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All in Monte Carlo: Inspired by True Events

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Four women, four ways to revenge… A Monaco insider reveals what life is like in the world's richest and most secretive enclave, where revenge is best served with a glass of champagne. Wedged between Southern France and the Mediterranean Sea, the miniature principality of Monaco is a place for aspiration, for comic extremes and for outrageous personalities. Where a businesswoman gets her favourite Chanel suit flown in by private jet. Where Hôtel de Paris serves breakfast to a drunken socialite in a prison cell. Where two Gucci-clad women are behind a string of burglaries. Against a backdrop of cocktails on superyachts, looking fabulous and feeling empty, this tongue-in-cheek tale revolves around four relatable women who meet by chance in Monte Carlo. After sharing their tales of betrayal, they set up a book club as a cover while they settle each other’s scores. But revenge, like life, doesn’t always go to plan… The book cover has been designed by one of the UK’s leading illustrators, Patrick Knowles. Knowles is best known for his cover designs for Julian Fellowes and Anthony Horowitz, as well as for Prince William and Kate’s wedding calligraphy.

296 pages, Paperback

Published July 28, 2023

9 people are currently reading
152 people want to read

About the author

Anna Shilling

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5 stars
66 (39%)
4 stars
51 (30%)
3 stars
27 (16%)
2 stars
17 (10%)
1 star
6 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
Profile Image for Mark.
1,679 reviews
September 21, 2023
What a dizzy wild romp of a book this is…
Monaco, have always been fascinated by these glitzy Principalities and all that goes with them….the single City state is about the same size as Hyde Park and when you go shopping you can cross streets into France then have lunch in Italy ( I think being born on an Island makes for border fascination ), life is good, no its great for our characters….until they are betrayed and seek revenge….all in the guise of a Book Club
Based on true events the author obviously knows Monaco intimately and portrays the Country so well via sights, sounds, smells and wealth, big wealth
I loved it and want to move there 🤗 well maybe visit there as requirements to live there are,lets say hefty but for the time being am more than happy to have been whisked away to this fairytale land where dreams come true…but also nightmares
The only thing could improve the book is a character list at the beginning and is it character rich ( which isen’t bad as there are no fillers here )
Sumptuous reading
Profile Image for Kristel Greer.
645 reviews13 followers
September 15, 2023
I was sent a copy of this book for review.

With the beautifully extravagant backdrop of Monaco, four women finally reach the end of their tether with the men in their lives. As Monaco is an overtly patriarchal society with men ruling everything, women often fall foul of the laws that protect the men they are connected to. When pushed beyond their limits, these women decide to create a Book Club to cover up their plans for revenge and their connection to each other. It gives them a reason to meet without suspicion while pretending to read The Count of Monte Cristo. They each take it in turns to assist their fellow book clubbers in bringing about the downfall of the man who has wronged them. Abigail has work troubles with her boss Hank. Polina is having money issues with her boyfriend Dimitri. Lucinda is wronged by her husband Leo. Barbara has a good for nothing son-in-law trying to scam her for €100 million.

While the four intriguing, independent, and fabulously attired women plot their revenge they must continue to navigate their everyday world of superyachts, playboy billionaires, cocktail parties, designer brands and pampered pooches in the decadent surroundings of Monte Carlo. Just when they have a handle on what they need to enact their plans, they are forced to contend with the Russian mafia, the local police and two Gucci clad femme fatales stealing from high end homes that are thrown into the mix.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This was entirely entertaining, laugh out loud hilarious and thought provoking at times. It has a strong women empowerment message and I loved how each of the very different women came together to combine their resources/talents to the betterment of each other. This is based on true events so Monte Carlo must be a crazy place to live with these shenanigans going on. There was plenty of twists and turns, thrilling intrigue and spoiled doggies throughout. It has everything a perfectly plotted revenge thriller should have and more. I even shouted out loud when Leo sends a particular message to Lucinda about her dog, if you read it you will understand. The Gall! Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Staceywh_17.
3,661 reviews12 followers
September 6, 2023
I'm in the midst of setting up a local book club, so this did make me laugh - I started wondering what else we could use the guise of a book club for too.

All in Monte Carlo is dark, delicious and an absolutely delightful read, perfect for the late summer we appear to be having. I'm assuming the based on a true story is the author's memoir in disguise?

