YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

"When I met Oliver Perry, I had no clue he was the lead singer for The Heartbreakers. And he had no idea that I was the only girl in the world who hated his music."

Stella will do anything for her sick sister, Cara—even stand in line for an autographed Heartbreakers CD...for four hours. She's totally winning best birthday gift this year. At least she met a cute boy with soft brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes while getting her caffeine fix. Too bad she'll never see him again.

Except, Stella's life has suddenly turned into a cheesy love song. Because Starbucks Boy is Oliver Perry – lead singer for the Heartbreakers. And even after she calls his music crap, Oliver still gives Stella his phone number. And whispers quotes from her favorite Disney movie in her ear. OMG, what is her life?

But how can Stella even think about being with Oliver — dating and laughing and pulling pranks with the band — when her sister could be dying of cancer?

Ali Novak wrote her debut novel My Life with the Walter Boys when she was just 15 years old, and has since penned her next book, The Heartbreakers. First a hit on the online community Wattpad, her second novel has over 38 million reads and is loved by readers around the world.

I know I wasn't going to be the one to create the thread, but I forgot I had another buddy read for that day in another group so I started this today because I had the time~ I read through about 3/4 of the book and took notes.

15%
(view spoiler)[
I've had someone near and dear to me be diagnosed with cancer and this just breaks my heart. I love the relationship between all of them. This seems to be just my type of contemporary.
(hide spoiler)]

25%
(view spoiler)[
Ugh, I love everything about all of this book so far. Their ages are not too young, the band is relatable despite them being - you know- famous. Just all of it is 5 stars so far.
(hide spoiler)]

45%
(view spoiler)[
Honestly, this is just the best thing ever. I'm 100% into this storyline. I love everyone individually and all together even more. I have a feeling I'd read this in one sitting if I could. Perfect type of contemporary for me.
(hide spoiler)]

60%
(view spoiler)[
Oh no, I sense some angst coming up. I hope this isn't going to take a nosedive for me.
(hide spoiler)]

75%
(view spoiler)[

Still liking it so far! Novak knows how to pace her stories man, I love her writing style!

(hide spoiler)]

100%
(view spoiler)[
I loved this book! I think it's super relaxed, it didn't have major angst that we couldn't get over and overall tied up nicely.

5/5 for me I loooved it!
(hide spoiler)]

Starting this later tonight

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ okay so this is actually pretty good in that cute way. I'm finding myself with a smile on my face the whole time. I have an idea what is going to happen.

I love how close the siblings are even during this hard time. I know from personal experience that going through something like cancer family is key. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ I'm loving this book. love the One liners like " do boy bands suddenly have the ability to impregant girls with devilish smolders?" (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ yes. They kissed. But damn manager. At least he gave her his number.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ okay I'm happy she is taking the job. She is doing something she likes and Loves. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ wait? I thought Stella was 17 turning 18. So why is she drinking and taking shots?

Why did she have to pull the damn "just friends" card ??? (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting April 17th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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To Ch 6

Okay, so let's start by saying that book two in this series was a Teens' Top Ten selection in its year. That said, even though the cover and press of the book made me think it was going to be some cutesy fluff piece solely read for mindless distraction candy, I assumed the teens in this country had slightly better taste when reviewing on a national level.

Apparently not.

Do I like the book? Sure, so far. I also like Hostess Twinkies. Ridiculously over-processed sugar-laden garbage, but I'll still eat one and enjoy it.

So far, this book is absolutely nothing but fangirl fantasy wish fulfillment. The cancer line is interesting, but seriously, Stella is being a hateful jerk, admits that it's not really the "boys'" fault, and keeps right on doing it. Why? Because she's in insta-love with a boy from the band she hates.

*insert eye-roll here*

Don't let me down, TTT.

Welp... it's gone south in about the direction I expected. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying it. But it's just so incredibly unrealistic. NONE of it could ever remotely happen except in a thirteen-year-old girl's daydreams.

