Giveaway Review BEING HARTLEY by ALLISON RUSHBY @Allison_Rushby

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 2014

Fifteen-year-old Thea Wallis was born to entertain. Her mother, Oscar winning actress Cassie Hartley, thinks differently and has kept her daughter out of the spotlight since day one. Coming from showbiz royalty, it hasn't been easy to go unnoticed, but mismatched surnames, a family home in Tasmania and a low-key scriptwriter father has made this possible.

Just like her cousin Rory on the hugely popular TV show Saturday Morning Dance, Thea loves to dance. She learns the show's routines off by heart each week, despite her mother's attempts to convince her that dentistry would be a far more fulfilling career choice.

However, when Rory goes off the rails in LA, Thea's mother is suddenly left with no choice at all – Rory needs them and to LA they must go. Within forty-eight hours, Thea finds herself a long way from Tasmania and living her dream – on the road to Las Vegas with the Saturday Morning Dance team.
It doesn't take long before Thea's talents are discovered and she's offered everything she's ever wanted on a plate, including the dance partner she's had a crush on forever.

But, as her mother has always told her, Hollywood dreams come at a price. Thea soon realizes she will have to work out just how much she's willing to pay. And, ultimately, discover her own way to be Hartley.

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Allison Rushby is the Australian author of a whole lot of books. She is crazy about Mini Coopers, Devon Rex cats and corn chips. In November 2013, she will release her thirteenth book (she thinks… maths was never her forte) – Being Hartley. You can find her at http://www.allisonrushby.com, procrastinating on Facebook, or on Twitter at @Allison_Rushby. That is, when she’s not on eBay, or Etsy, or any other place she can shop in secret while looking like she's writing…

http://www.allisonrushby.com
http://www.keepcalmandcarryvegemite.com

SOURCE: AUTHOR

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

Thea Wallis comes from a full fledged entertainment dynasty but her mother, Cass, an Oscar winning actress, does her best to keep her out of the eye of the storm. All Thea wants to do is dance like her cousin, Rory who stars on Saturday Morning Dance (SMD), a sort of more mature Mickey Mouse Club.  The show teaches everyone the latest dance moves that is super family friendly.  Cass is contacted by her brother Eric, when Rory is going off the rails.  No one is quite certain why Rory has become so despondent and acting strange.  Cass thinks she knows what is behind the sudden change in personality since she experienced the same thing as a child star transitioning into adulthood.  

As Thea tries to reconnect with her cousin, she is experiencing her own set of growing pains and just wants to be a "normal teenager" instead of the hidden lifestyle she has had to deal with her whole life.  Her mother has her own goals with Thea, not wanting her to experience the problems she had as a child growing up in a famous family.  When Thea meets and has a chance to dance with the other star, Noah on SMD, she finds a true connection with a boy for the first time in her life.  It isn't until everyone is completely honest and the truth comes out that the air is finally cleared with Rory,  which in turn, forces Thea to confront her mother about her own seclusion.  

The story is safe for even young teens and has some very important lessons about growing up, being yourself and being truthful to yourself and others.  Not that Thea or Rory are deceitful, it is only when they don't speak up about what is really bothering them, that creates problems.  The adults are believable as well in this one.  When her mother tries to protect her, Thea discovers that by talking to her mother, she can grow.  Her stories are just full of fun and have the right blend of imagination, fantasy and reality that should get the most reluctant reader to join in. I so adore the way Rushby writes! 

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