Becoming Mila (The MILA Trilogy): 1

Becoming Mila is one of those books that has been sat on my TBR list for a while and I wish I had picked it up sooner. It is a delightful, fun, engaging YA novel featuring a young sixteen-year-old girl who has been sent to live with her aunt and grandfather in Nashville from Los Angeles. The reason, her film star father doesn’t trust her not to embarrass him before the release of his next big movie and wants her out of his way.When Mila arrives in Nashville she learns that not only has she been sent miles away, her aunt has also been given orders not to allow her outside of the family ranch. However, her aunt believes that she needs some freedom and lets Mila leave as long as she notifies her of where she is at all times.Mila finds it hard being the daughter of a famous movie star and so tries to remain anonymous, but things don’t go according to plan, especially where Mayor’s son Blake is concerned. He knows all too well what it is like living in the shadow of someone famous and so he is glad for a bit of the limelight to be taken away from him, not realising how much it upsets Mila.The book flowed with ease. The pace was fast and as such, I flew through the book in just two sittings. The characterisation was perfect and I felt like I got to know the characters inside and out. Mila came across as a lot older than she is, possibly due to the fact she has had to grow up quickly being in the public eye constantly.The one character I adored was Mila’s grandfather. He was so lovely, caring, and sweet. He was always trying to be helpful, much to the annoyance of her aunt. He was also upset that Mila’s father never visits or even calls him anymore. Like he has gotten too big to even be associated with his family.Becoming Mila is a book I adored from beginning to end. I am so happy to see that is the first in a new trilogy and I can’t wait for the next book to be released. That one won’t sit on my TBR list for so long!*I received a free copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed

Meet Mila, the daughter of movie star Everett Harding. At the press conference for her father’s knew blockbuster summer release, Mila once again ends up in headlines for all the wrong reasons, meaning that the press conference will be remembered for a very different reason and not for the movie itself. In order to let things calm down and to stop any further negative publicity ahead of the movie it is decided that Mila will be shipped off to the family home in Fairview, Tennessee to stay with her Aunt Sherry and her grandfather who she lovingly calls Popeye.Whilst there she reconnects with her old childhood friend Savannah and her brother Miles. It’s through them that she meets Blake, their cousin who is also the son of the Mayor of Nashville. Although Mila might have been sent to Fairview to lay low, she quickly realises that trying to blend in is harder than she thinks especially because of who her father is. But this will be a trip that Mila will never forget because she’s about to unearth secrets that have been buried for many years.I loved the storyline and with the turn of each page felt like I was transported into Mila’s world and to Tennessee and Nashville. It was hard not to love Mila’s character or the other characters in the book. Mila as a character grows throughout the story and in some ways by being sent to Fairview to live with her aunt and grandfather she finds the stability that’s been lacking in her life in LA. When Mila meets Blake they instantly clash but there’s definitely an intense spark between them and a lot of chemistry. The more they get to know each other the more they realise they have a lot in common, which includes living in the shadow of their very public and successful parents.When I started to read this book I knew it was part of a trilogy but that cliffhanger at the end was not only shocking but made me want to read the second book straight away. I really can’t wait to see what happens to Mila next so I am eagerly anticipating the next book.Definitely a book I’d highly recommend.

The author dived straight into the action for the first chapter, bringing drama and a hint of the Hollywood lifestyle that I just couldn’t wait to find out more about.Mila was a character who I found easy to like. Her small acts of rebellion indicated that she wasn’t entirely happy with the way her life was being managed and I felt certain the move to Tennessee would be good for her character, not to mention highly entertaining for me to read.The writing style was incredibly emotive. For example, whenever Mila was feeling nervous and unsure of herself in an awkward situation, I felt it too. I found myself holding my breath and wondering if she’d get through it without adding embarrassment to the mix. A good connection to the main character is something I always hope for when I pick up a book and to experience it so early in the storyline told me I had something really special in my hands.The character growth was impeccable. Watching Mila find herself as she experienced some much-needed freedom, warmed my heart and put a big smile on my face. Then, as events took a shocking turn at the end of the book, I was left wondering how she would handle it all. Waiting for the next book is not going to be easy!I can’t write this review without mentioning the sparkling relationship between Mila and Blake. It was filled with the most delicious kind of tension, flirtatious moments which made my heart beat faster and even some unexpected complications – pretty much everything I’m looking for in a fictional romance!Favourite Moments:• Truth or dare• An uncomfortable dinner• Sitting by the pool• Escaping the movieThis was an awesome YA read with bags of personality, I can’t wait for the next instalment!

Estelle Maskame writes with so much depth, heart and maturity. This is another triumphant YA novel for her and I can’t wait for the next instalment!If you haven’t read her other books then do yourself a favour and buy them all.