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India's Summer
India Butler, single and about to turn forty, travels to LA in an attempt to reinvent her life. In a world rarely illuminated by the flashbulbs of the paparazzi, she discovers the true meaning of having it all.
258 pages, ebook
First published January 18, 2012
23 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 4, 2012
For some reason, I decided to read something light. I found this on my Kindle--perhaps it was available for free when I downloaded it. The book has nothing to do with India. It is a novel (supposedly) about a London based high-school teacher named India (sorry, there's no background story about the name) and her experiences during a summer she spends in Hollywood with her celebrity sister. The book narrates India's efforts to cope with the American, that too LA lifestyle; her career switch to conducting workshops for celebrity moms that are struggling with their problematic teenagers; and her love life with a movie star. The whole thing is predictably fluffy. That in itself in not a problem--I quite expected it when I started reading it. The book is just extremely terribly written with a plot that goes nowhere. If I had a pound for every time the author drops a brand name, I'd end up rich.
July 15, 2012
I thought this book was pretty lame. There was so much name dropping about the clothing brands the title character was wearing that it really got in the way of the story. And the story needed all the help it could get. It jumped around in time and place without any sort of segues, and so many of the characters were undeveloped. I did find the book to have some redeeming value in that I read it before I went to sleep, and it didn't excite me enough to interrupt my sleep pattern. Although, a good book that keeps me reading way past the time I should be putting it down is the kind of book I like to read. Also, it was free for my Kindle. I am glad I didn't pay for it. I realize it was the author's first effort, that was apparent. I can't imagine writing a novel is an easy task!
February 1, 2012
Cute story, quick read.
February 18, 2012
This book was free, and I still wasted money on it. BEURK.
January 11, 2023
India's Summer by Therese
This story I didn't think I would like. I was wrong. I LOVED it and can't wait to read more.
India in England, Annabelle in CA are twin sisters and India travels to be with her sister one summer.
What she finds when she arrives is amazing to her, so many things to see and do and experience. There is SO much that is over the top for me as I do not follow celebrities.
The food, fashion, cars and everything just wrap themselves around you as the author is very descriptive. India has tried to reinvent herself in CA by telling others she has the solution to their teens problems.
The problems range from sex to drugs and everything in between. Love the exercises and workshops she has them do as a team. And she even finds a guy to really like her.
Until a taping of her is released and it sends her back to England so ashamed of what came out of the video.
She's got a contract to write her story and love how the ending transpires. So cool.
Love hearing of the charity work, fascinating. Ends with about the author and acknowledgements.
Received this review copy from The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.
This story I didn't think I would like. I was wrong. I LOVED it and can't wait to read more.
India in England, Annabelle in CA are twin sisters and India travels to be with her sister one summer.
What she finds when she arrives is amazing to her, so many things to see and do and experience. There is SO much that is over the top for me as I do not follow celebrities.
The food, fashion, cars and everything just wrap themselves around you as the author is very descriptive. India has tried to reinvent herself in CA by telling others she has the solution to their teens problems.
The problems range from sex to drugs and everything in between. Love the exercises and workshops she has them do as a team. And she even finds a guy to really like her.
Until a taping of her is released and it sends her back to England so ashamed of what came out of the video.
She's got a contract to write her story and love how the ending transpires. So cool.
Love hearing of the charity work, fascinating. Ends with about the author and acknowledgements.
Received this review copy from The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.
October 30, 2018
Quick entertaining read. Makes a person think how lifes unexpected happening can make a major difference.
India discovered things about herself she didnt know and grew confidence in her abities.
Enjoyable read.
India discovered things about herself she didnt know and grew confidence in her abities.
Enjoyable read.
September 19, 2019
I enjoyed the book overall, the storyline was fun at times. The reason I looked this up on here to review it is because it really irritated me how each of the women get cheated on and then forgive their husbands/partners...ugh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2012
You can find my full review here: http://mimi-cyberlibrarian.blogspot.c...
India Butler is almost 40 and she feels stagnant in her job and her life. She is an unmarried high school teacher in London, and she is longing for something different. At the opening of the book she has organized a fire walk as a way to challenge her students but also to challenge herself. She wants a new life.
