Johnny be Good
By Paige Toon
Simon & Schuster UK
Publication date: April 21, 2008
ISBN: 978-1847390448
Earlier this year I read and reviewed Paige Toon's 3rd and newest novel, Chasing Daisy. Simply, I loved it. I finally had a chance to read her second book (apparently I'm going backwards) this past weekend and swept through quickly it yet again. Toon writes great chick lit.
Johnny Be Good follows Meg Stiles, personal assistant to Johnny Jefferson - the biggest rock star in the world. Although convinced that she won't fall for him like every other girl, she quickly melts for his green eyes, blonde hair and irresistible talents. Trying to not let her crush get in the way of her job is hard, especially considering he's always around and sometimes flirty. Johnny's best friend Christian helps keep Meg grounded as they venture from celebrity party to stadium concert, but it doesn't always help. In this world of non-stop parties and LA heat, Meg learns a few lessons on how to deal with a rock star...and her own heart.
Johnny Be Good is great fun. A quick read, the book takes a nice backstage look at life of a personal assistant - how the job isn't always glamorous, but there are perks. From LA to Amsterdam, Meg gets to travel with Johnny around the world and hide her crush the entire time.
The book was incredibly easy to get into and very fun to read. Each character was drawn exceptionally well - from mysterious Johnny with his mood swings, but incredibly gentle moments, to the best friend Christian's caring and thoughtful ways. Even Meg is superb as the "every day" sort of girl. Toon created her PA job very realistic, letting readers envy her at one moment, and then realize the perils involved in another.
I found myself very much like Meg in many ways. I agreed with all of her decisions up until the end. (As a side note, the ending is a bit shocking and very open - so much so that Toon's fans have effectively convinced her to write a sequel.) One thing Toon does that I love is include her characters in other books. It was nice going back over my copy of Chasing Daisy to see the hint of what Meg really does do in the end.
I like that you never hate Johnny for being a jerk. Okay, at some points you do, but much like crushes of my own, when looking back I never think of those bad scenes, I only reflect upon the good ones. He's an interesting character - and very realistically drawn. I actually started missing him in the handful of chapters he's not in.
I loved the descriptions in the book. My favorite chapters include her trip to Big Sur with the two guys - the overall scenery made me want to fly there tomorrow. And the action within those chapters had me smiling ear to ear - wishing I, too, was there.
All in all, Johnny Be Good is an excellent book that's addictive and fun. I find myself already missing the characters, excited for the sequel yet to come. Paige Toon is definitely an up and coming name in chick lit and I hope she breaks into the US market soon (as her books are mostly sold abroad). I'm definitely getting her first book and am thrilled about her upcoming one.
Simon and Schuster author page (with videos and blog posts)
4 comments:
I need to read more chick lit....I really do believe it's good for the heart. Maybe I'll check this one out.
I watched a movie a few weeks ago called Johnny Be Good (an 80s flick starring Anthony Michael Hall), but it's definitely not based on this book! The movie is about a high school football star who has to "be good" while he's looking at the colleges who want to recruit him.
This sounds like a fun one I would enjoy reading in Hawaii!
Fun book! I'll give it a read. Sounds Girly and fresh :)
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