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Michelle Duffy
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Trapped in an 80s Teen Movie Kindle Edition

by Michelle Duffy (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 75 ratings
When lifelong friends Julie and Rosanna are electrocuted by an ancient Betamax VCR, they wake up as the main characters in their favorite 1980s teen movie. How will they get back to reality... and do they really want to?

For Rosanna – eternal adolescent, reluctant single mom and frustrated artist – being zapped into an eighties teen movie is a dream come true. She’s the coolest girl in school with a hot, mysterious boyfriend, a doting father who’ll give her anything she wants and a scholarship to study art in Paris. Why would she ever want to leave?

For Julie – Miss Responsibility – this is her worst nightmare. She’s the sidekick in her own favorite movie and the boy of her dreams - Johnnie - is hopelessly, unrequitedly in love with Rosanna. Julie is determined to get back to reality.

But things start to change when Johnnie falls for Julie and offers her everything her real-life husband isn’t giving her; and Rosanna has to choose between her over-protective father, her 'perfect' boyfriend and her spoilt-brat real-life son.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll learn to shotgun beer without blowing it out your nose.

Trapped in an 80s Teen Movie is a romantic comedy fantasy about time travel, inter-dimensionality, parenthood, kidulthood, drowning in nostalgia and the lasting qualities of Twinkies.
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  1. Print length
    198 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    19 Dec. 2014
  5. File size
    2.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product description

About the Author

Michelle Duffy is a screenwriter and author of comedy-romance 'Trapped in an 80s Teen Movie'. She is currently developing screenplays with directors in England and Ireland and working on the follow-up novel, 'Trapped in a 90s RomCom'.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00PSI1HM4
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 19 Dec. 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 198 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 75 ratings

About the author

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Michelle Duffy

Michelle Duffy

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Michelle Duffy is a screenwriter, comedy creator, soap storyliner, and author of comedy-romance 'Trapped in an 80s Teen Movie'. She is currently developing screenplays and TV comedy with producers in England and Ireland and working on the follow-up novel, 'Trapped in a 90s RomCom'.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
75 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this book as a fun romp through an 80s movie, with one review noting it keeps readers entertained until the very last page. The writing quality receives positive feedback, and customers praise the excellent films featured in the book.

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8 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book loads of fun, describing it as a fun romp through an 80s movie, with one customer noting it's a thoroughly enjoyable piece of summer escapism.

"...Secondly, the two leading ladies are engaging, fun, and speak with 'real' voices, and thirdly, it's a rollickingly good story that will keep you..." Read more

"...by another blogger I think, but I remember thinking that it sounded like a fun read...." Read more

"...I thought these were all handled and explored well in the story, and the twists and turns, not to mention the way the friendship between Julie and..." Read more

"...of 80s teen movies this book is filled with bad fashion, teenage high-drama and a dash of silliness. It was a real joy to read. Well written...." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Writing quality’4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one noting it is wonderfully conceived.

"...It's immediately apparent that Michelle Duffy is a talented screenwriter, and the pace of the novel seems to unfold very much like the films she..." Read more

"...It was a real joy to read. Well written. Can't wait for 'Trapped in an 80s Teen Movie II'!" Read more

"This took me back to being a teen in the 80's it is wonderfully written what a writer Michelle Duffy is 😁😁😁..." Read more

"Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyed it." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Cinematography’3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the cinematography of the movie, with one noting its cinematic quality.

"...One of the things I enjoyed the most about this novel was its cinematic quality...." Read more

"...films in this book, which isn’t an 80’s teen movie but is a brilliant film nonetheless...." Read more

"...back to a time where everything was pink, hair was high and films were excellent!..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Value for money’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth the money, with one mentioning they thoroughly enjoyed it.

"...know if the author has seen this film, or if you have, but it is well worth a watch...." Read more

"Great book, did not expect the ending at all but kept me reading til the end" Read more

"Excellent read, thoroughly enjoyed it." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Fay Jessop
    5.0 out of 5 stars Being 'Trapped' has never been so much fun!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 August 2015
    Verified Purchase
    There are many reasons to pick up this book and read it; firstly, if you are a fan of 80s movies, you will find more references than you can shake a glittery, legwarmer adorned stick at. Secondly, the two leading ladies are engaging, fun, and speak with 'real' voices, and thirdly, it's a rollickingly good story that will keep you entertained until the very last page.

