About the Book
-
Author:
- Adriana Trigiani
Cover Story: Guilty Pleasures
BFF Charm: Yay
Talky Talk: Sugar and Spice
Bonus Factor: NYC, Making Movies, Keith Mars Award of Awesome Dadhood (and Momhood, and family in general)
Relationship Status: I Want This Book To Adopt Me
Cover Story: Guilty Pleasures
I would NOT want anyone to see me carrying around this book. However, the part of me that still loves to look through Lucky Magazine, says, “Oooh, pretty shoes! And velvet jacket! And colors I always wish I’d wear layered together! AND PUPPY!!!!” Seriously, it’s the Royal King Charles that sends it over the edge of cuteness.
The Deal:
Viola has just returned home to Brooklyn from boarding school, and has big plans for her and her best friends this summer. Unfortunately, Andrew has to go to summer camp, and Caitlin has a summer job. As Viola tries to deal with her disappointment and come up with a new plan, the director of the new play her grand is in moves into her family’s basement apartment. Viola continues to follow her passion of one day being a filmmaker, and begins a job of her own, working as a grunt for the lighting department of the theatre. Meanwhile, she’s uncomfortable having to cover for her one BFF’s secret romance, and is unsure how to deal with the fact that her other BFF seems to maybe want more than just friendship…
BFF Charm: Yay
Viola is a little young for me. Surprisingly, she kept the whining to a minimum, and has a very mature inner dialog. She tries her hardest not to get caught up in her own drama — or that of her friends. And speaking of friends, she is very devoted to ALL her BFFs, both in Brooklyn, and her roommates from boarding school — and I’d give my charm to her roommates, too! — So I’m going to snag her now, because I think by the time she gets to college, she’ll be platinum BFF material.
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
There was a lot of promise of swoon in this book, without much actual delivery. Viola is 15, but seems like a really young 15, as far as liking boys go. And that’s okay, not everybody at 15 has to be all about kissing, it just makes the story less about romance, and more about self-discovery and friendship. Unless we can count Grand and George? If this book were about them, it would rate a LOT higher, ’cause an older Broadway actress and her younger lover (who just happens to look like Cary Grant!) who actually have the real deal together? Awesome.
Talky Talk: Sugar and Spice
This is an incredibly sweet and touching story. As in verging on saccharin-sweetness. Even when sadness and tragedy strike in this book, things seem too idealistic, too perfectly wrapped up in little bows, and way too cool to feel plausible. AND I STILL CRIED LIKE A BABY WHILE I WAS READING IT. So while this might be more of a cutesie-type book than I’d typically go for, it was the break I needed from all the dystopias/fantasies on my shelf. Plus, Trigiani’s voice for Viola is fantastic. I believe she’s a teenager, but she’s got maturity peppered in with her confusion.
Bonus Factor: NYC
Does everyone in New York City live in awesome brownstones and have relatives in the theatre and make documentaries and eat amazing sesame noodles on the roof of their building? I don’t know, because I don’t live there, but I sure do like to visit!!!!
Bonus Factor: Making Movies
I love the idea of making movies! And I love standing behind a camera for short periods of time! And I love acting! The tediousness of editing and waiting for that perfect shot? Not so much. But I’m super glad other people love doing that, because I love watching the finished product!
Bonus Factor: Keith Mars Award of Awesome Dadhood (and Momhood, and family in general)
Shout out to all the good families out there!!! Viola’s parents are pretty awesome, approachable and loving, but also into their own lives enough so as not to be too hovering. And Grand? And George? LOVE.
Relationship Status: I Want This Book To Adopt Me
So what if this book seemed almost too perfect to be true? If it is true? I want to live its life with it. So book, if you’re looking for a 30-something married woman with two cats and a dog to bring home and raise as your own, I’m your girl!
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a review copy from Harper Teen. I received neither money nor cocktails for this review (damnit!). Viola in the Spotlight is available now.
