Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘'s Reviews > Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes by Dahlia Adler
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really liked it
bookshelves: genre-romance, 2015-reads, young-adult, genre-contemporary
Read 2 times. Last read April 22, 2015.



●• Reread 04/07 : Don't judge me. Trust me, I need it.•●

SPECIAL EDIT 04/24 (see below)

EXT. COUNTRY HOUSE - 04/22
In some one-horse town of French country, far later than the dusk, a woman's shrill cry split the dark silence.

INT. COUNTRY HOUSE - 04/22
Four pairs of eyes 3 of whom are pets, and yes, that's unnerving just the same are staring at a strange creature who's frantically clapping her hands.

ANNA, French Reviewer and Teacher, 30s and who isn't a creature, thank you very much, stops squealing.

ANNA
(excited)
That was sooo good!

INDY, 6, cat, resumes toileting after throwing another WTF?! glance around him.

JOY, 7 months, boxer, ambles over to the couch and sits down in front of Anna.

ANNA
(louder)
I mean, this book was just so freaking cute! No, no, I'm not saying it was perfect but come on, look at me! LOOK AT ME!

(stands up and does an awkward little dance)
It made me so happy!

JOY
(staring)
...

The phone RINGS. Anna drops the e-reader she was still clutching to her heart no comment, I know how lame it sounds and searches under the blanket to answer the call --

*3259 rings later*

ANNA
Hey sorry I couldn't find my fucking phone in time -

VOICE
(over phone)
Whatever but hey! What were you doing today? I tried to call you like, thousands times!

ANNA
Oh God you will not believe what I just read : a contemporary romance setting in (whisper) Hollywood.

VOICE
(incredulous)
You did not. I mean, you hate everything Hollywood related! You don't even know most of the actors' names in the movies you watch, and I don't even talk about your stupid gossip magazines phobia!

ANNA
I know, and that's exactly why I'm beyond enthusiastic right now. Hear me out : you know I crave for realistic and multi-layered characters and how much it's difficult to find believable and adorable romances lately, yet how stunning as it is, this book offered me everything I was desperate to read. Don't get fooled, I'm not saying that it's perfect, it really isn't, but even if the story isn't free of cliché, I fucking adored it - (starts writing down). Look, let me tell you what I loved, okay?







VOICE
Okay, okay, it does seem amazing, but didn't you just say that it wasn't perfect?

ANNA
But that's the beauty of it! Please don't expect a perfect book, because you would be disappointed. Indeed there are cliché (for example : Ally doesn't realize that she's gorgeous, Liam is well, insanely hot, we come across a few overused sayings...). However, how could I complain when the writing was compelling, the dialogues funny and that I ended loving the characters as they'd be friends of mine? When it seems that I haven't root for a couple that much for months? I couldn't. I won't.

THE END

PS : For once, after many books where French language was terrible, I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of grammar errors (except bonne nuit) and I wanted to throw a little thank you here, because that's amazing.

Edit : The truth is, I thought about the book again and I realized that almost all the women were portrayed in a bad way. I mean, it's mostly Ally's vision of them and I already said that she was far from perfect and could be annoying - her evolution was amazing and that's why I loved this book but still. Frankly, I think that it didn't bother me as much as usual because... Well, because it's Hollywood and I have preconceived ideas, I must admit, and I'm sorry about that. I fell in love with this story so much that it overtook my usual peeves, so please take this into account, for what it's worth.♡

Oh, and before I forget, of course,


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Reading Progress

Finished Reading
April 17, 2015 – Shelved
April 22, 2015 – Started Reading
April 22, 2015 –
30.0% "*squeal noise*
BF : Who just meow? (2 cats in the house)
Anna : Hmm. Me?!
What? Liam is just so freakin cute."
April 22, 2015 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-50 of 57 (57 new)


message 1: by [deleted user] (new)

Love love love <33


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Kat Stark wrote: "Love love love <33"

Aww thank you Kat <3


message 3: by Vanessa (new) - added it

Vanessa J. Great review! I really want to read this book! And that says a lot, because I don't read romance.


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Vane wrote: "Great review! I really want to read this book! And that says a lot, because I don't read romance."

Thank you Vane! Ah, it was so good for my mood :D Not the perfect book but it just felt right, especially after all the crappy romances I read lately :/


message 5: by Vanessa (new) - added it

Vanessa J. Are you reading the sequel?


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Vane wrote: "Are you reading the sequel?"

Yeah! I never read any f/f romance so I'm pretty curious :)


Aj the Ravenous Reader Oh my gosh!!! This review!!! This is AMAZING!!! I don't know how you do this, Anna but you're just wow...you're awesome!!! Love this!!!


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Aj the Ravenous Reader wrote: "Oh my gosh!!! This review!!! This is AMAZING!!! I don't know how you do this, Anna but you're just wow...you're awesome!!! Love this!!!"

OMG THANK YOU Aj!! Haha I'm sooo blushing right now >.< I really wanted to take the time to write a full review of this one :D


Aj the Ravenous Reader Alienor ☠ is stuck on the Jellicoe Road ☠ wrote: "

OMG THANK YOU Aj!! Haha I'm ...I really wanted to take the time to write a full review of this one :D
"


And that's why you deserve all the credit and recognition!^^ I'm so proud you're my friend. hahahaha....


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Aj the Ravenous Reader wrote: "Alienor ☠ is stuck on the Jellicoe Road ☠ wrote: "

OMG THANK YOU Aj!! Haha I'm ...I really wanted to take the time to write a full review of this one :D
"

And that's why you deserve all the credi..."


Awwww you're adorable <3


Aj the Ravenous Reader <3 ^_^


message 12: by Caitlin (new)

Caitlin Lol you are so creative with your reviews, awesome as always! I hate NA but it sounds like this could be worth a shot.


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Caitlin wrote: "Lol you are so creative with your reviews, awesome as always! I hate NA but it sounds like this could be worth a shot."

Thank you so much Caitlin! Actually this is YA, the characters are 18 and in senior year for some of them :) I hope you'll enjoy if you try it :)


message 14: by Caitlin (new)

Caitlin Alienor ☠ is stuck on the Jellicoe Road ☠ wrote: "Caitlin wrote: "Lol you are so creative with your reviews, awesome as always! I hate NA but it sounds like this could be worth a shot."

Thank you so much Caitlin! Actually this is YA, the characte..."


Hmmm...YA is very hit or miss for me but I'll add it to the ones to try.


message 15: by Noémy (new) - added it

Noémy mmm, I started reading this book a few months ago but put it down only a few chapters in because I couldn't really connect with the characters : I felt like the main protagonist had been plucked out of a John Green novel and since I am not a fan...yeah. I might have to reconsider my early criticism given your fantastic review ;D


✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) You've been so obsessed with your romance experiment that you completely forgot about our Burn for Me BR. Bad, bad Anna:P


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ oOSarahOo ☼my friends are all turning into crustaceans☼ wrote: "You've been so obsessed with your romance experiment that you completely forgot about our Burn for Me BR. Bad, bad Anna:P"

OMG SORRY!! Completely obsessed, that's the word.Ugh. Bad me :/ Sorry!


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Navessa wrote: "HAHAHAHAHAHA! That was glorious. I love this review."

Thank you :D


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Noémy wrote: "mmm, I started reading this book a few months ago but put it down only a few chapters in because I couldn't really connect with the characters : I felt like the main protagonist had been plucked ou..."

Thank you Noémie! Well, I don't like John Green either, so I don't know... Maybe it was just the good moment for me though^^ I hope you'll enjoy more if you try again :)


Chelsea ✨Arielle’s Nebular Ally and Team Acrux✨ Lollll I loved this-I'll be Indy Cat since I already am Indy Cat >.<

And Joy!!! I wana be little baby Joy, too!

*Staring/glaring at you*

And scene >.<


Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈ Another awesome review, Anna!!


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Chelsea ❤Peril Please❤ wrote: "Lollll I loved this-I'll be Indy Cat since I already am Indy Cat >.<

And Joy!!! I wana be little baby Joy, too!

*Staring/glaring at you*

And scene >.<"


LMAO, Joy and Indy say hello :D <3 Thank you so much my Kittie Cat :P


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈ wrote: "Another awesome review, Anna!!"

Thank you Jess!!


✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) Alienor ☠ is stuck on the Jellicoe Road ☠ wrote: "oOSarahOo ☼my friends are all turning into crustaceans☼ wrote: "You've been so obsessed with your romance experiment that you completely forgot about our Burn for Me BR. Bad, bad Anna:P"

OMG SORRY..."


That's alright. I hate you now. No biggy.


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ oOSarahOo ☼my friends are all turning into crustaceans☼ wrote: "Alienor ☠ is stuck on the Jellicoe Road ☠ wrote: "oOSarahOo ☼my friends are all turning into crustaceans☼ wrote: "You've been so obsessed with your romance experiment that you completely forgot abo..."

Aww. So I'm not turning into crustaceans then?? (view spoiler)


message 26: by Vanessa (last edited Apr 23, 2015 08:47AM) (new) - added it

Vanessa J. LOL, I hadn't noticed Sarah's new username until now. XD Am I turning to a crustacean?


message 27: by Kathe (new)

Kathe L This review is so amazing! I am convinced :)


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Kathe wrote: "This review is so amazing! I am convinced :)"

Thank you Kathe!! And yay! Hope you like <3


Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* Excellently written review!

Also, can I just say I ADORE the esthetics of this review, the little colour note-pages? The added badges? Perfection ♥


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Karly *The Vampire Ninja & Luminescent Monster* wrote: "Excellently written review!

Also, can I just say I ADORE the esthetics of this review, the little colour note-pages? The added badges? Perfection ♥"


Thank you so much Karly!! I have a thing for note-pages, if I listened to me I'd put them everywhere >.<


Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* I use them with a psychotic abandon when reading, but I'm relatively dumb when it comes to creating such beauty for my reviews ;)


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Karly *The Vampire Ninja & Luminescent Monster* wrote: "I use them with a psychotic abandon when reading, but I'm relatively dumb when it comes to creating such beauty for my reviews ;)"

Haha I cheat, because they're pictures I use for my work (children' worksheets and all that stuff ;)


Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* ha! That's not cheating, that's being smart and using what's readily available ;)


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Karly *The Vampire Ninja & Luminescent Monster* wrote: "ha! That's not cheating, that's being smart and using what's readily available ;)"

Aww <33


David - proud Gleeman in Branwen's adventuring party "*3259 rings later*
ANNA
Hey sorry I couldn't find my fucking phone in time -

Heh heh, my favorite part of an entirely awesome review! ;)

Are...are you ever going to reveal who the voice on the phone was?!? You can't just leave an unsolved mystery dangling there like that! This is like "Lost" all over again! :o

Just kidding! Amazing review, Anna! You have a brilliantly funny writing ability! :)


✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) @Anna & Vane: you seem safe enough for now. No antennae, mandibules or weird fishy smell. Watch out for Karly though, she's a luminescent, shrimpy monster.


Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* oOSarahOo ☼my friends are all turning into crustaceans☼ wrote: "@Anna & Vane: you seem safe enough for now. No antennae, mandibules or weird fishy smell. Watch out for Karly though, she's a luminescent, shrimpy monster."

PMSMs for the WIN!!


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ David "proud member of Branwen's adventuring party" wrote: ""*3259 rings later*
ANNA
Hey sorry I couldn't find my fucking phone in time -
Heh heh, my favorite part of an entirely awesome review! ;)

Are...are you ever going to reveal who the voice on the p..."


*evil laugh* Of course I'll let the mystery spread ;D Thank you so much David!


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ oOSarahOo ☼my friends are all turning into crustaceans☼ wrote: "@Anna & Vane: you seem safe enough for now. No antennae, mandibules or weird fishy smell. Watch out for Karly though, she's a luminescent, shrimpy monster."

OUF!


message 41: by [deleted user] (new)

Wow power to you for overlooking the light that was shining in your eyes.


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Kat Stark wrote: "Wow power to you for overlooking the light that was shining in your eyes."

Aww. That's so weird when we love a book so much that we overtake the peeves and after we think about it and we realize things... Well, I'll reread it still for sure, but I know many readers could be really annoyed by it and I thought it would be fair to mention it^^


Jen (jenslostinthepages) ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥ Love this review, and that you tried to explain it to your babies in the beginning lol ♥!


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Jen wrote: "Love this review, and that you tried to explain it to your babies in the beginning lol ♥!"

Thank you Jen ♥ They never understand, sigh. But I try anyway :D


Jen (jenslostinthepages) ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥ Alienor ☠ is stuck on the Jellicoe Road ☠ wrote: "Jen wrote: "Love this review, and that you tried to explain it to your babies in the beginning lol ♥!"

Thank you Jen ♥ They never understand, sigh. But I try anyway :D"


Sadly they so don't. Texting you the look Bentley is giving me right now.... 0_0


message 46: by Tamara (new) - added it

Tamara Wonderful review! I'm definitely interested in this book now :)


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ Tamara wrote: "Wonderful review! I'm definitely interested in this book now :)"

Thank you Tamara! I hope you'll enjoy it :)


message 48: by mich (new) - rated it 4 stars

mich um, how is it that you are the only other person in my GR friends list who has read this?! I liked this book too, and AGAIN, I agree w/so much of what you said :) Ally annoyed the crap out of me (view spoiler), and yet, I still really liked her! How'd that happen?!

(view spoiler)


Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ mich wrote: "um, how is it that you are the only other person in my GR friends list who has read this?! I liked this book too, and AGAIN, I agree w/so much of what you said :) Ally annoyed the crap out of me [s..."

OMG I am so glad you read this! That's the same for me, this book is terribly underread :( Also, I know right? (view spoiler)

But LIAM! I loved this guy to pieces. Freaking adorable.

(view spoiler)


bibliophile (Romance Addict) Great review, Alienor! I must admit, there are so many cliches nowadays with contemporary books. I've also read a few books in Hollywood, and I must admit, I didn't enjoy it as much as I would've liked. Glad you enjoyed :D


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