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Soapsuds
Passion, power, sex, betrayal, and seduction–it’s all in a day’s work.
Having escaped to Hollywood after catching her boyfriend in bed with her best friend, London stage actress Kate McPhee is offered a gig on the popular daytime television series Live for Tomorrow. As Devon Merrick–police detective, car crash victim, and love interest for at least two men–she knows all the secrets and sins pulsating in fictional Hope Canyon. But the real drama is off the set, where the soap is indeed slippery.
Enter Meredith Contini, the show’s power-wielding diva. Meredith has two rules: Know your place and Stay in it. Kate broke both on day one, which is why she suddenly found her character switching sexual orientation. That brilliant solution came from Daphne del Valle, the show’s barking-mad obsessive/compulsive producer, who drives herself and her actors to enthrall the audience. (“Sell the hurt. Sell the rage. Sell the hunger. Sell the looooooove.”)
As gay detective Devon Merrick, Kate is a smash. The show is a hit. Kate’s private life seems to be becoming something of a drama itself. Especially since everybody thinks she really is gay, which is a problem since she thinks the best cure for her real-life broken heart is to get a man into her bed. But who? Kirk, her sexy, tan, and talented leading man, is boffing Meredith. There’s Matt, the magician who makes her tea, but will her fourteen-hour days keep them from the promise of tangled sheets? And there’s Wyatt, her handsome new co-star, who Kate believes is the great love of her life. Except that he’s married, and his
wife, Christine, is Kate’s new makeup artist and the one sane friend she has made in Los Angeles.
As the line between television and reality blurs with increasing speed, tension tightens and passions surge. Does Wyatt want Kate as much as she wants him? Will Christine find out? Will Kate lose her new friend? Will Meredith finally have Kate fired? Will Kate ever get to “come out” as heterosexual on the set? Are her steamy kiss scenes fated to be only with beautiful women?
Emmy Award—winning actress Finola Hughes whips up a frothy, scathingly funny novel worthy of any afternoon time slot in this delicious romp that takes readers through the twists, turns, and dish that drive the madness that is daytime television.
Having escaped to Hollywood after catching her boyfriend in bed with her best friend, London stage actress Kate McPhee is offered a gig on the popular daytime television series Live for Tomorrow. As Devon Merrick–police detective, car crash victim, and love interest for at least two men–she knows all the secrets and sins pulsating in fictional Hope Canyon. But the real drama is off the set, where the soap is indeed slippery.
Enter Meredith Contini, the show’s power-wielding diva. Meredith has two rules: Know your place and Stay in it. Kate broke both on day one, which is why she suddenly found her character switching sexual orientation. That brilliant solution came from Daphne del Valle, the show’s barking-mad obsessive/compulsive producer, who drives herself and her actors to enthrall the audience. (“Sell the hurt. Sell the rage. Sell the hunger. Sell the looooooove.”)
As gay detective Devon Merrick, Kate is a smash. The show is a hit. Kate’s private life seems to be becoming something of a drama itself. Especially since everybody thinks she really is gay, which is a problem since she thinks the best cure for her real-life broken heart is to get a man into her bed. But who? Kirk, her sexy, tan, and talented leading man, is boffing Meredith. There’s Matt, the magician who makes her tea, but will her fourteen-hour days keep them from the promise of tangled sheets? And there’s Wyatt, her handsome new co-star, who Kate believes is the great love of her life. Except that he’s married, and his
wife, Christine, is Kate’s new makeup artist and the one sane friend she has made in Los Angeles.
As the line between television and reality blurs with increasing speed, tension tightens and passions surge. Does Wyatt want Kate as much as she wants him? Will Christine find out? Will Kate lose her new friend? Will Meredith finally have Kate fired? Will Kate ever get to “come out” as heterosexual on the set? Are her steamy kiss scenes fated to be only with beautiful women?
Emmy Award—winning actress Finola Hughes whips up a frothy, scathingly funny novel worthy of any afternoon time slot in this delicious romp that takes readers through the twists, turns, and dish that drive the madness that is daytime television.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published June 14, 2005
14 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 1, 2016
Genuinely don't understand why this is getting such bad reviews.. I found it to be a great light read. Amusing, interesting plotline, and unlike most books set in Hollywood or the TV scene, it didn't feel cliche and cheesy. I would definitely recommend it.
