NEW ADULT
Where You Are - Tammara Webber (2011)
After finally getting together, Emma and Graham now have to go their separate ways - Emma home to LA and Graham to school in New York. But they're determined to make their relationship work. Unfortunately Brooke has other ideas; she's decided she wants Graham for herself and what Brooke wants she gets. Enlisting the help of Reid, who is happy to play along if it means getting another shot at Emma, the two work to unhinge Emma and Graham's fragile relationship. Can their fledgling relationship stand up to the test? Where You Are follows on directly from book one Between the Lines. Apart from a couple of cute scenes with Graham and Emma, given the plot we don't see much of them together which is a shame. The story is much more about testing their loyalty and feelings and is more suspense than romance. The narrative is told from the perspectives of the four main players which again removes some of the intensity and romance between Graham and Emma, but it offers insights into the very different minds and personalities of these characters. Brooke assumes the role of antagonist well and Reid's duality is refreshingly honest. It would be nice to see Graham and Emma's story continued in the remainder of the series, but it seems there's a lot more to pursue with Brooke and Reid too. (JC)
Between the Lines - Tammara Webber (2011)
Seventeen-year-old Emma has just been given her latest script - it's for a modern-day version of Pride and Prejudice and she's auditioning for the lead role. They've already cast Hollywood heartthrob Reid Alexander as Will Darcy, and when Emma and Reid's chemistry sizzles in the audition she wins her first major acting role, thrusting her into the world of the hot young things, complete with hotel living, partying and gossip-mongering. And Reid is keen to test out if their on-screen chemistry exists off-screen too. Then there's Graham who constantly looks out for Emma but there seems to be something going on between him and Reid's ex, Brooke. I really enjoyed the setting of this novel with the off-camera lifestyle of these teen actors and I liked the link to Austen. However, I had problems with some of the characterisation, including that of Reid. Told from the dual perspective of Reid and Emma, I expected him to be a genuine love interest and to evolve into a worthy, substantial hero, indeed this seemed to be what was implied at the start. Instead, he never really fulfilled this role and came across as inconsistent, and worse unworthy. Similarly, I found Brooke's characterisation inconsistent, particularly in the shift from villain to victim. There were also some gripes with the plot, mostly Emma's acceptance of Reid's affections straight after Graham's advances and I would have liked to have seen more about how the various back stories developed. Having said all of this, the concept is great and the novel - the first in a series - has none of the darkness or heaviness of some New Adult novels. Indeed, it's something of a breath of fresh air with its fun and satirical look at the world of Hollywood and its teen stars. (JC)