Blog Tour Review - HELLO, SUNSHINE by Leila Howland

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Published: July11, 2017

Genre: YA Contemporary

Source: Print ARC

Rating: 3 Stars

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Blurb:

A Prep School Girl with a Hollywood Dream

Becca Harrington is a reject. After being rebuffed by every college on her list, she needs a fresh start, so she packs up everything and moves to LA, giving herself one year to land an acting gig or kill herself trying. 

Unfortunately, not everything turns out as planned, and after a few grueling months, LA is looking like the worst idea ever. As hard as she tries, Becca can’t land an agent, she's running out of cash, and her mom is hounding her to apply to more schools. In an act of desperation, Becca and her friend Marisol start posting short videos online—with the help of their adorable filmmaker neighbor, Raj—and the videos catch the attention of a TV producer. Could this be it? Her big break? Or will she have to move back home with nothing but some bad head shots and a monstrous credit-card bill? 

Becca may not get the Hollywood ending she was hoping for, but perhaps she’ll learn there’s more than one way to achieve her dream.

Readers will love every page of this funny, romantic, aspirational, and ultimately triumphant novel about a girl who just wants to make it on her own.

Review-

That was cute. Becca is such a fresh nee voice and i was sad to see her go. The story starts off with Becca being dropped off in LA by her boyfriend, Alex. Seemingly out of nowhere, Alex breaks up with her, leaving Becca distraught and a tad bit confused. This isn't at all what the story is about though. It's about Becca's journey to not only becoming an actress but finding herself as well. 

What I truly loved was the independence Becca showed. She's able to rent an apartment and finds a job so she's able to live like the rest of us. I've heard becoming a household name is very hard and only a small percentage actually ever makes it to the big leagues. I'm not very familiar with the entertainment industry, other than being entertained, but I can imagine that this was a somewhat realistic look on how hard it is for struggling actors and actresses to find work. 

Along the way, Becca meets Marisol and Raj. Marisol is a fellow actress, while Raj is a screenwriter/director. I liked them immediately; although, I did think Raj was a bit too square for my tastes. Honestly, I wouldn't mind another book with Becca's point of view. I'd love to see where her acting has taken her and if she hit it big. But I guess that's why we have imaginations. Who knows? Maybe she ended up getting her own show and now she's as famous as can be!

*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an hones review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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About the Author:

LEILA HOWLAND loves to read, explore L.A., and have funny and meaningful conversations with her friends and family, especially her brother who calls from Washington D.C. whenever he’s waiting for the bus. A lot gets discussed in those phone calls, but they tend to end abruptly when the bus shows up. She can really cut the rug, but wishes she could sing without people covering their ears. A graduate of Georgetown University, Leila spent five years acting in New York where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. It was a lot of fun and she often talks about “getting back into it.” The closest she has come was a stint as an extra on The Young and the Restless in 2010. Leila now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son.

Week One

Monday, July 10th: Who R U, Review

Tuesday, July 11th: Page Turners, Ode to LA Guest Post

Wednesday, July 12th: The Lovely Books, Review

Thursday, July 13th: YA Books Central, Playlist Post

Friday, July 14th: Fiktshun, Review

Week Two

Monday, July 17th: Ex Libris, Review

Tuesday, July 18th: Such a Novel Idea, Author Post

Wednesday, July 19th: Book Crushin’, Review

Thursday, July 20th: Across the Words, Dream Casting Post

Friday, July 21st: The Reading Nook Reviews, Spotlight Post