L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad

Ok. I"ll admit it, I watched "The Hills." I also like Lauren Conrad. This of course meant that I had to read her novel, L.A. Candy. The writing starts off a bit amateurish but it progresses nicely until you are completely absorbed by it. Conrad entertains and keeps one interested. Don't expect a literary genius because that isn't what this novel is about. It is a fun, easy beach read. The story line is something she is familiar with (being on a reality show) so she is writing what she knows. The last 100 pages are fantastic and keep you wanting more. You'll be frustrated and annoyed when this novel ends. Why? Because you will be left wanting more. With the exception of the weak cliffhanger, you will anticipate and hope that, Conrad writes a sequel (the ending... does imply that there will be another book). A sweet first time novel.

Grade: B+

Synopsis (B&N) Los Angeles is all about the sweet life: hot clubs, cute guys, designer . . . everything. Nineteen-year-old Jane Roberts can't wait to start living it up. She may be in L.A. for an internship, but Jane plans to play as hard as she works, and has enlisted her BFF Scarlett to join in the fun. When Jane and Scarlett are approached by a producer who wants them to be on his new series, a "reality version of Sex and the City," they can hardly believe their luck. Their own show? Yes, please! Soon Jane is TV's hottest star. Fame brings more than she ever imagined possible for a girl from Santa Barbara—free designer clothes, the choicest tables at the most exclusive clubs, invites to Hollywood premieres—and she's lapping up the VIP treatment with her eclectic entourage of new pals. But those same friends who are always up for a wild night are also out for a piece of Jane's spotlight. In a city filled with people chasing after their dreams, it's not long before Jane wakes up to the reality that everyone wants something from her, and nothing is what it seems to be.