To start off with, (view spoiler)[ all the boys (so far) are just sweet, great-natured guys with really no serious issues and no yen for getting into actual real trouble. This is the image frequently for boy bands when they're still in their teens because it sells... to kids and to the parents who allow the kids to go to the concerts and listen to the music. But these "boys" are all over eighteen, in control of their own money, and if the truth is told behind the Hollywood life, have easy access to every vice and problematic substance and are never told no by anyone because the people around them all want to keep their jobs.

The insta-love is strong with this one. For Stella... maybe, because of COURSE if a fabulously wealthy, gorgeous and internationally famous guy comes onto you at seventeen, you're probably going to get fluttery. But Oliver's been around the world a couple times at this point; I'm not convinced that anything she's got or hesitant about sharing, he can't get better somewhere else. That and their general lack of concern about two total strangers invading their lives.

And the job... is so silly my eyes are still lost somewhere in the back of my head. (hide spoiler)]

So, sure I like it because I had all these fantasies in middle school, but in light of book #2's award, I'm having a hard time not being a little impatient. Grace and the Fever was a somewhat more realistic depiction of this kind of thing. Although, granted, that's not nearly as fun a read.

to Ch 18

Same, same. Cute, completely unrealistic, and full of every silly teen romance trope alive. It's an easy read and fun, but I don't have a lot to say about it. Obviously, (view spoiler)[ Oliver and Stella are somehow going to magically end up together and live in their perfect fantasy world five-evarrrr. And all the other cute, adorable boys are also going to be happily there. So in this section we have the obligatory misunderstanding where girl thinks in spite of EVERY SIGNAL IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE that boy somehow doesn't like her and is into someone else, when really boy was just trying to say YOU ARE THE GIRL OF MY DREAMS. So girl pushes boy away and boy is hurt and picks up random chick and then girl gets hurt again even though she told boy to go away in the first place, because girls make no sense really. This is a trope I would really like to stop because it's outdated and incredibly unhealthy relationship-wise. But EVERY teen romance seems to have it, and boy is just supposed to somehow understand that girl is stomping all over his heart because she can't help herself and REALLY LIKES HIM. Grow up, girl. Stop saying one thing and meaning something completely different. (hide spoiler)]

fin

Welp... about as expected. I'd totally recommend it to any teen who's ever been a fangirl or who wants a really fluffy wish-fulfillment type romance. The (view spoiler)[ song Oliver wrote for Stella was a little over the top cheesy, and a completely predictable plot point. I'm glad she decided to go ahead and go to school. (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting June 6th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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I'm up to Chapter 6.


(view spoiler)[Stella's sister is sick and she wants to do something awesome for their birthday. Originally she wanted to get an autograph for her but ended up meeting the band. Although, I'm not sure yet if I like Oliver or not. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up to Chapter 12.


(view spoiler)[Stella is now working for the band. She almost didn't take it. Thankfully her siblings talked her into it. Now it will be interesting to see how her and Oliver handle spending so much time together. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up to Chapter 18.


(view spoiler)[It didn't take long for things to get complicated between them. I'm not surprised they through a party and made a mess. I wish that Stella would stop trying to give up her future for her sister. Especially since Cara just wants her to be happy. (hide spoiler)]

I'm finished.


(view spoiler)[I figured that when he stood her up it wasn't going to be what we thought. I was disappointed that the sister had to have another transplant. Thankfully Cara finally got to meet Oliver. Since she was the one that was obsessed in the beginning. (hide spoiler)]

Hi I'm listening to this now

ch 6 (view spoiler)[ Stella was a bitch at the beginning. I totally understand being mad that you waited in line for so long and then didn't get the autograph, but she didn't need to be so mean.

And I don't like that she's so judgmental about her sister liking the band. She's the pretentious one, only liking what she thinks are "real" punk bands (hide spoiler)]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 6.


