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This Life: A Novel
Reality just got a bit too real for this queen of an empire.... Alpha female Blake is living a life that most women could only dream about. She's beautiful, brilliant, fierce, and doesn’t know how to quit. She’s built an empire, made millions, and fought her demons. When she’s invited to host The Takeover, a new reality show, she’s quick to take on the challenge. The show is an instant success…and Blake’s life becomes an instant mess. Blake’s new celebrity status comes with a catch; notoriety. That notoriety uncovers secrets that Blake would have rather kept buried. The worst is her ex-husband Lang, a jealous, obsessed man intent on destroying everything Blake has built for herself. Blake’s success and money become her weaknesses, leaving her with very few people to trust. This only gets worse living in the public eye. Lang uses Blake’s celebrity and feelings of isolation against her as he enlists the help of people from Blake’s past to ruin her. Unfortunately for Lang, Blake didn’t get where she is by backing down from a fight. When Brett, Blake’s ex-flame appears, she finds herself hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. Their complicated history soon has her life spinning out of control. As Blake struggles with the chaos, and the feeling that she can’t trust anyone, she starts to wonder if the life she has is even worth the fight. When Lang’s schemes escalate, Blake finds herself on the edge of losing everything… Sizzling with celebrity fantasy, This Life goes inside an action-packed world of wealth and power, secrets and deceptions, revenge and betrayal—where staying on top could mean paying the ultimate price.
- GenresChick Lit
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2014
10 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Maryann Reid
16 books42 followersAward-winning author and tv/radio social commentator Maryann Reid has been featured by countless media outlets including USA Today, Essence, Glamour, The CBS Early Show, and The Wendy Williams Experience. She is an expert wordsmith and has a plethora of connections with women all over the world from her travels to Europe and The Caribbean, and is a popular guest lecturer at colleges, where she has taught her writing and business skills to groups who want to lead their ideal life on their own terms.
Maryann has been profiled in The New Yorker, Newsweek, Oprah.com, and NBC Nightly News for her innovative approach to life and solving its complex issues, including creating the uber-landmark event Marry Your Baby Daddy Day. This event originated from her third book, Marry Your Baby Daddy (St Martins Press, 2005) that was optioned by Hollywood actress Holly Robinson-Peete and Dolores Robinson.
As an author and professional speaker, Maryann has gathered a diverse roster of credentials and affiliations:
–Author of several books and short stories by St Martins Press and Penguin Putnam
–Published her first book, Sex and the Single Sister (St Martins Press) at 25 years old in two weeks
–Lecturer at various universities including St John’s University and Fordham University in NYC in Creative Writing and Business Communications
– Philanthropist, referred to as the “Oprah of Brooklyn”, for her work arranging all-expenses paid weddings for loving moms and dads, via her event Marry Your Baby Daddy Day
– Expert and social commentator on top-rated nationally syndicated radio shows like NPR’s Fresh Air, The Michael Baisden Show, Fox News Radio, CBS Radio, The Gayle King Show on Oprah Radio, etc
– Invited by USATODAY to write a novella, Single Black Female, for the acclaimed Open Book section of their website
Since her debut book Sex and the Single Sister, Maryann has been invited to speak to some of the most innovative groups all over the country and has received over 20 million media impressions worldwide via major news outlets like ABC News 20/20, NBC Nightly News and CNN.
Maryann received her BA in Journalism from Fordham and developed her writing and love for news at Random House and CNN. She later received her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Miami. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY and steadily working on new products for women. Maryann welcomes ideas and collaboration.
Maryann has been profiled in The New Yorker, Newsweek, Oprah.com, and NBC Nightly News for her innovative approach to life and solving its complex issues, including creating the uber-landmark event Marry Your Baby Daddy Day. This event originated from her third book, Marry Your Baby Daddy (St Martins Press, 2005) that was optioned by Hollywood actress Holly Robinson-Peete and Dolores Robinson.
