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Liked It “Susan T said: 4.5 stars |
Didn’t Like It “Interesting story idea, but poorly written. She uses the same cliches, same vocabulary over and over. Never really flushed out the characters or showed any reasoning or depth in their choices. Very flat, but if you want something simple and easy...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Susan T said: 4.5 stars
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Be careful what you wish for…
Have you had that conversation with your significant other where you each get a “pass” should the opportunity arise to be intimate with your celebrity fantasy lover? Yeah, me neither. But this sort of thing seems to happen a lot in fiction. In Jill Kargman’s latest, The Rock Star in Seat 3A, protagonist Hazel is quite satisfied with her life on the occasion of her 30th birthday. She has a job in computer gaming that she loves. And she has a live-in chef boyfriend who she loves. It is surprising then, that when she accidentally discovers an imminent marriage proposal, that she immediately panics. Fortunately, she’s off on a business trip the next morning, granting her a little time and distance to sort her feelings out.
As fate would have it, she is upgraded to first class, and if that weren’t enough, she’s sitting right next to her favorite rock star of all time! Finn and Hazel manage to really connect during trying circumstances, and they spend more time together while she’s in LA.
Well, you can guess where this is leading. And there’s really nothing wrong with the fact that you can. The strength of Kargman’s novel is not in the premise, but in the characters. Basically, they’re all nice people, surprisingly well developed in this slight chick-lit novel. The situation is difficult and unfortunate, and Kargman allows readers to feel their pain and see the struggle, all while keeping things fairly light, funny, and very entertaining. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how I wanted this romance to end.
The Rock Star in Seat 3A is a super-quick read. At 208 pages, I’m not sure how you stretch this one out much more than a day or two. And if you’re looking for an amusing and romantic diversion, you could do a whole lot worse. I’m actually a fan of the chick-lit genre, but it has to be smart and emotionally authentic. Jennifer Weiner, not Bridget Kinsella. This is exactly the sort of tale I crave.
P.S.: If I find myself on a desert island with Hugh Jackman and he’s willing… I’ve got a pass!”
“What girl wouldn't want a free pass if she happened to meet her rock idol and hits it off with him? This is exactly what happens to Hazel on her 30th birthday when she is seated nexr to her idol on a flight. Finn and Hazel share a sense of humor and before Hazel knows it, they are texting like crazy and Finn invites Hazel to come with him on tour. Only by going with Finn is Hazel able to decide what she really wants in life. I liked this book better than I thought I would and wouldn't mind seeing Finn comes back in another book. My only major complaint was that the book was too short so the characters werent fully developed. Also I found it in the teen section of my local kibrary and its absoluteky not a teen book but that's a complaint for the library!”
Colleen S wrote this review Thursday, January 10, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Interesting story idea, but poorly written. She uses the same cliches, same vocabulary over and over. Never really flushed out the characters or showed any reasoning or depth in their choices. Very flat, but if you want something simple and easy...”
girl on the floor wrote this review Wednesday, October 17, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“not recommending for language and sex content.”
Amy B wrote this review Tuesday, October 2, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was a quick beach read, perfect for summer!
NovelGoddess wrote this review Monday, July 23, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Hazel’s dream came true and she got to meet the man she’d been fantasizing about for half her life. And she met him in very undesirable circumstances…bumpy plane ride where he holds her hair while she pukes in a barf bag. During the rest of the flight Finn and Hazel really hit it off and wind up have dinner while she is in Los Angeles.
Only problem, Hazel is on the verge of becoming engaged to Wylie. What’s a girl to do when the man of your dreams is presented and he seems to be as into you and you are in him?
I appreciated Hazel being honest enough with Wylie about exploring her feelings for Flynn and I appreciated that they both kept their feelings at bay until Hazel told Wylie where she was coming from. That part of the story was somewhat unrealistic. Who would do that? I honestly expected that when presented with her dream man, Hazel would have jumped him. I was pleasantly surprised when she didn’t.
Finn, for being a rock star, seemed very down to earth…which was counter to his dark brooding lyrics. He wasn’t what Hazel or I expected. But unfortunately Finn found a formula that worked for him and his music and he didn’t want to fix what wasn’t broken. I liked Finn, but was frustrated by his role of “dark brooding rock star” when he really wasn’t.
This was a fun exploration for anyone who has one of those “lists” of celebrities they get a “free pass” on should they even encounter them…ala “Friends”. And it serves as a reminder that no matter how your fantasy transpires, the reality will never quite match it. I’m looking forward to reading more from Kargman.
”
“Rock of Ages meets Bridget Jones. Funny and a fast read.”
