Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby

From Goodreads: Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.






 Jo is just your average teenager well if average is falling asleep at your desk during school as you were out snapping photos of the next big thing until the early hours the night before.
Jo gets sent to a retreat to work undercover taking pictures of huge teen star Ned Hartnett, once at the retreat what started out as just a job and a quick way into photography school actually turns into Jo finding herself and maybe just maybe she isn't cracked up to be a paparazzo.

I originally assumed that Shooting Stars would be a easy summery read, what I actually found was a story with a lot more depth and some serious themes running throughout.
 I really warmed to Jo early on, she was likeable but also had a fun and unique voice. But she hasn't had an easy time, which isn't fully revealed until later in the story. I really liked the way she interacted with the supporting characters, especially Seth and Katrina who deserve a novel of their own.

I have always had little to no time for the paparazzi thinking of them as just out to annoy celebrities and get the most money possible in return, this story really made me think a bit more about why they are needed in the first place and I definitely have a lot more respect for them after reading this.

Shooting Stars was a good coming of age tale and proves that you don't always have to follow in your parents footsteps and do what they want for them to be proud of you, definitely a good life lesson can be found here.


Shooting Stars is published by Walker and is out now.
A big thank you to the author who sent me a copy to review