Monaco is the home to the rich, the famous and the scorned, and the perfect scenery for our protagonists to 'read' their books and exact their revenge...will men ever learn?

Brilliant book, hugely entertaining and so enjoyable.
Profile Image for Robin Price.
1,159 reviews44 followers
November 12, 2023
This is a triumphant feminist appraisal of love and life in the glittering microcosm that is Monaco. A bit of fact, a bit of fable? Barbara, Abigail, Lucinda and Polina evoke humour and heartbreak in equal measure as they use the book group they have formed as cover to seek revenge on their menfolk. I hardly believe they are not real people.
Misogynistic Monaco is crowded with ageing lotharios, vampire gold diggers, bored heiresses and wonderstruck tourists. This is a shrewdly observed, vibrant story, brimming with life and hope, and the outrageous antics of the super rich. It was an absolute joy to read.
Profile Image for Anne.
659 reviews25 followers
August 25, 2023
Have you been to a book club that has an alternate motive? This was the case for Abigail, Polina, Barbara, and Lucinda as they had been betrayed! Revenge was their focus! Can they pull it off or does it catch up to them? This book will have you turning the pages to find out!

A highly entertaining book that exposes the juiciest of secrets of Monaco! This book will have you chuckling and shaking your head at the same time. A perfect book for your next vacation, so you can sip on a glass of Rosé or Champagne as you read!
Profile Image for Lynsey.
747 reviews34 followers
November 21, 2023
‘All in Monte Carlo’ is a hilarious romp through the small principality of Monaco and definitely shows the underhand and manipulative ways of its residents! I always thought that the Julia Styles TV show ‘Riveria’ was over the top but maybe not based on this book. It has been co-written by four residents of Monaco and is based on true events! I have always wanted to go to the south of France and I love fashion so I was living vicariously through the book's characters. I don't tend to read this type of crime novel but I thoroughly enjoyed this one and the light-hearted and cynical take on life made for a captivating read!

The four main characters all managed to have very distinct voices and my favourite two were stoic Scottish Barbara, the HNW businesswoman from Aberdeen and the antithesis of her was Abigail who was the most grounded but had the least amount of money in a town which is all about money!

I flew through this book in one sitting and was entranced but the tales and exploits of these women and the selfish men they found themselves being surrounded by. It really rammed home that money doesn't actually make you happy, it just causes different problems! The themes of growth and redemption feature for all the characters. Hopefully, this is the start of a series as I would love to return to this world!

Let me know if you pick this one up!
Profile Image for Tyler Marshall.
928 reviews52 followers
November 21, 2023
Wow!

Anna from the start has you feeling like you're right there in Monaco, with the way the author describes the sounds, smells and sights. I a person who has never been anywhere close feels like ive just come back from a trip there. I think the immersive way this story is written is what had me hooked from the first page.

We have to talk about the amazing charters you get to meet during this read. This was an exciting and action packed story filled with feminism and woman who are just done being controlled by men, I enjoyed seeing the strength these four women have and their unwilling ability to just lay down and accept it. This is a book I would love to live in, not just because of the luxury but I think planning revenge behind a guise of a book club is just bada**!

Based on a true story I found my self laughing out loud at some of the antics these women got into but also unable to stop reading or even look away, this was such a fresh and fun plot line for me and I wanted to know what was going to happen on the next page ever time I turned one over.
7 reviews
September 9, 2023
An accomplished novel with several layers. On one level, it's a LOL beach read that romps through the scandalous lives of Monaco's wealthy residents. On another level, it's a satisfying revenge tale with a plot that keeps surprising the reader until the final page. But then it also poses serious questions and has interesting literary parallels.
Profile Image for Maria.
2,980 reviews96 followers
November 27, 2023
This was OK. The story was interesting but moved very slowly in the first half as we got to know the different characters. There’s a lot of name dropping and learning how the other half lives while behaving badly. The actual meat of the story, the revenge portion, is fascinating but took forever to come together and seemed somewhat rushed, with tons more names thrown in, so it’s a mishmash of crimes. And the ending was super cheesy but wraps things up nicely for everyone.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
1 review
October 2, 2023
Beautifully written satirical novel with a clever, well-paced plot. With its glamorous setting and flamboyant characters, it's like The Great Gatsby meets TV series Succession with a sprinkling of The Count of Monte Cristo on the French Riviera. It made me LOL many times. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on in Monte Carlo, I’d highly recommend this novel.
Profile Image for Emma Ashley.
1,319 reviews48 followers
September 16, 2023
All in Monte Carlo is a novel inspired by true events by Anna Shilling.
The novel follows four Women, who want revenge. They form a 'book club' as a cover up and plot between them on ways they can make this happen.
I was hooked from the very first page and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to find out what happened.
The novel is funny and very entertaining. Anna's is a brilliant writer and her story telling is fun and well timed. A brilliant and entertaining novel that I highly recommend.
💖 Thank you to the author, Anna Shilling for my copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.
Profile Image for Katherine Hayward Pérez .
1,674 reviews77 followers
October 20, 2023
Monaco, revenge, a book club. I love stories inspired by true events. The glitz of Monaco has been something I have wanted to delve into after having seen a travel show about Monaco.

