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Far Out
Screenwriter Blake Deco' s life is upended when his Hollywood movie-star wife, Goldie Saint Helen, comes out of a coma after a car accident with a makeshift identity. Her lawyers see her condition as an opportunity to swindle her.
Audible Audio
Published February 28, 2024
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74 people want to read
About the author
Khaled Talib
20 books304 followersI was born in Singapore and write thrillers shaped by observation, travel, and a lifelong habit of noticing what others overlook.
I’m the author of six thriller novels, inspired by my time spent in Australia, Cairo, Geneva, Italy, and cities like Singapore and New York, where crime, belief, power, and identity collide.
My stories draw tension from psychology and cultural fracture rather than spectacle, exploring the uneasy spaces where morality bends. I believe a thriller should unsettle as much as it entertains—and linger long after the final page.
I’m the author of six thriller novels, inspired by my time spent in Australia, Cairo, Geneva, Italy, and cities like Singapore and New York, where crime, belief, power, and identity collide.
My stories draw tension from psychology and cultural fracture rather than spectacle, exploring the uneasy spaces where morality bends. I believe a thriller should unsettle as much as it entertains—and linger long after the final page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 29, 2023
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc
Honestly, I was so intrigued by the blurb, but it was not done how I liked it. I was just so bored, mostly just skimming through the pages. The writing is so messy and all over the place, it's ridiculous, and there's no consistency. So many unnecessary parts that have nothing to do with the plot. Random characters just randomly showed up, which makes everything more confusing. I think it will be better as a movie than a book.
Honestly, I was so intrigued by the blurb, but it was not done how I liked it. I was just so bored, mostly just skimming through the pages. The writing is so messy and all over the place, it's ridiculous, and there's no consistency. So many unnecessary parts that have nothing to do with the plot. Random characters just randomly showed up, which makes everything more confusing. I think it will be better as a movie than a book.
March 29, 2024
Find my full review on my blog.
Far Out by Khaled Talib is an incredible thriller following a screenwriter and his movie star wife in a heart stopping and twisting, life changing event.
Goldie Saint Helen is a movie star and she's prepping to play an old school, hippie, 1960s era detective in an upcoming movie. Unfortunately, she ends up in a car accident that sends her into a coma. When she comes out of the coma, she believes she is the identity of her character, Gypsy, leading her to believe that the CIA is after her and a young girl and they must be stopped. Goldie's husband, Blake Deco, is determined to get Goldie back to herself and learns there is a plot just as sinister as the fictional one going on around them and they need to stop before it's too late...
Khaled Talib has something about his writing that really pulls you in. The premise alone had me thrilled - bring back some old characters I know and put them in a fake identify situation? Heck, yes! Add in an even deeper mystery on top of the original twist? SOLD! I adored this and thought it was such a great read.
Blake and Goldie/Gypsy make for two really intriguing characters. Not only are they a healthy couple in their dynamic, but they also made me smile and roll my eyes throughout the book. Going along with the brain jury identity sounded crazy and I'm not sure if doctors would actually recommend that, but it felt just like a movie or television show plot. The other characters were all likable as well. My only issue? You wouldn't necessarily guess the big twist/plot point on your own. Normally, I enjoy a mystery that plops down hints along the way, but I didn't feel like there were that many hints for me to figure it out. It didn't make the book any less enjoyable, but I would say that's the book's only flaw in my eyes.
Regardless, I adored this book. I definitely would recommend Far Out to mystery and thriller lovers. This is an adult read with some adult themes, but is naturally an easy and relatively quick read. I managed to binge it three times before I wrote my review.
Five out of five stars.
I received this book for free from the author, Khaled Talib, in exchange for an honest review.
Far Out by Khaled Talib is an incredible thriller following a screenwriter and his movie star wife in a heart stopping and twisting, life changing event.
Goldie Saint Helen is a movie star and she's prepping to play an old school, hippie, 1960s era detective in an upcoming movie. Unfortunately, she ends up in a car accident that sends her into a coma. When she comes out of the coma, she believes she is the identity of her character, Gypsy, leading her to believe that the CIA is after her and a young girl and they must be stopped. Goldie's husband, Blake Deco, is determined to get Goldie back to herself and learns there is a plot just as sinister as the fictional one going on around them and they need to stop before it's too late...
Khaled Talib has something about his writing that really pulls you in. The premise alone had me thrilled - bring back some old characters I know and put them in a fake identify situation? Heck, yes! Add in an even deeper mystery on top of the original twist? SOLD! I adored this and thought it was such a great read.