[spoilers removed]"

Yep, that's what happened lol. (view spoiler)[ If Oliver is the one writing their songs, then I'm sure he was hurt by Stella saying their music sucks (hide spoiler)]

ch 13 (view spoiler)[ I get that Stella was jealous when Oliver said he liked a girl, but I thought it was obvious he was talking about her. And now she pushed him away and is jealous. They need to talk and get their feelings straightened out. (hide spoiler)]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 12.


[spoilers removed]"

Yeah glad she took the offer

Opening chapter makes me think this is going to be cliche after cliche and very obvious - which makes me think I’ll hoover it up right now!

Aly wrote: "ch 6 Stella was a bitch at the beginning. I totally understand being mad that you waited in line for so long and then didn't get the autograph, but she didn't need to be so mean.

And I don't lik..."


Stella was hard to like at times.

Aly wrote: "ch 13 [spoilers removed]"


Stella had a hard time with talking and it got her into trouble a lot.

Up to ch8. I get what you mean about Stella initially, but I liked the fact she apologised and was a little more genuine. Little interactions in the hotel were interesting.

ch 18 (view spoiler)[ I'm glad they're dating, but keeping it secret may not be the best idea. I like the bond she's forming with the other guys (hide spoiler)]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 18.


[spoilers removed]"

Yes, (view spoiler)[ she has to have her own life too (hide spoiler)]

Karen wrote: "Opening chapter makes me think this is going to be cliche after cliche and very obvious - which makes me think I’ll hoover it up right now!"

LOL! Yep

Karen wrote: "Up to ch8. I get what you mean about Stella initially, but I liked the fact she apologised and was a little more genuine. Little interactions in the hotel were interesting."

True, she did get better

Up to ch12. So, unknown seventeen year old gets taken on as blog photographer for a band who appear to be in free fall...what could go wrong?

Karen wrote: "Up to ch12. So, unknown seventeen year old gets taken on as blog photographer for a band who appear to be in free fall...what could go wrong?"

Haha no kidding

Up to ch21. As I thought, can’t believe a word of it but I’m lapping it up. Great fun, but little hints that things could go off-course at any moment. And it references a Mean Girls...

Karen wrote: "Up to ch21. As I thought, can’t believe a word of it but I’m lapping it up. Great fun, but little hints that things could go off-course at any moment. And it references a Mean Girls..."
Yeah, pretty cliche and easy to follow plot, but I did love the Mean Girls reference

finished (view spoiler)[ the vindictive bitch in me would not have easily forgiven Oliver, but it worked out that she did forgive him and then they took time apart.
I could definitely see that him taking that model was a publicity stunt, but at the very least he could have told her so she didn't miss the whole thing. That was a super dick move. (hide spoiler)]

Finished. Review on home page. Aly, I’m going to get on the pc and read/respond to your comments now. As expected, lapped it up!

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 6.


[spoilers removed]"

He's not the most interesting of the group, but I think he'll be a grower.

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 12.


[spoilers removed]"

Pretty clear attempt to create a bit of tension, but it'll be hard to keep on ignoring each other now.

Aly wrote: "ch 18 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ When I read this I thought there was more to it than we were getting. Natural choice to set up some confusion later - as I'm pretty sure the other boys don't know what's going on. (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "ch 18 [spoilers removed]"


Secrets are never good.

Karen wrote: "Up to ch12. So, unknown seventeen year old gets taken on as blog photographer for a band who appear to be in free fall...what could go wrong?"


It did make things interesting.

The start of The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak.

What is your positive?

Cara, Stella and Drew: triplets that couldn't be more different. I am a sucker for a story with strong family bonds. However, has anyone else felt Stella is incredibly selfish at the start of this book. The whole reason they are in Chicago is to get autographs for their sister Cara, who is too sick to travel, yet Stella makes them late to the signing because she just could not leave the gallery. And she didn't even want to go to the signing until Drew mentioned the gallery... I found it really frustrating that we kept hearing how sick Cara was and how unfair that was, yet Stella couldn't take a moment to ensure something as simple as a signing went to plan for her.

Later in the novel we get an iconic line from Stella: "Doing something for myself was not going to kill me." Yet, I had yet to see an instance where she did anything for anyone else. Which too me signals poor writing.

