Behind the Scenes by Dahlia Adler
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-1939392978
Source: Bought
Add it to Goodreads

High school senior Ally Duncan’s best friend may be the Vanessa Park – star of TV’s hottest new teen drama – but Ally’s not interested in following in her BFF’s Hollywood footsteps. In fact, the only thing Ally’s ever really wanted is to go to Columbia and study abroad in Paris. But when her father’s mounting medical bills threaten to stop her dream in its tracks, Ally nabs a position as Van’s on-set assistant to get the cash she needs.

Spending the extra time with Van turns out to be fun, and getting to know her sexy co-star Liam is an added bonus. But when the actors’ publicist arranges for Van and Liam to “date” for the tabloids just after he and Ally share their first kiss, Ally will have to decide exactly what role she’s capable of playing in their world of make believe. If she can’t play by Hollywood’s rules, she may lose her best friend, her dream future, and her first shot at love.

What a fun read! As you can tell by the title of my blog, I am all about all things Hollywood. Yes, I was a casual reader of Dahlia’s blog shortly before finding out about her debut novel, Behind the Scenes, at which point I knew I had to read it. And then when I found out what the book was about?! I pretty much leapt with joy. That is my kind of book, I thought. And now, after reading, I can say without hesitation that this book delivers everything I wanted and more!

Dahlia took a piece of Hollywood and gave us an up close and personal look at one of the tangled webs in that town that so many of us may have thought about. And I loved it! Oh my gosh, this was so exciting. And frustrating given the lovely yet lonely sacrifice and circumstance at hand but that conflict, seeing what people who love you will do for you without hesitation made for such a gripping tale and what a tale it is! And perfectly paced, I might add! Dahlia is a wonderful storyteller and a fantastic writer. Fantastic.

I connected with all of the characters right away and that, my friend, is not easy to do. Go, Dahlia! I was rooting for Ally and Liam on every page and was more emotionally invested than I anticipated. I don’t read a lot of contemporary novels and I especially don’t read many novels heavy on the romance (it just typically doesn’t move me, I’m not really a romantic) but I am so, so glad that I read this because this moved me. And not only was I rooting for Ally and Liam but I absolutely love that this book is about friendship and family just as much as it is about the romance. I love how Dahlia addressed the fears and desires that each of her characters have in more than just one aspect of their lives. These characters are three dimensional and demand to be heard and I love that! What a marvelous job here.

Other things worth mentioning… I loved The Grove mention, as it’s always exciting to know of and have been to actual settings that are in novels (Side note: I can’t wait to move back to LA, whenever that is, so I can shop there again). As well as using upfronts (I’ve gone to a few, more on that here) to further the plot. Way to win over a TV girl’s heart! Dahlia knows her stuff.

With her characters, her setting, her story, she gave her all and delivered the goods…and best of all, the heart behind all of that hard work shines through and with that, I couldn’t have asked for more. I was captivated by every word and read this book in two sittings. It would have been one had I not actually needed to get to sleep for a very long day of work ahead. My advice to you is to read this when you know you have four or five hours to completely devote to this because once you fall into this, you’ll fall hard. And the next thing you know, it will be over. But this story will have resonated with you so it will have been so worth it. Behind the Scenes is my favorite contemporary read of the year. So if you need any more reason to read this, that’s it!

Finally, I must share my favorite line, which is actually in the acknowledgements:
I am eternally grateful to have grown up in a family that always made me feel achieving this particular dream was not an “if” but a “when.”

Behind the Scenes by Dahlia Adler is available today.