As an author and professional speaker, Maryann has gathered a diverse roster of credentials and affiliations:
–Author of several books and short stories by St Martins Press and Penguin Putnam
–Published her first book, Sex and the Single Sister (St Martins Press) at 25 years old in two weeks
–Lecturer at various universities including St John’s University and Fordham University in NYC in Creative Writing and Business Communications
– Philanthropist, referred to as the “Oprah of Brooklyn”, for her work arranging all-expenses paid weddings for loving moms and dads, via her event Marry Your Baby Daddy Day
– Expert and social commentator on top-rated nationally syndicated radio shows like NPR’s Fresh Air, The Michael Baisden Show, Fox News Radio, CBS Radio, The Gayle King Show on Oprah Radio, etc
– Invited by USATODAY to write a novella, Single Black Female, for the acclaimed Open Book section of their website
Since her debut book Sex and the Single Sister, Maryann has been invited to speak to some of the most innovative groups all over the country and has received over 20 million media impressions worldwide via major news outlets like ABC News 20/20, NBC Nightly News and CNN.
Maryann received her BA in Journalism from Fordham and developed her writing and love for news at Random House and CNN. She later received her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Miami. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY and steadily working on new products for women. Maryann welcomes ideas and collaboration.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 10, 2016
3.5/5
This book was unlike anything I have read before. I do not normally pick up a book where the main character is a celebrity as I just have not seen the draw in it. This book, however, promised enough intrigue that I could not help but become enticed. I enjoyed the book overall. I read it in one sitting- so it kept my attention very well.
I loved the relationships between Blake and the supporting characters. The romance was minimal, but the friendships made up for it- as they should. A large part of the book is Blake interacting with her bodyguards- who were hired to protect her. She is a mega- celebrity and has luncheon's with Oprah. (Okay, it wasn't a luncheon. I think Oprah attended one of her parties.) But still, you get the picture. She is a very successful businesswoman whose ex- husband is bitter and violent about their divorce, so she needs protection from him as well. She has a lot of drama to deal with in this book. A. lot. Of. drama. Did I mention drama? Whew, the life of a celebrity. Never a dull moment.
I also thought the aspect of her hosting a television show that helped young entrepreneurs to be sort of brilliant. I have definitely never read that before- Very creative.
As a villain, I would say the husband was very hell bent on ruining everything Blake had built for himself. He definitely deserved a well placed kick in the nads for some of the stuff he put her through. He could have been worse, though.
Blake was a powerful and cut throat business- woman, but a bit of a push- over when it came to men. I found that personality trait sort of interesting. She was definitely empathetic to others and I liked her as a character overall. She did grow a bit when it came to letting others walk over her in her personal life, which was awesome. Characters should always grow and improve. *thumbs up*
I just didn't like Brett at all and I couldn't see the draw in him beyond the initial meeting. Meh.
The romance was interesting. I can't say much about it, since it was sort of minimal, but it was very original as well.
Overall, the book was new and creative with interesting relationships and a savvy and classy main character. There was plenty of friendships, financial drama, a bit of romance, and a glimpse into the life of the rich and famous. It was intriguing having celebrities I was familiar with mentioned in passing. A Very interesting book.
This book was unlike anything I have read before. I do not normally pick up a book where the main character is a celebrity as I just have not seen the draw in it. This book, however, promised enough intrigue that I could not help but become enticed. I enjoyed the book overall. I read it in one sitting- so it kept my attention very well.
I loved the relationships between Blake and the supporting characters. The romance was minimal, but the friendships made up for it- as they should. A large part of the book is Blake interacting with her bodyguards- who were hired to protect her. She is a mega- celebrity and has luncheon's with Oprah. (Okay, it wasn't a luncheon. I think Oprah attended one of her parties.) But still, you get the picture. She is a very successful businesswoman whose ex- husband is bitter and violent about their divorce, so she needs protection from him as well. She has a lot of drama to deal with in this book. A. lot. Of. drama. Did I mention drama? Whew, the life of a celebrity. Never a dull moment.
I also thought the aspect of her hosting a television show that helped young entrepreneurs to be sort of brilliant. I have definitely never read that before- Very creative.
