No Biz like Showbiz

By: Julie Moffett

Narrated by: Kristin Watson Heintz

Lexi Carmichael: helping geeks everywhere get some. Okay, so it's not exactly as it seems, but that's what's happening on the dating reality show called Geeks Get Some that I, geek extraordinaire Lexi Carmichael, have been called to work on. Not that I'm a fan of reality shows (I can barely deal with my own reality). Still, I've been sent to Hollywood to find a hacker who's screwing with the results of the show's online voting system. So what happens when I get there? Well, the producers convince me to continue my investigation from the inside. And what should be an easy hunt for the hacker turns ugly when he sets his sights on me. Add to that a studio obsessed with ratings, a bunch of nerdy contestants, and my own confusing love life, and unraveling this mystery might make me a star... or get me killed. Meet Lexi for the very first time in No One Lives Twice!

©2014 Julie Moffett (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Surprisingly good

I was skeptical at first because there were a lot of negative reviews and encouragement to skip this book. In this one she sets out on her own and there was less interaction with the supporting characters we've met along the way. It does get annoying her complaints about interacting with others and wanting to give up but I read it more as frustration that her continuing was putting these guys she was interacting with in the spotlight in a negative way mixed with the lingering effects of being a geek in a non-geek world. She's always gone on about not having social skills and being on her own in this novel sets her up for maturing and being a grown up between learning to interact with others, determining what she wants in a guy (I'm still holding out for her to pick the guy whom I think fits that bill to a T!) and even making decisions about her romantic life. I sincerely hope she doesn't revert in the future but that this novel sets her up to show her growth in these ways in future novels. Points off for it seemingly dragging out at some points and my trying to remember when last any forward movement regarding the case had happened, Basia's lengthy monologue pep talk and that annoying Italian accent. I'm going to ride it out until he's written out of the series bc I'm convinced he's not the guy for her and am holding my breath until she and the right guy figure things out. Otherwise, good listen!

No Biz Like Showbiz

Not my favorite book, bit still had me laughing out loud, especially when her date gets tazed . A lot happens in this book, including Lexi's love life.
Had already read books, going through listening to the audible narrations now. Narrator is just ok.

Lexy on her own

Lexy is mostly on her own for this story. The other characters we have grown to known have brief scenes. Despite Lexy's continuing to state she isn't good with conversations, she manages to define her relationship with both Finn and Slash in this story. She uses her tech abilities to catch the hacker, but not before getting roped into starring on a reality TV show that she hates.

👍

Love this series! Lexi and slash crack me up! Perfect books for a light read with lots of humor

Lexi Grows Up

What did you love best about No Biz like Showbiz?

I loved that Lexi finally seems to come into her own. She and Slash begin a relationship of which I am glad because he is a terrific character. He is strong and loyal and always backs her up. She gets out of her comfort zone and tries different things. Always finds the hacker and treats him/her to her wrath which is usually fair.

What other book might you compare No Biz like Showbiz to and why?

Can't help but compare Lexi to Stephanie Plum and Slash to Ranger in that series but only in the character development. I love both series and will continue to read both. Lexi is smarter than Stephanie in that Lexi is a geek and knows all the electronics stuff. I love electronics.

What does Kristin Watson Heintz bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She has the voice to convey Lexi's innocence and her smarts. sometimes her voice annoys me but that is usually when the dialog is annoying such as the over use of 'Jeez' and some other juvenile words but you must remember that Lexi and her geeks are older in age but not so old emotionally so that explains it. But over all Ms. Heintz is terrific.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh out loud in parts but no crying.

Any additional comments?

Love, love these books. Keep them coming in audible. The Book 5 is NOT in audible. I would have bought it.

Lexi never ceases to amaze me

Enjoyable but there were parts that seemed to drag a bit. Not as much action as usual but a cute story that held my interest for sure.

Love Lexi, just not this story.

The Lexi Carmichael series is great, and I REALLY enjoy the audio versions. Good premise for this story with Lexi leaving her problems/mother/possible boyfriends behind as she heads off to LA & Hollywood madness . However, once she gets out of her comfort zone, could she be MORE WHINY?!?!? Lexi is a very naive character overall, but sometimes when she would complain (whine) I just wanted to say "You're an adult! Deal with it!!" But no matter what, the ending is completely worth me yelling at the story. Already bought & looking forward to hearing the next one.

I felt so engaged while listening

I think what I loved most is how engaged I felt while listening, how endearing the group of geeky contestants became to me.
Even the culprit. I felt my heart soften and shift away from the usual view held about guys not so proficient at being social. I realized how pervasive the habit of social mockery has been for everyone.

Toxic and mean

This was an unpleasant story featuring reality TV, horrible people, and beyond contrived scenarios.
The professional actors and producers were sexist jerks caring only about ratings. Although the book was F bomb free, mid-level swearing directed at women generally and Lexi specifically (hell, sh, JC) was low level triggering. I lost count of the toxic behaviors and scenarios, from a stalker who posted naked pictures to a contestant who subjected women to nonstop come-ons and unwelcome touches.

The worst plot point was using the Geek Get Some reality TV show as a vehicle to bully, make fun of, and publicly humiliate a bunch of geeks who merely wanted to find love. This book lost sight of good comedy, which laughs along with, rather than at, the characters.

Showbiz is No!

Any additional comments?

Occasionally I enjoy a funny series. I work outside a great deal and books with twist and turns become an arduous undertaking. Julie Moffett's series has provided a few "laugh out loud" moments. However, No Biz Like Showbiz, is not a book I would recommend.
I do not like the characters. I do not like the development of the story line. I knew very quickly where the story was going.

Writing books, writing a series of successful books is undoubtedly difficult to do. I am respectful of the author. Nevertheless, I would skip this one. Your listening library will thank you.