November 15, 2011
Finola wrote a great book that is tongue in cheek but tells the real story behind the soap industry. A lot of people do not remember Glory Monty's reign on General Hospital. Finola was on both GH and All My Children. Glory Monty was a terror on GH , and Susan Lucci's (on All My Children) ego was out of complete control. She was reportedly a real demon to deal with. Also there is still is a lot of cut-throat jealousy by younger actresses of older ones in the business, and vice versa. What Finola Hughes did in this novel was to entertain us in a similar way to the movie Soap Dish. It put a fun spin on the terrors of sustaining work in daytime soap.
A great book by a fabulous writer and actress. It's a fun way of telling the truth of what we soap opera fans were reading about in the magazines back when Finola was on the above mentioned soaps. I applaud her ability to be honest, funny, witty and entertaining about an industry that shuns women after 30 and men after 40.
A great book by a fabulous writer and actress. It's a fun way of telling the truth of what we soap opera fans were reading about in the magazines back when Finola was on the above mentioned soaps. I applaud her ability to be honest, funny, witty and entertaining about an industry that shuns women after 30 and men after 40.
April 22, 2018
Can't get over the bashing or negative comments. 1st ANY FAN KNOWS HER OF ANNA DEVANE Fame from GH, she is so much more,. Original production of West End's Cats by LORD ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, John Travolta's partner in Staying Alive sequel from Saturday Night Fever. Aspen a very good film about skiing. Tv Movie Haunted By her Past with Susan Lucci and John James. Finola wrote what she knows best.........SOAPS. What she gave us readers was a glimpse in the life on/off camera. This book had me from page 1 sentence 1. From the get go felt I was there. I remember I read it 11 years ago on a bus from PA to Florida. I finished and wanted more wanted and still want Finola to write a follow up or even hoped there would be a movie or TV Movie(anyone remember those....haha) on this. A MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 28, 2012
I thorough enjoyed this book as an audiobook. I started reading it as a paperbook but found that I enjoyed it being read to me more. The narration was excellent. I could really see the possibility of the stories possibly being partly real. The behind the scenes in a soap opera was really interesting and fun. The main character Kate was quite funny and made me feel like I would be friends with her.
April 14, 2014
Between the narrator's odd fascination with her pubic hair and the insistent name-dropping that occurred in the first couple of chapters, I almost pulled the plug on this book; I am glad that I didn't.
While it may not reach the heights of classic literature, it is nonetheless a fun romp, especially if you've ever watched a daytime soap. The writing flows without any awkwardness beyond that mentioned above.
While it may not reach the heights of classic literature, it is nonetheless a fun romp, especially if you've ever watched a daytime soap. The writing flows without any awkwardness beyond that mentioned above.
March 6, 2016
This is a very entertaining look at the world of daytime drama. Reading this, though you know it's fictionalized, you feel like you are getting the inside scoop from the queen of daytime herself. Absolutely love the dry humor, sarcasm, and the characterization of the over-the-top personalities. My only issue, the ending was a bit too abrupt. I wanted to know more about what happened to Kate after... Great fun! I will definitely be reading this one again.
July 21, 2018
I enjoyed this as a fan of soap operas, General Hospital and Finola Hughes specifically, and it was a fun escape for a while. It honestly felt unfinished at the end to me, but I also feel like that mirrors a soap-style episode - leaves you imagining what could happen next and wishing you could find out immediately!
If you pick up this book expecting anything other than a good fluff-filled distraction, I think you just about deserve to feel disappointed.
If you pick up this book expecting anything other than a good fluff-filled distraction, I think you just about deserve to feel disappointed.
April 9, 2012
This is a great look backstage of a soap opera. The characters are memorable and appropriately dimensioned. (Main characters have depth and change and the clear caricatures still have a reasonable amount of depth.) It was a quick and enjoyable read, the only downside is that like a soap opera the end really leaves one wanting more. I would love a sequel to this book.
May 20, 2009
hard to get into but good once you finally get there.
March 29, 2020
Cute silly book to read, by soap actress Finola (Anna Devane GH) Hughes. Gives the reader a possible insight to the ins and outs of soap actors lives, albeit this is pure fiction. Read it because I'm a long time GH fan and because COVID-19 has me burned out on conspiracy novels. Fun and mindless and silly with some LOL moments.
July 8, 2024
Amusing if shambolic roman a clef about an actress who works under a Gloria Monty-like producer while acting on a soap that stars - more like is terrorized by - a Susan Lucci-type diva. Just like Hughes, who is best known for playing Anna Devane on General Hospital off and on, having first joined the cast during the Monty years, and later spending four years on All My Children which of course starred Lucci.
