Title: Jenna & Jonah’s Fauxmance
Author: Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin
Published: 7th March 2011
Format: Finished Paperback
Pages: 240
RRP: £6.99
Rating: 13+
Teen TV celebrities Jenna and Jonah (real names, Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers) make more money in a month than most people do in a lifetime. They can’t stand to be in the same room as each other, but to boost the TV ratings their agents make them a ‘real life’ couple. Then the deception is uncovered by the paparazzi, and Charlie and Fielding have to disappear to weather the media storm. It’s not until they’re far off the grid of the Hollywood circuit that they realise there’s more to each of them than shiny hair and a winning smile.
This is a classic example of the story, boy and girl hate each other, then eventually find out they are perfect for each other (but will they..?). Although, when you are reading the book, it does not seem like a cliche. It is in fact a very original and interesting book.
Jenna and Jonah, also known as Charlie and Fielding, are the starlets of the Disney-esque type TV programme, Jenna and Jonah’s How to be a Rock Star. In the show they are in an “on and off” relationship, in ‘reality’ they are a loved-up couple. That is, to everyone but Jenna, Jonah and their protege. Really, Jenna and Jonah despise each other. For most of the book their witty and quick dialogue is really fun to read – they also have comebacks and insults to throw at each other – and that is one of the strong points of the book.
I really enjoyed reading about Jenna and Jonah’s lives. It was really fascinating to read about what might happen with teen stars behind the scenes, and it really has made me think more about how genuine these couples actually are in real life.
Jenna and Jonah as characters were developed so they were not perfect. I think if they were perfect it would either be beautifully ironic/tongue in cheek or just plain annoying. However, the characters were imperfect. How so? Jenna/Charlie acted like a diva behind the scenes of the show but only because she was so insecure about herself. She felt acting was the only thing ‘interesting’ about her. Fielding feels like he is stuck in a shell – his mum picked out the name Fielding when he was a tween and he is sick of being that person.
Overall, I really loved the characters and their development. I think both writers had a really good writing quality and it was definitely enjoyable to read. Although, I was a little disappointed with the ending. I think, rather than introducing a slightly different plot angle, they could have continued with Jenna and Jonah struggling to live normally as stars once the rumour got out. Nevertheless, my enjoyment was not effected too much!
Rating
Plot: 7/10
The plot took a strange U-turn, but the beginning and middle were really fantastic.
Writing Quality: 9/10
Both Franklin and Halpin had great quality of writing.
Originality: 9/10
This was definitely original – I really want to read more books like this!
Characters: 9/10
The characters were loveable (eventually) and had a lot of depth.
Descriptions: 8/10
Another one of the strong points of the book – essential for my own enjoyment of a book 
42/50 = 84%
===================================================
Thank you to Bloomsbury for providing the review copy.
Chapters 1 and 2 Mini Review of The Last Symbol by Rebecca Morton
Title: Swapped by a Kiss