Who she really wants to be is her twin sister Annabelle, a Hollywood actor, married to a rock star, the mother of two daughters, rich and famous, and on and on and on. So, she goes to visit her sister during a break from school to try on a Los Angeles lifestyle, complete with paparazzi, expensive meals, support groups, name dropping, and an amazing love affair with a movie star.
India’s Summer is a coming of age story or perhaps a “second coming” of age story. I think everyone wants to try on a new life but not everyone has the opportunity. It is that second chance that makes the book fun. India has the opportunity to try on a new lifestyle and discover again (or perhaps for the first time) her worth and value.
One of the devices Thérèse uses to create the atmosphere of superficial Los Angeles is to designer-name every item of clothing, furniture, and accessory. For example “She sat down on the Gubi stainless steel chair.” I, of course, have no idea what a Gubi stainless steel chair is, living, as I do, in a house full of hand-me-down furniture and a living room couch I am starting to hate. The closest thing I have to designer clothes is a couple of Eileen Fisher sweaters I bought recently at the Eileen Fisher recycle store and outlet. Oh, oh, oh---I do have a Michael Kors t shirt from TJ Maxx. Can TJ Maxx be considered a designer boutique?
She carries this device on, as well, with her classy pen name and the names of the people that endorse the book, including Arianna Huffington, Goldie Hawn, and Orlando Bloom, among others. Overkill, perhaps, but all in good fun.
Where I could identify with India's Summer is in the idea of trying on a new life. That is what travel is all about, and I think that is what Thérèse is conveying. Every once in a while, it is good to reassess who you are and where you are in your life. Every life, no matter how glamorous or meaningful becomes tedious. A shot of change is just what may be needed. Such change may not result in the love of a famous movie star, ala India Butler, but change will give the thoughtful person a new perspective and a new focus. I was reminded of a memoir I reviewed about a year ago—Working It Out—about a woman who appeared on The Biggest Loser television show after tragedy forced her to make massive changes in her life. Compared to Abby Rike’s life changing experiences, India’s appears frivolous and trite. Yet, India’s Summer does remind us that looking at our life through fresh eyes is always valuable.
I received this book from the publicist. Although I probably wouldn’t have picked it up on my own, it was a fun diversion from the dissertations and journal articles I have been editing all day every day. I will return to meatier subjects with Drift by Rachel Maddow, the book I am currently reading.
Thérèse is a first time author. Here is her blog: http://thereseblogs.com/
She shares a lot of humorous entries about moving from England to living in Los Angeles. It is worth looking at.
India Butler is almost 40 and she feels stagnant in her job and her life. She is an unmarried high school teacher in London, and she is longing for something different. At the opening of the book she has organized a fire walk as a way to challenge her students but also to challenge herself. She wants a new life.
Who she really wants to be is her twin sister Annabelle, a Hollywood actor, married to a rock star, the mother of two daughters, rich and famous, and on and on and on. So, she goes to visit her sister during a break from school to try on a Los Angeles lifestyle, complete with paparazzi, expensive meals, support groups, name dropping, and an amazing love affair with a movie star.
India’s Summer is a coming of age story or perhaps a “second coming” of age story. I think everyone wants to try on a new life but not everyone has the opportunity. It is that second chance that makes the book fun. India has the opportunity to try on a new lifestyle and discover again (or perhaps for the first time) her worth and value.
One of the devices Thérèse uses to create the atmosphere of superficial Los Angeles is to designer-name every item of clothing, furniture, and accessory. For example “She sat down on the Gubi stainless steel chair.” I, of course, have no idea what a Gubi stainless steel chair is, living, as I do, in a house full of hand-me-down furniture and a living room couch I am starting to hate. The closest thing I have to designer clothes is a couple of Eileen Fisher sweaters I bought recently at the Eileen Fisher recycle store and outlet. Oh, oh, oh---I do have a Michael Kors t shirt from TJ Maxx. Can TJ Maxx be considered a designer boutique?
She carries this device on, as well, with her classy pen name and the names of the people that endorse the book, including Arianna Huffington, Goldie Hawn, and Orlando Bloom, among others. Overkill, perhaps, but all in good fun.
