Movie Star by Lizzie Pepper: A Novel

I truly enjoyed every single page of this book. Nice to come across a genuine page turner that walks that delicate line between light hearted and compelling without being trashy or insulting to its readers. Even though it does bear some eerie similarities to a particular hollywood marriage (and divorce) I was able to see the characters as real people, and worried that Lizzie might not make it out of her dysfunctional marriage in one piece. Her commitment to her kids rang totally true, and her development from dazzled ingenue to brave parent was a nice character arc. At the same time the book was full of juicy details and fantasy glamor. Totally enjoyable from start to finish.

I loved this book. I bought it a year ago and devoured it in about a day. It was fun, refreshing, and completely satisfied my secret guilty pleasure of celebrity gossip, even though it was fictional. I just reread it, and again devoured it in about a day.I am a very avid reader as it is. I probably read anywhere between 1-3 books per week (depending on what's going on in my daily life, that is). I don't often reread books that I've read, even if I thoroughly enjoyed them. But a few days ago, I was looking through my kindle library. I had begun reading a different book, but I found I didn't have the attention span at the time to read it. What I REALLY wanted to read was something lighter and less dramatic. Movie Star by Lizzie Pepper was it. I enjoyed it just as much the second time as I did the first time.Lizzie's character is so relatable--even when she is living the dream life as the wife of the best-known actor in the world. She is somebody who I wanted to know. I could see myself having her as a real life friend. Who hasn't dreamed to some extent of having the amazing lifestyle Lizzie was living?I also found myself wondering how much of the book was based on the marriage of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. So much of it sounded vaguely familiar and had some uncanny parallels (the age difference between the couple, the height issue with Rob Mars' unnaturally long torso, and Rob's serenade of Lizzie on the hood of the car seemed to have many of the same elements as Tom Cruise jumping on the sofa on Oprah to proclaim his love for Kate). There were other things that seemed to echo what the public heard about the marriage, including the involvement of Scientology (One Cell in the book). Still, it was such a fun and refreshing approach to a book that grabbed me from the very first page.This is a book I highly recommend to anybody who is looking for a fun, lighthearted, beautifully written read. It will not disappoint!

And the way I know that for sure is the Rob Mars character is described as being "tall"!Never mind that Rob Mars is an A-list movie star who belongs to a cult and marries a naïve young actress after a whirlwind romance. Never mind that during their "courtship" Rob orders his driver to "Stop!" on Rodeo Drive, where he exits the vehicle, jumps up onto the hood, and proclaims loudly to the world and the assembled paparazzi, "I LOVE her!". Never mind that once married to Julie, who has already given birth - to twins in this story - Rob sees to it that she is surrounded by "assistants" and "helpers" who are ALL members of One Cell, the cult-like organization to which Rob is devoted.This book is quite well written and the author obviously has an intimate acquaintance with her subject matter. Anyone who has read of the practices of a certain notorious "science-based religion" will recognize the actions of One Cell. Members are charged huge amounts of money, donations are solicited year after year for building projects that never seem to reach completion, disobedient members are isolated at a distant facility called "Fair Hills", and yes, sometimes members just "disappear". As in "Poof! They're gone!"One of the best and sad-but-funny parts of the book is when Julie happens to read one of Tom's - uhh, I mean Rob's - scripts. In it she not only finds, line for line, the very words Rob had uttered to her on their romantic first date, she discovers scenes and dialog written for Rob's future use.In all, the book is an engaging read, which despite its appellation as a "beach read", actually skillfully and accurately exposes a certain insidious, nefarious organization. Thank you, Hilary, for an excellent first novel!As the years pass Julie's own identity is reduced to "wife of superstar Rob Mars". She and her children become imprisoned in luxury. They are unable to step outside the gates of their mansion without encountering flashbulbs and crowds of Rob's devoted fans. Eventually Julie becomes isolated - estranged from old friends and even her own family over their supposed "leaks" to the press.The author digs deep into Julie's feelings as she begins to awaken to the reality of her situation. Julie's examination of her own values and priorities in life lead her to leave the marriage - as we already knew she would, didn't we?This book is more than a "beach read" - it's an homage to a courageous young woman. Thanks for writing it, Hilary! And I sure hope Katie Holmes reads this book while she is lounging poolside watching her daughter playing happily with other children.

This is a fictional “memoir” written by a young actress who marries an older movie star who is heavily involved in a cult-like meditation center. She finds herself swept off her feet into his celebrity world. Lizzie Pepper is drawn deeper and deeper into her celebrity husband’s life of paparazzi, multiple residences, and Hollywood power. She is constantly surrounded by staff and lives a life of luxury. Her husband credits his success with the meditation center and she willingly enters that environment. When her family and best friend express resistance to this, she distances herself and is “assigned” a new best friend. Then she notices her husband’s locked office and begins to wonder what’s really going on. This story draws you in and I have no doubt that things like this really happen. I found myself wondering how much of this Katie Holmes went through. There are some similarities. Despite this, it’s a light read and I enjoyed the twists.

Really awful....I picked this up as EW had said it was a great beach read. Its not...it is FAR from a good read. Poorly written, most of the chapters seem to repeat the same things over and over....it got so I was flipping pages with the quickest scan just to finally see the "big change" of Lizzie leaving her man.....and it was done. Book was finished. Honestly if you want a beach read - go find something else.

It was very interesting. Although you could say it was based on Scientology it also speaks to religions who want you to believe in what they do without any questions.

Couldn't put it down!!!! I was on a cruise and I recommended it to others, who downloaded it and loved it.It was recommended by Hoda Kotb on the Today Show..

An entertaining ridealong with a famous person (fictional). Some insights into what it's like to live on the famous side of fame. Quite well written.

Very interesting, does seem like people we know !!!!!