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In Between the Magic: My Life from the Playboy Club to Beirut and Beyond
Immerse yourself in swinging 1960s London for an exciting ride around the globe as you discover the extraordinary, celebrity-filled life of one amazingly vibrant woman.
When ten-year-old Juliette's father tragically dies, she is left alone with her mentally disturbed mother. As Juliette comes of age in London during the sixties while struggling to support her mother, she finds a job at London's Playboy Club as a casino bunny. The adventurous Juliette is soon running with a crowd of famous musicians and actors, many of whom become her lifelong friends. Inevitably, Juliette's mother renders them homeless, and they leave London wiht no money for an unknown life in Istanbul, where Juliette eventually runs to Beirut to work as a nightclub singer. A year later, she is thrown into the civil war and to survive, runs ammunition for political assassins. Back in London, Juliette finally escapes her mother's clutches and, with blind determination, moves to LA to make it as an entertainer. There, she enters Hugh Hefner's Playboy circle and rubs elbows with A-list stars, finding new connections and opportunities, as she discovers what she wants to do with the rest of her life. In Between the Magic is the true story of the remarkable Juliette Watt, whose ability to survive and thrive, find love, and confront heartache will inspire and endlessly entertain you.
When ten-year-old Juliette's father tragically dies, she is left alone with her mentally disturbed mother. As Juliette comes of age in London during the sixties while struggling to support her mother, she finds a job at London's Playboy Club as a casino bunny. The adventurous Juliette is soon running with a crowd of famous musicians and actors, many of whom become her lifelong friends. Inevitably, Juliette's mother renders them homeless, and they leave London wiht no money for an unknown life in Istanbul, where Juliette eventually runs to Beirut to work as a nightclub singer. A year later, she is thrown into the civil war and to survive, runs ammunition for political assassins. Back in London, Juliette finally escapes her mother's clutches and, with blind determination, moves to LA to make it as an entertainer. There, she enters Hugh Hefner's Playboy circle and rubs elbows with A-list stars, finding new connections and opportunities, as she discovers what she wants to do with the rest of her life. In Between the Magic is the true story of the remarkable Juliette Watt, whose ability to survive and thrive, find love, and confront heartache will inspire and endlessly entertain you.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
348 pages, Paperback
Published April 12, 2023
7 people are currently reading
1356 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 16, 2023
In Between The Magic ... is fascinating. How could one young woman live such an exciting life, enough to definitely fill a book with a hint of another book to come. I will impatiently wait. The author lived the definition of chutzpah, survived horrendous lows and extraordinary highs. Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens , Robin Williams are only a partial list of people she has met. Some of it is sad to read and I would like to think it's just imagination, but I believe Ms. Watt. What an exceptional life! Well written and easy to immerse yourself in. Love it.
My thanks to the author, Juliette Watt, and the publisher, River Grove Books, for my electronic copy of this book, which was received through a Goodreads Giveaway.
My thanks to the author, Juliette Watt, and the publisher, River Grove Books, for my electronic copy of this book, which was received through a Goodreads Giveaway.
June 3, 2024
Gripping
Wonderful, couldn't stop till it was over. My era so connected with the Brit side of things. Looking forward to reading part 2.
Wonderful, couldn't stop till it was over. My era so connected with the Brit side of things. Looking forward to reading part 2.
March 16, 2024
This is a book that is all about one woman’s life abet filled with many superstars and soon to be superstars. If this story is true, it sure was one wild ride! Her youth was filled with a crazy mother and grandmother and her young adult life filled with adventures and opportunities (good and bad). This is an incredibly rich story and one you won’t want to put down.
June 4, 2023
What a ride and what a life.....and this book only tells the first 30 or so years of Juliette's! "In Between The Magic" is an almost unbelievable recounting of Juliette's meeting and living surrounded by so many stars and people of influence throughout the 60s and 70s eras. Show-biz, world leaders.....a real A list.
Juliette travels the world, exploring and evolving, crossing paths with many well known names. A shy person by nature, she does an amazing job re inventing herself over and over. Sometimes her life is a war zone.... literally and figuratively.
But she doesn't let the early death of her father and her mentally unstable mother define her. Juliette has packed more life into those short decades, than some people do in a lifetime. Drama, tragedy, humour and thrills, all in a background of self discovery and finally finding a life of peace and settlement. Lady luck plays a big part in some of the paths taken, but if you don't put yourself out and trust fate, you will never know what is possible.
Thanks for the roller-coaster ride Juliette. NetGalley and and River Grove Books for my copy.
