Love At First Fight (Geeks Gone Wild #1) – Maggie Dallen

by melissay1, posted in Book Review

Love At First Fight tells the story of Margo. Margo doesn’t care about being popular, she is more than happy being a geek and hanging out with her two best friends. Then one day whilst hanging out (in her skimpy bikini so she can tan better) at her friends house, she suddenly finds herself surrounded by her school peers throwing a party as her friends twin brother has planned a party. Suddenly she finds photos of her being scantily dressed broadcast around school with the caption, Geeks Gone Wild. The last person she expects her help situation is her neighbour and schools Mr Popular, Jason.

This book is completely and utterly my kind of book! I sat down and within a matter of hours I’d finished the book. I just absolutely loved it from the first chapter and it’s been my favourite book I’ve read in a long time. I loved the storyline, I loved the characters, it was just all round fantastic!

The story itself I liked. I found although the plot was exaggerated it was still very much believable and I think that’s why it works so well. The photo of Margo going viral around the school is exactly the kind of thing I can imagine happening in a school nowadays and it’s a great idea for a book storyline.

Both the main characters, Margo and Jason were throughly likeable. They are polar opposites but that works so well in the story, particularly watching how Margo suddenly finds herself intertwined in the world of popularity when she starts hanging out with Jason’s and his friends.

This book was just fantastic. It was a super cute, very quick read but I loved it! Sometimes you need to read a book like this and if that’s what you’re looking for this is the book for you!

Synopsis –

Band Geek vs Quarterback…

One humiliating photo, a stupid prank, and a hashtag that goes viral. That’s how my senior year goes from predictable to absurd in a heartbeat. This year is supposed to be easy. I’ve finally scored first chair in band, my college applications are done, and all my friends and I have to do is survive one more year of high school before our real lives can begin. Instead, I find myself in trouble with the principal, humiliated in front of the entire school, and fighting with my neighbor – AKA star quarterback, Prince Charming, and nicest guy on the planet. 

And that’s just on the first day back at school. Trust me, it only gets worse from there. As #GeeksGoneWild trends on social media, my friends and I are the targets of an online witch hunt. But they’ve picked on the wrong people and retaliation is severe. As the tension escalates, it soon becomes clear that someone needs to step up and put an end to this nonsense. If that means playing nice with the quarterback, I guess that’s what I have to do. Now if someone could please tell my heart that this new friendship is just for show. And the kisses…oh, the kisses. Someone please remind me that they don’t mean a thing.

Theatre Stage Doors

by melissay1, posted in Theatre

I’ve been wanting to write my thoughts of going to stage door at a theatre for a while. Now I’ve started blogging on a Wednesday, I’ve finally got the perfect excuse I need to write this post.

I think stage door after a theatre performance is a lot like marmite, you either love it or hate it / don’t care about going. I for one, love it. I really enjoy seeing a show, loving the performance then heading to stage door to get my program signed by people whose performance I’ve just watched and enjoyed. My wall is full of framed signed programmes / posters from my favourite shows that I got signed at stage door after the show, for me it’s just the ultimate souvenir you can get from a show, and it’s nice to say hi to the cast and say how much you enjoyed the show. However, stage door has been increasingly making the news / social media sites over the past year and as someone who loves stage dooring that is why I wanted to talk about it.

Hands up – I have probably committed every single stage door sin in the past. Yes, I’ve waited at the stage door at a day that I haven’t seen the show (in my defence I had seen the show the day before and it was to try meet Daniel Radcliffe. People queued to get the prime spot to meet him hours before the play that day had even started!) and I’ve got photos with cast members when it was broadcast online that photos weren’t not allowed – but again I wasn’t aware of this until a few weeks after I saw this particular production, and I did ask the cast if it was ok, I didn’t just shove a camera in their face. I really feel that from both an actor and fans point of view that it would be easier if every single stage door followed the same rules and procedures so actors and fans alike know where they stood. For example, if the show that said no photos had signs up saying that or security shouting no photos (like on Broadway) then both actors and fans would know where they stood, whereas in that situation the actors must’ve known about no photos but fans didn’t.

Genuinely with the West End, unless someone relatively well known is in the show, I’ve found stage doors are a very casual affair. No barriers, no security, just a handful of people waiting to get autographs / photos after the show. But then when you go and see a show with a bigger name star in it, the stage door just turns into chaos. If perhaps every show did the same stage door people would know what to do. For example, at Daniel Radcliffe’s most recent play, if you saw the play and had a valid ticket for that days performance you were able to queue up outside after the show and were led inside in small groups to meet Daniel Radcliffe. Really, Daniel Radcliffe did not have to commit to do this at all (I was near the back of the queue and it took a good two hours to get to me meeting him and to this day I’m still shocked they didn’t just do the first handful of people in the queue) but if a performer is happy with it, it was such a great way to do a stage door and the theatre staff organised the queue very effectively. It eliminated people who hadn’t actually seen the show camping out at the stage door barrier and it was just the most calm, relaxed experience. In my opinion it was the best stage door experience I’ve had and I think all big name stars should considering doing stage door like this if they’re ok with committing all that time after the show.

Then at the recent production of Heathers, security had fans line up down the street at the front of the theatre instead of by stage door and the cast made there way up and down the line. I thought that worked well too as if cast members weren’t feeling up for stage door that day they would walk out the theatres stage door and go home, whereas if they felt up for stage door they made the decision to commit to it and walk front of house to sign programmes. It was giving the actors the choice and it kept fans happy and they knew that the actors who came to the front of the building would make the way up the entirety of the line.

Everything so far has been in relation to the West End now let’s move onto the horror that is Broadway stage doors. To be perfectly honest I don’t know too many Broadway actors (and the locations of stage doors in New York seem to be so confusing to find!) so I have only stage doored Broadway just the once so I have very limited experience but from that experience alone I would have to really want to meet the cast to attempt it again. Obviously as I’ve only done it once I’m not sure if it was just a particularly bad experience or if that is Broadway shows in general but I have seen photos of other stage doors and they all look just as hectic!

The stage door experience I had was at School Of Rock, I love Sierra Boggess and really wanted to try and get my copy of her album signed, plus I wanted to try and see Alex Brightman who became an instant favourite performer after I watched the show – no joke it’s been 3 years and I still tell people how much of an incredible performer he is! I ran out of the theatre after the show, my exit was the one bang next to stage door, I must’ve been at stage door all of 20 seconds after the show ended and yet I was still about 4 rows of people back – is it standard for people to wait at Broadway stage doors before the show has even finished or are people just insanely quick? The door was completely surrounded by barriers and if you weren’t at the front you had very little chance of getting anything signed particularly as I’ve never been in such a pushy situation when the actors started to filter out. People were literally whacking playbills, posters, vinyls around my head in the hope to get an actor to sign them – I wasn’t even anywhere near the front! Security were shouting as the pushing began and people were just uncontrollably screaming the actors names, it was just crazy and quite a different stage door experience to what I’m used to! As it happened, the cast had guests in that night and both Sierra Boggess and Alex Brightman came out quite late after the show had finished and only a half a dozen or so people remained meaning the barriers had gone down and the security had left for the night. Despite the hectic pushy environment earlier, when these two cast members came out it was extremely chilled. Alex Brightman in particular was truly one of the nicest people I’ve met at a stage door, he spent so much time individually talking and taking photos with every single person who was waiting.

I’ve booked to see Be More Chill on Broadway (even just writing that makes me want to scream with excitement that I’m actually seeing the show!) later in the year. I have been a fan of Will Roland, who stars in the show, for years now, I’ve watched an embarrassing amount of interviews he’s done and listened way too much to the cast albums he appears on – plus I’m sure most people have seen him singing the song about cookies and maybe yet not made the connection about who it is. Although my seats are pretty terrible, I never thought I’d get the opportunity to see him on stage so it’s safe to say that I just absolutely cannot wait to finally get to the chance to see him perform in a show. However, I’ve heard very mixed reviews about him at stage door as he apparently goes down the line very quickly signing after the show whereas I’ve heard other members of the cast spend a long time signing everything and taking photos. Honestly for me, I don’t know why people complain at that. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’d love to get a photo or get a few moments to say what an incredible performer I think he is but frankly he’s the lead in Be More Chill and I can imagine that’s completely and utterly exhausting. The fact he even comes out of stage door at all is great and people should be ok with that rather than complaining how he rushes through it. I know after I had a tiring day at work and you just want to get home that I’d be leaving by a back exit to avoid having to do that! I know it’s an argument that’s goes around a lot at the moment but it is so true, you’re only paying to see a show and anything else is a bonus. It’s just sad when you hear multiple bad reports about performers not doing stage door when in reality if you put yourself in that situation you probably wouldn’t do it either.

As a fan of meeting theatre performers I love stage door. It gives me the opportunity to say how much I enjoyed watching them on stage and also getting something signed is such a great souvenir. Some of my favourite things are my (now framed and on the wall) signed posters from shows. Ultimately I think as long as the actors are willing and happy to participate in stage door and fans are respectful of the actors choices to do or not do it and of other fans around them then it shouldn’t be a problem. I think the problem starts when people start complaining about performers being too quick at stage door or even choosing not to do it at all, at the end of the day if people are respectful and considerate then I personally see no problem with stage door signings continuing. I know that I’ll still be trying to get my programme signed at the next show I attend.

I know this has been the biggest load of waffle but I’d love to know other people’s opinions, do you like / dislike stage door? Have you ever had a really good experience meeting someone there? I definitely look at tagged photos of shows on Instagram way too often to read people’s experiences at shows so I’d love to hear any stories!

Pink Bits (Awkward Book 1) -J.B. Heller

by melissay1, posted in Book Review

Pink Bits tells the story of neighbours Reagan and Rhett. Although they’re neighbours the pair have never actually properly met…that is until Rhett is rudely woken up by Reagan doing some home improvements at some insanely early time in the morning. He decides to tackle the noise and storms around to her flat naked and storms up to sleep on her sofa. Reagan doesn’t do well in situations and her go to solution is to blurt out obscure facts. The situation accidentally forces them to spend time together and as Rhett doesn’t run a mile at Reagans facts, attraction between them soon is at a sky high.

This book is completely and utterly outrageous. From Reagan spouting out facts to Rhett somehow thinking its acceptable to barge round to a neighbours house he’s barely said a word to – its crazy from even the first chapter! I found myself laughing out loud within a few pages and the book continues with the same amount of craziness as it begins. The book has no real drama, but really it doesn’t need it. The book provides just the right amount to keep the story moving. Truthfully though this book didn’t even need the drama as the humour of the story is the real driving force of this story.

Reagan and Rhett are fantastic characters and so easy to read about. I loved the way in which the author writes about the characters and the funny interactions between them both managed to keep my attention. I started reading the book and then somehow not long later I’d found the book was over already!

I thoroughly enjoyed every second I spent reading Pink Bits. My only gripe is that it was over so fast! I love that this book is part of a series and although I wish the books were a continuation of Reagan and Rhett’s story, I am excited to read about other characters stories. I definitely will be downloading other books by this author as I adore the funny style of telling a story. If you’re looking for a funny, romantic novel you will love this book – it genuinely has been one of my favourite books of the year so far.

Synopsis –

Did you know the medical term for a butt crack is intergluteal cleft?

My name is Reagan, and spouting random facts like this one at inopportune moments is my affliction. I’m chronically awkward, socially inept and completely lack a filter. Believe it or not, men do not find these attractive traits.

When my sexy-as-sin neighbour barges into my apartment at the arse crack of dawn, everything changes. For some strange reason, my brand of crazy doesn’t send him running for the hills. Instead, he settles in for a nap on my couch…

Oh, and did I mention he was completely naked?

Easter Panto On Tour – Beauty And The Beast

by melissay1, posted in Theatre

I appreciate that Easter was quite a few weeks ago now but last Wednesday I just really didn’t feel like blogging and I enjoyed this show so much that it seems a real shame to not write about this production. Plus the same company does a Christmas panto too and they’re already booking for next years Easter panto so I really have no excuse to not write this post.

To be truthfully honest, when I booked this show I was expecting very little from it, especially when I hadn’t ever heard of Beauty And The Beast being a panto before and it just seemed insane doing a pantomime at Easter! I admit that its been a ridiculously long time since I saw a local production of something and even the last time I saw a pantomime it was at the London Palladium, I’m ashamed to admit that I’d become a little bit of a “oh I saw that in the West End” kind of theatre person that I’d be neglecting gems of shows like this one that come to the theatre 5 minutes away from my house.

I have never laughed as much at a show or pantomime – ever! This show was a laugh a minute from the start to the end, and you know what? Despite my reservations about Beauty And The Beast as a panto, it somehow really worked and I would absolutely go and see it as a panto again. I’d forgotten just how good smaller pantomimes are. The larger productions I’ve been to see in recent years are just to slick and polished whereas this performance had the anything can happen (and does happen) charm about it that makes panto so good. Actors slipping out of character and laughing themselves, or something being thrown on stage that shouldn’t be or even props malfunctioning, every little thing like that is exactly what makes pantomimes good. I sat pretty much crying with laughter at some parts and well, isn’t that exactly what you expect from a pantomime?

The cast even had a celebrity cast featuring the likes of Kerry Katona from Atomic Kitten fame and even Basil Brush! I think most people in that audience would be aware of someone in the cast. Each person in the cast was fantastic and I would jump at the chance to see the entire cast / show again if I could.

