YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

There’s nothing real about reality TV.

Seventeen-year-old Bonnie™ Baker has grown up on TV—she and her twelve siblings are the stars of one-time hit reality show Baker’s Dozen. Since the show’s cancellation and the scandal surrounding it, Bonnie™ has tried to live a normal life, under the radar and out of the spotlight. But it’s about to fall apart…because Baker’s Dozen is going back on the air. Bonnie™’s mom and the show’s producers won’t let her quit and soon the life she has so carefully built for herself, with real friends (and maybe even a real boyfriend), is in danger of being destroyed by the show. Bonnie™ needs to do something drastic if her life is ever going to be her own—even if it means being more exposed than ever before.

I had a liiiiiiiittle bit of time so I got about 200 pages in so far.

so for the first couple chapters:
(view spoiler)[

I really really am super annoyed by the mom. When Chloe complains about it in the kitchen, I kind of took her side? It's really not her fault her mom decided to have too many kids.

Bah, the fact that a private moment between them two was filmed and the mom knew it was being filmed rubbed me the wrong way.

Also, I don't like that the stepdad is kind of butting in on Chloe+Benny but I have a huge issue with authority so, maybe that's just me.

I absolutely loooove Benny + Patrick. Their interactions with Chloe seem so genuine and groove well.

Oh! I really don't like that no one besides Benny seems to be taking her whole depression, panic disorder seriously. I have GAD and it's not something that's easy to deal with.

The trademarks are annoying me a little, the first time was okay and funny but now they're meh.

I kind of want to see what the dad is like??

(hide spoiler)]

@Victoria - (view spoiler)[ I kind of understood where the mom was coming from. She obviously blamed herself for Chloe almost dying, but then she knew it was being filmed and it's like no excuses for that. So messed up.

Ha! Yeah, I don't trust the stepdad just because he think he understands what the kids are dealing with when he has no idea.

Yes! Benny especially I love. I'm sure his relationship will be revealed and I'm dreading it for him. I feel like he will go crazy and hit somebody. Bonnie too. That would be my reaction to everything if I were in their situation.

I don't think her mom comprehends that you talk to your child one one one and try to have an open relationship with them. My mom has always known when I was sad. I know she is having financial troubles but is it really worth it all to have a kid who hates you? I know she says she has to think of everyone, but honestly each individual child does matter. Or does she not get that?

Yeah, the trademarks are annoying me too. I mean I'm assuming it's there to reinforce that these kids are seen as brands all the time. They aren't even treated like human beings or anything. They are tested on to see what will get the best reaction. (hide spoiler)]

Pg. 214 (view spoiler)[ I really can only think of how must reality stars feel. I mean the people who grow up on tv. I feel bad for ever watching a show that promotes that. I realize how messed up it is right now.

The dad... what an ass. I can't believe he threw the turkey on the ground. He's always been one it seems. I felt so bad for Benny and Chloe freaking out like that. I feel like that's just the tip of the iceberg. Things are going to hit the fan quickly. It's not going to be pretty. I just don't understand the mother. I think I know her motives but I still could never be on her side.

The moment with Lexi in the bathroom was interesting. It was pointed out earlier that she might have just been given a role and she's tired of playing it. She's just as hurt like Chloe and Benny but is shoving all that stuff down in my opinion.

I have a feeling I will never remember or need to know any of the other kids names or at least all of their personalities. That boy who was considered developmentally late - that was such a sweet moment. I worry for him. (hide spoiler)]

@adriana
(view spoiler)[

I only have two/three I think chapters left but gnnf, I went ahead and rated it. It's so good!

You make valid points, it's kind of sick how they're just brands!

(hide spoiler)]
pg.333
(view spoiler)[

I think this chapter is genius, it's such a good way of protesting it but peacefully. Even then the mom was so horrible! The dad is horrible, the stepdad is horrible this poor girl.

I think the support system she has with her friend and Patrick is so well written. I loooove Benny and Matt! I specially like how she didn't write him like a stereotypical gay character. It's just all well written.

I think it's kiiiind of a little (just a little) of insta-love with Patrick but the time progression is done really well and I feel like their relationship is on firm ground.

pg/ 263 might be might favorite scene eveer because I can picture the cords she trips over so many times because we have a rug like that I always trip over and I've lost my crap and kicked it a couple times. It was an actual LOL moment for me.

(hide spoiler)]

pg. 356 (view spoiler)[

I love this! The prom? scene is so nice. I really like that Chloe and Lex made up because she's also a crucial support system for Chloe and Benny both.

"..He relaxes only when Benny's physically touching him. For a second, my eyes get blurry, watching them adjust each other's bow ties. They are so incredibly brave, being here, doing this."

Ughh, that killed me. Their relationship is just so precious.

When the family got together I think it's one of the only moment's I've felt so far that isn't super fake. At this point though, the mom and stepdad are kind of dead to me.

(hide spoiler)]

pg. 381 (view spoiler)[

I like the little blurb of the online website.


(hide spoiler)]

Done (view spoiler)[ So the mom ended up being the villain until the very end. I really hope Benny and Chloe become really close with their younger siblings as they get older.

I thought for a second that Patrick was going to turn into a bad guy after his anger came out, but he was right about everything. I can't believe they were talking about marriage. Chloe + Patrick and Benny + Matt were kind of perfect. Chloe and Benny got really lucky.

I'm pretty satisfied with how everything ended. I'm happy that their dad is trying to help out his kids for once.

I can't believe the fear and control that this company and Chuck had over them. They turned their mom and dad into monsters. I feel like they acted immature like they did things based on what other people told them to. They acted like they had no freewill which was just ridiculous. Things began to be too much and their mom... I'm sure this isn't how she wanted her life to be. (hide spoiler)]

Done~
(view spoiler)[

Ugh! I both loved and hated the ending. I love that Benny and Chloe seemed to find their footing especially that Chloe fought back with MetaReel. They were so harsh and gross.

I am completely grossed out at the fact that Kirk is the one that told the talk show host lady that Benny was gay. That was the worst! You can't just go around doing things like that! I was actually quite outraged.

The ending with the mom kind of not really giving a crap about them or graduation broke my heart a little. Her mom seemed really unreasonable and not willing to compromise.

Overall I did love it!

(hide spoiler)]