Where I could identify with India's Summer is in the idea of trying on a new life. That is what travel is all about, and I think that is what Thérèse is conveying. Every once in a while, it is good to reassess who you are and where you are in your life. Every life, no matter how glamorous or meaningful becomes tedious. A shot of change is just what may be needed. Such change may not result in the love of a famous movie star, ala India Butler, but change will give the thoughtful person a new perspective and a new focus. I was reminded of a memoir I reviewed about a year ago—Working It Out—about a woman who appeared on The Biggest Loser television show after tragedy forced her to make massive changes in her life. Compared to Abby Rike’s life changing experiences, India’s appears frivolous and trite. Yet, India’s Summer does remind us that looking at our life through fresh eyes is always valuable.
I received this book from the publicist. Although I probably wouldn’t have picked it up on my own, it was a fun diversion from the dissertations and journal articles I have been editing all day every day. I will return to meatier subjects with Drift by Rachel Maddow, the book I am currently reading.
Thérèse is a first time author. Here is her blog: http://thereseblogs.com/
She shares a lot of humorous entries about moving from England to living in Los Angeles. It is worth looking at.
September 3, 2012
India Butler is a likable character. She is very smart, funny and has a great sense of humor. Even though she may have been a little dishonest about her career to Adam, her love interest, and her sister Annie's friends, she was still very honest when it came to their relationships. She was there for everyone when they needed her and she genuinely cared about what was happening in their lives. She didn't take anyone for granted, which was really important especially since she was surrounded by celebrities with far better means than her own. She worked hard and did her best.
As for the other characters, I enjoyed them for the most part. The author did a fantastic job of creating believable characters who came off as very real and human. Just about all of them, India's best friend Sarah being the only exception, were celebrities and the author did a fantastic job showing the readers that even though they may have more money than most of the world, they can still struggle just like the rest of us. Their struggles were just as real as ours and something that everyone can relate to.
Most of this story took place in L.A. and the surrounding area, and although I've never been, I could still picture it quite clearly in my mind. The beaches, the parties and the houses were all expertly detailed so I had no trouble following India or Annie as they made their way through town and from scene to scene. The author also did an excellent job relaying smaller details, such as body language and clothing, without weighing down the story and giving you everything you need to know to create the scene.
As much as I loved the book, I still had a small issue with it. The story itself is wonderful, but there were many typos. I couldn't look past the many exclamation points that seemed to be out of place. Sometimes they would appear in the middle of a sentence, only to appear again at the end, or sometimes they just didn't appear at all. Most of the time I was able to ignore them, but it did make reading a little hard at times because I wasn't sure if India was actually saying these things or just thinking them. Thankfully though, most of these typos seemed to take place in one specific area of the book and was mostly cleared by the next chapter.
Overall, I really enjoyed India's Summer. I think everyone, at least us ladies, imagines what it would be like to be famous and fall in love with that dreamy actor, or to just see what it would be like to live like a celebrity for just a few months. India's Summer is a fun story of love, life and taking that big chance to become everything you always wanted to be. I recommend this to anyone who loves Chick Lit or who is looking for that perfect, fun and quick paced end of summer read.
As for the other characters, I enjoyed them for the most part. The author did a fantastic job of creating believable characters who came off as very real and human. Just about all of them, India's best friend Sarah being the only exception, were celebrities and the author did a fantastic job showing the readers that even though they may have more money than most of the world, they can still struggle just like the rest of us. Their struggles were just as real as ours and something that everyone can relate to.
Most of this story took place in L.A. and the surrounding area, and although I've never been, I could still picture it quite clearly in my mind. The beaches, the parties and the houses were all expertly detailed so I had no trouble following India or Annie as they made their way through town and from scene to scene. The author also did an excellent job relaying smaller details, such as body language and clothing, without weighing down the story and giving you everything you need to know to create the scene.
As much as I loved the book, I still had a small issue with it. The story itself is wonderful, but there were many typos. I couldn't look past the many exclamation points that seemed to be out of place. Sometimes they would appear in the middle of a sentence, only to appear again at the end, or sometimes they just didn't appear at all. Most of the time I was able to ignore them, but it did make reading a little hard at times because I wasn't sure if India was actually saying these things or just thinking them. Thankfully though, most of these typos seemed to take place in one specific area of the book and was mostly cleared by the next chapter.
Overall, I really enjoyed India's Summer. I think everyone, at least us ladies, imagines what it would be like to be famous and fall in love with that dreamy actor, or to just see what it would be like to live like a celebrity for just a few months. India's Summer is a fun story of love, life and taking that big chance to become everything you always wanted to be. I recommend this to anyone who loves Chick Lit or who is looking for that perfect, fun and quick paced end of summer read.
