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danielleafsordeh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
shmadsie's review
3.0
This definitely could've been more. I was expecting an unraveling of early 2000s culture, in which exploited girls are singing girl power anthems, an unraveling of things that seemed fine and/or bonkers at the time but decades later revealed themselves for what they actually are (reporters asking sixteen-year-old girls if they were virgins, Britney Spears shaving off all her hair because she was tired of it not being hers). The closest it came to me was The Rolling Stones article where opinion is treated as fact, quotes are layered in to paint Amber in the only light people want to see her in, but done to meet your expectations so perfectly that you don't even realize you've been manipulated into it and that that's not reality, just a gross old man being gross. The quiz giving all the current female singers 2-D characteristics making them into archetypes as though that's actually their personality was pretty good too.
But, honestly, this was too rose-colored glasses for me. Amber and Gwen would not have started or remained friends, I don't believe it - I liked it but the messaging in that era was definitely other girls are your competition: for men, for jobs, for attention. I imagine fame would've pushed that up to 11. There's a reason 'not like other girls' became a thing and that it took years for people to realize why that was even problematic.
That Amber was 'the whore' and no one tried to make her prove it - when you're around that many skeezy dudes with power over you? Didn't ring true. I don't know if this was just trying to focus on the characters it made, who weren't realistic for the time period, or if it was trying to lampoon said era but - either way - it didn't accomplish it.
But, honestly, this was too rose-colored glasses for me. Amber and Gwen would not have started or remained friends, I don't believe it - I liked it but the messaging in that era was definitely other girls are your competition: for men, for jobs, for attention. I imagine fame would've pushed that up to 11. There's a reason 'not like other girls' became a thing and that it took years for people to realize why that was even problematic.
That Amber was 'the whore' and no one tried to make her prove it - when you're around that many skeezy dudes with power over you? Didn't ring true. I don't know if this was just trying to focus on the characters it made, who weren't realistic for the time period, or if it was trying to lampoon said era but - either way - it didn't accomplish it.
melissa10's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
danihayesrn's review
4.25
Sad reflection on how pop stars are treated, and women especially in the early 2000s. Super nostalgic vibes
eviesellers's review against another edition
3.0
this is another one that i would probably give 3.5 stars. i enjoyed this book, although i felt like it was a story that could have benefited from multiple perspectives. while the reader had an idea of what amber was experiencing, it would have been really interesting to be able to explore the industry through the differing perspectives of wes, gwen, ty, etc. this was an interesting insight into fame, music, and tabloid culture of the early 2000s, and i had a good time reading it. i wish that it would have provided more information in the epilogue rather than just hinting at certain developments
minyardvines's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books where I start reading and I just can’t stop, I didn’t want to stop. I loved Amber, I loved how imperfect she was. I loved how messy she was and how no matter how messy she was IRL, the media always made her out to be messier. It was such a good reminder that the media, the tabloids, are just looking for interactions and have little truth. I loved how she took ownership of herself, it’s not her job to censor herself for people’s kids and I like that she said that! Just a very good book, I’d definitely recommend it.
bookwormbecks's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mrosenberger97's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jenfantoni's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up as it’s a debut novel. The cover is fun and the plot gave me Daisy Jones vibes.
trivial_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Honey by Isabel Banta offers a coming-of-age journey set against the vibrant backdrop of the 90s and early 2000s, following Amber as she pursues her dream of stardom through her singing talent. Despite coming from a broken home with an alcoholic mother, Amber’s mom supports her aspirations, accompanying her to auditions that pave the way to fame. Her ascent is swift; she starts off in a girl group before launching her solo career. The story carries shades of a pop culture fairy tale reminiscent of icons like Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Christina Aguilera, and *NSYNC.
The characters perfectly capture the blend of youthful naivety and ambition, stumbling through the unfamiliar world of fame. They’re constantly told how to act, what to wear, and the supposed "right" way to succeed in the music industry, which makes their journey feel both relatable and frustrating.
Honestly, I found myself wanting more focus on the music itself. The most intriguing relationship—between Amber and the writer/producer Axel—was reduced to a romance, which was a bit of a letdown. Their professional dynamic had so much more potential, and it left me rolling my eyes when the story suggested that Amber and Axel had to fall in love to work together effectively. Why can’t a man and a woman just have a killer professional relationship without romance getting in the way?
I also would’ve loved more of that late 90s and early 2000s fashion and pop culture nostalgia. There’s a surprising lack of it, and it feels like a missed opportunity to really root the story in that era. Despite that, I have to give credit where it’s due—there are some thought-provoking insights into the industry that you don’t often see, and Banta’s writing is engaging. It’s got that Daisy Jones vibe but with a pop twist, making it a fun, easy read that still manages to dig a bit deeper.
The characters perfectly capture the blend of youthful naivety and ambition, stumbling through the unfamiliar world of fame. They’re constantly told how to act, what to wear, and the supposed "right" way to succeed in the music industry, which makes their journey feel both relatable and frustrating.
Honestly, I found myself wanting more focus on the music itself. The most intriguing relationship—between Amber and the writer/producer Axel—was reduced to a romance, which was a bit of a letdown. Their professional dynamic had so much more potential, and it left me rolling my eyes when the story suggested that Amber and Axel had to fall in love to work together effectively. Why can’t a man and a woman just have a killer professional relationship without romance getting in the way?
I also would’ve loved more of that late 90s and early 2000s fashion and pop culture nostalgia. There’s a surprising lack of it, and it feels like a missed opportunity to really root the story in that era. Despite that, I have to give credit where it’s due—there are some thought-provoking insights into the industry that you don’t often see, and Banta’s writing is engaging. It’s got that Daisy Jones vibe but with a pop twist, making it a fun, easy read that still manages to dig a bit deeper.