I had read Duffy's THE ROCK STAR'S DAUGHTER and had mixed feelings about it, thinking it was shallow in both plot and character development, and felt very rough around the edges. Yet, when I saw that she had written a book featuring Taylor's friend Alison, I wanted to read it. Because that was definitely a hanging loose thread in the book, and I wanted to see more of the girl who was Taylor's best friend.

And I'm really glad I got this book from Netgalley because I'm not sure I ever would have gotten around to reading it, otherwise. I found it impossible to review this book without comparing it to Taylor's story and the flaws that were in ROCK STAR were not in evidence here. Between her first book and this book, Duffy has definitely grown and improved as a writer.

(I'm going to ignore the incredibly awful cover, which really would not have made me pick up the book at all except that I recognized the author name.)

Alison, post friendship-break-up with Taylor, decides to try out for a singing competition reality show, a la The Voice/American Idol. And when she gets a spot, she is determined to win. Though she soon finds the competition is anything but friendly and the reality portrayed on the show is not always real. She struggles with maintaining her sense of self as the show's producers and judges mold her into their own vision.

One huge reason why this book felt more complete than the first was sheer page length. THE ROCK STAR'S DAUGHTER came in at a meager 318 pages. CENTER STAGE! was 487. That's 169 more pages for plot development, character development, backstory, exposition, and narrative that the first book lacked. Alison, unlike Taylor, felt like a fully formed person and I understood her motivations. I also saw a level of personal growth in her that I never did see in Taylor, and I rooted for her the entire book. Additionally, the supporting characters were also solid, with their own personalities and agendas. This book felt more real and fleshed out.

It was also good to see Chase and Taylor again, and I do hope that Duffy does eventually finish the rest of Taylor's story because she does deserve happiness.

This is a book about self-empowerment. I loved that Alison realized that in order to achieve her dream, she had to change what the dream was. And I loved that when she realized the situation and the rules to win, she bent the rules to win on her own terms -- even if that meant losing to win.

Review copy courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley ( )