Stay Tuned: Punches and Post-Its

Melissa Moore is a busy woman. Producing the six and ten o’clock news for WSGA, adapting to her daughter being away at college, and trying to salvage her relationship with her husband are difficult enough, but things really get hectic when anchor Alyssa punches her co-anchor and boyfriend, Tim, right in the face while cameras are rolling. Melissa is suddenly thrust into the spotlight and must take on even more during her already busy day, but can she balance her new life with her old responsibilities?

Lauren Clark’s Stay Tuned is a fun novel that revolves around Melissa’s daily dramas. From a husband who communicates through Post-Its to a new co-anchor who could schmooze a used car dealer into buying a junker, Melissa is faced with her fair share of difficulties as she strives to learn more about who she is and what she wants out of life.

Cover: Bright, fun, and well-balanced, the cover is well-designed and accurately represents the tone of the novel. I also love the title, which ties in with the book without being too obvious.

Plot: Clark’s book is a page turner. I finished it in one day, which is almost unheard of for me. It seemed as though the book was over before it had begun–and not because it is short. The plot moves quickly, but not too quickly for readers to keep up. It’s a great representation of the atmosphere that Melissa works in, and I think it contributes to the characterization.

Characterization: Melissa is a producer, a mother, a wife, and a best friend. Though she has all of these monikers, she is still a woman who is looking for something to make her happy, fulfilled. I couldn’t help but see Melissa as a kind of Liz Lemon, corralling her anchors and trying to keep her show from falling apart. Once she steps up to fill in for Alyssa, though, the story takes a unique turn.

What I love the most about Melissa is that she is a character that women can relate to. I have been through relationship troubles, identity crises, and professional turning points that, though they may not be as visible or dramatic as those that Melissa must deal with, have made me contemplate similar questions. What do I want to do with my career? What do I want out of my relationship? Is it time to have a child? Do I even want a child? All of these questions, and more, will create a bond between readers and the protagonist.

My grandfather mentioned that women live by different rules in today’s society than they did fifty years ago. Now, women are in charge of their lives and have to make these difficult decisions. Parenthood, being a homemaker, and submission to a husband are not all expected anymore. With the freedom to live the lives we choose, us women must make these difficult decisions. Though they can seem overwhelming at times, these decisions are of pivotal importance to our happiness, and Clark illustrates the ways in which they can affect our lives perfectly.

I recommend Stay Tuned to anyone who is looking for a page turning read. Though you will get through the book quickly, the story and its characters will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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