Chrissy’s Review: Lost in Hollywood by Cindy Callaghan

Lost in Hollywood
written by Cindy Callaghan
published by Aladdin, 2016

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Did I enjoy this book: It was cute. However, it was not my favorite in this series of books.

The other books moved and held my interest. This one just didn’t quite move like the others. It was cute, and the adventure was interesting. But I got lost in the friend speak (the two main girls finished each other’s sentences), the niece, the alien, and the burrito car. For me, there was just too much and the story got lost. Will the middle grade girl enjoy the story? Yes, I think she will. But if you want her to be hooked on Ms. Callaghan’s books, start with Lost in Ireland (formerly known as Lucky Me) and go from there.

 

Would I recommend it: It’s okay, but it shouldn’t be your first “Lost in . . .” book.

 

About the book – from Goodreads: Ginger is on a mission to find her family’s missing fortune in glamorous Hollywood in this M!X novel from the author of Lost in London, Lost in Paris, Lost in Rome, and Lost in Ireland (formerly titled Lucky Me).

Thirteen-year-old Ginger Carlson feels like she is the only normal one in her family. Her father is an inventor who sells his gadgets online, Mom is obsessed with classic movies, and her brother Grant thinks he is from outer space. Luckily, Ginger has a totally normal BFF, Payton, and they have big plans for the future—they plan to become doctors and open a practice together in a big city. But first, they’re partnering on the state Science Olympics where they’re sure to take home the gold for their eighth grade class with their model of the brain.

The Olympics training is interrupted when the Carlson family gets an urgent call that their eccentric Aunt Betty, a former actress who lives in Hollywood, is in serious trouble. The bank is going to take her house unless she can give them the money she owes. The Carlsons head to LA to sort things out for Aunt Betty, along with Payton, who tags along for the West Coast adventure.

In a moment alone with the girls, Aunt Betty tells them what’s really going on. Because she didn’t trust banks, Aunt Betty stashed her money in a secret hiding place. Only problem—it’s so secret, she can’t remember where that hiding place is! That’s what she’s been doing all around town—looking for her fortune. Can Ginger and Payton help find the money—and give Aunt Betty the Hollywood ending that she deserves?