This Is Not The Real World by Anna Carey | Book Review

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Nineties nostalgia takes a dark turn in this thrilling sequel to This Is Not the Jess Show, perfect for readers of We Were Liars and One of Us Is Lying.

Months after Jess escaped from the set of Stuck in the ’90s, the nostalgic reality show she believed was her real life, the teen star is getting to know the outside world for the first time. But she can’t outrun her fictional life forever—or the media empire that owns it.

After Like-Life Productions tracks her down and forces her boyfriend to return to the show, Jess teams up with an underground network fighting to uncover Like-Life’s schemes. To expose the truth, Jess must go back to the set and take Like-Life down from the inside . . . but getting revenge might just cost her everything.

This Is Not The Real World by Anna Carey is the high stakes thrilling sequel to This Is Not The Jess Show. If you read further in this review, know that there will be spoilers for This Is Not The Jess Show, given that this book picks up a few months after it leaves off. For the most part, I was riveted by this thriller. I was able to turn my brain off and just enjoy the ride for the short amount of time it took me to whip through this book. I have a couple minor quibbles, but overall, would recommend this one.

Anna Carey’s sequel This Is Not The Real World follows Jessica as she is no longer living on the set of Stuck In The 90s. Instead, she lives off the grid with her TV sister Sara and her boyfriend, Kipps. Unfortunately, Lifelike Productions has found Kipps and because he is under 18, dragged him back to set. In order to save Kipps, Jess agrees reluctantly to go back to the set. There she has to remain essentially on her guard at all times. She also agrees to obtain information and feed it back to a group hoping to expose the underbelly of Lifelike Productions. As said, the stakes are high with this book.

Similar to This Is Not The Jess Show, this book was such a fast read. There are very short chapters and non stop action. I have been so stressed out and just at my own personal capacity lately, so this was such a good read to take the mental load off with, so to speak. However, I still found myself not at all invested in the Jess-Kipps romance. It just doesn’t feel well developed or built. Also, the book ends on a note where the door is open for a sequel and that sort of annoyed me a bit. I just want a full resolution, ya know? Otherwise, if you’re looking for a book heavy on plot — this is the one.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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