Far from the A-List - by Stephanie Burns (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In this fresh, propulsive take on fame in the tabloid era of the '00s, a former child star struggles to figure out who she is beyond the characters she's played--on television and in relationships.

Former child star Michaela Turner is ready for her next big role--she just doesn't know what it is yet. As someone whose days were once filled with bright lights, never-ending rehearsals, and adoring fans from around the world, Michaela now struggles to define herself beyond the glitz and glamour of her past.
She tries hard to stay out of the tabloids, but fading into the background isn't quite as easy as it sounds. Not when her manipulative momager, Caroline, is dead set on launching her daughter's big comeback, no matter how many old wounds it tears open. And especially not when Michaela's attempts at "normal" relationships fail spectacularly at every turn, from the toxic ex she can't seem to escape to the nice guy she wishes she could see a future with.

As her mother's demands grow more draining and her love life takes hit after hit, she learns a few hard truths about the significance of self-worth and the beauty of letting go. Now, with her ex-boyfriend-turned-best-friend Josh as her only support, Michaela is ready to rebuild herself, one misstep at a time. And maybe, if she's lucky, after all these years of pretending, she'll finally have the chance to discover who she really is.

Review Quotes

"Fans of child stars, star-crossed lovers, and stage moms rejoice! Stephanie Burns has graced us with a witty, wise, and all-around wonderful debut that asks the big questions of adulthood: Who am I, and what do I really want? This is a soul-satisfying, all-the-feels debut from a standout new voice!"
--Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds

"Get ready for a fresh new voice in fiction! In Far From the A List, Stephanie Burns gives us a celebrity story for the ages. What happens when a child star ages out of the spotlight only to fall under a microscope? When you grow up and nobody--even your mother--wants that? Stephanie Burns writes funny and sad with the best of them. This is a must read if you've ever asked the question: Are there second chances for everyone or only the people who don't make mistakes?"
--Ann Garvin, USA TODAY bestselling author of There's No Coming Back From This

"Compulsively readable, Far From the A List is an exciting debut that explores the glamour and pitfalls of child stardom. Written with warmth, heart, and a lot of humor, Stephanie Burns is an up-and-coming author to watch!"
--Aimie K. Runyan, international bestselling author of The School for German Brides and The Memory of Lavender and Sage

"I am in love with Far From the A List, Stephanie Burns's stunningly original debut novel--a story of a former child TV star who is searching to find who she is now that she's no longer the charming 7-year old who stole America's heart. You can't help but root for the irrepressible Michaela Turner as she navigates her way between lovers, would-be friends, her manipulative mother, obnoxious fans, her judgmental doorman, and way too many late nights clubbing in Manolo Blahnik heels. This book has everything I love: brilliantly drawn characters, great dialogue, wit, humor, and heartbreak--and twists and turns that kept me reading far into the night. Now that I've finished it, I want to read it again."
--Maddie Dawson, Washington Post bestselling author of eleven novels, including Matchmaking for Beginners and Let's Pretend This Will Work