Review: Starlet's Light (Starlet Series, #3) by Carla J. Hanna

Spoiler warning! This is the 3rd book in the Starlet series and will contain spoilers from books 1 and 2. Read my review of the 1st book, Starlet's Web, right here, or the 2nd book, Starlet's Run, here. You have been warned!

Starlet's Light by Carla J. Hanna

Author: Carla J. Hanna Website|Twitter
Published: 1 May 2013 (CreateSpace)
Format: Kindle e-book
Pages: 322
Buy the paperback: Amazon
Buy the e-book: Kindle

Source: Received free copy from author in exchange for an honest review

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
Isolated on set in the United Kingdom, Lia struggles through the 5 Stages of Grief while shooting her last feature film. Cancer survivor, Oscar winner, and victim of several crimes, Lia sinks into despair as her heart fails. With supportive childhood friend Manuel Biro, and the help from Swiss billionaire-heir Pierre Lambert, Lia is 'so done' with acting and learns that she needs more than just a man's love to prevail.

My Review:
This is the third book in the Starlet series and follows Lia/Marie as she heads to the UK to start filming her latest project. With the moment she meets Pierre fast approaching and her health still in the balance, there's still a lot for her to deal with.

I was really excited to read this book as I knew there were going to be scenes in the UK. It was really cool to see Wales used as a filming location because let's face it, Wales gets neglected a lot when people think of the UK. I love the scenes where Marie is on set and we get a sneak peak at the movie business.

There was tons of drama to sink your teeth into with Starlet's Light. Marie is still having health issues and it seems her life is hanging in the balance at times. I really feared for her. It was also really moving to see her relationship with her mother, whose health is deteriorating even faster. They've had a lot to overcome and it's not easy, but it was really heartbreaking to read about.

What I was most looking forward to in this book was a chance to really meet Pierre. In the previous two books we've only heard from him in email conversations and I couldn't wait for him to make an appearance as Marie heads to Europe. And I wasn't disappointed! He was just as charming and gorgeous a character as I was hoping him to be and I was doing all sorts of squeeing as Marie realises how much she cares about him. I was really rooting for the two of them from the last book and they had great chemistry together in person. I adored that we got to see Pierre's family too and how they became included in the story.

Sadly, Manuel was still very much present and I disliked him even more in this book. He's still completely horrible and very controlling. What made it worse is that Marie seemed to have lost all ability to make decisions for herself, and instead made her choices of who to be with based on everybody else telling her who she'd be better of with. I feel like Marie has the potential to be that strong character and make decisions but she's far too easily influenced by those around her in Starlet's Light, and seems to spend more time talking to people about being in a relationship with someone than actually enjoying being in one. In the middle of all the drama with Manuel it seemed like Pierre got forgotten about which made me sad.

The first half of Starlet's Light was definitely more enjoyable for me and like the previous books it raised some really important issues. I liked the plotline about Marie's health and what her future holds. She had some really tough things to face up to such as the chance she may not have children. There were also some really tense scenes where her stalker shows up on the scene. I've become really invested in the characters so with one more book left to read I'd definitely be interested in carrying on with the series. I just hope Marie gets a chance to become a stronger, happier character in future and that Manuel gets what's coming to him!

Rating: 3*
What to read next: Starlet's End by Carla J. Hanna, the unreleased final book in the series
Books like this: The Rock Star's Daughter by Caitlyn Duffy

Review: Starlet's Run (Starlet Series, #2) by Carla J. Hanna

Spoiler warning! This is the 2nd book in the Starlet series and will contain spoilers from the 1st book Starlet's Web. You can read my review of that book here instead. You have been warned!

Starlet's Run by Carla J. Hanna

Author: Carla J. Hanna Website|Twitter
Published: 10 November 2012 (CreateSpace)
Format: Kindle e-book
Pages: 322
Buy the paperback: Amazon
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Received free copy from author in exchange for an honest review

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
Hollywood actress Liana Marie Michael finds out that loving someone unconditionally, without losing who she is in the process, does not always have a convenient ending or an easy to memorize script.

As the path unfolds in front of her, Lia challenges the demons and destruction of her past, which had kept her like Alice in Wonderland, frozen in time and unable to escape the heavy web of expectation shrouding her heart. She needs more than the promise of true love to help her prevail. Exhausted from indecision, should she listen to what others think is best for her? What should she choose?

My Review:
I received this book at the same time as the first book, and because the end of Starlet's Web was so dramatic I was really excited to start the next instalment! Starlet's Run starts out with Marie in hospital waiting to undergo treatment on her tumour.

What worked really well in this book was the emotional drama. I've become really invested in Marie as a character and with her life potentially in danger I really cared about what happened to her. One of my favourite parts of the book were the email conversations between Marie and Pierre, the other test subject. They were both going through the same thing I and I loved the way they shared their hopes and fears with each other. I could really feel the emotions they were going through.

One of my favourite parts of Starlet's Run was the trip Marie takes with her family to Montana. I loved exploring her Native American Indian roots and getting to meet other members of her family. I think the family dynamic and the family relationships are really interesting. This series is clearly very character driven. I still loved Marie's dad and stepmother and I liked their developing story in this book.