Anne W wrote this review Friday, June 8, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“What would you do if you were seated next to your dream musician and the one you were granted the "free pass" by your boyfriend/girlfriend? Well Hazel was about to find out when her dream rock star crush, Finn Schiller, was seated next to her in seat 3A. I literally read this novel in one sitting because I thought it was so fun and original. I love stories that take you to the place of fantasy and address the age old question: is the grass greener on the other side? Hop onto the plane in seat 3B and be prepared for a wild ride. I rate this book 4 stars and look forward to reading more by Jill Kargman. ”
Mrs Mommy Booknerd wrote this review Sunday, May 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This wasn't really a book for me, hence the low rating. I mean, I don't care much about music. Or about celebrities. And I don't fantasize about meeting rock stars or other celebrities. So, why did I pick up this book? I’m not sure. It seemed like a nice and light read, is all I can say.
JudithAnn wrote this review Saturday, May 26, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Other than that, the writing was so loud. So terribly loud, that I almost could not follow along with the roller-coaster language assaulting my brain. Written in a language that is not mine (I mean, culturally - New York style, I guess), I had a hard time getting into this story. I have the feeling the writing relaxed later on, or maybe I got used to it by then.
Then the profanities: there is an abundance of them in this book, especially at the beginning. I don't like that sort of language if it happens all the time, so I felt uncomfortable with that.
But when Hazel wasn’t cursing away with her friends, she was a nice person. Nothing like the brain-dead women you may encounter in some chick-lits and she was reasonably normal about meeting and dating a rock star. Of course, initially, she was all “Wow, it’s him! {profanities} I want to kiss him!!” but she settled down soon enough and didn’t let her star-struck brain take over. She treated him almost like she would any other person, which I liked about her. I could also understand why she might jeopardise her relationship with the dependable Wylie: sometimes you have to go beyond what you know to find out what you really want.
All fine so far. But some of the story was plain boring and 20 pages from the end, I was wondering whether this was it, when there suddenly was a twist to the story that I hadn’t seen coming and that hadn’t been sufficiently hinted at earlier on in the story. It was too sudden and that didn’t feel right.
The rock star was a rather card board cut-out type of guy, I never really got to understand what Hazel liked about him other than his music (is that enough to be infatuated with someone?). I could take him or leave him, he was nothing special in my eyes.
So, altogether not a fantastic reading experience for me. If you love the idea of living out a fantasy with your favorite celebrity you’re starting off with an advantage. You may like this way more than I did.
”
“MY THOUGHTS
MaryinHB wrote this review Tuesday, May 22, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
As Hazel approaches her thirtieth birthday, she offhandedly comments that her "free pass* would be Finn Schiller, of the band The Void. In a really happy and committed relationship with Wylie and a kick ass job as a publicist for the hottest game company in the world, she realizes that she doesn't have time to sow her wild oats and must really decide whether she wants to settle and settle down. Then, fate intercedes and she ends up on a flight sitting right next to her crush. Just as her boyfriend is about to propose, she jets off with the rock star. Sex ensues, as well as a whirlwind courtship between Finn and Hazel but when she starts to figure out that life on the road isn't for her, she becomes un-starstruck while hitting the ground full force.
This is the book I would write if I could write. I am so envious that Jill Kargman put all of my best rock and roll thoughts on paper. Kargman is one of those authors that I crave to read and she didn't disappoint me with her latest. Even though it is a quick read, every word is used to maximize the story. Hazel is someone you can really relate to and probably someone you know. She can't keep her thoughts to herself and has put her foot in her mouth more than once and you love her for it. I love the fact that Hazel realizes that reality is not the life of a rock star and she would much rather live on earth rather than in a bubble. If you are looking for the best read of the summer, here it is!
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“Hazel is a major video gameaholic. This is perfect as she works for Badass Games. Their greatest claim to fame is Pimps N; Ho's. Hazel is going out to LA to coordinate the release party of Pimps N' Ho's, Volume 5. Hazel has a good job and a great boyfriend in Wylie. Wylie is a chef. Hazel loves to eat and thus she is the perfect taste tester for Wylie's food.
Cheryl wrote this review Wednesday, May 16, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
During a game with friends, they shared if they had a "pass" from their partner, who would they have sex with. For Hazel, this is a no brainer. Finn Schiller, lead singer of The Void. Hzael has the opportunity to make her dream come true, when during her flight to LA, she is seated next to Finn in the flesh. What is a girl to do when a rock star wants to jump her bones.
I dedicate The Rock Star in Seat 3A to anyone who dared to dream or having a fling with a rock star! Book your ticket for The Rock Star in Seat 3A. I liked this book a lot. I wanted to be mad at Hazel for hooking up with Finn and leaving Wylie as he was a sweet heart but I could not stay mad at Hazel. Finn was also a gentleman. He is not what you would first expect from his persona. Finn treated Hazel like a goddess. They were so dorky together, that they made a good match. Plus, I could never be upset with Hazel as she makes up for her imperfections with her snarkiness, which I love. I will be checking out more books by Jill Kargman.”
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