    From the outset, the tale is one of wish fulfilment, not just for our two protagonists, but also for the readers themselves. Anyone who has ever daydreamed of going back in time to the decade that style forgot, but good film makers embraced will love the pacy scenes, the fast talking dialogue and the genuine friendship between Rosanna and Julie. Two very different thirty something ladies, with enough optimism to believe in love and second chances, find themselves transported via a defective betamax VCR back to the 1980s, where love, dodgy fashion and questionable life choices all play out against the backdrop of Julie's favourite movie, complete with dreamy leading men. Will Julie turn Johnnie's head enough to give her the confidence to leave her real life behind, and will Rosanna be able to choose between her very real, but very difficult present day son and the man who could, quite possibly, be the actual love of her life? And, more importantly, will they make it to Prom Night unscathed?

    One of the things I enjoyed the most about this novel was its cinematic quality. It's immediately apparent that Michelle Duffy is a talented screenwriter, and the pace of the novel seems to unfold very much like the films she references throughout. It's notable for its convincing set pieces, including the iconic prom scenes, and some very real feeling domestic moments between the girls and their 'onscreen' families. I felt swept up in the story, and very invested in the characters. I desperately wanted it all to work out for them! If you love the films of John Hughes, I am confident you'll love this novel, so go on, download it now and share the adventure!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Julie Morris
    4.0 out of 5 stars A blast from the past
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 July 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I’m not even sure how I came across this book, I must have read a review by another blogger I think, but I remember thinking that it sounded like a fun read. I picked it up just now for a bit of light relief after my last read which had quite a heavy subject matter and because the book is relatively short and I wanted something I could finish in an afternoon, it fulfilled both criteria perfectly.

    Two friends in their forties, their lives stuck in ruts, get sucked into the plot of their favourite 80s teen romance movie and have to figure out how they fit into the plot and how they can get back home. Yes, it’s ridiculous but that’s the fun. The point of the book isn’t to stitch together a believable narrative, it is to explore everything that women of my generation loved about teen romance movies and to shoehorn as many different movie references into a single book as possible.

    And there are a lot. There is a list at the back which lists the main movies that influenced the book, but there are lots of other sly, throwaway lines to pick up if you are paying attention, and that was my favourite part. I recognised so many of my favourite films referenced in this novel and it gave me a warm, fuzzy glow of nostalgia and made me want to hit up my DVD collection once more.

    There also seemed to be more than a pinch of influence of one of my all-time favourite films in this book, which isn’t an 80’s teen movie but is a brilliant film nonetheless. The film is Pleasantville, starring Tobey Maguire and Reece Witherspoon and it’s a really beautiful movie. I don’t know if the author has seen this film, or if you have, but it is well worth a watch. Schedule that, and a reading of this book, in together for a perfect, nostalgic weekend.
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  • Snowkitten
    5.0 out of 5 stars Back to the 80s!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Okay, before I start waffling, I'll cut straight to the main point - I absolutely loved this book. I'm a big, big fan of time travel stories and 80s teen movies, so there was no way I was going to miss out on this!

    As the Amazon synopsis says, the book is essentially about two very close "30 something" friends, Julie and Rosanna, who find themselves flung back in time after a faulty Betamax machine throws a wobbly. Not only do they find themselves transported to their favourite decade, the 1980s, but they find themselves actually playing the part of two teenage characters in their favourite 80s film. Once there, they find they have an opportunity to live the kind of life they could only have dreamed of back when they were teens. But things are never that simple, particularly when romance is involved, and they have to find out a) if they can get back to their normal, less than happy, lives and b) if they really want to go back.

    There's a lot more to it than that of course, but that's the outline. One thing I especially liked is that the author seems to have captured the atmosphere of the 80s teen movies perfectly. There are so many little hints and tributes to look out for, from classics such as Sixteen Candles (a girl is spotted wearing a neck brace awkwardly trying to drink from a water fountain) and Weird Science (the bras on the head, and what I'm guessing was a hint at Gremlins, as something green explodes in the microwave...) and countless others. That in itself is great fun, trying to spot the references.

    There are undoubtedly several messages you can take from the book. For me though, the main one was this. If you're head over heels in love with a decade such as the 80s, and you had the chance to go back there and live it again - especially as a teen - would you? And would you handle those difficult years any better, with the hindsight that comes from having already lived it once? Could you leave behind your existing life, and would it really, truly be as wonderful as your nostalgic memories make it seem? I thought these were all handled and explored well in the story, and the twists and turns, not to mention the way the friendship between Julie and Rosanna is tested, are very unexpected. (As is the moment when they both find out what it's like to actually do an 80s style montage for real!)

    The story as a whole is just great fun, which again is something I loved about so many of the classic 80s teen movies. Yes, there are serious moments, particularly towards the end, but it is without a doubt the kind of story to read if you want a really good nostalgic pick-me-up. if you love 80s films, especially the John Hughes ones, I can recommend this very highly. And personally I can't wait for the 90s sequel to be available!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • AMSD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it! Especially having grown up on 80s movies ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 29 October 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyable and eminently readable! Loved it! Especially having grown up on 80s movies this was a wonderful book and so much more than just a trip down memory lane (though identifying bits from my favorite 80s movies was great fun!). I was impressed by how well-developed the characters were and how well thought-out the plot was. I think we can all relate to reflecting on how our lives have turned out and being nostalgic for simpler days!
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  • ?wazithinkin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Trapped in an 80s Teen Movie by Michelle Duffy
    Reviewed in the United States on 8 June 2016
    Verified Purchase
    While this story is original and smartly told it draws heavily on some of our favorite characters and scenes in a mashup from several 1980 teen movies, weaving Julie and Rosanna’s characters into the plot. It was a lot of fun reminiscing; it has been many years since I have seen a lot of these films.

    Julie and Rosanna are both in their late thirties and get together every Friday evening for a girls’ night. Both are disillusioned with the way their lives have turned out for very different reasons. This week Julie decides so have a movie night with her friend after she comes across an old Betamax VCR and several favorite movie tapes they enjoyed when they were in high school together. Things are going along great as they enjoy vodka fruit smoothies, cake, and old eighties teen movies. At least things were going fine until the Betamax starts smoking and one of them grabs a cake fork to pry the movie out and *BAM*, both women are electrocuted.

    Somehow they are both thrown back twenty years in time and wake up in separate houses. Both Julie and Rosanna are again eighteen year-old high school seniors and are now the stars in their own movie. Julie finds herself in what she always considered the perfect loving family she never had. Rosanna is the only daughter of a doting single father. At first they both think it is all a dream, but it proves otherwise. When they make it to school things play out like the beginning of their favorite movies. They are greeted by friends who think they have always known them. Except for the hot new boy in school who happens to be Rosanna’s heart throb in the movie they had been watching.

    I know it sounds like this book should be full of clichés, but it isn’t. It addresses some weighty subjects that both Julie and Rosanna are forced to reassess. Things they found lacking in their old lives are brought to the forefront and must be looked at with different eyes. Julie, being the responsible one, wants to find a way back home even though she has very little to get back to. That is until Johnny starts paying attention to her instead of Rosanna. Johnny was always her favorite character in the movie. She has secretly carried a torch for him all these years.

    I found this an enjoyable blast from the past that I am sure many will enjoy. The characters are likeable and relatable. The dialogue was realistic for all concerned. From Rosanna with her teen-aged son and later with her pseudo father to her best friend Julie. I also found the twist at the end heartwarming for both Julie and Rosanna. So add this to your summer vacation reading list today.

    FYI: There were a couple of F-bombs dropped and some mild cussing. We are talking about teenagers here… **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** May 25, 2016

    Format/Typo Issues: I came across a small number of proofing issues in the file I was given to review, nothing that really threw me out of the story.
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  • fanny
    3.0 out of 5 stars good for 80's fans
    Reviewed in the United States on 1 April 2018
    Verified Purchase
    a lot of references to many 80's movies.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
    Reviewed in the United States on 29 September 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I was hooked from the beginning. I loved this book. It brought back so many memories. I loved the 80s.
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  • Trevor Butterworth
    4.0 out of 5 stars funny and wise and cool
    Reviewed in the United States on 8 October 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Where have you gone John Hughes? A generation that came of age in the 80s dreaming of being in your movies is now lost in middle age. What if... what if you suddenly found yourself back in that breakfast club of teenage anomie and gelled hair—a time when the Smiths were still together, when bands could imagine calling themselves Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark and still be taken seriously? When Molly Ringwald was god? Would you want to stay there knowing how your adult life had turned out? This is hot tub time machine for all those who wore Doc Martins, funny and wise and cool.
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