Unmaking Hunter Kennedy
by Anne Eliot
Pages: 437
Source: paperback provided by author
Available as of October 17, 2012
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After a car accident--an event he considers a prank gone bad--pop star, Hunter Kennedy is forced to hide out with his aunt in small-town Colorado. He’s supposed to rest, heal his scars and attend high school in disguise until the press dies down. But he only wants to get back to work.
Worse, the girl who’s been assigned to make him over into a geek is a major geek herself. Vere Roth is a chattering pixie, a blushing tornado and a complete social disaster. He’s never met a girl who’s never-been-kissed, believes in romance and thinks Hunter’s a 'nice' guy.
Funny thing is...Hunter is nice around Vere because she’s his first real friend. He also can’t seem to stop sharing his secrets or keep her out of his heart. Knowing he’d never deserve a girl as sweet as Vere, he resigns himself to the friend zone, and helps his new bestie with her own makeover.
She tortures him daily for ridiculous guy advice on how to snag her life-long crush. A guy Hunter thinks is totally wrong for Vere, and sadly, one who has taken note of Vere’s transformation.
When Vere asks her best friend for some kissing advice, Hunter can’t resist...
And that’s when things get out of control...
Hunter Kennedy isn't your average kid. He's been in the public eye for most of his life shooting commercials and, most recently, as the lead singer of GuardRobe. Then he hit a low point. His mom sent him to get help then shipped him off to middle of nowhere Colorado to live with his aunt. Will he flounder or find himself while he tries to stay undercover?
I must say that I absolutely loved all the characters. It was extremely easy to fall into Vere's shoes. She was sweet, innocent, and was completely and entirely clueless about boys. It was awesome being able to reflect on my own days while reading, knowing exactly how she was feeling. Hunter was much more accepting of this situation once he got to know her. I loved reading from his point of view because he was so eager to make her happy. Charlie was the epitome of big brother. He was strong and protective, but also wanted to see that his sister wasn't going to be broken by the star who came into their lives.
Like I said before, Unmaking Hunter Kennedy was the epitome of adorable. It was sweet, just like a first kiss should be. I love that it was written in both Vere and Hunter's points of view. You could just tell by the way Vere would describe him that she was totally head over heels in love with him, but that she was oblivious to it too. We knew from square one that Hunter had some problems to work though and I loved seeing how he evolved and grew through the entire story. It was descriptive and kept me hanging on each word.
Overall, Unmaking Hunter Kennedy is a beautiful story of first loves and it was great being able to revisit my own teenage years through Vere and Hunter. If you are looking for a very sweet, very innocent story of two kids falling in love, you've found your book!
Hi Hunter! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be here with me today on Doodle's Book Blog. I feel like we really get to know the you you are today in Unmaking Hunter Kennedy so I'd like to talk to you about your childhood.
What was it like before you became a child star?
That's a tough one because I can only repeat what I've been told. My dad was alive, we lived sort of a normal life, but I hardly remember any of it. I mostly remember being a family. Sitting on a green couch with my dad. Mom in the kitchen burning frozen pizza. (She could never cook even back then). Little stuff like that. Sorry I can't be more help on that one.
Was acting and performing something you've always wanted to do?
I was always one of those kids that showed off in front of the TV. Every cell phone, every video camera, every store camera with a TV monitor-- I was always trying to get in front of it. The acting was just me, being me--when I was younger, anyhow. I'd land commercials and then people would pay me to goof off and eat cereal, sit in mini-van and have a pretend family. Back then, I thought I was working for ice cream. As I got older, I was fortunate enough to work with some real professionals who inspired me. I watched them and understood acting was a job, it was work, as was the singing and learning the guitar. Mom got me voice lessons right away and my voice teacher, acting coaches, music teachers, they have all been with me so long. I think of them as extended family because they are really all I have for aunts and uncles and…yeah only them. I think, sometimes the reason we in GuardRobe have a solid stage presence is because we all started out as actors first.
How did your life change after you landed your first role?
Well it had already changed so much because Dad had died. So, landing roles became part of our 'new life' without him in it. Mom pulled me out of school. That was fine by me, because I didn't want to go anyway. She and I hung out together and back then we used to be really close. She homeschooled me through elementary school and then as the jobs got bigger and the work harder, I got tutors. So, yeah…after Dad died…I don't remember my life changing exactly, I just remember it becoming something different without Dad.
