Starstruck is the second book in reality TV star Lauren Conrad's L.A. Candy spinoff series, The Fame Game. Like its predecessor, this voyeuristic glimpse behind the scenes of the world of reality TV is hard to put down. Fans of the series will enjoy previously mean Madison's humbling fall from grace and subsequent re-emergence as someone who cares about something more than herself. Perhaps after reading Conrad's books, readers will learn to take tabloid news with a grain of salt, once they have a glimpse at how manufactured many relationships and other celebrity situations are. There are several prescription drug and marijuana references as one character begins to use medication (primarily Xanax) to combat anxiety and stage fright. Another character has a frightening overdose when her boyfriend is careless about giving her pills she is unfamiliar with. Several of the girls worry about the health of another girl who it is implied parties too much, and seems to be too thin. Although the characters are nineteen, they frequently "meet for drinks" while filming their TV show, drinking freely as if they were adults. Physical interaction is tame, with a few references to a character having spent the night with her boyfriend. There is only occasional language (f-ck, sh-t, b-tch, a-shole). Several characters arrive at the conclusion that fame is not what they expected or wanted, and question whether the price is worth it. The cliffhanger ending is sure to leave readers wanting much more of Madison and her friends.
