Fifteen Minutes by Karen Kingsbury

Genre: Fiction

 

Pages: Hard Cover

 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

 

Reviewer: Courtney Van Dyke

 

JAGS: 9.5

 

 

Zack Dylan’s family was mostly supportive when he announced he would be auditioning for Fifteen Minutes, a singing reality show.  It was only his Grandpa Dan, and his girlfriend, Reese, who voiced their concerns about the process changing who he is.  Before leaving, Zack promises his family, Reese and God that fame would not change him. He was auditioning because he knew it was what God wanted for him, not because he wanted to be famous.

 

During his time on the show Zack finds himself breaking all kinds of promises. He is no longer the person he was when he auditioned. He allows the producers of the show to mold him into their idea of a “heart throb”. While on the wild ride that is Fifteen Minutes Zack grows attracted to fellow finalist, Zoey. Zoey is constantly throwing herself at Zack, making it difficult to remind himself of his life back home.  

Chandra Olson, former winner of Fifteen Minutes, joins the judge’s panel this season. She experienced the dark side of fame, when a crazy fan hunted down and murdered her parents. 

 

Chandra only agreed to judge this season hoping she would be able to save someone, to warn them about the downfalls of this life. Taking Zack under her wing and offering him a sneak peek into the world of fame, and all it comes with, she hopes to help him find his way out.

 

This was hands down the best book I have read all year.  Kingsbury draws you in to the lives of her characters. You will celebrate their triumphs and feel defeat in their failures. This novel shows how God is able to guide everyone, even those in doubt of their religion.

Kingsbury shows that with God all things are possible. As Chandra Olson’s mom often said, “God is good. All the time.”

 

“We received a free copy of this book from Howard Books, for our honest review. The opinions expressed here are our own.” –The Jag Review