All in Monte Carlo is the perfect blend of glamour, life events and mystery set in a wealthy location.

It's equal parts feelgood and gripping, and is a great debut.

Thanks to Anna Shilling Matador, and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars
189 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2023
You had me at ‘based on a true story’ 😍

Following the very different lives of four women as they attempt to slay the patriarchy in Monte Carlo amidst workplace harassment, double standards, cheating and archaic laws. This novel has everything; sex, affairs, money, murder and mafia. All washed down with copious amounts of Cristal 🥂

Eye wateringly extreme, I loved this book. The action hits hard and the uniting of four women to turn things on their heads is right up my street! Highly recommend!
3 reviews
September 23, 2023
Couldn’t put this down. The will to follow the characters and their journey was so strong. It makes me curious as to what parts are true vs fiction or embellishment. Regardless, an excellent novel and hope to see more from Anna Shilling. Being a voyeur into a lifestyle and location I can only dream of makes for a fascinating trip!
Profile Image for michelle.
211 reviews3 followers
September 29, 2023
If you've ever watched Big Little Lies and are a fan of revenge/mystery-type plots in media, this is for you.

We follow four women who are within the super-rich, can't even imagine the tax bracket, and plot for revenge on the men in their lives in the guise of a book club. Abigail is having issues at work with her boss, Hank, who doesn't agree with what she wants to write about. Polina is in financial turmoil due to her boyfriend Dimitri. Lucinda experiences betrayal from her husband, Leo. Barbara is dealing with his troublesome son-in-law who is trying to scam her out of millions.

This was a funny and entertaining plot which I highly recommend. Thank you NetGalley and Anna Shilling for this ARC in return for an honest review!
Profile Image for Rhian Eleri.
409 reviews21 followers
November 25, 2023
Ever wanted revenge on a man who's treated you badly? Tick.

Ever wanted to set up a book club? Tick.

Ever thought of combining the two? Masking the club as a bookish get together but all the while, plotting devious scenarios to well and truly finish thos men off!? - No Tick 😆

That's what these four women do in All in Monte Carlo!
Each have their own reasons, and they don't necessarily match one another's personality either which makes for fun reading!

Now, a plot like this is good in its own right, but with it being set in the most glorious of worlds such as Monte Carlo, Monaco - it reeks beautifully of money fame and fortune.
I love the glamour of the lives they lead, I love that champagne is the go-to like a cuppa tea is mine.

A book to enjoy with a bit of a badass streak.
Profile Image for Bekky Clarke.
120 reviews7 followers
June 16, 2024
This was such a different read. In the sense that there was a lot going on with a lot of different characters - but I don’t think I’d have enjoyed it as much if this wasn’t the case.

The writing was gripping, our 4 main female characters were all great in their different ways. I especially loved Abigail and Barbara. This book was funny at times and I loved seeing behind the scenes of the luxurious side of life in Monaco.

There was a little bit of everything contained within the story and I feel like in this way it caters to a lot of tastes. There was infidelity, conspiracy, attempted murders and a lot of revenge and champagne.

A really fabulous read all round!
Profile Image for Bibliophile Unicorn.
253 reviews19 followers
October 5, 2023
Four women have had enough and they are out for revenge.

This book is quite a ride, honestly at the beginning I was not quite fond of all the ladies but as their stories developed I was all ready to ride for war with them.

Not everything went as plan, specially for Barbara but she wasn't the nicest either so we might just say that everyone got what they should have.

Really good read.
1 review
November 1, 2023
A wonderful (yet ugly) glimpse into the life in Monte Carlo. Stories of characters who had a certain
element of noblesse oblige were intertwined with such powerful imagery you felt as if you were with them sipping a glass of Christal on a yacht headed toward Cap d'Antibes! You felt their lives, even if it was just for a brief moment!
My favorite quote in the book "Life is like a camera. Focus on what is important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives. And if things don't work out, take another shot."
1 review
September 16, 2023
I loved this Book it made me laugh out loud on so many occasions throughout the book. Loved the Characters, however Barbara was my favourite. An excellent read.
Profile Image for Tyra Lynn.
33 reviews
November 20, 2023
A multi-faceted novel that effortlessly navigates various depths. I loved the breezy, laughter-inducing beach escapade, delving into the scandalous affairs of Monaco's affluent society. I also loved how the story weaves a gratifying narrative of revenge, enthralling readers with unforeseen twists until the very end. Yet, beyond its captivating storylines, it intricately raises profound inquiries and draws compelling parallels within the realm of literature.
Profile Image for Sonja Charters.
2,720 reviews139 followers
June 10, 2024
I was instantly drawn to this book by the stunning front cover which promised a bit of glamour, secrets and maybe a little summer fun!?
I was also intrigued by the fact this was inspired by true events too!

This took a little while to get going and I definitely had to stay focussed to remember all the characters and who belonged with whom?
But once I'd got those cemented and could relax into the storyline, this one really had me engrossed.

I have no clue where Monte Carlo is (I do now, as I had to Google it after!) but the writing style perfectly set the scene of this beautiful place that attracted the very wealthy - I wont be heading there in my lifetime!
As we often see though, money doesn't always buy you happiness and in fact, often attracts the worst in people.

As we get to know our main characters better, it's clear that they will be joining forces to right those wings that they've had done to them - and wow, what a force to be reckoned with once they team up and work together!
Absolutely loved this plotline.

I also loved the addition of the book club cover - not so much different to our own real book clubs hey!?
No, honestly though, it rare we get too much book discussed and as we say, what's saudnin book club, stays in book club!

I loved our ladies and their antics which had me laughing in places I maybe shouldn't be!

A great, fun read and an author I'd definitely read again!
2 reviews
November 12, 2023
I enjoyed this book so much more than I was expecting to. I was drawn to it out of curiosity about life in Monaco but wasn't expecting such a romp of a read. It's packed full of hilarious anecdotes and real life places within Monaco, giving a very insightful and authentic glimpse into life there. The plot line of betrayal and revenge provides another layer of depth that keeps things moving along at pace. It's one of those "can't put it down novels", especially the second half. I recognised some of the stories from newspaper articles over the years. It would appear that the byline "inspired by true events" is absolutely true, proving the adage that life (in Monaco at least) really is stranger than fiction. Bring on the Netflix series!
Profile Image for Sams_Fireside.
469 reviews56 followers
November 19, 2023
I wasn’t sure about this book when I started reading it, but it just got better and better, although I’m not sure I’ve read anything like this before! After I finished it, I did a bit of Googling, and although I knew before I started that it was based on true events, I didn’t understand how the book worked.

So basically, Anna Shilling is a pen name for four women living in Monte Carlo. They tell their stories of betrayal, and setting up a book club to act as a cover whilst they put everything to rights! The characters are fictional, but the events, landmarks, hotels and casinos are true.

Much of the story seems completely over the top and melodramatic, but I think that’s how Monte Carlo works. It’s all wrapped up in its own little bubble, without any idea what is going on in the outside world, away from Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Michelin-starred restaurants!

The characters are diverse and live different lives. From businesswomen to models, to magazine editors, with one thing in common, they all live in Monte Carlo, where men seemingly have the upper hand, women go shopping and dogs are carried around in handbags!

This book is fun, busy, conniving and eye-opening and definitely worth a read. It has been left wide open for a sequel, and it seems there are many more tales to come out of Monte Carlo.

