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Delilah Now Trending
Single mom Delilah is thrilled when her darling daughter Daisy is tipped to become head girl of her prep school. But things don’t turn out quite as expected, and mother and daughter soon need to deal with much more than disappointment when Daisy’s long-time rival, Rosie, is seriously injured. Was it an accident or is someone to blame?
Accusations are flung at Delilah’s daughter, both in the school’s corridors and on social media. With the help of her business partner, Henry, and her best friend, Cass, Delilah attempts to clear Daisy’s name. But pressure from the school is mounting and Delilah’s in a state. Did Daisy do it? What other secrets has her daughter been keeping from her? And what kind of mother has she been to Daisy?
Featuring a useless ex-husband and a dashing widower who is more than a little interested in Delilah, Pamela Power’s new novel takes a darkly humorous look at school life, a modern-day battleground for parents and pre-teens alike.
Accusations are flung at Delilah’s daughter, both in the school’s corridors and on social media. With the help of her business partner, Henry, and her best friend, Cass, Delilah attempts to clear Daisy’s name. But pressure from the school is mounting and Delilah’s in a state. Did Daisy do it? What other secrets has her daughter been keeping from her? And what kind of mother has she been to Daisy?
Featuring a useless ex-husband and a dashing widower who is more than a little interested in Delilah, Pamela Power’s new novel takes a darkly humorous look at school life, a modern-day battleground for parents and pre-teens alike.
- GenresFiction
264 pages, Softcover
Published April 1, 2017
2 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Power
12 books17 followersPamela Power is the author of the novels Ms Conception and Things Unseen. A novelist, television scriptwriter and script editor, she has worked on the television shows Top Billing, Generations, Rockville, Gauteng Maboneng and Uzalo and is currently the script editor at Muvhango. She has two children and one husband and lives in Johannesburg. Check out her vlog: #BetweenTheSheetsWithPamela.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 11, 2019
Pamela has done it again. She has presented us with an insider-view of the private-school-Parks-living white Mom who seems to have everything going for her. Except Delilah doesn't. She is entangled in the prissy private school system which threatens to expel her daughter, a gay ex-husband, a lazy employee and a thriving business. Gimme a cash-coining business any day. It is better to be miserable in a 400 thread-count Egyptian cotton.
A hilarious account of Daisy and Delilah and all supporting characters who made this story. A light read, content-wise, but not light, 256 pages long.
Pamela gives us a glimpse into the lives of the privileged minority. Expensive lives. But, if you are used to the finer things in life AND got money to burn, why not enjoy the benefits associated with it. Some of us can only dream. More than anything, Pam illustrated, through this book, that 1. Parenting is hard, mothering is harder. 2. The transition to teenhood will drive any mother to drink 3. Incessant worrying about the other, is a trait you develop once you become a mother 4. Our children grow up and outgrow us. AND it is all okay. This is a passage of rites.
Bullying. I thought that it only happened in public schools because of socioeconomic challenges, but this is an across the board phenomenon. Only in private schools, the economic forces are just so abnormal. Pamela showed me that it is hard being white and rich. The burden of privilege🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊
4 big stars for the witty dialogue, believable characters and a tongue-twister of a plot. The diary entries were very misleading, confusing and eye-popping, Pam. You clever, person👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
As an aside, Portia wouldn't have lasted a week in my house. Delilah was just too nice. Gives us, the black employers, a bad name.
A hilarious account of Daisy and Delilah and all supporting characters who made this story. A light read, content-wise, but not light, 256 pages long.
Pamela gives us a glimpse into the lives of the privileged minority. Expensive lives. But, if you are used to the finer things in life AND got money to burn, why not enjoy the benefits associated with it. Some of us can only dream. More than anything, Pam illustrated, through this book, that 1. Parenting is hard, mothering is harder. 2. The transition to teenhood will drive any mother to drink 3. Incessant worrying about the other, is a trait you develop once you become a mother 4. Our children grow up and outgrow us. AND it is all okay. This is a passage of rites.
Bullying. I thought that it only happened in public schools because of socioeconomic challenges, but this is an across the board phenomenon. Only in private schools, the economic forces are just so abnormal. Pamela showed me that it is hard being white and rich. The burden of privilege🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊
4 big stars for the witty dialogue, believable characters and a tongue-twister of a plot. The diary entries were very misleading, confusing and eye-popping, Pam. You clever, person👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
As an aside, Portia wouldn't have lasted a week in my house. Delilah was just too nice. Gives us, the black employers, a bad name.
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June 24, 2017Shew, Pamela Power does good dialogue.
I'm caught up in the story of mom Lilah and teen daughter Daisy, living through a post-tough-divorce and life-threatening bullying scandal.
100 pages to go, Saturdays don't come more perfect.
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April 19, 2017My review for the Sunday Times: http://bit.ly/2pBSWvm
– She was still surprised [her ex] hadn't installed a mirror on the ceiling of his new bedroom. After all, as she'd always maintained, he used to shout out his own name during sex. –
– Lilah cursed her breasts, which were more ungovernable than a bunch of EFF MPs in parliament. –
– 'You're talking to yourself again,' said Henry over her shoulder.
Cass added: 'You need to watch that, Lilah. Seriously, if you start collecting cats I don't think I can be your lawyer any more.' –
– 'There! Now, that is a presentable looking lady garden. Even if I do say so myself.'...
'What are you talking about?" There's no garden left. It's a bloody-rockery now!' –
– She was still surprised [her ex] hadn't installed a mirror on the ceiling of his new bedroom. After all, as she'd always maintained, he used to shout out his own name during sex. –
– Lilah cursed her breasts, which were more ungovernable than a bunch of EFF MPs in parliament. –
– 'You're talking to yourself again,' said Henry over her shoulder.
Cass added: 'You need to watch that, Lilah. Seriously, if you start collecting cats I don't think I can be your lawyer any more.' –
– 'There! Now, that is a presentable looking lady garden. Even if I do say so myself.'...
'What are you talking about?" There's no garden left. It's a bloody-rockery now!' –
October 8, 2020
My first Pamela Power and I enjoyed it! I have no words except 'it was a good book'
May 30, 2017
What I loved about this book is that it is not written from the point of view of a critical outsider, but from the perspective of an affectionate insider. Delilah is very much part of this private-school mommy world, and just as afflicted by the craziness as all the other mums. This made it so much more compelling and relatable. Can't wait to buy Pamela Power's next book!
April 12, 2017
Another incredible book by Pamela Power and the culprit of my children and husband having to eat takeaway pizza. Who can cook when you have to know what is happening next in Delilah’s world.
This book is funny, exciting and you get lost in the world of Delilah and Daisy in early pages. The “who did it?” was exciting and it really kept you guessing. The book, although fictional, gives you a glimpse of the school competition and pressure that learners face these days. Some of these pressures put on children by their parents, some even by children themselves. It also touches on the bullying that is happening more often in schools then we would like to admit.
The characters are real and wonderfully written, the mother and daughter duo of Delilah and Daisy is beautiful and you find yourself rooting for them all the way. #teamDD Hilarious Henry (Delilah’s best friend and business partner) keeps you entertained in every scene, I looked forward to his appearances in the book, and he never disappointed. Then there’s Mr Jones… “Mr Jones and me, we tell each other fairy tales…” Love that song and LOVE Sam Jones, he is the ultimate book-crush-guy!
Overall just an amazing read. Pamela, congratulations, you did it again!! As a reader, I am a huge fan and as a writer, you inspire me. I look forward to the next one.
May 22, 2017
School is a scary place! The hierarchies, the who’s who, the procedures, the uniformity, the enduring methodology of it all! And I’m not sure if it’s worse among the parents, the teachers or the actual children themselves! Single mom Delilah’s about to find out that it can be a very tough place indeed. Her lovely 12-year-old daughter Daisy is about to be named head girl of Hill House prep school, but then … she isn’t.
Delilah is perplexed to say the least. Daisy is popular, bright, and pretty much an all-round achiever academically, culturally and on the sports field – not to mention the fact that she has a wonderful mom who overcame all odds to get to where she is today. Why on earth would they pick Rosie to be head girl when her mom (Buffalo) Beth is a complete nightmare? And then, as if things weren’t awful enough, Rosie meets with a bit of an accident. Who’s responsible and will it be possible for Delilah and Daisy to emerge from the trenches of institutional warfare unscathed?
Thankfully they don’t have to battle on alone. They have loyal troops in their corner. There’s Henry, Delilah’s fabulously flamboyant business partner – I dare you to not fall instantly in love with him! Every single one of us deserves a Henry in our lives! Cass is Lilah’s straight-talking, rather scary lawyer. Fantastic if she’s fighting for your team, but beware if you’re anywhere near the opposition … you will not win! There’s also the delightful Portia, who … ummm … well … she doesn’t do much, at least not much of the stuff she’s supposed to do, but she’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that Delilah and Daisy are safe and secure. The delectable Sam adds some roguish spice into the mix too, ensuring that all is not just gloom and doom for our Lilah.
Power is wickedly witty and there are many (oh, so many!) laugh-out-loud moments in this rather dark, but completely on-point, story about the psyche of mob mentality and how social media feeds it. WhatsApp groups run amok; Instagram feeds increase by the minute and Facebook groups attract all manner of unknown individuals. Who knows who’s out there and who’s going to start the next rumour? Who do you trust when you’re caught in the eye of the storm?
Delilah Now Trending is fast-paced. Chapters are interspersed with anonymous diary entries, adding to the building intrigue, and you get that tight, knot-in-your-stomach feeling as you start to wonder if Daisy is quite as innocent as you were originally led to believe. I loved it, and it gets 5 fat, glittery stars from me!
Delilah is perplexed to say the least. Daisy is popular, bright, and pretty much an all-round achiever academically, culturally and on the sports field – not to mention the fact that she has a wonderful mom who overcame all odds to get to where she is today. Why on earth would they pick Rosie to be head girl when her mom (Buffalo) Beth is a complete nightmare? And then, as if things weren’t awful enough, Rosie meets with a bit of an accident. Who’s responsible and will it be possible for Delilah and Daisy to emerge from the trenches of institutional warfare unscathed?
Thankfully they don’t have to battle on alone. They have loyal troops in their corner. There’s Henry, Delilah’s fabulously flamboyant business partner – I dare you to not fall instantly in love with him! Every single one of us deserves a Henry in our lives! Cass is Lilah’s straight-talking, rather scary lawyer. Fantastic if she’s fighting for your team, but beware if you’re anywhere near the opposition … you will not win! There’s also the delightful Portia, who … ummm … well … she doesn’t do much, at least not much of the stuff she’s supposed to do, but she’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that Delilah and Daisy are safe and secure. The delectable Sam adds some roguish spice into the mix too, ensuring that all is not just gloom and doom for our Lilah.
Power is wickedly witty and there are many (oh, so many!) laugh-out-loud moments in this rather dark, but completely on-point, story about the psyche of mob mentality and how social media feeds it. WhatsApp groups run amok; Instagram feeds increase by the minute and Facebook groups attract all manner of unknown individuals. Who knows who’s out there and who’s going to start the next rumour? Who do you trust when you’re caught in the eye of the storm?
Delilah Now Trending is fast-paced. Chapters are interspersed with anonymous diary entries, adding to the building intrigue, and you get that tight, knot-in-your-stomach feeling as you start to wonder if Daisy is quite as innocent as you were originally led to believe. I loved it, and it gets 5 fat, glittery stars from me!
August 2, 2017
Delilah’s life goes off the rails, when her daughter – the star pupil Daisy – isn’t made head girl of her private junior school. Rosie Roberts, Daisy’s nemesis and the class bully, is chosen instead. But when Rosie is pushed off the second-storey balcony at school, Daisy becomes a suspect… Can Delilah be sure of her daughter’s innocence and how will she clear her name?
This delightful novel with a serious underbelly, is set in modern day Johannesburg. Pamela Power conveys the rich tapestry of her surroundings exquisitely. Her strong voice rings crystal clear and so, so true. I laughed and cried, through the drama and found so much of the story resonated with something deep inside of me. Power’s writing is masterful and she never fails to end a chapter on a cliff hanger. Her whacky sense of humour and sparky dialogue, take the edge off the sadder scenes, but not enough to do away with the box of tissues.
