Review and Giveaway!! The Starlet by Mary McNamara

About the book:
It’s a not-so-well-respected rule in Hollywood that what happens on location stays on location. But when a hot young leading man winds up dead in his Rome hotel room, his costar’s life is about to go off the rails in a very public way—even by celeb standards. At the tender age of twenty-three, Mercy Talbot has won an Oscar, battled addiction, wrecked more than her share of cars, and burned down her house. Her look-alike mother keeps her on a tight leash (and fueled with an endless supply of OxyContin and cocaine) and her producers demand a grueling schedule. By the time she stumbles across Juliette Greyson, a Hollywood insider on a much-needed vacation, Mercy is surrounded by photographers and about to emerge drunk, high, and naked from a public fountain. Whisking her away to an idyllic Tuscan ‘retreat,’ Juliette is about to discover another rule of Hollywood: wherever the starlet may go, the drama will follow.

OMG, you guys, The Starlet by Mary McNamara was amazing. I couldn't put it down!!! It's the story of Mercy Talbot, and it seems to have been ripped from the headlines of a certain ailing starlet of our time. The characters are so vivid and seem so real that you really feel like you are a part of their lives. The death of Mercy's costar, Lloyd, fuels Mercy's already thriving drug addiction. Despite the "help" of her attention seeking mother and a well known rehab, Mercy seems unable to kick her habit. However, she is the most amazing actress, able to turn into her character flawlessly, whether she's high or not.

Not only are the characters real and believable, but the setting where the book takes place also comes alive. This novel is set in Tuscany, Italy, and McNamara's descriptions of the countryside and the villa where most of the book takes place are so stunning, you feel like you are actually there.

And, there is a mystery in this story as well. What's really going on behind the scenes of Mercy's latest movie? Is the rehab guru really there to help, or is he just attention seeking and money hungry? And what secrets are these characters hiding?

You have to pick up this book, it's amazing!!! In fact, I have an extra copy to give away!!! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post!!! Be sure to include a valid email address, or you won't be entered, I have to have a way to contact you!!! Contest is open to EVERYONE, and closes on Tuesday, June 22. I'll pick a winner using random.org on Wednesday, June 23. Good luck!!!!