Blacklist (Beautiful Idols #2) by Alyson Nöel
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Goodreads Summary: 
Layla Harrison has finally found herself in the middle of a celebrity story worth reporting. Aster Amirpour’s name is in every tabloid—even if it isn’t the good kind of publicity she hoped for. Tommy Phillips is inches away from getting the girl of his dreams, which may be harder than scoring a VIP ticket to an Unrivaled nightclub.

But Layla, Aster and Tommy never imagined it would be because they’re entangled in the disappearance of Madison Brooks—a story that’s blinded the world like a starlet blinded by the flash of a paparazzi camera.

Now, Layla is receiving mysterious messages from an anonymous source, Aster’s looming murder trial is so huge even her parents’ lawyer can’t save her, Tommy is retracing his steps as the last person Madison saw alive, and Layla’s ex Mateo finds himself lured into the fold.

You can dig up dirt about celebrities that the tabloids miss if you search long enough. But when Layla, Aster, and Tommy team up with an unsuspecting insider to unearth the truth, they’ll find that some secrets are best kept in the grave.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: 
In the second book of the dramatic Beautiful Idols series, the stakes are raised --- will these young stars rise or plummet to the ground? Layla Harrison's blog is losing subscribers as she refuses to broach the topic of Aster. Tommy's blissful life is only getting better but he can't forget Layla... Aster must find out who is framing her before it's too late, and Madison? She may not even be alive.

Blacklist definitely has a better plot, but it just isn't as explosive as Beautiful Idols. Yes, things have "gotten more intense", however it takes awhile for anything of interest to happen. The relationships between the characters certainly shift heaps, we see frustration, love, and support, bonds are made and broken more than once.

Madison is a hot topic in this book, so much of what is hinted at in Beautiful Idols is revealed, specifically information about her. Each character is haunted by different things; Tommy's career is at a stand still, Layla must respond to anonymous threats or be dealt with, and Aster is daunted by the threat of jail for a crime she didn't commit. We see more of Ryan too, and he has changed a lot from his first appearance in the series.

This book answers many questions, but perhaps there aren't enough questions asked to keep the book flowing as the same few questions pop up all the way through the book. Is Madison dead, is Aster going to get out of jail, who is Madison really? Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Blacklist and I think it's done a brilliant job of setting up book three, which is sure to be explosive considering the amount of ammunition Blacklist has generated and not used.
Purchase Location: Borrowed From Library
Edition:
Paperback
Buy the book:
Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of contemporary young adult novels full of teen angst.