Bullying has always been my pet hate and Power captures the essence of it perfectly. Delilah’s incredible bravery is gently juxtaposed with her daughter’s level headed kindness and the wonderful relationship they have is inspiring. It did not surprise me in the least, that the dashing widower, Sam, was smitten with gorgeous, witty, complicated Delilah. I myself, fell in love with Henry, hated the closeted ex-husband and felt rather sorry for his LBW (Little Blonde Wife.) In fact, every character deserved to be in the story, including the ripped P I, Jonty – who had just a smidgen of ‘dodgy’ about him.
The diary extracts were a masterpiece and kept me glued to my sofa. Power is an expert at keeping the tension taut. Truth be told, I can’t fault this punchy, kick-ass novel which is incredibly fast paced and at the same time, delivers a powerful, unforgettable message. Certainly, every book club should have a copy and if like me, you buy Christmas presents early, then this fabulous read should feature in your stockings. One note of criticism? We need to know when the next novel is coming…
Love, Love, Loved it!
This delightful novel with a serious underbelly, is set in modern day Johannesburg. Pamela Power conveys the rich tapestry of her surroundings exquisitely. Her strong voice rings crystal clear and so, so true. I laughed and cried, through the drama and found so much of the story resonated with something deep inside of me. Power’s writing is masterful and she never fails to end a chapter on a cliff hanger. Her whacky sense of humour and sparky dialogue, take the edge off the sadder scenes, but not enough to do away with the box of tissues.
Bullying has always been my pet hate and Power captures the essence of it perfectly. Delilah’s incredible bravery is gently juxtaposed with her daughter’s level headed kindness and the wonderful relationship they have is inspiring. It did not surprise me in the least, that the dashing widower, Sam, was smitten with gorgeous, witty, complicated Delilah. I myself, fell in love with Henry, hated the closeted ex-husband and felt rather sorry for his LBW (Little Blonde Wife.) In fact, every character deserved to be in the story, including the ripped P I, Jonty – who had just a smidgen of ‘dodgy’ about him.
The diary extracts were a masterpiece and kept me glued to my sofa. Power is an expert at keeping the tension taut. Truth be told, I can’t fault this punchy, kick-ass novel which is incredibly fast paced and at the same time, delivers a powerful, unforgettable message. Certainly, every book club should have a copy and if like me, you buy Christmas presents early, then this fabulous read should feature in your stockings. One note of criticism? We need to know when the next novel is coming…
Love, Love, Loved it!
March 12, 2018
The class bully triumphs…or does she?
Delilah’s life goes off the rails when her daughter – the star pupil Daisy – isn’t made head girl of her private junior school. Rosie Roberts, Daisy’s nemesis and the class bully, is chosen instead. But when Rosie is pushed off the second-storey balcony at school, Daisy becomes a suspect… can Delilah be sure of her daughter’s innocence and how will she clear her name?
This delightful novel, with a serious underbelly, is set in modern-day Johannesburg. Pamela Power conveys the rich tapestry of her surroundings exquisitely. Her strong voice rings crystal clear. I laughed and cried through the drama and found so much of the story resonated with something deep inside of me. Power’s writing is masterful and she never fails to end a chapter on a cliffhanger. Her whacky sense of humour and sparky dialogue take the edge off the sadder scenes, but not enough to do away with the box of tissues.
Bullying has always been my pet hate and Power captures the essence of it perfectly. Delilah’s bravery is gently juxtaposed with her daughter’s level-headed kindness and the wonderful relationship they have is inspiring. It did not surprise me in the least that the dashing widower, Sam, was smitten with witty, complicated Delilah. I myself, fell in love with Henry, hated the closeted ex-husband and felt rather sorry for his LBW (Little Blonde Wife). In fact, every character deserved to be in the story, including the ripped PI, Jonty – who had just a smidgen of ‘dodgy’ about him.
The diary extracts were a masterpiece and kept me glued to my sofa. Power is an expert at keeping the tension taut. I can’t fault this punchy, kick-ass novel which is incredibly fast-paced and, at the same time, delivers a powerful, unforgettable message. Certainly, every book club should go out and buy a copy.
