The Fame Game by Lauren Conrad

Synopsis

In Hollywood, fame can be found on every corner and behind any door. You just have to know where to look for it. Nineteen-year-old Madison Parker made a name for herself as best frenemy of nice-girl-next-door Jane Roberts on the hot reality show L.A. Candy. Now Madison's ready for her turn in the spotlight and she'll stop at nothing to get it. Sure, she's the star of a new show, but with backstabbing friends and suspicious family members trying to bring her down, Madison has her work cut out for her. Plus, there's a new nice girl in "reality" town—aspiring actress Carmen Price, the daughter of Hollywood royalty—and she's a lot more experienced at playing the fame game... When the camera's start rolling, whose star will shine brighter?

My review

I was pleased to read that Lauren Conrad is going to publish another trilogy since I really enjoyed reading the L.A. Candy novels. But as soon as I finished The Fame Game I was a little unsatisfied. I was hoping for a little bit more action because L.A. Candy really pushed my expectations.

“The Fame Game” is a book about big dreams and how you should never give up on them because one day they might come true and you have to be ready!

Madison Parker is a 19 year old girl who knows exactly what she wants. Coming from a poor family, Madison had the desire early on to escape her background and start to live her life. She lies about her family and her past and soon gets a part on a TV show called L.A. Candy. She wanted to be famous. She wanted it all. She was willing to do everything and even betrayed so-called friends.
Now she is back again, still the old Madison addicted to everything related to money.  And still not willing to share the spotlight.
Carmen Curtis was born into a family with very popular parents so she shouldn’t need to worry about fame and money. But Carmen wants to step out of her parents’ shadow and make an acting career on her own.
Kate Hayes the girl next door from Columbus, Ohio is trying her best to be the number one in the music charts. Some might know her from her youtube videos other will get to know her from “The Fame Game”.  After High School Kate decided not to go to college and moved to L.A. instead where she now has two jobs and is trying to survive.
At last there’s Gaby. Gaby has no special talents and is just doing what she’s told. She just needs a pretty boy on her side and she’s fine.

Four Girls, one dream.
Make it in Hollywood and just do what they love to do, whether it’s acting, singing or fashion.
When Trevor Lord asked the girls if they want to be in his new show on one of them thought it would end up like that.
It is Kate’s first time in L.A. and she has come here in the hope of moving forward with her singer-/songwriter career. When Kate meets Luke it couldn’t be better for her. Finally she has her stage fright under control and there’s a man in her life besides Ethan, her Ex, she can talk to. They spent a lot of time together and it looks as if the would fall for each other if weren’t for his acting career and the fact that he’s in a fake relationship with Carmen just to promote their movie.
All Carmen ever wanted was to step out of her parents’ shadow and be famous for things she accomplished herself. She never intended to hurt Kate because even though they know each other for just a couple of weeks, she is one of her best friends. At the moment everything is a little out of control. She has got the part in a major movie but her dad still thinks “The Fame Game” is a bad idea and she still doesn’t know if Drew is just her best friend or if the kiss a few weeks back was more than that. Then there’s the fact that Madison is making her life more complicated than it already is. Why does she have to challenge her on all their meetings?
Everyone knows Madison is after money and fame and she’s willing to do almost everything for that. But now of all things her sister got out of rehab and she doesn’t return empty handed. Their dad, Charlie, is back and after all those years when he didn’t call or write he wants to spend some time with his girls. Madison is very sceptical but soon she starts to believe that he truly means what he says. She starts to trust him again but in the end he disappoints her much more and she’s in a lot of trouble.
While everyone has her own little drama in their private life, the “The Fame Game” adds a lot more.
Are they ready to let everyone in America have a look at their lives?

Lauren Conrad was a big positive surprise for me when I read her first trilogy ‘L.A. Candy’ and she didn’t disappoint me this time.
She has created four different characters and made them work together. I like the idea, and in my head it was like one TV episode after another.
However I think there’s something missing in that story but I can’t figure out what it is.
You will get a really good look in each of the girls’ point of view because the chapters are written from each perspective, which makes the whole book even more interesting.

If you’re a fan of ‘The Hills’, reality TV in general, and a lot of drama, this book is definitely the right one for you.
I swallowed page after page. This book will attract you in more than one way and before you know it, you in the middle of the game for fame!