August 28, 2012
India Butler is a schoolteacher, or at least she has been for the last seventeen years, but she seems to have spent most of that time wishing to be someone else. A French woman with impeccable style and exquisite taste, perhaps, or a classic English country rose. Or maybe what she really longs for is the glamorous lifestyle of her twin sister Annabelle, who left London for L.A., became a famous actress, and married a rock star.
At any rate, the summer just before she turns forty finds her boarding a plane to California to stay with her sister for a few days. Dazzled by the luxury and excitement of the L.A. social scene, India reinvents herself yet again and ends up living the life of her dreams – but how long can it last until the bubble bursts? And will she be able to find who she really is at the end of it all?
India’s Summer, written by the mysteriously named thérèse, is a readable story with just enough depth to keep you turning the pages, but somehow for me it fell a bit flat. Everything is just a bit too perfect, even when it all goes wrong. It sort of reminded me of The Rock Star in Seat 3A, which I reviewed earlier this month, with the same Hollywood view of reality that looks at everything from a perspective that doesn’t quite jive with the rest of the population. The difference is that in Rock Star, the fantastical element of the story is made clear throughout the book, allowing the reader to enter the story without constantly looking for the reality check that one would otherwise expect.
I am willing to concede that perhaps I have missed the whole point of the story, and that India’s midlife crisis is really an existential awakening that just happens to come with a fabulous book deal and a famous boyfriend. But for me, it just didn’t come together.
At any rate, the summer just before she turns forty finds her boarding a plane to California to stay with her sister for a few days. Dazzled by the luxury and excitement of the L.A. social scene, India reinvents herself yet again and ends up living the life of her dreams – but how long can it last until the bubble bursts? And will she be able to find who she really is at the end of it all?
India’s Summer, written by the mysteriously named thérèse, is a readable story with just enough depth to keep you turning the pages, but somehow for me it fell a bit flat. Everything is just a bit too perfect, even when it all goes wrong. It sort of reminded me of The Rock Star in Seat 3A, which I reviewed earlier this month, with the same Hollywood view of reality that looks at everything from a perspective that doesn’t quite jive with the rest of the population. The difference is that in Rock Star, the fantastical element of the story is made clear throughout the book, allowing the reader to enter the story without constantly looking for the reality check that one would otherwise expect.
I am willing to concede that perhaps I have missed the whole point of the story, and that India’s midlife crisis is really an existential awakening that just happens to come with a fabulous book deal and a famous boyfriend. But for me, it just didn’t come together.
July 30, 2012
From Lilac Wolf and Stuff
This book is a chick lit novel all the way. I have seen complaints about the product dropping, but I thought it fit. After all, her sister is a movie star AND a rock star's wife. And out there, when you are that wealthy, that stuff is important. And I think Thérèse does a good job making the point about why that's a problem.
India is a high school teacher from England. She comes to LA to visit her sister and figure out what she wants from her life. At first she just wants to see her sister, but then she can't stomach going home to her same dreary job. She wants to help troubled teens, not fill out paperwork.
I like India and her sister, she takes these people that we would only know through the tabloid and makes them human. Granted they are completely out of touch with reality, but they are still people.
I will say there were far too many errors in this book. When I find that many, I think maybe I should just start up my freelance editor business. Can't possibly do any worse than that person did. But it's not the worst I've ever seen and you can get around it.
My final criticism. She would have Annabelle say something and then India would say "we call it" insert phrase "in England." But it would be a phrase I use in my own daily life. I'm from Michigan...born from people who are from Michigan. We are not English, I don't even know any English people. So I would get stuck on those points because either Michigan and England have the exact same phrases, or the author didn't do her homework. It was distracting from the novel.
That being said, I really did enjoy the story and I was rooting for India through the whole book.
This book is a chick lit novel all the way. I have seen complaints about the product dropping, but I thought it fit. After all, her sister is a movie star AND a rock star's wife. And out there, when you are that wealthy, that stuff is important. And I think Thérèse does a good job making the point about why that's a problem.
India is a high school teacher from England. She comes to LA to visit her sister and figure out what she wants from her life. At first she just wants to see her sister, but then she can't stomach going home to her same dreary job. She wants to help troubled teens, not fill out paperwork.
I like India and her sister, she takes these people that we would only know through the tabloid and makes them human. Granted they are completely out of touch with reality, but they are still people.
I will say there were far too many errors in this book. When I find that many, I think maybe I should just start up my freelance editor business. Can't possibly do any worse than that person did. But it's not the worst I've ever seen and you can get around it.
My final criticism. She would have Annabelle say something and then India would say "we call it" insert phrase "in England." But it would be a phrase I use in my own daily life. I'm from Michigan...born from people who are from Michigan. We are not English, I don't even know any English people. So I would get stuck on those points because either Michigan and England have the exact same phrases, or the author didn't do her homework. It was distracting from the novel.
That being said, I really did enjoy the story and I was rooting for India through the whole book.
August 15, 2012
I received a copy of India’s Summer in exchange for an honest review. I was fairly curious about this book, mainly for two reasons – one, the author only goes by one name, and two, a slew of celebrities were endorsing it. I was also interested in trying to get a better feel for Therese, as her bio only said she is best friends with people with connections, so put this all together and I wanted to read the book! The MC is India Butler, who lives in London but takes a trip to the US to visit her twin sister, Annie. While a teacher in London, India is soon rubbing elbows with some of LA’s elite, and decides to invent a better life for herself. Soon, she gets wrapped up in her own hype – only to have the fall from grace hurt that much worse. Shuffling home to London with her tail between her legs, India still can’t quite believe the unforgettable summer she had in LA – and she wonders if she had finally found the place where she truly belonged.
I found myself interested in the novel throughout. It got a bit wordy in a few places, but I liked the story and thought the plot was a lot of fun. It was definitely a different perspective than books usually give on Hollywood and the people that fill the town – these characters were friendly, helpful, seemed to have real feelings, and many were good people. I really liked the dynamic between India and Annie especially. I think if you are interested in celebrities and that world, you would enjoy this book. Like I said – a different take than most “Hollywood” books, and I think I started to understand the author’s bio a bit more as well after reading. An enjoyable book though, and one I would recommend!
I found myself interested in the novel throughout. It got a bit wordy in a few places, but I liked the story and thought the plot was a lot of fun. It was definitely a different perspective than books usually give on Hollywood and the people that fill the town – these characters were friendly, helpful, seemed to have real feelings, and many were good people. I really liked the dynamic between India and Annie especially. I think if you are interested in celebrities and that world, you would enjoy this book. Like I said – a different take than most “Hollywood” books, and I think I started to understand the author’s bio a bit more as well after reading. An enjoyable book though, and one I would recommend!
September 10, 2012
This one was just okay for me. While I liked India and her sister Annabelle, I found the storyline a little jumpy and hard to follow. Many times I had to reread as all the sudden we were in a new place or it would jump from one person's POV to another and I wouldn't know whose eyes I was supposed to be seeing out of.
India moves to L.A. for the summer to live with her sister Annie and her rock star husband. She doesn't seem to be satisfied with who she is, as it sounds like over the years she has tried to find a "style" that fits her and in her eyes has been unsuccessful. She is also burnt out on teaching and is wondering if she shouldn't try a different career.
She is thrown into the celebrity whirlwind with parties, fund raisers, and paparazzi. She begins to date a movie star, Adam, but when he questions her about her career she tends to be vague about the fact that she was a teacher in England. She creates this fantasy job that she comes to realize is closer to what she really wants to do.
When tragedy strikes it seems like it all happens at once (and actually, it does seem that that is how it happens. . .)Even though India isn't always true to herself, she is loyal and true to her friends and makes herself available to them when they need her. Following this path she really does start to develop some workshops as well as a book proposal and finds her niche in helping people.
There is more chaos and more success before the book wraps up. All in all it wasn't a page turner for me but it was entertaining.
India moves to L.A. for the summer to live with her sister Annie and her rock star husband. She doesn't seem to be satisfied with who she is, as it sounds like over the years she has tried to find a "style" that fits her and in her eyes has been unsuccessful. She is also burnt out on teaching and is wondering if she shouldn't try a different career.