The fact that the pantomime was at Easter wasn’t an issue either, I genuinely don’t know why this isn’t a permanent tradition as it didn’t feel odd in the slightest to be seeing it once the show had started. When I told people what I was going to see, everyone had the same confused ‘but its not Christmas’ reaction but don’t let this put you off. Maybe it helped that Beauty And The Beast was one I’d never known to be a pantomime so it just seemed perfectly normal to be seeing it.

I absolutely loved this show and I know I’ll be keeping an eye out for it coming to my local area again, it really is a fun filled show that everyone in the entire family will love. It was relatively cheap too which was a nice bonus!

If you click here it will send you to the shows Facebook page where you will be able to get more details about the future productions they’re doing. If they’re coming to your local area I can only recommend getting tickets – you will not regret it!

Incriminating Dating – Rebekah L. Purdy

by melissay1, posted in Book Review

Since subscribing to Kindle Unlimited it’s been along time since I’ve bought a book that isn’t a part of that scheme. However, when I read the blurb of Incriminating Dating it was an instant purchase for me.

Incriminating Dating tells the story of Ayla and Luke. Ayla is a pretty perfect student but her school doesn’t care about her extra curricular activities of the school paper and drama. Every year 100% of the funding goes towards sports meaning that the school papers days could be numbered and that the yearly drama production is repeatedly the same as they can’t afford new scripts. Ayla is fed up and thanks to a little persuasion from her friend she decides to run for class president even if 90% of the school doesn’t even know she exists. One night see catches the schools most popular guy, Luke defacing a statue and films it. Ayla has the perfect blackmail material now, either pretend to be her boyfriend to get her noticed around school or she releases the video. Reluctantly Luke agrees to her fake boyfriend proposal and somewhere along the line they both discover that perhaps a fake relationship isn’t as crazy as they both thought.

This book is one of those books that you start reading then a couple of hours lately you find that somehow you’ve finished the book already. It is an effortless read that you want to keep on reading until you finish. Not many books grab my attention enough to read it in one sitting but this book certainly ticked that box! I loved the story, the characters and the way the author writes so for me it’s a winner all round.

Luke and Ayla were both extremely likeable characters. Ayla is a nobody at school but she strives for change and to make a difference. Luke however couldn’t be more opposite, he’s the schools star basketball player and as his family is well known and wealthy, he walks around like he owns the school. My personal favourite of the two was Luke. He came as a real surprise to me. His embarrassment of not telling his peers the real truth about his family but all whilst working hard to maintain some kind of normality for his brother. Watching the pair discover that even though on paper they’re polar opposites, in reality they’re very similar was such a pleasure. I enjoyed every single interaction between them and you are constantly routing for them both the entire way through.

If you’re looking for a good young adult, romance story this is the book for you! It was a quick read but the story was great. It offered enough depth about the characters for you to be invested and care about what happened to the characters. You won’t regret purchasing this book!

Synopsis –

Opinionated, unconventional Ayla Hawkins isn’t the type to use blackmail, but sometimes a girl has to stand up for what’s right. So when she catches Mr. Perfect Luke Pressler doing something decidedly un-perfect, Ayla’s got the dirt she needs to get Luke on her side—in the form of her new fake boyfriend. 

One mistake. All Luke wanted was a night to goof off, to blow off steam. The next thing he knew, he was pretending to date Ayla Hawkins. But his little blackmailer turns out to be kind. Honorable. And just the breath of fresh air he didn’t even realize he was suffocating for. But Luke and Ayla come from different worlds, and once the terms of their agreement end, their fauxmance will, too.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book features adult language, sexual situations, and plenty of girl power. Reading may result in swooning, laughing, and looking for a Luke of your own.

My Best Friend’s Ex – Meghan Quinn

by melissay1, posted in Book Review

My Best Friend’s Ex tells the story of Emma and Tucker. As the title suggests Tucker is Emma’s best friend’s ex. Tucker and Emma’s friend Sadie, were not just casually dating they were very serious to the extent that Sadie was pregnant! After a jam packed day at college where Emma is training to become a nurse, she comes home to an eviction notice on her door thanks to her landlord not paying the mortgage which forces her to move out. Tucker steps up and offers that she moves in with him, after all he does have a spare room. Tucker is just a friend and very much off limits to Emma but moving in with him stirs romantic feelings towards him which could be problematic!

I think I enjoyed this book…yes think! I read it so quickly as it was a fun, romantic read and you just desperately wanted to find out what happened so from that point of view I loved it. However, I just expected more from the story which I suppose is a strange thing to say as I did really enjoy reading it. With the complicated relationship between Emma and Tucker, I expected more fireworks and that just didn’t happen. However, I did absolutely love the way the author writes and I found the friendship between Emma and Tucker delightful to read about.

