From the Bookshelf of The Reader's Lounge…

Something Real (Something Real, #1)

Heather Demetrios

Start date: April 6, 2015

Finish date: May 1, 2015

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Mar 09, 2014 Jasprit rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, contemporary, read-in-2015, out-2014, romance

I am what you could say a reality TV addict, I could sit there for all the whole day just watching back to back episodes of a TV programme and the same can be said for books which have reality stars as their subject. I love getting to know these characters and how things have worked out for them with the TV show. The last book I read based on this was Jennifer’s Castle You Look Different in Real Life and it was one which I loved, now I don’t know why I took so long in picking up Something Real, I am what you could say a reality TV addict, I could sit there for all the whole day just watching back to back episodes of a TV programme and the same can be said for books which have reality stars as their subject. I love getting to know these characters and how things have worked out for them with the TV show. The last book I read based on this was Jennifer’s Castle You Look Different in Real Life and it was one which I loved, now I don’t know why I took so long in picking up Something Real, because it was a story I ended up adoring.

Chloe Baker has finally got a life of her own, she had been a reality TV star with her 12 siblings and family for as long as she can remember. Having a camera following you around for nearly every second of your life doesn’t always have its perks, it really sort of wrecked things for Chloe, that when her family finally decided to give it up, it really was the best thing she could have asked for, as it very nearly ended up wrecking her life and destroying her family. So when MetaReel turns up out of the blue four years later to film Chloe’s family once more, Chloe can’t believe it. If I was in Chloe’s shoes, I would have felt exactly the same way, Chloe was just about getting on track with everything, she had even changed her name to get away from it all, so does she really want everyone to get back up in her business again?. And Chloe’s mum was the worst, okay she had a big household to look after and feed, but she was just the most inconsiderate mother I’ve come across in a while. I know she wanted to make Baker’s Dozen the best show ever, but did she have to restort to playing up for the cameras? And not listening to a thing Chloe wanted? She really made me rage in this entire book, Chloe’s dad wasn’t the greatest person either, but with Chloe’s mother it seemed like she didn’t give a crap about anybody, as long as the ratings of the show were good. Chloe had so much to deal with, keeping everything under wraps from her friends before the show went live, trying to keep her panic attacks in check and when it finally seemed like her crush Patrick Sheldon may be liking her back, MetaReel and her cameras were all up in Chloe’s face.

Patrick Sheldon definitely ended up as one of my favourite fictional crushes, he was everything that I would love in a guy in real life. He was the sweetest guy ever, always looking out for Chloe, he knew the stress she had to deal with, but was still willing to make a go of their relationship, despite knowing their faces would be plastered all over the press and their every step would be heavily scrutinised. Which guy would want to be under this constant pressure? Some of his lines just made me swoon and his sweet gestures easily left a big smile on my face. All I know is that this book has so made me want my own Patrick Sheldon!

Family paid an integral part to this story, and I’m glad Chloe did have some members of the family that she could turn to when things got tough for her. Benton was the best brother that anyone could ask for, he was there for Chloe when she needed cheering up and was willing to take her side when people like her mother didn’t. I also loved how Benton just could brighten up an entire scene with his charm and goofy ways. I also appreciated that Chloe was able to forge some stronger relationships with some of her other siblings too. Things could be rocky at times for Chloe and one particular sibling, but I’m glad that through the stress of everything this one was able to come through for her. As Chloe, really did need all the support from her friends and family that were willing to listen.

Something Real was definitely a book which I’m so glad that I picked up, it dealt with a lot of serious issues, but Demetrios was able to weave in some pleasant lighter moments too and some swoony scenes with my Patrick which I hugely appreciated. Demetrios has certainly made me want to read the rest of her books right away.

This review can be found on: The Readers Den ...more

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Apr 09, 2015 Pili rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: readers-lounge-book-club, 105-physical-books-from-tbr-pile

Something Real was April's book for my book club: The Reader's Lounge Book Club! I was so very excited when it was chosen because A) I already had a copy and B) I had already read and loved another book by Heather Dremetrios!

This is such a poignant and fantastic book and a debut to boot! It's the story of Chloe, a girl that grew up in front of the cameras (that was actually born on camera) in the family's reality show. Then the show ends for various reasons, one of them to do with Chloe, then kn Something Real was April's book for my book club: The Reader's Lounge Book Club! I was so very excited when it was chosen because A) I already had a copy and B) I had already read and loved another book by Heather Dremetrios!

This is such a poignant and fantastic book and a debut to boot! It's the story of Chloe, a girl that grew up in front of the cameras (that was actually born on camera) in the family's reality show. Then the show ends for various reasons, one of them to do with Chloe, then known as Bonnie with a trademark, and she works hard at patching herself up and getting a normal life as a normal teenager, and then one day, the cameras are back.

This book is both entertaining and deep, makes you try and see things from all sides, but no matter what, I ended up on Chloe's side. I have never been a big fan of reality shows (I think the only one I really like is The Amazing Race, and I'm not entirely sure it qualifies 100% as a reality show, but I disgress!) and so I must confess to be predisposed to support Chloe on her opposition to losing her normal life.

Family dynamics are a huge part of this book, from Chloe's relationship with Benton and Lexie and the rest of her siblings, the relationship with her mother and the nearly non-existent with her father, to the Chloe's friends, to the entire crew of MetalReel and Chuck (whom I despised and wanted to Force-choke) with the family. And of course the non-familial relationships between Chloe and Patrick, and Benton and Mark.

There are so many characters in this book, but you won't feel like any of them are simply fillers, you'll find yourself getting to know them all a lil better here and there, and seeing quite much more to many of them of what they seemed at first. Character development was very much strong for most of the characters, and the way their relationships and dynamics grew and evolved was a joy to read.

Seeing the ugly behind the scenes side of reality TV was extremely interesting and very upsetting on occasions. Everything seemed like an opportunity to get more viewers and make more money and the people involved, the kids for f's sake!, they are just entities to be directed and used! Show must go on and everything is fair in show biz. It was sick how Chloe was blamed and manipulated to stay in front of the cameras, and how all her childhood was directed and shaped, and once she felt like she wanted out, she was blamed and shamed and judged every which way.

We get to see Chloe with her friends, and handling a crush as a normal girl, and then fighting as much as she can to keep her normal life separate and protected from the MetalReel showbiz, and I was really glad to see how her friends came through for her, so very happy to see such a positive friendship, with girls supporting each other, demanding honesty and offering protection and comfort and support. And even happier to see the relationship that developed between Patrick and Chloe, and how it did develop, with its starts and stops and all the wonderful moments!

I feel like I will continue to read anything and everything that Heather Demetrios writes, and I highly recommend for anyone and everyone to read this book, contemporary lover or not! Very much deserved 5 stars!! ...more

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Apr 22, 2015 Emma rated it it was amazing

I've never really read a book based on reality TV shows especially that of a young adult novel. I'd like to say the last one I really read and is also a key element of the novel was 1984 by George Orwell as part of my dissertation. That seems like a long time ago. Granted I've never been much of a classic reader either but the whole camera following you around purpose sparked an emotional if not erratic response out me, thinking why on earth would you subject yourself or have a world built of pr I've never really read a book based on reality TV shows especially that of a young adult novel. I'd like to say the last one I really read and is also a key element of the novel was 1984 by George Orwell as part of my dissertation. That seems like a long time ago. Granted I've never been much of a classic reader either but the whole camera following you around purpose sparked an emotional if not erratic response out me, thinking why on earth would you subject yourself or have a world built of prying eyes. When I saw that Something Real was going to be my next club read, I jumped at the chance to read it and see that the emotions that welled out of me where ones of love and inspiration of people that Heather created.

Based in a world that very few of us really know we see into the life of a girl, whose life has been shamed in front of a camera since she was a baby. You see the happiness and the ugliness of someone with such vibrancy dulled in comparison behind a lens. This girl is no different from anyone else, her name is Chloe but her stage name is Bonnie Baker. Bakers Dozen, a TV show best known in the states about a family of a dozen children who's life is recorded day in day out of the life they lead. Bonnie Baker is the star of the show, when she little, her mum could really only have her, Lexie and Benton and due to complications. These three kids were the originals stars, but now more have joined the family. Once the show ended seven seasons into the show, it was time for a reality check and one Chloe fully intended to embrace. She changed her, her identity really as she didn't want to be that person behind a camera, I mean who could really blame her. Chloe has never had a real life, a childhood, it was full nannies and homeschooling and peeing little toms on the studio set. So when her mum finally decides, or more forces on the kids that Bakers Dozen is returning once again. Thus ending her dream and enter the nightmare.

Chloe has finally managed to build a life for herself outside of the show. Her identity is completely unknown to the school and even to her best friends, she is invisible to the naked eye for once. Like any normal teenager you want to revise, pass your exams with flying colours, have crush on a boy and also have him ask to you to prom. His name is Patrick, Patrick Sheldon. It's just bad luck that when they start getting to know each other that the Baker Dozen returns to live TV. She is afraid of the consequences and the media getting their grubby hands into something that is hers to have and hold, that isn't for the public eye. Can't she have anything in her life that is sacred to her. Patrick is completely unfazed by Chloe's status in the world and on TV. But her certainly doesn't want to give up on her either. That is what is so lovable about his characters, you fall hard for the boy who is going to love and protect her. I can imagine him saying, "I'll save you" but that is the humour and comedy that Heather really entwines with characters. Their romance throughout the book hits some walls but they jump over them, it's a romance that I felt connected too on a deep level myself, Patrick for me was just the perfect boy for Chloe and also for me. hehe. You can't do anything apart from fall head over heels in love with him.
“Hate is a lot like love. It's warm and fills you up until every part of you is tingling to release it.”
Her family was a beautiful and ugly affair, do not get me started on her mother. God I really wanted to bash her head against the wall. That is why I wanted to throw the book in the first place. Clearly being a celebrity really does strip the good out of you, all you see is this shell of person, twisted and cold. Especially in front of the camera. Mix her mum and the director of the show and you for yourself a time bomb for Chloe and for yourself. The one genuine character in the family is Benton Baker. He is the truest soul in the book and one that can know your deepest, darkest feelings and secrets just with a glance. He is pure ball of light and he just melt s your heart. What I also came across was that this was classed a LGBT novel, which in all fairness I haven't really read that many but I was surprised that it made me love it even more.

Something Real was a passionate book for me. Like I said it can drive you up the wall with anger. and annoyance. It's a book you want to throw at the wall because of such a diverse plotline that it is. It confronts the audience from indulging them in a literary version of Big Brother. But forces you to realise the reality of how a camera can corrupt yourself and ruin your life from such an early age. I'm elated to say that Chloe came out of it with a much more stronger approach to her life as well as a new start...

Rating - 5

This review can also be found on my blog ...more

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May 23, 2014 Glass marked it as to-read

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