Thank you to Troubador Publishing and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review All in Monte Carlo by Anna Shilling.
Profile Image for theweebookworm .
418 reviews27 followers
June 21, 2024
Wow, look at this beautiful cover. It's more stunning in real life.

All in Monte Carlo is written by 4 women who lived in Monte Carlo and is based on their experiences.

Each chapter is told in the point of view of one of the women, which I liked, as I felt you got to know them better. I did have had mixed feelings about them though.

I liked the guise of the book club as a meeting place for making plans to exact their revenge. The revenge was good when it came, although a bit too much for a couple of them, even although they were awful people.

The people, places and lifestyle of those who live in Monte Carlo are way beyond my means but with the vivid descriptions it's a place I would like to visit just to see.

I did feel the book was quite slow at the start but as I got further into it, the pace did speed up. What I would have liked is a character list as I did feel there were too many names mentioned I kept losing track.

A quick, easy read book about revenge with some humour.
Profile Image for Erika.
915 reviews15 followers
October 16, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Troubador for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Four women, wronged by four men in four different ways, work together to enact revenge on the offenders, set against the backdrop of ultra over the top Monaco.

I requested this book after finally getting to visit Monaco recently. I LOVED the setting and all of the absurd behavior of the wealthy. I could picture various landmarks discussed in the book and loved reading about all the little oddities of Monaco. The issue was the number of characters. This is something I struggle with. When too many characters are introduced too quickly, I can’t keep track and that was definitely the case here. I was halfway through the book and still could barely keep the four main women and four main men straight. So that definitely detracted from my engagement in the book as well as my enjoyment. It was a 3 star read with one extra star for a great setting.
Profile Image for skyla.
73 reviews3 followers
June 4, 2024
Thank you so much to love book tours and Anna Shilling for gifting me a physical copy of All In Monte Carlo in exchange for an honest review! 😊

✨RATINGS✨
✨✨✨✨✨/5

✨REVIEW✨
This is definitely a book you want to take with you on holiday! It’s the perfect holiday read.

I’ve never been to Monte Carlo but you can tell the author knows what she’s on about because just from the descriptions I can imagine how it is and i definitely am going to look into going there.

This was a brilliant read and I absolutely loved it. It was so funny and enjoyable to read and let’s just say I’d definitely be up for joining this book club. Have some men in mind 😂

I really liked all 4 of the ladies and I liked how they interacted with each other. The plot it really well paced and keeps you wanting to find out what happens next.

I will definitely be reading any books by Anna Shilling especially if they are as good as this one!
Profile Image for Lauren Stenhouse.
56 reviews10 followers
June 3, 2024
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year and it did not disappoint! I knew as soon as I seen the cover that I wanted to read it 😍⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The story is set in the stunning principality of Monaco with all its glitz and glam. It follows a group of women who are fighting back against a patriarchal society 🇲🇨
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I absolutely loved all four of the main characters, each with their own quirks! The writing is great with fantastic character building, which didn't leave you asking any questions because everything was so well described!
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My favourite character, Damian, isn't actually one of the main characters but he had me laughing out loud so many times! My favourite quote being, 'and I want him charged with grievous bollocky harm' .. the line caught me off guard and had me crying with laughter 🤣 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Overall an absolutely fantastic book and I really recommend it if you want a good laugh ❣️
Profile Image for Kez Marie.
1,198 reviews74 followers
June 5, 2024
"It was the moment all four women sought redress for their collective misery"

Fast paced, lots of drama, scandals, plotting and of course revenge.
This was very entertaining seeing the woman all come together through different avenues in life, all with contrasting lifestyles, ambitions and histories, but all with a common goal.
This story is set against the extravagant surroundings of Monte Carlo with decadence, designer outfits and billionaires a plenty.
It's a creative mix of femme fatales and strangers on a train, with crafted schemes but chaotic outcomes.
Vibrant, funny, entertaining and full of antics.
1 review
November 6, 2024
All in Monte Carlo by Anna Shilling
Fabulous great escapeism about 4 women living in Monaco-Monte Carlo.
Great train or airplane reading or relaxing on a beach or by the pool, relaxing
If you have been to the fabulous Monte Carlo, you will recognise many of the great locations, used for the settings in the book. If you loved "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous " then this book has champagne dreams and caviar wishes with wonderful revenge. A delightful indulgence. Enjoy! Lets hope there is a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews

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