Emma and Tucker were both wonderful characters and as the book is told from dual perspectives you get a real insight into both characters particularly Tucker as you really see why he is so guarded and how the past has well and truly screwed up his mind. Both characters are delightfully funny too which definitely helped with my enjoyment of reading about them!

Overall I loved this story and I would definitely read another book from the author again. I didn’t actually realise this book was part of a series of books from the same world just from a different characters perspective so I am very keen to read some of the other books in the series particularly now I’ve been introduced to the characters. It really was a cute, romantic read between two characters you were routing for the entire way through – what more could you want? However, as explained earlier, this story had the potential for real fireworks to go off and for me it just didn’t really happen but from the romantic build up point of view this story is fantastic.

Synopsis – 

When I found an eviction notice taped on my apartment door, I had two options: find a comfortable cardboard box to call home, or move in with Tucker Jameson.

Seeing that cardboard makes me feel itchy, I chose the latter. Which shouldn’t be that big of a deal Tucker is one of my good friends. And because he’s still pining after his ex-girlfriend and I’m trying to finish my nursing degree, there is nothing to worry about in the romance department, making my last semester an easy one to conquer.

Boy, was I wrong.

Rules are set, dinners are made, conversations are had, and a shirtless, swoony roommate walks around in nothing but a pair of black briefs, ruining me for every other man.

Before I know it, I turn into a panting, lust-filled woman begging for Tucker to kiss me, touch me, and show me exactly what is hiding under those briefs.

But with great orgasms, comes great consequences.

Tucker might be my friend and roommate but he’s also my best friend’s ex-boyfriend, making him completely off-limits. At least that’s what my brain is telling me, my heart is speaking an entirely different language.

Taylor Swift 26/04

by melissay1, posted in Other

It makes sense that this weeks post is going to be Taylor Swift related because I’m so insanely excited! Taylor has had her website revamped and now all that is on it is a countdown to Friday! It’s going to be a strange, short kind of blog post because I genuinely don’t know what is happening!

All that can be assumed is that it’s a countdown to Taylor’s seventh album. Maybe on Friday she’ll just announce the album, maybe it will be new music to listen to, maybe it’ll be completely unconnected and will be her releasing a pastel coloured clothes line?! Taylor has been posting up cryptic clues all week and basically all that we know is that it’s kind of pastel related – interpret that how you want!

When Taylor announced her reputation album, I think pretty much everyone knew within a matter of days that it was snakes and that could potentially connect to the whole snake incident. However, this era doesn’t seem to have any connection to anything at all. The only thing that links Taylor’s Instagram photos is the pastel colours and god knows how that connects to anything. We have photos of jewellery, of chickens with glasses – it’s all very odd stuff! Taylor has been previously quite notorious for everything she posts having significance but I’m yet to read any theory that even somehow fits with everything she has posted. I’m sure come Friday when it’s all revealed I’ll be sat going ‘ahh so that’s how it all fits’.

I have loved Taylor for years now and every single era is so different to the previous one but in a good way. She plans every single aspect of each era to such detail. If this announcement is the new album (and hopefully it could be?) I already can’t wait about seeing the cover, the music videos, hearing the songs, what she wears…and how all this will relate on stage for a future tour!

This post is a little pointless but I’m just that excited about the potential of a new Taylor Swift album I had to write something about it this week. I’ll probably edit this post on Friday with my thoughts on whatever the announcement is too.

If you love Taylor too and are interested in finding out what she’s counting down to, be sure to sign up to the page or just watch the countdown by clicking here

My Boss, The Billionaire – Serentiy Woods

by melissay1, posted in Book Review

My Boss, The Billionaire tells the story of Nicola (Nix) Dixon. Nicola is happy with her job, the only problem? She’s in love with her boss Leon King. The only downside to this is that not only is he her boss but Leon has a strict no dating colleagues rule and goes down hard on anyone who breaks that rule so he for sure isn’t about to break that rule himself. Then thanks to a work presentation for the prime minister, Leon and Nix are forced to spend time together. Said presentation falls on Nix’s birthday and it’s safe to say that Leon pulls out all the stops…perhaps Nix isn’t the only one with a crush?

I’ve never been so conflicted about if I liked a book or not. On the one hand if you treated this book as a quick read, fun romantic read it’s quite enjoyable. You know for those times you don’t want to spend ages reading a book, you’re just looking for something to make your heart happy? However, it also tries to weave it a story and that to me is where is falls down. I have no issue with Leon’s backstory, it’s Nix’s. I just felt like that author tried too hard to put in a deep story. However in my opinion it just sort of skimmed the surface of it so when things happens it just felt abit of a eye roll moment. I don’t want to devalue the things that happened to her as it truly is dreadful, it just seemed abit out of place for this story.