Loved it!
Gail
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Delilah’s life goes off the rails when her daughter – the star pupil Daisy – isn’t made head girl of her private junior school. Rosie Roberts, Daisy’s nemesis and the class bully, is chosen instead. But when Rosie is pushed off the second-storey balcony at school, Daisy becomes a suspect… can Delilah be sure of her daughter’s innocence and how will she clear her name?
This delightful novel, with a serious underbelly, is set in modern-day Johannesburg. Pamela Power conveys the rich tapestry of her surroundings exquisitely. Her strong voice rings crystal clear. I laughed and cried through the drama and found so much of the story resonated with something deep inside of me. Power’s writing is masterful and she never fails to end a chapter on a cliffhanger. Her whacky sense of humour and sparky dialogue take the edge off the sadder scenes, but not enough to do away with the box of tissues.
Bullying has always been my pet hate and Power captures the essence of it perfectly. Delilah’s bravery is gently juxtaposed with her daughter’s level-headed kindness and the wonderful relationship they have is inspiring. It did not surprise me in the least that the dashing widower, Sam, was smitten with witty, complicated Delilah. I myself, fell in love with Henry, hated the closeted ex-husband and felt rather sorry for his LBW (Little Blonde Wife). In fact, every character deserved to be in the story, including the ripped PI, Jonty – who had just a smidgen of ‘dodgy’ about him.
The diary extracts were a masterpiece and kept me glued to my sofa. Power is an expert at keeping the tension taut. I can’t fault this punchy, kick-ass novel which is incredibly fast-paced and, at the same time, delivers a powerful, unforgettable message. Certainly, every book club should go out and buy a copy.
Loved it!
Gail
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
May 7, 2017
Loved this fun and hilariously funny book, laced with a dark undertone.
December 17, 2017
I can safely say Pamela is one of my new favourite authors. A unique voice, funny and strong. Loved it.
September 29, 2021
i actually loved this book everything about it....
May 15, 2022
Not my fav
July 31, 2024
I had some good laughs, there were some really funny moments. Well written with a good plot twist.
August 16, 2022
First of all, I loved Delilah's sense of humour. Her dark sense of humour and her renaming people she hates with abbreviations made her even more likable.
At first I didn't understand why a successful woman would still be holding grudges and hating her ex-husband but as I read on, I realised that he had hurt her badly after pretending to be someone he wasn't. But her hate for Christopher did not stop her from being the best mother she could ever be, to Daisy. Infact, that very same hurt fueled her to do better and provide a better life for her Daisy. She also learned from her mother's mistakes and tried not put Daisy in the same position as she once was as a child.
Her motherly love is tested when Rosie falls from the balcony and all fingers point at Daisy. Delilah did all she could to protect Daisy but her past experiences had left her with trust issues. I didn't blame her for doubting her daughter at some point. Betrayal does that to people and leaves one with a crazy imagination and paranoia.
From this book, I learned that parenting doesn't have a manual and that a mother can do anything for her child.
Themes covered: betrayal, motherly love, friendship, bullying, peer pressure and many more.
At first I didn't understand why a successful woman would still be holding grudges and hating her ex-husband but as I read on, I realised that he had hurt her badly after pretending to be someone he wasn't. But her hate for Christopher did not stop her from being the best mother she could ever be, to Daisy. Infact, that very same hurt fueled her to do better and provide a better life for her Daisy. She also learned from her mother's mistakes and tried not put Daisy in the same position as she once was as a child.
Her motherly love is tested when Rosie falls from the balcony and all fingers point at Daisy. Delilah did all she could to protect Daisy but her past experiences had left her with trust issues. I didn't blame her for doubting her daughter at some point. Betrayal does that to people and leaves one with a crazy imagination and paranoia.
From this book, I learned that parenting doesn't have a manual and that a mother can do anything for her child.
Themes covered: betrayal, motherly love, friendship, bullying, peer pressure and many more.
August 6, 2019
The constant references to remind us that it's a South African book very unnecessary
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June 27, 2017This was so funny and the twist at the end was very surprising. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews