I didn't like Lonely Hearts Club--it was bland and I gave up within the first fifty pages. This is not uncommon. My reviews on here and ratings are of books I actually finished. I DNF books overwhelmingly. It's not a crack at the author actually; I am super impatient and have high expectations. It is a me thing. Nonetheless, I was hesitant to read this book because I hadn't liked the other. Stumbled across this by chance. I thought it was about theatre, and, no. Opened the cover to read the flap, it's about -teens in a performing arts academy-. -Gonna read-, I thought. Gonna -make- myself read no matter how bad, because that setting--to say it hits a nerve is inaccurate. That sounds like I'm mad, and I'm not. It--is a setting I'm really into, and really--it's a positive, deep-seated thing.

I was entirely absorbed in the setting of the book. I liked how the characters were set up, and their backgrounds, and how that affected them so deeply. The author writes teens incredibly well, and the dialogue flowed. I chuckled at times. I was still entirely unprepared for the sheer levels of nails on a chalkboard-level melodrama, whining, weirdly set up love triangles, and oh, I often wished the kids would just shut up. Yes, their dialogue was cool and I still wished they'd be quiet and--do something. -Prepare- for things to fall through, not work, and stop being so whiny and self-centered. And yet--it's a realistic depiction of certain kinds of teenagers, so props to the author. I didn't like how often actors, especially musical theatre ones, were made fun of. I was one from ages eleven to nineteen, but not Carter-level at all. I was well-known in the company I was in, and that was it. Asked to audition for other stuff, but I couldn't make the auditions. That kind of thing. Onward. I haaated how Ben was portrayed, and the homophobia entwined with queer coding with Emme was also quite the sore spot for me. Sophie was an effective antagonist--hello, Teen Me, but to a slightly lesser extent. Emme was clearly a codependent--takes one to know one. Ordinarily I'd feel sympathy for a fellow codependent teen (I started showing symptoms around age twelve or something), but ugh, I wanted her to fail so spectacularly that she dropped out because I couldn't -stand- her as the book progressed. Oh, the cliches piled up. By the end, I gritted my teeth and practically growled. I was so glad the book finally ended. I'm still interested in the setting of performance arts academies with teenagers, so I'll seek out books that hopefully have different plots. A Time For Dancing--for years, I thought it -did- take place at a performing arts school, but not quite. It's hinted at. I'll read it after I finish another one I'm going through, and keep looking for good books. This wasn't for me. ( )

My biggest complaint is that it actually looks like Sophie on the cover. Actually, I really enjoyed the way the characters' stories wove together, and I was really happy with the ending. I'm not sure whether Sophie will get the message Carter was giving her though, ( )

Oh man, I'm an absolute sucker for books set in a performing arts school. Take a Bow was a great book with a cute storyline and even cuter characters. If you're looking for a book to sit back and relax with, Take a Bow is a perfect pick! ( )

This book immediately appealed to the fan girl in me who was obsessed with the first 3 seasons of Glee.

A most enjoyable fun light hearted read about a group of teens in a prestigious school for performing and creative arts in New York. Centres on four characters, told from four different points of view. Each character had their own discitinct voice and personality . The only character I really did not like at all was wanna be super star actress Sophie who took backstabbing bitchiness to new level of obnoxiousness.

Wonderful, full bodied and fleshed out characters. The plot focuses on their senior year, something about the end of term show case which is a really big deal and college auditions. There's drama, a will they won't they romance, audition drama, an awesome band with a troubled lead singer, the bitchy actress, backstabbing, and the quiet but very talented and pretty girl who needs to come out of the shadow into spot light.

Well written and concluded realistically. A very good read.

And crosses off my second square for Bookish Bingo Summer Card - music or dance themes.
books-i-own-paperback ( )

Take a Bow is my third Elizabeth Eulberg novel and it will certainly not be my last. I recommend Elizabeth Eulberg's books to anyone looking for quality teen chick lit or for a sweet summer read. Eulberg is an incredibly talented author whose stories combine social issues, romance, friendships, and drama for a charming, yet addictive story that comes with a satisfying happily ever after.

Take a Bow is told from the point of view of four characters who attend a highly competitive arts school. There's plenty of struggling to find one's identity, but there's also a slightly painful, but delicious 'unrequited love' dynamic that's built up throughout the novel. Be warned that this book may disrupt your life. I had a hard time putting it down towards the end as I needed to know if Emme and Ethan would end up together, if Carter will finally be able to do what he wants, and if Sophie will get what she deserves.

I love that Take a Bow features musically talented characters with realistic musical ambitions. It's not a book about a group of teens who form a doomed rock band. It takes a look at all the hard work required of a student perusing a career in music, at ambition, and at what it takes to make or break your dreams for the future. Moreover, teens can relate to the pressures of being accepted into post-secondary education, and about the fears about the future that accompany the end of one's high school career.

Take a Bow is a charming, heartfelt, and surprisingly powerful story that could only come from the brilliant writing of Elizabeth Eulberg. Elizabeth Eulberg is my go-to recommendation for YA novels for girls, and one of the top chick lit authors for girls ages 13 & up.

4 Stars ( )