I treated this book as a quick read and for that reason I think the characters are ok to read about. You know enough about Leon and Nix to enjoy to the story. I love the idea that they both work at an animal rescue too.

Overall I enjoyed 90% of this book. The romance moments were cute and enjoyable, I just didn’t enjoy the last section of the book. If you’re looking for a short romantic read then this book is ok. Just for me, I didn’t like the extremity of the last couple of chapters, personally I feel it would’ve worked without trying to weave what happened in.

Synopsis –

Never fall in love with your boss…

I’ve worked for Leon for two years now.

Which means I’ve been in love with Leon for about, oh, 730 days, give or take.

He’s tall, gorgeous, hardworking, and strict. Most of the staff at Noah’s Ark are scared of him. But I can handle the Lion King, as I like to call him.

I’m his PA. I book his dental appointments, pick up his dry cleaning, keep his diary, walk his dogs, and organize his accounts. I know him as well as a wife would, although unfortunately without the added benefits that role would bring.

I’d tell him how I feel, but he’s made it quite clear he’s against relationships at work, so I know it’s never going to happen unless I leave the Ark, and I love my job.

Then, on the day the Prime Minister’s supposed to arrive at the Ark, his crazy dog knocks me over and gives me a concussion.

And, as if I’m Snow White needing to be awoken from her slumber, Leon kisses me.
Crap. Now we’re in trouble. 

How on earth do you un-forget being kissed by your handsome prince?

The Musical Theatre Tag

by melissay1, posted in Theatre

Whenever anyone I know goes to see a theatre show I’m usually near the top of the list of people they ask if its any good. I’ve had this drafted for a while but I haven’t had the opportunity to fit it in my weekly posting so I thought for my first Whatever Wednesday post I’d finally tackle the musical theatre blog tag!

I had a google search many months ago and saved these questions on my phone in case I ever got round to answering them one day so I really can’t remember which blog I got these questions from – I’m so sorry if this is your tag! Obviously if anyone knows whose tag it is I’ll edit this!

Now without further ado…

1. What was the first musical you ever saw?

I’m not going to count pantomimes, Disney movies or the countless times I watched the likes of Mary Poppins, Sounds Of Music etc for this one. The first musical I saw in the West End was Wicked – because lets face it who doesn’t love Wicked and if you haven’t seen a musical before I think Wicked is a really good place to start. It is good for all ages, the songs are incredible and the sets are so wonderful.

Lamely, my interest in Wicked came from Tom from McFly (though this probably won’t come as a surprise to people who know me) who seemed to constantly wear a Wicked jumper in every photo you saw of him from around that time and upon googling the show and listening to the songs I desperately wanted to see it. Then on a family trip to London when I was young we booked a last minute ticket to see Wicked that evening! The seats were pretty much back row of the upper circle but I absolutely loved the show.

Wicked was every bit of amazing as I expected it to be and since then it sparked off my interest in seeing shows. I’d never seen a show before that had such phenomenal set changes and I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing on that stage was actually happening. Since then I try and keep an eye on shows that are on West End / Broadway and see as many of the ones that I like the sound of as I can. Though I think I’ll always go back to Wicked and I’ve seen it a crazy amount of times now…I just love that show!

2. What was your favourite musical growing up?

My answer is 100%, Wicked. I’ve pretty much explained this in the last question but I became obsessed with Wicked, the magical sets, the incredible costumes, the wonderful story and the catchy songs! How can Wicked not become an instant favourite? Wicked was the show I saw again and again so it definitely sparked my interest off in seeing other shows. I just can’t imagine anyone going to see Wicked and walking out and not loving it.

3. Were you ever in a musical?

Musicals were definitely something that I would never, ever be involved in. I can’t sing or dance or act so its definitely not for me! I’d love to maybe have a behind the scenes job role one day though.

4. What was the first musical you saw on Broadway?

The first show I saw on Broadway was Mary Poppins which I suppose is a bizarre one as Mary Poppins is about as British as it comes! I’ve been to New York a lot and every time I go I spend way too much time seeing Broadway shows. Yes, London has the magical, historical theatres but Broadway has a certain glitz and glamour that you just don’t get on the West End. I think it’s probably just solely because I’m on holiday but Broadway just has that additional exciting element.

5. If you could be any female character in any musical who would you be and why?

I have a list of female characters I’d love to play but really if I had to pick just one, it wouldn’t take much thought. It would have to be Glinda in Wicked! Wicked was the first musical I loved and to this day I still would love to travel by bubble. I also think it would just be the most fun to sing and dance around on stage to Popular every single night. Plus I also adore Glinda’s costumes!

