Eighteen-year-old Ed Rochester thinks he has it all. He and his friends' movie production, Riot Grrl 16, is doing well in MTV's movie contest, and Ed thinks he has a good shot of winning and becoming the next Orson Welles. He is also a successful ladies' man, something that he prides himself on but otherwise doesn't give much thought to. His family is odd--his mother abandoned him, his dad, his stepdad, and his young half-brother for an acting role in Miami--but he doesn't let that get him down.
Then he remeets Lucinda Dulko. Athletic, unknowingly sexy, and intimidatingly self-confident, Eddy is nearly overwhelmed by her. She's not his usual delicate, needy, hookup type, but that doesn't stop him from falling head over heels for her.
However, just when he thinks his life is perfect, everything falls apart. What will Ed do in the face of so much disappointment and feelings he's never experienced before?
PLAY ME has nearly the same plot of Thu-Huong Ha's HAIL CAESAR, about a player getting his heart broken, and the story, once again, doesn't work for me. Maybe I'm a sucker for happy endings, but there are many moments in the novel that I didn't feel were at all believable, and the first half of the book dragged. The book is chock full of movie references and easy-to-read narration, but I was left not caring for the characters, which is disappointing because I loved Laura Ruby's first YA novel GOOD GIRLS so much. Perhaps I will enjoy future books of herselfs more. I certainly hope so.
Then he remeets Lucinda Dulko. Athletic, unknowingly sexy, and intimidatingly self-confident, Eddy is nearly overwhelmed by her. She's not his usual delicate, needy, hookup type, but that doesn't stop him from falling head over heels for her.
However, just when he thinks his life is perfect, everything falls apart. What will Ed do in the face of so much disappointment and feelings he's never experienced before?
PLAY ME has nearly the same plot of Thu-Huong Ha's HAIL CAESAR, about a player getting his heart broken, and the story, once again, doesn't work for me. Maybe I'm a sucker for happy endings, but there are many moments in the novel that I didn't feel were at all believable, and the first half of the book dragged. The book is chock full of movie references and easy-to-read narration, but I was left not caring for the characters, which is disappointing because I loved Laura Ruby's first YA novel GOOD GIRLS so much. Perhaps I will enjoy future books of herselfs more. I certainly hope so.
Reviewed by Tempestt (temppatt) for TeensReadToo.com
Eddy Rochester is a movie fanatic and a wannabe famous filmmaker.
When his hit online show, "Riot Grrl 16," is in an MTV contest to be on a reality show called The Producers, Eddy and his team have a lot of work to do.
"Riot Grrl 16" is about Eddy and all the girls that love him. All of the girls except Lucinda Dulko, who isn't as easily charmed by Eddy.
With Lucinda being so unattainable and independent, Eddy couldn't be more attracted.
PLAY ME takes you through the stress of "Riot Grrl 16," Eddy's relationship with his actress mother, and his countless female friends.
PLAY ME is very realistic. You quickly become engrossed in the story because of its believability. You get a great understanding of Eddy and his friends. I love Eddy's sarcasm and how he and his friends talk about movies. You really feel like you're in the conversation.
Laura Ruby writes from a male perspective just as well as she writes from a female one. Eddy is the perfect male protagonist. The book has a great plot and great characters, and is a book that you will instantly become connected with and be entertained by to the very end!
Eddy Rochester is a movie fanatic and a wannabe famous filmmaker.
When his hit online show, "Riot Grrl 16," is in an MTV contest to be on a reality show called The Producers, Eddy and his team have a lot of work to do.
"Riot Grrl 16" is about Eddy and all the girls that love him. All of the girls except Lucinda Dulko, who isn't as easily charmed by Eddy.
With Lucinda being so unattainable and independent, Eddy couldn't be more attracted.
PLAY ME takes you through the stress of "Riot Grrl 16," Eddy's relationship with his actress mother, and his countless female friends.
PLAY ME is very realistic. You quickly become engrossed in the story because of its believability. You get a great understanding of Eddy and his friends. I love Eddy's sarcasm and how he and his friends talk about movies. You really feel like you're in the conversation.
Laura Ruby writes from a male perspective just as well as she writes from a female one. Eddy is the perfect male protagonist. The book has a great plot and great characters, and is a book that you will instantly become connected with and be entertained by to the very end!
