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The Sweetest Taboo
A story of love, life and going completely la-la in LA, from the internationally bestselling author of Bare Necessity and For Better, For Worse, Carole Matthews.
One girl in love with two guysIsn't that the sweetest taboo?
Sadie Nelson knows that falling in love can be big trouble - especially when she discovers that the best things in life are never free. Her heart starts causing trouble when she first lays eyes on Gil McGann, the sexy and powerful Hollywood producer at the London Book Fair. In no time, Gil is whisking her away from her dead-end job and drizzly old England to join him in the land of the perfect suntan. Then there's Tavis Jones, an irresistibly endearing -- and criminally good-looking -- actor who's soon pulling her heartstrings in a different direction. Suddenly the choices facing Sadie in the home of the famous and the desperate-to-be-famous are enough to drive a good girl insane -- especially when no-one is quite what they seem to be. It's not great to find out that Gil has a sticky ex who won't let go or that Tavis's uncertain orientation may permanently cast him in the role of "good friend". With her real life turning rapidly into a mad movie plot, what does a slightly crazed woman two much in love do?
Lights, camera, action...Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
24 people are currently reading
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About the author
Carole Matthews
75 books1,718 followersCarole Matthews is an international bestselling author of hugely successful romantic comedy novels. Her unique sense of humour has won her legions of fans and critical acclaim all over the world.
A Minor Indiscretion and A Compromising Position both reached the Top 5 in the Sunday Times bestseller chart in the UK. You Drive Me Crazy reached number 8 in the original fiction charts. The novel Welcome To The Real World was shortlisted for RNA romantic novel of the year 2007.
In 2006 Carole co-edited - with writer Sarah Mlynowski - two new editions of the hugely popular Girls' Night In charity series called Girls' Night Out - one for the USA and one for Canada. All proceeds go to War Child.
Carole has presented on television and is a regular radio guest. When she’s not writing novels, television or film scripts she manages to find time to trek in the Himalayas, rollerblade in Central Park, take tea in China and snooze in her garden shed in Milton Keynes which is near London, England.
A Minor Indiscretion and A Compromising Position both reached the Top 5 in the Sunday Times bestseller chart in the UK. You Drive Me Crazy reached number 8 in the original fiction charts. The novel Welcome To The Real World was shortlisted for RNA romantic novel of the year 2007.
In 2006 Carole co-edited - with writer Sarah Mlynowski - two new editions of the hugely popular Girls' Night In charity series called Girls' Night Out - one for the USA and one for Canada. All proceeds go to War Child.
Carole has presented on television and is a regular radio guest. When she’s not writing novels, television or film scripts she manages to find time to trek in the Himalayas, rollerblade in Central Park, take tea in China and snooze in her garden shed in Milton Keynes which is near London, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
May 12, 2016
As a huge fan of the Carole Matthews books anyway I didn't hesitate at picking this one up, without even reading the blurb. I started to read this book as a sort of break from all the heavier things I'd been reading, mosly non-fictional. At the heart of this, is a pure chick lit read.
It has everything you would want in a chick lit book. Sadie is really likeable as the main character and am always pleased with all the Brit references, as she's in America for 90% of the book. It does have the somewhat stereotypical scenario of there being a love triangle, but if you read the book you'll know it's not your average triangle, which makes it a lot more interesting.
The book has a good pace, and is really easy to read. I feel like giving it 3 stars is too harsh, but 4 stars is too much. It's definitely worth reading if you want something light hearted and refreshing. But I wouldn't say it's one of those books that you just HAVE to read.
All in all a really enjoyable book, a very girly read with everything you could want!
It has everything you would want in a chick lit book. Sadie is really likeable as the main character and am always pleased with all the Brit references, as she's in America for 90% of the book. It does have the somewhat stereotypical scenario of there being a love triangle, but if you read the book you'll know it's not your average triangle, which makes it a lot more interesting.
The book has a good pace, and is really easy to read. I feel like giving it 3 stars is too harsh, but 4 stars is too much. It's definitely worth reading if you want something light hearted and refreshing. But I wouldn't say it's one of those books that you just HAVE to read.
All in all a really enjoyable book, a very girly read with everything you could want!
May 14, 2019
Always enjoy a good carol Matthews book and this one didn't let me down at all was full of fun laughter and romance and you really escape when you are reading this book. Simply well written and a great read.
Sadie is not doing well in life she has no real job and she's lost her home but she meets someone while out in London who's from America and he asks her to meet up for dinner. She can't stop thinking of him and once he goes home she still thinks of him and when he rings to say he's booked a ticket for her to go to him. She can't decide if she should but at the last minute thinks she has nothing to loose to goes but has a bad start when Gil isn't at the airport to meet. He's an Hollywood producer and she goes to a hotel and tries to contact him. He comes to rescue her but she soon learns she could have done the wrong thing coming as she clearly doesn't know him as he is already married. She also meets an actor called travis and she now needs to decide who she wants but when she thinks travis is gay she is gutted. Can she just be good friends or not and will she stay in America or will she decide to come home and who will she choose to be with if anyone.
Sadie is not doing well in life she has no real job and she's lost her home but she meets someone while out in London who's from America and he asks her to meet up for dinner. She can't stop thinking of him and once he goes home she still thinks of him and when he rings to say he's booked a ticket for her to go to him. She can't decide if she should but at the last minute thinks she has nothing to loose to goes but has a bad start when Gil isn't at the airport to meet. He's an Hollywood producer and she goes to a hotel and tries to contact him. He comes to rescue her but she soon learns she could have done the wrong thing coming as she clearly doesn't know him as he is already married. She also meets an actor called travis and she now needs to decide who she wants but when she thinks travis is gay she is gutted. Can she just be good friends or not and will she stay in America or will she decide to come home and who will she choose to be with if anyone.
March 22, 2018
I usually love Carole Matthews books but this one was not up to her usual standards to be honest. It was just too unrealistic for my liking, she ran away across the ocean to be with a guy she met only once in her life??? I mean seriously now... That to me just sounds like pure desperation and I am sure no one in real life would ever act like that. I get it's just a book but still, this was really bad quality for me. I am sad that I have to genuinely write this for one of my favourite authors. Will be giving this book to charity, good luck to whoever buys it.
May 16, 2020
I really liked this book and it was one of those I didn’t want to end. Which it surprised me a bit being one of her earlier books. As I’ve found the later the better. It didn’t end how I expected either. Sadie was at a bit of a loss in life at the start of the book. Renting with her friend, no boyfriend and in a dead end job. When she meets a Hollywood producer. She drops everything and goes out to Hollywood. Things get worse before they get better. I couldn’t believe she had such rotten luck. Then she managed to land on her feet with various things and met Tavis the actor/model. She managed to make some friends and get herself a job. Loved the ending. Plenty of laughs, grouting if teeth and oh no moments. Thoroughly enjoyed it
April 1, 2019
This is my first Carole Matthews book and certainly won’t be the last if this one is anything to go on.
Read as a recommendation through my Book Club, I read this over a two day period as I found it so good.
Believable characters and plot, I felt an affinity to the lead character and her unfortunate mishaps, sometimes laughing out loud, others cringing and others feeling so sorry for her. For anyone who’s been hopelessly in love you’ll understand her predicaments. The story didn’t take an age to get to the good bits and there’s no dull middle chapters, just an easy read, with a great story line. Perfect holiday book.
Read as a recommendation through my Book Club, I read this over a two day period as I found it so good.
Believable characters and plot, I felt an affinity to the lead character and her unfortunate mishaps, sometimes laughing out loud, others cringing and others feeling so sorry for her. For anyone who’s been hopelessly in love you’ll understand her predicaments. The story didn’t take an age to get to the good bits and there’s no dull middle chapters, just an easy read, with a great story line. Perfect holiday book.
March 29, 2022
In all my time as a reader never have I ever been so frustrated with characters! I was super frickin' close to burning this book, but the last chapter saved it - just.
I still really enjoyed this book - the beginning was a bit slow for me, but once I got into it I couldn't put it down.
Obviously it's not that realistic, but that's personally what I really liked about it. It gives off rom-com movie vibes and I absolutely love a good rom-com.
Here's to hoping they don't make this into a movie. If they do please can the script and casting actually be good?? Because what the actual hell was the movie adaption of 'Can You Keep A Secret?' ??
I still really enjoyed this book - the beginning was a bit slow for me, but once I got into it I couldn't put it down.
