NetGalley Reviewer nix21230

NOT a true story, even if it felt like it throughout. Amber is selected for one of the girl bands - Cloud9 - and her life takes a turn she never imagined.  Media is looking for stereotypes, and so are the producers - suddenly Amber doesn't recognise herself in the way she's portrayed, and her actual feelings are not in line with the narrative, neither are those of her fellow band member Gwen or boy band star Wes. They are all young, and their lives are decided (directed!) by those with money.  "I didn't like to perform. I liked to be loved." A fantastic debut novel!!! Thank you to Netgalley, Bonnier Books / Zaffre and Isabel Banta for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.  Honey by Isabel Banta is currently set to be published on 25 June 2024. #Honey #NetGalley

Summer holiday best friends Phoebe and Suze were inseparable until resentment and lies tear them apart at the end of their teens. They both built their own lives following their childhood dreams - Suze as a successful actress and Phoebe as an artist and illustrator.  Following an attempt on Suze's life, Phoebe tries to reconnect, but the time is not right. Later on they are both back at the coastal town in Oregon where they spent summers as children. Well-kept secrets come to the surface and yet again test their friendship but by working together they are both stronger - and surrounded by friends. The Starfish Sisters is an emotional and beautiful story of complicated friendship, how we sometimes get so stuck in our own grief and fail to see the bigger picture - and reach out to those that need us.  The Starfish Sisters by Barbara O'Neal is available now. #TheStarfishSisters #NetGalley

I am not really sure why I picked this book on Netgalley; I don't even watch TV or get excited by seeing so called celebrities on the streets of London (UK). To me,  Managing the Matthews comes across as a peak behind the scenes of how unreal so called reality TV is, with scripted scenes, added drama and fall outs to ensure viewers return episode after episode, and series after series. It also provided a (fictional) insight into the life of a Hollywood celebrity manager; although Kell came across as far too kind in what I'd expect to be a cut-throat environment.  Interesting story which was easy to read. Assuming there'll be other books in the series, I'll pick them up if they appear on Netgalley or Kindle Unlimited.  #ManagingtheMatthews #NetGalley