Review: Stay Tuned by Lauren Clark
11:20 AM
Author: Lauren Clark
Publisher: Monterey Press
Publication date: November 21, 2011
# Of Pages: 260 Paperback
How I got the copy: CLNB blog tours for review
From Goodreads.com
What happens when a #1 news team becomes the top story instead of reporting it?
For TV producer Melissa Moore, crisis management comes with the job. From employee disputes to her high-maintenance boss, there’s not much she hasn’t seen or can’t handle.
But no one—including Melissa—expects a fistfight during the ten o’clock news. When sexy-but-crazy Alyssa Andrews lands a punch on her co-anchor’s face, Melissa jumps on set to help. She’s determined that WSGA’s reputation won’t be destroyed on her watch.
Both anchors are fired and Melissa agrees to fill in—but not before polishing her look from haircut to heels. While the new Melissa wows WSGA viewers, her personal life starts fraying at the edges. Melissa’s husband is away more than he’s home, leaving cryptic Post-it notes in his wake. Her mother’s antics spiral out of control at the nursing home and a stalker decides Melissa is her next target.
What happens next? Stay Tuned to find out…
For TV producer Melissa Moore, crisis management comes with the job. From employee disputes to her high-maintenance boss, there’s not much she hasn’t seen or can’t handle.
But no one—including Melissa—expects a fistfight during the ten o’clock news. When sexy-but-crazy Alyssa Andrews lands a punch on her co-anchor’s face, Melissa jumps on set to help. She’s determined that WSGA’s reputation won’t be destroyed on her watch.
Both anchors are fired and Melissa agrees to fill in—but not before polishing her look from haircut to heels. While the new Melissa wows WSGA viewers, her personal life starts fraying at the edges. Melissa’s husband is away more than he’s home, leaving cryptic Post-it notes in his wake. Her mother’s antics spiral out of control at the nursing home and a stalker decides Melissa is her next target.
What happens next? Stay Tuned to find out…
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
þ Inside look at behind the scenes at a news show.
þ Drama, humor, & main characters that you will love
þ Fast paced plot with many twists and turns
The main character, who happens to have the same name as me, starts out self conscious, hard working, a little quiet like many women in Chick Lit. When Melissa starts to gain confidence and take control of her life she is still the same person underneath her new confidence. I loved that the author didn't just make her wake up one day full of confidence and a new person. That's not how most of us are in real life. Change is gradual. Her best friend, Candace, also my best friend's name, was the comical relief. She recites Dr. Phil and always has great advice. She is Melissa's rock. Melissa's husband, Chris, is distant, always working, and doesn't seem to even notice her. What I loved about this book is that although their relationship is rocky the author didn't have Melissa gain confidence over night, divorce him, and start a new life. She showed her working through the obstacles and fixing her life not completely changing it. I think sometimes completely changing your life is equivalent to running away. Melissa still loved her husband and her job, they just needed some help.
Finally, I loved the actual writing from this author. The analogies were almost poetic and created visuals in mind so clearly. For example,
"The words didn't exactly spill from my mouth in the smooth, silky way I had intended. More like boulders bumping their way down a mountainside. In a thunderstorm."
Can't you just imagine her tone, body language, and expression perfectly because of this sentence? The whole book was full of descriptions like this which made it flow smoothly despite the rapid pace of the plot.
The few things that I did not enjoy were:
1. Sometimes I was confused. Melissa thinks her coworker is coming on to her, Chris is having an affair, etc. I wished there had been more clues. One second I was thinking it was one way and the next I was doubting my suspicions. It made it hard to judge the characters and decide if I liked them or not. We never really find out what Rick was up to.
2. I would have liked to see more growth with her friendship with Candace. All her other relationships (Chris, Rick, her mom) seem to develop, but the one with her friend stays the same.
3. The ending was a little too perfect for me, but I did appreciate that all loose ends were tied up and nothing was left unfinished.
I would suggest this book for a nice spring/summer day. Curl up on a lounge chair in the sun and sip some ice tea. You'll probably finish it in a day or two!
Read More Thoughts on This Book
Quotes
Of ourse, I would say yes. I always did. Enthusiastic employee, super-mom, and supportive spouse. Organized-living had been a steadfast friend. Throw in psychologist, accountant, and chef. Mix with slightly insanse schedule. Subtract vacation time and tan lines.
-Stay Tuned by: Lauren Clark
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