Book Review - High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Road Trip by Melissa de la Cruz + Giveaway

 

 

On the night of their successful performance, the team learns that there is a High School Musical convention in the next state over. The convention has something for everyone and the cast members will be making special appearances. 

They are ready to hit the road and they can't wait to make plans for their weekend together. Nini wants to use this weekend to show how much she cares for Ricky since, they just got back together. Kourtney wants to sign up for a signing workshop and maybe audition for the next show. Gina and Ashlyn is using the weekend as a trial run for living together. Carlos is excited to help Miss Jenn realize her dreams and prep for the spring musical.

I recall seeing this movie and remember how much interest it garnered when I was younger. Honestly, I didn't even realize that the movie was still a hit. This was my first book of the series and I realized towards the middle of the book, that the books needed to be read in order. It does seem like the book can be read as a standalone but, there were several previous story references that were lost to me. I also had a hard time following along with the characters and after awhile, all the characters were starting merging together. If you are a fan of the series, I would recommend this book. Otherwise, I would say to skip it.

 **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.**

 
 

 

About the Book:

Title: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE ROAD TRIP

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Pub. Date: May 4, 2021

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 272

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

An original novel inspired by the hit Disney+ television series HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL, by the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Descendants series, Melissa de la Cruz.

Join everyone's favorite Wildcats from the Disney+ smash hit original series High school Musical: The Musical: The Series in this novel by New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.

On the heels of their wildly successful run of High School Musical, the gang learns of a can't-miss opportunity—a High School Musical convention in the next state. There's something for everyone: panels about mounting your next hit show, cafeteria-tray-dance workshops, Wildcat cosplay, and even a special appearance from the pooch who played Sharpay's dog (well, one of her puppies, that is).

Ready to hit the road, the crew immediately begins making plans. Nini can't wait to use the weekend to show how much she cares for Ricky (especially since they just got back together). Kourtney debates signing up for a singing workshop (especially if she's maybe, just maybe, considering auditioning for the next show), and Gina and Ashlyn decide it'll be the perfect trial run for living together (especially because Gina has never actually had a friendship last this long). Carlos can't wait to help Miss Jenn prep for the spring musical, even if Seb has to stay behind to help with the family farm. But car breakdowns, late starts, and a lost E.J. throw a wrench in their plans. 

Will the East Highers get the weekend getaway of their dreams? Or will the bumps on the road get the better of them?

Praise For HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE ROAD TRIP:

A breezy and fun read, the book contains chapters that offer pithy first-person accounts from each character, including quirky Miss Jenn; Carlos and his boyfriend, Seb; recently reunited couple Nini and Ricky and their BFFs, Kourtney and Big Red; popular senior E.J. and his songwriter cousin, Ashlyn; and talented triple threat Gina. The plot includes references to the series and themes straight from the musical: nurturing your talent, showing others how much they matter, and acknowledging the importance of teamwork. Although race isn’t mentioned overtly, the characters are cued as racially diverse, following the casting of the TV show. Fans will appreciate the inside jokes, but explanations in the text make it accessible even to those unfamiliar with the program.

 

A lighthearted and charming read.—Kirkus Reviews.

About Melissa:

Melissa de la Cruz (www.melissa-delacruz.com) is the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling Descendants series, as well as many other best-selling novels, including all the books in the Blue Bloods series: Blue Bloods, Masquerade, Revelations, The Van Alen Legacy, Keys to the Repository, Misguided Angel, Bloody Valentine, Lost in Time, and Gates of Paradise. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and daughter.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | Goodreads | Amazon

 

 

Giveaway Details:

 

3 winners will win a finished copy of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE ROAD TRIP, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

5/1/2021

jillpiscitello

Excerpt

Week Two:

5/2/2021	YA Books Central	Excerpt
5/3/2021	Living in a Bookworld	Excerpt
5/4/2021	BookHounds YA	Excerpt
5/5/2021	Perusewithcoffee (blog)	Review
5/6/2021	Musing of Souls	Review
5/7/2021	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt
5/8/2021	The Book View	Review

Week Three:

5/9/2021	onemused	Review
5/10/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review
5/11/2021	Emelie's Books	Review
5/12/2021	Midnightbooklover	Review
5/13/2021	Fire and Ice	Review
5/14/2021	Shelf Love	Review or Excerpt
5/15/2021	Jenguerdy	Review

Week Four:

5/16/2021	Margie's Must Reads	Review
5/17/2021	Amani’s Reviews	Review
5/18/2021	two points of interest	Review
5/19/2021	Haunted By Books	Review
5/20/2021	booksaremagictoo	Review
5/21/2021	fictitious.fox	Review
5/22/2021	The Reading Wordsmith	Review

Week Five:

5/23/2021	Momfluenster	Review
5/24/2021	michellemengsbookblog	Review
5/25/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
5/26/2021	Struck by Stories	Review
5/27/2021	Fyrekatz Blog	Review
5/28/2021	BiancaBuysBooks	Review
5/29/2021	Do You Dog-ear?	Review

Week Six:

5/30/2021	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
5/31/2021	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt

Book Review - The Birthday Girl by Melissa de la Cruz

 

Before Ellie de Florent-Stinson became renowned fashion designer, she was a trailer park teen about to turn sixteen. Ellie plans a big celebration for her birthday but, her night doesn't go exactly as she planned. Ellie is celebrating her fortieth birthday and it appears that Ellie has everything she ever wanted. She has a successful business, an accomplished stepdaughter, a handsome husband, and beautiful children. She has several homes and huge circle of well-to-do friends.

However, not everything is what it seems. Ellie is keeping secrets from family and friends. She is struggling to keep all her skeletons buried. She fears all her secrets might be expose on her big night with all her old and new friends at her party. As Ellie's carefully curated life begin to crumble, will she be able to survive the aftermath?
 
This novel was a boring waste of time. The book was filled with fillers and lacked substance just like its vapid characters. I couldn't find a single thing I enjoyed about the book. This seems like a type of novel that takes a few weeks to create because there really isn't any story. The one "twist" could be seen miles away. This book isn't a thriller but, a fluff piece.