Obviously it's not that realistic, but that's personally what I really liked about it. It gives off rom-com movie vibes and I absolutely love a good rom-com.
Here's to hoping they don't make this into a movie. If they do please can the script and casting actually be good?? Because what the actual hell was the movie adaption of 'Can You Keep A Secret?' ??
March 30, 2018
I loved this book! It starts with a once high flyer city trader now an exhibition helper - handing out leaflets... She gets spotted by a movie producer (! Of course she does!) - and is invited to Hollywood. And she goes.
What's lovely is that as everything goes wrong, she grabs at every possible opportunity that arises - the chance to share a flat, a crazy new job, all sorts of new friends...
I found this tale witty, readable and I loved every moment of it.
If you want to kick back and relax - this - this will do it!
What's lovely is that as everything goes wrong, she grabs at every possible opportunity that arises - the chance to share a flat, a crazy new job, all sorts of new friends...
I found this tale witty, readable and I loved every moment of it.
If you want to kick back and relax - this - this will do it!
April 8, 2024
2.7 stars
A fun and light holiday read - would be ideal for reading on a sun lounger by the pool. Enjoyable and an easy read but not much else. This is my first Carole Matthews book and I'd be happy to read another one but the writing wasn't the strongest imo, though it did make me want to visit LA more than I already did. As a side note, I couldn't believe how much Sadie wasn't enjoying LA more - forget the men, you're in LA!
Sadie was pretty relatable though for the most part which was refreshing, in contrast to Gil who I actually found to be quite unlikeable. I had a hard time imagining what Tavis looked like.
A fun and light holiday read - would be ideal for reading on a sun lounger by the pool. Enjoyable and an easy read but not much else. This is my first Carole Matthews book and I'd be happy to read another one but the writing wasn't the strongest imo, though it did make me want to visit LA more than I already did. As a side note, I couldn't believe how much Sadie wasn't enjoying LA more - forget the men, you're in LA!
Sadie was pretty relatable though for the most part which was refreshing, in contrast to Gil who I actually found to be quite unlikeable. I had a hard time imagining what Tavis looked like.
March 23, 2019
Slow but not my last Carole Matthews’ book
Sadly this was a little slow going for me. I love Carole Matthews’ books because of her writing style but this one dragged and it was mishap after mishap to drag things out.
Sadly this was a little slow going for me. I love Carole Matthews’ books because of her writing style but this one dragged and it was mishap after mishap to drag things out.
May 15, 2017
Another light holiday read
August 1, 2018
One of my fave Carole Matthew's books. A feel good fun read and romp through LA.
March 20, 2019
This book did get better as it went along. It just seemed to be one disaster after another. My heart ached towards the end because no matter what happened someone was going to be left hanging
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2019
J'ai adoré ce livre , facile et rapide à lire , en 4 jour je l'ai fini !
Je vous le conseille
Je vous le conseille
May 18, 2020
A cute but totally unbelievable and sometimes irritating. Quick read and I think people living in LA would enjoy it more.
June 5, 2020
An easy read and fascinating insight into Hollywood life
August 23, 2020
Cheesy but a good, quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.
October 8, 2020
Great easy read. Another carols triumph. Lovely story
February 8, 2021
4 stars
A fun and sweet story.
Great narration
A fun and sweet story.
Great narration
January 16, 2022
After reading most books by Carole this was very disappointing needs a more explicit ending
July 14, 2022
Light, pure chick lit and fun to read Helped me get out of a reading slump! This is my third time reading this book. I've always enjoyed it, but especially now being a bit older.
May 10, 2023
Too unrealistic and girlie for my liking but a very light hearted read.
September 1, 2023
Cute and girly read, Helped me escape reality for a bit lolllll!!!! i didn’t like gil so much tho and everything he did kinda annoyed me esp w gina
May 7, 2024
It is a good book but very frustrating.
May 9, 2024
Well this book was a dumpster fire 🤮
June 11, 2024
Lovely funny, easy to read
June 30, 2024
Haven't read a Carole Matthews in a while, had forgotten how her books make me laugh - fab book with added LA sunshine 🤩
February 4, 2025
Such a sweet book , worth the read
May 16, 2025
i lost 50 braincells reading this please for your own sake dont touch it
June 19, 2025
very poor
June 20, 2025
A nice story with the ending I wanted
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews