Kept Putting It Down...But It Was Good

 

TITLE: The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes

AUTHOR: Elissa R. Sloan

PUBLISHER: William Morrow Paperbacks

PUBLISHING DATE: August 1, 2020

FROM GOODREADS: 

In vein of Daisy Jones & The Six and Everything I Never Told You, this debut novel probes the dark side of fame after a former pop star ends her own life.

Cassidy Holmes isn't just a celebrity. 

She is “Sassy Gloss,” the fourth member of the hottest pop group America has ever seen. Hotter than Britney dancing with a snake, hotter than Christina getting dirty, Gloss was the pop act that everyone idolized. Fans couldn't get enough of them, their music, and the drama that followed them like moths to a flame—until the group’s sudden implosion in 2002. And at the center of it all was Sassy Cassy, the Texan with a signature smirk that had everyone falling for her. 

But now she's dead. Suicide. 

The world is reeling from this unexpected news, but no one is more shocked than the three remaining Glossies. Fifteen years ago, Rose, Merry, and Yumi had been the closest to Cassidy, and this loss is hitting them hard. Before the group split, they each had a special bond with Cassidy—truths they told, secrets they shared. But after years apart, each of them is wondering: what could they have done? 

Told in multiple perspectives—including Cassidy herself—and different timelines, this is a behind-the-scenes look into the rise and fall of a pop icon, and a penetrating examination of the dark side of celebrity and the industry that profits from it.  

MY THOUGHTS: When I was a tween, I had dreams of being a pop star.  I think a lot of young girls do.  But then I realized my talents were stronger elsewhere and moved on. However, I maintained my extreme love of music.  So when I first saw this book, I knew I wanted to pick it up. Plus, I had seen a few pretty good reviews on Booktube so by grabbing it from the library, I really had nothing to lose but time.

And speaking of time, this book did take me two months to read.  Although, it was basically because I kept putting it aside for other books which seemed more pressing, and not because I didn't like it.  When she was sixteen she auditioned for a show similar to American Idol.  She didn't win but when a girl group found themselves needing a new member, she did find stardom.

The book alternates between timelines and various POVs.  While I like both techniques, I have to admit that at times I found the transitions confusing.  I also must stress that this book does not glamorize the music business - quite the opposite.  It shows the dark and competitive nature and what the lifestyle can really do to people.  Early on we learn Cassidy has committed suicide (not a spoiler, it's even in the synopsis).  So as the story progresses, we see what drove Cassidy to the breaking point.  

The girls in the band were not necessarily a fun gang as well.  They each had their own issues and agendas and the ending still doesn't sit well with me, even though I finished it over three weeks ago.

While I can't say this was a stellar read, I will admit it was a solid one.  I don't regret the time I spent reading it and I think had I focused on it solely, it would have been a quick read despite clocking in at over 400 pages.  If you are curious about the pop lifestyle and enjoy books centering around celebrities and music, then you might want to consider giving this one a chance.

RATING: 3 PAWS