This review is part of Melody’s Summer Reading: Diversity Spotlight. Enjoy!

Under the Lights by Dahlia Adler
Release Date: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Genre: Young Adult LGBT Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-1633920170
Source: Received E-ARC
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Josh Chester loves being a Hollywood bad boy, coasting on his good looks, his parties, his parents’ wealth, and the occasional modeling gig. But his laid-back lifestyle is about to change. To help out his best friend, Liam, he joins his hit teen TV show, Daylight Falls…opposite Vanessa Park, the one actor immune to his charms. (Not that he’s trying to charm her, of course.) Meanwhile, his drama-queen mother blackmails him into a new family reality TV show, with Josh in the starring role. Now that he’s in the spotlight—under everyone’s terms but his own—Josh has to decide whether a life as a superstar is the one he really wants.

Vanessa Park has always been certain about her path as an actor, despite her parents’ disapproval. But with all her relationships currently in upheaval, she’s painfully uncertain about everything else. When she meets her new career handler, Brianna, Van is relieved to have found someone she can rely on, now that her best friend, Ally, is at college across the country. But as feelings unexpectedly evolve beyond friendship, Van’s life reaches a whole new level of confusing. And she’ll have to choose between the one thing she’s always loved…and the person she never imagined she could.

I absolutely loved Behind the Scenes (review here) so I knew I was going to be reading the companion title as well and I am so happy to say that Under the Lights is just as fantastic!

The story is told between the POVS of Josh and Vanessa, and if you’ve read Behind the Scenes, you know how much of a jerk Josh is (even though he’s a great friend), so I was very curious to see how well I’d connect with him here. And wow. Josh is just as human as the rest of us. This character was developed so well and I have nothing but good things to say about his arc and the story resonance that comes with it. Fabulous job. Seeing him at home, his family life, seeing him off a TV set and what really made him vulnerable made him human, made me respect him actually and I am so, so glad that I was able to go on this journey following Josh because he had quite a story worth telling.

Vanessa’s story was the story I was most anticipating as she discovers she has feelings for another girl but is struggling with what that means for her and her future, especially as a Korean American Hollywood star. There’s so much to take into account here and I loved that so much was covered here within this story of Vanessa not only finding herself but coming out as well. I love that not only was she coming out, she was coming out and a minority and in Hollywood. Talk about layers and layers of fear here. Fear of what’s expected and of the unknown. Tackled so wonderfully. The roller coaster of emotions Vanessa experiences wasn’t an easy ride and seeing that turmoil on the page was very much appreciated because how often do we get to see this, especially in YA? Rarely. Vanessa’s arc was beautiful and I’m so happy that we could get inside her head, because I was hoping we would eventually back when I was reading Behind the Scenes. It was such a ball getting to read from Vanessa and Josh’s POVs and go on their journeys of self discovery and acceptance and growth (with some pushback) as they figure out where they fit in their worlds, in the world.

Speaking of Behind the Scenes, I love, love, love how well Adler balanced the appearances of Ally and Liam as this isn’t their story but they’re still very much present in this world since they are Vanessa and Josh’s best friends, not to mention, one is their co-star. So if you’re hoping to get your Vanessa and Liam fix, you’ll get it, moreso from Vanessa and seeing their relationship arc from different lenses really gave me more perspective on that relationship as well. The relationship dynamics all around were on point and really had me hooked! This, coming from someone who doesn’t read much romance.

Basically, Adler knows how to keep her web of characters right where they need to be. She knows how to craft a great story. She knows what to do to make sure her story stays with you and her voice, which is so honest and fearless and genuine and fun, shines through on each and every page. I must take a moment to acknowledge how much I love Adler’s dialogue. It’s just so on the mark. So realistic. So in tune with her characters and the world they live in. YES. Dahlia Adler is on fire. She is killing it in every way possible and I can’t wait to read more from her right away.

Under the Lights by Dahlia Adler is available today.