The best parts are the behind the scenes glimpses of what life might be like off and on a soap set, but the overall story is too slight and meandering to hold much attention. Also, be warned there is no happy ending, but nor is the ending a soapy cliffhanger. The story just kinda...peters out as if Hughes and her co-writer just ran out of time or inspiration; certainly not any kind of conclusion that would be stood for on an actual soap.
The best parts are the behind the scenes glimpses of what life might be like off and on a soap set, but the overall story is too slight and meandering to hold much attention. Also, be warned there is no happy ending, but nor is the ending a soapy cliffhanger. The story just kinda...peters out as if Hughes and her co-writer just ran out of time or inspiration; certainly not any kind of conclusion that would be stood for on an actual soap.
February 28, 2018
This book was very hard to get into. I read the reviews on Goodreads and even the people who liked it said they were unhappy with the ending so I decided why bother?
September 11, 2021
Very funny story about a soap opera actress written by a soap opera actress.
November 4, 2023
Could not finish. Expected more from this lovely lady. She's a better actress than writer.
June 5, 2025
I enjoyed the setting - daytime television production set - but the story felt very scattered. Each chapter was 'one day in *month*' then '2 months later' it felt as though the author got excited about all the new concepts but didn't flesh them out properly.
Also, did Mark not have a home???? She picked him up christmas tree shopping and he's just moved in with the dogs?! and then left them with her and we never hear about him again?!
I was perplexed.
Also, ngl I picked up the book because I was interested in the spicy storyline with Wyatt, but we didn't hear about him until 236 pages in!!!!
The story has a lot of potential but it felt very rushed and skimmed.
Also, did Mark not have a home???? She picked him up christmas tree shopping and he's just moved in with the dogs?! and then left them with her and we never hear about him again?!
I was perplexed.
Also, ngl I picked up the book because I was interested in the spicy storyline with Wyatt, but we didn't hear about him until 236 pages in!!!!
The story has a lot of potential but it felt very rushed and skimmed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2008
Actress Kate McPhee has fled her English home for Hollywood after discovering that her boyfriend was boffing her best friend. Starting a new life in La-La Land isn't all that easy, but at least Kate has her new gig on daytime drama Live For Tomorrow to keep her busy and keep her mind off cheating men.
From day one, Kate unintentionally crosses swords with everlasting daytime diva Meredith Contini. A few words from Meredith, and Kate's new role as ingenue has turned into Kate's adventures as Live For Tomorrow's lead lesbian! That's just the start of Kate's run-ins with Meredith.
Soapsuds is a tale of the ups and downs of soap opera stardom, combined with real life's joys and tragedies. From the Emmys to boyfriends, surprise pregnancies to vampires, this book has it all.
I was a tad worried about the book from the start - it's read by the author, Finola Hughes. That tends to scare me when an author reads their own work. Luckily, Hughes is an actress - acting on audio isn't too much of a stretch. Besides, she sounds just like my best friend telling a story - only with an English accent!
My hubby and I both enjoyed this book for the most part. Kate gets herself into plenty of amusing scrapes, and her character does as well. The ending bugged us a bit, though. It seemed a bit preachy for what was predominantly a fluff book. I gave it a 2/5, hubby gave it a 3.5/5.
From day one, Kate unintentionally crosses swords with everlasting daytime diva Meredith Contini. A few words from Meredith, and Kate's new role as ingenue has turned into Kate's adventures as Live For Tomorrow's lead lesbian! That's just the start of Kate's run-ins with Meredith.
Soapsuds is a tale of the ups and downs of soap opera stardom, combined with real life's joys and tragedies. From the Emmys to boyfriends, surprise pregnancies to vampires, this book has it all.
I was a tad worried about the book from the start - it's read by the author, Finola Hughes. That tends to scare me when an author reads their own work. Luckily, Hughes is an actress - acting on audio isn't too much of a stretch. Besides, she sounds just like my best friend telling a story - only with an English accent!
My hubby and I both enjoyed this book for the most part. Kate gets herself into plenty of amusing scrapes, and her character does as well. The ending bugged us a bit, though. It seemed a bit preachy for what was predominantly a fluff book. I gave it a 2/5, hubby gave it a 3.5/5.
