cheeks, and he looks at me--really looks at me--for a long time. Five seconds? Minutes? Centuries? Maybe it's the feeling behind his eyes or the way the warmth of that kiss slowly slips back on the tide of our breath, but I suddenly feel like I need to leave. Now."
Benny may have been a great counterpart to Chloe's persistent pessimism, but Patrick brought the swoons and more. We talk about book boyfriends all the time, but usually as in "I would want this guy to be my boyfriend in real life". In this case, I don't think I've met a more perfect guy to be this character's boyfriend. He's patient, forgiving, caring, but he still manages to be a separate entity and not too clingy. A girl should be so lucky as to have a guy like Patrick in her life. He takes all of this reality TV stardom stuff in stride. Patrick does everything he can to make a relationship outside of that world a possibility for Chloe, and I think that without his soothing presence, Chloe might not have managed nearly as well as she did. Also, he gave her the strength to stand up for herself. I know the saying always goes "Behind every great man, there's a great woman", but I think the opposite holds true, as well, especially for this couple. It takes a solid partnership to make any relationship work, and that's what we have here.
Also, there's that scene in the janitorial closet. My god. =)
"Chlo, that boy has forever written all over his face when he looks at you. A cat lady you shall never be."
Another thing I really enjoyed about this novel was all of the extras included: press releases, twitter feeds, blog posts, interviews, etc. And, of course, those cute text messages between Patrick and Chloe on her secret phone. It really lent to the air that this was reality, that this is how life goes for someone in Chloe's position. It also made for an even more entertaining reading, especially how each piece was spun one way or another. This book really makes me sad for all of those kids who were on Jon & Kate Plus 8.
"I'm not Bonnie™ or Chloe. I'm the essence of her, the nontrademarked person the camera can never capture and my parents have no right to sign over. There is a sovereign nation encased in this skin that MetaReel can never trademark."
I am honestly surprised that this novel didn't receive any hype prior to its publication. It is so unbelievably genuine and completely from the heart, and it ranks up there with my favorite YA contemporary novels ever. I don't think I've ever read a novel that compelled me to be one with the narrator and simultaneously feel so much, and I'm really hoping this isn't a one-time deal. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what else Heather Demetrios brings to this genre, and I hope she continues writing with this outstanding voice of hers.
Wow, this review turned out to be way longer than I anticipated, and the sad thing is I haven't said all that I have to say about this lovely book. But you should read it. You should absolutely read it. :D
GIF it to me straight:
Why is no one talking about this book?!?
September 24, 2013
Something Real. This is the third book about Reality TV in YA contemporary I’ve read this month alone. And while I may have been thinking it early on, NO, this is not instance of how to beat a dead horse deader.
We’ve a set of siblings who mark each moment in their life by the season or episode the same has taken place. We’ve characters whose names have that oddly annoying ™ attached after, oddly annoying in that the same felt disingenuous in getting its message across… because I kid you not, a message there is. I just didn’t see the point in all those extras.
Now, the lead in this one, Chloe/Bonnie is tired of the life she’s been living. Thinking she’s finally free of it, she’s constructed a whole separate one from what’s been broadcast. The lies are bound to catch up, you say. They do. But let’s set that matter aside and take into account how she’s not the only feeling the pressure and how there’s this one awesome sibling who’s there for her but not voicing things out as loudly as she is. The Benny-Bonnie/Chloe dynamic in this one is refreshing. Why? Awesome siblings make for awesome reading, I say. Except most of the drama that comes out of this is because of her family, her mother mainly… who’s depicted sadly in one way only. There were moments there when I would have bought it, what her mother was saying I mean. Except for the most part, we’ve a lady backed into a corner doing what she’s got to; only me not believing it. It’s very one dimensional in the “my problems are thus because another did (a) or didn’t do (b).” it felt way too simplistic.
There’s that inevitable love interest, too: The guy read almost too perfect. He’s what made SOMETHING REAL read almost like a Sarah Dessen novel: with the girl (partially) messed up and the guy helping her figure things out. Was that necessary? No. Was it interesting? Maybe. The second string characters and each their respective dramas also felt too something: too sweet, too easy, too made for TV in the ending.
And that’s it, isn’t it? Most everything about this, despite the scary bits she’s to deal with, the issues brought out… it all ends like it’s been made for TV: the baddies are unmasked , the damsel is no longer in distress, and the guy gets the girl… except what about the rest of her sibs? Yeah?
thank you net galley!
We’ve a set of siblings who mark each moment in their life by the season or episode the same has taken place. We’ve characters whose names have that oddly annoying ™ attached after, oddly annoying in that the same felt disingenuous in getting its message across… because I kid you not, a message there is. I just didn’t see the point in all those extras.
Now, the lead in this one, Chloe/Bonnie is tired of the life she’s been living. Thinking she’s finally free of it, she’s constructed a whole separate one from what’s been broadcast. The lies are bound to catch up, you say. They do. But let’s set that matter aside and take into account how she’s not the only feeling the pressure and how there’s this one awesome sibling who’s there for her but not voicing things out as loudly as she is. The Benny-Bonnie/Chloe dynamic in this one is refreshing. Why? Awesome siblings make for awesome reading, I say. Except most of the drama that comes out of this is because of her family, her mother mainly… who’s depicted sadly in one way only. There were moments there when I would have bought it, what her mother was saying I mean. Except for the most part, we’ve a lady backed into a corner doing what she’s got to; only me not believing it. It’s very one dimensional in the “my problems are thus because another did (a) or didn’t do (b).” it felt way too simplistic.
There’s that inevitable love interest, too: The guy read almost too perfect. He’s what made SOMETHING REAL read almost like a Sarah Dessen novel: with the girl (partially) messed up and the guy helping her figure things out. Was that necessary? No. Was it interesting? Maybe. The second string characters and each their respective dramas also felt too something: too sweet, too easy, too made for TV in the ending.
And that’s it, isn’t it? Most everything about this, despite the scary bits she’s to deal with, the issues brought out… it all ends like it’s been made for TV: the baddies are unmasked , the damsel is no longer in distress, and the guy gets the girl… except what about the rest of her sibs? Yeah?
thank you net galley!
July 26, 2015
So basically this book just stomped, trounced, attacked, and wrecked my feels.
AND I LOVED EVERY PAGE OF IT.
Review to come, but this was fantamarvelous (fantastic-amazing-marvelous).
AND I LOVED EVERY PAGE OF IT.
Review to come, but this was fantamarvelous (fantastic-amazing-marvelous).
Read
October 12, 2015Simply loved the brother-sister relationship between Benton and Bonnie.
October 26, 2016
We all want and need something real. Home and family should be the one place in this crazy, shook-up world we can turn to for peace and real-ness. But for Bonnie Baker home is the last place to find something real.
Bonnie (Chloe) has been a part of Baker’s Dozen, a hit reality TV show, for most of her life. She grew up on camera along with her 12 brothers and sisters. 13 kids! Fans watched every detail all the time. Cameras, lies, fake smiles, and heartache ruled their world. The show has been on hiatus though, which gave Bonnie time to build a whole new life as Chloe Baker. A life with no cameras or producers telling her what to wear or how to act. A life with school, friends, and one BIG time crush-love. But everything she built is at risk as soon as news breaks that Baker’s Dozen is back on the air. Can Chloe hold on to her “normal” off-the-air life?
This chock full of kids and chaos tale is hopeful and heartbreaking. The Bakers are so broken. What the mother puts her family through for the show will shock you! What Mom Baker does to Chloe will make your blood boil. Chloe’s mother is seen as the perfect mom role model on TV, but in reality she will disappoint you again and again. Thank goodness Chloe has Benny, her brother, at her side for support. Benny and Chloe’s relationship is the thumping heart of this story for me. Brothers and sisters can be our foundation in this world. They can keep us real. And Benny and Chloe have one of the best sister-brother bonds I’ve seen in a while. Their chemistry is funny and sweet and rock solid. They have each other’s backs no matter what! They made me proud. And laugh! Benny made me laugh out loud more than once with his big mouth, humor, and bravery. He constantly pushes Chloe on and out into life. Pushes her to fight for what makes her heart happy. And what makes Chloe happy is Patrick Sheldon. “He looks like the kind of boy who would jump trains, strum a guitar, and pass a joint.” Patrick Sheldon is the sweet, brooding mystery of a boy in the back of the room we all have a crush on! :)
“Cue sweaty hands and short breath and warmth in strange, unexpected places. Is this what it feels like, falling hard for someone? Is it supposed to turn you inside out?”
Patrick and Chloe’s swoon-worthy romantic energy and sexy spark fill this book with huge hope. They light up the pages with such a sweet, powerful, romance that makes you believe anything is possible. Their banter is smart, fast, and flirty. Their kisses are oola-la-la-I-want-more. From goofy grins to spearmint flavored kisses—these two will steal your heart.
But the question still remains—how can Chloe see and hold on to a future or Patrick or her friends when the cameras distort her life into something so un-real?
I read this book a couple of months ago, but as I sit here trying to catch up on some reviews, it hits me how strong of an impression this book and Heather Demetrios made on me. Every sneaky move, hug, red t-shirt, and fight left a mark on me. There were one or two points that felt dragged out and repeated at times, but really Chloe, Benny, Patrick, and the whole Baker family’s story is not to be missed. These characters are still with me. Urging me to find something real out here in the world to hold on to and fight for.
Recommended read.
And please check out I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios too. It’s one of my favorite reads with one of my favorite Marines.
November 25, 2014
(4.5 stars) Reality TV is the black hole of television to me. I've never understood its appeal, but I've simultaneously watched a straight hour of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition before realising where my time went. So when I began to love this... that's saying something.
If your name was Bonnie™, with an honest-to-God trademark symbol, you'd want out of the reality show you were part of literally from the moment you were born. Baker's Dozen seems like something out of a nightmare. 13 kids, two parents, cameras in the house 24/7 (except in the bathrooms and bedrooms, naturally).
It's insane. Even more so when the show has been cancelled for four years, following Bonnie (or Chloe as she's better known)'s meltdown and the Baker parents' divorce. It's just crazy how much the world intrudes on their privacy, with paparazzi following them to school, cameras in their faces when they make breakfast... and it actually happens IRL. Look at the Kadarshians.
The book is just so realistic. Chloe wants to go out with Patrick Sheldon (who is extremely adorable and I ship their relationship 200%), only she harbours the constant fear of seeing their faces splashed in garish tabloids. Her mum, who brought back the show in the first place and wrote a self-help book, doesn't understand. Her new step-dad seems like he's just in for the fame and money. It's all very sad to read about, but it also hits home: we're inordinately obsessed with strangers' lives when we have no idea what goes on behind the scenes.
The romance was so well done, by the way. Patrick was a little too perfect, but their conversations were SO CUTE. The book very much revolves around their relationship, too, and I was glad to see that drama kept to a minimum. Unrealistic expectations of men = increased yet again.
Totally recommended. This may be one of the best YAs I've read this year!
(Reality TV still bites)
I’m sitting here on the Kaye Gibbons Show, and all I can think is that the whole country is sick. Sick with the idea that it’s good to be known as seen by as many people as possible, to show every part of our lives to the public at large. Whether it’s Facebook photos, blogs, or reality TV, it’s like nobody is content to just live life. The worth of our existence seems to be measured in pixels and megabytes and “likes.” Those of use whose lives can be downloaded seem to have the most value – until someone outrageous comes along to claim their time in the spotlight.
If your name was Bonnie™, with an honest-to-God trademark symbol, you'd want out of the reality show you were part of literally from the moment you were born. Baker's Dozen seems like something out of a nightmare. 13 kids, two parents, cameras in the house 24/7 (except in the bathrooms and bedrooms, naturally).
It's insane. Even more so when the show has been cancelled for four years, following Bonnie (or Chloe as she's better known)'s meltdown and the Baker parents' divorce. It's just crazy how much the world intrudes on their privacy, with paparazzi following them to school, cameras in their faces when they make breakfast... and it actually happens IRL. Look at the Kadarshians.
The book is just so realistic. Chloe wants to go out with Patrick Sheldon (who is extremely adorable and I ship their relationship 200%), only she harbours the constant fear of seeing their faces splashed in garish tabloids. Her mum, who brought back the show in the first place and wrote a self-help book, doesn't understand. Her new step-dad seems like he's just in for the fame and money. It's all very sad to read about, but it also hits home: we're inordinately obsessed with strangers' lives when we have no idea what goes on behind the scenes.
The romance was so well done, by the way. Patrick was a little too perfect, but their conversations were SO CUTE. The book very much revolves around their relationship, too, and I was glad to see that drama kept to a minimum. Unrealistic expectations of men = increased yet again.
Totally recommended. This may be one of the best YAs I've read this year!
(Reality TV still bites)
June 8, 2015
After two books (that I read practically back-to-back) by Heather Demetrios, I think I found one of my new favorite authors. She's amazing. I loved every second of this book, and I can't wait to read more books by her :)
December 14, 2015
Full Review: http://leaninglights.weebly.com/home/...
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I really enjoyed this one! It's very unique is plot and makes you think.
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I really enjoyed this one! It's very unique is plot and makes you think.
July 29, 2016
Heather demetrios has become one of my favourite authors ,she just made me feel so many emotions and Patrick the love interest was ...sigh ..so Dreamy !!
I feel that this book is so underrated ,but Please give it chance because it is so so good !!
I feel that this book is so underrated ,but Please give it chance because it is so so good !!
April 25, 2017
Find the original review here at This is the Story of My(Reading) Life
Done. Solidified. Heather Demetrios has now moved herself into my favourite authors category. And that's only after two books. But when you're the boss like her it was pretty much a no brainer after I read I'll Meet You There. Something Real is absolutely everything I want in a YA contemporary. Not just the story and characters and the messages about not being afraid to be yourself as well as never being afraid to speak up. Which is really prevalent with Chloe's life in the spotlight. A life she never asked for, but grew up in. Something Real was interesting in it's look at how scary it's gotten with our obsession with celebrities and reality T.V. Demetrios does this is such, well, a real way.
Chloe(nee Bonnie) Baker has spent her life in the spotlight. She was literally born on T.V. than spent thirteen years living her life through the world's T.V. screen with the rest of her family on Baker's Dozen. Now after four years off air, Chloe has been trying to keep Bonnie in the past. Her and her family moved across the country. Her and her brother, Benny are able to attend a high school where no one knows who they are. Chloe has real friends and a hope that she might be able to leave the past in the past. That is until one day Chloe and Benny arrive home from school to be ambushed by their mother and a T.V. crew. Looks like Baker's Dozen is coming back. Chloe is not alright with that. The new life she's built is about to be blown wide open. And her past is suddenly going to finally catch up to her.
Something Real touches on so many topics. In just four hundred pages I got so much out of my reading experience. Chloe was the perfect voice to deliver this story. Chloe has worked so hard break out of her reality T.V. star persona and that night where everything almost came to an end. There is nothing Chloe wants more than being normal and freedom. Chloe struggles so much with discovering herself in Something Real. I really appreciated that side to her because it's relatable. She's seeing her friends(Tessa and Mer), Patrick and even Benny have college to move on to. Where she knows she wants out but she doesn't know where that leads. Chloe is stronger than she thinks. When she finally starts to get the courage and motivation to take a stand for her life and rights, I was like a proud mama bear. Chloe's home life is so undesirable and just not right and that really could have brought her down. But she choose to fight to keep her privacy and I couldn't not love her for that.
