May Palacpac, Storyteller

Sure, the book was pretty juvenile for my age. I chose it simply because the word “Rockstar” on the title pretty much appealed to the frustrated, once-upon-a-time starving musician that I was (now, I’m just starving, except that my annual physical exam results just came in with the assessment that I am really -overweight and suggests that I take on a diet and a regular exercise routine- hah!)

I chuckled to myself as I settled down to read, remembering the
Sweet Dreams series phase that I went through in my youth. But this is nothing like Sweet Dreams. I actually found myself enjoying every single chapter of the book which was quite a pleasant surprise.

First of all, the plot was interesting – the death of a washed-out starlet mom, a Rockstar of a father to come and rescue her, no, not rescue, fight to get her out of being put in a foster home, being thrown into a new family with a vegetarian, disciplinarian stepmom, a typical toddler, adjusting to her new life beginning with, of all things, a U.S. tour of one of the biggest rock bands in America. Falling for a boy who wasn’t really as perfect as she thought he was, Taylor reeled from fast-paced life while taking her first steps to healing and acceptance.

I thought that the major characters were beautifully described, presented and built up. I fell in love with the musician dad right away. He was a perfect mix of fame, family and fatherhood. I have a rockstar of a father, too (well, not exactly a rockstar in those terms) but reading up on Taylor’s made me want to have a second one—this one. I thought it was pretty sensible, the way Duffy created him and the lifestyle, and if there was anything false about it, I wouldn’t really be able to point that one out.

Every important detail that needed covered was covered (grandparents, funeral, the whattabouts of the properties, therapist, etc.) I especially love the way the relationship between Taylor and her father crept up into a genuine father-daughter relationship. There was no unnecessary, soap opera type of drama, no hard sell. Even how the stepmother-stepdaughter relationship developed so naturally as I moved from chapter to chapter. The character of the stepsister, Kelsey was blended in just right. The descriptions and the additional details on the characters were appropriately added in the right places. Nothing about the story or the characters felt forced on me. I loved the storyline from beginning to the ending. The fluidity was unobstructed by unnecessary fill ins. And that part on the revelation of the mom — I liked that.

I’m raving here, but I’d say that what made the book well-executed was the fact that the author made me feel that she knew every single place she wrote in the book and had taken me to them– from Chicago to L.A., she spoke of the lifestyle, the paparazzi, the spas, and the hotels and the minutest detail as to the kinds of pizza, to allergens….heck, even things like how L.A. does not experience the changing of the leaf colors during autumn, as if she’s lived them. And I wouldn’t be surprised if she had.  She writes like she knows that adding a dot of color to a painting can change its entirety.

I guess, the only thing I would probably change is the name of the Sigma singer, Brice Norris. Brice isn’t a name I would picture a hot, up and coming vocalist to have, Bruce would’ve been just fine, and Norris…I just really have a hard time imagining anyone else with that last name except for Chuck. (Google Chuck Norris)

There were also some details that I’d like to get a bit more of the nitty-gritty like the interest of Allison’s older brother, Todd Burch towards Taylor. It came off a bit of a surprise that he emailed her for a date and told her that he thought of her all summer and yet, there was no hint or clue leading to that. Perhaps, a line linking Allison and her sudden show of annoyance towards Taylor would’ve fixed that. I also want a little bit more of that souring between the two best friends. What was that all about? But then again, this book is part of a series, perhaps answers are offered in a sequel?

Lastly, I thought that the custody process was a bit rushed into. I was kinda worked up on how that was going to turn out, expecting a bit more drama there, but the author decided to end that one right away. On that one, I was a bit disappointed.

These are hardly edits, though. The book came out fine the way it did.  I give it two thumbs up. Very interesting, very professionally done, tender at the right places – tugged at my heart at some point,  and might I say, it’s a good read for the young and the young at heart.

The book is still on Amazon’s FREE DOWNLOADS!