I really enjoyed this book! I think this story shines a big light on how immature kids are, especially when they're being thrust into the spotlight. It also shows how deep a mother's love runs, even for a child that isn't their own.

It seemed like I knew the characters in the book on an almost personal level, and this really helped me speed through it. I needed to know what was going to happen to these people--were they going to be successful? Happy? Was Carter going to make this play a big hit or was he going to a big bust? So much was up in the air through most of the book but it kept me turning the pages quickly!!

Carter's relationship with Alison was frustrating at times, and, quite frankly, I wanted to slap both of them throughout most of the book, but I admire her dedication to a job that she fell in to.

I received an advance copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Have you ever wanted to slap someone ridiculously hard, but then also wanted to hug them so tightly they can feel how much you care? Yea, that’s how I felt about Carter Reid in Amy Poepple’s Limelight. That kid is an Asshole with a capital A. He might be a douchecanoe too (my personal favorite insult), but I guess he does have room for improvement.

Allison, mom to 3, wife to one, decides it would be a fantastic idea for the family to uproot themselves from Dallas and relocate to New York City for her husband’s job. Personally, I would never make this decision before my kid’s senior year (I’d fear for my life), but hey- to each their own.

When they get to the Big Apple, it isn’t at all what Allison dreamed of. NYC friends have left the city, her teenage daughters are angry as hell, the apartment is seriously tiny and her son might be a pervert. On top of all this, the teaching job she secured is over almost before it began and she has a little fender bender with a car. An expensive car. In front of the mom clique. Can this get any worse?

Wanting to right a wrong, Allison heads to the address she’s given and finds a maid on her way out the door and the most belligerent, ill-mannered, foul-mouthed jerkface she’s ever met. He’s young, spoiled, and she soon comes to realize- the infamous Carter Reid. THE Carter Reid. Young pop star turned troublemaker turned soon to be Broadway star. What can go wrong?

Limelight is a surprisingly heart-warming tale, and while I would not put up with Carter’s attitude quite like Allison, I was rooting for her the whole way. And for him. I know, I was surprised too.

I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

Limelight was recommended to me by Andrea Peskind Katz from Great Thoughts. She really knows what I'll enjoy reading because she totally nailed it with this book! It has become one of my 2018 favorites.

I could definitely relate to Allison, as I moved from the Midwest to the east coast about 11 years ago. The experience was overwhelming at first and it took a lot of adjusting. While my family and I didn't move to NYC, we lived pretty close for a couple of years before relocating once again (with a much easier adjustment the second time around). Once I didn't live as close to NYC, I liked it so much more. I recently went there with my kids to see a Broadway musical and reading Limelight shortly after that trip brought back all the feelings of being in the city.

Amy Poeppel first had me at the part where Allison's eight year-old son draws an anatomically correct version of himself at school. I couldn't get enough of the story from that point on, whether it was about Allison getting adjusted to city life and new routines, her kids' many moods and quirks, and, of course, working for Carter Reid. Carter's teenage "tantrums" could be made into a movie montage, as he had so many. There were a lot of funny moments and lines where I was thinking "I can't believe they said that!" There were also some poignant moments where I really felt invested in the outcome for both Carter and Allison.

I had no idea which direction this story would go in, so I was constantly surprised and entertained. I loved the Broadway aspect, as well as the celebrity name dropping. Any musical theater fan needs to read this novel! Just a fair warning that there are spoilers for the movie Limelight, of which the musical is based.

I couldn't get enough of this novel and I'm sad that it's over. I wanted to live in it for one more day and was jealous of Allison at times. Perhaps there will be a sequel? (She'll be back...time will tell.)

In case Hollywood (or Broadway) comes calling:
Allison: Susan Egan
Michael: Jon Hamm
Carter: K.J. Apa
Howard: Michael Rapaport
Charlotte: Emily Hahn
Sara: Rachel Weisz
Annabella: Bella Thorne
Megan: Oona Laurence
Owen: Martin Freeman

This book is the type of fun read that you can't down.
When the main character starts helping the rock star, I thought I would see their relationship grow. Instead, the most enjoyable part was watching her teenage daughter grow from a teenage stereotype to a fully realized character.

