SYNOPSIS:
It was always meant to be Olivia. She was the talented one, the one who had been training to be a star her whole life. Her best friend, Dana, was the level-headed one, always on the sidelines, cheering her best friend along.
But everything changes when Dana tags along with Olivia to Orlando for the weekend, where superproducer Guy Monroe is holding auditions for a new singing group, and Dana is discovered too. Dana, who’s never sung more than Olivia’s backup. Dana, who wasn’t even looking for fame. Next thing she knows, she and Olivia are training to be pop stars, and Dana is falling for Alex, the earnest, endlessly talented boy who’s destined to be the next big thing.
It should be a dream come true, but as the days of grueling practice and constant competition take their toll, things between Olivia and Dana start to shift . . . and there’s only room at the top for one girl. For Olivia, it’s her chance at her dream. For Dana, it’s a chance to escape a future that seems to be closing in on her. And for these lifelong best friends, it’s the adventure of a lifetime—if they can make it through.
Set in evocative 1990s Orlando, New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno’s Fireworks brings to life the complexity of friendship, the excitement of first love, and the feeling of being on the verge of greatness.
But everything changes when Dana tags along with Olivia to Orlando for the weekend, where superproducer Guy Monroe is holding auditions for a new singing group, and Dana is discovered too. Dana, who’s never sung more than Olivia’s backup. Dana, who wasn’t even looking for fame. Next thing she knows, she and Olivia are training to be pop stars, and Dana is falling for Alex, the earnest, endlessly talented boy who’s destined to be the next big thing.
It should be a dream come true, but as the days of grueling practice and constant competition take their toll, things between Olivia and Dana start to shift . . . and there’s only room at the top for one girl. For Olivia, it’s her chance at her dream. For Dana, it’s a chance to escape a future that seems to be closing in on her. And for these lifelong best friends, it’s the adventure of a lifetime—if they can make it through.
Set in evocative 1990s Orlando, New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno’s Fireworks brings to life the complexity of friendship, the excitement of first love, and the feeling of being on the verge of greatness.
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW:
Fireworks is a very useful novel for those who sometimes wonder how the music industry Works. Now, I do not know if it is always like this, but I feel like this is a good enough representation of the ugly truth behind happy girlbands out there.
Our main character, Dana, is dragged into this competition to become part of the new girlband the biggest producer is meaning to put together because of her best friend, Olivia, whose dream has always been being a pop artist. Even if spending the summer together, away from their boring town and Dana's drunk mother, sounds like the best plan, they are so not aware of the consequences they will have to face. Fist of all, they are not alone in the band, but two more girls with egos bigger than this planet are also in it. Moreover, biggest boyband of the moment is also spending the summer with them... and their lead, being Olivia's crush, falls for Dana. And so does she. Sneaking around to spend time together and avoid Olivia's heart breaking is a difficult task, but it is far from being the worst thing Dana goes through.
I enjoyed this novel way too much. I think this story was written for people like me, excited about every single X-Factor episode. Yes, this novel holds the music contest vibe, with rehearsals and all. Plus, it is a summer novel, meaning there are wimming pool and sunbathing scenes so... it is definitely a recommended read for contemporary lovers this summer. Katie Cotugno does an incredible job at keeping the reader glued to this novel's pages.
As I was saying, Dana goes through some hard things, which makes her vulnerbale and makes the reader want to hug her. I did. I actually wanted to spend time with her, laugh together and gossip the whole night long. I feel so bad for her and the things she has to go through, specially betrayal. I swear I had never felt so betrayed with a book than I did with Fireworks. My blood was boiling at certain scene I can not share yet... I really want you all to read this with no spoilers. Frustration is a feeling I got to experience throughout most of the novel because of Olivia's behavior, but I think that is good because I got to care for Dana and really connect with her. She made me feel proud. Her hard work and big heart are stunning... However, I do agree with the readers who do no really get why she was so special, musically speaking, but I can get she shone wth her awesome personality, so no complaints here.
Anyways, let's discuss Alex. He is the cute love interest we meet in this novel, and I loved him. He is a seriously cute boy, always holding th right thing to say, so caring and loving... adorable, if I had to sum it up. I may not be a fan of insta-love stories, but the quick attraction between Dana and Alex made my heart beat faster. I am really glad I read their story.
I think what makes this novel special is the ending. It is not a typical one, not a funny one at least. I think the events taking place in those last pages made the story realistic and even better. I honestly would have been upset had it been the kind of perfect ending which ruins most contemporaries. I was pleased enough with the way it al wrapped up.
Long story short, Fireworks is a novel about friendship, summer love, music, betrayal and more music. I really did enjoy it. Fresh, new, contemporary and easy to get through, a novel for this summer.
RATING:
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