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Josie was a big deal in high school: she was the undisputed theatrical star. No one else compared to her brightly shining talent, and everyone was sure she was going to make it big on Broadway. So when her drama teacher told her about a chance for her to try out for a production in New York City, she went with it. But it didn’t work out, and now, she has no high school diploma, she has a mountain of credit card debt, and she’s stuck in Montana being a nanny to a little girl, Mia.
On top of all that, her best friend is at college in a big city and not staying as closely in touch as she’d like, and her boyfriend … well, she doesn’t know if they’re even actually dating anymore.
Josie’s only 18 and already past her prime.
When she stumbles on a bookstore while out on a walk with Mia, Josie is flattered by the friendliness (is he flirting?) of one of the staff, Deo. He suggests a fun book to read, and she spares some of her money and takes him up on the recommendation. When she sits down on a park bench to read while Mia is playing, however, Josie isn’t just absorbed in her reading; she’s taken right into the story. As a character. And when another time she tries reading a different book, it happens again. Then again. She gets sucked right in so it all feels completely real.
Over the course of this book, and in the books Josie “visits,” she learns some lessons. About herself, her friends, her life and what she can still do and be. Quite honestly, she is kind of a frustrating/annoying character for a lot of the book. She’s 18 and pretty immature. It becomes clear as the story goes along why she is the way she is, but it’s still annoying. And the book is written more in a middle-grade style and tone that seems fitting for a lot of Shannon Hale’s other books and audiences, but here, it seems simplistic and young. Overall, I didn’t really enjoy the book, though I got to appreciate it and understand where Hale was going with it in the last 40 or 50 pages. In that case, I think our generally talented author had some wise things to say, befitting what I would expect from her. Overall, though, the book is not really a big deal.
Rated: Mild. There’s no profanity, and sexual content only includes kissing or the main character thinking about making out.
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