As a villain, I would say the husband was very hell bent on ruining everything Blake had built for himself. He definitely deserved a well placed kick in the nads for some of the stuff he put her through. He could have been worse, though.
Blake was a powerful and cut throat business- woman, but a bit of a push- over when it came to men. I found that personality trait sort of interesting. She was definitely empathetic to others and I liked her as a character overall. She did grow a bit when it came to letting others walk over her in her personal life, which was awesome. Characters should always grow and improve. *thumbs up*
I just didn't like Brett at all and I couldn't see the draw in him beyond the initial meeting. Meh.
The romance was interesting. I can't say much about it, since it was sort of minimal, but it was very original as well.
Overall, the book was new and creative with interesting relationships and a savvy and classy main character. There was plenty of friendships, financial drama, a bit of romance, and a glimpse into the life of the rich and famous. It was intriguing having celebrities I was familiar with mentioned in passing. A Very interesting book.
June 26, 2014
I have to say it was good. It's the kind of book I would love to beta read. The beginning was a little scattered and Blake should have been 2 layered, in my opinion. A model who is retired then goes to real estate. I found it hard to get into her because she seemed like a woman who needed to focus on real estate and not three body guards with drama. Going through a divorce I would imagine was hard for her but, like I said if it was timelines or alternating POV maybe it would have read better for me.
The reality show threw me a curve. Sort of shake my head thinking add another career. It was hard to get on board with a model turned real estate mogul now turning to neighborhood rehabilitation and then a reality show. I think if she was to focus on the rehab in Little Haiti I would have enjoyed her character a little bit more. Just a little disconnect here.
The reality show threw me a curve. Sort of shake my head thinking add another career. It was hard to get on board with a model turned real estate mogul now turning to neighborhood rehabilitation and then a reality show. I think if she was to focus on the rehab in Little Haiti I would have enjoyed her character a little bit more. Just a little disconnect here.
February 11, 2015
The story of an abused woman finding her self worth and fighting an uphill battle against a vengeful ex husband. It was an interesting read although I found that it read like an account of events and didn't engage me as much as it some books have.
April 1, 2015
It was an ok read. started off slow had to really push myself to keep with it. In the end I'm glad I did. With all that she had to go through it was all worth it in the end.
September 3, 2017
This was an interesting read about Blake and the struggles and successes she endured during her life. While I thought the layout of the book, specifically the chapters, were setup in an odd manner I think the book flowed well overall.
June 17, 2025
Good book
I enjoyed the book. It left me feeling some kind of way, I didn’t like Langley at all he was a Monster, Blake got her happiness at the end.
I enjoyed the book. It left me feeling some kind of way, I didn’t like Langley at all he was a Monster, Blake got her happiness at the end.
October 7, 2016
Good book
True reason I chose this rating is because I literally couldn't put it down and read the entire book in one day. It's about a strong woman who is taken advantage of by men in her life since she was a little girl. As she grows to be a rich and successful women she seems to still be attracted to abusive men that use her in business and in her personal life. Sometimes you get so angry with her for allowing this because she is not a wimp but in another way you understand and wonder how she gets through all the hardships caused in her life by others trying to use and abuse her. Read this book but choose a day when you have nothing else to do because I promise you won't want to put it down.
True reason I chose this rating is because I literally couldn't put it down and read the entire book in one day. It's about a strong woman who is taken advantage of by men in her life since she was a little girl. As she grows to be a rich and successful women she seems to still be attracted to abusive men that use her in business and in her personal life. Sometimes you get so angry with her for allowing this because she is not a wimp but in another way you understand and wonder how she gets through all the hardships caused in her life by others trying to use and abuse her. Read this book but choose a day when you have nothing else to do because I promise you won't want to put it down.
August 24, 2014
Thought this was a pretty good book. A lot of good details in the beginning and through the middle. However, when Blake is finally starting to solve the problems that threaten to bring her down, it seems that the details and story of how it happens get rushed and cut short. But overall a good story of a determined woman not about to let anyone knock her down.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews