All That Glitters

by Ashley Quinn

Michelle Murphy and Alexis Vlodosky have been in love since they were teenagers, although their childhoods could not have been more different. Michelle is playful, determined and ambitious - Despite being the only child of a teenaged, alcoholic mother who sometimes lets her judgment of the men she allows in their home throw wrenches in her relationship with her daughter. Michelle knows what she has to do to leave the small, redneck surf town in Florida where she's lived her entire life to make it as a singer in Hollywood. Nothing - and nobody - will come between her and that goal.

Alexis, who moves to Florida from New York City with her Jewish father, French Catholic mother and autistic younger brother, is wildly intelligent and becomes instantly enamored with the feisty Michelle after she accidentally wipes out in their driveway on her skateboard.

Over the course of a year, the two girls become close, passionately involved best friends and, as high school starts, they begin to question whether their feelings toward one another are 'normal' and 'right', two things that Michelle desperately knows she needs to be in order to fit into their tiny, prying town.

As high school progresses, rumors of their relationship surface among the other students. Michelle throws their friendship - and everything else - to the wayside, shattering Alexis's heart in the process and forcing Michelle to realize that no matter how much she tries to control her actions, she still can't control her feelings.

Ten years after high school and Michelle is at the brink of stardom. Having just finished her first international tour, a guilty conscience forces the twenty-seven year old singer to return to Florida after her mother is involved in a bad car accident. Disillusioned with the direction of her career, she leaves her cautious, nit-picky agent and action movie star boyfriend - who is harboring a deep secret of his own that could ruin his image and career if it were to go public - to return home, tend to her mother and be back in Hollywood just in time to accompany Tyler to the premiere of his newest summer blockbuster. What on Earth could go wrong?

What nobody, not even Michelle, counts on is crossing paths with Alexis Vlodosky again. Alexis is eager to move on after finishing her residency at the hospital as the harsh memories of high school have soured her taste of this small town. After one night, they quickly realize that the fire is still burning deep within each of them. Michelle has to make a decision, but when faced with scores of paparazzi, an alcoholic mother desperate to make amends before her own secret is revealed, run-ins with unsavory past acquaintances, gossipy nurses, a neurotic agent and a fake boyfriend that needs Michelle for his image just as much as she needs him for hers, who will run first?

Genres: Lesbian, Romance

318 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2012

About the author

Ashley Quinn is an avid writer, voracious reader and lover of all things art. A born-and-raised Chicago girl, Ashley relocated to Dallas, Texas in 2014 and quickly discovered that she loves Tex-Mex, is terrified of Texas drivers and doesn't miss the blizzards. She also finds herself on the perpetual hunt for good deep-dish pizza in the South.

With a B.A. in Marketing Communications from Columbia College Chicago and many years of professional communications, copywriting and content strategy experience across a diverse range of industries, Ashley's first love remains creative writing. She enjoys writing fiction and lesbian romance featuring relatable, developed characters and unique situations. Her novels include:

--All That Glitters (2012)
--Texas Blues (2016)
--Summer Of Love (2017)

She lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with her partner and their two spoiled dogs. They are usually planning their next adventure, while Ashley continues to write future books. Connect with her at her website (www.ThisIsAshleyQuinn.com), through Facebook (Facebook.com/AshleyQuinnWrites) or on Instagram (@ashleyquinnwrites).

Reviews

[Harrow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately 'All That Glitters' is no gold.
This book made me so angry. The interior monologue was overdone. Michelle, one of the MC, is the most horrible person in the history of horrible people.


"I loved you every second of every day that I made
your life hell at Coastal Breeze High School. "
"I think I always felt, like, if I acted out toward you by insulting you or picking on you or whatever, it was my twisted way of keeping you close to me. I was crazy in love with you."

Look at that! Romance ain't dead after all.
All she did was hurt Alexis and cried over how hard her life is and how much it hurts her to hurt Alex. Maybe stop hurting her then? She literally created all the problems she had and we are supposed to feel sorry for her. It made me smile whenever she was sad. is that terrible? I don't care. I don't understand how Alexis can forgive her.

[lov2laf · Rating 3 out of 5]

"All That Glitters" is a mixed read for me that falls more towards the positive.

For those interested, the book hits upon several themes which were all handled fairly well:
1) second chances,
2) returning home (to a much hated podunk town in Florida),
3) Hollywood (and being in the closet),
4) coming out to self and others

There are definitely things to like about the book. I felt like the author wrote with earnestness, i.e. there's passion coming through in the writing. The story and cast of characters are thought out, editing and dialogue are strong. The two leads have undeniable chemistry and I was compelled to read through to the end. And, the author definitely has a knack for creating a setting and bringing that to life as much as her characters.

The love Michelle and Alexis felt at their younger age was also given some credence which I liked.

For the most part, I'd consider this a feel good second chance romance.

With that, there are a few things that held this book back for me.

The biggest issue I truly had was in Alexis' feelings in present day towards Michelle. With their history, no matter how understanding Alexis is/was, I really needed her to be angry, reticent, or guarded with Michelle and I wanted her to be that way for much of the book, thawing out as their relationship was rekindled. Michelle did some soul carving damage to Alexis yet Alexis warmed to her almost immediately only having a few spikes of uncertainty here and there. I wanted Michelle to really have to work for Alexis which wasn't really the case.

I get the feeling Alexis was written that way because she knew the "real Michelle" and said she'd wait for her despite whatever happens, as if she has an untouchable maturity about the whole situation. A girl doesn't have to petty but I needed some major persistent doubt about Michelle's intentions at the very least.

That easy forgiveness and a couple of other things in the story were wrapped up too quickly or easily, especially at the end.

The book also uses flashbacks, flipping between Michelle and Alexis's lives when they first fell for each other versus who they are in the present day. I'm just not a flashback fan so that's down to personal preference.

On another completely personal thing, Alexis' younger brother is described as having severe Autism and I was really curious how that would be represented. It turns out, other than a mention, it wasn't really represented at all so that was a bit of a let down.

At times, the book felt long or a little clunky, but it was still solidly written.

I think Ashley Quinn's writing definitely matured with her latest book "Summer of Love" and I will continue to check out what else she has to offer.

3.5 stars

[Starsandsun18 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book from the author and I enjoyed it.
This book is not perfect, it has minor grammar and spelling issues but it's not that distracting.
This has flashbacks, I know a lot of people don't like it.
The alternate High school and present story is kind of confusing sometimes. You just have to figure it out but you'll get used to it.


Michelle is one annoying MC! I don't really like her. Especially on how she treats Alexis. Way too cruel and Alexis is too forgiving, one smile from Michelle everything is alright again.
Also Michelle is selfish, she always said that she loves Alexis but always end up bailing on her. How can she stand that? Everyone bullies Alexis. All the things that happened in HS. And she's just watching?


I would have like it if Michelle doubled her efforts to win back Alexis. She's more of talk and less work.


I'm giving this a chances and make it 4 stars instead of 3 because this is the first book of the author and as I said I also enjoyed it.


If your a fan of Hollywood connections series, I think you will like this one.



3.5-3.75

[Heinerway · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a sweet story that will appeal to those who love coming out struggles.

[poppp · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
The book was okay. I've read a number of hollywood+average woman stories and this one was just okay, which is still a positive thing considering that it's the first book of the author. Writing was a bit confusing at times as to who's doing/saying what since the author keeps on using she/her to reference the character---which is normal since it's a lesbian romance! LOL. I just mean that, other authors are able to pull this off smoothly compared to how the author did it in this one.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the characters. Despite the rocky mid-beginning of the characters, it shows a great amount of growth. However, with what happened in both their pasts, I'm surprised it was really forgiven so easily with no backlash or real resentment from anyone in either parties. Regardless, I fell in love with the characters and really enjoyed the journey all them went on. Read it, it's a pretty good one.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost pulled the plug on this early but read the reviews so I keep going...it does get better and almost good. It did enough to keep me wanting to read it and I am not sorry i did,,so..um..3 stars, but the start is tough to push through

[Odd Bin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not leave books unfinished, but, in the case of All that Glitters, I am prepared to make an exception.