It's terrible to see Chloe(and really her siblings too) with such a lack of parental figures. There might be a few moments when you feel a little bad for her mom but 95% of the time she's a deplorable parent. She has raised her children in the spotlight and not once does it seem like she's bothered to care how that affects them. Benny has problems with alcohol. Lexie seems to be using her sexuality in not the most positive way. And Chloe overdosed on pills. The amount of times Chloe tries to discuss how she feels about being back on the air and the past with her mom and her mom just tells her to get over herself is frustrating and honestly a little shocking. She's your mom, she should be protecting you not using you. When Chloe speaks out, instead of speaking to her daughter she tells her she's ruining the family. Her dad found the dark side of stardom and is living it up in Miami. Her step dad might come over as a good guy but that's quickly dis proven. The icing on the cake is the shows producer, Chuck. What a sleezy, slimy guy. He talks to the kids like their his family but he threatens Chloe and is a complete asshole. Even with shitty parents Chloe has her friends and Benny to have her back and support her. Even when she thinks she's alone, she's really far from it.
Patrick is absolutely the perfect boyfriend. He's been crushing on Chloe for over a year before he finally makes his move. He's so super cute. The relationship he has with his parents is even cuter. I just want to squish his face. I love his nerdy tendencies and style. And I love his support and genuine feelings towards Chloe even more. Patrick absolutely always knows all the right things to say in the most caring and thoughtful way. Patrick backs Chloe 100% and even though I'm not totally on board with a 18 year old telling his girlfriend that all he cares about is what she wants, it's sweet none the less. God, he's so sweet and adorable. Everyone needs a Patrick in their life. Every time him and Chloe are together it warms my OTP feelings.
Benny and Chloe are extremely close. They have a brother sister relationship that I envy(love you bro). Being that they're only a few months apart, the experience they had growing up was pretty much the same. Compared to their younger siblings and Lexie, their feelings over growing up in the spotlight has only deepened their bond. The return of Baker's Dozen brings Benny a whole bunch of his own going on's to the forefront. It's no secret at home that Benny's gay. At school is a different story. It's not that he's in the closest, it's that the relationship he's in is in the closet. And I understand why Matt(Benny's boyfriend) is struggling on what he should do. Even so Benny's and Matt's relationship in another strong one to highlight from Something Real. Like Patrick and Chloe, support and honesty is important. When the eventual outing goes down, all the feels go out to Benny and Matt. But what's to follow with the t-shirt and dance(I know vague, but read the book!) is definitely the most heart warming and happy moment of Something Real.
I'm so happy that Lexie is getting her own book. She was such an intriguing and complex character. Chloe and Lexie's relationship grew so much throughout Something Real. They didn't really get along. Which was more that they didn't really understand each other. But as Chloe started to speak up more, Lexie started to respect her more. Something positive to come out of a terrible situation.
Something Real is many things. Like a true coming of age story that shows just how real life gets. Demetrios writing is gripping without being over dramatized. And the banter is on point. We all know how I need my banter fulfillment. Something Real sure delivers. I've re-read my favourite parts a few times now. I've marked the hell out of all the Patrick moments(there is a lot). *sigh* I have no doubt that Something Real will get a full re-read before the year is out. Possibly more than once.
Done. Solidified. Heather Demetrios has now moved herself into my favourite authors category. And that's only after two books. But when you're the boss like her it was pretty much a no brainer after I read I'll Meet You There. Something Real is absolutely everything I want in a YA contemporary. Not just the story and characters and the messages about not being afraid to be yourself as well as never being afraid to speak up. Which is really prevalent with Chloe's life in the spotlight. A life she never asked for, but grew up in. Something Real was interesting in it's look at how scary it's gotten with our obsession with celebrities and reality T.V. Demetrios does this is such, well, a real way.
Chloe(nee Bonnie) Baker has spent her life in the spotlight. She was literally born on T.V. than spent thirteen years living her life through the world's T.V. screen with the rest of her family on Baker's Dozen. Now after four years off air, Chloe has been trying to keep Bonnie in the past. Her and her family moved across the country. Her and her brother, Benny are able to attend a high school where no one knows who they are. Chloe has real friends and a hope that she might be able to leave the past in the past. That is until one day Chloe and Benny arrive home from school to be ambushed by their mother and a T.V. crew. Looks like Baker's Dozen is coming back. Chloe is not alright with that. The new life she's built is about to be blown wide open. And her past is suddenly going to finally catch up to her.
Something Real touches on so many topics. In just four hundred pages I got so much out of my reading experience. Chloe was the perfect voice to deliver this story. Chloe has worked so hard break out of her reality T.V. star persona and that night where everything almost came to an end. There is nothing Chloe wants more than being normal and freedom. Chloe struggles so much with discovering herself in Something Real. I really appreciated that side to her because it's relatable. She's seeing her friends(Tessa and Mer), Patrick and even Benny have college to move on to. Where she knows she wants out but she doesn't know where that leads. Chloe is stronger than she thinks. When she finally starts to get the courage and motivation to take a stand for her life and rights, I was like a proud mama bear. Chloe's home life is so undesirable and just not right and that really could have brought her down. But she choose to fight to keep her privacy and I couldn't not love her for that.
It's terrible to see Chloe(and really her siblings too) with such a lack of parental figures. There might be a few moments when you feel a little bad for her mom but 95% of the time she's a deplorable parent. She has raised her children in the spotlight and not once does it seem like she's bothered to care how that affects them. Benny has problems with alcohol. Lexie seems to be using her sexuality in not the most positive way. And Chloe overdosed on pills. The amount of times Chloe tries to discuss how she feels about being back on the air and the past with her mom and her mom just tells her to get over herself is frustrating and honestly a little shocking. She's your mom, she should be protecting you not using you. When Chloe speaks out, instead of speaking to her daughter she tells her she's ruining the family. Her dad found the dark side of stardom and is living it up in Miami. Her step dad might come over as a good guy but that's quickly dis proven. The icing on the cake is the shows producer, Chuck. What a sleezy, slimy guy. He talks to the kids like their his family but he threatens Chloe and is a complete asshole. Even with shitty parents Chloe has her friends and Benny to have her back and support her. Even when she thinks she's alone, she's really far from it.
Patrick is absolutely the perfect boyfriend. He's been crushing on Chloe for over a year before he finally makes his move. He's so super cute. The relationship he has with his parents is even cuter. I just want to squish his face. I love his nerdy tendencies and style. And I love his support and genuine feelings towards Chloe even more. Patrick absolutely always knows all the right things to say in the most caring and thoughtful way. Patrick backs Chloe 100% and even though I'm not totally on board with a 18 year old telling his girlfriend that all he cares about is what she wants, it's sweet none the less. God, he's so sweet and adorable. Everyone needs a Patrick in their life. Every time him and Chloe are together it warms my OTP feelings.
Benny and Chloe are extremely close. They have a brother sister relationship that I envy(love you bro). Being that they're only a few months apart, the experience they had growing up was pretty much the same. Compared to their younger siblings and Lexie, their feelings over growing up in the spotlight has only deepened their bond. The return of Baker's Dozen brings Benny a whole bunch of his own going on's to the forefront. It's no secret at home that Benny's gay. At school is a different story. It's not that he's in the closest, it's that the relationship he's in is in the closet. And I understand why Matt(Benny's boyfriend) is struggling on what he should do. Even so Benny's and Matt's relationship in another strong one to highlight from Something Real. Like Patrick and Chloe, support and honesty is important. When the eventual outing goes down, all the feels go out to Benny and Matt. But what's to follow with the t-shirt and dance(I know vague, but read the book!) is definitely the most heart warming and happy moment of Something Real.
I'm so happy that Lexie is getting her own book. She was such an intriguing and complex character. Chloe and Lexie's relationship grew so much throughout Something Real. They didn't really get along. Which was more that they didn't really understand each other. But as Chloe started to speak up more, Lexie started to respect her more. Something positive to come out of a terrible situation.
Something Real is many things. Like a true coming of age story that shows just how real life gets. Demetrios writing is gripping without being over dramatized. And the banter is on point. We all know how I need my banter fulfillment. Something Real sure delivers. I've re-read my favourite parts a few times now. I've marked the hell out of all the Patrick moments(there is a lot). *sigh* I have no doubt that Something Real will get a full re-read before the year is out. Possibly more than once.
June 24, 2016
This book made me so emotional. I really liked the unique setting of this book. This is a book about a a girl named, Bonnie™ Baker(her televised name) who is sick of her family's involvement with the television media. The television show, Baker's Dozen, is about a family of 12 children-of which are mostly adopted (that's how it starts out but later more children are added to the show) and their life.So, basically, their entire life is being broadcast before the world. This show is full of drama, with single mom handling a huge bulk of children with her new husband. Well, the show actually got cancelled after an "accident" involving the main character, Chloe(her fake name). But, later, her mom decides to start the show all over again. This leaves Chloe frustrated as whatever happened to her last time traumatised her. She just did not want to be in front of the camera again. But, her mom has other plans for her anyway. So, this is about Chloe who is struggling to live a normal life among all this media attention. She is trying to fit in with her friends,getting a boyfriend and with her family.
She is just like any other rebellious teenager but she has a reason to be. Would you want a camera sticking up your face, documenting all your family interactions, even those that are extremely private? I am sure it is a no unless you like the attention. But, Chloe doesn't want that. So, she feels all alone in her battle against this show. Until, her friends and her boyfriend find out her true identity. They show their full support to her. I really love their friendship. Chloe also has a really close relationship with her birth brother. They joke, tease and stick by each other through thick and thin which I really love. She also has another birth sister who she is not very close with. I've to admit that she treats Chloe like shit but later, we do see an improvement in their relationship.
Due to this show, Chloe becomes start resenting her mother. She felt that her mother did not bother about her well-being. But, I could see her mother was trying to help the family. Well, the thing is that every time, Chloe and her mother talks, there will be a camera recording their interaction so her mother might be lying. And, that's what frustrates Chloe. She wants her needs to be recognised by her mother. She wants her mother to realise that she has her independent goals. So, Chloe takes a serious decision when she turns 18 and that's how her life with the television media ends.
This book was so much more than a teenager struggling to lead a normal life amidst the fame. It was also about how television covers up a lot of things by spicing up what happened. There were particular scenes whereby Chloe actually did not say a certain thing but it was made out in the television to make her the culprit. Several scenes were also cut out to the television producer's benefit. Also, scandals started surrounding Chloe and people started targeting Chloe. People also started targeting Bennie(Chloe's brother) just because he's gay. But, of course, they had supporters. So, this book educated me that everything on television is not what it seems.(I became more aware of this issue)
So, I really liked this book. It was a meaningful,funny(the interactions and conversations),emotional and sweet(the friendships and the romance) read. I got to say summer is the prefect time to read this book haha.
She is just like any other rebellious teenager but she has a reason to be. Would you want a camera sticking up your face, documenting all your family interactions, even those that are extremely private? I am sure it is a no unless you like the attention. But, Chloe doesn't want that. So, she feels all alone in her battle against this show. Until, her friends and her boyfriend find out her true identity. They show their full support to her. I really love their friendship. Chloe also has a really close relationship with her birth brother. They joke, tease and stick by each other through thick and thin which I really love. She also has another birth sister who she is not very close with. I've to admit that she treats Chloe like shit but later, we do see an improvement in their relationship.
Due to this show, Chloe becomes start resenting her mother. She felt that her mother did not bother about her well-being. But, I could see her mother was trying to help the family. Well, the thing is that every time, Chloe and her mother talks, there will be a camera recording their interaction so her mother might be lying. And, that's what frustrates Chloe. She wants her needs to be recognised by her mother. She wants her mother to realise that she has her independent goals. So, Chloe takes a serious decision when she turns 18 and that's how her life with the television media ends.
This book was so much more than a teenager struggling to lead a normal life amidst the fame. It was also about how television covers up a lot of things by spicing up what happened. There were particular scenes whereby Chloe actually did not say a certain thing but it was made out in the television to make her the culprit. Several scenes were also cut out to the television producer's benefit. Also, scandals started surrounding Chloe and people started targeting Chloe. People also started targeting Bennie(Chloe's brother) just because he's gay. But, of course, they had supporters. So, this book educated me that everything on television is not what it seems.(I became more aware of this issue)
So, I really liked this book. It was a meaningful,funny(the interactions and conversations),emotional and sweet(the friendships and the romance) read. I got to say summer is the prefect time to read this book haha.
March 8, 2016
4.5/5
Well, let's just say it was really stupid to wait so long before reading it.
I'd avoided reading despite loving Heather Demetrios's other novel, I'll Meet You There, because I don't really like reading about celebrities. Authenticity is one of the qualities I value the most, so I was afraid I would be faced with characters that didn't have any, but I couldn't have been more wrong. While I can't say that with Chloe's mom and her stepfather, the rest of the family and their friends were some of the most realistic and amazing characters I've read about. Some, such as Lexie, start off as superficial characters, but I realized later that it was just a way to protect themselves from the horrible life they're living. I sincerely love all of them and I'm going to start reading The Lexie Project right now to see more of them.
I loved seeing Chloe grow. I loved her from the beginning, but it was evident that she had issues bigger than her anxiety and depression (which are both portrayed very realistically). She struggles to be brave and she has a tendency to run away from her problems, which she grows out of in this book. I absolutely loved her determination at the end of the book, which made her such a fierce and inspiring character. While it might sound crazy, there were times when I could really relate to her, even though I'm the farthest from being a celebrity you can be. I understood her and I despised so many character that this was probably an unheathly read for me, but I guess we all love to channel our anger into fictional characters once in a while.
The only slight issue that I had with this book was the love aspect. While I loved Patrick's determination, his protection and his love for Choe, I struggled to seize him as a character. He was very confusing to me and although I loved him for how important he is to the main character, I couldn't like him as an individual. Since this isn't a love story, it's not that important in this book, but after loving the romance in I'll Meet You There, I couldn't help but be disappointed a little.
I got much more out of this book than I expected, so I would absolutely recommend it to everyone. Don't wait so long like I did!
Well, let's just say it was really stupid to wait so long before reading it.
I'd avoided reading despite loving Heather Demetrios's other novel, I'll Meet You There, because I don't really like reading about celebrities. Authenticity is one of the qualities I value the most, so I was afraid I would be faced with characters that didn't have any, but I couldn't have been more wrong. While I can't say that with Chloe's mom and her stepfather, the rest of the family and their friends were some of the most realistic and amazing characters I've read about. Some, such as Lexie, start off as superficial characters, but I realized later that it was just a way to protect themselves from the horrible life they're living. I sincerely love all of them and I'm going to start reading The Lexie Project right now to see more of them.
I loved seeing Chloe grow. I loved her from the beginning, but it was evident that she had issues bigger than her anxiety and depression (which are both portrayed very realistically). She struggles to be brave and she has a tendency to run away from her problems, which she grows out of in this book. I absolutely loved her determination at the end of the book, which made her such a fierce and inspiring character. While it might sound crazy, there were times when I could really relate to her, even though I'm the farthest from being a celebrity you can be. I understood her and I despised so many character that this was probably an unheathly read for me, but I guess we all love to channel our anger into fictional characters once in a while.
The only slight issue that I had with this book was the love aspect. While I loved Patrick's determination, his protection and his love for Choe, I struggled to seize him as a character. He was very confusing to me and although I loved him for how important he is to the main character, I couldn't like him as an individual. Since this isn't a love story, it's not that important in this book, but after loving the romance in I'll Meet You There, I couldn't help but be disappointed a little.
I got much more out of this book than I expected, so I would absolutely recommend it to everyone. Don't wait so long like I did!
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