06 March 2013

Between the Lines by Tammara Webber

Between the Lines by Tammara Webber
Between the Lines #1
Release Date: February 14, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Publisher
Goodreads Stars: 4
Rating: Enjoyable


Buy it: Amazon UK

Young actress Emma is starring in her first ever major film role, opposite well-known teen heart-throb Reid. The exclusive clubs, snapping photographers and screaming fans are all a normal part of life for Reid but it's all new to Emma.The other actors befriend her - and Graham in particular seeks her out - but Emma isn't sure she's really comfortable in this scene. Reid is also experiencing something new - girls throwing themselves at him is an everday occurrence but genuinely falling for his co-star? That's not what he expected to happen . . . - Goodreads

Between the Lines was my first venture into the new world of New Adult. I had been meaning to pick it up for a while due to the number positive reviews I have seen around Goodreads and the book blogosphere, so when I was offered a copy to review I jumped at the chance.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Between the Lines. From what I had heard about the New Adult genre, I didn't have the highest hopes, since I was expected under-developed characters and plot in order to make way for sex and drugs and booze. Fortunately, my initial feelings were totally off, and Between the Lines was packed with great characters and interesting subplots.


I really liked the main female protagonist, Emma. The book is told from her point of view, as well as Reid's (more on him later), with her parts taking up half of each chapter. In addition to her love interests and that whole plot, Emma was going through a lot in her personal life. She moved away from her best friend to shoot this movie, her step-mother was a controlling idjit who cared more about fame and networking with the rich and famous than Emma herself, and Emma's father just went along with it.

I loved the focus on the relationship between Emma and her father. It changed a lot in this book, and I'm really pleased with how things turned out. There was one emotional scene towards the end that made me cry, because I had been waiting a long time for it to happen.

Reid, the other protagonist, can GTFO. All he wanted to do was get in Emma's pants because they had ~chemistry on and off camera. He made it his goal to sleep with Emma, and their relationship (however brief) was full of manipulation on his part. I despised him. Sure, he was going through a lot at home, but so were all the other characters and none of them emotionally manipulated Emma because they saw her as a conquest. I was not okay with their relationship at all.

Graham, on the other hand, was fabulous. Graham can stay. This is another case of someone who was dealing with a lot, but still managed to be a decent person. I'm not a big fan of secrets, and Graham has a HUGE one, but I actually really liked how his storyline played out. We get his point of view in the second book, and I'm very excited because I LOVE HIM. He's adorable. And in my head he looks like Dylan O'Brien.

I must say, though, I really don't know why the New Adult genre is separated from Young Adult like it is. I guess it's partly a marketing thing, right? I mean, sure, the characters were having sex and partying and drinking a lot, but you get that in YA as well. Of course, in this particular case, Emma is college age, so I'm thinking that the age of your MC(s) plays a part. But still, I've read a few books with older protagonists in the YA genre and it worked just as well. Just... Why is New Adult a thing? Do we really need to categorise everything so minutely? I personally don't think it's necessary at all. I should probably read more within this category before I judge, though.

Overall I ended up really enjoying Between the Lines. It was a great character-driven book full of fun scenes and emotional moments. I'll definitely be reading the next book when it's out in the UK later this month! All I can say is that I need MORE GRAHAM in my life.

14 comments:

  1. I had no idea Webber had another book out! I must admit that the blurb sounds so played out. Like a normal old soap opera. I would still give it a try though.

    To me Reid sounds like a complete jackass, but at least there is another male prospect who can balance him out. Graham sounds like a sweetheart, but of course he has to have some big secret. Great. :(

    As for the father-daughter relationship, I am impressed. So many authors think that everyone comes from a perfect home. I have seen many fathers who disconnect with their children after remarrying. It is a sad truth, and hopefully their relationship is fixed.

    I personally think this NA label is being used as a ploy to "kiddify" YA. I think soon there will be no sex, profanity or drugs in YA as NA starts to reach it tentacles in everybody's face. It is definitely about marketing as you said though.

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    1. This one has been out in the US for a while, I think. The UK is just slow XD Haha, totally agree. Sometimes a regular soap opera is what's needed, though :)

      The big secret isn't anything horrific, so don't worry. Graham is adorable <3 Reid, on the other hand, can go jump off a cliff.

      I totally agree. So many YA (I have next to no experience with NA so I can't use that as an example) have either the perfect family, or parents that are practically non-existent. I'm glad that this one was different.

      I really hope it doesn't affect YA like that, because I just hate categorising things so such an extent. You're probably right, though. It's likely to happen eventually :(

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  2. I haven't read any of this series. It sound like something I would really enjoy though. Awesome review!


    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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    1. Thank you, Jenea! :) It's a great read if you're looking for a contemporary to get stuck into!

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  3. Yay, I'm SO happy you enjoyed this book, Amber. I'm planning on reading it very soon and your review is yet another plus! :D

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    1. I'll definitely look out for your thoughts on it, then! I hope you end up liking it :D

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  4. I've read Easy by the same author and really enjoyed it and have Between the Lines to read so I'm glad you enjoyed it! Emma sounds great not too sure about Reid though I guess we'll see...

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    1. I haven't read Easy yet, but I plan to! I've heard it's great :D EEP, I hope you like Between the Lines. Just ignore Reid. I spent most of his parts coming up with creative ways he could die.

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  5. I need to read Between the Lines. It sounds nice, good to know you enjoyed it! Though I agree about the New Adult thing, it's kind of strange.

    Have you read Webber's other book, EASY? My gosh that was amazing.

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    1. I haven't read it, no, but no I'm excited to! I might pick it up next time I'm looking for a contemporary to read :D

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  6. "Do we really need to categorise everything so minutely? I personally don't think it's necessary at all. <--- Boom. Bam. You preach, gurl.

    I haven't read this one, though I did read Webber's "bigger" novel, Easy, which I thought was decent but not spectacular. I'm not generally a big fan of secrets, either, but I was curious because the film industry is one of the lesser-done concepts in fiction (YA or NA).

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    1. I've heard that Easy is AMAZING, so I'll be reading it eventually. Glad you thought it was fairly decent! The film industry aspect is what really drew me to this one as well. With the way this one ended, I do wonder how the sequel(s) will handle it :)

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  7. I think NA is like "mature YA". Most NA books aren't written like Between the Lines.. if you've read some NA books you'll notice they have more explicit scenes so that is why. Also like you said, NA has MCs that are usually 18+. I do believe there should be a category for that but I think mature YA is enough. On the other hand, I sometimes feel childish when I tell people I read "Young Adult" so if I say "New Adult" it isn't as embarrassing?

    now on to your review, YES YES YES GRAHAMMM I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!! I liked Reid initially then he turned out to be a big douche bag so yea, I'm happy with this book. As for Graham's secret: <3 <3 <3

    Great review! you should definitely pick up the second book but beware, it is told from Reid, Emma, Graham, and I think the other actress's POVs

    - Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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    1. You feel embarrassed? You shouldn't feel embarrassed or childish at all! <3 If they want to judge you for what you read, then that's their problem. Silly book snobs.

      GRAAAAHAAAAAMMMMMM. Does he stay awesome? Actually, don't tell me. I don't want to be let down XD

      Yup, I saw that the second book is told from Brooke, Reid, Graham AND Emma's perspectives. That should be interesting, since I'm not used to reading books with more than two POVs.

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