Monday, 24 December 2012

BOOK REVIEW: Fame, Love, and Other Lessons by Jo Francis

by Jo Francis






3 ¾ Stars

Review by Mary Smith-Fuller

Jamie Cameron is starting her busy new life as a college freshman.  In addition to her full course load, she has two practices a day for the school’s volleyball team.  There are a lot of new experiences ahead and a lot to look forward to, especially since her brother, Luke, is captain of the school’s basketball team. 

One afternoon, as she is waiting for Luke, she meets Chase.  Chase is the star of the school basketball team, and is known amongst the female collegiate for his sexual prowess.  Jamie and Chase are instantly attracted to one another, but Jamie resists the temptation to act upon it.  Instead they pursue a friendship that eventually transforms into love.

Life begins to change for Chase when he is picked for the NBA draft.  When he asks Jamie to accompany him to the proceedings, she is thrilled.  Little does she realize, however, that this one event will change her life forever as well, and that the lessons she will learn from it will be some of the most important ever.

Jo Francis has created a fun and spirited “Girl next door” coming of age story.  The characters are very likable and the problems they face are very realistic, given the world they live in.  It also provides the reader with a glimpse of what it might be like to step from the shadows of an average life into the limelight of stardom.

Ms. Francis presents the transition from innocent to newly experienced adult in a manner which is somewhat graphic in nature, but is mostly befitting to the story.  Because of this adult content, I would be remiss in recommending this story to readers of all ages.  I would, however, recommend it to anyone over the age of 17. 

My only disappointment stems from the ending being rather abrupt.  I would have liked to have seen a little more into the resolution and what happens as a result of it.  Aside from that, Fame, Love, and Other Lessons is an entertaining afternoon read that shows a great deal of promise for the author.  

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