Star Book Review: Hollywood Car Wash by Lori Culwell

My first impression upon reading the short summary on the back of Lori Culwell’s Hollywood Car Wash was that it was going to be one of your typical chick lit, formulaic reads about a Midwestern woman who moves from the University of Michigan to Hollywood to follow her dreams of pursuing a career as an actress. However, Amy Spencer’s ideas about how she’s going to “get there” vary differently from those of the plans that the people of Tinsel Town have in store for her once she arrives on set. Before she even gets her chance to “make it” on the small screen of independent movies, Amy/Star must learn to circumvent her way around a hit-tv-drama studio and deal with all the drama that comes with it. In Hollywood Car Wash, Amy "Star" Spencer auditions for an upcoming teen TV series; think: Beverly Hills 90210 back in its glory days. Throughout her catapulting rise to fame, readers get an inside peek at the cutthroat business behind a hit Hollywood drama. Criticized for everything from her weight to her clothes, her food and exercise regime (or lack thereof), this book revealed how one girl-next-door type character survives in a world full of airbrushed photos, designer clothing (only worn once, of course!) and diet pills. This is a coming-of-age tale in Hollywood that satisfyingly proved my assumptions wrong about the world of Top Ten TV shows and the actors, actresses, producers and everyone else who makes them (and keeps them) so successful.

I really enjoyed this book and funny because I almost didn't buy it (even though it was on sale at a local discount store in town for $1.99!). I know they say don't judge a book by its cover, but I did - I was less then enthralled by its cover photos and title but when I read some of the rave reviews here on Goodreads, I raced back to the store and purchased it. As Chick Lit so often does, author Lori Culwell surprised me with her skillful writing and entertaining storyline with every page I turned. I am so glad I did because it turned out to be such a fabulous chick lit read. I would definitely recommend this book to all chick lit fans or anyone just looking for a good book to read this summer (or any time of year for that matter). Rating: 4 Stars