She is thrown into the celebrity whirlwind with parties, fund raisers, and paparazzi. She begins to date a movie star, Adam, but when he questions her about her career she tends to be vague about the fact that she was a teacher in England. She creates this fantasy job that she comes to realize is closer to what she really wants to do.
When tragedy strikes it seems like it all happens at once (and actually, it does seem that that is how it happens. . .)Even though India isn't always true to herself, she is loyal and true to her friends and makes herself available to them when they need her. Following this path she really does start to develop some workshops as well as a book proposal and finds her niche in helping people.
There is more chaos and more success before the book wraps up. All in all it wasn't a page turner for me but it was entertaining.
August 13, 2012
A remarkable cross between “Bridget Jones’s Dairy” and “The Devil wears Prada”!
Turning 40 years old has never been easy, not even for India. This book is not quite in line with the dramatic search for love as in” Bridget Jones’s Diary”; but, as India searches for what her soul truly wants to do with the rest of her life is. So, she moves from England to America to stay with her twin sister, Annie with the hopes of figuring her life out once and for all.
She is desperately obsessed with all of the bling in Beverly Hills, even before she gets on the plane for Los Angeles. Outfits are described so well, I was having flashbacks to “The Devil wears Prada”. If you are also obsessed with fashion, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.
India always wanted to write a book, she wants her Prince Charming and the good life. This book is about her pursuit of making her dreams come true. Lessons will be learned, friendships will be proven, and family will be reconnected.
Thérèse delivers a perfect beach read. It is witty and heart-warming at the same time. India is a character that you will root for until the last page.
Once you finish, you will realize that “40 really is the new 30”.
Turning 40 years old has never been easy, not even for India. This book is not quite in line with the dramatic search for love as in” Bridget Jones’s Diary”; but, as India searches for what her soul truly wants to do with the rest of her life is. So, she moves from England to America to stay with her twin sister, Annie with the hopes of figuring her life out once and for all.
She is desperately obsessed with all of the bling in Beverly Hills, even before she gets on the plane for Los Angeles. Outfits are described so well, I was having flashbacks to “The Devil wears Prada”. If you are also obsessed with fashion, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.
India always wanted to write a book, she wants her Prince Charming and the good life. This book is about her pursuit of making her dreams come true. Lessons will be learned, friendships will be proven, and family will be reconnected.
Thérèse delivers a perfect beach read. It is witty and heart-warming at the same time. India is a character that you will root for until the last page.
Once you finish, you will realize that “40 really is the new 30”.
December 28, 2015
I had to get this book for the authors name if nothing else :-)
India Butler, a 39-year-old school teacher (although most of the time she sounds like she is at least 15 years younger) living in London is tired of her life and desperately needs a change, or so she thinks. Her twin sister, Annabelle, lives in Hollywood (Bel Air in particular) and has the lifestyle to go along with it. India decides to spend the summer with Annabelle, her family and friends, and dreams of having it all.
However after being there for a while, she realizes not everybody has it all and that most of it is a well manufactured façade. Still she is caught up in the lifestyle and is determined to do something else with her life until it all comes crashing down around her.
I didn't think I would like this book at all since the reviews were horrible, but it was okay. It is a light, summer read, and while the author overdoes it on all the high-priced brand names, it was a nice change of pace some of the heavier things I have been reading.
India Butler, a 39-year-old school teacher (although most of the time she sounds like she is at least 15 years younger) living in London is tired of her life and desperately needs a change, or so she thinks. Her twin sister, Annabelle, lives in Hollywood (Bel Air in particular) and has the lifestyle to go along with it. India decides to spend the summer with Annabelle, her family and friends, and dreams of having it all.
However after being there for a while, she realizes not everybody has it all and that most of it is a well manufactured façade. Still she is caught up in the lifestyle and is determined to do something else with her life until it all comes crashing down around her.
I didn't think I would like this book at all since the reviews were horrible, but it was okay. It is a light, summer read, and while the author overdoes it on all the high-priced brand names, it was a nice change of pace some of the heavier things I have been reading.
January 30, 2012
If this had been a tv movie, I would have switched channels after fifteen minutes. I did finish the book and am still wondering what the point was. The heroine spends the first eighty percent of the book not doing much of anything. Then the author stirs the pot, chaos ensues in the heroine's life, but things miraculously resolve themselves, and everyone lives happily ever after. The author then gives us an epilogue to tie up any loose ends.
