Unfortunately I was unable to read and review the book when I was first approved and I have a much better idea of my taste in books these days. The writing style wasn't really for me and the story didn't grab me straight away.

I am always hesitant to read stories about mental illness because very few writers can portray this correctly (as something we live with daily, not something to get over and be cured off). So, going into this book, there were some reservations about whether I'll find this book worth it.

First off, Miranda is that character that you'd love to hate most of the time, and, at the start of the book, I really did. I wanted to shake her so many times. But then you get to know her story and her background, and you realise so many things about why she is the way she is. You will love her in the end (is all I'm saying).

Her brother I want to hug for everything he went through, then kiss for being there for his sister, even when he himself needed help. He was an arrogant ass most of the time, but he loves his sister!

Sandy, oh my goodness, Miranda would not have made it without him. Although she does use him, he never once gives up on her. He is a wonderful character that will crawl into your heart before you can stop him.

The best character for me is Daphne. She grows so much and things change her for the better, which makes her the best friend and supporting character I've seen in a long time. Also, Miranda's other friends are incredible. I love that these friendships go through hardships and there aren't any instant-friendships here. They all go through this journey that could have pulled them apart, but they fought for each other every step of the way.

John is such an amazing guy, I would love to pluck him out of the book for myself.

If I had known, going into this book, that the author, Katie, herself suffered from Bipolar Disorder, I would have had a completely different mindset going into this story. I was so glad I didn't know because this story will have such an impact on so many lives. Here is one mental illness portrayal that shows you are not broken because you're different, and there is nothing to overcome. You are different and wonderful as you are.

From the author: "We're just people - accountants, lawyers, doctors, and baristas. We got dealt a different hand, but, for the most part, if we have enough health insurance, financial stability, and emotional support - then we're alright. Chances are you are friends with someone like Miranda. Take care with your words and prejudices. She might need you some day. And you might need her."

Based on the description of this book and the cover, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Fallout Girl is so much deeper than it initially seems. It covers mental health and suicide in a way that is deep, real, and sometimes hard to read. It certainly could be a trigger for some people. But, the writing was superb-it was obvious that the author knows her stuff-and the plot pulled you in from page one. Fallout Girl is a great book, but certainly not your mindless beach read. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I always feel bad when a book has serious subject matter and I don't love it as much as I feel I should. Such is the case with this book. We have a main character who is dealing with untreated bipolar disorder and a whole range of other life issues that have really beaten her down and left her running from her life in North Carolina out to LA.

My first issue with this book was the timeline and pacing. Everything happened way too fast. Serious relationships were formed...friends were considered "family"....Miranda was sabotaging herself...all within the span of a week. I had a difficult time accepting that she felt all that close to her group of "friends" within that short amount of time as her attitude and general demeanor kept everyone at a distance and she wasn't exactly very nice to anyone.

A love triangle also appears within this time with some serious "insta-love" issues going on. I didn't think Miranda's story needed that extra layer as there was already enough of a plot without it. And then when one of her love interests, John, decides to act like a whiny baby and make an issue of their "relationship" when he can clearly see that Miranda is struggling with her life, it was just a big NO from me.

I guess the biggest problem for me could have been that I didn't like any of the characters. We are told that Miranda is all of these great things with all of these great qualities, but we don't see that in the words. She's rude and mean and petty. The way she talks to other people is immature and abrasive. I get that she is suffering from a bipolar disorder, but she's just not a very likable person at any point of the book. And the other characters are just background noise with hardly any depth or personality. I must state that I have not read any of the other books in this series, so I didn't have any backstory to go off of, but within this book, they were all pretty dull.

The one highlight of Fallout Girl was its real-life perspective of someone suffering from a bipolar disorder from their POV. The reader forms an understanding of Miranda as we read her thoughts and reasoning as she does a number of different reckless things. I think that understanding greatly adds to the complexity of her character.

Overall, I give the book a generous 3/5 stars. It just wasn't for me.

Katie Rose Guest Pryal’s characters are mesmerizing! They are larger than life but have problems that make them so relatable to the reader. Guest Pryal is not afraid to delve into the darker side of the human condition, tackling topics such as suicide and bipolar disorder. I truly enjoyed this continuation of Miranda’s story. Brief mentions of situations that occurred in previous novels of the Hollywood Lights’ series guarantee that I will be reading the books that I have missed!

I had not read any of the other books in this series, but did not feel like I was missing any pertinent plot information. This book is part love story, part struggle to find oneself. I enjoyed it, but was not completely immersed like I have been with other books.

4.5 Stars ***Full/Complete review of Fallout Girl: A Hollywood Lights Novel coming soon. Be sure to pick up your copy avail. 5/7/18