Juliette travels the world, exploring and evolving, crossing paths with many well known names. A shy person by nature, she does an amazing job re inventing herself over and over. Sometimes her life is a war zone.... literally and figuratively.
But she doesn't let the early death of her father and her mentally unstable mother define her. Juliette has packed more life into those short decades, than some people do in a lifetime. Drama, tragedy, humour and thrills, all in a background of self discovery and finally finding a life of peace and settlement. Lady luck plays a big part in some of the paths taken, but if you don't put yourself out and trust fate, you will never know what is possible.
Thanks for the roller-coaster ride Juliette. NetGalley and and River Grove Books for my copy.
June 1, 2023
This is a story about a young gal growing up and all of the things she over came; everything from dealing with family who had mental health issues to getting into situations that could have lead to her death because she was young and didn’t think people would do the things they did to her or around her.
May 15, 2023
In Between the Magic
The ultimate story of fake it until you make it. Put yourself in terrible situations and hope for the best. Try to blend in to stay alive. Amazing she lived long enough to tell he stories of near death experiences and the people she has met over the course of her lifetime.
#GoodreadsGiveaways
The ultimate story of fake it until you make it. Put yourself in terrible situations and hope for the best. Try to blend in to stay alive. Amazing she lived long enough to tell he stories of near death experiences and the people she has met over the course of her lifetime.
#GoodreadsGiveaways
July 15, 2023
This was a Goodreads give away book.
This would make a sensational mini series.
The writing is not great but it is raw and real. I was a little surprised it wasn't self published. It's almost incomprehensible that one person was so deep into so many mega famous people's lives, which of course contributes to the exhaustive name dropping. She says she is very shy yet she meets, chats up, and becomes best friends with everyone within days. She must have an enormous memory because every other chapter there was something she would remember for the rest of her life ( the heat, cold, a look, etc).
The 'about the author' section at least told how she has finally giving back to others because the 380 pages of the book she was always a taker.
I am glad she had the fortitude and charisma to gain undying devotion and sincerely hope she got out from under her mother's manic thumb. I could not have lived her life.
A look into life in the 60's was interesting. How things have changed and how utterly out of controlmexpensive everything has become since. A 2bd/2ba house in Westwood for $600 a month? Probably $3k a month now.
Would I recommend this book? If someone is looking for a turn around story set in.the 60's-80's encompassing wars in the middle east and a young girl living off her wits, and musicians from that era, then yes, I would recommend it.
This would make a sensational mini series.
The writing is not great but it is raw and real. I was a little surprised it wasn't self published. It's almost incomprehensible that one person was so deep into so many mega famous people's lives, which of course contributes to the exhaustive name dropping. She says she is very shy yet she meets, chats up, and becomes best friends with everyone within days. She must have an enormous memory because every other chapter there was something she would remember for the rest of her life ( the heat, cold, a look, etc).
The 'about the author' section at least told how she has finally giving back to others because the 380 pages of the book she was always a taker.
I am glad she had the fortitude and charisma to gain undying devotion and sincerely hope she got out from under her mother's manic thumb. I could not have lived her life.
A look into life in the 60's was interesting. How things have changed and how utterly out of controlmexpensive everything has become since. A 2bd/2ba house in Westwood for $600 a month? Probably $3k a month now.
Would I recommend this book? If someone is looking for a turn around story set in.the 60's-80's encompassing wars in the middle east and a young girl living off her wits, and musicians from that era, then yes, I would recommend it.
May 4, 2024
A Goodreads Giveaway!
An interesting book, a bit disjointed in places, and memories from early childhood a bit unusual!
However, I do believe if life is out of the norm we remember more because of this!
The playboy club was interesting in the 70’s, my husband who was a medical student at the time was in a syndicate of ten who shared a membership (I am sure not allowed, but then they were poor students), and this was where he took me for our first date, it was the cheapest place to eat in London but expensive to join hence the syndicate! Have to say for me it was pretty awesome!
I also remember as a young nurse, Bunny Girls coming to Charing Cross Hospital, trying to get drugs for weight loss so they could keep working!
This book was an interesting read, sure it was probably embellished with “poetic licence” but that makes for a good book, well written, hard to put down, fun, and interesting to read.
An interesting book, a bit disjointed in places, and memories from early childhood a bit unusual!
However, I do believe if life is out of the norm we remember more because of this!
The playboy club was interesting in the 70’s, my husband who was a medical student at the time was in a syndicate of ten who shared a membership (I am sure not allowed, but then they were poor students), and this was where he took me for our first date, it was the cheapest place to eat in London but expensive to join hence the syndicate! Have to say for me it was pretty awesome!