The book is technically well written with a nice style and few grammatical errors. It was a free book, so I can't complain too much, but there are lots better books out there.
The book is technically well written with a nice style and few grammatical errors. It was a free book, so I can't complain too much, but there are lots better books out there.
December 15, 2015
I actually enjoyed this book. It was quick to get through (had I not taken a reading break) and I found it to be entertaining.
My only real compliant is that about halfway through the book (after India's in LA) I found the constant name drop of designer labels to be incredibly annoying. I don't care that her sister took off her gold Manolo thongs or that India was wearing here new DVF wrap dress with gold Jimmy Choo heels and her Max Mara coat. It was really just too much.
Otherwise I found the book to be enojoyable and would suggest it as an in-between or beach read.
My only real compliant is that about halfway through the book (after India's in LA) I found the constant name drop of designer labels to be incredibly annoying. I don't care that her sister took off her gold Manolo thongs or that India was wearing here new DVF wrap dress with gold Jimmy Choo heels and her Max Mara coat. It was really just too much.
Otherwise I found the book to be enojoyable and would suggest it as an in-between or beach read.
February 5, 2012
If you're looking for a quick, chick read, this is the one for you. There are a few inspirational moments as India discovers friendships in unlikely places and grows into her newfound maturity. Mostly common cliches centered in contemporary California with the rich and famous. Quote I liked: 'A teenager is a friend you haven't met'. Can't help it. I have 3 teenagers!
February 18, 2012
I read this as recommended by both Sir Ken Robertson and Arianna Huffington. Did I mention it was a free download on Kindle?
Readable but pointless [I persevered hoping it was going somewhere] about a teacher from London visiting her starlet twin in LA to quickly fall in love and jump into bed with an actor and mess up when a video of her gets posted on YouTube.
Readable but pointless [I persevered hoping it was going somewhere] about a teacher from London visiting her starlet twin in LA to quickly fall in love and jump into bed with an actor and mess up when a video of her gets posted on YouTube.
January 2, 2016
Fast paced, enjoyable read
Thankfully I got this free a while ago, but even if I hadn't it is still a relatively good book. Fast paced story, very much on a lighter side. Only downfall in my opinion was the constant mentioning of what brand of shoes, purse, dress and whatnot. A bit like non stop commercials, the story could've done without those embellishments.
Thankfully I got this free a while ago, but even if I hadn't it is still a relatively good book. Fast paced story, very much on a lighter side. Only downfall in my opinion was the constant mentioning of what brand of shoes, purse, dress and whatnot. A bit like non stop commercials, the story could've done without those embellishments.
February 1, 2012
It was ok, & it was a free download. Fluff reading, sterotypical about people in CA--esp. for those having never been to the West Coast! Easy enough of a read, not a "can't put down the book" type though. Low & behold, the main character comes out just fine in the end. Very far fetched.
February 4, 2012
Quick, light read that was enjoyable but not much depth or meaning. I never became invested in the characters, not even the main character. Mediocre writing. Kind of like the cotton candy of fiction.
July 2, 2012
This was a fantastic summer read! Easy and interesting! It had lots of cool tidbits about LA and the sights and scenes around here. I would totally recommend you grab this when laying by the lake or pool this summer.
September 6, 2012
Eh, it was ok. I finished it for the sake of finishing it. The story is about a British woman who dives into Hollywood lifestyle and finds herself in too deep. It gets mildly interesting near the end when the 'crisis' occurs, but the resolution feels rushed and glossed over.
October 25, 2013
A light and pleasant read. I was a little irritated with the odd use of hyphens e.g. "ex-posed". This, after the comparisons drawn between British English and American English. Or maybe the language differs where the author is from. Putting that aside, the story just wasn't engaging enough for me.
February 15, 2012
Not what I was expecting! Rather cheesy chick-lit but want to go to LA - or somewhere sunny. Should read this book on holiday!
August 28, 2016
Simple and fresh. Nice read, but not my kind of story.
January 28, 2012
Reads somewhat like a weak movie. The second half, better than the first, however very Hollywood. It has a self-indulgent flare to it that is a little much.
February 9, 2012
Not a bad quick read. It was certainly not intense and it certainly helped that it was a free book for kindle :)
April 18, 2012
a good quick read.
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