Blake and Goldie/Gypsy make for two really intriguing characters. Not only are they a healthy couple in their dynamic, but they also made me smile and roll my eyes throughout the book. Going along with the brain jury identity sounded crazy and I'm not sure if doctors would actually recommend that, but it felt just like a movie or television show plot. The other characters were all likable as well. My only issue? You wouldn't necessarily guess the big twist/plot point on your own. Normally, I enjoy a mystery that plops down hints along the way, but I didn't feel like there were that many hints for me to figure it out. It didn't make the book any less enjoyable, but I would say that's the book's only flaw in my eyes.
Regardless, I adored this book. I definitely would recommend Far Out to mystery and thriller lovers. This is an adult read with some adult themes, but is naturally an easy and relatively quick read. I managed to binge it three times before I wrote my review.
Five out of five stars.
I received this book for free from the author, Khaled Talib, in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2023
FAR OUT is the story of Goldie, a well-known actor, who is found on the side of the road post-automobile accident, is pulled from her car and is barely conscious, but onlookers definitely recognize her as the celebrity she is. She’s taken to the hospital where Goldie’s husband is told she’s had a brain injury and on one hand, the doctor makes it out to be very serious, yet the next page makes it seem she’ll be good as new in a few days and it’s only temporary.
The problem is, Goldie is convinced she is Gypsy, the character (a hippie-detective from the 60’s) based on the script she’d been studying that she is slated to start filming. She thinks her sister works for the CIA and believes her husband is lying about who he says he is.
So, for Goldie’s sake, and their own, they decide to play along.
The characters are all quite likable.
It’s written well and was one of those fast read stories that you can play out in your head like a movie. This was a gracious ARC from NetGalley I had. It needs a few minor edits, but the story was fun. Not totally believable, but I wasn’t looking for it to be.
The keywords I picked up on that made me want to read FAR OUT, Brain Injury, Gypsy, hippies, 60’s, detective. That combination just seemed high-potential for a clever story.
I really enjoyed it. If it was in print on my shelf I’d most likely pick it up again in the future, just for the enjoyment of it. I DO want this one in print so I guess I am a fan now. If it was a movie, it'd be more like a of low-budget that still does relatively well at the box office (if that makes sense) and while it wasn’t crazy action packed, it was the combination of characters and word-play that made it so amusing. I’d definitely suggest it for friends that are looking for a fun read, but as far as a high-suspense, it was mostly stress-free to read.
The problem is, Goldie is convinced she is Gypsy, the character (a hippie-detective from the 60’s) based on the script she’d been studying that she is slated to start filming. She thinks her sister works for the CIA and believes her husband is lying about who he says he is.
So, for Goldie’s sake, and their own, they decide to play along.
The characters are all quite likable.
It’s written well and was one of those fast read stories that you can play out in your head like a movie. This was a gracious ARC from NetGalley I had. It needs a few minor edits, but the story was fun. Not totally believable, but I wasn’t looking for it to be.
The keywords I picked up on that made me want to read FAR OUT, Brain Injury, Gypsy, hippies, 60’s, detective. That combination just seemed high-potential for a clever story.
I really enjoyed it. If it was in print on my shelf I’d most likely pick it up again in the future, just for the enjoyment of it. I DO want this one in print so I guess I am a fan now. If it was a movie, it'd be more like a of low-budget that still does relatively well at the box office (if that makes sense) and while it wasn’t crazy action packed, it was the combination of characters and word-play that made it so amusing. I’d definitely suggest it for friends that are looking for a fun read, but as far as a high-suspense, it was mostly stress-free to read.
April 8, 2023
GooldieSaint Helen is angry her husbands Cat has ruined all of her muffins and she needs to get away for a few days but unfortunately she has an accident that causes her to have a type of amnesia that makes her believe she is someone else in her case she thinks she’s gypsy rose a female detective in the mid-70s who loves to say far out and wear hippie type close this was a role she was about to do in a movie but unfortunately it’s now is her reality and one her husband Blake has to go along with. When she wrecked her Lexus some college students helped her escape the car that was on fire and in her delusion she thinks one of them is Candace a girl who is hooked up with a cult that is also in Kahoot with the CIA and she is in danger of being in the MK ultra psychedelic program so when Blake takes “gypsy“ to Laguna Beach to get her away from the paparazzi he is shocked to see the college student is there and this is only more proof to gypsy that she is on the right track. As if his wife thinking she is a 70s female detective wasn’t bad enough little do they know but someone is actually out to get Goldie Saint Helen but why and who is it? This book was so much fun I loved Blake and thought he was such a good devoted husband not to mention the lol moments in the 70s references were so great this really was a great idea for Brooke AN a greatly executed plot I loved it and highly recommend it I really enjoyed this book so much I’ve received it from NetGalley and publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
October 4, 2023
This is about a famous movie star named Goldie Saint Helen who gets into a car accident which causes her to temporarily go into a state where she believes she’s Gypsy Star. Her lawyers use this as a chance to try and take over all her money and assets by calming she is unfit to mange it and it spirals into a long line of awful events eventually ending with her husband having to break out of jail to prove there innocence.
Over all this book wasn’t bad but I found a lot of it unrealistic. Like i know it’s Hollywood and everyone’s loaded with money but come on even money couldn’t do what these guys were pulling off. It took me awhile to get into at the beginning and by the end I only wanted to finish it just to see the end result. I also felt like the ending with really rushed and the plot was scatter toward the end just bouncing around! Also who wants to throw a party after they’ve just been assaulted, scammed and thrown in a mental institution?!?!? I also felt there were a lot of unnecessary characters who i had to look back in chapters to remember who they were. I would like to thank NetGalley the author and the publisher for letting me an early copy of this book.
Over all this book wasn’t bad but I found a lot of it unrealistic. Like i know it’s Hollywood and everyone’s loaded with money but come on even money couldn’t do what these guys were pulling off. It took me awhile to get into at the beginning and by the end I only wanted to finish it just to see the end result. I also felt like the ending with really rushed and the plot was scatter toward the end just bouncing around! Also who wants to throw a party after they’ve just been assaulted, scammed and thrown in a mental institution?!?!? I also felt there were a lot of unnecessary characters who i had to look back in chapters to remember who they were. I would like to thank NetGalley the author and the publisher for letting me an early copy of this book.
September 22, 2023
The story revolves around the filmstar Goldie who suffers amnesia after an accident and how she is misguided by her peers for her estate. Very unique story and different. I must say, the author has done an awesome work with this book. All the characters were well-developed through the story. A must-read book and a good travel companion. I really liked the part when Goldie runs away from the hospital and punches her sister. Everyone gets worried and try to play along with her FAR OUT story.
June 28, 2023
The title of this novel is appropriate. It is the craziest novel I have read in some time. There is lots of action, most of it bazaar and unbelievable. It is so zany it was fun to read. The plot is a bit convoluted. At first I thought this would be a sort of Walter Mitty plot with Goldie being all super agent. But then there was a kidnapping and the action went in a totally different direction. The story kept twisting and turning with one odd event after another, culminating in an unusual and surprising ending.
In the end, I enjoyed this crazy novel with a twisty plot and unbelievable action. Perhaps it was the bigger than life characters that made it fun to read. Perhaps it was the clever dialogue here and there or the committed friendships. Maybe it was the humor. This novel has it all wrapped up in a complex plot with unbelievable, over the top action.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
In the end, I enjoyed this crazy novel with a twisty plot and unbelievable action. Perhaps it was the bigger than life characters that made it fun to read. Perhaps it was the clever dialogue here and there or the committed friendships. Maybe it was the humor. This novel has it all wrapped up in a complex plot with unbelievable, over the top action.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
June 3, 2023
Thank you to Running Wild Press for the ARC via NetGalley.
Far Out is a thriller set in Hollywood that follows a movie star actress, Goldie, that ends up with a kind of amnesia that makes her believe she is a detective from the 1960s, Gypsy, from the last screenplay she read after a car accident. While she is incapacitated in this new identity that doctors tell her husband to play along on, there are several people who are trying to take advantage of her wealthy estate through a conservatorship.
It's super action packed and takes a lot of twists and turns. The characters were well developed and the plot keeps you engaged, although I found Gypsy's character a bit grating most of the time. To be honest I was having a hard time with the believability of the story as some of the plot twists were a little too "far out" to happen in reality. With that aside, it makes for a good story and a fun little read.
Far Out is a thriller set in Hollywood that follows a movie star actress, Goldie, that ends up with a kind of amnesia that makes her believe she is a detective from the 1960s, Gypsy, from the last screenplay she read after a car accident. While she is incapacitated in this new identity that doctors tell her husband to play along on, there are several people who are trying to take advantage of her wealthy estate through a conservatorship.
It's super action packed and takes a lot of twists and turns. The characters were well developed and the plot keeps you engaged, although I found Gypsy's character a bit grating most of the time. To be honest I was having a hard time with the believability of the story as some of the plot twists were a little too "far out" to happen in reality. With that aside, it makes for a good story and a fun little read.
April 19, 2023
Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy of Far Out to be released January 2024. This thriller is actioned packed. I felt like I was watching this on TV with its descriptive action. Blake Deco is married to a movie star Goldie Saint Helen in Hollywood. She is in an automobile crash that causes her to have dissociative amnesia. She thinks she is living in the 60’s and that era takes over her personality throughout a lot of the book which gives the book an added element of humor. The overall theme of the story is the dangers of conservatorship as her lawyers try to take over her millions. This is not your typical thriller but is funny, tense, and action packed all at the same time!
January 16, 2024
Ah… where do I start? This has been one of the most unique novels I have read in a long time, and my opinion about it is vacillating, much like the plot. The story follows the journey of Goldie Saint Helen, a top-tier Hollywood actress and her screenwriter husband, Blake Deco. While preparing for her next role as a 1960s hippie detective named Gypsy, Goldie encounters a terrible car accident, inducing amnesia and personality disorder. After the accident, she believes she is Gypsy with the CIA after her while simultaneously solving a high-profile missing personnel case. Now, it’s up to Blake to take care of his wife and bring her back to reality. Sounds simple, right? But it’s not.
Reading the book, it felt like I was reading two stories with a familiar plot yet different events. Too many things are happening, and it’s a bit tasking to connect the dots with all the transpiring events. On the one hand, Goldie’s lawyers are trying to take advantage of her state to snatch her property in the pretence of conservatorship. On the other hand, there’s also a kidnapping by some mysterious individuals with shady intentions.
Khaled Talib’s latest literary venture would perhaps been more suitable as a web series/ TV show rather than a novel. With proper treatment, this could be right up there with other hippie and vintage-style stories like “The Nice Guys” or “Inherent Vice”. The writing is clever for most parts, with steady pacing and well-framed dialogues.
However, there’s little room for imagination as everything is predetermined and mentioned to the last detail. I love descriptive writing, but several things are unnecessary and do not fit the narrative.
Considering it’s fiction, the author took a lot of creative liberty, exaggerating certain events in the storyline. The author did, however, leave some threads untied and questions unanswered with apparent plot holes.
Now, who should pick up this book? If you are a Hollywood fanatic like me and love to try out new novels, go ahead. It’s a fun read and will keep you entertained through the unbelievable twists and turns the book offers. But if you have less time in hand and would like to go only through tried and tested reads, then “Far Out” might not be the best fit for your TBR.
Reading the book, it felt like I was reading two stories with a familiar plot yet different events. Too many things are happening, and it’s a bit tasking to connect the dots with all the transpiring events. On the one hand, Goldie’s lawyers are trying to take advantage of her state to snatch her property in the pretence of conservatorship. On the other hand, there’s also a kidnapping by some mysterious individuals with shady intentions.
Khaled Talib’s latest literary venture would perhaps been more suitable as a web series/ TV show rather than a novel. With proper treatment, this could be right up there with other hippie and vintage-style stories like “The Nice Guys” or “Inherent Vice”. The writing is clever for most parts, with steady pacing and well-framed dialogues.
However, there’s little room for imagination as everything is predetermined and mentioned to the last detail. I love descriptive writing, but several things are unnecessary and do not fit the narrative.
Considering it’s fiction, the author took a lot of creative liberty, exaggerating certain events in the storyline. The author did, however, leave some threads untied and questions unanswered with apparent plot holes.
Now, who should pick up this book? If you are a Hollywood fanatic like me and love to try out new novels, go ahead. It’s a fun read and will keep you entertained through the unbelievable twists and turns the book offers. But if you have less time in hand and would like to go only through tried and tested reads, then “Far Out” might not be the best fit for your TBR.
May 21, 2023
I’ve read this book through @netgalley. The book will be publicated January 8 2024.
I loved the cover. It looks very dark and mysterious!
Goldie had a car accident. And therefor she was in coma for a couple of days. After waking up she confuses reality with fantasy. She thinks she is Gypsy. The doctors told Blake, her husband, to get along with her story.
I really wanted to love the book. Because the concept was quite genious. I just didn’t like how it turned out. It was boring a lot of times.
I just expected a more mysterious book but it wasn’t unfortunately.
DNF at 20%.
#farout #thriller #khaledtalib #netgalley #runningwildpress #bookstagram #boekstagram #reviewcopy #recensieboek #recensieexemplaar #review #recensie #bookreview #boekreview #boekrecensie #kobo #ebook #mystery
I loved the cover. It looks very dark and mysterious!
Goldie had a car accident. And therefor she was in coma for a couple of days. After waking up she confuses reality with fantasy. She thinks she is Gypsy. The doctors told Blake, her husband, to get along with her story.
I really wanted to love the book. Because the concept was quite genious. I just didn’t like how it turned out. It was boring a lot of times.
I just expected a more mysterious book but it wasn’t unfortunately.
DNF at 20%.
#farout #thriller #khaledtalib #netgalley #runningwildpress #bookstagram #boekstagram #reviewcopy #recensieboek #recensieexemplaar #review #recensie #bookreview #boekreview #boekrecensie #kobo #ebook #mystery
January 5, 2024
Do you want to have a fun time?
Join Goldie and Blake, Gypsy and Ted, on a non-stop, exciting blast in the past! Groovy Baby! This story doesn't copy but gives me the vibe of some of my favorite movies; "Red" and "Bird on a Wire." There is everything in this story; fast-paced thrilling action, sweet romance, wicked antagonists, and absolutely lovable protagonists! Let us not forget Fufu!
I think it is so awesome that in January, one of the very best books of 2024 is already here!!!
Hurry, get your copy today!!!
Join Goldie and Blake, Gypsy and Ted, on a non-stop, exciting blast in the past! Groovy Baby! This story doesn't copy but gives me the vibe of some of my favorite movies; "Red" and "Bird on a Wire." There is everything in this story; fast-paced thrilling action, sweet romance, wicked antagonists, and absolutely lovable protagonists! Let us not forget Fufu!
I think it is so awesome that in January, one of the very best books of 2024 is already here!!!
Hurry, get your copy today!!!
September 1, 2023
This is an interesting story but the fascination for me came with the exploration of brain injury and the potential legal issues within the entertainment industry. Both aspects added a layer of difference which made this a compelling read. The author has a nice writing style which features credible dialogue and a fast pace.
January 6, 2024
I really enjoyed the first half of this books because I loved the characters and I found it really entertaining. The second had a lot of excitement but I wished that more had been revealed about Blake's past early on. I wish what had made the first half of the book so entertaining had continue longer into the second half of the book. It's not a bad book.
January 11, 2024
Far Out by Khaled Talib, this was a new author for me with a book written in one of my favorite genres. There was plenty of action in the book, although at times I found it too unbelievable to make this one of my favorite books. Having said that it was a fun read, I do wish that I could have connected more with the story line but it just wasn't what I expect to find in a book. I still would recommend this book to others because not everyone enjoys the same type of books.
I received an ARC from BookSirens, and I am leaving my review voluntarily and the opinion expressed here are my own.
I received an ARC from BookSirens, and I am leaving my review voluntarily and the opinion expressed here are my own.
September 21, 2023
A fun and exciting thriller that keeps you turning the pages. Well written with a healthy dose of humor this was a great light read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 26, 2023
It was interesting to see Goldie´s condition and how it affected on her reputation and specially her poor husband. Props to him for taking care of her and having patience. Something i didnt like though was the slow placed plot.
September 16, 2023
Goldie is a famous actress who once was abducted. Years after that abduction, Goldie ends up in a car crash and, as a result, suffers from dissociative amnesia. Goldie now thinks that she is Gypsy, a hippie looking for a girl named Candace who might be in danger because the CIA is looking for her and wants to experiment on her. Gypsy actually is a character from a movie that Goldie was asked to portray. Goldie gets out of her amnesia pretty quickly, although very many challenges and adventures are coming up ahead, as not everybody is who they say they are.
This book was so well written. This was my first book by Khaled Talib, and honestly, I was completely invested right from the start. The plot was pretty predictable, but with this book, that did not even really matter since so many plot twists got you wanting to know what would happen. The tension was up throughout the book, which kept me wanting to finish this book. And when I did finish, it did not disappoint. You also got sucked into the character's lives. I was so invested that, at a certain point, I felt so bad for Maria that I almost cried. The book also briefly touched upon being locked into a psychiatric institution when you do not deserve to be there, which was also interesting, and I wouldn't have minded a more elaborate plot on that.
This book was so well written. This was my first book by Khaled Talib, and honestly, I was completely invested right from the start. The plot was pretty predictable, but with this book, that did not even really matter since so many plot twists got you wanting to know what would happen. The tension was up throughout the book, which kept me wanting to finish this book. And when I did finish, it did not disappoint. You also got sucked into the character's lives. I was so invested that, at a certain point, I felt so bad for Maria that I almost cried. The book also briefly touched upon being locked into a psychiatric institution when you do not deserve to be there, which was also interesting, and I wouldn't have minded a more elaborate plot on that.
March 28, 2024
This plot was zany and funny and really moved along. I had a lot of issues with the descriptions of people that usually included race, stereotypes, and even what they were wearing. To me, that was a huge distraction and didn't add to the story at all. I really had to suspend my disbelief with this one. It got quite ridiculous.
May 19, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Running Wold Press for letting me read this book.
This book turned out not to be my cup of tea. The premise sounded super interesting, but the actual execution was not done in a way that engaged me, personally. After 10 chapters, I decided to DNF this book, and there are a few reasons why:
1. The descriptions: a lot of descriptions of characters and actions were too overdone, leaving nothing to the imagination of the reader. I don't particularly care about what a person is wearing, that they are of average height and walk with confidence. It felt too much like the kind of description you find in a movie script. If I wanted to read a script, I would pick up a script, not a novel.
2. Blake: I've seen others refer to him as a loving and caring husband in their reviews, but to me he just felt awkward. Example one: he goes into a bar, after leaving the hospital where his wife has woken up thinking she's the character from a film she's trying to get, and talks to the bartender. One of the things he says is: "since she doesn't remember we're married, I guess I won't be getting any for who knows how long." Like hello, your wife was just in a near-fatal car crash and you're focusing on not getting laid?? Example two: Blake and Goldie meet some people on the beach and she wants to stay, thinking they're hippies as she's trapped in this illusion that she's in a movie script set in the 60s, and Blake is trying to get her to leave, and a Texan is speaking up against him because Goldie wants to stay, and this sentence is written: "For a split second, he considered grabbing the Texan's flailing penis and squeezing it until the larger man teared up for mercy. But the thought of holding it...". What on earth did I just read?!
3. The constant name switching between Goldie and Gypsy, Blake and Ted: I get that Goldie and Blake are the real people, and that Goldie thinks she's Gypsy from the script she read before the accident and that Blake is Ted, another character in the script. But the switching of the names during the third person narration just made everything seem inconsistent and confusing, and it wasn't necessary, in my opinion.
4. The amount of stuff that's happened before the story even starts: First, Goldie is in a car crash. Then it's revealed that she'd previously been kidnapped by a Mexican drug lord – twice – and that Blake wrote a script about it and she starred in the film. Not long after that, we're told that Goldie's agent is her second agent, because the first agent had been shot and killed by his secretary because the drug lord threatened to hurt her mother if she didn't do what he said. Goldie hasn't been through much at all, has she??
5. Typos: it might not be a big deal, but I've found at least three in the ten chapters I've read: Gypsye, Gpsy and t'en. I think there was one more but when I tried to look for it I couldn't find it. Not sure what has happened here but it was just another thing that put me off of reading.
To sum up: I think this story might have been interesting as a film, but I wasn't enjoying reading it. After 10 chapters, I still wasn't invested in he story, and I felt bored whenever I tried to read on. I do think the story has potential, but maybe as a film rather than a novel. If you enjoy novels written as if they are films though, you might enjoy this!
This book turned out not to be my cup of tea. The premise sounded super interesting, but the actual execution was not done in a way that engaged me, personally. After 10 chapters, I decided to DNF this book, and there are a few reasons why:
1. The descriptions: a lot of descriptions of characters and actions were too overdone, leaving nothing to the imagination of the reader. I don't particularly care about what a person is wearing, that they are of average height and walk with confidence. It felt too much like the kind of description you find in a movie script. If I wanted to read a script, I would pick up a script, not a novel.
2. Blake: I've seen others refer to him as a loving and caring husband in their reviews, but to me he just felt awkward. Example one: he goes into a bar, after leaving the hospital where his wife has woken up thinking she's the character from a film she's trying to get, and talks to the bartender. One of the things he says is: "since she doesn't remember we're married, I guess I won't be getting any for who knows how long." Like hello, your wife was just in a near-fatal car crash and you're focusing on not getting laid?? Example two: Blake and Goldie meet some people on the beach and she wants to stay, thinking they're hippies as she's trapped in this illusion that she's in a movie script set in the 60s, and Blake is trying to get her to leave, and a Texan is speaking up against him because Goldie wants to stay, and this sentence is written: "For a split second, he considered grabbing the Texan's flailing penis and squeezing it until the larger man teared up for mercy. But the thought of holding it...". What on earth did I just read?!
3. The constant name switching between Goldie and Gypsy, Blake and Ted: I get that Goldie and Blake are the real people, and that Goldie thinks she's Gypsy from the script she read before the accident and that Blake is Ted, another character in the script. But the switching of the names during the third person narration just made everything seem inconsistent and confusing, and it wasn't necessary, in my opinion.
4. The amount of stuff that's happened before the story even starts: First, Goldie is in a car crash. Then it's revealed that she'd previously been kidnapped by a Mexican drug lord – twice – and that Blake wrote a script about it and she starred in the film. Not long after that, we're told that Goldie's agent is her second agent, because the first agent had been shot and killed by his secretary because the drug lord threatened to hurt her mother if she didn't do what he said. Goldie hasn't been through much at all, has she??
5. Typos: it might not be a big deal, but I've found at least three in the ten chapters I've read: Gypsye, Gpsy and t'en. I think there was one more but when I tried to look for it I couldn't find it. Not sure what has happened here but it was just another thing that put me off of reading.
To sum up: I think this story might have been interesting as a film, but I wasn't enjoying reading it. After 10 chapters, I still wasn't invested in he story, and I felt bored whenever I tried to read on. I do think the story has potential, but maybe as a film rather than a novel. If you enjoy novels written as if they are films though, you might enjoy this!
May 25, 2023
I really thought this book was so unique! I never read about amnesia and it’s totally fascinating. Some parts were super funny! How would i act if i had it!? Makes you think about it!
Love how the husband treated her even when he was so frustrated with her behavior. I am not sure if i would be able to handle it when my person started acting like hippie and talking like a hippie! It had a lot of stuff going on!
The ending was good. I am so glad how the amnesia helped Goldie get a perfect movie roll! Don’t even get me started on the lawyer! Kinda wanted to know a bit more about his history! Has he done this before! Why Gypsy? In general very interesting.
Thank you NetGalley!
Love how the husband treated her even when he was so frustrated with her behavior. I am not sure if i would be able to handle it when my person started acting like hippie and talking like a hippie! It had a lot of stuff going on!
The ending was good. I am so glad how the amnesia helped Goldie get a perfect movie roll! Don’t even get me started on the lawyer! Kinda wanted to know a bit more about his history! Has he done this before! Why Gypsy? In general very interesting.
Thank you NetGalley!
July 5, 2023
I want start this review thanking NetGalley for the access to this ARC I am always up for a good thriller and when I read about this book I get excited about dark side of the entertainment industry. The characters in this book are so complex and good. Is a book you can’t put down once you get into it. For me the biggest thing about this book is the author's ability to portray the dark side of the industry and the way he create and make his characters grow. The development of the character is brilliant and as a reader I always love. The plot with all the twists, the writing style of the author and the suspense of the book make the pace be really good and be a book I totally enjoyed.
May 15, 2023
This is my first time reading something from Khaled Talib and thanks to an ARC I received I was able to divulge myself completely into this action thriller which was an excellent change of pace from my normal reads.
Though Blake Deco and Goldie Saint Helen seemed to clearly have had an introductory adventure before, this novel doesn't stop us from completely immersing us into their crazy world, with really likable characters.
With non-stop twists and turns, this one from Khaled Talib is a must grab for everyone.
Though Blake Deco and Goldie Saint Helen seemed to clearly have had an introductory adventure before, this novel doesn't stop us from completely immersing us into their crazy world, with really likable characters.
With non-stop twists and turns, this one from Khaled Talib is a must grab for everyone.
May 14, 2023
A special thank you to Khalid Talíd, Running Wild Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to preview this uncorrected proof in exchange for my honest review. Let me start by saying what a wild, unique and exciting adventure this was. Our protagonist, whether Hollywood babe Goldie or the 60’s hippie, Gypsie w as a hoot. The reader roots for her to emerge on top right from the beginning. This was most certainly a fun, light but adventure full read which was a perfect summer read. I would recommend it for a good laugh good thrill overall!
May 17, 2023
Pretty good. This is fairly entertaining and includes some humor along the way. This is from an experience author, so he knows how create a good story.
Thanks very much for the free copy for review!!
Thanks very much for the free copy for review!!
August 9, 2023
Far Out
Khaled Talib
When movie star, Goldie Saint Helen was in a serious accident some college students stopped and pulled her from her burning Lexus. The accident left her in a coma. Before the accident she was angry with her husband, Blake Deco; his dang cat had destroyed her homemade muffins. She has a form of amnesia that leaves her thinking she is someone else. She has taken on the persona of a female detective, Gypsy Rose, from the late 60’s-early 70’s era. She looks like a hippie, dresses like a hippie, and talks like a hippie. She believes she is one of the college students that rescued her. The doctors have told her husband Blake to go along with her. Several things happen that reinforce her belief that she is Gypsy Rose. Someone really is out to get Goldie Saint Helen. Her lawyers see an opportunity to take advantage of her.
This is a sad but funny tale: sad because of the shysters willing to take advantage of anyone and funny…well you will have to read it to find the true humor. The main character is a movie star and very wealthy so of course her lawyers who have conservatorship want to pull every legitimate dollar they can from her plus a lot of dollars that are not legitimate. The plot is filled with lots of action, twists and turns. I enjoyed this tale. The plot is unique and interesting.
Thank you NetGalley for sending me a free copy of Far Out for an unbiased review. This review is my opinion and I received no compensation for it.
Khaled Talib
When movie star, Goldie Saint Helen was in a serious accident some college students stopped and pulled her from her burning Lexus. The accident left her in a coma. Before the accident she was angry with her husband, Blake Deco; his dang cat had destroyed her homemade muffins. She has a form of amnesia that leaves her thinking she is someone else. She has taken on the persona of a female detective, Gypsy Rose, from the late 60’s-early 70’s era. She looks like a hippie, dresses like a hippie, and talks like a hippie. She believes she is one of the college students that rescued her. The doctors have told her husband Blake to go along with her. Several things happen that reinforce her belief that she is Gypsy Rose. Someone really is out to get Goldie Saint Helen. Her lawyers see an opportunity to take advantage of her.
This is a sad but funny tale: sad because of the shysters willing to take advantage of anyone and funny…well you will have to read it to find the true humor. The main character is a movie star and very wealthy so of course her lawyers who have conservatorship want to pull every legitimate dollar they can from her plus a lot of dollars that are not legitimate. The plot is filled with lots of action, twists and turns. I enjoyed this tale. The plot is unique and interesting.
Thank you NetGalley for sending me a free copy of Far Out for an unbiased review. This review is my opinion and I received no compensation for it.
August 9, 2023
Leave a space on your bookshelf for this one. It has a bit of everything from love, trust, tragedy, betrayal and excitement.
The A list actress Goldie has been in a terrible car wreck giving her temporary amnesia, while she is just about to do a new movie for a 60's vibe role. After a period of time her husband Blake discovers that pot pills help to bring her back from her "actress role" to her normal self.
Lots of drama along the way but the real twist comes when her lawyers see this as a good time to take advantage of her situation and steal her money. What they did not account for was that Blake would do whatever it takes to get it all back including breaking out of jail, running from the law and breaking her out of a asylum to prove their innocence.
While I really enjoyed the story itself it did have a little more details that could have been shortened. The characters had name changes and a few that you really had to keep track of to keep up with the story. All in all I am going to give this book a 4* review.
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I was gifted a ARC of Far out by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The A list actress Goldie has been in a terrible car wreck giving her temporary amnesia, while she is just about to do a new movie for a 60's vibe role. After a period of time her husband Blake discovers that pot pills help to bring her back from her "actress role" to her normal self.
Lots of drama along the way but the real twist comes when her lawyers see this as a good time to take advantage of her situation and steal her money. What they did not account for was that Blake would do whatever it takes to get it all back including breaking out of jail, running from the law and breaking her out of a asylum to prove their innocence.
While I really enjoyed the story itself it did have a little more details that could have been shortened. The characters had name changes and a few that you really had to keep track of to keep up with the story. All in all I am going to give this book a 4* review.
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I was gifted a ARC of Far out by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 9, 2023
Goldie Saint Helen is a Hollywood movie star and wife of Blake Deco, a screenwriter. Before the accident, she was offered a role of Gypsy Star, a 1960s detective who was hired by a teenage girl’s parent to find her and rescue her from CIA but after waking up from coma, she adopts Gypsy’s identity due to dissociative amnesia and her imagination blurs the line between reality and fiction and somehow reality and fiction overlaps upending their world.
The book is compelling, gripping, twisted and unpredictable. The characters are clever and the ending was so unpredictable. I loved author’s writing. I highly recommend the book as the author has crafted such a unique story where fiction and reality overlaps, Hollywood star adopts the identity of a fictional character, and that unexpected ending.
I do not agree with Indian myth mentioned in book though.
I received a free copy in exchange of my honest review.
The book is compelling, gripping, twisted and unpredictable. The characters are clever and the ending was so unpredictable. I loved author’s writing. I highly recommend the book as the author has crafted such a unique story where fiction and reality overlaps, Hollywood star adopts the identity of a fictional character, and that unexpected ending.
I do not agree with Indian myth mentioned in book though.
I received a free copy in exchange of my honest review.
August 8, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I tell you this book had so much potential but it was all ruined because of the weird dialogues which were all over the place and the characters being stupid.
The dialogue was so random. Like Gypsy would be talking about weird stuff and people would react to it like it’s normal. And seriously, no one uses so much slang while talking. This was made worse by the 60’s slang. The situations and behaviours of people were so unlikely. Also, things that the characters swore they needed to keep a secret, and then two pages later, exposing those themselves??? A lot more examples could be given but the point is, this book could’ve been something so much better. Took me about 3 months to finish it and that’s saying something.
When I tell you this book had so much potential but it was all ruined because of the weird dialogues which were all over the place and the characters being stupid.
The dialogue was so random. Like Gypsy would be talking about weird stuff and people would react to it like it’s normal. And seriously, no one uses so much slang while talking. This was made worse by the 60’s slang. The situations and behaviours of people were so unlikely. Also, things that the characters swore they needed to keep a secret, and then two pages later, exposing those themselves??? A lot more examples could be given but the point is, this book could’ve been something so much better. Took me about 3 months to finish it and that’s saying something.
August 9, 2023
I received an arc in exchange of an honest review.
Not completely my cup of tea, but its not your typical thriller, it's set in Hollywood and this superstar thinks she's a 60s private detective. It's super action packed and I definitely have some people to recommend it to.
Not completely my cup of tea, but its not your typical thriller, it's set in Hollywood and this superstar thinks she's a 60s private detective. It's super action packed and I definitely have some people to recommend it to.
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