Publisher: MTV Books
Pages: 288pgs
The Story
Bailey wasn't always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.
Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn't sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again . . .
Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn't sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again . . .
The Review
A big thanks to the publisher on Edelweiss for accepting my request in reading this book early!
A big thanks to the publisher on Edelweiss for accepting my request in reading this book early!
Don't get me wrong here: I absolutely adore pretty much every single book ever written by Jennifer Echols. She's a master of romantic books and she happens to be one of my favourite authors too since she is along the ranks of Sarah Dessen, Susane Colasanti and Elizabeth Scott who are my favourites also. But, for once in my life, I'm actually quite taken back (shocked even) by the fact that I didn't particularly like this book nor practically cared for it as much as I have for Echols's other previous titles.
Now I'm not exactly a huge country music fan, but I still don't mind it and I loved how the whole country-thing was incorporated into this one book. It was good. I mean, personally I actually found it was quite refreshing and it offered something completely different to what I'm used to in the YA contemporary genre. And I love that different feel of it. But the main problem I had with this book and the main reason why I couldn't connect well - if not at all - to this book was because of its characters. There just wasn't a lot of love there between me and them.
The supporting characters we meet were okay people and even Bailey, our main protagonist, was okay herself. I will admit this because at times I really felt so sorry for Bailey and how her life has turned out, however at times I also felt really angry over her crappy family and how they treated her, but in the end there was just something about her I still didn't like, especially when you consider her love for this new boy that she meets named Sam. I guess that's why I didn't like her. Because of this Sam dude. Honestly, what did she see in Sam? I didn't get it because let me tell you this: the first time ever Sam is the first Echols's boy character I wanted to punch. Really punch. I mean like really, really punch HARD in the face. I kid you not. Sam - in my opinion - was the worst person ever on this earth. Well, in the book at least. He was just horrible. I liked him at first because he was your sweet, typical guy, but then he turns into this crazy person who uses people non-stop, treats them like dirt (yes, Bailey he treated you like dirt but you couldn't see that, could you?) and well . . . he turned out to be a jerk. What was Bailey thinking? I still do not know. Argh. Sam.
Overall, I didn't dislike DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS on a whole because it was still a good book. However, it just wasn't my favourite book coming from Jennifer Echols. I guess you can blame Sam for this 'turn-off'. Just saying. He is entirely to blame actually. I hated that guy.
Now I'm not exactly a huge country music fan, but I still don't mind it and I loved how the whole country-thing was incorporated into this one book. It was good. I mean, personally I actually found it was quite refreshing and it offered something completely different to what I'm used to in the YA contemporary genre. And I love that different feel of it. But the main problem I had with this book and the main reason why I couldn't connect well - if not at all - to this book was because of its characters. There just wasn't a lot of love there between me and them.
The supporting characters we meet were okay people and even Bailey, our main protagonist, was okay herself. I will admit this because at times I really felt so sorry for Bailey and how her life has turned out, however at times I also felt really angry over her crappy family and how they treated her, but in the end there was just something about her I still didn't like, especially when you consider her love for this new boy that she meets named Sam. I guess that's why I didn't like her. Because of this Sam dude. Honestly, what did she see in Sam? I didn't get it because let me tell you this: the first time ever Sam is the first Echols's boy character I wanted to punch. Really punch. I mean like really, really punch HARD in the face. I kid you not. Sam - in my opinion - was the worst person ever on this earth. Well, in the book at least. He was just horrible. I liked him at first because he was your sweet, typical guy, but then he turns into this crazy person who uses people non-stop, treats them like dirt (yes, Bailey he treated you like dirt but you couldn't see that, could you?) and well . . . he turned out to be a jerk. What was Bailey thinking? I still do not know. Argh. Sam.
Overall, I didn't dislike DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS on a whole because it was still a good book. However, it just wasn't my favourite book coming from Jennifer Echols. I guess you can blame Sam for this 'turn-off'. Just saying. He is entirely to blame actually. I hated that guy.
The Rating
2 1/2 / 5 stars
oh nooooo.. I am like you, a die hard Jennifer Echols fan.. so to see this.. I'm quite sad. I do hope I like Sam more than you did though.. I love country music and the scene like you said so I hope the reading experience is better.
ReplyDeletegreat review, I now know not to have high expectations,
- Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
I know! I feel awful saying what I did but . . . this book just didn't win me over. And Sam. Argh. I wanted to love him cause I love most of Jennifer's boys, but this one . . . let's just say he wasn't what I wanted him to be. But in any case, I hope you enjoy this book more than me. Thanks Juhina! :)
DeleteI haven't read any of Jennifer Echols' books but I've heard they're all good. This is the first time that I've heard of this book though. Great honest review, Erin! We cant always love each book. :)
ReplyDeletePrecious @ Fragments of Life
I would recommend anything by Jennifer Echols . . . maybe not this book (but still give it a shot) but definitely her other ones.
DeleteThanks, Precious! :D
I've read and loved Jennifer Echols's other books, but even the description of this one seems kind of "eh." It just doesn't feel like her, I guess. I will definitely be reading it to see if I share your opinion!
ReplyDelete