The other day, while finishing a book on Kindle, and wondering what I was going to read next, I read a review from Ellepkay about a book I hadn’t heard of, but seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. Thanks, Ellepkay. I really enjoyed this one.
Richard Troy is the greatest stage actor of his generation, hailed as the second coming of Olivier. He’s currently starring in a West End drama, but because of his off-stage antics (temper tantrums and the like), ticket sales are down. And thus, his manager and publicist come up with a plan.
One of his co-stars is the newly single Lainey. Lainey is polite, funny, charitable, and just a pleasure to be around. And it is strongly suggested to her (along with a promise to make a large donation to the pediatric cancer charity that she runs) that she and Richard act like a couple in order to save his reputation and the show.
Yes, yes, yes. Of course I knew where this was going. And I didn’t care. I had fun along the way. I wanted to know more about the life of the theater — the long hours and the camaraderie (or whatever the opposite of camaraderie is). I wanted to see more of Lainey’s family, and understand more about her personal loss. I pretty much wanted more of just about everything. Plus, Doctor Who jokes! Right up my alley!
The only thing I wanted less of? Lainey’s ex, and other co-star, Will. Every time his name showed up on the page, I basically groaned. I understand that Richard needed a foil, someone way worse than he appeared at first glance, but Will was just too much.
Other than that? A fun, extremely well-written way to get to know a new author. I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from Lucy Parker.
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
Hoo boy I better get my review up of this!
Agree about Will being over the top.
Oh yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I used to read exclusively historicals and just started contemporaries in the past year. Finding books like this one have made me really happy to be broadening my scope.
I’ve heard so much good stuff about this book and now you reveal it contains Doctor Who jokes too? There’s going to be a lot of reviews of this book in January, because I clearly need to add it to my “To Read in January list” (yes, I’ve started making reading lists month by month). I like lists.
Will struck me more as disingenuous than over-the-top – his were the only motives I had trouble with! Loved the book and tore through it, so glad I’d seen some good reviews here!