April 27, 2010, began the final season of the hit MTV reality show, The Hills. However fans need not worry about missing all the drama because Lauren Conrad (LC) has turned writer and penned two books loosely based on the popular series. LA Candy, Conrad’s first book, was released June 16, 2009. It was soon followed by Sweet Little Lies released in February 2010. According to Conrad’s myspace page, a third book is scheduled to be released in October of this year.
Reading LA Candy or Sweet Little Lies is almost as satisfying as watching an episode of The Hills. And despite critics’ jabs at her writing abilities, Sweet Little Lies actually topped the New York Times bestseller list.
What is Sweet Little Lies about?
Readers of LA Candy were introduced to the book’s main character Jane Roberts. Roberts has striking similarities to Lauren in that she was plucked off the street to star in a reality show. Like The Hills, the show Roberts appeared on soon got very popular and led to her stardom.
The book is set in Los Angeles with main characters made up of Jane’s friends: Scarlett, Madison and Hannah. Scarlett is Jane’s longtime friend, as well as her reality show cast mate and roommate. Jane and Scarlett share an amazing apartment which is paid for by the reality show. Jane also has another close friend, Madison, who does not get along with Scarlett. Jane is left in the middle trying to remain neutral. Another friend of Jane’s, Hannah, is a sweet girl that Jane met at work.
The plot of Sweet Little Lies, sounds like something read in a gossip magazine like Star or a website like TMZ. Someone is selling Jane out to the press by providing personal photos and details of her whereabouts. Her privacy is breeched and she begins wading through her waves of friends to determine just who is a real friend and who is not.
Drama in Print
Scarlett thinks that Madison is behind the press leaks, but Jane doesn’t believe her. Instead she sticks by Madison and moves out of her apartment with Scarlett. As their friendship suffers, Jane continues to date her loser boyfriend (based on Jason Wahler?) and ends up in tears as it becomes apparent that he will not be changing his wild ways. As Jane tries to determine who her real friends are and how she will live down the latest media smear campaign, true colors come out.
Sweet LittleLies Parallels The Hills
Any reader familiar with The Hills will wonder if Scarlett is based on Lo Bosworth, Madison on Heidi Montag and Hannah on Whitney Port. The similarities are striking; so much so that it is almost as if Conrad has simply published an episode of The Hills, with name changes and tiny details altered. Of course, Jane is the most similar character of all as she is almost identical to LC.
Although it may not be the most original book, it is a quick read, both entertaining and self-indulgent. Pick it up at Amazon or any major bookstore for a summer beach read or a mini distraction from the mundane.
Sweet Little Lies is published by HarperCollins, ISBN 0061767603.
Melissa Hodges - Ms. Hodges received a BA in English from Ohio State University, and an AA in Office Administration from Owens Community College. She has ...
