Everybody Knows Your Name by Andrea Seigel  & Brent Bradshaw-Review & Giveaway

 

 

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Description:
Meet Magnolia.

Her father’s dead, her boyfriend’s ditched her to commit himself more fully to surfing, and her mother’s depressed because she can’t get cast on The Real Housewives of Orange County. All Magnolia wants is to reinvent herself.

Meet Ford.

Half his family is in jail, the other half probably should be, he shoplifted his way into a job at a record store, and his brother pawned his 1953 Telecaster for a quick buck. All Ford wants is to reinvent himself.

Ford, meet Magnolia.

When the two teens are cast in Spotlight, a reality TV singing competition, both see it as their chance to start anew. With each episode, as they live together in a Hollywood Hills mansion and sing their hearts out, Ford and Magnolia fall in love. But how genuine can that love be when a television audience is watching their every move—and when their pasts are catching up them so much faster than they can run?

 

Review:

Magnolia and Ford are two teenagers who yearn to reinvent themselves. Though not conventional, their transformation (and relationship) is on the set of Spotlight, a reality TV singing competition in Hollywood. A precipice for amazing achievements, professional and personal, or will they get caught up in trivial pursuits leading them nowhere fast? Everybody Knows Your Name by Andrea Seigel and Brent Bradshaw was a charming, cautionary tale about discovery, hope and falling in love.

Magnolia is sick of herself. She’s not particularly sad or angry; she’s just tired of the rut she’s become.

“…but I think this show could take my head between its hands and shake it up. I want to be a little dizzy. I want to give up my old securities.”

Ford is an emancipated 17 year old who still can’t find enough independence. When he’s able to pursue his love of music on the grand scale/stage, he strikes out with a vengeance. The alternative would lead him backward to Arkansas.

But when this pair of idealists with intent to supersede expectations is constantly being monitored, told to “just be yourselves for a second”, because no one’s filming…does being true to yourself, realizing you were good from the beginning, overcome the hype? Ford and Magnolia care enough to see through the fantasy. And find the heart.

What a book! Told from a solidly PG voice through alternating POVs, I was hooked from the beginning; rushing through laundry and ironing uniforms to dive right back into the drama. Who wouldn’t be glued when you’re tapped into an authentic coming of age story that leaves remarkable impressions?! Varied background characters evoke face-palming and offer terrific insight. As an adult, there were “train wreck” moments that made me cringe since I’m quite familiar with bad judgment calls. It’s this experience, however, that had me applauding the poignancy and value these authors associated with erroneous decisions. Ford and Magnolia stumble along the way, spectacularly at times, but the lessons are learned and its effects life affirming.

I don’t know if Ms. Seigel and Mr. Bradshaw intend to develop these characters any further (it didn’t end in a cliffhanger per se, so you’re expected to infer), but Ford and Magnolia’s spark caught fire. It was a pleasure to meet such mature, wonderful people…before they even knew they already were. Bravo!    

Reviewed by Carmen

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Andrea & Brent’s publisher are offering a hardcover copy of EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

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8. Giveaway runs from March 12-15, 2015