Review: Starring in the Movie of My Life by Laurel Osterkamp

Title: Starring in the Movie of My Life
Author: Laurel Osterkamp
Genre/Age: Contemporary fiction, adult
Publication: 2011
Source: For Review, Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours

Summary: This story centers around two women. Samantha is a 35 year old with a good heart, but next to no ambition, and a lot of hang ups. She's never had a career, has had a disastrous on-off relationship with her ex, Collin, for many years, and still seems to be hung up on him, despite her growing denial that she's not. She doesn't want to be a mother but is newly pregnant... as a surrogate for her best friend about which she is making her first film.

Melody is a cold manipulative 18 year old high school senior with a careless mother and a lot of hang ups of her own. What Sam and Melody have in common is Nathan, Sam's new 25 year old husband, and Melody's English teacher. Melody has become oddly attached and obsessed with Nate after he saves her from being raped at a dance at the high school, and schemes to get him to leave Sam for him. While Sam loves Nate, there is still that lingering doubt about Collin, who also happens to manage their apartment building.

The story is told in alternating chapters between Melody and Samantha. Both of these women are deeply flawed but striving for love, redemption, and acceptance... it just happens to be from the same man.

My Thoughts: I'm not one for giving out 5 stars all willy-nilly. I am deadly serious about my 5 star rating and have only given out two so far this year. Pretend you can see my serious face. Okay? Well, I am giving my third 5 star rating for this incredible and surprising novel by a new favorite author, Laurel Osterkamp.

This story was so unexpected. I thought it was going to be light and fluffy, which is totally a good thing, but it was dark and serious, an even better thing in the right circumstances. These were the right circumstances.

These characters and their issues were so... I don't even know... wild? Intense? Fascinating? Yes, let's go with fascinating. I was sucked into their stories from the very first page in which Melody is nearly raped then rescued by Nate. For me, Melody was a difficult character, in that she was a total jerk and a master manipulator, and I didn't like her, yet, my heart went out for her... sometimes. Even though I didn't like her, I was captivated by her nonsense, total disregard for other people, and sense of entitlement.

Sam was also frustrating in the sense that she has no idea what she wants, acts on total impulse, and lacks ambition. But I liked her. She was a good person and I felt a lot of sympathy for her. Her chapters are interesting because they flash a lot from past to present so that we end up getting the back story on her and her ex, Collin, while also seeing her present life with Nate.

What's funny is that while I was reading Melody's chapters, I couldn't wait to get back to Sam's story, and when I was reading Sam's chapters, I couldn't wait to get back to Melody's story. That's how great this book was; I was totally captivated by both characters and raced through the pages to get to the next chapter.

Not only was the story line SO. GOOD. The writing was, too. Laurel writes in a slow, subtle, quiet way. It's hard to explain, but it's excellent and realistic, from both viewpoints.

I loved this book and I am now dying to read Laurel's first novel, Following My Toes. I've been really lucky lately, in that my last few reads have been amazing (especially this one, and Exposure by Therese Fowler). Don't let the female protags scare you off if you're not into women's lit or chick lit. In fact, I would say this book is not chick lit. This book has wide appeal, and is a great read for all fans of contemporary fiction and drama. I highly recommend it. Read it now, please and thank you. :)

My Rating: 5/5