Starring Me by Krista McGee

Title: Starring Me
Author: Krista McGee
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Release Date: July 10th, 2012
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 336
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: From Publisher
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: First Date
Age Group: Young Adult

Kara McKormick is told she's auditioning to star in a new teen variety show. But it's what she isn't told that could change her life.

The feisty New Yorker moves to sunny Orlando to participate in a month-long audition, where she'll live with nine other contestants and an eccentric housemother. Kara knows that the show already has a big-time celebrity lined up for the co-host, but she doesn't know who it is.

Chad Beacon quickly rose to fame after winning America's Next Star, but he doesn't want his entire career to be about singing. There is so much more he wants to do-like act. The new variety show sounds like the perfect next step for him, but his parents want him to have a co-star who shares his faith since they'll be spending so much time together.

Acting is high on Kara's priority list. But a relationship with God? Not so much. In fact, she's tried to stay away from anything religious. But God is after Kara's heart and He's put people in her life who are showing her there's far more to Christianity than rules and judgment.

And just when it seems that Kara's going to have to give up her acting dream, God reveals that she may have a starring role after all-in a story so big only He could write it

For Thomas Nelson readers everywhere and those who loved McGee's First Date, this book is one that cannot be missed. Young Adult Christian and non-Christian readers will enjoy this wonderful novel about a young girl finding herself and the support team that she has behind her.

Reader's of First Date will remember Kara, Addy's bubbly New York roommate who supported Addy whenever she needed her. Now, Kara is taking the spotlight for herself. When the chance to participate in a new show arrives on Kara's footsteps she cannot turn it down.

Feisty doesn't even begin to describe Kara. She was funny, eccentric, and a huge fun to read. I am so glad that McGee decided to write a novel about Kara, because even from the beginning she showed a lot of promise.

And the character development? Ah-mazing. McGee's writing style brings the story to life and the character of Kara pops and makes the story worthwhile. Though, to be honest, it wasn't as great as it had been when it came to her other novel. I don't know if the story was moving a little too fast or maybe there just wasn't enough character interactions, but I always felt like everything was being cut short. Where there should have been more, there was less. 

I'm just glad that that didn't make the story any less enjoyable. 

I was really glad that I got the chance to read this book. It was fantastic and I hope to keep reading more of McGee's work in the future. This coming of age story is delightful and takes into account of a teenage girl finding herself and God.

Another wonderful read from a great author.

First Date by Krista McGee

Title: First Date
Author: Krista McGee
Release Date: January 10th, 2012
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 336
Format: Electronic Copy
Acquired: ARC; Netgalley
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

The orphaned daughter of missionaries, Addy is quite content to stay in the shadows and never draw attention to herself. But when she's selected for a reality TV show to try to become the President son's prom date-a show she didn't audition for-she's suddenly in America's spotlight. The lights, the make-up, the competitions, and the blogs discussing every move she makes all make Addy incredibly uncomfortable. But through her time at The Mansion, Addy comes to realize that first impressions aren't always right, that hiding out may not be what God had planned for her life, and that her faith should affect everything she does. It may just be that her selection wasn't random at all and that she's on this show "for such a time as this."

It has been a while that I book has kept me up all night to finish reading. I wasn't sure what to expect besides a show where there are a bunch of girl's who will fight each other for a date with the President's son. And then there's Addy, a simple Christian girl who does not want to be a part of the show but convinced that for some reason God is using her to be there.

I struggled a lot coming up with a review for this amazing book. I just don't know how to describe Addy, a girl who is a devoted Christian, but seems to have trouble with accepting, at first, that this is what she is supposed to do, and not really understanding. I don't know, it's complicated to for me to state, because it's not a problem with her religion that she's having, it's a problem of understanding. She sometimes feels like she's not being a very good Christian, which is the best way I can put it.

Okay, on to the story. The story almost played out the same way I thought it would, which is not bad because the way the author played around with this is by making it funny and interesting. Addy, who is not like the other girl's who are basically throwing themselves at the President's son, seems to just grab people's attention because she is being herself. And, while she might think that she doesn't understand what that means, she slowly starts to realize why it is that she was sent there. At the same time she is dealing with this bad memory of her parent's death.

Jonathon Jackson, the President's son, really surprised me. I don't know why I was thinking of a show off man who loves having women thrown themselves at him. He was a great guy. There were moments when I think to myself that he's going to do something that will make him look like the bad guy, but throughout the novel he was just a sweetheart.

And the other girls, they pretty much acted as they would when it comes to a competition over a guy. Besides Addy's friend, these girl's were pretty much the pretty-face-bullies who released their claws whenever the camera wasn't looking. And the host, Hank, he was just as bad, if not worse. I say what really impressed me about Addy is how she took it all in. She really had to fight with herself in order to be good around all this negative energy that was surrounding her, especially when it came to Hank. She didn't give up and with the support of her uncle and Kara, her new friend, and Lexi, her friend from home, she pushes through.

What I feel that McGee did well is bringing out some colorful characters. Kara and Lexi were the type of crazy friends that most people have in this world. Her Uncle Mike, who was this little voice of support and reason, and always reminding Addy of God's plan for her. Her school principal, who had been the reason for her being in the competition in the first place. And the way these character's came together fit tightly into Addy's life.

While I feel like McGee did a good job in the end tying everything well together, I still feel like there are somethings that were untouched, like Jonathon and his plans for his future. Hank, though there was a hint of what might happen to him later on, and Addy. I almost wish there would be a sequel to this story, but I guess everything happens for a reason and whatever happens next for Addy will be up to Him.

I gave this book five stars for being a hilarious, touching story about finding yourself and love, while understanding your faith. McGee is absolutely wonderful and brings together a wonderful story.