I am just crazy about these Secrets of My Hollywood Life books. And, judging from the fact that of all the books I’ve written about they are the ones that get the most hits, I’ll guess an awful lot of other people are crazy about them, too. I love them for the juicy name dropping, the “secret” inside knowledge about being a celebrity, and most of all the fact that every single person is described by what they are wearing and every garment is from a designer. In this fourth installment in the series America’s darling, Kaitlyn Burke, faces the end of the television series she has grown up on. At 17 she’s been in the spotlight since she was 4-her co-stars are like an actual family to her. The thought of losing that is making Kaitlyn stressed out and she is worried about her future. Everyone is telling her she needs to decide on a next project or risk losing her celebrity status. As usual there are some minor “scandals” for Kaitlyn to get out of. It was all very satisfying and light and Kaitlyn was quite likable. In this installment, even more than the others, I found myself really appalled by her mother and thought how horrid it is that their child supports their family’s completely extravagant lifestyle. They seem to be totally mooching off of her and I can’t believe Kaitlyn doesn’t resent them more for it. I guess I’m glad I wasn’t a child actor and that my children never will be! Next installment out next spring-can’t wait!
Category Archives: Calonita Jen
Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Family Affair by Jen Calonita
I can’t get enough of these books. All name dropping, dishy inside scoop, about being part of Hollywood’s elite. Personally I don’t believe that you’d find a hot teen tv star from a nighttime soap as part of Hollywood’s true A-list (we’re meant to believe she’s friendly with Tom Cruise, Gwyeth Paltrow, and the like), but who cares? These stories are such an escape into “what if my life were like this….” that I say pile on more details! Tell me more about being 17 and providing gift bags at your party with spa gift certificates, Origins face masks, gourmet chocolates and the like. Tell me more about what everyone’s wearing! Continue reading
Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location
This sequel to Secrets of My Hollywood Life was just as funny and chock full of inside Hollywood info as the first book. It picks up mere weeks after the first ended, too, with teen star Kaitlin Burke about to begin filming a movie with a Steven Spielberg caliber director and happily dating Austin, a non-actor. 
Unfortunately for Kaitlin her new co-star, Drew, is a dreadful Hollywood type heartthrob she briefly dated before being cheated on and dumped. Her other co-star is none other than her old nemesis, Sky MacKenzie. To make matters worse, the woman in charge of marketing has a publicity plan that includes making people believe Drew and Kaitlin are dating. Therefore, no bringing Austin to events and lots of time with obnoxious Drew. Like the last book Kaitlin finds herself the victim of terrible publicity due to Sky’s scheming. Part of me read this and is even more disbelieving now of gossipy stories in Us Weekly and such. Another part of me thought the scheming and people’s gullibility was just too much, especially Hutch, the director, being such a jerk. I did really enjoy the supporting characters-best friend Liz and personal assistant Nadine. And it was completely fascinating (and a little horrifying) to see how a 16 year old had an entourage of people whose jobs and lives were committed to making her famous and keeping her in the spotlight. Makes me think I really should get around to watching Entourage. I can’t wait to read more about Kaitlin’s fabulous life, and apparently the next book will be out in spring 2008.
Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita
This was a fantastic and fast read; I absolutely loved it. Nothing too new or ground breaking here, but nicely written, fast moving, great characters, and lots of inside dish on Hollywood that was much more appealing to me than designer name dropping in Gossip Girls. 
The basic premise is that Kaitlin Burke is a hot Hollywood teen star, famous for being in a weekly soap. She is living the life we read about in magazines (not surprisingly-the author is an editor at Teen People and has been a writer for Entertainment Weekly and Marie Claire) and there are plenty of details about awards shows, premieres and after parties, seemingly unlimited money, designer clothes, etc. Kaitlin is stressed out though, and wants to experience normal life. She hatches a plan with her “normal” friend (her lawyer’s daughter, Liz) to attend Liz’s school in disguise. Juggling school, a secret identity, tabloid rumors started by her back stabbing co-stair, and press responsibilities (attending a “Beauty Buffet” is mandatory) is a challenge, but she loves it. She makes new friends and, of course, falls for a boy. The problem with this set up, in both books and movies, is that you basically know how it will end. The person the celeb-in-disguise has become closest to (in this case cute boy Austin) will find out in a public and awkward moment the truth and feel betrayed and run off, leaving the celeb with a publicity nightmare and a broken heart. But then of course there will be some mandatory “I’m just a girl asking a boy” type stuff and they’ll get together and all will be happy. But you know what? Knowing that was coming did not diminish the pleasure of reading about it. I really enjoyed this and would recommend it to so many teens. One other interesting thing about this book is the lack of a flashy cover. It actually really stands out in that it doesn’t have at all the sort of cover you’d expect.
WHAT?! I just looked on amazon while I uploaded the cover image and see that I am so behind the times in getting around to reading this book that there is a sequel out! Well, I will have to immediately put that on my list and get that next. It’s kind of nice when that happens, isn’t it?