This was an interesting book to read. If you have teens, you can just about hear the dialogue that's written. Very realistic!
This is the first book that I have read by this author. She deftly interwove fictional characters with living persons. I love it authors do that, especially when it so suits the story as it does here.
I received an Advance Review Copy from netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This was my first Amy Poeppel book, but definitely not my last. The storyline was different from others I have read. I enjoyed the plot of a family moving to NY. The mom of three, Allison, ends up becoming the personal assistant for a young, rowdy, foul-mouthed male pop star, Carter. She is normally a teacher, and has no real clue how to be a personal assistant to an eighteen year old boy with no parents and no morals. Her job becomes to get Carter to do a Broadway show that his agent has signed him up to do. Carter wants no parts of it because he doesn't like Broadway, the show is old-fashioned, he is not the lead character, he is a frumpy character, and he knows he doesn't have the discipline to memorize all the lines. Will Allison be able to help Carter get his act together enough to do the show? Is this the end of Carter's career? Definitely a worthwhile read!

Allison and her family are finally living her dream and moving to New York City. But when they arrive it is not what she thought it was going to be like - their apartment is tiny, her kids are having a tough time at school, her job falls through, and the other Moms at school are mean. When she has an accident her life changes in ways she never imagined. She stumbles into a Personal Assistant job with teen pop star and bad boy Carter Reid who is supposed to star in Broadway play. Since she isn't teaching it seems like a good way to spend her time. It is a struggle but she comes up with a solution, having her CalTech bound daughter be his coach. A story of making changes and embrassing the bumps in the road and recreating yourself to make it work.

I can’t remember the last time I laughed this much. Limelight is a hilarious, super fun read and I highly recommend it! Allison could be described as a modern-day June Cleaver with a sexy and zany twist. She has an incredible ability to nurture those around her and give them a big kick in the butt when they need it.

Allison convinced her husband that a change would be great for her whole family, so she and Michael uproot their family leaving Dallas suburbia for the Big Apple. It’s going to be new, exciting and sexy.

Michael’s promotion and his transition to New York City is going well. While Charlotte their 17-year-old hates being pulled away from her friends and new boyfriend – can you say major drama? Megan the 14-year-old fairs better and slowly makes friends. Jack, whose 8, immediately receives notice and concern by his teachers for his “descriptive” drawings and poetry.

Reality hits like a loud thud. The kids are homesick. They no longer live in a Texas sized house and their new apartment doesn’t feel like home. The kids are acting out. Her husband is mostly AWOL and his younger and beautiful coworker who also made the move from Dallas keeps him busy.

Allison, through a wild series of events lands a job “working” for a spoiled young rock star whose Broadway debut is almost assured to be a total and utter disaster. She uses her mad “mom” skills attempting to help her employer and her family balance the swirl of messes that only a multi-tasking mother could handle.

I received an advance review copy of this book from Great Thoughts Ninjas. All opinions are my own.

I was so very excited when I was approved for an advance copy of A!y Poeppel's latest novel, Limelight. This delightful book, by the author of Small Admissions (which I also thoroughly enjoyed), centers around a young popstar, Carter, and Allison, a mother and recent New York transplant. Through a a series of events, Allison falls into Carter's orbit and finds herself employed by Carter, working as a personal assistant, of sorts. (As well as a sort of stand in "mother", something Carter appears to desperately need). Although most of the book centers around the relationship between Carter and Allison, at its heart, the story is a book that celebrates minor tragedies and triumphs of a middle class American family. As a mother of three myself, like Allison, I found our narrator to be highly relatable, for the most part.... My only real "complaint" about this book involves her as well, however. There were many times I felt that Allison should have stuck up for herself when she was scolded about/blamed for/given demands regarding Carter's outrageous behavior. For example, in one scene, the mother of a child actor who is working with Carter essentially corners Allison and demands that she "handle" Carter because he is using profanity around her son. Allison apologizes and agrees to address the situation. It sounds as though I am looking for something to complain about; I'm aware of that fact.... But there were multiple scenes of some variation of this scenario, and I wanted Allison to just REACT. Not agree to handle it, not apologize; instead, I wanted her to tell off the other adults. I wanted her to develop more of a backbone, more of an attitude problem.... I think I'd have liked that Allison; we'd be best friends in real life.
Although the plot is, at times, a little (a lot) improbable (who just ACCIDENTLY winds up in the apartment of a pop star? Repeatedly? Then, with no PA experience, becomes employed by said star?! All without some sort of approval-or in some cases, knowledge- of the pop prince's team?!), the book manages to be ridiculously charrming and entertaining. I enjoyed Poeppel's delivery and her storytelling, and I will be adding her to my must-read author list, without a doubt. This book will appeal to a wide variety of people, and although it is labeled "women's fiction", I believe it would also appeal to many men as well. I'm excited for the release of this one, without a doubt.
One last thing- there is a fair amount of profanity in this book. Since I generally use four letter words gratuitously, I in no way found this offensive; however, if you are of a more delicate nature, it may be hard for you to look past the language. In my opinion, the foul language only added to how well I was able to relate to the characters. It made them much more real to me. There's your warning; the only one you'll need. Pick this one up and prepare to be entertained. Enjoy!

If you're looking for a quirky, New York-y book infused with teen celebrity woes and parenting confusion, look now further than Poeppel's latest: Limelight. When Allison and Michael uproot their three children and move from Dallas to an apartment in NYC, she knows she'll be teaching, Michael got a promotion, and the kids will just have to adjust to a new lifestyle and new school. What Allison doesn't realize are all the ups and downs along the way -- especially when she hits a BMW's mirror while picking up her son from school. As it turned out, bumping that car mirror put her in the right place at the right time as she meets Carter Reid, a young popstar in need of assistance. What follows is quite a journey, but you'll be intrigued by Poeppel's characters, you'll root for them, get angry alongside them, and try to put all the missing pieces together. If you liked Small Admissions, you'll enjoy and appreciate the tone this one has and if this is your first Amy Poeppel novel, happy reading!

Limelight
Amy Poeppel
Available: May 1, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was a little nervous to read “Limelight” – I could not get through the first chapter of “Small Admissions” but I was obviously worried for absolutely nothing.
What I loved: The Brinkley kids were real kids (as real fictional characters can be) – Jack being obsessed with “lady parts”; Megan trying to find her footing within a clique of girls while trying to figure out who she is; and Charlotte – one foot out the door onto the next stage of her life.

What I didn’t love: While it was a little slow in the beginning – even in Part II when Alison first comes into Carter’s life I now realize that it was like the slow, steep climb of a roller coster that was slowly making its way to the top right before it crests and the true fun begins.

What I learned: You never stop being a mom but you could not pay me to teach high schoolers
Overall Grade: B+

www.FluffSmutandMurder.com

Loved this book! Set in NYC, I wanted to be part of this family. I loved all the characters but especially the Mom whom I found to be very realistic. I loved all the Hollywood names dropped and the fact that despite the drama, I was always sure there would be a happy ending. Recommending that all
My friends preorder this one.

This is a fun light-hearted book about NYC and Broadway. It was an interesting inside look at the life of a celebrity and the workings of a Broadway musical.

I found Allison's relationship with Carter to be one I could relate to as a mom. She became invested in him as a human and helped him when he had no one.

Carter's language is very crash and one that I would usually not tolerate in a book but I understand why the author used it in this instance.

I received this book as an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Having read Amy Poeppel's book Small Admissions, I could hardly wait to read her newest one! It was a fabulous story about Manhattan, Broadway, and Allison Brinkley who happens to fall into being a personal assistant for Carter Reid a young self-absorbed, hungover, and oppositional pop star who is supposed to be acting in this musical Limelight. Allison has her work cut out for her, and having been a teacher takes this responsibility very seriously of mentoring Carter who doesn't want to do this show and is obstinate. The character development is very good, and the pages lead up to a surprising yet somewhat predictable ending. Amy is a smart, witty clever author whose writing made me laugh out loud, and feel the excitement of NYC and the ins and outs of a Broadway musical. I actually felt like I was in the audience, filled with the vibes of the lights, the music and the anticipation of a the actual show was palpable! I was happy to receive an ARC of this book. My opinions are my own. I loved this book and hope Amy writes another book soon!

As a lover of NYC, I enjoyed following the life of the family as they got to know the city.. That is up until Allison meets that Carter person. The book kind of went downhill from there and I couldn't finish it. I enjoyed Small Admissions and hoped Limelight would be as good.

I loved Amy Poeppel's first novel, SMALL ADMISSIONS, but I <i>really</i> loved this gem of a book about a Texas mother newly moved to Manhattan, who ends up unwittingly becoming a secondary mother of a sort to a crazy famous, self-absorbed pop star. It's a charming, fun and hilariously funny story that had me staying up late to find out how Allison manages the ridiculous antics of Carter Reid, who stars opposite Kevin Kline in a Broadway play. LIMELIGHT is a happy diversion from the cares of the rest of the world and a must read for the top of your book pile. I can't wait for Poeppel's next book!

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All Opinions are my own.
This book was pure FUN to read-a mixture of TMZ, Justin Bieber-like behavior of a young male celebrity, Sex in the City, broadway theater, and a fantastic leading lady to experience it all through a brilliantly sarcastic lens. I was laughing out loud at some of the experiences that Allison endures on her quest to fit into her new life in New York, handle an off-the-rails celebrity, and hold her family together. I loved the inside look at broadway rehearsals and the entire process of bringing a play up from start to finish-the constant line memorizing, run-throughs, and press events makes me appreciate the shows even more. Carter Reid reminded me so much of Justin Bieber (or what I think he would be like in real life), and he made me want to scream with some of his antics. Allison's sarcasm and one-liners made the book for me, and she reminded me that sometimes laughing is the only way to endure rough situations.
Amy Poeppel has written a fantastic follow-up to Small Admissions with this book, and I look forward to reading everything she writes in the future. I am definitely a fan!

Limelight is the first of Amy Poeppel's books I have read, and I'm headed to the book store to pick up her debut (Small Admissions) later today.
Limelight is the story of Allison, a Dallasite, who moves to the Big City with her family. In a series of crazy events, she meets teen pop sensation - gone wild - Carter Reid and becomes his PA. The story takes us on the adventures of Carter, who is contractually obligated to start in Limelight, a Broadway revival - much to his dismay. Amy weaves in other characters seamlessly throughout the book and we get to know all of Allison's family through out.
Where Amy Poeppel succeeds is her in-depth descriptions of the entire Broadway process, I loved reading about the backstage process of practicing all the way through opening night. The way the story ends leaves you happy and feeling like Allison is successful.
Amy writes with humor, and keeps the reader engaged so much so that you will have a difficult time putting this book down.
I would highly suggest this to all of my reader friends! A very entertaining read!
I received an advanced copy of Limelight from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Limelight is a joy to read from start to finish. Poeppel’s writing is smart and fresh, and as a supreme fan of all things Broadway related, I love the subject matter. As the story opens, Allison Brinkley is grappling with moving from Dallas to New York City with a husband and three children and struggling to find her place in her family and the world at large. She stumbles into a new job serving as the personal assistant for a spoiled young pop star (Carter Reid) who is cast in a Broadway musical. My favorite parts of the book relate to the production of the musical Limelight (Limelight is both the title of the book and the title of the musical Carter stars in). Poeppel follows the show from the first rehearsal read of the script through the various events that are required to open a Broadway show. Her inclusion of the various characters that contribute to the show such as the director, the producers, and the fellow actors starring with Carter, Kevin Kline and Melissa McCarthy, adds authenticity and depth to the story. I also love the song lyrics Poeppel uses at the beginning of each section; each choice is relevant to that portion of the book, and several provide a glimpse into the world in which Carter exists and induce empathy in the reader for Carter and his situation. I highly recommend Limelight; it comes out May 1st and will make a fabulous summer read.

What an awesome and fun book this was. Looking for a book that's happy and will make you feel good? This is the book that will do that. Amy Poeppel is a new to me author and I love discovering new authors. She's fabulous. The plot is great. You become easily invested in the characters. Yes even Carter who I don't know if I wanted to wrap him up in a huge hug and mother him or scrub his mouth out with soap. Pre order this book so it'll be waiting for you and be prepared to be entertained with it's wacky characters and laugh out loud moments. Happy reading!