Book Review: Something Real by Heather Demetrios

Something Real

Author: Heather Demetrios
Publisher: Henry Holt BYR, 416 pages
Publication Date: February 4, 2014

From Goodreads:
There’s nothing real about reality TV.

Seventeen-year-old Bonnie™ Baker has grown up on TV—she and her twelve siblings are the stars of one-time hit reality show Baker’s Dozen. Since the show’s cancellation and the scandal surrounding it, Bonnie™ has tried to live a normal life, under the radar and out of the spotlight. But it’s about to fall apart…because Baker’s Dozen is going back on the air. Bonnie™’s mom and the show’s producers won’t let her quit and soon the life she has so carefully built for herself, with real friends (and maybe even a real boyfriend), is in danger of being destroyed by the show. Bonnie™ needs to do something drastic if her life is ever going to be her own—even if it means being more exposed than ever before.

Review:
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. For some reason, the whole reality TV plot just didn't appeal to me, but then I read a review by Lauren at Love is not a triangle and I decided to read it. I'm so glad I did because I absolutely loved it. It was such an emotional book and the characters were so well done. Chloe (Bonnie™) has spent the last four years without the TV cameras following her around and for the past year has even attended public school. New name, dyed hair, thousands of miles away, she has friends and a crush. But then she finds out the show is going back on the air and knows it's all going to fall apart. 

 Chloe was an amazing MC. All she wants to do is live a normal life. She was literally born on camera and at first loved being a part of this reality show, but then it was becoming too much for her and a tragedy when she was thirteen led to the show being cancelled. I just have to point out how horrible her mother was. Worst. Parent. Ever. I just wanted to smack her. I couldn't believe that she would do this to Chloe after all she had been through. I mean, I understand she has thirteen children who she has to support, but why not keep Chloe out of it?  Every single decision this woman makes is horrible.  I can't believe she didn't take Chloe's objections seriously.

I loved Chloe's brother Benny.  They have a great relationship, relying on each other and supporting each other.  Such a connection between these two.  And I loved loved loved Patrick.  He gets the best boyfriend award.  Seriously.  Hands down.  Now he's way too perfect to be real, but come on, who needs reality when reading fiction?  :) Just go with it and enjoy him.  Swoon!!

This book is fun and entertaining, filled with humor, but at the same time it deals with important issues, especially the issue of privacy and the price of fame.  What impact do these shows have on the children, children who do not necessarily have a choice in being on them?  And what does the fact that these shows are so popular say about our society?

"Whether it's Facebook photos, blogs, or reality TV, it's like nobody is content to just live life."

(Should I feel guilty for having a blog??)

It's a beautiful novel.  It. Has. All. The. Feels.  Read it!!!!

Posted by:  Pam