From the publisher:
Wendy Holden's ninth novel blissfully returns to the witty, unputdownable style of her best-loved early bestsellers, featuring the trademark Holden wit that prompted the Daily Mail to say: "Thank God for Wendy Holden." A fabulous romantic romp revolving around the adventures of a struggling actress, a fame-crazed former film star, and a down-to-earth nanny, Beautiful People jets to London, Hollywood, and Italy at a frenzied pace. Holden crafts a tale wicked in its observations yet bouyant at its heart: a masterful return to the swashbuckling verve her adoring fans devour. A confection that's made for summer reading.
Wendy Holden's ninth novel blissfully returns to the witty, unputdownable style of her best-loved early bestsellers, featuring the trademark Holden wit that prompted the Daily Mail to say: "Thank God for Wendy Holden." A fabulous romantic romp revolving around the adventures of a struggling actress, a fame-crazed former film star, and a down-to-earth nanny, Beautiful People jets to London, Hollywood, and Italy at a frenzied pace. Holden crafts a tale wicked in its observations yet bouyant at its heart: a masterful return to the swashbuckling verve her adoring fans devour. A confection that's made for summer reading.
My Thoughts: "Unputdownable" is definitely the right word. Once I started this delightful romantic comedy, I couldn't put it down. It's like one giant game of musical chairs with players leaving their own element to succeed in another player's element; Darcy, the dedicated Shakespearian actress who jets to Hollywood to audition for a part in a Star Wars type movie while Belle, the Hollywood bimbo, flies to London to try to repair her slipping image with some real stage experience. Belle just happens to try out for a role in a production of Shakespeare's Timon of Athens and succeeds! How , you ask, well you will just have to read the twist in this plot thread to see! Let's just say it's not your typical Shakespeare production.
The action ramps up in Italy when the movie production begins and other characters holiday in the same town. A lot of situations come to a head while characters search for fame, fortune and love in a tumultuous manner. There are some well deserved come-uppances, some soul-searching questions and answers along with plenty of romance.
Occasionally predictable but this reader didn't mind one bit; I was having too much fun with these characters. Of course, there were some characters who sometimes I just wanted to reach into the pages and slap! When I can easily get a running mental image in my head of all the characters, their surroundings and actions, then I know the author has done a good job. Holden's wit is rapier sharp and her keen observational sense of the comedic is spot on. I had never read Wendy's books before but now I am a dedicated fan. This story tugged at my heartstrings, tickled my funny bone and just plain delighted me at every turn of the page. 4****
Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Sourcebooks, Inc.
Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Sourcebooks, Inc.
lol, i love this 'unputdownable'. Thanks for the review the book sounds like it was a really good read.
ReplyDeleteYour review has me wanting to read this - writing title down now :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
ReplyDeleteAny book that's "unputdownable" must be worth a read!
Enough lady!!! I so can't keep up with you...but here I go again adding this one to your naughty list!!! LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never read this author either but this sounds like so much fun to read. I love good characters and a sharp witted writer. I also like that the characters are in all these wonderful locations. I'm making a note of this one.
ReplyDeleteI love unputdownable books and the cover of that one is just terrific!
ReplyDeleteOoo this is going to be good!! My poor TBR pile. It is screeching in pain, lol. Thanks for stopping by the blog and seeing me. Your support means a lot. Oh and I was really surprised to see Anna Karenina on the list. I have not read it but have seen a lot of reviews for it and I didn't get the impression it was that type of book. I guess that just shows you how peoples impressions differ with different books. Even down to the writing style:)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so great! What a wonderful review!
ReplyDelete