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Revenge
If you keep dangerous secrets you’ll pay the ultimate price...
In the South of France, playground of the rich and famous, world renowned chef Dexter Franklin is organising a night to remember. As he opens the doors to his exclusive restaurant for the first time, he’s handpicked a list of guests, as hot and dazzling as the St Tropez sun
Mew Fashionable, beautiful and a notorious TV chef, Dexter’s ex-girlfriend has all the ingredients for success. As her books fly off the shelves, a secret from her past is about to surface with explosive consequences.
Holly Ex girlband star who has fallen on hard times. Forced to make ends meet she’s having to sleep her way to the top. Now she’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Rosita Velá Brazilian actress extraordinaire and girlfriend of Dexter’s brother, Leland. When she’s in town everybody needs to know about it, but this is one show-stopping entrance she’ll live to regret.
Three women have a past with Dexter and a grudge to bear against him. As fireworks ignite in the jet set capital of Europe, there’s murder on the menu. Who will be served their just desserts?
The sun is setting in the South of France. Pour yourself a glass of champagne and sit back for a read of revenge, regrets and shocking revelations that will have you hooked to the very last page.
In the South of France, playground of the rich and famous, world renowned chef Dexter Franklin is organising a night to remember. As he opens the doors to his exclusive restaurant for the first time, he’s handpicked a list of guests, as hot and dazzling as the St Tropez sun
Mew Fashionable, beautiful and a notorious TV chef, Dexter’s ex-girlfriend has all the ingredients for success. As her books fly off the shelves, a secret from her past is about to surface with explosive consequences.
Holly Ex girlband star who has fallen on hard times. Forced to make ends meet she’s having to sleep her way to the top. Now she’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Rosita Velá Brazilian actress extraordinaire and girlfriend of Dexter’s brother, Leland. When she’s in town everybody needs to know about it, but this is one show-stopping entrance she’ll live to regret.
Three women have a past with Dexter and a grudge to bear against him. As fireworks ignite in the jet set capital of Europe, there’s murder on the menu. Who will be served their just desserts?
The sun is setting in the South of France. Pour yourself a glass of champagne and sit back for a read of revenge, regrets and shocking revelations that will have you hooked to the very last page.
- GenresCrime
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2017
110 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Nigel May
17 books47 followersNigel May has been described as "the UK's male Jackie Collins" and is an author, TV host and journalist. His three fiction novels have all been published by Bookouture.
His first glam fiction novel was TRINITY, an action-packed blockbuster (or bonkbuster) about the lives of the rich and famous. Glamour, beauty, fame and celebrity mix with murder, intrigue and danger to create an explosive novel which gained incredible reviews and fans across the globe. His follow-up was the glitz-meets-grit whodunit ADDICTED which was also a huge success and once again dived into the diamond-dipped world of the mega-rich but showed that all of the money and fame in the world do not always make for a happy ending. His third novel SCANDALOUS LIES is steeped in secrets, sin, sex and scandal and takes readers around the world as a mysterious celebrity disappearance is investigated. His books have been Amazon best sellers, read by celebrities and fellow authors alike, and have proved that a man can successfully write in a 'bonkbuster world' that has always been a strongly female domain.
Nigel was the only male writer amongst 44 authors featured in the chart-topping, beach-read anthology of short-stories SUNLOUNGER. He also contributed a short story to SUNLOUNGER 2.
On television he regularly presents on UK shopping channels where he has built up a substantial following. He has also featured on Channel 4, C5, ITV and broadcast live from America. He is also one of the UK's most popular craft personalities, having launched his own successful range, A-May-Zing.
As a writer he has written for many of the UK's most successful magazines and newspapers, specialising in showbiz and celebrity, as well as writing on subjects ranging from relationships through to exotic travel.
Follow him on Twitter @Nigel_May
www.nigelmay.net
www.bookouture.com
His first glam fiction novel was TRINITY, an action-packed blockbuster (or bonkbuster) about the lives of the rich and famous. Glamour, beauty, fame and celebrity mix with murder, intrigue and danger to create an explosive novel which gained incredible reviews and fans across the globe. His follow-up was the glitz-meets-grit whodunit ADDICTED which was also a huge success and once again dived into the diamond-dipped world of the mega-rich but showed that all of the money and fame in the world do not always make for a happy ending. His third novel SCANDALOUS LIES is steeped in secrets, sin, sex and scandal and takes readers around the world as a mysterious celebrity disappearance is investigated. His books have been Amazon best sellers, read by celebrities and fellow authors alike, and have proved that a man can successfully write in a 'bonkbuster world' that has always been a strongly female domain.
Nigel was the only male writer amongst 44 authors featured in the chart-topping, beach-read anthology of short-stories SUNLOUNGER. He also contributed a short story to SUNLOUNGER 2.
On television he regularly presents on UK shopping channels where he has built up a substantial following. He has also featured on Channel 4, C5, ITV and broadcast live from America. He is also one of the UK's most popular craft personalities, having launched his own successful range, A-May-Zing.
As a writer he has written for many of the UK's most successful magazines and newspapers, specialising in showbiz and celebrity, as well as writing on subjects ranging from relationships through to exotic travel.
Follow him on Twitter @Nigel_May
www.nigelmay.net
www.bookouture.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 27, 2017
3.5 stars
A whodunnit, written in such salacious and gripping manner. Very Agatha Christie.
August 23, 2017
Sex, drugs, girl bands, the rich, the famous, has beens, wannabes, call girls, reality TV stars, murder, blackmail, glitz, glamour and the ultimate…. revenge. This book has it all; wrapped around a compelling mystery. It’s delicious, shocking, scandalous and at times laugh out loud funny.
”Brother Leland, diva Rosita, call girl Holly, Ex Mew and critic DC. His lips curled into a knowing smile as he considered what was about to be served to his illustrious guests. Revenge, regrets and explosive revelations.”
Dexter Franklin, successful celebrity chef, invites five special guests to the opening of his new restaurant, Tresor, in St Tropez. Each of these guests has a connection to Dexter but they also have a connection to each other which we find out through some very revealing backstory on each character.
I loved every one of these characters. The development throughout the story is well done with chapters of backstory on each character slowing revealing more of their life so you become really invested in who they are.
There is never a dull moment and plenty of drama as the mystery unfolds. An abundance of sex, drugs, scandals, bitchiness and accusations makes this a racy page turner.
I love nothing better than a bit of revenge.
I received an ERC from Bookouture via Netgalley.
”Brother Leland, diva Rosita, call girl Holly, Ex Mew and critic DC. His lips curled into a knowing smile as he considered what was about to be served to his illustrious guests. Revenge, regrets and explosive revelations.”
Dexter Franklin, successful celebrity chef, invites five special guests to the opening of his new restaurant, Tresor, in St Tropez. Each of these guests has a connection to Dexter but they also have a connection to each other which we find out through some very revealing backstory on each character.
I loved every one of these characters. The development throughout the story is well done with chapters of backstory on each character slowing revealing more of their life so you become really invested in who they are.
There is never a dull moment and plenty of drama as the mystery unfolds. An abundance of sex, drugs, scandals, bitchiness and accusations makes this a racy page turner.
I love nothing better than a bit of revenge.
I received an ERC from Bookouture via Netgalley.
February 10, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
Nigel May is back with his sixth book or as he calls it, his sexy six pack, I love that! This is only the second book of his that I’ve read but I’m packing the other four the next time I head to Mexico. Full of deceit, betrayal, glitz, sex and scandal they are THE definition of a beach read. I was dreaming of a warm beach, a lounger and a cocktail the whole time I was reading this and with the majority of this taking place in St. Tropez, it was easy to escape to a stunning locale (in my mind at least!)
When the book begins, Cher a famous burlesque dancer (think Dita Von Teese) has been strangled in her dressing room and the murderer was never found. Now it’s five years later and Dexter Franklin wants revenge for many reasons, and he has planned a night that won’t easily be forgotten that coincides with the opening of his new restaurant. He meticulously plans for this evening, taking care to ensure that several very important guests are in attendance. There’s Mew, a fellow celebrity chef and ex pop star, Holly who was in the same girl group as Mew, Leland, his estranged brother, Rosita, a Brazilian actress and Leland’s girlfriend and D.C. a food critic. Each and everyone of them has several juicy skeletons in their closets and most of them have slept with each other at some point. There are all the key ingredients necessary to mix a volatile cocktail, mainly drama, sex and scandal and May delivers on every level exceptionally well.
This book is hot and steamy, it’s always fun to get a glimpse at how the other half lives and Nigel May books are officially my guilty pleasure. I love the campy feel of his novels, there is so much bitchiness, the claws are always out especially amongst the women, but the men can be brutal as well. He knows how to create characters that you love to hate, but there are always a few, that despite their spoiled behavior still manage to wrap me around their fingers. This was a total page turner and by the end, opening night of Dexter’s restaurant, I was dying to see how things would play out. The best way for me to describe this is to say it’s a gutsy, glossy, glam thriller that makes for a titillating read.
Nigel May is back with his sixth book or as he calls it, his sexy six pack, I love that! This is only the second book of his that I’ve read but I’m packing the other four the next time I head to Mexico. Full of deceit, betrayal, glitz, sex and scandal they are THE definition of a beach read. I was dreaming of a warm beach, a lounger and a cocktail the whole time I was reading this and with the majority of this taking place in St. Tropez, it was easy to escape to a stunning locale (in my mind at least!)
When the book begins, Cher a famous burlesque dancer (think Dita Von Teese) has been strangled in her dressing room and the murderer was never found. Now it’s five years later and Dexter Franklin wants revenge for many reasons, and he has planned a night that won’t easily be forgotten that coincides with the opening of his new restaurant. He meticulously plans for this evening, taking care to ensure that several very important guests are in attendance. There’s Mew, a fellow celebrity chef and ex pop star, Holly who was in the same girl group as Mew, Leland, his estranged brother, Rosita, a Brazilian actress and Leland’s girlfriend and D.C. a food critic. Each and everyone of them has several juicy skeletons in their closets and most of them have slept with each other at some point. There are all the key ingredients necessary to mix a volatile cocktail, mainly drama, sex and scandal and May delivers on every level exceptionally well.
This book is hot and steamy, it’s always fun to get a glimpse at how the other half lives and Nigel May books are officially my guilty pleasure. I love the campy feel of his novels, there is so much bitchiness, the claws are always out especially amongst the women, but the men can be brutal as well. He knows how to create characters that you love to hate, but there are always a few, that despite their spoiled behavior still manage to wrap me around their fingers. This was a total page turner and by the end, opening night of Dexter’s restaurant, I was dying to see how things would play out. The best way for me to describe this is to say it’s a gutsy, glossy, glam thriller that makes for a titillating read.
April 13, 2020
Dexter Franklin was the top dish on a high-end menu of manhood. And with the other two judges on the show being a camp Asian chef who looked about twelve and an Aussie pursed-lipped bruiser and total bitch of a food expert…Mew knocked on the door of Dexter’s dressing room after her fellow competitors and all but a few stragglers from the production crew had gone home, she knew full well that she wasn’t there to discuss condiments.
Revenge opens with a charity concert at Iguaza Falls, on the border between Brazil and Argentina, where fading burlesque performer, Cher Le Visage is the opening act on the bill, her last performance as she is found strangled by her feather boa. The scene shifts to St Tropez five years later, where celebrity chef Dexter Franklin is launching his latest Moroccan-themed restaurant. He has invited some special guests, his brother, Leland, a world-syndicated TV adventurer, sarcastic food critic DC Riding, Brazilian actress Rosita Velásquez, and two former pop princesses from a girl band, “Crazy Sour” to the opening.
When I began to read Revenge – the author touted as a male Jackie Collins - I was unsure whether this was a spoof on all things “celebrity”. I like to think so. Certainly there is nothing pleasant about all the vacuous lead “performers” - and there is plenty of drugs and bedroom hopping – along with the hangers-on of a Hollywood starlet, make-up artist, a publisher, a helicopter pilot, a brother and sister restaurant wait staff, yardi, yardi, yah. Why did I think it was a spoof?
He had won her over at his first ‘hello’. On a scale of successful ‘hellos’ it was up there with Lionel Richie and Adele. Mew’s heart had suddenly started beating in double time as her body began to glow with a heat to rival the most efficient of ovens.
It gets worse.
After seventy-two hours, he was definitely glad of a rest. There comes a time when even the sexiest of scorch marks from having your wrists bound by ropes and silk scarves strays dramatically from pleasure to pain.
Yawn.
The action shifts backwards and forwards as secrets are revealed, taking in exotic locations such as the blue town of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains of Morocco, to the Cape of Good Hope and to New York, ending with a confrontation on the opening night of the restaurant, where all (and the killer) is revealed. Best character for me was the cynical French reporter, Fabienne Delacroix, who shares her apartment in St Tropez with her cat, Gîslle. Now that was style.
Revenge opens with a charity concert at Iguaza Falls, on the border between Brazil and Argentina, where fading burlesque performer, Cher Le Visage is the opening act on the bill, her last performance as she is found strangled by her feather boa. The scene shifts to St Tropez five years later, where celebrity chef Dexter Franklin is launching his latest Moroccan-themed restaurant. He has invited some special guests, his brother, Leland, a world-syndicated TV adventurer, sarcastic food critic DC Riding, Brazilian actress Rosita Velásquez, and two former pop princesses from a girl band, “Crazy Sour” to the opening.
When I began to read Revenge – the author touted as a male Jackie Collins - I was unsure whether this was a spoof on all things “celebrity”. I like to think so. Certainly there is nothing pleasant about all the vacuous lead “performers” - and there is plenty of drugs and bedroom hopping – along with the hangers-on of a Hollywood starlet, make-up artist, a publisher, a helicopter pilot, a brother and sister restaurant wait staff, yardi, yardi, yah. Why did I think it was a spoof?
He had won her over at his first ‘hello’. On a scale of successful ‘hellos’ it was up there with Lionel Richie and Adele. Mew’s heart had suddenly started beating in double time as her body began to glow with a heat to rival the most efficient of ovens.
It gets worse.
After seventy-two hours, he was definitely glad of a rest. There comes a time when even the sexiest of scorch marks from having your wrists bound by ropes and silk scarves strays dramatically from pleasure to pain.
Yawn.
The action shifts backwards and forwards as secrets are revealed, taking in exotic locations such as the blue town of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains of Morocco, to the Cape of Good Hope and to New York, ending with a confrontation on the opening night of the restaurant, where all (and the killer) is revealed. Best character for me was the cynical French reporter, Fabienne Delacroix, who shares her apartment in St Tropez with her cat, Gîslle. Now that was style.
February 14, 2017
Juicy, soapy, and smutty. It reads like a soap opera in a delicious way. It's not my typical read at all, but it was still very enjoyable. I would say it would be an excellent beach read... too bad it's freezing here! Interesting characters, lots of sex, lots of drama... complete with a mystery that will keep you guessing.
Famous chef Dexter is opening an exclusive new restaurant in St Tropez. Extremely talented and popular with the ladies, he's made a lot of friends and enemies in his time. He extends an invitation to several people to come to the opening... including former flames, enemies, and his own brother. The list includes Mew, a former pop star turned celebrity chef; Holly, another pop star turned call girl; Leland, Dexter's reality tv show star brother; Rosita, a demanding actress determined to get to the top by whatever means necessary; DC, a food critic who has previously lambasted Dexter's food; and Olivia, who is the publisher responsible for the celebrity chefs books. This sounds like a lot of characters to keep track of, but they're so different that it's easy. I read this book in several sittings and never got confused. Not only are all of these people connected to Dexter, they're connected to each other... but how? And why would Dexter invite these particular people? Several are certainly not fans of his...
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
Famous chef Dexter is opening an exclusive new restaurant in St Tropez. Extremely talented and popular with the ladies, he's made a lot of friends and enemies in his time. He extends an invitation to several people to come to the opening... including former flames, enemies, and his own brother. The list includes Mew, a former pop star turned celebrity chef; Holly, another pop star turned call girl; Leland, Dexter's reality tv show star brother; Rosita, a demanding actress determined to get to the top by whatever means necessary; DC, a food critic who has previously lambasted Dexter's food; and Olivia, who is the publisher responsible for the celebrity chefs books. This sounds like a lot of characters to keep track of, but they're so different that it's easy. I read this book in several sittings and never got confused. Not only are all of these people connected to Dexter, they're connected to each other... but how? And why would Dexter invite these particular people? Several are certainly not fans of his...
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
February 12, 2017
Are you stuck under meters of snow? Has the rain been pouring for days on your windows, making your days longer and duller? Nigel May has the solution!
As a French myself, France appears so low on my wanderlust list that I never bother mentioning it. I am fully aware we have beautiful places (after all, I live in the most gorgeous city, Bordeaux) and a lot to offer to every one of your senses. But after finishing Revenge, I felt the strong urge to book a ticket to St Tropez for the hot season and see drama at its best.
There’s always been a very thin line between lovers and liars.
I am lucky to have spent many summers in the South of France, I know the warmth of the sun on your shoulders while you’re sipping a cocktail, I know the endless view of people wearing the less clothes possible, I have taken a look at the private clubs and their terraces full of Hollywood-like faces. I climbed the (empty) Cannes festival stairs, and I have caught glimpse of the sparkle of the Riviera.
Well, Nigel May captured the best and the worst of this French little world of glitters and champagne.
First of all, I need to mention it took me thirty minutes, a jar, papers and a pen to choose which quotes to use. The writing seems to be flowing so easily and sharply you won’t even notice you are reading. The book is like the gentle wave among the gigantic yachts of the Riviera bay, it rocks you and transports you, it cuts where it hurts and makes you laugh, it touches you, it moves you when you least expect it, it surprises you and offers you TMZ "OMG" moments.
There’s hardly room for any of your internal organs inside that dress, let alone the food on offer tonight.
Nigel’s characters are onions. Like all those people we see on TV or on the front page of glossy magazines I never read, their public face is on and at first it is all you see. Who knows if paps aren’t hiding being the bushes ready for their best shot. The introduction of each fundamental instrument of the story made it difficult for me to find a favorite as I learning about them, but Toni, Fabienne and Mew won me over. Hell, Nigel May managed to make me feel for every single of those characters, and believe me, it took work for some of them. I took it all in, like a sponge, and I loved every minute of it. They all have issues. Some you’ll guess or be told, some you’ll wonder about, some will make you feel happy you don’t belong there. Everyone has something to say, everyone has a plan, everyone has a reason. I loved loving them, loathing them, judging them, falling for them.
Like onions, those characters have more than one face. Don’t you worry, you won’t fall into chapters slowly revealing everyone has a good side and even the brightest have a heart. You will truly meet those characters the way I did. The hard way. Through drama, through lies and flashbacks, through barely visible scars and still bleeding cuts. Everyone is linked, one way or another, for better or rather for worse. Because Revenge is not about a nice friendly reunion. Revenge is about secrets from the past, forbidden tastes and helping fate to its job.
He had won her at his first “hello”. On a scale of successful “hellos” it was up there with Lionel Richie and Adele.
One of my favorite aspect of the book is that St Tropez feels real. It is a character, it invites you in with a crimson red invitation to the party. Front row. The best seats. St Tropez is scary, because despite its sweet famous name and show-biz life, St Tropez is dangerous. It reunites the elite, and what do people who have everything do when gathered in one place? The flashes of the photographs and the smiles can only hide so much. The exuberance and beauty of the city puts stars into eyes and knifes through hearts.
She could make Prada look like Primark.
Revenge takes you on the road travelled only by Louboutins and Jimmy Choos; it takes you behind the curtains and takes the picture of faces without make up. You’ll be the judge to decide if those naked features are as ugly as their painted version. I took a guilty pleasure watching people go down, I relished in the well-executed plans that brought the truth on the front page, I shivered at what hides behind the lights.
Revenge is exquisitely glanderous: Glamorous and dangerous. Addictively hot and absolutely delicious.
I would like to thank the author and Bookouture for including me in this blog tour. This unbiased review is my thanks to them.
February 7, 2017
4.5 Stars!
Wildly addictive, blissfully entertaining, and sinfully salacious!
This is a provocative novel that takes us into the lives of the rich, glamorous and famous and reminds us that not everything is always as it seems and as well as having fancy yachts and designer clothes they also seem to have an abundance of of sex, power, temptation, rivalry, jealousy, revenge, deception, tragedy and murder.
The writing is effortless. The characters are self-obsessed, shallow, and ambitious. The settings are exotic and picturesque. And the plot is clever, humorous, mysterious, unpredictable and incredibly captivating.
What can I say, this truly is a jouissance or indulgence you don’t want to miss!
Thank you to NetGalley, especially Bookouture, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at: http://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
Wildly addictive, blissfully entertaining, and sinfully salacious!
This is a provocative novel that takes us into the lives of the rich, glamorous and famous and reminds us that not everything is always as it seems and as well as having fancy yachts and designer clothes they also seem to have an abundance of of sex, power, temptation, rivalry, jealousy, revenge, deception, tragedy and murder.
The writing is effortless. The characters are self-obsessed, shallow, and ambitious. The settings are exotic and picturesque. And the plot is clever, humorous, mysterious, unpredictable and incredibly captivating.
What can I say, this truly is a jouissance or indulgence you don’t want to miss!
Thank you to NetGalley, especially Bookouture, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at: http://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
February 13, 2017
I loved this book. I wanted to be there in St Tropez, I even felt I was there. It was so glamorous.
I love the setting of Dexter’s new restaurant, Trésor. The decor was beautifully opulent, with a Moroccan theme….all gorgeous jewel colours. Some other beautiful locations were Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Chefchaouen (a gorgeous blue-tinted village) in Morocco.
It was a beautifully woven story, it all fitted together so well.
Rosita was so glamorous. Absolutely beautiful, with her faithful make-up artist Tinks always on hand. She wanted worldwide fame, not just in her native Brazil.
I liked Holly and Mew, ex girl-band members of Crazy Sour. Both with things from the past that had caused so much sadness. And secrets, which were gradually revealed.
I didn’t like Leland. Rich and successful, yes, but an eye for the ladies which wasn’t always ethical. Let’s just say the brotherly rivalry was strong, especially from his side of things.
Food critic DC was a chubby chap, I liked him though despite his straight talking manner.
Dexter was my favourite character. A lovely, loving man. Some sad things, and truly awful things, had happened with his relationships in the past.
I also liked Toni and Christophe, kind of bit part characters but important too.
Lots of the glitz and glamour I associate with Nigel May, I absolutely love it!! #glamfan
I had no idea who might be behind the brutal murder of international showgirl Cher Le Visage. Everyone seemed to be connected to her in some way.
The ending was perfect, in the private dining room, not what I expected. It had definitely kept me guessing.
An easy 5 star rating for me.
As usual I will be looking forward to the next one Nigel.
A favourite quote from the book:-
“He had won her over at his first ‘hello’. On a scale of successful ‘hellos’ it was up there with Lionel Ritchie and Adele”
I also see that Angela Marsons and Olivia (Oliver?) Rhodes get a mention
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love the setting of Dexter’s new restaurant, Trésor. The decor was beautifully opulent, with a Moroccan theme….all gorgeous jewel colours. Some other beautiful locations were Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Chefchaouen (a gorgeous blue-tinted village) in Morocco.
It was a beautifully woven story, it all fitted together so well.
Rosita was so glamorous. Absolutely beautiful, with her faithful make-up artist Tinks always on hand. She wanted worldwide fame, not just in her native Brazil.
I liked Holly and Mew, ex girl-band members of Crazy Sour. Both with things from the past that had caused so much sadness. And secrets, which were gradually revealed.
I didn’t like Leland. Rich and successful, yes, but an eye for the ladies which wasn’t always ethical. Let’s just say the brotherly rivalry was strong, especially from his side of things.
Food critic DC was a chubby chap, I liked him though despite his straight talking manner.
Dexter was my favourite character. A lovely, loving man. Some sad things, and truly awful things, had happened with his relationships in the past.
I also liked Toni and Christophe, kind of bit part characters but important too.
Lots of the glitz and glamour I associate with Nigel May, I absolutely love it!! #glamfan
I had no idea who might be behind the brutal murder of international showgirl Cher Le Visage. Everyone seemed to be connected to her in some way.
The ending was perfect, in the private dining room, not what I expected. It had definitely kept me guessing.
An easy 5 star rating for me.
As usual I will be looking forward to the next one Nigel.
A favourite quote from the book:-
“He had won her over at his first ‘hello’. On a scale of successful ‘hellos’ it was up there with Lionel Ritchie and Adele”
I also see that Angela Marsons and Olivia (Oliver?) Rhodes get a mention
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2017
Full disclosure: I know Nigel May—well, sort of. We’ve been cyber friends way before the man ever became a best-selling author. But—and there’s a big but here—that scarcely omits the fact that he’s one kick-ass writer. Of all...
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February 18, 2017
Anyone who follows my blog will know that I am a huge fan of Nigel May (one of his biggest!) and his fabulous books. Nigel has fast became one of my favourite authors over the past few years and I go into each one of his books full of confidence that they will not disappoint, and Revenge was no different. I'm not the biggest fan of books set in France however St. Tropez is a little different and Nigel uses the glamorous setting to its fullest here in Revenge (with flashbacks and some scenes taking place around the world) and it is only a small part of what is an action-packed and very character-driven story.
Dexter Franklin has invited a whole host of characters to his newest restaurant opening in St. Tropez and, determined to make it a success and one of the most talked about events of the decade, he's invited just the right mix of people to make that happen. I'm not going to list them all as they should be discovered by the reader themselves, however there's a real mystery behind each of the characters and why they have been invited by Dexter. They each arrive in St. Tropez with a bang and there's a shock in store for each of them. I also love how Nigel's books all take place within the same world and there's always mentions and appearances from some of his past characters.
I love that by now Nigel has created so many characters across all of his novels and yet he still manages to make all of his newest ones feel fresh and original, all with their own believable backstories and stories to tell. Yes, as a bonkbuster some of the characters can behave a little over the top, but underneath all that, in his female characters especially, there's an underlying vulnerability that allows us as readers to relate to these characters who, whilst living in a world so far removed from our own, are relatable and we are able to view them as real people who just want the same thing everybody wants regardless of wealth or social status; love and happiness.
All throughout Revenge you know that Nigel is building up to something big and he never fails to deliver when it comes to his finales. Each book he has written has finished and left me desperate for me and I can't think of another author currently writing in this genre that does it better than Nigel May. As with the legendary Jackie Collins, Nigel's books transcend the genre and go far beyond being another book just filled with smut and sex. Instead you get a truly action-packed book here featuring murder, intrigue, revenge, comedy, rivalries, glamorous locations. Pretty much everything you could possibly expect from a book and then some. I am in awe of how Nigel manages to achieve this book after book, improving on what came before and his writing and storytelling in Revenge compared with his earlier work is astounding (and his early books are amazing so that should give some idea of how good Revenge is).
Nigel named a character after me in Lovers and Liars and I was ecstatic to see that I made a return here in Revenge as a fantastic journalist who refuses to take no for an answer and I appear in a couple of rather funny scenes (however a certain Daniel Riding also made an appearance as DC Riding and I found myself wishing I too had quite the fun he had in his hotel room...) Revenge is one of Nigel's best books to date and cements his place as the King of the Bonkbuster and one of my all-time favourite authors. If you are yet to discover one of his books then this is the perfect place to start, and then when you finish you have a back catalogue of books just waiting to be devoured. Now, when's the next one?
Dexter Franklin has invited a whole host of characters to his newest restaurant opening in St. Tropez and, determined to make it a success and one of the most talked about events of the decade, he's invited just the right mix of people to make that happen. I'm not going to list them all as they should be discovered by the reader themselves, however there's a real mystery behind each of the characters and why they have been invited by Dexter. They each arrive in St. Tropez with a bang and there's a shock in store for each of them. I also love how Nigel's books all take place within the same world and there's always mentions and appearances from some of his past characters.
I love that by now Nigel has created so many characters across all of his novels and yet he still manages to make all of his newest ones feel fresh and original, all with their own believable backstories and stories to tell. Yes, as a bonkbuster some of the characters can behave a little over the top, but underneath all that, in his female characters especially, there's an underlying vulnerability that allows us as readers to relate to these characters who, whilst living in a world so far removed from our own, are relatable and we are able to view them as real people who just want the same thing everybody wants regardless of wealth or social status; love and happiness.
All throughout Revenge you know that Nigel is building up to something big and he never fails to deliver when it comes to his finales. Each book he has written has finished and left me desperate for me and I can't think of another author currently writing in this genre that does it better than Nigel May. As with the legendary Jackie Collins, Nigel's books transcend the genre and go far beyond being another book just filled with smut and sex. Instead you get a truly action-packed book here featuring murder, intrigue, revenge, comedy, rivalries, glamorous locations. Pretty much everything you could possibly expect from a book and then some. I am in awe of how Nigel manages to achieve this book after book, improving on what came before and his writing and storytelling in Revenge compared with his earlier work is astounding (and his early books are amazing so that should give some idea of how good Revenge is).
Nigel named a character after me in Lovers and Liars and I was ecstatic to see that I made a return here in Revenge as a fantastic journalist who refuses to take no for an answer and I appear in a couple of rather funny scenes (however a certain Daniel Riding also made an appearance as DC Riding and I found myself wishing I too had quite the fun he had in his hotel room...) Revenge is one of Nigel's best books to date and cements his place as the King of the Bonkbuster and one of my all-time favourite authors. If you are yet to discover one of his books then this is the perfect place to start, and then when you finish you have a back catalogue of books just waiting to be devoured. Now, when's the next one?
Read
February 16, 2017Well nobody stands Nigel May in the corner! I could be put into a room full of books that have brown paper backing and I could still pick out his. This book, Revenge, is no exception as Nigel May deserves centre stage yet again.
Revenge has even more glitz and glamour as the rich and famous are invited by the world renowned chef Dexter Franklin, to the opening of yet another exclusive restaurant, this one in St. Tropez, Southern France. At some time each of the invited guests have crossed Dexter but the greed of these people, for an all expenses paid trip to the Play Ground of millionaires makes them jump at the chance to grab the lime light again. The has-beens and wanna-bes are all fighting for poll position.
He always gives his characters character to put it bluntly and you get an instant like or dislike for them straight away, to the point you could in some cases turn to murder yourself! What I do like is how I get to know these people before they really start to interact in the story. There are some sparks flying around as it seems that all their lives have crossed at some point. It makes for perfect entertainment.
I just love how Nigel May builds the suspense in his books, it always makes me feel like I'm on a murder mystery weekend, like I am there looking over someone's shoulder at what is going on and I don't want to leave until its all over. Well you won't want to put this book down. Oh it gets hot though, phew really hot! Steamy Hot! Lots of taking clothes off and very descriptive action hot. I did mention brown paper backing earlier didn't I? No seriously the scenes are very well described which for me adds to the whole story of these people. He always wows me with the story and the unexpected outcome. A massive must read for any Nigel May fans and I hope many more too. It is soooooo goooooood!
Revenge has even more glitz and glamour as the rich and famous are invited by the world renowned chef Dexter Franklin, to the opening of yet another exclusive restaurant, this one in St. Tropez, Southern France. At some time each of the invited guests have crossed Dexter but the greed of these people, for an all expenses paid trip to the Play Ground of millionaires makes them jump at the chance to grab the lime light again. The has-beens and wanna-bes are all fighting for poll position.
He always gives his characters character to put it bluntly and you get an instant like or dislike for them straight away, to the point you could in some cases turn to murder yourself! What I do like is how I get to know these people before they really start to interact in the story. There are some sparks flying around as it seems that all their lives have crossed at some point. It makes for perfect entertainment.
I just love how Nigel May builds the suspense in his books, it always makes me feel like I'm on a murder mystery weekend, like I am there looking over someone's shoulder at what is going on and I don't want to leave until its all over. Well you won't want to put this book down. Oh it gets hot though, phew really hot! Steamy Hot! Lots of taking clothes off and very descriptive action hot. I did mention brown paper backing earlier didn't I? No seriously the scenes are very well described which for me adds to the whole story of these people. He always wows me with the story and the unexpected outcome. A massive must read for any Nigel May fans and I hope many more too. It is soooooo goooooood!
February 10, 2017
Well Mr May, it seems you have a never ending supply of bitch, glamour and salacious filled ideas! Yet again Nigel May has produced a stellar read in this genre and one that is filled to the brim with everything a reader of this genre could ask for and more! With a beautiful cover to boot, it seems Nigel's books are getting more raunchy and dark with each year that passes, just how I like it!
The description for Nigel May in the past has been like a male version of Jackie Collins and this description couldn't be more apt, so those of you who are JC fans you REALLY need to get on board with this author. Set in the South of France you already have the backdrop of this beautiful sun-drenched playground filled to the brim with the rich and famous. We get introduced to Dexter Franklin, the TV star and famous Celebrity Chef on the brink of opening his newest restaurant Tresor, and compiling his celebrity list of attendees. That list includes the basis for the main characters appearing in this book, and boy do they make an interesting bunch.
Mew Stanton and Holly Lydon were once band members of the famous Girl Group Crazy Sour, however with the band splitting up they are both now on very different paths. Dexter's brother Leland who is a celebrity in his own right with and his girlfriend Rosita an actress who appears only to be famous in her home country of Brazil. Add in to that the Food Critic DC, and a plot line that had me hooked from the beginning and the story grabs you from the outset.
There are certainly a lot of characters and the story line at first seems disjointed, but man alive it certainly comes to an explosive head upon the opening night of Tresor. All of the characters I loved with the exception of Leland who frankly was a vile character, but who ticked all the right boxes with those sorts of characters you love to hate. By Chapter 4 it was clear that no housework would be done that evening so I settled down and made it to just over the halfway mark in the book in one sitting. The rest was devoured on a morning commute and my lunch hour! This latest offering is packed to the brim with a tantalising story line and characters that are so shallow and self absorbed I was completely entranced.
Each character brings something to the story along with the perils and pitfalls of fame. I truly loved this book and think that Nigel May is an author that is massively under-rated. I would say that his books are NOT for the faint hearted or for those that shock easily. I thought his last book was his best but take that back whole heartedly in replacement for this one. A trued 'Bonk Buster' that was a delight to read!
The description for Nigel May in the past has been like a male version of Jackie Collins and this description couldn't be more apt, so those of you who are JC fans you REALLY need to get on board with this author. Set in the South of France you already have the backdrop of this beautiful sun-drenched playground filled to the brim with the rich and famous. We get introduced to Dexter Franklin, the TV star and famous Celebrity Chef on the brink of opening his newest restaurant Tresor, and compiling his celebrity list of attendees. That list includes the basis for the main characters appearing in this book, and boy do they make an interesting bunch.
Mew Stanton and Holly Lydon were once band members of the famous Girl Group Crazy Sour, however with the band splitting up they are both now on very different paths. Dexter's brother Leland who is a celebrity in his own right with and his girlfriend Rosita an actress who appears only to be famous in her home country of Brazil. Add in to that the Food Critic DC, and a plot line that had me hooked from the beginning and the story grabs you from the outset.
There are certainly a lot of characters and the story line at first seems disjointed, but man alive it certainly comes to an explosive head upon the opening night of Tresor. All of the characters I loved with the exception of Leland who frankly was a vile character, but who ticked all the right boxes with those sorts of characters you love to hate. By Chapter 4 it was clear that no housework would be done that evening so I settled down and made it to just over the halfway mark in the book in one sitting. The rest was devoured on a morning commute and my lunch hour! This latest offering is packed to the brim with a tantalising story line and characters that are so shallow and self absorbed I was completely entranced.
Each character brings something to the story along with the perils and pitfalls of fame. I truly loved this book and think that Nigel May is an author that is massively under-rated. I would say that his books are NOT for the faint hearted or for those that shock easily. I thought his last book was his best but take that back whole heartedly in replacement for this one. A trued 'Bonk Buster' that was a delight to read!
February 14, 2017
When you open a book by Nigel you know you are in for a bonkathon! He is the king of bitchy novels and that is meant in a good way!
Set in fabulous St. Tropez ‘oh darling’ it’s bound to be OTT .. Dex Franklin is planning the opening night at his swish new restaurant and the guest list is designed to cause friction.
As we read through the first few chapters each invitee is introduced with a glimpse as to their connection/relationship to Dex. A wide variety of people and professions and as the book progresses it becomes apparent that there are many secrets and resentments these folk are harbouring either singularly or because they have crossed paths with each other in the past.
A rip roaring tale of intrigue that keeps you guessing all the way and desperate to see what can possibly occur next. It certainly lives up to it’s title – revenge.
Of all the characters I preferred Holly, ex-popstar fallen from grace and forced to sleep with all and sundry to make ends meet to pay for the care home her mother is in. She is such a cow but shows a softer side at times.
This is ideal as a poolside holiday book .. hot, steamy, written with a wonderful flamboyancy that makes even a grey day bright and cheerful. If you haven’t read anything by this author yet check him out. Great entertainment value.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture etc .. I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Set in fabulous St. Tropez ‘oh darling’ it’s bound to be OTT .. Dex Franklin is planning the opening night at his swish new restaurant and the guest list is designed to cause friction.
As we read through the first few chapters each invitee is introduced with a glimpse as to their connection/relationship to Dex. A wide variety of people and professions and as the book progresses it becomes apparent that there are many secrets and resentments these folk are harbouring either singularly or because they have crossed paths with each other in the past.
A rip roaring tale of intrigue that keeps you guessing all the way and desperate to see what can possibly occur next. It certainly lives up to it’s title – revenge.
Of all the characters I preferred Holly, ex-popstar fallen from grace and forced to sleep with all and sundry to make ends meet to pay for the care home her mother is in. She is such a cow but shows a softer side at times.
This is ideal as a poolside holiday book .. hot, steamy, written with a wonderful flamboyancy that makes even a grey day bright and cheerful. If you haven’t read anything by this author yet check him out. Great entertainment value.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture etc .. I read and reviewed voluntarily.
December 28, 2016
I love Nigel May's books - they are a perfect mix of tension, thrill, glamour, adventure, scandal and gossip. And this one! Wow! This one is his best by far I think. From the very first line of the prologue I was hooked by this gripping tale. I could not put it down. A brilliant page turner. Highly recommend this fantastic story to everyone.
February 26, 2017
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Nigel May has the ability to bring the old fashioned bonk buster style stories of the 1980's, into the 21st century. He knows how to spin a good yarn centred around the glamour and wealth of characters with a celebrity status and lifestyle.
Dexter Franklin is a well known chef, as he plans the opening night of his new restaurant based in the stunning setting of St Tropez, in the south of France. He has hand picked a group of friends and acquaintances to a private gathering on the opening night. With no expense spared he makes sure that they are all able to attend.
As the group begin to assemble in St Tropez, some new relationships are formed and some older grudges are brought to the fore. None of them are aware of what Dexter has in store for them on opening night and as the night begins, we the reader sit back to watch the fireworks begin!!
Told in the present with flashbacks to the past, this story is well written and soon has us embroiled in the lives of the characters.
This was the first story that I've read by Nigel May and it won't be my last. I can thoroughly recommend this story to anyone who loves to escape real life to experience the trials and tribulations of those that have a celebrity lifestyle.
I was more than happy to give this story a 4 stars or 8/10.
Nigel May has the ability to bring the old fashioned bonk buster style stories of the 1980's, into the 21st century. He knows how to spin a good yarn centred around the glamour and wealth of characters with a celebrity status and lifestyle.
Dexter Franklin is a well known chef, as he plans the opening night of his new restaurant based in the stunning setting of St Tropez, in the south of France. He has hand picked a group of friends and acquaintances to a private gathering on the opening night. With no expense spared he makes sure that they are all able to attend.
As the group begin to assemble in St Tropez, some new relationships are formed and some older grudges are brought to the fore. None of them are aware of what Dexter has in store for them on opening night and as the night begins, we the reader sit back to watch the fireworks begin!!
Told in the present with flashbacks to the past, this story is well written and soon has us embroiled in the lives of the characters.
This was the first story that I've read by Nigel May and it won't be my last. I can thoroughly recommend this story to anyone who loves to escape real life to experience the trials and tribulations of those that have a celebrity lifestyle.
I was more than happy to give this story a 4 stars or 8/10.
February 2, 2017
What a fantastic page turner, this is a great story with a good mix of characters and a very good story line that keeps you hooked!!
You have Mew and Holly the ex girl group stars that can't stand each other and definitely don't want to be in a room together.
Olivia the doting publisher who has a secret crush on Mew.
Dexter Franklin the famous Michelin star chef who is carry many secrets.
DC the very critical food critic, who tried to make it in the musical industry but failed.
Rosita the celebrity starved actress desperate to get on the famous 'A' Lists around the world.
And Leland Franklin the rich and famous dare devil, who is also Dexter's brother.
All the money in the world doesn't stop all the skeletons coming out of the closet!!
Fast paced storyline with lots of twists and turns, highly recommended read!!!
You have Mew and Holly the ex girl group stars that can't stand each other and definitely don't want to be in a room together.
Olivia the doting publisher who has a secret crush on Mew.
Dexter Franklin the famous Michelin star chef who is carry many secrets.
DC the very critical food critic, who tried to make it in the musical industry but failed.
Rosita the celebrity starved actress desperate to get on the famous 'A' Lists around the world.
And Leland Franklin the rich and famous dare devil, who is also Dexter's brother.
All the money in the world doesn't stop all the skeletons coming out of the closet!!
Fast paced storyline with lots of twists and turns, highly recommended read!!!
February 15, 2017
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
VA-VA-VOOOOOM! -fans self-, how the hell do you cool yourself down after THIS?! I am rather embarrassed; I need to admit something...awful. Before I read 'Revenge', I hadn't read any other books by Nigel May before. Yes, that's right, I popped my 'Nigel May' cherry with this novel. Sniff, will you forgive me? Although, what a belter of a book to pop your author cherry with! A first time guaranteed to hold no regret (yes, I am still talking about the book...maybe).
Seriously though (cough), WHAT A BOOK! 'Revenge' had my attention from the very beginning with its sassy, flirty yet edgy storyline, sowing seeds for enough drama to rival Paris Hilton & Nicole Ritchie's friendship. Dexter Franklin, a man who most females know very well (inside of the bedroom that is), and has females falling over their feet to get to him OUTSIDE of the bedroom. Apparently he's a looker but I can't really see it myself..
The thing is, hunky Dexter has got himself into a bit of bother with three females and the score needs to be levelled out; where better to do it than in the South of France. Revenge is sweet...apparently.
The storyline flicks between several characters lives and it actually wasn't as confusing as it sounds. Sometimes it takes me a while to get comfortable with a multi character switching storyline, but this time I didn't. Each characters story flowed brilliantly into the next character's life, without any trouble at all.
What surprised me and caught me off guard, was how the storyline seemed to contain snippets of various genres. One moment I was playing detective like Scott and Bailey, the next moment I was being a fly on the wall to several, highly charged sexual antics, and the next I was on the edge of my seat thinking 'what the hell did I miss along the way?!'. Wait, no, I didn't think that, I actually said it out loud as I was reading!
'Revenge' has everything you should ever want under one 'roof'; suspense, raciness, romance, shock factor; the book has it all. I'm not going to lie, it got a tad hot hot hot, whilst I was reading the novel! Who wouldn't be hot after reading THAT?! I adored everything about Nigel May's 'Revenge', especially how the storyline gave you variety without diverting from the original situation. Incredibly clever.
A flirty, fun and toe curling novel which kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Full of gritty moments, shocking moments and extremely PHWOAR moments; 'Revenge' is a 'dish' which needs to be served up hot, and now.
Absolutely fantastic book! Thanks to this one, my Nigel May book collection is about to get a whole lot bigger!
Thank you Bookouture.
VA-VA-VOOOOOM! -fans self-, how the hell do you cool yourself down after THIS?! I am rather embarrassed; I need to admit something...awful. Before I read 'Revenge', I hadn't read any other books by Nigel May before. Yes, that's right, I popped my 'Nigel May' cherry with this novel. Sniff, will you forgive me? Although, what a belter of a book to pop your author cherry with! A first time guaranteed to hold no regret (yes, I am still talking about the book...maybe).
Seriously though (cough), WHAT A BOOK! 'Revenge' had my attention from the very beginning with its sassy, flirty yet edgy storyline, sowing seeds for enough drama to rival Paris Hilton & Nicole Ritchie's friendship. Dexter Franklin, a man who most females know very well (inside of the bedroom that is), and has females falling over their feet to get to him OUTSIDE of the bedroom. Apparently he's a looker but I can't really see it myself..
The thing is, hunky Dexter has got himself into a bit of bother with three females and the score needs to be levelled out; where better to do it than in the South of France. Revenge is sweet...apparently.
The storyline flicks between several characters lives and it actually wasn't as confusing as it sounds. Sometimes it takes me a while to get comfortable with a multi character switching storyline, but this time I didn't. Each characters story flowed brilliantly into the next character's life, without any trouble at all.
What surprised me and caught me off guard, was how the storyline seemed to contain snippets of various genres. One moment I was playing detective like Scott and Bailey, the next moment I was being a fly on the wall to several, highly charged sexual antics, and the next I was on the edge of my seat thinking 'what the hell did I miss along the way?!'. Wait, no, I didn't think that, I actually said it out loud as I was reading!
'Revenge' has everything you should ever want under one 'roof'; suspense, raciness, romance, shock factor; the book has it all. I'm not going to lie, it got a tad hot hot hot, whilst I was reading the novel! Who wouldn't be hot after reading THAT?! I adored everything about Nigel May's 'Revenge', especially how the storyline gave you variety without diverting from the original situation. Incredibly clever.
A flirty, fun and toe curling novel which kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Full of gritty moments, shocking moments and extremely PHWOAR moments; 'Revenge' is a 'dish' which needs to be served up hot, and now.
Absolutely fantastic book! Thanks to this one, my Nigel May book collection is about to get a whole lot bigger!
Thank you Bookouture.
February 10, 2017
Nigel May is described as the "New Jackie Collins" and let me tell you, he is every bit worthy of this title. His books are one of my guilty pleasures, 80s books without the bad hair and shoulder pads.
The glitz and glamour is in full swing as a group of handpicked guests make their way to St Tropez for the grand opening of celebrity chef, Dexter Franklin's swanky new restaurant Trésor. An eclectic mix of current celebrities and has beens with larger than life personalities are all on the exclusive guest list. Some even have shared pasts with each other having crossed swords on more than one occasion. When all these people are finally put in a room together the explosive fireworks start. Someone has a plan for murderous revenge as scandalous secrets and lies are uncovered.
The setting could not be any more picturesque, sun drenched and packed with the rich and famous living the life some can only dream of. The writing flows effortlessly as the author explores themes of power, sex, jealousy, rivalry and revenge.
The characterisation is superb, Nigel has a talent for creating colourful, tenacious and outrageous characters you just love to hate. When you are not shaking your head in faux outrage you are holding your breath, eager to find out which skeletons are next to come out the closet.
There are a lot of sex scenes through the book, but this is not some 50 Shades shady offering, it's a Bonkbuster with an enthralling story line you cannot tear yourself away from. It's a fun and flirty read, and whilst the blurb advises that you should pour yourself a glass of champagne, I would say you would be better buying yourself a bottle as when you sit down to this indulgent tale you won't want to stop till it's finished.
Treat yourself, I PROMISE you will not be disappointed.
The glitz and glamour is in full swing as a group of handpicked guests make their way to St Tropez for the grand opening of celebrity chef, Dexter Franklin's swanky new restaurant Trésor. An eclectic mix of current celebrities and has beens with larger than life personalities are all on the exclusive guest list. Some even have shared pasts with each other having crossed swords on more than one occasion. When all these people are finally put in a room together the explosive fireworks start. Someone has a plan for murderous revenge as scandalous secrets and lies are uncovered.
The setting could not be any more picturesque, sun drenched and packed with the rich and famous living the life some can only dream of. The writing flows effortlessly as the author explores themes of power, sex, jealousy, rivalry and revenge.
The characterisation is superb, Nigel has a talent for creating colourful, tenacious and outrageous characters you just love to hate. When you are not shaking your head in faux outrage you are holding your breath, eager to find out which skeletons are next to come out the closet.
There are a lot of sex scenes through the book, but this is not some 50 Shades shady offering, it's a Bonkbuster with an enthralling story line you cannot tear yourself away from. It's a fun and flirty read, and whilst the blurb advises that you should pour yourself a glass of champagne, I would say you would be better buying yourself a bottle as when you sit down to this indulgent tale you won't want to stop till it's finished.
Treat yourself, I PROMISE you will not be disappointed.
June 20, 2017
Revenge by nigel may is a women's fiction and general fiction (adult) read.
If you keep dangerous secrets you’ll pay the ultimate price…
In the South of France, playground of the rich and famous, world renowned chef Dexter Franklin is organising a night to remember. As he opens the doors to his exclusive restaurant for the first time, he’s handpicked a list of guests, as hot and dazzling as the St Tropez sun itself:
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. I loved the story. Had me gripped from start to finish. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
If you keep dangerous secrets you’ll pay the ultimate price…
In the South of France, playground of the rich and famous, world renowned chef Dexter Franklin is organising a night to remember. As he opens the doors to his exclusive restaurant for the first time, he’s handpicked a list of guests, as hot and dazzling as the St Tropez sun itself:
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. I loved the story. Had me gripped from start to finish. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.
March 3, 2017
Revenge by Nigel May is the type of book where you need to clear your schedule before you start it because you wont be able to put it back down again until its finished. A great read I highly recommend, especially if you miss Jackie Collins
April 23, 2017
Many other reviewers are calling this the ultimate beach read and I agree. It meets all my checks to make it a superb smutty beach read. Tropical setting, sex, drama and intriguing characters.
The book opens with the death of Cher Le Visage, a stage performer. Fast forward 5 years where Dexter,famous chef has just opened a new restaurant in St.Tropez and has invited many people to the grand opening of his restaurant. The reader is introduced to many characters but they are easy to keep track of- trust me! Dexter has planned this evening perfectly. Why? and how is everyone connected?You can bet someone will be getting some delicious revenge.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
The book opens with the death of Cher Le Visage, a stage performer. Fast forward 5 years where Dexter,famous chef has just opened a new restaurant in St.Tropez and has invited many people to the grand opening of his restaurant. The reader is introduced to many characters but they are easy to keep track of- trust me! Dexter has planned this evening perfectly. Why? and how is everyone connected?You can bet someone will be getting some delicious revenge.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 14, 2017
I've heard lots about author Nigel May, and seen many people on various blogs and Twitter raving about his books, but up until now I have never gotten around to reading anything he has written. There was a part of me slightly dubious as to whether a male author could pull of a bonkbuster/racy/raunchy novel. This is a genre which I wouldn't read in abundance but I do love dipping in and out of books written by the likes of Anna Lou Weatherly or Victoria Fox every now and again. I like the escape these sorts of read offer you and behind the cast of many colourful characters there is a good mystery always waiting to be uncovered. The nature of these novels are pure escapism and, yes I'll say it, ideal holiday reads. They are filled with characters whom you question could even exist in the real world outside of fiction such depraved, lavish lifestyles do they lead. Also there are plot lines that boarder on the credible and often teeter on the edge of ridiculousness, yet there is something that always pulls you into this genre and the read becomes riveting and engrossing as you read on in equal measure of amazement and horror at what is unfolding before your very eyes. You find yourself thankful that you for the most part you are grateful you have a humdrum normal life and that in reading this genre you are given an escape for a couple or hours or days if need be and the stories and lives of the characters take over and leave you open mouthed at their antics yet strangely fascinated with everything going on.
Revenge is the sixth book published by Nigel May and although it won't win any literary awards (but then how many of us actually read those high brow award winning books) but god it was a very good story well told that kept the reader guessing until the last possible moment before the reveal was upon us. Revenge is a story I presume similar to the others Nigel has written full of sex, lies, glamour, intrigue, temptation, manipulation and mystery. Right from the prologue there is no holding back. This is a no holed barred insight into the lives of the rich and maybe not so famous as they once were who are all attending the opening night of world renowned chef Dexter Franklin's new restaurant. The story picks up five years after the prologue set in Brazil when we met burlesque star Cher Le Visage as she is about to perform at a charity event near Iguazu Falls. Unfortunately for Cher she is on the very bottom rung of the celebrity ladder and is desperate for any kind of 'gig' that will bring her some much needed money. But this night is not to be her best and she is found strangled by a feather boa.
As we fast forward five years to St. Tropez we are introduced over several chapters to a whole host of characters each in my opinion worse than the last as we meet them although Mew did prove to be my favourite. It's not that I hated the rest it's just they are very difficult people to like or identify with but then I wonder are we really meant to considering our lives are so vastly different from theirs? There is little mention of Cher and the prologue, and in all honesty I forgot about it and wasn't in that much of a hurry to discover who had committed the deadly deed, as I became enthralled with the goings on of the characters.
Dexter a celebrity chef is a man with a grudge, his career has slightly floundered no thanks to restaurant critic DC Riding and his way with words. But now Dexter is on the cusp of opening his new Moroccan themed restaurant in St.Tropez and wants the world to know he is on top of his game. Several people receive a specific invitation to the opening night and the reasons behind this become clear towards the end but there is a lot of water to flow under the bridge before everything can be revealed.
Mew Stanton is a celebrity chef having won a tv competition with Dexter as the judge. She is releasing a new cookbook and on a publicity tour with her publisher Olivia when she receives an invite from Dexter. Something which she thought would never happen considering their history and she wonders whether it is worth going. Would it stir up old emotions best left buried or even long held secrets? Mew had been a part of mega successful pop group Crazy Sour before things with fellow band mate Holly Lydon all went sour. Mew still has hatred deeply ingrained in her heart and mind and hopes by accepting the invite things won't go back to the way there were considering the success she has now achieved. Olivia tags along for the trip as well. I found her to be a character who was very much on the outside, a hanger on and someone aiming to achieve a higher position than where she was. She was annoying and frustrating even if she did play the part of support when needed to and found answers at just the right time. She was often forgotten but boy was she soaking everything up in St.Tropez and could put her info and what she had seen to good use.
Holly Lydon is a former member of Crazy Sour now very much down on her luck, even her antics as a kinky call girl don't get her much attention these days. She arrives by bus to St. Tropez far from the helicopter arrival of the others. Why has Dexter invited her here? She is a has been who knows no boundaries. As we flash back and forth in Holly's story there is an element of compassion the reader does start to feel for her and throughout the book the author makes us realise that not everyone is as they first seem. Beneath the brash exteriors there are hidden depths and secrets and connections some want kept that way and others are determined to bring things out into the open.
As mentioned DC Riding is a restaurant critic and maybe Dexter has brought him to the opening just to prove he is on top of his game. DC loved the high life and his scenes with a certain somebody left me open mouthed. Suffice to say no detail is spared in the slightest. At times you do just have to keep reading and not fully absorb some of the sexual antics of the characters as the author doesn't hold back with descriptions.
Rosita Velazquez is a Brazilian actress famous in her native country and not really anywhere else. She longs for worldwide fame and is dating Dexter's brother Leland who is an extreme TV star whom one could compare to Bear Grylls. I didn't care much for Rosita even though she was full of self confidence but again she had her role to play. Leland was a man obsessed with women and sex. Treat them mean and keep then keen, he used woman to his own advantage and to further his career. Missy is his latest conquest along for the ride. Someone not officially invited but gets in on the action is Fabienne Delacroix, a news reporter for the La Riveria newspaper. She seemed to be the sanest person amongst the motley crew but will she expose what's really going on through her clever investigative journalism?
Once all the characters had been introduced we flash back and forth between the past and the present and I began to like Nigel May's style of writing. Initially I had thought there were too many characters and would certain people have a more flimsier storyline than others but really it was all actually very clever and as the connections and intentions slowly started to be uncovered I was applauding the author at weaving everything together so well. All the gossip, scandal, animosity, tension and thrills just increased apace in the days leading up to the big launch night as they guests are forced to mingle together at the hotel. There were so many tangled webs and connections that I didn't see but the flashbacks helped to make things clearer and gave great insight into the mindset and intentions of many.
The glamorous locations used apart from St. Tropez were fantastic and really brought the book to life. There were plenty of sex scenes for those who like to see many included in this sort of read. I just take them for what they are and the added spice they bring to the overall story and become amazed at how the characters intermingle and move from one person to the next so quickly. As we build and build to the main climax of the story there are revelations aplenty one in particular which really took me by surprise. I loved how I had never seen it coming and as we tie back to the prologue I was astounded by what unfolded and how brilliantly Nigel May really had written this book.
Although Revenge may have been the first book I have read by this author it certainly won't be the last. Definitely Nigel is a rival to the authors I have mentioned previously and yes a male author can successfully pull off this kind of story. This thrilling, sexy read was a great way to pass a couple of hours over my holidays and I will certainly be reading the other book I have from Nigel which has languished on my Kindle for far too long.
Revenge is the sixth book published by Nigel May and although it won't win any literary awards (but then how many of us actually read those high brow award winning books) but god it was a very good story well told that kept the reader guessing until the last possible moment before the reveal was upon us. Revenge is a story I presume similar to the others Nigel has written full of sex, lies, glamour, intrigue, temptation, manipulation and mystery. Right from the prologue there is no holding back. This is a no holed barred insight into the lives of the rich and maybe not so famous as they once were who are all attending the opening night of world renowned chef Dexter Franklin's new restaurant. The story picks up five years after the prologue set in Brazil when we met burlesque star Cher Le Visage as she is about to perform at a charity event near Iguazu Falls. Unfortunately for Cher she is on the very bottom rung of the celebrity ladder and is desperate for any kind of 'gig' that will bring her some much needed money. But this night is not to be her best and she is found strangled by a feather boa.
As we fast forward five years to St. Tropez we are introduced over several chapters to a whole host of characters each in my opinion worse than the last as we meet them although Mew did prove to be my favourite. It's not that I hated the rest it's just they are very difficult people to like or identify with but then I wonder are we really meant to considering our lives are so vastly different from theirs? There is little mention of Cher and the prologue, and in all honesty I forgot about it and wasn't in that much of a hurry to discover who had committed the deadly deed, as I became enthralled with the goings on of the characters.
Dexter a celebrity chef is a man with a grudge, his career has slightly floundered no thanks to restaurant critic DC Riding and his way with words. But now Dexter is on the cusp of opening his new Moroccan themed restaurant in St.Tropez and wants the world to know he is on top of his game. Several people receive a specific invitation to the opening night and the reasons behind this become clear towards the end but there is a lot of water to flow under the bridge before everything can be revealed.
Mew Stanton is a celebrity chef having won a tv competition with Dexter as the judge. She is releasing a new cookbook and on a publicity tour with her publisher Olivia when she receives an invite from Dexter. Something which she thought would never happen considering their history and she wonders whether it is worth going. Would it stir up old emotions best left buried or even long held secrets? Mew had been a part of mega successful pop group Crazy Sour before things with fellow band mate Holly Lydon all went sour. Mew still has hatred deeply ingrained in her heart and mind and hopes by accepting the invite things won't go back to the way there were considering the success she has now achieved. Olivia tags along for the trip as well. I found her to be a character who was very much on the outside, a hanger on and someone aiming to achieve a higher position than where she was. She was annoying and frustrating even if she did play the part of support when needed to and found answers at just the right time. She was often forgotten but boy was she soaking everything up in St.Tropez and could put her info and what she had seen to good use.
Holly Lydon is a former member of Crazy Sour now very much down on her luck, even her antics as a kinky call girl don't get her much attention these days. She arrives by bus to St. Tropez far from the helicopter arrival of the others. Why has Dexter invited her here? She is a has been who knows no boundaries. As we flash back and forth in Holly's story there is an element of compassion the reader does start to feel for her and throughout the book the author makes us realise that not everyone is as they first seem. Beneath the brash exteriors there are hidden depths and secrets and connections some want kept that way and others are determined to bring things out into the open.
As mentioned DC Riding is a restaurant critic and maybe Dexter has brought him to the opening just to prove he is on top of his game. DC loved the high life and his scenes with a certain somebody left me open mouthed. Suffice to say no detail is spared in the slightest. At times you do just have to keep reading and not fully absorb some of the sexual antics of the characters as the author doesn't hold back with descriptions.
Rosita Velazquez is a Brazilian actress famous in her native country and not really anywhere else. She longs for worldwide fame and is dating Dexter's brother Leland who is an extreme TV star whom one could compare to Bear Grylls. I didn't care much for Rosita even though she was full of self confidence but again she had her role to play. Leland was a man obsessed with women and sex. Treat them mean and keep then keen, he used woman to his own advantage and to further his career. Missy is his latest conquest along for the ride. Someone not officially invited but gets in on the action is Fabienne Delacroix, a news reporter for the La Riveria newspaper. She seemed to be the sanest person amongst the motley crew but will she expose what's really going on through her clever investigative journalism?
Once all the characters had been introduced we flash back and forth between the past and the present and I began to like Nigel May's style of writing. Initially I had thought there were too many characters and would certain people have a more flimsier storyline than others but really it was all actually very clever and as the connections and intentions slowly started to be uncovered I was applauding the author at weaving everything together so well. All the gossip, scandal, animosity, tension and thrills just increased apace in the days leading up to the big launch night as they guests are forced to mingle together at the hotel. There were so many tangled webs and connections that I didn't see but the flashbacks helped to make things clearer and gave great insight into the mindset and intentions of many.
The glamorous locations used apart from St. Tropez were fantastic and really brought the book to life. There were plenty of sex scenes for those who like to see many included in this sort of read. I just take them for what they are and the added spice they bring to the overall story and become amazed at how the characters intermingle and move from one person to the next so quickly. As we build and build to the main climax of the story there are revelations aplenty one in particular which really took me by surprise. I loved how I had never seen it coming and as we tie back to the prologue I was astounded by what unfolded and how brilliantly Nigel May really had written this book.
Although Revenge may have been the first book I have read by this author it certainly won't be the last. Definitely Nigel is a rival to the authors I have mentioned previously and yes a male author can successfully pull off this kind of story. This thrilling, sexy read was a great way to pass a couple of hours over my holidays and I will certainly be reading the other book I have from Nigel which has languished on my Kindle for far too long.
February 4, 2018
Review: Revenge
I received a copy from Netgalley.
I must be a black sheep on this one. Most of the reviews I browsed through were fairly positive, there was a handful of one stars but no actual reviews. It caught my eye whilst browsing Netgalley because I like revenge themed books featuring famous people with glitz glamour and potential murder. When I looked it up on Goodreads and saw that the author was compared to the British equivalent of Jackie Collins that pretty much sealed the deal for me.
I didn't find it glamorous or captivating or anything. The characters were unremarkable and annoying with maybe one exception and it was nearly 70% into the book before the reason all these people were brought together was finally explained. It started out okay, the frost problem I had with the book was that the review copy I was reading on my iPad kindle app had an appealing font which wouldn't go out of bold which annoyed the hell out of me. I ended up buying a finished copy with a sensible font I could read properly. At this point the book still had my attention to want to know the what was going on.
The premise was interesting enough, a bunch of people have been invited to the opening debut of a new snazzy restaurant by popular celebrity chef Dexter Franklin in St Tropez. It's all expenses paid as well. It becomes obvious immediately that bringing this particular group together is a disaster waiting to happen. It's also made clear right away that each person invited to the opening have history with Dexter and pretty bad history at that. The tag line hinted at murder so the interest for me was who do these annoying people is going to get bumped off first?
The characters:
Two members of a former squeaky clean girl group Crazy Sour, who had a massive career as pop idols for teen girls until one of them, Holly, fell into drugs and drink and ruined the band and destroyed everyone's careers. Holly wound up becoming a high class prostitute and raked the cash in until she got caught up in a scandal with a politician and the whole thing came crashing down around her, again. She’s an utter bitch, out for number one and doesn't seem to give a fuck about anyone else other than herself. Of course, she's got a few secrets of her own which sort of explain her deplorable personality and the defensive attitude she displays. She had a hot fling with Dexter at some point and it didn't end well.
The other girl band member Mew, I got the impression was supposed to be the sensible smart one of the group. She and Holly rubbed each other the wrong way. There wasn't much mentioned about the third member of the band or there than she wasn't all there. I think the only reason she wasn't brought in on this little trip was she didn't have anything going on with Dexter. When Crazy Sour failed Mew made her fame and fortune by winning a celebrity cooking show hosted by Dexter. There was a big scandal when it was discovered that Mew was screwing Dexter behind the scenes. Mew went on to have her own cooking career and wrote best selling cookbooks. Mew brings her assistant/agent Olivia along on the trip complexly oblivious to the fact that Olivia is head over heels in love with her. Of course, neither Holly nor Mew know the other has been invited.
Leland Franklin, Dexter’s older brother. The two brothers never got along. Leland is actor who made his name as a hunky TV action adventurer star who thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread and God’s gift to women. A better than thou jerk who thinks the sun rises and sets on him, and completely unfaith to his supposed long term girlfriend. To the point where he brings some fame hungry American girl he picked up and has been screwing on the side, the girl who was notorious for having once been a hooker on the trip. Leland’s supposed actual girlfriend is a Brazilian actress Rosita Velazquez. She's a huge star in her own country and wants to break into other markets and she's convinced that dating Leland will raise her profile. She's outlandish and takes over the top to a whole new dimension. Neither knows that the other has been invited to Dexter’s restaurant opening. Rosita has her own complex history with Dexter.
Finally DC Riding, a restaurant critic. Openly gay and friendly DC is probably is the only likeable character amongst this lot. He had a failed try at producing a big broadway production. He's had some not so pleasant things to say about Dexter’s restaurants before. He’s into really kinky sex stuff as well and doesn't seem to care where it comes from and is quite happy to pay for it.
A few other minor characters are introduced who wind up having fairly decent rolls as the plot goes on.
The bulk of the novel is all these characters arriving in St Tropez and their reactions to each other. Which in the most case are not happy reunions. It's drama drama drama. They've all worked out there must be something going on. Dexter hasn’t made an appearance yet. Most of his chapters up to this point are reflections on his relations with the other characters and hints of something big that's going to happen. By this point I am bored to tears with the book. I lost interest in the drama between the characters, the bitch fest between Holly and Mew, Olivia pining over Mew, Rosita and her ridiculous attempts at making a name for herself, Leland who I despised right from the start and remember very little about. The only fun chapters were the ones from DC Riding. Opening night approaches and the reasons for bringing these particular people together were finally revealed. Over 70% in and no ones been killed. What happened to the murder hinted at in the tag line and why is these thing called Revenge?
So…who did it? More secrets are revealed and more past information comes to light.
One thing I did actually like at the end was how the women came together to defend each other when found in a dicey situation with the killer.
Not enough to salvage the book for me, but something about it I actually liked.
There was a brief what happened afterwards conclusion detailing where each of the main characters when after the eventful opening night of Dexter's restaurant. Most of them had shown some sort of growth over the novel and some found new relationships, new friendships and new directions in life.
This wasn't a page turner for me, nor was it a gripping thriller at all. I found myself skimming a large portion of the middle. It had its moments but in the end just not for me. I’m not really interested at all in trying anything else by this particular author. Every now and then I try something different from my usual type of book but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me at all.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookoture for approving my request to view the title.
I received a copy from Netgalley.
I must be a black sheep on this one. Most of the reviews I browsed through were fairly positive, there was a handful of one stars but no actual reviews. It caught my eye whilst browsing Netgalley because I like revenge themed books featuring famous people with glitz glamour and potential murder. When I looked it up on Goodreads and saw that the author was compared to the British equivalent of Jackie Collins that pretty much sealed the deal for me.
I didn't find it glamorous or captivating or anything. The characters were unremarkable and annoying with maybe one exception and it was nearly 70% into the book before the reason all these people were brought together was finally explained. It started out okay, the frost problem I had with the book was that the review copy I was reading on my iPad kindle app had an appealing font which wouldn't go out of bold which annoyed the hell out of me. I ended up buying a finished copy with a sensible font I could read properly. At this point the book still had my attention to want to know the what was going on.
The premise was interesting enough, a bunch of people have been invited to the opening debut of a new snazzy restaurant by popular celebrity chef Dexter Franklin in St Tropez. It's all expenses paid as well. It becomes obvious immediately that bringing this particular group together is a disaster waiting to happen. It's also made clear right away that each person invited to the opening have history with Dexter and pretty bad history at that. The tag line hinted at murder so the interest for me was who do these annoying people is going to get bumped off first?
The characters:
Two members of a former squeaky clean girl group Crazy Sour, who had a massive career as pop idols for teen girls until one of them, Holly, fell into drugs and drink and ruined the band and destroyed everyone's careers. Holly wound up becoming a high class prostitute and raked the cash in until she got caught up in a scandal with a politician and the whole thing came crashing down around her, again. She’s an utter bitch, out for number one and doesn't seem to give a fuck about anyone else other than herself. Of course, she's got a few secrets of her own which sort of explain her deplorable personality and the defensive attitude she displays. She had a hot fling with Dexter at some point and it didn't end well.
The other girl band member Mew, I got the impression was supposed to be the sensible smart one of the group. She and Holly rubbed each other the wrong way. There wasn't much mentioned about the third member of the band or there than she wasn't all there. I think the only reason she wasn't brought in on this little trip was she didn't have anything going on with Dexter. When Crazy Sour failed Mew made her fame and fortune by winning a celebrity cooking show hosted by Dexter. There was a big scandal when it was discovered that Mew was screwing Dexter behind the scenes. Mew went on to have her own cooking career and wrote best selling cookbooks. Mew brings her assistant/agent Olivia along on the trip complexly oblivious to the fact that Olivia is head over heels in love with her. Of course, neither Holly nor Mew know the other has been invited.
Leland Franklin, Dexter’s older brother. The two brothers never got along. Leland is actor who made his name as a hunky TV action adventurer star who thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread and God’s gift to women. A better than thou jerk who thinks the sun rises and sets on him, and completely unfaith to his supposed long term girlfriend. To the point where he brings some fame hungry American girl he picked up and has been screwing on the side, the girl who was notorious for having once been a hooker on the trip. Leland’s supposed actual girlfriend is a Brazilian actress Rosita Velazquez. She's a huge star in her own country and wants to break into other markets and she's convinced that dating Leland will raise her profile. She's outlandish and takes over the top to a whole new dimension. Neither knows that the other has been invited to Dexter’s restaurant opening. Rosita has her own complex history with Dexter.
Finally DC Riding, a restaurant critic. Openly gay and friendly DC is probably is the only likeable character amongst this lot. He had a failed try at producing a big broadway production. He's had some not so pleasant things to say about Dexter’s restaurants before. He’s into really kinky sex stuff as well and doesn't seem to care where it comes from and is quite happy to pay for it.
A few other minor characters are introduced who wind up having fairly decent rolls as the plot goes on.
The bulk of the novel is all these characters arriving in St Tropez and their reactions to each other. Which in the most case are not happy reunions. It's drama drama drama. They've all worked out there must be something going on. Dexter hasn’t made an appearance yet. Most of his chapters up to this point are reflections on his relations with the other characters and hints of something big that's going to happen. By this point I am bored to tears with the book. I lost interest in the drama between the characters, the bitch fest between Holly and Mew, Olivia pining over Mew, Rosita and her ridiculous attempts at making a name for herself, Leland who I despised right from the start and remember very little about. The only fun chapters were the ones from DC Riding. Opening night approaches and the reasons for bringing these particular people together were finally revealed. Over 70% in and no ones been killed. What happened to the murder hinted at in the tag line and why is these thing called Revenge?
So…who did it? More secrets are revealed and more past information comes to light.
One thing I did actually like at the end was how the women came together to defend each other when found in a dicey situation with the killer.
Not enough to salvage the book for me, but something about it I actually liked.
There was a brief what happened afterwards conclusion detailing where each of the main characters when after the eventful opening night of Dexter's restaurant. Most of them had shown some sort of growth over the novel and some found new relationships, new friendships and new directions in life.
This wasn't a page turner for me, nor was it a gripping thriller at all. I found myself skimming a large portion of the middle. It had its moments but in the end just not for me. I’m not really interested at all in trying anything else by this particular author. Every now and then I try something different from my usual type of book but unfortunately this one wasn’t for me at all.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookoture for approving my request to view the title.
February 15, 2017
You can find my reviews at www.emmathelittlebookworm.wordpress.com
Revenge is a strange one for me.
Strange in a good way mind.
We've have literally got it all in one book. Love, murder, mystery, romance and sex.
What more do you want exactly?!?
Well, aside from the lack of a high body count, blood, guts and gore I normally appreciate in a book, I really enjoyed Revenge.
It's a very well written and brilliantly thought out plot which really had me guessing all the way through. Why did Dex want all these old rivals at the opening of his new restaurant? What had they all done to each other in the past? Thankfully this book isn't marketed as a gritty crime/psychological thriller and I'm so glad I knew not to expect that.
It is bonkfest with a murder, a bitchfest with a mystery, a hunkfest with a crime! It's got it all and not in a bad or confusing way. Nigel keeps it real, there's no confusion and it works really well.
I'll certainly be looking out for more of Nigel's books in the future and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a steamy chick-litty murder mystery (who'd a thought I'd ever say that?!?)
Revenge is a strange one for me.
Strange in a good way mind.
We've have literally got it all in one book. Love, murder, mystery, romance and sex.
What more do you want exactly?!?
Well, aside from the lack of a high body count, blood, guts and gore I normally appreciate in a book, I really enjoyed Revenge.
It's a very well written and brilliantly thought out plot which really had me guessing all the way through. Why did Dex want all these old rivals at the opening of his new restaurant? What had they all done to each other in the past? Thankfully this book isn't marketed as a gritty crime/psychological thriller and I'm so glad I knew not to expect that.
It is bonkfest with a murder, a bitchfest with a mystery, a hunkfest with a crime! It's got it all and not in a bad or confusing way. Nigel keeps it real, there's no confusion and it works really well.
I'll certainly be looking out for more of Nigel's books in the future and would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a steamy chick-litty murder mystery (who'd a thought I'd ever say that?!?)
February 18, 2023
This story was so good!!!!
The story starts with the death of a Burlesque performer, Cher Visage, and then you move forward 5 years to the days leading up to a new restaurant opening in St Tropez. You follow 5 invitees to the opening and their intertwining stories. There is a lot of timeline movement, going back to explain relationships and events, but it is done smoothly and without confusion.
The book is clever written so it could be anyone, and the story could go any direction at any time. I particularly loved the way everyone is together at the end for the big revel of the scheme. It put me in mind of Poirot, but with a hint of Jackie Collins flare.
The narrator is also well chosen and voices all the characters with ease.
This would make the perfect holiday listen too, on a beach, in the sun enjoying a cocktail. I can't wait to listen to another.
The story starts with the death of a Burlesque performer, Cher Visage, and then you move forward 5 years to the days leading up to a new restaurant opening in St Tropez. You follow 5 invitees to the opening and their intertwining stories. There is a lot of timeline movement, going back to explain relationships and events, but it is done smoothly and without confusion.
The book is clever written so it could be anyone, and the story could go any direction at any time. I particularly loved the way everyone is together at the end for the big revel of the scheme. It put me in mind of Poirot, but with a hint of Jackie Collins flare.
The narrator is also well chosen and voices all the characters with ease.
This would make the perfect holiday listen too, on a beach, in the sun enjoying a cocktail. I can't wait to listen to another.
March 24, 2017
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Nigel May for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a good book!!! We get a glimpse of the lives of those rich and famous people we always wonder about, but find out that the grass is not greener on the other side. The story starts with a group of people who are invited to Dexter Franklins’ restaurant launch. The story pulled you in by wondering why these particular people were invited to the opening. Each person’s life or past is like a puzzle piece that comes along and helps form the whole picture of past events and sets up the scenario for present day drama.
This was such a good book!!! We get a glimpse of the lives of those rich and famous people we always wonder about, but find out that the grass is not greener on the other side. The story starts with a group of people who are invited to Dexter Franklins’ restaurant launch. The story pulled you in by wondering why these particular people were invited to the opening. Each person’s life or past is like a puzzle piece that comes along and helps form the whole picture of past events and sets up the scenario for present day drama.
June 10, 2023
Wow, what an amazing book this was, loved it from start to finish, was such an addictive read. the story never stopped, and you never knew what was going to happen next.
The storyline is cleverly done and the characters are well thought out, some you wnat to love and some you wnat to hate and just punch in the face lol. I won't mention names as wouldn't want to ruin the book for anyone.
If you love books by Tasmina Perry, Jackie Collins, Rebecca Chance, Louise Bagshawe or Tilly Bagshawe, then you should definately give Nigel May's books ago as you won't be disapointed
The storyline is cleverly done and the characters are well thought out, some you wnat to love and some you wnat to hate and just punch in the face lol. I won't mention names as wouldn't want to ruin the book for anyone.
If you love books by Tasmina Perry, Jackie Collins, Rebecca Chance, Louise Bagshawe or Tilly Bagshawe, then you should definately give Nigel May's books ago as you won't be disapointed
March 7, 2017
Revenge sucks you in with the crazy prologue leading you to this murder mystery - exclusive dinner party - set in the super chic, St. Tropez. I love all the different characters and how you are able to follow along with each of their interconnected lives as the plot develops. This is a great book to read enjoying poolside with a cocktail while dreaming that you are enjoying this addictive, delicatessen in the South of France. Well done Nigel May!!!!
July 10, 2020
Cringy
I was hoping for something along the lines of Jilly Cooper or Jackie Collins - frothy rambunctious fun with a cracking plot and addictive characters . This wasn't it. Very laboured . I gave up after after the 2d central character " unleashed" his "weapon". Dear Lord. If you liked 50 Shades of Sh*te you'll probably devour this...
I was hoping for something along the lines of Jilly Cooper or Jackie Collins - frothy rambunctious fun with a cracking plot and addictive characters . This wasn't it. Very laboured . I gave up after after the 2d central character " unleashed" his "weapon". Dear Lord. If you liked 50 Shades of Sh*te you'll probably devour this...
November 20, 2018
50 Shades meets Christie. A book of love, sex, betrayal, lies, deceit, glamour and REVENGE!
I’ve never read a Nigel May. But I have just bought another one. He’s a great story teller and has you gripped at the get go.
I’ve never read a Nigel May. But I have just bought another one. He’s a great story teller and has you gripped at the get go.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews