All That Glitters

Likely Story #2

by David Van Etten

ALL THAT GLITTERS is definitely not gold as Mallory struggles to control the runaway train that is her brand-new soap opera. At the end of Likely Story, Mallory had just learned that her TV show was greenlit, but that her mother, and arch enemy, was being brought in to play one of the main characters. Now, as production gears up for the broadcast premier, Mallory finds herself fighting off take-over attempts (by her mother), trying to keep unhappy teen-star Dallas under control (if they won’t let him quit, he’ll do whatever it takes to get fired), and just trying to keep her head above water, both on the set and in high school. She’s ready to walk away from all of it, just to have a “normal” teenager’s life, but how can you walk away from something that won’t let you leave?

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Romance

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

David Van Etten is actually three writers: Chris Van Etten is a full-time writer for ABC's One Life to Live; David Ozanich is a freelance writer and playwright; and David Levithan is the author of Boy Meets Boy and many other young adult novels for Knopf.

Reviews

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

Ever since the network decided to go forward with her soap opera idea, LIKELY STORY, Mallory's life has been far from normal.

Meetings with the cast, the writers, the production staff, and photo shoots take up a large chunk of her time. Not to mention that, since she's still underage, she has to keep up with her school work, too. And somehow in all that frenzy and lack of sleep, she needs to find time to spend with her generous boyfriend, Keith. Keith has stayed by her side through all of the craziness, even after Mallory's best friend, Amelia, turned into her worst enemy.

The cast and crew are working long hours trying to get the first week's worth of episodes wrapped up. The show is scheduled to air the following week. The network has brought in consultants, the worst being Frieda Weiner (appropriately enough pronounced `whiner'). Frieda is trying to change everything about LIKELY STORY that makes it unique. Suggesting the kids in the show have sex puts Mallory over the top.

The cast is unhappy with the script changes. They're grumbling that the show isn't turning into the project that they had signed on for. To make matters worse, Dallas, the star, is terribly unhappy. Not long after signing his contract with the network, he was offered a chance to do Shakespeare in the Park back in New York City. Dallas is homesick, and missing his friends from Julliard.

Mallory is stuck in the middle. Her boyfriend is missing her. Her mother is driving her nuts with her requests for script changes. The cast is expecting her to defend the storyline that brought them on board.

When Dallas goes too far, Mallory finally takes matters into her own hands to get the show back to the vision she first started with.

ALL THAT GLITTERS is a fine continuation of the LIKELY STORY series. The authors are able to share the chaos that surrounds the production of a new show. Since the main character is trying to be a normal teen in an exceptional situation, the appeal of the story will reach everyone. Mallory has grown up in the soap opera world and does all she can to avoid the normal pitfalls that exist in the industry.

With the completion of the first episodes, Mallory and LIKELY STORY are gearing up for a final adventure in RED CARPET RIOT, due out in June 2009.

[kylajaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fitting middle book, I suppose. Better than other middle books, which are generally useless. However, Mallory still has no personality and is trapped in a lame love triangle, while her mother is still a complete bitch who doesn't change as a human. Basically in this one Mallory is slowly losing all creative control over her show. Her actors, particularly Dallas, are not amused by this. Her life is consumed by Likely Story, and I'm wondering how she never has to go to school. Like ever. I mean, she has a tutor, but she doesn't seem to care about school at all. Then there is Keith, who has finally left his other girlfriend for Mallory. But Mallory can't admit to herself that she really wants Dallas. Considering she was Keith's side piece for so long, I'm seriously on the Mallory and Dallas love wagon. Most of the craziness happens in the last one hundred pages. Mallory says she will fire Dallas for Keith, assuming this is what Dallas wants, too, but then she finds out he doesn't and unfires him. (Or, rather, decides not to kill him off). Then a big heist ensues where Mallory takes back control of her own show. She films the new scenes that turn her show into a love triangle (sound familiar?), and she is successful... Until she ends up in jail. But her producer, Richard, admits he shouldn't have underestimated her. So she has her show back, and everything is okay with her boyfriend... for now. But, not surprisingly, her mother hijacks the book's ending once again. She and Richard are getting married. Surprise!!

[Court · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was an okay book. The order i read this series in was 3rd, 1st, and then second, so my review is probably a little bit different. But to tell the truth, i think there was a little too much mean mother in it, a little too much richard, a little too much malloryy(i was getting really tired of her) a little too much keith, and i didn't like the new version of dallas; it is a little too much and i think it makes you like him less. And him and alexis are a bad idea. The feelings were pretty well expressed, but there were just certain parts of the book that i didn't like very much. Also, i think that the 3rd book could just stand on its own.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the conflict in this story. I hated Dallas and don't understand why Alexis is the bad one now. It used to be Francesca but now it flipped. I also think Keith had too many mood swings (first he wanted to break up with Mallory and then when she sends him to jail he doesn't!). The end was better but the whole jail thing was just confusing.

[Paola Garcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

usually, i don't root for girls who are confused.
i hate it when lead girl likes 2 guys at the same time.

but i find myself rooting for Mallory. There is realness in her. she doesn't pretend to be all goody-goody. she likes 2 guys. deal with that. haha.

and i love both Keith and Dallas. if i were Mallory, i'd be confused too.

[Temecka · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the worst book I've read all year. There was so much pointless drama that didn't help the story line at all. the story lacked entertainment and was something I dreaded picking up. I started to skim the last 100 pages to make it to the end. I hate this book. It was a complete waste of my time. I do not recommend.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe not quite as engrossing as the first in the series, still a fun look at the life of a teen soap opera mogul as she struggles to get the show off the ground and deal with her diva mom. Will continue to read if/when more are published...

[Laurie]

Sequel to Likely Story. Mallory struggles with the network to keep her soap true to her original concept, while also trying to keep her boyfriend as work dominates her life.

[CLM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but I accidentally skipped book 1! How annoying.