When Hollywood legend Ruby Valentine shocks the world with her mysterious suicide, Kelly's father reveals something even more shocking - she's Ruby's daughter.
So Kelly sets off for Tinseltown to find some answers, diving head first into Hollywood society with her new family of jet-setters and fashionistas. But she soon discovers that Ruby's real life was laced with more drama, tragedy and intrigue than any screenwriter could imagine.
When Ruby's fortune turns out to be non-existent, and Kelly learns of the intense relationship her mother had with her slick, powerful agent, she begins to get suspicious about what's really going on. And the more she digs, the closer she gets to uncovering the most unbelievable secret of them all.
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.
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.
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.
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.