July 11, 2015
Audio (Abridged CD): Although I do agree the ending was weak, overall I didn't think this book was nearly as bad as all the bad reviews that it received...maybe that had to do with listening to the condensed version & being an old soap fan & Finola Hughes fan & it was a quick listen while multi-tasking & a higher speed setting. Had I listened to the lengthier version or read the full book, maybe my thoughts & ratings would have been slightly lower...and I would blame that on her co-author (co-author to the stars) b/c the concept & storyline was very good , it was more the some of the execution that was lacking (the excerpts & packaging make it look way better than it turned out--that's more on Diehl not so much Hughes). One of my big disappointments though was when Meredith had Producers send Kate back to hotel to change their same dress faux pas, therefore, missing her Daytime Emmy win & then Meredith hijacking the stage that Kate didn't get an immediate either funny or conniving payback for Meredith....or maybe Tony Geary yanking Meredith off the stage by her hair (ohh I can fantasize a little...ok lol)
June 2, 2012
Absolutely hated it. Quite possibly one of the worst books I have ever read. Should have trusted the poor GoodReads rating and skipped this one. First, it was so hard to keep everyone straight. It takes place on a soap opera so there are a ton of characters. Then you have to remember not only the character name but their soap character name and who goes with who. I never really did remember who anyone was. Second, the main character is an idiot. Can't explain why without spoiling the plot for those people brave enough to still want to read this. But it involves a Christmas tree. Also, she started seeing someone midway through the book and then he leaves for some kind of reason (don't even remember why) and never comes back! Leaves all 4 of his dogs with her and that is the last you hear of this guy. Did the author forget about him? Who knows and who cares.
July 13, 2016
I cannot believe how this book ended. I was so pulling for Kate and Wyatt but as the book was ending I was like this is not going to happen. I had an inkling because of how late Wyatt was introduced into the story. And he even gave her his family wedding ring. And I thought it was the cutest thing that they said they hated each other instead of saying I like/love each other. I understood where she was coming from, not wanting to be a Leslie, but leaving it like that in a letter, especially having the book end like that was like a knife in the heart. You can just do that to me. I need a sequel. Great summer read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2019
A novel about a soap opera actress by one.
I quite enjoyed this book (although the kindle edition does need a touch of work.) As one who likes the soap operas, I was quite interested in the behind-the-scenes parts of the story the most. It is written by an actress, and perhaps could be considered "chick lit." A lot of the characters could be at any work place, and are well observed and depicted. A couple of places it got so funny I was quite pleased to be reading an ebook instead of paper. Here's hoping Ms. Hughes will someday write another.
I quite enjoyed this book (although the kindle edition does need a touch of work.) As one who likes the soap operas, I was quite interested in the behind-the-scenes parts of the story the most. It is written by an actress, and perhaps could be considered "chick lit." A lot of the characters could be at any work place, and are well observed and depicted. A couple of places it got so funny I was quite pleased to be reading an ebook instead of paper. Here's hoping Ms. Hughes will someday write another.
November 5, 2014
Amusing, meandering story of a British actress who runs from a painful break up and lands a part on an American daytime drama. Lots of characters, tons of details in the behind-the-scenes look of a soap aspect, and romantic mis-adventures of Kate McPhee bogged me down a bit. I was also bothered by the abrupt ending and the unresolved plot points. But, for what it was, it was enjoyable. I've been a fan of Finola Hughes' since Staying Alive.
November 12, 2011
Terrible ending, it's almost as if the author realized she had rambled off too many pages already and had to make a quick end of it. I really felt like "I listened to all those CDs for that?!?!?" REALLY! Up until the ending I was fairly entertained during my long commute. This is ok if you have ten hours of your life to waste.
August 26, 2014
"I'm not typically happy with Kate's behavior some of the time, and I really wish the author hadn't made a certain, canine-loving rascal, run away."
Read my entire review at My Review
Read my entire review at My Review
November 7, 2021
not only beautiful but also unbelievably funny. This book shows off her incredible sense of humor! I long for a sequeluel of k
Finola is not only a terrific actress. She is also a very witty writer. I hope there is a sequel to
Kate and her soap crew escapades!
Finola is not only a terrific actress. She is also a very witty writer. I hope there is a sequel to
Kate and her soap crew escapades!
February 6, 2008
Very very very boring. Many unfinished plots. Better as a door stopper =)
March 15, 2008
what a disaster.
April 22, 2008
Biat-chy, funny, but had abrupt ending...
December 15, 2008
It just ended. Seemed very anti-climactic.
April 7, 2009
unbearably smug and mean-spirited. I stopped reading after 50 pages.
April 25, 2009
Didn't like the ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews