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Bette, Unscripted
A damaged former child star
"Thank God, it hasn't affected my looks," she said as she lined her eyes. Bette Poole, once the biggest child star in the world, is struggling at twenty five. She's got the talent for adult roles, but none of the drive. She can't function without cocaine, booze, and opiates and it's affecting her performance on set.
Layers of secrets and psychological damage
Jerry, her agent, makes one last attempt to help her by getting her on a reality TV show. Bette's studio executive father doesn't want to help, but pulls the plug on the first day of shooting. Jerry inserts himself into her life, moving into her apartment to get her sober and working. It's worse than Jerry thought. Bette has secrets upon secrets. Secrets that could bring down half of Hollywood and involve Jerry directly. He just needs her to trust him and talk, unscripted, so he can bring down everyone who has hurt her
283 pages, ebook
First published January 31, 2018
10 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Trepagnier
121 books806 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author JB Trepagnier is secretly 30 feral cats in a trench coat and combat boots writing romance with a shared feral cat hive mind.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 19, 2018
Bette, Unscripted is a powerful novel with an equally powerful message. The novel is highly character-driven, often dark and unflinching in its portrayal of issues and reads like it could be a non-fiction account of one, or perhaps several starlet’s stories.
It’s unfortunate how realistic of a character Bette is, her story not so different from a litany of former young stars who become slaves to drugs and eating disorders or can never overcome the side-effects of abuse they’ve suffered.
The writing itself was powerful too, although it did read a little too-wordy at times. Sometimes, less is better and repetition of descriptions and situations can make the story drag.
Bette is a complex character you can’t help but feel sorry for and the sympathy increased with every new twist and turn the narrative took. Jerry and Carey were also likeable characters that I would’ve liked to have learned more about.
Overall, I’d certainly recommend it, as long as you can handle sensitive and sometimes dark issues.
It’s unfortunate how realistic of a character Bette is, her story not so different from a litany of former young stars who become slaves to drugs and eating disorders or can never overcome the side-effects of abuse they’ve suffered.
The writing itself was powerful too, although it did read a little too-wordy at times. Sometimes, less is better and repetition of descriptions and situations can make the story drag.
Bette is a complex character you can’t help but feel sorry for and the sympathy increased with every new twist and turn the narrative took. Jerry and Carey were also likeable characters that I would’ve liked to have learned more about.
Overall, I’d certainly recommend it, as long as you can handle sensitive and sometimes dark issues.
August 28, 2018
I wasn't sure if this book was right for me or not but as I continued reading, the story kept getting more interesting.
Honestly, this book should start at chapter two. The first chapter had sooo much summarizing and it was just not necessary. The second chapter is what caught my interest and it had far less summarizing so it wasn't tedious to read.
The writing needs a little work. It doesn't flow well, words are missing and it's a struggle to read. Some phrases were repetitive such as "Is it that hard to believe" and "what's in it for you" and there were many times where I wanted more showing rather than telling. What really kept me going were the story and the characters. I felt so bad for Bette and I thought she was written well. I could understand her distrust and suspicions and assumptions and abnormal habits. She really felt traumatized to me and I wanted so badly to give her hugs and support. The things that happened to her were so terrible and I'm really glad Jerry was trying so hard to make her feel safe.
This story isn’t for the faint of heart. It is dark and depressing – what Bette goes through is hard and I strongly advise those who are sensitive to drug abuse, sexual abuse, and trauma to read with caution. This is a really good story but the execution wasn’t always the best. Still, I recommend it for the issues the novel tackles and for the deeply flawed and intriguing characters.
Honestly, this book should start at chapter two. The first chapter had sooo much summarizing and it was just not necessary. The second chapter is what caught my interest and it had far less summarizing so it wasn't tedious to read.
The writing needs a little work. It doesn't flow well, words are missing and it's a struggle to read. Some phrases were repetitive such as "Is it that hard to believe" and "what's in it for you" and there were many times where I wanted more showing rather than telling. What really kept me going were the story and the characters. I felt so bad for Bette and I thought she was written well. I could understand her distrust and suspicions and assumptions and abnormal habits. She really felt traumatized to me and I wanted so badly to give her hugs and support. The things that happened to her were so terrible and I'm really glad Jerry was trying so hard to make her feel safe.
This story isn’t for the faint of heart. It is dark and depressing – what Bette goes through is hard and I strongly advise those who are sensitive to drug abuse, sexual abuse, and trauma to read with caution. This is a really good story but the execution wasn’t always the best. Still, I recommend it for the issues the novel tackles and for the deeply flawed and intriguing characters.
March 8, 2018
I acquired this book by accident – I found myself to be member of two Goodreads review groups simultaneously which is not permitted. I therefore withdrew from the group in which I had been allocated this book, but not before I had actually received the book.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The central character is a young actress who has suffered abuse from a string of movie and show business men. To say that she is, when we first meet her, a mess, would be a gross understatement. Her condition and behaviour are portrayed in a way that suggests the writer knows her subject. She is fortunate in that there are a number of people in her life who care a great deal about her and take frequently misunderstood steps to protect and heal her. The second half of the book, after the abusers have been exposed, covers her recovery in detail, leading to an HEA ending that at times seems a bit contrived.
The style of writing suggests the kind of spoken narrative one might hear from a young woman – perfect for those passages that are in the main character's POV. I would have preferred it if the passages in the POV of the other principle character – an older man – had been more clearly differentiated by the use of a style more appropriate to such an individual. But that is a personal preference and I am very much an older person. I can easily believe that this style will appeal well to what I imagine is the intended audience – young adults.
There are lessons here, too, for such an audience, subtly conveyed. As for any resemblance to real life, it must be said that the effect of abuse on its victims is well conveyed. The recovery process, facilitated by the love and concern of family is something that is all too rarely available to real life victims.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The central character is a young actress who has suffered abuse from a string of movie and show business men. To say that she is, when we first meet her, a mess, would be a gross understatement. Her condition and behaviour are portrayed in a way that suggests the writer knows her subject. She is fortunate in that there are a number of people in her life who care a great deal about her and take frequently misunderstood steps to protect and heal her. The second half of the book, after the abusers have been exposed, covers her recovery in detail, leading to an HEA ending that at times seems a bit contrived.
The style of writing suggests the kind of spoken narrative one might hear from a young woman – perfect for those passages that are in the main character's POV. I would have preferred it if the passages in the POV of the other principle character – an older man – had been more clearly differentiated by the use of a style more appropriate to such an individual. But that is a personal preference and I am very much an older person. I can easily believe that this style will appeal well to what I imagine is the intended audience – young adults.
There are lessons here, too, for such an audience, subtly conveyed. As for any resemblance to real life, it must be said that the effect of abuse on its victims is well conveyed. The recovery process, facilitated by the love and concern of family is something that is all too rarely available to real life victims.
March 8, 2018
Bette, Unscripted was the first book I’ve read by JB Trepagnier and I would be interested to explore more from this author.
Bette, the main character, is a well-known movie star in her mid-twenties, who’d been forced into show business by the age of four. This young woman, who seemingly has everything – fame, money and glamour – has actually been neglected and abused for most of her life. She’s a mess of a soul with odd fears and habits, on top of being dependent on drugs and alcohol.
When her long-time agent gets a true understanding of what the people in her life have been putting her through, and how they’ve been using her, he sets a plan in motion to save her and bring down the offenders.
It’s quite a timely story in light of what has been uncovered in Hollywood of late. The affect this physical and mental abuse has on Bette is an example of the permanent scars these types of crimes have on women.
It took me a while to invest myself in the story, but once I did, I was happy I stayed with it. It dragged at times with constant repetition over Bette’s strange eating habits and phobia over anyone touching her food. I got the point, over and over again. But once the plot moved along, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Trepagnier weaves an intricate tale so depraved and scandalous, yet manages to balance the scales with characters so loving and nurturing, a sense of hope emerges from the filth.
This novel is truly an example of ‘Time’s Up.’
Bette, the main character, is a well-known movie star in her mid-twenties, who’d been forced into show business by the age of four. This young woman, who seemingly has everything – fame, money and glamour – has actually been neglected and abused for most of her life. She’s a mess of a soul with odd fears and habits, on top of being dependent on drugs and alcohol.
When her long-time agent gets a true understanding of what the people in her life have been putting her through, and how they’ve been using her, he sets a plan in motion to save her and bring down the offenders.
It’s quite a timely story in light of what has been uncovered in Hollywood of late. The affect this physical and mental abuse has on Bette is an example of the permanent scars these types of crimes have on women.
It took me a while to invest myself in the story, but once I did, I was happy I stayed with it. It dragged at times with constant repetition over Bette’s strange eating habits and phobia over anyone touching her food. I got the point, over and over again. But once the plot moved along, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Trepagnier weaves an intricate tale so depraved and scandalous, yet manages to balance the scales with characters so loving and nurturing, a sense of hope emerges from the filth.
This novel is truly an example of ‘Time’s Up.’
June 25, 2018
Wow - this was overwhelming addictive. I just had to keep reading to find out what happened to Bette, after a life completely out of her control. Everyone wants to be a star, but maybe not after reading Bette's story. This was very timely, considering how Hollywood has been opening up and talking about how the industry has been abusing and using its actresses (and I'm sure actors as well). Bette has been used, abused, and neglected during her career, which has spanned nearly all of her young life, and in her twenties, has spiraled into a variety of fears, habits, and dependencies that threaten her very existence. Heartbreaking and believable, this tale will have you worried about how - and if - she will ever recover.
March 4, 2018
This book is very relevant to what's going on in Hollywood with the #metoo revelations. It's quite a timely choice of plot by this author. It's extremely dark but without being graphic. It was, I think, a bit too hopeful about how easily people who've been severely abused can reconstitute a family around themselves. It also lacked detailed description of where things take place - I like to the world I'm in to be described a bit (some books describe it too much!). The first two thirds take place in a single apartment and I liked that device a lot - it's like the prison that Bette is in - but the apartment should have been described in much more detail. Then . But there are lots of good things about it, like the tension that's created by whether or not Bette is going to eat! It's a good story, the characters, especially Bette, are well-drawn, and I did enjoy it.
March 6, 2018
I love character-driven stories when they’re done well. This is one of them.
Gritty and heart-wrenching, the book’s themes will no doubt draw comparisons to what’s occurred recently in the entertainment industry. Authors have forever been inserting slices of real life into books. If this book had “cautionary tale” route, it could have easily been predictable and boring. But by solidly investing in her characters, the author delivers a more well-rounded story that kept me turning pages.
Bette, herself, is exquisitely drawn. Once a precocious child star, her life’s become something of a mess. Drinking, drugs, an eating disorder, trust issues - the girl’s got nearly every problem in the book. Discovering the root of all of these problems drives the plot. There are many truths to be uncovered, and when the entire picture is finally revealed, it’s bound to break your heart. Throughout all of it, Bette remains beautifully believable and far better than she appears on the surface.
But our heroine isn’t the sole star of the book. The cast of characters (Jerry, Carey, Julian, and Kat, to name a few) are all great in their own right. Trepagnier has a knack for crafting characters that seem real and evoke a strong emotional response from readers. There’s an event that happens around the 65% mark that forced me to put the book down and take deep breaths before continuing. That’s how deeply I cared for these fictional people.
While I liked that the writing style was punchy and not overly decorated, it could have used a little finesse. Some small issues (like repetition or dawdling scenes) sometimes interrupted the flow of the narrative. It’s also worth noting that this book is not for the faint of heart. As the title states, it does shade on the dark side. It also contains strong language and some sensitive issues.
If those things don’t bother you, you’ll find that Bette, Unscripted is a riveting story filled with intricately painted characters, a strong message, and a deeply satisfying ending.
4.25 stars
Gritty and heart-wrenching, the book’s themes will no doubt draw comparisons to what’s occurred recently in the entertainment industry. Authors have forever been inserting slices of real life into books. If this book had “cautionary tale” route, it could have easily been predictable and boring. But by solidly investing in her characters, the author delivers a more well-rounded story that kept me turning pages.
Bette, herself, is exquisitely drawn. Once a precocious child star, her life’s become something of a mess. Drinking, drugs, an eating disorder, trust issues - the girl’s got nearly every problem in the book. Discovering the root of all of these problems drives the plot. There are many truths to be uncovered, and when the entire picture is finally revealed, it’s bound to break your heart. Throughout all of it, Bette remains beautifully believable and far better than she appears on the surface.
But our heroine isn’t the sole star of the book. The cast of characters (Jerry, Carey, Julian, and Kat, to name a few) are all great in their own right. Trepagnier has a knack for crafting characters that seem real and evoke a strong emotional response from readers. There’s an event that happens around the 65% mark that forced me to put the book down and take deep breaths before continuing. That’s how deeply I cared for these fictional people.
While I liked that the writing style was punchy and not overly decorated, it could have used a little finesse. Some small issues (like repetition or dawdling scenes) sometimes interrupted the flow of the narrative. It’s also worth noting that this book is not for the faint of heart. As the title states, it does shade on the dark side. It also contains strong language and some sensitive issues.
If those things don’t bother you, you’ll find that Bette, Unscripted is a riveting story filled with intricately painted characters, a strong message, and a deeply satisfying ending.
4.25 stars
March 14, 2018
A gritty, heart-tugging psychological drama of a child actress who is left scarred and untrusting by the abuse she receives at the hands of those who should have cared for her. We meet Bette years later, a drug-addicted and psychologically beaten individual. As her story unfolds the reader is drawn into the dark, corrupt side of show business. Events are comparable to some publicised accounts of real-life child stars and the seedy side of the business they are exposed to as they become a money making machine for many.
The characters are interesting and varied and their role in Bette’s decline and recovery is well conveyed. At times, it is difficult to know who to trust. The psychological impact of past abuse on Bette is eerily realistic and her obsessional behaviour becomes understandable in light of what is revealed. But there is little that is predictable here. Bette’s story is haunting and full of surprising revelations. I enjoyed reading this psychological drama and highly recommend Bette, Unscripted.
The characters are interesting and varied and their role in Bette’s decline and recovery is well conveyed. At times, it is difficult to know who to trust. The psychological impact of past abuse on Bette is eerily realistic and her obsessional behaviour becomes understandable in light of what is revealed. But there is little that is predictable here. Bette’s story is haunting and full of surprising revelations. I enjoyed reading this psychological drama and highly recommend Bette, Unscripted.
February 27, 2018
I usually don’t read romance. They’re not my favourite kind of books, but, after having read the blurb, I decided to give a go to Trepagnier’s work. A dark psychological story might have met my reading tastes, and my attempt didn’t go wrong.
Bette has acted since she was four. She has had a successful career and won numerous awards for her performances. Such a life shouldn’t have caused her any troubles and worries. She’s now twenty-five, afflicted by eating disorders, and addicted to drugs, anti-depressants, and alcohol. Bette can’t have a role anymore, and, if she gets one, she shortly gets fired. After she abandons the studio for the umpteenth time, Jerry, her agent, decides to help her to treat her addictions.
The reality is much more shocking than what the agent guessed. Jerry finds out the dramatic truth behind Bette’s self-destructive habits and psychological disturbs.
Trepagnier creates a pleasant story that goes beyond the usual stereotype of the talented actress destroyed by a life of excesses. Bette is not the rich star squandering money, she is the victim of a greedy and perverse game of personal interests.
The unpredictable turns of events and surprising revelations – although I personally think that the author reveals the main twist too early – involve the readers page after page and entertain them until the last word.
Bette has acted since she was four. She has had a successful career and won numerous awards for her performances. Such a life shouldn’t have caused her any troubles and worries. She’s now twenty-five, afflicted by eating disorders, and addicted to drugs, anti-depressants, and alcohol. Bette can’t have a role anymore, and, if she gets one, she shortly gets fired. After she abandons the studio for the umpteenth time, Jerry, her agent, decides to help her to treat her addictions.
The reality is much more shocking than what the agent guessed. Jerry finds out the dramatic truth behind Bette’s self-destructive habits and psychological disturbs.
Trepagnier creates a pleasant story that goes beyond the usual stereotype of the talented actress destroyed by a life of excesses. Bette is not the rich star squandering money, she is the victim of a greedy and perverse game of personal interests.
The unpredictable turns of events and surprising revelations – although I personally think that the author reveals the main twist too early – involve the readers page after page and entertain them until the last word.
March 27, 2018
This is my first book by J.B. Trepagnier and to a degree I did enjoy her writing style which read more like a biography. The character of Bette named after Bette Davis reminded me a lot of what I've heard about child stars like the Lindsay Lohans of Hollywood. Bette has a drug problem, only eats white food, is obsessed with cleanliness and has major trust issues resulting from being used and abused as a child actress. There are also other sinister secrets that emerge and as a result she is majorly screwed up with humongous trust issues.
However, I did find that the plot dragged, especially in the first half when the author set most of the story in Bette's apartment. There was a lot of repetition of the circumstances and repeated sentences which could easily be edited out to quicken the plot. And although there was a lot of information, it appeared the author was'telling' the story rather than 'showing' what was going on. So I found it hard to engage fully with Bette or any of the characters. And although Betty is referred to as a child a lot throughout the story, it was confusing to then find out much later in the text that she was in her twenties. For quite some time I was hazarding a guess as to how old she actually was.
Because of the timing with Hollywood spilling over with sexual abuse, it did take away its impact. It's hard to see it as a dark psychological drama when there's nothing that I haven't heard already in the news in real life accounts.
But for those who love a Hollywood tale about a lost soul trying to find her way back to normality, you will enjoy this.
However, I did find that the plot dragged, especially in the first half when the author set most of the story in Bette's apartment. There was a lot of repetition of the circumstances and repeated sentences which could easily be edited out to quicken the plot. And although there was a lot of information, it appeared the author was'telling' the story rather than 'showing' what was going on. So I found it hard to engage fully with Bette or any of the characters. And although Betty is referred to as a child a lot throughout the story, it was confusing to then find out much later in the text that she was in her twenties. For quite some time I was hazarding a guess as to how old she actually was.
Because of the timing with Hollywood spilling over with sexual abuse, it did take away its impact. It's hard to see it as a dark psychological drama when there's nothing that I haven't heard already in the news in real life accounts.
But for those who love a Hollywood tale about a lost soul trying to find her way back to normality, you will enjoy this.
February 27, 2018
Holy cow this was a wild ride. Bette is the kind of character that has to grow on you, but she does. The personality was developed so much that I actually started to believe in what happened to her and wanted the vengeance for her as badly as those who love her. The story was full of twists and such surprising lot points that you just won’t know what to expect or want to put it down.
February 8, 2018
The Dark Underside of Hollywood Explored
When you first start reading “Bette: Unscripted,” you wonder if you’ll be able to sympathize with Bette, the young actress who seems to have done all right for herself in her profession on the scale of popularity and fame, and you wonder about her eating disorder and her drug addiction, but you figure that’s par for the course in the industry. And then you find out why she’s such a mess. Disturbing things have happened in her life, on a scale seldom happening to the average soul, and you start to care very much that those around her will help her find her way. Underneath the damage and fragility lies the heart of a fighter, but she needs people on her side that she can trust enough to let in. Will she find the help she needs? Will she find her own voice and speak out against the wrongs that have been perpetrated? These are the things that cause us to rally behind her, hoping fervently for her survival amidst the turmoil that is her life, and the author does a magnificent job pulling the tale together in a way that not only rings true but stands as a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit.
When you first start reading “Bette: Unscripted,” you wonder if you’ll be able to sympathize with Bette, the young actress who seems to have done all right for herself in her profession on the scale of popularity and fame, and you wonder about her eating disorder and her drug addiction, but you figure that’s par for the course in the industry. And then you find out why she’s such a mess. Disturbing things have happened in her life, on a scale seldom happening to the average soul, and you start to care very much that those around her will help her find her way. Underneath the damage and fragility lies the heart of a fighter, but she needs people on her side that she can trust enough to let in. Will she find the help she needs? Will she find her own voice and speak out against the wrongs that have been perpetrated? These are the things that cause us to rally behind her, hoping fervently for her survival amidst the turmoil that is her life, and the author does a magnificent job pulling the tale together in a way that not only rings true but stands as a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit.
February 8, 2018
I honestly didn't much care for Bette at the beginning of this story and wondered if the author was intentionally making her difficult to like. Something about that relationship, though, between the reader and the character evolves and by the end of the book I was rooting for her all the harder because of my dislike of her at the beginning. This story is brilliantly written and some of the moments that happened and the bad acts committed were captivating.
I've read many stories by this author and I have to say that this is one of my newest favorites. I can hardly believe at my own turnaround where Bette was concerned and how I was following her story with interest by the end. I wanted to see if anyone in the story would rally around her and how her story more or less felt real to me. I could see traits Bette shared in friends and family and it felt very close to home. Makes me think of things in a new way.
I've read many stories by this author and I have to say that this is one of my newest favorites. I can hardly believe at my own turnaround where Bette was concerned and how I was following her story with interest by the end. I wanted to see if anyone in the story would rally around her and how her story more or less felt real to me. I could see traits Bette shared in friends and family and it felt very close to home. Makes me think of things in a new way.
April 2, 2018
Bette Unscripted: A Dark Psychological Drama
First, Bette Unscripted, by J. B. Trepagnier lives up to its subtitle and is indeed a dark psychological drama. It is a triumphant tale of bravery and reclamation of the soul of a beautiful, multi-talented young actress, lost to addiction, and broken by the men who have used and abused her since she was a child, and provide her the drugs to which she is addicted to control her.
I think this is a powerful, raw and well told story, and the writing excellent, with the caveat which plagues so many self-published books these days, there are typos and other errors that a single pass by a professional editor would correct.
Bottom line. I enjoyed this book. It is a good read. A good story, plot and characters. And, I think many of you who are fans of intense psychological drama will enjoy as well.
First, Bette Unscripted, by J. B. Trepagnier lives up to its subtitle and is indeed a dark psychological drama. It is a triumphant tale of bravery and reclamation of the soul of a beautiful, multi-talented young actress, lost to addiction, and broken by the men who have used and abused her since she was a child, and provide her the drugs to which she is addicted to control her.
I think this is a powerful, raw and well told story, and the writing excellent, with the caveat which plagues so many self-published books these days, there are typos and other errors that a single pass by a professional editor would correct.
Bottom line. I enjoyed this book. It is a good read. A good story, plot and characters. And, I think many of you who are fans of intense psychological drama will enjoy as well.
May 2, 2018
“Bette, Unscripted” is a dramatic novel by J.B. Trepagnier. Ms. Trepagnier is a fairly seasoned novelist and has been receiving numerous accolades for hard-hitting works like “Feet of Clay” and “Crow Girl.” What I really like about this author is she reminds us that life and politics aren’t always meant to be taken seriously, which is why I’ve also gobbled up her “Attack of the Lesbian Farmers,” an irresistible, eighteen-page satirical romp.
If I seem more interested in the author than this particular novel, it’s because I wasn’t too crazy about the novel. And that’s perfectly fine – “Bette, Unscripted” has garnered plenty of five-star reviews. When an author writes a book that’s not every-day, ordinary fare, they’re not going to please everyone.
This novel is written quite well, and I love the sketch that punctuates the start of each chapter. Ultimately, however, this subject matter and theme didn’t hold a lot of appeal for me. It’s marketed as a “dark, psychological drama,” but I’m not quite sure that’s how I’d describe it. It’s the tale of a former child star who’s now an adult and causes nothing but frustration for her handlers due to her substance abuse, eating disorders, and dysfunctional personality. Lots of readers have been captivated by this character, but for me, things grew a bit stale pretty quickly. I didn’t find any suspenseful revelations of traumatic child abuse to be particularly suspenseful. I almost take it as a given that a former child star with eating disorders and an appalling drug problem has been terribly abused somewhere and somehow, and it’s not a subject I particularly enjoy exploring.
Regardless, I have to praise the authenticity of the characters and dialogue. The book moves at a brisk pace and the prose is sharp. The cast of supporting characters is well drawn and integral to the development.
Ultimately, I’m much more interested in the author’s other works, especially “Crow Girl” and “The Spirus.” Readers who enjoy hard-hitting portrayals of psychologically damaged, dysfunctional adults, however, with lots of depictions of substance abuse, will heartily devour “Bette, Unscripted.” 3.5 Stars.
If I seem more interested in the author than this particular novel, it’s because I wasn’t too crazy about the novel. And that’s perfectly fine – “Bette, Unscripted” has garnered plenty of five-star reviews. When an author writes a book that’s not every-day, ordinary fare, they’re not going to please everyone.
This novel is written quite well, and I love the sketch that punctuates the start of each chapter. Ultimately, however, this subject matter and theme didn’t hold a lot of appeal for me. It’s marketed as a “dark, psychological drama,” but I’m not quite sure that’s how I’d describe it. It’s the tale of a former child star who’s now an adult and causes nothing but frustration for her handlers due to her substance abuse, eating disorders, and dysfunctional personality. Lots of readers have been captivated by this character, but for me, things grew a bit stale pretty quickly. I didn’t find any suspenseful revelations of traumatic child abuse to be particularly suspenseful. I almost take it as a given that a former child star with eating disorders and an appalling drug problem has been terribly abused somewhere and somehow, and it’s not a subject I particularly enjoy exploring.
Regardless, I have to praise the authenticity of the characters and dialogue. The book moves at a brisk pace and the prose is sharp. The cast of supporting characters is well drawn and integral to the development.
Ultimately, I’m much more interested in the author’s other works, especially “Crow Girl” and “The Spirus.” Readers who enjoy hard-hitting portrayals of psychologically damaged, dysfunctional adults, however, with lots of depictions of substance abuse, will heartily devour “Bette, Unscripted.” 3.5 Stars.
March 21, 2018
Be prepared for a descent into emotional and psychological hell. However, stay with it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
J.B. Trepagnier's "Bette, Unscripted" could not be more timely, and captures the zeitgeist of 2017/2018 in a way that few other books and films have. The journey is not pretty, and, as the title implies, it is raw and unflinching—but ultimately, because of those very virtues, it is VITAL.
The novel tells the story of Bette, a drug-and-booze-addicted former child star, and her tough-love agent Jerry, who is determined to rescue Bette from her tumultuous and tortured life.
First off, the characters felt so real I thought I heard them talking in the room while I was reading. While Bette can be exceedingly frustrating at times, as her story unfolds, you begin to empathize and, eventually, sympathize with her. As you might have inferred from my mention of "timeliness," her story is one of child sexual abuse in Hollywood. This may make some readers uncomfortable, and for good reason. But it's an issue that shouldn't be looked away from, and Trepagnier handles the subject matter deftly, without ever succumbing to exploitation or sensationalism.
If I have any criticisms, they're minor. The prose does tend to ramble and repeat itself a bit too often, as if the author is really trying to hammer certain points home. The book could've been tightened up by twenty pages or so without losing any of its impact. And, yes, some readers may see a lot of the revelations coming, and the ending might be a bit pat—but honestly, with such a grim journey as the one Bette and Jerry take, I had no issues with that.
Overall, a good novel. The characters are so well-rendered that they gloss over any stumbles in the plotting or prose. And that's always more important to me. The novel shines a light on a very troubling issue in the forefront of a lot of peoples' minds, and because of that I recommend that it should be read by as many people as possible.
J.B. Trepagnier's "Bette, Unscripted" could not be more timely, and captures the zeitgeist of 2017/2018 in a way that few other books and films have. The journey is not pretty, and, as the title implies, it is raw and unflinching—but ultimately, because of those very virtues, it is VITAL.
The novel tells the story of Bette, a drug-and-booze-addicted former child star, and her tough-love agent Jerry, who is determined to rescue Bette from her tumultuous and tortured life.
First off, the characters felt so real I thought I heard them talking in the room while I was reading. While Bette can be exceedingly frustrating at times, as her story unfolds, you begin to empathize and, eventually, sympathize with her. As you might have inferred from my mention of "timeliness," her story is one of child sexual abuse in Hollywood. This may make some readers uncomfortable, and for good reason. But it's an issue that shouldn't be looked away from, and Trepagnier handles the subject matter deftly, without ever succumbing to exploitation or sensationalism.
If I have any criticisms, they're minor. The prose does tend to ramble and repeat itself a bit too often, as if the author is really trying to hammer certain points home. The book could've been tightened up by twenty pages or so without losing any of its impact. And, yes, some readers may see a lot of the revelations coming, and the ending might be a bit pat—but honestly, with such a grim journey as the one Bette and Jerry take, I had no issues with that.
Overall, a good novel. The characters are so well-rendered that they gloss over any stumbles in the plotting or prose. And that's always more important to me. The novel shines a light on a very troubling issue in the forefront of a lot of peoples' minds, and because of that I recommend that it should be read by as many people as possible.
March 28, 2018
Bette, Unscripted: A Dark Psychological Drama reminded me of the author's The Flight of the Crow Girl although the setting (Hollywood rather than Ireland) and the tone (dark rather than light) were different. Both center on a broken young woman who is nursed to physical and emotional health by a small group of loving individuals. Save the female protagonist, the characters are painted in stark shades of black and white, and there is no doubt who is good and who is evil.
In a straight-from-the-tabloids narrative, Bette is a troubled starlet who's turned to drugs, alcohol, and anorexia to deal with the pressures of fame and exploitation. An intervention by her agent, Jerry, and several devoted friends enable Bette to confront her demons, putting her on a path to healing. She might even be able to love again if hunky Dante has anything to do with it.
I found this to be an uneven read. Chapters written in showing mode (dialogue, physical action) were a pleasure to read. However, there's an overwhelming amount of exposition, much of which was repetitive, particularly the sections where everyone in sequestered n Bette's apartment and they're cajoling her to eat.
While the arc of Bette's redemption is solidly constructed, it feels thin for the length of the novel. A couple of subplots would have added heft to the character development of Jerry (I wanted to know more about his time as a stuntman) and Carey (Did he ever live openly as a gay man? Did his politically conservative family care?). I also found the switching of so many viewpoints rattling (was there any reason to jump into the head of Lexie, the publicist, when she proves to be a minor character at best).
I like dark books, so I wasn't offended by any of the content here. It was tastefully presented and made sense in regards to the author's critique of Hollywood's treatment of women, the latter of which was the most interesting part of the novel.
In a straight-from-the-tabloids narrative, Bette is a troubled starlet who's turned to drugs, alcohol, and anorexia to deal with the pressures of fame and exploitation. An intervention by her agent, Jerry, and several devoted friends enable Bette to confront her demons, putting her on a path to healing. She might even be able to love again if hunky Dante has anything to do with it.
I found this to be an uneven read. Chapters written in showing mode (dialogue, physical action) were a pleasure to read. However, there's an overwhelming amount of exposition, much of which was repetitive, particularly the sections where everyone in sequestered n Bette's apartment and they're cajoling her to eat.
While the arc of Bette's redemption is solidly constructed, it feels thin for the length of the novel. A couple of subplots would have added heft to the character development of Jerry (I wanted to know more about his time as a stuntman) and Carey (Did he ever live openly as a gay man? Did his politically conservative family care?). I also found the switching of so many viewpoints rattling (was there any reason to jump into the head of Lexie, the publicist, when she proves to be a minor character at best).
I like dark books, so I wasn't offended by any of the content here. It was tastefully presented and made sense in regards to the author's critique of Hollywood's treatment of women, the latter of which was the most interesting part of the novel.
May 21, 2018
>Book Review – Bette, Unscripted
>This book is a standalone drama and ends in an HEA. On the surface, Bette looks like a typical actress, once a child star. She is a problem on set and is addicted to drugs and alcohol. Once her manager, Jerry decides that enough is enough, he takes her to her apartment and tries to force her to clean herself up. As Jerry and Bette fight with each other, so many ugly truths are revealed and Bette becomes a tragedy. Her behavior is now understood and Jerry utilizes his own family to help.
>The story was well written, if a bit slow during the “get to know Bette” section with Jerry. I found it hard to believe that Bette was able to detox without professional help, since her issues were ongoing for years. The backstory of Bette’s birth and childhood was horrific and hard to fathom. Her adoptive parents, Damian and Kat really seemed to have no redeeming qualities. Kat has a redemption, but I am not sure she really deserved one.
>Dante is an important character in helping Bette to develop a normal relationship. His backstory would have been nice to have. His character as presented seems too good to be true. The story as a whole shows the disgusting underbelly of Hollywood.
>I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy of the book from Romance Authors that Rock. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars. The story was compelling, but the cover of the book is terrible. A cover with a bit of innocence overcome by darkness would have been better than the insanity portrayed on the cover.
>This book is a standalone drama and ends in an HEA. On the surface, Bette looks like a typical actress, once a child star. She is a problem on set and is addicted to drugs and alcohol. Once her manager, Jerry decides that enough is enough, he takes her to her apartment and tries to force her to clean herself up. As Jerry and Bette fight with each other, so many ugly truths are revealed and Bette becomes a tragedy. Her behavior is now understood and Jerry utilizes his own family to help.
>The story was well written, if a bit slow during the “get to know Bette” section with Jerry. I found it hard to believe that Bette was able to detox without professional help, since her issues were ongoing for years. The backstory of Bette’s birth and childhood was horrific and hard to fathom. Her adoptive parents, Damian and Kat really seemed to have no redeeming qualities. Kat has a redemption, but I am not sure she really deserved one.
>Dante is an important character in helping Bette to develop a normal relationship. His backstory would have been nice to have. His character as presented seems too good to be true. The story as a whole shows the disgusting underbelly of Hollywood.
>I voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy of the book from Romance Authors that Rock. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars. The story was compelling, but the cover of the book is terrible. A cover with a bit of innocence overcome by darkness would have been better than the insanity portrayed on the cover.
March 16, 2023
Some people didn't like all of the information summarized in Chapter 1 of this book, but it surprised me--in a good way. I didn't think I would be super interested in a female child star story, but the author surprised me. From the first few pages, I found it interesting and it did not shy away from the double standards and hidden realities that many Americans and celebrities know all too well. It is quite timely, with the themes of a drug-addicted America, where one prescription from big pharma is ok, but other illicit drugs could land you in big trouble, where women are speaking out about powerful men in Hollywood, and secret drug and sex escapades go on all the time, while celebs and politicians put on another face for the cameras. The high profile politician's son needing a girlfriend to cover up his real lifestyle is an interesting and realistic theme, even if it harkens back more to another era, I am sure some are still doing this on many levels. From there, it takes off with a lot of cool dialogue and brazen lifestyles. I enjoyed it, perhaps because many Americans can relate to the nasty underbelly that affects even the most affluent and famous, and how America plays games about sex, power, drugs, money, celebs, women, and has all sorts of confusing double standards and selective outrage surrounding them.
August 22, 2018
A Journey Back to Trust
When Bette’s world is about to come to an end from despair and drugs, a series of unexpected events come into play which will alter everything for her. This story shows the dark side of the entertainment industry, where money and power are the only considerations beyond even humanity. Bette had become a famous movie-star, even though she only wanted to be an artist. The outside world was only ever allowed to see the happy parts of her life, while her home life lacked any sense of love, nurturing, or normality. Every person who ever contacted Bette had taught her to know they only ever took from her, she was a commodity to them.
While the first ten percent of the book dwells heavily on the downward spiral of her story, it picks up and begins to move the reader through Bette’s journey into trusting people again. I really enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns of the story. The story does a good job of reminding us to be good to people.
When Bette’s world is about to come to an end from despair and drugs, a series of unexpected events come into play which will alter everything for her. This story shows the dark side of the entertainment industry, where money and power are the only considerations beyond even humanity. Bette had become a famous movie-star, even though she only wanted to be an artist. The outside world was only ever allowed to see the happy parts of her life, while her home life lacked any sense of love, nurturing, or normality. Every person who ever contacted Bette had taught her to know they only ever took from her, she was a commodity to them.
While the first ten percent of the book dwells heavily on the downward spiral of her story, it picks up and begins to move the reader through Bette’s journey into trusting people again. I really enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns of the story. The story does a good job of reminding us to be good to people.
September 15, 2018
Bette is unstable. Being in show business from little on has left her an emotional and physical mess. Hooked on cocaine, she’s struggling to survive and desperate to help, her agent tries to step in and change her future for the better.
This book gave a very realistic look into the mindset of what young stars go through and the struggles that affect them later on in life. Bette’s character was very well-written, and I really felt for her right from the beginning of the story. After the first chapter, I was hooked, just waiting to see if her life would get better or if she would crash and burn.
Definitely an addictive read.
This book gave a very realistic look into the mindset of what young stars go through and the struggles that affect them later on in life. Bette’s character was very well-written, and I really felt for her right from the beginning of the story. After the first chapter, I was hooked, just waiting to see if her life would get better or if she would crash and burn.
Definitely an addictive read.
April 15, 2018
Dark and totally believable
This book is a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The material is dark and totally believable. My heart was hurting for Bette and I was cheering for her the whole time. I was very satisfied by how it ended, though the “telling” was horrible in that prologue. That and the pacing kept me from rating it higher. Both thinks just slow a story way down. I’m glad I didn’t let that deter me because things really started moving when Jeremiah started figuring things out. Overall, a pretty good read that I’d recommend to those who like psychological drama stories.
This book is a 3.5 out of 5 stars. The material is dark and totally believable. My heart was hurting for Bette and I was cheering for her the whole time. I was very satisfied by how it ended, though the “telling” was horrible in that prologue. That and the pacing kept me from rating it higher. Both thinks just slow a story way down. I’m glad I didn’t let that deter me because things really started moving when Jeremiah started figuring things out. Overall, a pretty good read that I’d recommend to those who like psychological drama stories.
December 27, 2018
We all know snuggles, but will Bette overcome hers
Bette is coming to terms with herself and her addictions. Through her journey you can truly feel her every emotion. This book is a great read for anyone who has battled and overcome any addictions, you are not alone. JB Trepagnier hit on every aspect so well that I was actually brought to tears a few times. Absolutely great writing!
Bette is coming to terms with herself and her addictions. Through her journey you can truly feel her every emotion. This book is a great read for anyone who has battled and overcome any addictions, you are not alone. JB Trepagnier hit on every aspect so well that I was actually brought to tears a few times. Absolutely great writing!
July 2, 2018
She had been a child star but now she was struggling now she is an adult. She has a lot of secrets and her agent tries to get her own more gig but it is pulled. He moves in and tries to get all her secrets so he could make them all pay. She uses drug to dull it all. Can be help her? See if he can
February 23, 2018
Review to follow...
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