I chose to apply for this book through LibraryThing's member giveaways as it was a mystery, and it sounded like it might be interesting. Little did I know the mystery would be solved and the book would develop into something much more individual and intriguing, but that's just what it did.

I would call this a good strong set-in-the-centre YA novel for teenagers. It's well-matched and -placed in the era about which it was written, and the characters are lively and endearing, even some of the ones who are perhaps not meant to be. I really enjoyed reading this, and I'll keep an eye out for anything else by this author.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the author through LibraryThing in exchange for a free and honest review. ( )

It was an OK read, definitely more for Teenage/Young Adult.

It's about a [approx.] 16 year old girl who's goal is to become a journalist. A year before, she befriends another 16 year old girl who's divorced parents happen to have been Hollywood royalty. They both meet a young man at MGM Studios, beginning a love triangle that cause breakups and makeups, brings together the best director who left Hollywood and his ex.

Young Adult chic-lit lol. ( )

Good story. YA fiction for certain. The story was very warm and touching with Joey and her brother. I admit to crying through a few pages.

The story of the friendship is memorable. A good friend will stay with you no matter what.

The story in regard to Joey's family was touching. It showed how a family can come together and how children can grow.

I appreciate Joey's confessions. Those made me smile. ( )

The Hollywood Scoop is a quick, easy read. Like the reviewer bfore me, I thought it was a good distraction away from the vampire and fantasy YA books that are so popular today.

The author did start out using "1940s" words, but as the book went on, those weren't seen like they were at the beginning. Thank goodness. I thought they were distracting.

I did enjoy the quotes at the beginning of the chapters. I spent more than 10 years in the news business and thought the quotes really hit it. Since I had an ebook, some of the quotes were links to the internet. I thought that was clever.

I had some problems with the actions of the book's main character, Joey. She's on the verge of womanhood, wanting a career and a byline, but yet she still acts defiant toward her parents and the housekeeper. She lies and just flat out runs off to do what she wants, when she wants. And her going to confession day after day is a little off-putting.

The story itself is very entertaining and I would recommend it. The relationships Joey has with her parents, her brother who is off in the war, her best friend, and her potential boyfriend are heart-warming and sometimes heart-wrenching. ( )

The Hollywood Scoop is a pleasant diversion from today’s popular young adult novels consumed with vampires or high school politics. It’s a charming, simple story about a teenage girl in post-Pearl Harbor Hollywood with dreamy ambitions and an uncomplicated world view. At times the story is funny, poignant, and romantic.

It is, however, clearly the work of a young author and a new publisher. The themes wander over time, varying from wannabe Nancy Drew to heart-felt contemplation of the world at war to star-struck teenager. It is indecisive. The prose is forced, attempting to use slang not practiced in over sixty years, with a few two-dollar words thrown in once and a while. The characters are thin and the plot suffers from scope creep. There are inconsistent style and punctuation choices. Each chapter opens with quotes from legendary reporters -- rendering the novel self-important and showy. In all, the work is a solid second draft in need of a good editorial guide.

The Hollywood Scoop is a nice idea. It’s a worthy pursuit and could be a good read. It was published too soon. Here’s hoping that the author’s next work receives a more patient, detail-oriented revision process. ( )