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The Truth About Ruby Valentine

Kelly Coltrane's life in Wales is a million miles from those she reads about in her Hollywood magazines. When screen legend Ruby Valentine shocks the world with her mysterious suicide, Kelly's father reveals something even more shocking - Kelly is Ruby Valentine's daughter.

480 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2006

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Alison Bond

14 books10 followers

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5 stars
26 (18%)
4 stars
45 (31%)
3 stars
48 (34%)
2 stars
19 (13%)
1 star
3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Kathryn.
241 reviews4 followers
August 20, 2020
I found this book at a thrift store for $1 and couldn't put it down.

This is the story of Ruby Norton, AKA Ruby Valentine. Ruby grew up in Wales in the 60's, a shy girl who found movie directors and got started in the world of Hollywood. It starts with her death. And a daughter that no one knew she had. Kelly lives in Wales with her father, Sean, a photographer from Ruby's past. At Ruby's death, Sean tells Kelly who her mother was. Kelly goes to LA to learn about her mother and meets her disfunctional family.

The story revolves around Ruby and how she got to Hollywood, her loves and the fall from fame, and Kelly coming to terms with who her mother was, the life in Hollywood that fuelled her and Max, Ruby's shifty agent.

But.. there is a twist ending. That you don't see coming.

Wonderfully written book. Never boring and you are left turning the page to see what will happen next.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
236 reviews33 followers
July 2, 2013
In this day in age, celebrities reign supreme. Look anywhere and you are sure to run across detailed information on their whereabouts, what they like, what they wear and what they love to do. So it's not a surprise when twenty-five year old Kelly Coltrane, like many young women, fantasizes about living the same glamorous life broadcasted in her glossy gossip magazines.

But tragedy strikes. Screen legend Ruby Valentine commits suicide and the whole world mourns her untimely death. Kelly is definitely not prepared for the news that comes next. Her dad confesses to her that Ruby was her mother. Though shocked by this news, Kelly sees this as an opportunity to get some answers and a taste of the alluring Hollywood scene.

Throughout this journey, the things she learns about her mother, her new family and most of all herself is completely unexpected.

THE TRUTH ABOUT RUBY VALENTINE reads like a really good movie. It was realistic and you got the sense of the true meaning of finding oneself. I especially enjoyed the way Alison Bond masterfully incorporated flashbacks of Ruby's life in between Kelly's story. It was well written and you will find yourself escaping with the characters.
Profile Image for Alexis.
109 reviews14 followers
July 26, 2014
I read this book a long time ago but considering I still remember a lot of it, I believe it is a good book worth reading. Not the usual fantasy-romance novels I enjoy reading but more of a fiction novel that seems very non fictional.
Profile Image for Kathryn.
139 reviews5 followers
February 28, 2015
I thought this was a fab read and would definitely recommend to others!! I didn't predict the ending at all, and thought it was a great way to end the story. Loved the way it was told through different times, and loved the 'grass isn't greener' moral.
479 reviews
December 19, 2008
A book full of drama, love triangles, and all that good stuff!
Profile Image for Jhona.
8 reviews
July 31, 2010
..i really thought ruby was dead..then oh my gosh..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Gen.
563 reviews39 followers
November 30, 2014
Trashy chick lit. Wasn't that memorable but wasn't completely terrible.
Profile Image for Angela F.
160 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2017
If you enjoyed “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” then this should be your next book! It’s full of Hollywood secrets that make it hard to put down.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews