Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby

Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby
Release Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Walker & Company
Rating: Enjoyable

Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.. - Goodreads

I want to thank Allison for sending me a copy of her book to review. I ended up really enjoying it, and flew through it in just a couple of days.

Shooting Stars is a really fun, light read that you will just breeze through, thanks to the flowing writing style and the fast paced plot. I loved the entire concept, with Jo being shipped off to a retreat to secretly snap pictures of a hot teen celeb.

The glimpse into the world of the paparazzi that Shooting Stars gave me is definitely my favourite aspect of the novel. It really highlights the highs and lows (mostly the lows) of the job. It was unexpectedly enlightening.

I loved Jo, the main character. She was such an interesting girl, and really hardworking. I really admired her for doing her best to save up for photography classes while still being at school. I also loved Katrina, as she was really funny and I felt so bad for her for not being able to be a ballerina!

I didn't care much for the romance, unfortunately. I'm not a fan of fast paced romantic plots, and while the initial contact with Ned did take place a year earlier, I feel that Jo falling for him over the course of a couple of days was too rushed. That said, the book is only set over a period of a few days, so I guess the romance HAD to be rushed if it was to be included.

There was actually a plot twist thrown in there - two, actually - that I wasn't expecting at all! I had no idea these things were going to happen. I actually shouted out "Woah, plot twist!" while I was reading the book in the bath. After the first surprise, I found it very difficult to put the book down!

Overall, this is a really fun read. The book is very well written, and is fast paced so that there is no time for boring moments. The only thing that would have made me enjoy the book more - aside from what is mentioned above - is spending more time with Jo and her family, and a bit more closure at the end regarding that.