Review Detail

Reader reviewed by TheBookworm

Why did you do that? You did not need to.
Likely Story by David Van Etten
2 out of 5 stars

Likely Story Book One in the Likely Story Series by David Van Etten was unfortunately a disappointment.

Mallory is the daughter of an openly affectionate mother. She is here boyfriends only girlfriend. She is surrounded by tons of close friends. And she has absolutely nothing to do with the unrealistic Soap Opera, Good as Gold. Well, only in her dreams. Actually she has selfish, to the core Soap Opera actress for a mother. Her boyfriend is in another relationship than just theirs. Mallory is close to being anti-social. And she practically grew up on the Good as Gold set.

To blow steam, Mallory keeps a blog. After one practically nasty fight with her mom, she vents on her blog about how unrealistic Soap Operas are. Little did she know that her mothers agent would read it. Before she knows it she is typing out a bible for a possible soap opera she accidentally created. They like it. They it so much they decide that her show, Likely Story, would be an interesting new addition to their network. But will Mallory be able to handle a stressful job and her even more stressful home life?

I really like the idea of the book, a teen girl turns her experiences and thoughts into a show with real people viewing it. The skeleton or basic plot of the story was good. The fights with her mother, boy problems, and trust issues with friends are all realistic and added a lot of drama and plot buildup.

But I was greatly disappointed with the over all picture. Each chapter had improper matters in it. Sex and homosexuality were brought up way to often. It shouldnt have been added at all. It didnt add anything and I dont believe 14 years olds like me should be reading a book like that. There is no way that I would suggest this book to my siblings or friends.

Just because sex and homosexuality is brought up a lot in these modern times, doesnt mean its right. Would the book have been bad or worse without these improper matters? Definitely not. Would a Likely Story have been better without the improper matters? Absolutely.

Likely Storys skeleton or basic plot was good, but was taken over by unneeded additions that overpowered the good.