I wanted to jump but I didn't have the guts. It was one of those moments that I know would never leave me...
The Blurb
Robin Bricker thought joining The Standout—a ballet-themed fashion competition show—would be the boldest thing she’d ever do. But when an anonymous threat tells her to dump her fiancé or risk losing everything, and a smear campaign begins targeting her online, the real danger starts behind the scenes. As jealousy brews among contestants and long-buried secrets resurface, Robin must rely on her brother Ted and the enigmatic Zelda, a fellow contestant with secrets of her own, to navigate a web of sabotage, gaslighting, and betrayal.
The Standout is a fast-paced, emotionally layered novel about reinvention, resilience, and the cost of stepping into the spotlight.
My Review
When the main character, Robin, is offered the chance of appearing in the reality television series, The Standout, she jumps at the chance as this could really catapult her career in fashion design. Alongside this, Robin is receiving threats, and an online smear campaign against her has been launched.
I really liked Robin's character. She is a brave and level-headed woman who is dealing with a lot that is going wrong in her life.
The book changes character perspective throughout. Whilst the bulk of the story is told from Robin's point of view, there are also chapters which are dedicated to Zelda, who is Robin's model on the programme, and Ted, Robin's brother who is also trying to find out what is going on with Robin's mysterious letters and smear campaign while she is out of contact whilst the programme is filming.
The book is fast paced which makes it a page-turner. I definitely wanted to know who was behind the smear campaign against Robin and I didn't guess before the reveal. I also enjoyed the way the author portrayed the growth and development of the characters. Virtually all of them learned something from the experience.
It is an easy and entertaining read and could easily be read in a couple of sittings. I recommend this book to readers.
Book Details
ISBN: 978 1933826639
Publisher: Drama, Drama
Formats: e-book and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)
No. of Pages: 333 (paperback)
Series: This isn't listed as a series but the main character, Robin, features in some of the author's other books.
Purchase Links
About the Author
Laurel Osterkamp writes smart, emotionally rich fiction about messy relationships, creative reinvention, and the kind of love that leaves a mark. She’s the award-winning author of nearly a dozen novels, including Favorite Daughters and the #1 Amazon bestseller Beautiful Little Furies. Her newest novel, The Side Project, blends second-chance romance with literary flair—perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Annabel Monaghan, and anyone who loves bookish love stories with bite.
In addition to her novels, Laurel’s short fiction has appeared in literary journals across the web. When she’s not writing (which is rare), she teaches adult ESL and middle school enrichment classes, goes running with twisty audiobooks in her ears, and educates her daughter on the cultural importance of Beverly Hills, 90210.
She lives in Minneapolis with a family that loves to argue and cats that love to hiss. Ramona.
You can also find Laurel at:
(ARC and media courtesy of the author/publicist)
(all opinions are my own)
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