I had some problems in the first book with the relationships and romance elements of the book. This was a problem for me in Starlet's Run and that was mainly down to Manuel. I got so fired up about him. Throughout the story he is sulky and throws tantrums every other minute about Marie's life in the spotlight. I thought he was way to possessive and that the relationship between Marie and Manuel wasn't really that healthy. They're determined to spend their future together but I just couldn't help feeling they'd be better off apart. The two of them are also one of those lovey-dovey couples who just have to declare their love for each other all the time and that soppy stuff isn't really my cup of tea.

I still really enjoyed the exploration of Marie's celebrity lifestyle and it was really great to see her on set and working in Starlet's Run. She still has this mad, crazy life and I really feel for her and all the stuff she has to go through. Some of it is really horrifying, like when film producers panic because her skin is too dark. There's also the threat of blackmail and it was really interesting seeing Marie tested like that. I loved that the author has tackled those issues, though. It was really refreshing seeing the darker sound of the industry.

As the story is now focusing on Marie now she's out of school, it can be classed as NA. I think fans of New Adult would really enjoy these books. The relationship between Marie and Manuel has definitely stepped up a notch for those who like their contemporary romance intense.

I can tell these books have real potential and the characters are really interesting. I just have to put the romance to one side so I can enjoy the story. I have the net book lined up to read and I'll definitely be starting it soon. I'm interested to find out where the series is going.

Rating: 3*
What to read next: Starlet's Light by Carla J. Hanna, the 3rd book in the series
Books like this: Hidden Gem by India Lee

Review: Starlet's Web by Carla J. Hanna

 Starlet's Web by Carla J. Hanna

Author: Carla J. Hanna Website|Twitter
Published: 2 November 2012 (CreateSpace)
Format: Kindle e-book
Pages: 308
Buy the paperback: Amazon
Buy the e-book: Kindle|Kobo

Source: Received free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review

Plot Summary (from Goodreads):
A-list actress, 17-year-old Liana Marie Michael struggles to find herself when Hollywood's obsession with youth and power threatens to destroy her future. Used to talking and thinking in scripts, can Lia find her own voice? Can she and a Latino Tim Tebow overcome Hollywood's web of lies?

Liana is dating Hollywood's hottest heartthrob while filming her seventh motion picture with sexy co-star Byron. Surrounded by a culture of casual sex and adult responsibilities, Lia feels lost and confused. With her film soon to wrap, her acting contracts up for renewal, her high school graduation looming and growing tension between her and smart student athlete, Manuel, life feels overwhelming. Will Lia find the courage to share her love for Manuel, a guy unimpressed with Hollywood? In the eternal quest for youth, what life-shattering secrets has Lia's mom been keeping from her? Can Manuel accept Lia's role?

My Review:
Starlet's Web follows seventeen year old actress Marie, who's grown up in the industry with an actress for a mother and attending award shows left, right and centre. She has a pretty tough life and it gets tougher when she's dumped by her Hollywood boyfriend as part of a media stint.

What struck me when I started Starlet's Web was just how horrible Marie's life was. I was really shocked by some of the stuff she's been through and seen over the years, and the way she's treated by those around her. I really love books about the celebrity lifestyle and usually they're sort of glamourised to the point you feel jealous of the characters, but that definitely wasn't the case in that book. I love that the author has taken a more gritty angle and explored some really tough issues with Marie.

As a main character, I was completely on side with her. Instantly I felt sympathy for her for the way she's been used and abused and I was really rooting for her to stand up for herself! The relationships with her divorced parents were really interesting. I loathed her mother who seems to use her as a puppet and had real admiration for her dad and stepmother for seeing what Marie really wanted and helping her to decide what to do with her future.

I liked that we got to see the contrast between Marie's celebrity lifestyle and the normal, everyday teenage things. She still has to worry about school and I thought it was really sweet that we got to see her go to prom, something every girl worries about and wants to be perfect! Then there was the fact she had to cope with turning eighteen and what that meant for her career and life going forward. It was so much responsibility for her to have.

I loved the metaphor about the "web" of Marie's life and how she felt like the fly trapped in it. It was referenced throughout the book and I thought that was really clever. I also really liked reading about the locations. I thought the descriptions of Santa Monica were really beautiful and helped me escape into the story.

Where the book lost me a little was the romance side. We're very quickly introduced to a lot of male characters in Marie's life, and I mean a lot. There was ex-boyfriend Evan, love of her life Manuel, as well as Byron, Matthew, Grant, Alan... I just couldn't get my head around all these guys and why they needed to be there. On the one hand it showed how Marie was treated like a piece of meat because basically all these boys were creeping on her and trying to get with her. I respected the fact she didn't want to get involved with any casual relationships and stood up for her views on that. I think of all the guys Manuel is obviously the sweetest of the bunch and the one you're supposed to root for, but sometimes I felt even their relationship was a bit clingy and needy.

Just when I was losing hope a little, Starlet's Web hit me with the biggest and most amazing plot twist that blew my socks off. I just sat there reading with my mouth hanging open and practically shouting at the book! I really loved that exciting, devious twist and it made me want to carry on with the rest of the books in the series to find out what happens, because I realised as the characters were put in danger that I'd really become invested in their lives and what happens to them.

The first half of Starlet's Web was a little slow and frustrating at times for me but by the end I was completely gripped to the action. I think as the first book in a series it has a lot of potential, and I'm hoping I'll enjoy the second book even more. If you like books about celebrity lifestyle then I'd recommend this one as it comes from a bit of a different angle.

Rating: 3*
What to read next: Starlet's Run by Carla J. Hanna, the second book in the Starlet series
Books like this: Hidden Gem by India Lee