Private Lives

by Tasmina Perry

Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller Tasmina Perry delivers the ultimate summer a jet-setting, rollercoaster ride set around a glamorous media law firm riddled with secrets, scandals and danger...

Anna Kennedy loves her career. A young associate with a top media law firm, she's the lawyer to the stars, hiding their sins from the hungry media. When Anna fails to prevent a damaging story being printed about heart-throb movie star Sam Charles she finds herself fighting to save not only his reputation, but also her own. But Anna is about to uncover a scandal more explosive than even Sam's infidelities. A party girl is already dead and those responsible are prepared to silence anyone who stands in their way. Not least a pretty young lawyer who knows too much...

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Ebooks, Contemporary

544 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2011

About the author

"Tasmina Perry left a career in law for the more glamorous world of women’s magazine journalism.

She has written on celebrity and style for many national magazines including Marie−Claire‚ Glamour and Heat and was most recently Deputy Editor of InStyle magazine. She has also found time to launch her own travel and fashion magazine Jaunt. All of her four novels have been Sunday Times best-sellers and her books have been published in seventeen countries.

She lives in Surrey with her husband and son." (Source: http://www.tasminaperry.com/the-autho...)

She also writes under the pseudonym J.L. Butler and with her husband John Perry under the pseudonym Mia James.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tasmina Perry has done it again! This is a huge novel, with almost 700 pages, but oh my goodness, they really fly by!

The reader enters the murky world of media law via associate lawyer Anna Kennedy. Anna loves her work, she works for the best firm of lawyers, she mingles with rock stars, Hollywood actors and goes to the best parties. She is almost at the top of her career, with a partnership in sight, until she fails to get a last minute injunction and her client's dirty secrets is plastered all over the papers.
Anna finds herself mixed up in a world she didn't imagine - big money, risk takers and even murder.

Yes, I loved every page of it! The story is fast-paced and lots of fun to read, the characters are bright and loud and larger than life - with some really well-drawn bad guys (and girls).
A great insight into the world of the rich and famous - showing how easy it can be for someone with enough money to get away with anything. The story is really relevant at the moment, with all the media coverage of 'super injunctions' and Twitter users revealing the secrets of the stars online.
Pour yourself a long glass of something chilled, sit back and enjoy the read!

[Mercedes]

Definitely not my favourite Tasmina Perry book. Although the writing style may be better than the others the story was no where near as good. The romance was nearly non existent . All in all not page turner like the others have been. Dissapointed.

[Kathy Chung · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book have been a disappointment for me. I had expected more from this author and after reading the synnopsis , I thought it would be a page turner.

There were too many sub plots involved..Matt and his wife, Anna and her sister, Anna and Sam, Anna and matt, Helen , Sid , Jessica and Sam....for a time I was lost at what the book is getting at.

It didn't help when the author decided to use pet name here. Andrew became Andy. At place s he was referred to as Andrew and at places he was referred to as Andy. For a moment there I got confused whether Andrew and Andy is the same person.

It was a chore for me to finish this book...I don't really feel the "thrilling journey into an intoxicatingworld where games are played to mask the truth,..."

This was an ok sort of story for me.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where to begin? Er gebeurt zoveel in dit verhaal, met zoveel verschillende POVs dat het niet goed samen te vatten is.

Ik vond het mwah, er gebeurt een hoop waarvan ik denk heeft dit werkelijk te maken met het verhaal. Uiteindelijk bleek het allemaal wel samen te komen, maar dat heeft lang geduurd. Ik denk ook niet dat het zelfs korter kon, zo uitgebreid heeft de schrijfster het genomen.

Ik heb zelfs gedacht, moet ik dit boek echt uitlezen, maar toch maar gedaan want het einde was verrassend snel, spannend en goed. En om daar te komen was de rest van het verhaal helaas nodig.

[Christine Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good holiday read usual sort of thing rich people, both sides of Atlantic but a good mystery with a surprise at the end

[Daphleen Van der heyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, amazing read

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

You need to have been living in a cave for the past few years to have not seen and heard all the high-profile scandals that have been in the press; the Ryan Giggs scandal, just to name one. With this in mind, Tasmina’s Private Lives couldn’t have arrived at a better time! Celebrity affairs, high-profile cover up’s and the last minute rush to obtain injunctions against the press – This book has it all!

For those of of you who don’t know, before Tasmina was an author, she had a career in law, so of any authors to write a book based on characters at a media law firm, Tasmina is the leading woman to bring us the exciting and thrilling side of what goes on behind the scenes. This book is primarily based around Anna, a young associate who has just joined a prestigious media law firm. Her first task is for the hollywood heart-throb Sam Charles: After his one night stand, Anna must stop the damaging story being printed before it’s too late. When the injunction doesn’t go ahead and the story is leaked, not only is Sam Charles’ life in tatters as he is blasted a cheat, but Anna’s reputation as a top lawyer is rapidly descending. Desperate to fix things, Anna agrees to help a girl find out the truth about her sister Amy Hart’s death. It is widely believed that the party girl tripped in her heels and fell down the stairs, but soon this leads Anna into dangerous waters and scandals she may wish she hadn’t uncovered.

I can not tell you how much I loved this book. It’s very relevant and current with all the things we read about in newspapers, and it’s refreshing and exciting to be reading from the ’other side’ that we don’t hear about from the media, it’s enthralling for us to be part of the cover up’s, injunctions and to know what the lawyers are trying to hide from the rest of the world.

The main character Anna is very well written. She’s incredibly believable, and as the reader I got very much behind her, supporting her the whole way and willing her to uncover the truth about Amy Hart.

Although the story focuses on Anna, there are a lot of sub-story lines with other characters and their development alongside Anna’s story. For example, we have the story of Sam Charles and his now ex-celebrity girlfriend Jessica, with Sam trying to put his life back together. We also meet Matthew Donovan, a divorce lawyer just been made partner by his father Larry to take over the distinguished Donovan Pierce. All of these side stories are cleverly woven in together and Tasmina has a fantastic talent of linking parts together effortlessly. Tasmina draws you in right from the very first pages and takes you on a thrilling ride, you won’t be able to put this book down!

This book is a perfect summer holiday read, if you’re looking for a bit of sizzle whilst you’re laying on the beach or by the pool. Alternatively, if you’re staying at home, this book is riveting enough to take you away to a world of glamour, stars and a frenzy of secrets.

[Rea Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just finished reading my first ever Tasmina Perry book. I have often seen her books in the book store, they all have stunning, eye catching covers, but the size of the books have always put me off!! I was sent a copy of Tasmina Perry’s recent novel Private Lives by Headline Reviews to read and review and when this huge hard back arrived on my door step ( wouldn’t fit in the letter box!) it was my time to delve into the world of Tasmina Perry.


Plot
Anna Kennedy loves her career. A young associate with a top media law firm, she's the lawyer to the stars, hiding their sins from the hungry media. When Anna fails to prevent a damaging story being printed about heart-throb movie star Sam Charles she finds herself fighting to save not only his reputation, but also her own. But Anna is about to uncover a scandal more explosive than even Sam's infidelities. A party girl is already dead and those responsible are prepared to silence anyone who stands in their way. Not least a pretty young lawyer who knows too much...

My Opinion
After I got over my shock at how huge this book was and once I had stopped cooing over the front cover I started reading this straight away. The book is a whopping 534 pages long and I was a little uncertain if the book was going to keep my attention for the duration of the book. The novel starts off slowly and takes a while to get into the flow of the story but I feel this was because there were many different characters and different storylines going on so it took a little time to get to know who was who. Once the novel started to flow the story began to come into its own.

The storyline was a little unexpected for me I am a terrible one for judging a book by its cover so I assumed this was going to be a light weight easy beach read, but I was wrong the story needs your full attention as there is so much going on in the book you cannot afford to skim a part.

There is a real mix of characters in Private Lives and each of the characters have their own storyline which gives us an insight to their back ground but each of the characters are connected in some way. My favourite characters had to be Anna our leading lady who seems to have had a hard time the last couple of years and so has thrown herself into work, and also Matt who has just started working at the same firm as Anna, his character felt very genuine and like your guy next door type of guy.
The storyline did loose me at a couple of points but I soon found myself back on track. I do feel that the book could have been condensed down a little but all in all I found the book very enjoyable. I am not one to usually read about law and lawyers but I surprised myself as to how much I enjoyed this book it really was a glamourous read.

[Bettina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness what an amazing book. Loved it so much. When the storyline starts off with a murder you know you're not going to be able to put the book down. Very mysterious and kept you guessing all through the book. Liked reading the book from a lawyers point of view too. Definitely one of my favourite authors.

[What to read next ....... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne Kennedy has loved being an attorney for a media firm ever since she started at Davidson Lewis law firm , or she wanted to become a partner.

Anne starts on a new case for Sam Charles, the heart throb actor who is dating Americas Sweetheart Jessica Carr .

Sam was caught in a compromising situation with someone else, and Anne's task is to keep it out of the public eye .

But the court gag order is lifted after someone leaks a story to the press, and Anne is certain that it was not an accident that this story got out .

With her job in the balance , she receives a note from a younger girl stating that someone had murdered her party girl sister , Amy, known for dating influential men .

Anna realises she's involved in a dangerous game as she attempts to find out who leaked the Sam Charles story and cover who killed Amy .

This book was so good , it was such a page turner , it gave a great insight into the world of media law and how ruthless people can be for their clients.

This book was long, and a large cast of characters all tied together within the same mysterious death. The characters were handled flawlessly with empathy and detail.

You will not be disappointed reading this book 😃👍

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a couple of other books by Tasmina Perry and enjoyed them so when I saw this in the Library I picked it up. I wouldn't normally read something like this as glamour and celebrity stories are not my thing, I find them incredibly shallow, however it was better than expected and I reluctantly would like to know more about the characters. Do Sam and Jess live happily ever after? Probably not! Will Anna find an meaningful relationship? What about her selfish sister will her marriage survive?

[Mercedes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't a huge fan, but I've read much worse. The characters are all very frivolous and it seemed that everybody was having an affair. There was no sustenance to any of the cast which made it difficult to engage with their journeys, and as such, I found myself kind of bored by the never ending dramas that were unfolding. I think the pace of the book needed work and I disliked the ending because it felt thrown together in order to create the 'perfect happy ending' people expect from a chick lit novel.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anna Kennedy is the new media lawyer at the powerful offices of Donovan Pierce. Her first case at helping Hollywood Sam Charles out of a jam might turn into something more.

I read this years ago and decided to reread it, and I enjoyed it. There are multiple points of view, but by the end, I was preferring Anna's, and halfway, I just wanted the story to finish.

A tiny bit too long and some points of view not necessary but enjoyable none the less.

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! I fell in love with the characters and very attached. The storyline was interesting throughout the whole book, taking unexpected turns. Anna was a brilliant main character. I also loved how each chapter focused on a different characters view and situation. I definitely want to read more to Tasmina Perry's books. I didn't want Private Lives to end!

[Fiona Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up at second hand stall on holiday in Cyprus. I had low expectations as not a lover of this type of book usually but I couldn’t put it down! I loved it from start to finish.
Great escapism from the real world , so well written. I’ll be looking out for more from this author!

[Kharis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little long-winded I often got lost as there seemed to be 3 main lines. I thought the ending was a little abrupt with a couple of loose ends with regards to one of the characters. A good read though.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could not finish this. The beginning was okay and I was getting into it but....

The middle became a bit hectic. I guess that's what typically happens in long books. it's a good lazy read but I wouldn't advise it if you're trying to get out of a reading slump.

[Charlotte Beyst · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 3.5 ;-) A good chicklit

[Cressida McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engrossing, lots of twists and turns and complex, well researched stories. Kept me guessing right up to the end. Loved it!

[Alison Hydes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book from Tasmania Perry. Another Suspense with romance in it.

[Kim Lachine-caron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interestingly woven together. Not a flattering picture of the world of newspaper reporting, but eye-opening.

[Ashley Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading again .......its one of those you have to keep reading as it's so good ! X

[Rosalee Tabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book captured me and held on till the end where I didn't want it to end yet.

[Clare Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, but felt it ended with a few loose ends

[Pip · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read - not too "romancey" and lots going on. I liked it.

[Erin VanBelois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. The characters were well developed but not too complex. The story line was fun and flirty but had me on the edge of my seat at time.

[Tracey Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, couldn't put it down, read 600pgs in 36hrs!
Liked all the different plots going on & clever how they all came together. Already made a nite to read all her others. Strongly recommend

[Chantal Bowers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish it . Too many storylines and too much going on the book didn’t need to be so long to get to the point

[Gabrielle Soria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soapy but enjoyable beach read. Satisfyingly long.

[Morag Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy beach read. Entertains and moves along quickly.