However, when I saw Heathers last year, Heather Chandler looks like she’d be an absolutely fantastic character to play. You get to experience the world of being the head Heather and be mean at the beginning, then playing dead Heather looks like it’s the most fun in the world.

6. Which male character?

The male character is a tough question for me as I love so many male characters. I’ve thought about it and I think that I would be Dewey from School Of Rock. It looks an absolutely exhausting role but it looks insanely fun! The entire soundtrack from School Of Rock is incredible so I think you’d have the best time jumping around and singing these songs every night.

7. Favourite musical song to sing in the shower?

Sorry to disappoint you all but I’m the most boring person in the world and don’t actually sing in the shower.

8. Who is your favourite theatre actress?

Carrie Hope Fletcher. Carrie is one unbelievable singer and she seems to do all the roles in my favourite musicals. Basically if Carrie is in a musical I will go and see it, I think she’s incredible and everything you see her in she somehow just keeps getting better and better.

I also love Savannah Stevenson. I have seen a lot of productions of Wicked and I just can’t tell you how much I adore her Glinda. I’ve never seen her in anything else but for Glinda alone she deserves a mention here.

9. Actor?

For the male actors I’ve had two experiences where I’ve walked into a theatre not knowing who they were and walked out not being able to shut up about what an unbelievable performance I’ve just seen.

The first is Alex Brightman who played the original cast Dewey in School Of Rock in New York. I have seen Dewey played by multiple actors now and I just can’t explain how insanely amazing Alex Brightman is in that role. I’m desperate to head across the pond and see him in Beetlejuice.

Jamie Muscato who played JD in the West End cast of Heathers. I have never seen a performer as good as Jamie Muscato. I don’t know how he physically manages to make you love him in one scene then make his face completely change in the next so you’re sat terrified of him. I’m excited to see what he does next as I’m very intrigued to go watch him in a different role.

10. Favourite film adaptation of a musical?

Though the movies did come first and the musical was based on them, it has got to be School Of Rock or Heathers! Both are these films are so good and some of my favourites.

11. What do you think is the most underrated musical?

I’m not sure if really classes as underrated as it is on Broadway but Be More Chill. I read the book not so long back and although the book wasn’t one of my favourites, the idea of a squip fascinates me. Plus the fact that Will Roland plays the main guy was enough to get my attention to look more at the musical.

Since then I’ve obsessively pretty much only listened to the cast recording. Be More Chill deserves so much more hype than it gets because the songs are absolutely amazing. I’m just going to throw it out there but I think Michael In The Bathroom is one of the best songs from a musical…ever.

If you have a search on Be More Chill YouTube channel, you can see a video of the Broadway cast rehearsing More Than Survive and it looks so good. Assuming it’s still on Broadway the next time I’m in New York, Be More Chill is so high up my need to watch list.

12. Overrated musical?

I thought long and hard about this but I’m sadly going to have to say Matilda. I really love the movie but I just didn’t particularly like the stage show. I’m not even sure why! I mean the staging was great and I loved the songs but in my opinion it just didn’t live up to the hype surrounding it. For me, the movie was just so much better than the musical and I found myself constantly comparing the two throughout. The musical just lacked something for me, I’m not sure what but in my opinion it’s just so overrated.

13. What musical made you cry?

I’m not entirely sure I should admit this but The Christmasaurus! When the dinosaur flies and Tom sings Afraid Of Heights I just cried my eyes out. I don’t know if it’s because he’d learnt to fly or the staging for that particular scene or what but it made me sit in the theatre with tears streaming down my face.

In a more serious musical, I’ve never seen it but I can already tell you Dear Evan Hansen is going to make me need tissues. I’ve mentioned this before but I think Evan is the nearest I’m ever going to get to seeing a version of myself portrayed on stage. The songs affect me more than any musical songs I’ve ever heard and the book made me cry. Even just the first few lines (although they’re more jokey) still make me emotional, so lets be honest the musical is going to be a full blown crying fest. I’m seeing the show in London on my own in November and I’m already feeling sorry for the unlucky people sat either side of me whilst I’m going through a box of Kleenex.

14. What musical made you laugh?

Heathers! Although it’s about a high school kid wanting (and succeeding) to murder half of the school it has some absolutely hilarious moments.

The whole popular scene in Wicked when Glinda is doing her hair toss will never not make me laugh too.

15. Are there any musicals you saw and hated?

Cats. Who doesn’t love the song Memory from Cats and in my head Cats is one of those iconic musicals but when I saw the show I hated it. It was just too much dancing around and less action for my liking. Plus when the cats all spoke together as a group it was so difficult to understand what they were saying. I left just as confused by the show as I was when I went into the theatre. It very sadly just wasn’t for me.

16. What musical do you want to see as a film?

Wicked – though this is apparently happening so that’s very exciting! I’d also love to see Dear Evan Hansen and The Christmasaurus.

17. Which musicals are you dying to see?

Dear Evan Hansen is firmly at the top of this list. It’s coming to London this year so I will finally see the show and I can’t wait for the day I’m sat in the theatre watching it. Though, if I won the lottery I’d be straight over to New York to see Andrew Barth Feldman in the show, it’s scary how he is literally exactly how I imagined Evan to look like and if you watch the covers he’s done on YouTube I’m already sure that his version of Words Fail would completely and utterly, emotionally destroy me more than any other Evan.

As mentioned earlier, I’m also really wanting to go and see Alex Brightman in Beetlejuice but sadly I just don’t think I’ll get the money for a New York trip this year – Broadway is just too expensive!

I would also love to see Be More Chill. I’m obsessed with this songs right now and I’m very interested to see how they play this story on stage. Plus getting the opportunity to see Will Roland perform would be incredible too. I’m hoping its popularity in America might mean it’ll make it to the UK one day.

18. Any movie or book you think should be turned into a musical?

I’m not too sure. The first thing that comes to mind is Clueless. Its the same kind of thing as Heathers and Mean Girls are they’re both musicals now so why not Clueless?

19. What is your all-time favourite musical?

I suppose it’s got to be Wicked. However, my top favourite musicals are getting closer over the years. So special mention for School Of Rock, Heathers and Dear Evan Hansen!

Dirty Like Me – Jaine Diamond

by melissay1, posted in Book Review

Katie Bloom had lost her way, suffering from a heartbreak and working as a barista just to get by. Then one day she visits her best friend at work and accidently stumbles into a meeting her friend is having with rock star Jesse Mayes. Jesse takes an instant like to Katie and even though she is completely clueless to who he is, he casts her to star as his love interest in his latest music video. The music video is a hit with Jesse’s fans so he offers her the opportunity to come on the road with him for 6 weeks and earn more money than she could even dream about owning…the only catch? She has to pretend to be his girlfriend the entire time. Suddenly Katie finds herself immersed in the world of a famous rockstar and experiences life on the road.

I absolutely love going to see a band and I’m a little fascinated about the world behind what you see you stage so I love reading books that have a normal person dating a famous musician. I mean you always get a glimpse of the other world in real life thanks to social media but books (though fiction) give you a real in depth look of that world so many are so curious about. If you like those type of storylines with a lot of sex thrown in then you will love this book!

The characters were good enough to read about. Katie is just plain normal, and I loved that about her! She doesn’t want anything that comes with ‘dating’ a celebrity, this deal is nothing but business for her, its just a job – that is until things get complicated! You can completely understand why she’s guarded, thanks to her ex being a complete and utter twonk, she is a real family person and just genuinely a nice person. Jesse too, although the deal that he’s made with Katie is completely and utterly crazy, you can’t help but like him. He could’ve been irritating to read about as he’s paying Katie to act all lovely dovey with him in public which is a pretty rubbish thing to do but somehow you can’t help but like him.

The storyline follows Katie and Jesse throughout the six weeks on tour. From their very public, displays of affection to the initial hilariousness of them sharing a room together at the start to how they much on to acting on the very obvious chemistry between them both. My only real issue is the ending, it leaves you on somewhat of a loop hole as you’re interested in finding out what happens next but more books are available to read in the series. Also, the book is very sex heavy! I think it adds to the story as it really helps demonstrate the spark that Jesse and Katie have but if you’re not a fan of books that contain quite large amounts of sex then sadly this book probably isn’t for you.

 Synopsis –

A gorgeous rock star.
An indecent proposal.
How can a girl resist?

Struggling barista Katie Bloom doesn’t even know who Jesse Mayes is until she inadvertently wins the coveted role of sex kitten in his hot new music video. But by the time she’s in bed with him, she knows his reputation.

Love maker. Heartbreaker.

Making out with a stranger in front of a camera crew isn’t how Katie imagined herself getting over a broken heart, but when Jesse touches her, sparks fly. The sex is fake but the chemistry is real, and soon the steamy video is blazing up the charts.

Then Jesse makes Katie an irresistible offer: act as his girlfriend for six weeks while he promotes his new album. The only catch? Their sizzling make-out sessions will be for the cameras only.

Which is fine with Katie, since she’s not about to trust her heart to rock’s most legendary lover. Her body? Maybe…