[Caroline Hislop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe 5 starts is a little too much, but I think it's worth more than 4. I give it 4.5.

[Terry Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The day Alexis Vlodosky moves into her new home in Coastal Breeze, Florida, is the day she meets Michelle Murphy. Michelle loses control of her battered skateboard and runs right into a pile of cardboard boxes. Eighth graders Alexis and Michelle become firm friends from that day onwards.

Alexis is the daughter of a Jewish father. They moved from New York City, New York to Florida to start afresh, after her lawyer father had business problems. Alexis has one younger brother, autistic Dougie.

Michelle is the only daughter of a single alcoholic, man eating, mother, Angela. The different men coming in and out of their home causes no end of trouble between mother and daughter. Angela professes to want the best for Michelle and pushes her way beyond her limits. It’s no wonder Michelle escapes to be with Alexis so much.

As Alexis and Michelle grow close, they begin to question the normality of their relationship. When the rumors start around school, Michelle disowns Alexis in favor of the ‘in’ crowd, breaking her heart in the process. Deep down Michelle knew she was in the wrong, but it didn’t stop her joining in with the rest of the bullies in making Alexis’s life a misery. Michelle lives for the day she can escape from Coastal Breeze.

Ten years later, Michelle has become a big name in the pop world. She’s on the verge of becoming a huge name. Michelle hasn’t returned to Coastal Breeze in quite sometime, then she gets a call, her mother has been injured in a car accident. She reluctantly returns.

Michelle is in a faux relationship with a closeted gay actor, Tyler. She is struggling with her own sexuality. It suits both of them to be together in name only. But both Michelle and Tyler are getting restless. They both want more out of life. How much longer will Michelle or Tyler allow the farce to go on?

When Michelle bumps into registrar Alexis Vlodosky at the hospital while visiting her mother, the memories that have been simmering away in both women for ten years surface and erupt. They spend one night together and realize they love each other more than ever. But what will Michelle do? She has to make a decision. If she listens to her agent, she will end up right back in the closet. Will Michelle break Alexis’s heart yet again?

This is Ashley Quinn’s debut book. I would never have known from her excellent writing. The lay out, editing, dialogue, scenic descriptions, are really well done. The main characters are multi layered, they interact well with the lesser characters and each plays hers or his part to perfection and is essential in progressing the story forward. I love these characters, it was so easy to feel they were personal friends and just lose myself amongst them.

The story covers a lot of ground. School, teenage years, bullying, first love, finding ones sexuality, coming out, everyday life, the pop world, drug abuse, forgiveness and lots of other things that make this book a veritable page turner from the first page right the way through to the last.

The story begins with Alexis and Michelle’s first meeting and goes between the past and the present throughout the rest of the book. It’s easy to keep up with the story though. Easy to see also, that all that glitters isn’t gold.

I am eagerly looking forward to reading more from Ashley Quinn. Her debut book says to me, that she has the ability to go far with her writing in the lesfic world.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting tale of two teenager's coming out stories. I thought that it wouldn't interest me because of the ages of the women, but Ashley told it in a way that really grabs the reader's attention. She goes back and forth between the past and present fluidly. The characters are solid, the storyline is solid, and I definitely recommend you take a ride with Alexis, Michelle, Tyler, and Austin. Some must come to terms with their sexuality and others must choose between happiness and their careers.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. I was a bit unsure about buying this book due to it having flashback scenes, but they were amazing and it wouldn't have been the same without them. This book is well written and the characters are well rounded. I could imagine being friends with these characters. I felt the chemistry between Michelle and Alexis and the heartbreak during their high school years had me shedding a tear. I couldn't put this book down and as soon as I finished ordered another book by this author straight away. I can't wait for more!

[Mirtha Siblesz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good debut book!

I thoroughly enjoyed Ashley Quinn's debut book. It was a vey good effort. The character development of Alexis ad Michelle was well done. It was a bittersweet story when they were young teens and again when they got a second chance at love. All in all, a very good story.

[C.C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give it 3.5 stars

[PapayaSammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart

Amazing book and story! Made my heart race and ache, kept me going even though I kept getting my heart played with, well worth the read!