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reviewsfromabookworm's review against another edition
3.0
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The blurb is one of those vague ones that doesn't really tell you what the book is about. From that alone, I had assumed this would be a contemporary that was about Summer falling for Caleb. Not an amazingly unique or exciting storyline, but an easy, enjoyable read. But, it was actually about a lot more than that and is part one of a series apparently. I can't give too much away when it comes to the book because I don't want to spoil anything. It's probably why the blurb is so vague, because they don't want to ruin any of the surprises that are coming your way. It did deliver on being an easy enough read, and it was quite enjoyable but it wasn't much else. I wasn't excited by it or moved by it. I just read it, finished it and that was it.
Summer is one of those characters who is just not very likeable. She's not a horrible person, but she's just very irritating. She took being a band manager too far, she couldn't separate herself from that role even when trying to be a girlfriend to Caleb. She was pretty much always a manager first and a girlfriend second. Even when he was opening up to her about important stuff in his life, she would solely focus in on how it could benefit the band. It was frustrating and I did wonder why Caleb wanted to be with her. She also gets very jealous about other girls, even though he has given her no reason not to trust him.
Caleb was quite a nice character; he plays guitar and writes his own music. He was the typical brooding lead singer of a rock band, which I actually liked about him. This did make me miss Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover though. This song contains a lot of lyrics and I can never imagine the songs, I would have loved a soundtrack to go along with it so I could listen to them.
The romance in this book develops ridiculously quickly, it's one of the quickest I have seen in a while. Within the first day of meeting each other he asks her out, they go on a date, tells her a huge secret about himself and then they kiss. It was all too fast for me and not very realistic. I feel like you would at least want to get to know someone a little better before you tell them this life changing secret about yourself the way Caleb does.
I liked the scavenger hunt that you find in this book, but there wasn't enough of it. I had no idea this was a series and I can't understand why it is. It feels like it should be one standalone contemporary and nothing else. The hunts were stretched out a bit too much so that we could have another book, but I don't see why we need it. The end was unbelievably frustrating because it wasn't an end, it felt like your copy cuts off halfway through the book. It was only then that I realised I had started another series that is unnecessarily a series. This could have been wrapped up within one book.
2.5/5 Butterflies
It's not that I didn't enjoy the book, it was just that it didn't excite me all that much. It started out quite well and was probably a solid three star read, but then the end ruined it. It was far too abrupt and feels like your copy cuts off, not like you have come to the end of the first book in a series. The storyline doesn't justify the need for more than one book. I believe this whole story could be told within one book. It hasn't made me want to continue the series, but it was an enjoyable enough read.
The blurb is one of those vague ones that doesn't really tell you what the book is about. From that alone, I had assumed this would be a contemporary that was about Summer falling for Caleb. Not an amazingly unique or exciting storyline, but an easy, enjoyable read. But, it was actually about a lot more than that and is part one of a series apparently. I can't give too much away when it comes to the book because I don't want to spoil anything. It's probably why the blurb is so vague, because they don't want to ruin any of the surprises that are coming your way. It did deliver on being an easy enough read, and it was quite enjoyable but it wasn't much else. I wasn't excited by it or moved by it. I just read it, finished it and that was it.
Summer is one of those characters who is just not very likeable. She's not a horrible person, but she's just very irritating. She took being a band manager too far, she couldn't separate herself from that role even when trying to be a girlfriend to Caleb. She was pretty much always a manager first and a girlfriend second. Even when he was opening up to her about important stuff in his life, she would solely focus in on how it could benefit the band. It was frustrating and I did wonder why Caleb wanted to be with her. She also gets very jealous about other girls, even though he has given her no reason not to trust him.
Caleb was quite a nice character; he plays guitar and writes his own music. He was the typical brooding lead singer of a rock band, which I actually liked about him. This did make me miss Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover though. This song contains a lot of lyrics and I can never imagine the songs, I would have loved a soundtrack to go along with it so I could listen to them.
The romance in this book develops ridiculously quickly, it's one of the quickest I have seen in a while. Within the first day of meeting each other he asks her out, they go on a date, tells her a huge secret about himself and then they kiss. It was all too fast for me and not very realistic. I feel like you would at least want to get to know someone a little better before you tell them this life changing secret about yourself the way Caleb does.
I liked the scavenger hunt that you find in this book, but there wasn't enough of it. I had no idea this was a series and I can't understand why it is. It feels like it should be one standalone contemporary and nothing else. The hunts were stretched out a bit too much so that we could have another book, but I don't see why we need it. The end was unbelievably frustrating because it wasn't an end, it felt like your copy cuts off halfway through the book. It was only then that I realised I had started another series that is unnecessarily a series. This could have been wrapped up within one book.
2.5/5 Butterflies
It's not that I didn't enjoy the book, it was just that it didn't excite me all that much. It started out quite well and was probably a solid three star read, but then the end ruined it. It was far too abrupt and feels like your copy cuts off, not like you have come to the end of the first book in a series. The storyline doesn't justify the need for more than one book. I believe this whole story could be told within one book. It hasn't made me want to continue the series, but it was an enjoyable enough read.
karissakate's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I felt the authors perspective was a bit of a breath of fresh air in the YA world. The music aspects were great. I feel like this is the YA version of mt favorite book, How to Kill a Rockstar by Tiffanie DeBartolo.
tia_20's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
heisereads's review against another edition
5.0
Five stars...lots of love...and all the awesomeness. Just trust me and go get this book the minute you can...and then put it into students' hands. Love, love, love this book! Strong voice and awesome story. It's not even 2014 and I'm already calling this as one of my top favorites of the year - no question. A phenomenal book (that students are loving too). A totally different type of book from Kevin that is SO good. The music, the romance, the mystery, the attitude, the rocking out...it all hits just the right notes.
katiekitch23's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly don't really know why I liked this book so much. Like, (this is not meant to be insulting), the characters were average and the music based story really didn't get me, plus the Twitter action, but for some amazing reason I literally could not put this book down. I think the plot was very intricate and really kept you hooked, wondering what in the world could happen next. The main character was funny, and I liked the Catherine, Summer comparison.
There has to be another book. There is, right? Because otherwise I would die.
There has to be another book. There is, right? Because otherwise I would die.
thanys_thoughts's review against another edition
4.0
So I bought this book at a book signing where I met Kiera Cass "The Selection" series. I actually bought it so I could get two tickets to the signing. Then the author made a Doctor Who joke at the signing, so I figured I would give the book a try.
I liked it. It's like Camp Rock/King Dork with a scavenger hunt. There was a lot of rock music references, which I am not super into. But the other nerdy references were appreciated. The humor was good, and I loved the tweets at the start of every chapter. It was fun. I was bummed to learn it was a trilogy, but I am looking forward to checking out the next book.
I liked it. It's like Camp Rock/King Dork with a scavenger hunt. There was a lot of rock music references, which I am not super into. But the other nerdy references were appreciated. The humor was good, and I loved the tweets at the start of every chapter. It was fun. I was bummed to learn it was a trilogy, but I am looking forward to checking out the next book.
islandgeekgirl's review against another edition
3.0
PopArts Academy, part of Mount Hope High School, is the place to attend if you want to be involved in the music business. Catherine "Summer" Carlson knows music, knows who can make it and what bands need to make it. And she knows Caleb Daniels, with the right band, will be huge. Falling for Caleb was never part of the plan but she is. Hard. But with Caleb's past and a music mystery that could mean instant stardom if solved, Summer is finding it hard to be both girlfriend and manager.
I got a definite Bandslam feel while reading this book. A little cheesy or over-dramatic at times, characters get away with things too easily, but still enjoyable and the music is fun.
It was easy to tell how passionate the characters were about music and it was consistent through the whole book. There was a lot of music terminology but it was written in ways that still made sense even when talking about instruments I don't play. I also really enjoyed all the music management versus creating music talk and seeing a lot of behind the scenes moments that it takes to get gigs and get noticed.
Summer had moments where she was interesting but also moments where she was annoying. She could be pushy and constantly made decisions she admitted knowing were a bad idea before she even made them. She could be sensitive toward someone's feelings at one moment then completely disregard them the next, depending on which served her interests. It made it hard for me to connect with her character.
Caleb, I think I would have liked more if we'd gotten a dual POV or at least seen more of him outside of music. Seeing him through Summer's eyes only didn't give him a whole lot of depth beyond hot guitar boy with a secret past. His two bandmates, Jon and Matt, had more personality and were fun and quirky and adorable.
There were a lot of amusing pop culture references and a lot of song lyrics woven into the book. The romance was a little subtle and at times, if it wasn't for Summer mentioning it, it would have been easy to forget she and Caleb were dating, which might have been due to Summer having a hard time being both manager and girlfriend. The big mystery was a little predictable while I was reading but still fun to read the characters trying to piece it all together and their reactions every time they got a little closer. It tied in really well.
The ending seemed a bit abrupt but it is the first book in the series so hopefully it'll pick up around where it left off.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I got a definite Bandslam feel while reading this book. A little cheesy or over-dramatic at times, characters get away with things too easily, but still enjoyable and the music is fun.
It was easy to tell how passionate the characters were about music and it was consistent through the whole book. There was a lot of music terminology but it was written in ways that still made sense even when talking about instruments I don't play. I also really enjoyed all the music management versus creating music talk and seeing a lot of behind the scenes moments that it takes to get gigs and get noticed.
Summer had moments where she was interesting but also moments where she was annoying. She could be pushy and constantly made decisions she admitted knowing were a bad idea before she even made them. She could be sensitive toward someone's feelings at one moment then completely disregard them the next, depending on which served her interests. It made it hard for me to connect with her character.
Caleb, I think I would have liked more if we'd gotten a dual POV or at least seen more of him outside of music. Seeing him through Summer's eyes only didn't give him a whole lot of depth beyond hot guitar boy with a secret past. His two bandmates, Jon and Matt, had more personality and were fun and quirky and adorable.
There were a lot of amusing pop culture references and a lot of song lyrics woven into the book. The romance was a little subtle and at times, if it wasn't for Summer mentioning it, it would have been easy to forget she and Caleb were dating, which might have been due to Summer having a hard time being both manager and girlfriend. The big mystery was a little predictable while I was reading but still fun to read the characters trying to piece it all together and their reactions every time they got a little closer. It tied in really well.
The ending seemed a bit abrupt but it is the first book in the series so hopefully it'll pick up around where it left off.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
itsme_lori's review against another edition
3.0
This was just an okay story. I wasn't a huge fan of the main character or the romance. The twist was okay. My main wish is that I had read the book instead of listening to the audio because the narrator was just not good. So my advice is, if you want to read this book, read the book. Don't be tempted by the audio and the promise of songs. If you want the songs, check them out at iTunes. But most definitely skip the audiobook of this.
mollyjanes's review against another edition
2.0
I found this book quite unrealistic and cliche, the characters were very stereotypical and reacted to different situations in a way that way purely fiction. definitely not the best I've ever read.
zellian's review against another edition
2.0
Exile started out odd for me, straight into the romance after skipping class, learning about his biggest secret and then kissing him afterwards? Eh.
The idea behind the book is alright, but towards the end everything was a bit bland - especially the ended which I get because you wanna hook people into reading the next book but it did really come across as a disappointing end.
The only thing I got tricked about was Val, it was one of those situations where I thought I knew how she was going to turn out but ended up being wrong.
The idea behind the book is alright, but towards the end everything was a bit bland - especially the ended which I get because you wanna hook people into reading the next book but it did really come across as a disappointing end.
The only thing I got tricked about was Val, it was one of those situations where I thought I knew how she was going to turn out but ended up being wrong.