I very much wanted to love Stella, but she was not written as someone to love, and that frustrated me.

An in depth feeling on each character.
(view spoiler)[
Stella: Selfish, naive and boring. I understand that our character needs to have room to improve in any novel, otherwise why would we care? But Stella spent a lot of time complaining about how hard her life was because her sister is sick, which means she can't do anything, then when people tell her otherwise she suddenly sees the light and does it. I am not sure Stella had a thought that was 100% hers in the whole book.

Oliver: Oliver uses his fame to get what he wants, yet we are lead to believe he falls for Stella because she didn't know who he was and that was refreshing. My initial thoughts of Oliver were quite awful, as i found him to be a very sexist character who uses his power to get what he wants. I still think that, however, as the story progressed i became to like Oliver. He gave Stella space when she asked for it and tried to be a great guy when they were dating.

Alec: Supposed to be the philosophical voice of the group, but it is hard to picture him as anything other then a 16 year old carrying around a book with inspiring quotes. I was not attached to his character, and I kind of forgot his name most of the time.

Jay Jay and Xander: Honestly, could not tell you a thing about them, except they are horny, sexist men who treat Stella like a piece of meat at the start. But by the end, I kept forgetting the band consisted of 4 members.

Drew: While I liked the family aspect of the story, I felt that Drew was weirdly over protective. Like wouldn't leave Stella alone but was then contradicted by telling Stella to be the band photographer.

Cara: Was by far the best character. She is funny, cute, actually has a personality, and cares for her family. Plus, she doesn't let her illness get her down. She actively wants a better life for her siblings and would do anything to ensure her illness did not affect them. I would have preferred her with Oliver to be honest.
(hide spoiler)]

Did anyone else feel like the chapters and page breaks were really jumpy? All of a sudden I was reading about one thing, then a page break or a new chapter just completely derailed that thought.

I am so mad that i didn't like this book. I wanted to so badly! Cute Romance? Check. Boy Band Romance? Check. Fun family dynamics? Check. YA Contemporary? Check. I just felt no connection to these characters. *cries*

Final Thoughts:

Logically, this book made sense. (view spoiler)[ I understood how Stella became part of the bands entourage. I was appreciative of the way the relationship between Stella and Oliver started as lust, grew to love, broke their hearts, then mended them. I loved how Cara was woven into the story and why that was so relevant. But the writing was not for me, I did not like the characters, and after the description at the start of the looking like 13 year old boys, I just could not get that thought out of my head.

I feel there were only three actual characters in this novel - Stella, Cara and Oliver - and everyone else was an extra to create drama. I couldn't even remember how many people were in the band, was it 3, was it 4?

I do acknowledge that I am no longer the target audience for this novel which could create a bias. (hide spoiler)]

Katie_Potatie wrote: "Did anyone else feel like the chapters and page breaks were really jumpy? All of a sudden I was reading about one thing, then a page break or a new chapter just completely derailed that thought.

..."

I totally get where you're coming from. It did jump a bit and the characters lacked real depth

Katie_Potatie wrote: "Final Thoughts:

Logically, this book made sense. (view spoiler)[ I understood how Stella became part of the bands entourage. I was appreciative of the way the relationship between Stella and Oliver started as l... (hide spoiler)]"

Ha I agree that I'm also not the target audience. (view spoiler)[ I would have liked more information about the other band members and her brother (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Katie_Potatie wrote: "Final Thoughts:

Logically, this book made sense. [spoilers removed]"

Ha I agree that I'm also not the target audience. [spoilers removed]"

YES! There was so much about Stella and Cara and of course the heart throb Oliver, but there was just not enough about the other band members. I constantly got Xander and Jay Jay confused. I think it could have been better if the book was told in duel perspective, because we may have gotten a bit more depth into the boys.

What did you think of Cara? I personally found her to be the best character. And i loved the way she tackled her illness! I actually wanted the book to be from her perspective (haha)