Did you ever feel like if your couldn't land a role your family would be disappointed in you?
No. Never. Mom was really supportive if I didn't get a role, but I was pretty hard on myself once I realized my roles were what paid fore everything. Mom never let me do roles that were not serious. She's the one who sought out the NewtTV gigs because they were longer and more consistent. She felt those would be better and less stress for me if I landed one, because there were fewer auditions in between.
Your mom is portrayed as hands off and unaffectionate through most of Unmaking Hunter Kennedy.
Was your mom always like this?
Mom's amazing and no, for sure she was not unaffectionate. I would also never call Mom hands off. If you read my story and got to the end, you would know my mom was actually fighting for me from the start. I just didn't know it, and my agent didn't know it either. She loved me so much she was willing to full on send me away because in her mind, she was trying to save my life.
As my career took off and I turned into a young teen I drifted away from her. She felt like I needed space to grow up and was also really busy just managing my life and calendar. Around age 14, right when the GuardeRobe group took off on the charts, that is when she and I had a huge disconnect. I would be pulled away to travel overseas. She would often stay home and meet up with me later. We also grew up fast. We'd did our first world tour while the three of us were 8th and 9th graders. She was always around, but she and I were never really talking after awhile. But what thirteen and fourteen year old kid talks to his mom? We sure didn't. I guess you could say I blew her off, and then she got mad at me for it and blew me off back for awhile. Somewhere along there, I got depressed and pushed her away even more. I wish that was not the case, but we are working on things now. Because of her, because of Colorado, we are back to being friends.
Tell us about your favorite childhood memory.
Disneyland. Disneyland. Disneyland! Every single year, me and Mom. I'm a huge fan, and a LANDER not a WORLDER. California all the way. (Though I did love Epcott, when it comes to the big castle and Main Street, I chose the Land and so does my Mom.) I love everything about the park. Know the rides and the map and the timing of when to go on the rides exactly. Favorite memories are somewhere between ages six and 10 and involve StarTours and Pirates of the Caribbean! Although…now that California Adventure Park is in the mix, I'm going to have to add Soaring and California Screaming' to those as well.
What is one thing you will always remember about your dad?
I will remember how he loved Mom. How he loved me. How he always jumped when she called. How he made her light up and happy, and how I used to love the sound of his voice calling me 'Little Bud'. I guess what I'm saying is I will always remember how he made us be 'us'--because he showed us how to love so well.
Moving on to something a little more current, what is your favorite memory with Vere?
Ah so many. Too many and I've only known her so little. The bun. Her epic, insane bun, of course. The first time I saw her spinning around on Charlie's back. How she asked me if my eye color was fake and if I could pull off my eyelashes. How she busts on me. When she bought me my first fresh peach milkshake. Oh wait. I know. How about when I first fell for her so hard? It was when she brought the guitar to my house as a gift and she cried all over me. That's a good one for sure.
Thanks again for joining me today Hunter! Is there anything else you'd like to say to your fans before you go?
Just thanks so much and…go search out some cool, heart shaped rocks. You won't be sorry if you do.
What was it like before you became a child star?
That's a tough one because I can only repeat what I've been told. My dad was alive, we lived sort of a normal life, but I hardly remember any of it. I mostly remember being a family. Sitting on a green couch with my dad. Mom in the kitchen burning frozen pizza. (She could never cook even back then). Little stuff like that. Sorry I can't be more help on that one.
Was acting and performing something you've always wanted to do?
I was always one of those kids that showed off in front of the TV. Every cell phone, every video camera, every store camera with a TV monitor-- I was always trying to get in front of it. The acting was just me, being me--when I was younger, anyhow. I'd land commercials and then people would pay me to goof off and eat cereal, sit in mini-van and have a pretend family. Back then, I thought I was working for ice cream. As I got older, I was fortunate enough to work with some real professionals who inspired me. I watched them and understood acting was a job, it was work, as was the singing and learning the guitar. Mom got me voice lessons right away and my voice teacher, acting coaches, music teachers, they have all been with me so long. I think of them as extended family because they are really all I have for aunts and uncles and…yeah only them. I think, sometimes the reason we in GuardRobe have a solid stage presence is because we all started out as actors first.
How did your life change after you landed your first role?
Well it had already changed so much because Dad had died. So, landing roles became part of our 'new life' without him in it. Mom pulled me out of school. That was fine by me, because I didn't want to go anyway. She and I hung out together and back then we used to be really close. She homeschooled me through elementary school and then as the jobs got bigger and the work harder, I got tutors. So, yeah…after Dad died…I don't remember my life changing exactly, I just remember it becoming something different without Dad.
Did you ever feel like if your couldn't land a role your family would be disappointed in you?
No. Never. Mom was really supportive if I didn't get a role, but I was pretty hard on myself once I realized my roles were what paid fore everything. Mom never let me do roles that were not serious. She's the one who sought out the NewtTV gigs because they were longer and more consistent. She felt those would be better and less stress for me if I landed one, because there were fewer auditions in between.
Your mom is portrayed as hands off and unaffectionate through most of Unmaking Hunter Kennedy.
Was your mom always like this?
Mom's amazing and no, for sure she was not unaffectionate. I would also never call Mom hands off. If you read my story and got to the end, you would know my mom was actually fighting for me from the start. I just didn't know it, and my agent didn't know it either. She loved me so much she was willing to full on send me away because in her mind, she was trying to save my life.
As my career took off and I turned into a young teen I drifted away from her. She felt like I needed space to grow up and was also really busy just managing my life and calendar. Around age 14, right when the GuardeRobe group took off on the charts, that is when she and I had a huge disconnect. I would be pulled away to travel overseas. She would often stay home and meet up with me later. We also grew up fast. We'd did our first world tour while the three of us were 8th and 9th graders. She was always around, but she and I were never really talking after awhile. But what thirteen and fourteen year old kid talks to his mom? We sure didn't. I guess you could say I blew her off, and then she got mad at me for it and blew me off back for awhile. Somewhere along there, I got depressed and pushed her away even more. I wish that was not the case, but we are working on things now. Because of her, because of Colorado, we are back to being friends.
Tell us about your favorite childhood memory.
Disneyland. Disneyland. Disneyland! Every single year, me and Mom. I'm a huge fan, and a LANDER not a WORLDER. California all the way. (Though I did love Epcott, when it comes to the big castle and Main Street, I chose the Land and so does my Mom.) I love everything about the park. Know the rides and the map and the timing of when to go on the rides exactly. Favorite memories are somewhere between ages six and 10 and involve StarTours and Pirates of the Caribbean! Although…now that California Adventure Park is in the mix, I'm going to have to add Soaring and California Screaming' to those as well.
What is one thing you will always remember about your dad?
I will remember how he loved Mom. How he loved me. How he always jumped when she called. How he made her light up and happy, and how I used to love the sound of his voice calling me 'Little Bud'. I guess what I'm saying is I will always remember how he made us be 'us'--because he showed us how to love so well.
Moving on to something a little more current, what is your favorite memory with Vere?
Ah so many. Too many and I've only known her so little. The bun. Her epic, insane bun, of course. The first time I saw her spinning around on Charlie's back. How she asked me if my eye color was fake and if I could pull off my eyelashes. How she busts on me. When she bought me my first fresh peach milkshake. Oh wait. I know. How about when I first fell for her so hard? It was when she brought the guitar to my house as a gift and she cried all over me. That's a good one for sure.
Thanks again for joining me today Hunter! Is there anything else you'd like to say to your fans before you go?
Just thanks so much and…go search out some cool, heart shaped rocks. You won't be sorry if you do.
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Ends 2/1
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8 comments:
What a terrific review of what sounds like a delicious read. (Sorry, I'm not on FB.)
This sounds like an excellent book. Thanks for the review!
Not a big fan of contemp, but I do so love the sound of this one!
Great review. I'm reading it now.
I've been looking forward to this book for a while; it sounds so good! Thanks for the giveaway :)
Love Anne! And I've been trying to find this book for a while now. Thanks for the give away!
Aaw, Hunter sounds so sweet! Can't wait to read this!
Been on the fence on this one, but your review makes it sound really nice :)
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