I also remember as a young nurse, Bunny Girls coming to Charing Cross Hospital, trying to get drugs for weight loss so they could keep working!
This book was an interesting read, sure it was probably embellished with “poetic licence” but that makes for a good book, well written, hard to put down, fun, and interesting to read.
June 26, 2023
Magic is definitely a word to describe Juliette's life. This book was, for me, too much; too much name dropping and too much of fantastical stories. I can't imagine one woman going through both all of the good times and nightmares she went through. Becoming a playboy bunny in London at age 16, dating Cat Steven's twice, as a teenager and after he converted to Islam and changed his name, becoming good friends with Sammy Davis, Jr. after meeting him at the Playboy Club. Partying with Hendrix, Moon and bunches of other rockers, and all of this by the age of 20. Not too mention later getting caught in a war, getting kidnapped by the Saudis for a prince, later dating a Saudi prince and spending 3 years hanging out at Hugh Hefner's playboy mansion. It was just too much for me. #GoodreadsGiveaway
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed Juliette Watt’s memoir - it was both poignant and humorous at the same time. Yes, I do know Juliette but there are so many aspects of her life that I was not aware of - she’s one of the most unique, interesting people I know and I think that came through in her writing. She really was able to take you on her personal journey. You don’t need to know her to enjoy her life story - it was really only the beginning. I have read lots of memoirs - it’s a genre I really enjoy- and this is one of the best! Bravo Juliette!
July 5, 2023
I have to admit this was a great memoir. This woman has lived a very exciting life but has also experienced her fair share of tragedy. You can’t have one without the other. From her childhood on up until her first job, dealing with a mentally ill mother, and her motley crew of various friends (some you have defiantly heard of, others you may have googled). From harrowing experiences in a war zone, to hopscotching around to various counties and experiencing some things that would make you say “no way”. I can’t give any spoilers so you’ll just have to read it yourself
June 15, 2023
An absolutely fantastic book-I couldn't wait to read it each night! Juliette Watt's book is simply amazing. Exceedingly well written, she details her adventures (both wondrous and heartbreaking) eloquently. I was inspired by her astounding strength and courage. I've read a myriad of memoirs, and "In Between the Magic" is one of the most memorable books I've in ages. I know you'll love reading Watt's tour de force as well!
August 18, 2023
The writing is terrible, with no feeling or emotion. It's very clear that she hates all the women in her life and believes all the bad stories about them, and adores all the men. She tells a story about her mom, in which her mom is made to look crazy and mean and her dad is loving and charming, yet she has this "memory" from when she was three years old. I really wanted to find out her story, but had to stop reading after 50 pages. I really don't understand all the great reviews.
March 11, 2024
Not my typical go to book
This is a book about Juliette's life. It isn't all rainbows and sunshine, so I am sure this book isn't for everyone.
I enjoyed Juliette's honesty about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Even though there were times I shook my head in disbelief, Juliette held my attention from start to finish.
She had a very interesting life and met a lot people before they became famous.
This is a book about Juliette's life. It isn't all rainbows and sunshine, so I am sure this book isn't for everyone.
I enjoyed Juliette's honesty about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Even though there were times I shook my head in disbelief, Juliette held my attention from start to finish.
She had a very interesting life and met a lot people before they became famous.
June 26, 2023
The author has certainly led quite an adventurous life! She has traveled all over the world and met such amazing people along the way. I really enjoyed reading about her antics and seeing her pictures. The ending of the book did feel rather abrupt, though.
I received a copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Yay!
I received a copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Yay!
August 1, 2023
I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
This was an interesting story of her first 30 years of life. So many people meet and events experienced in that time frame!
I especially enjoyed the inclusion of pictures throughout the story!
This was an interesting story of her first 30 years of life. So many people meet and events experienced in that time frame!
I especially enjoyed the inclusion of pictures throughout the story!
August 4, 2023
Disclaimer: I was a Goodreads winner.
I loved this book, the story and the fascinating way that Juliette lived her early years. A solid 4.5 / 5 stars for the pace, intensity and cameos.
I loved this book, the story and the fascinating way that Juliette lived her early years. A solid 4.5 / 5 stars for the pace, intensity and cameos.
August 7, 2023
What a life Juliette has had. Adventures and trials and great challenges abound in her young life and she triumphs and learns and survives so beautifully. Will there be a second installment? I hope so.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews