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Laura Lake #2
Last of the Summer Moët
ASIN moved to this edition
Laura Lake, deputy editor of glossy mag Society, has been promoted to the hot seat while her boss recovers from 'exhaustion' in rehab. Finally she's in charge, but who can she share the free jollies with?
Not her international glamourpuss BFF Lulu, who's left Knightsbridge for Britain's poshest village. Lulu's busy living the good life at her new pile Riffs, a ex-rock star's ex-country mansion.
But not everything in her guitar-shaped garden is lovely; Lulu's attempts to join the hunt, act in the panto and grow the biggest marrow are blocked by the snobbish locals.
Who does she call on for help? Journo extraordinaire, Laura Lake...
400 pages, ebook
Published February 1, 2018
219 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Holden
31 books423 followersWendy Holden grew up in Yorkshire, and studied English at Girton College, Cambridge. She worked in magazines for many years before joining Tatler's in 1997 as deputy editor, and later moved to the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine, which she left in 2000 to concentrate on writing. She regularly writes features for newspapers and magazines on a range of social, topical and lifestyle subjects and is also a television and radio contributor.
She has now published ten novels, Gallery Girl, Beautiful People, Bad Heir Day, Pastures Nouveaux, Fame Fatale, Azur Like It, The Wives of Bath, The School for Husbands, Filthy Rich, Farm Fatale, Gossip Hound, Simply Divine, all top 10 bestsellers.
Holden is married, and lives in England with her family.
She has now published ten novels, Gallery Girl, Beautiful People, Bad Heir Day, Pastures Nouveaux, Fame Fatale, Azur Like It, The Wives of Bath, The School for Husbands, Filthy Rich, Farm Fatale, Gossip Hound, Simply Divine, all top 10 bestsellers.
Holden is married, and lives in England with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
February 26, 2018
To be totally honest, I was afraid if this book, "Last of the Summer Moët" is going to be something for me - I tried to read the first novel in the series and I gave up but this time I just wanted to read it with an open mind and let the author to take me on one of the most farcical journeys ever. I think it's not a read for everybody - it's so crazy and so ridiculous, you could say too crazy and too ridiculous, and it's probably not going to hit all funny bones. It wasn't my kind of read but I liked it - maybe because I already knew what I can expect from Laura, so it didn't take me by such a great surprise. Yes, I skipped some passages, and there were moments that it was just too much of everything for me, but I finished the story and I also smiled when reading it. Even though it is a second book in the series, you can positively read it as a stand - alone.
So Laura Lake is back. Laura, the deputy editor of the glossy magazine, Society. She keeps hearing about a very secret village Great Hording, populated by the Britain's best - top managers, bank chefs, actors, writers, government ministers... Could be a big story for Laura, right? So with the help of her best friend Lulu she infiltrates the village and discovers many secrets and events that should never see the light of day. In the meantime, an old enemy appears at work again, ex - boyfriend playing the new James Bond resurfaces again and the present boyfriend comes and goes as he wants.
To absolutely, totally enjoy it, the fact that it was too far - fetched and there were many characters whose actions were not relatable at all stood in the way. Some of the features for the "Society" magazine were not only verging onto the bizarre, they were bizarre. And I understand that it is fiction but the plot has to at least have some threads that seem real and relatable. However, even with the plot being so overdone, with the characters trying to outdo each other in every aspect of life, with a top - secret village that doesn't appear on any map, the author handles everything mostly really well. All the different strands of plot and storyline at the first sight seemed to have nothing in common, however in the end they come together and all this far - fetched on many levels aside, there comes a moment that you take it all as a normal thing - you just get used to all this ridiculousness and hilarity and overdoing, and to your surprise the story makes sense.
Laura is probably the most sane element of this story and I liked her humour and her resilience. The thing that didn't work so much for me was her in and out relationship with Harry who kept disappearing, and I must admit that it was more irritating than intriguing.
There were tons of very eclectic characters in this story, especially in out top secret village Great Hording, and I didn't even try to keep track of them, to be honest, and I don't think it was necessary. Probably because of the great number of them, they just felt a little under - developed. Some of the descriptions were too over - done and I just had a feeling that the author has tried too much.
Altogether, it was a light and entertaining read, albeit not totally right up to my alley when it comes to the sense of humour and sometimes absurd plot. Nevertheless it can hit your funny bone and I'd really recommend to you to read this book - it's different, it's unusual and sometimes this is all what we need.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
February 17, 2021
Holy wow this was terrible (and yet somehow exactly what I needed in the middle of a new - albeit hopefully brief - lockdown. I even read another one in the series, which was, if possible, even more diabolical. I also laughed, a lot - mostly at how ridiculous the writing was. Good times.)
January 23, 2018
Wendy Holden’s Last of the Summer Moët is a fun and quick read. However, there are too many characters, and the plot is sometimes too far-fetched.
Our heroine is Laura Lake, deputy editor of the glossy Society magazine. On the hunt for a big story, she discovers a top-secret village for the British elite. Great Hording is an elaborate country retreat for famous writers, government ministers, film stars and even the head of MI6. Laura infiltrates the village with the help of Lulu, her billionaire friend. As Laura writes her exposé on the village, she also juggles competition from an old enemy at work and two romances with a mysterious sort-of boyfriend who keeps disappearing and a slimy actor who plays James Bond. Meanwhile, devastating secrets come out about the inhabitants of the village but it’s not Laura’s doing.
The plot is jampacked with romantic entanglements, the absurdity of the high-fashion world, conspiracies and, of course, each villager in Great Hording trying to outdo one other with their shenanigans. Holden mostly handles the various strands of the plot pretty well. I do like that the separate storylines come together eventually. However, the ending feels rushed and I would like to see more development on the ways in which things are interconnected.
Laura is a great and well-developed character. She is humorous and resilient. I adore Lulu, the over-the-top heiress who is funny and sweet. However, it becomes tiresome to understand her speech and I wish there had been less focus on translation. I also want more depth for Lulu. I’m not impressed with Laura’s love interest Harry whose mysteriousness doesn’t really make him intriguing.
There are also too many characters and it is difficult to keep track of them. Although many are pitch perfectly ridiculous, I sometimes could not tell one bizarre rich person in the village from another. However, I do love the silly names like Caspar Honeyman and Bouncy Castle.
Additionally, the descriptions are sometimes too much. While I appreciate how Holden uses details to reflect and enhance character and setting, the overly intricate descriptions are overwhelming and sometimes unnecessary.
Last of the Summer Moët is a light read that will keep you entertained. I admire Holden’s creativity, but I did expect more from the book. While the novel is humorous and nicely-paced with some memorable moments, the plot can be too absurd. However, I do like the book and I wouldn’t mind reading more Laura Lake books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for this book in exchange for an honest review.
Our heroine is Laura Lake, deputy editor of the glossy Society magazine. On the hunt for a big story, she discovers a top-secret village for the British elite. Great Hording is an elaborate country retreat for famous writers, government ministers, film stars and even the head of MI6. Laura infiltrates the village with the help of Lulu, her billionaire friend. As Laura writes her exposé on the village, she also juggles competition from an old enemy at work and two romances with a mysterious sort-of boyfriend who keeps disappearing and a slimy actor who plays James Bond. Meanwhile, devastating secrets come out about the inhabitants of the village but it’s not Laura’s doing.
The plot is jampacked with romantic entanglements, the absurdity of the high-fashion world, conspiracies and, of course, each villager in Great Hording trying to outdo one other with their shenanigans. Holden mostly handles the various strands of the plot pretty well. I do like that the separate storylines come together eventually. However, the ending feels rushed and I would like to see more development on the ways in which things are interconnected.
Laura is a great and well-developed character. She is humorous and resilient. I adore Lulu, the over-the-top heiress who is funny and sweet. However, it becomes tiresome to understand her speech and I wish there had been less focus on translation. I also want more depth for Lulu. I’m not impressed with Laura’s love interest Harry whose mysteriousness doesn’t really make him intriguing.
There are also too many characters and it is difficult to keep track of them. Although many are pitch perfectly ridiculous, I sometimes could not tell one bizarre rich person in the village from another. However, I do love the silly names like Caspar Honeyman and Bouncy Castle.
Additionally, the descriptions are sometimes too much. While I appreciate how Holden uses details to reflect and enhance character and setting, the overly intricate descriptions are overwhelming and sometimes unnecessary.
Last of the Summer Moët is a light read that will keep you entertained. I admire Holden’s creativity, but I did expect more from the book. While the novel is humorous and nicely-paced with some memorable moments, the plot can be too absurd. However, I do like the book and I wouldn’t mind reading more Laura Lake books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2018
I liked this much better than book 1. Laura is a pretty likable protagonist and I like how resilient and kind she is.
What I didn’t like:
The fact that one of the characters became happy and this was demonstrated partially with weight loss and a transition away from funky hair dye. (I have had this issue with other Wendy Holden books as well). Also, the reveal at the end was flat out ridiculous and this book is way too fluffy to try to tie things up with such a heavy, unearned political bow. Also also: Laura’s sporadic memories of grandma’s sayings/opinions randomly sprinkled throughout the books didn’t add anything to the story. Like, who really is your grandma and why do I care about her opinions on ice cubes?
Overall, fun and fast read.
What I didn’t like:
The fact that one of the characters became happy and this was demonstrated partially with weight loss and a transition away from funky hair dye. (I have had this issue with other Wendy Holden books as well). Also, the reveal at the end was flat out ridiculous and this book is way too fluffy to try to tie things up with such a heavy, unearned political bow. Also also: Laura’s sporadic memories of grandma’s sayings/opinions randomly sprinkled throughout the books didn’t add anything to the story. Like, who really is your grandma and why do I care about her opinions on ice cubes?
Overall, fun and fast read.
August 28, 2019
Let me start by asking whether I’m the only one who thinks the cover text with this book is wrong? It says that Lulu left London to go and live in Great Hording, but has to call Laura to help her. The person who wrote this obviously didn’t read the book. Without spoiling anything I can say it is the other way around: Lulu buys her new house in Great Hording because she is not allowed to stay in the local hotel if she doesn’t own a house in the village – strange, but that is Wendy Holden for you. So Lulu buys a house in Great Hording. This is about halfway the story.
I’m a big fan of Wendy Holden and have reread most of her books, but somehow I missed out on the first Laura Lake book. Last of the summer Moët can be read as a standalone although I will go and buy the first book soon – I really loved the character of Clemency Makepeace. Not because she is such a lovely person, but because she is bad in a typically Holden-way.
This book is for the most part a typically Holden book, with typical characters. The nice, educated and determined girl journalist. The handsome boyfriend ánd the other handsome guy. The horrible female boss. The outrageous friend. The little village. The silly names. And somewhere, underneath all this, a story. I’m happy I’ve enjoyed Holden’s other books because The last of the summer Moët is not at all easy to grasp if you don’t know your way around in Holden’s universe. I for me was a little disappointed. Although all ingredients are there, it feels like the result is a little bit off. There is just too much going on and everything, and I mean everything in this book is a little more over the top than is actually funny.
I hope Wendy Holden will write more books like Bad Heir Day and Pastures Nouveaux, to name a few of my favorites. They have the same ingredients but the result is so much better.
Thank you Head of Zeus publising and Netgalley.
I’m a big fan of Wendy Holden and have reread most of her books, but somehow I missed out on the first Laura Lake book. Last of the summer Moët can be read as a standalone although I will go and buy the first book soon – I really loved the character of Clemency Makepeace. Not because she is such a lovely person, but because she is bad in a typically Holden-way.
This book is for the most part a typically Holden book, with typical characters. The nice, educated and determined girl journalist. The handsome boyfriend ánd the other handsome guy. The horrible female boss. The outrageous friend. The little village. The silly names. And somewhere, underneath all this, a story. I’m happy I’ve enjoyed Holden’s other books because The last of the summer Moët is not at all easy to grasp if you don’t know your way around in Holden’s universe. I for me was a little disappointed. Although all ingredients are there, it feels like the result is a little bit off. There is just too much going on and everything, and I mean everything in this book is a little more over the top than is actually funny.
I hope Wendy Holden will write more books like Bad Heir Day and Pastures Nouveaux, to name a few of my favorites. They have the same ingredients but the result is so much better.
Thank you Head of Zeus publising and Netgalley.
February 14, 2018
Laura Lake is back with a bang and this time she manages to get herself into even more crazy situations in LAST OF THE SUMMER MOËT by Wendy Holden.
As acting deputy editor of glossy magazine, Society, Laura Lake is determined to make the most of being in charge so when she discovers that there is a village in the English countryside that plays host to some of the wealthiest celebrities and politicians in the world, Laura jumps at the opportunity to enter this privileged society, courtesy of her wealthy best friend, Lulu. With the locals making themselves known, insane escapades and hilarious deeds and misunderstandings, Laura will never have a dull moment, and as for her love life, well that's another disaster entirely ...
LAST OF THE SUMMER MOËT by Wendy Holden is a book that will make you laugh out loud, roll your eyes at the mad-cap positions Laura and the rest of the characters will find themselves in, and simply cheer you right up on these cold, wintery days. While there are a lot of characters to keep a track of, this didn't bother me and I enjoyed it all the more for it. Most of the drama and action in this story is a bit off-the-wall but that's what I loved about it!
LAST OF THE SUMMER MOËT by Wendy Holden is a novel that will make you laugh and suck you into a world of unbelievable wealth and craziness and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! I can't wait for more from Laura Lake.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley
As acting deputy editor of glossy magazine, Society, Laura Lake is determined to make the most of being in charge so when she discovers that there is a village in the English countryside that plays host to some of the wealthiest celebrities and politicians in the world, Laura jumps at the opportunity to enter this privileged society, courtesy of her wealthy best friend, Lulu. With the locals making themselves known, insane escapades and hilarious deeds and misunderstandings, Laura will never have a dull moment, and as for her love life, well that's another disaster entirely ...
LAST OF THE SUMMER MOËT by Wendy Holden is a book that will make you laugh out loud, roll your eyes at the mad-cap positions Laura and the rest of the characters will find themselves in, and simply cheer you right up on these cold, wintery days. While there are a lot of characters to keep a track of, this didn't bother me and I enjoyed it all the more for it. Most of the drama and action in this story is a bit off-the-wall but that's what I loved about it!
LAST OF THE SUMMER MOËT by Wendy Holden is a novel that will make you laugh and suck you into a world of unbelievable wealth and craziness and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!! I can't wait for more from Laura Lake.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley
February 21, 2018
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I was really looking forward to reading this book after reading the blurb and seeing the book’s cover. It was an easy read and I flew through the pages.
The characters were good and I did enjoy the interaction between the main characters and I think that worked really well for the story.
I did enjoy this book overall but sadly I found the plot a little bit far fetched at times so I have only give the book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars for Amazon and Goodreads.
I was really looking forward to reading this book after reading the blurb and seeing the book’s cover. It was an easy read and I flew through the pages.
The characters were good and I did enjoy the interaction between the main characters and I think that worked really well for the story.
I did enjoy this book overall but sadly I found the plot a little bit far fetched at times so I have only give the book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars for Amazon and Goodreads.
January 15, 2018
Laura Lake is back in a whole new adventure that starts at the hilarious and moves onto the sublimely ridiculous, with one of the most farcical plots I have ever read.
It is so far fetched on so many levels that all I can do is applaud the imagination and creativity of the author for coming up with it in the first place, and for the most part elements of the story made sense.
The ending which could have been brilliant, felt incredibly rushed, and I'm left with a sense that the series will just get arguably sillier and sillier in its storylines of what Laura is trying to investigate.
I would have loved to get to know any of her off-on men in her life better. I did enjoy all the increasingly weird features ideas for Society magazine, some of which are definitely verging onto the bizarre.
Dependent on your sense of humour this is a book that could be described as hilarious, it just didn't quite hit my funny bone. I did enjoy Laura's best friend Lulu, but after a while all of the mispronunciations started to get mildly annoying, as I was having to try along with Laura to work out what Lulu was talking about most of the time.
Although this didn't work particularly well in places for me, I can fully appreciate just much work has been put into writing this book, complete with all the new characters of the village Laura was investigating. Unfortunately so many of the villagers and Laura's colleagues just were unlikeable.
After the brilliance of Laura Lake and the Three Weddings (or whatever the current title is) I was just left disappointed by this one unfortunately.
Thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
It is so far fetched on so many levels that all I can do is applaud the imagination and creativity of the author for coming up with it in the first place, and for the most part elements of the story made sense.
The ending which could have been brilliant, felt incredibly rushed, and I'm left with a sense that the series will just get arguably sillier and sillier in its storylines of what Laura is trying to investigate.
I would have loved to get to know any of her off-on men in her life better. I did enjoy all the increasingly weird features ideas for Society magazine, some of which are definitely verging onto the bizarre.
Dependent on your sense of humour this is a book that could be described as hilarious, it just didn't quite hit my funny bone. I did enjoy Laura's best friend Lulu, but after a while all of the mispronunciations started to get mildly annoying, as I was having to try along with Laura to work out what Lulu was talking about most of the time.
Although this didn't work particularly well in places for me, I can fully appreciate just much work has been put into writing this book, complete with all the new characters of the village Laura was investigating. Unfortunately so many of the villagers and Laura's colleagues just were unlikeable.
After the brilliance of Laura Lake and the Three Weddings (or whatever the current title is) I was just left disappointed by this one unfortunately.
Thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
January 18, 2018
Not as good as her others. 7/10. Read my review as part of the blog tour on my blog : candysbookcase.wordpress.com on 02/02/18.
May 2, 2018
The main character is a moron, timelines are screwed-up, most of the characters are walking cliches and most of the details are idiotic and highly unbelievable. In the garbage it goes.
November 20, 2018
jilly cooper blurbed this as being "effing marvellous." jilly cooper lied.
March 8, 2022
This was good fun, and reminded me why I used to love reading Wendy Holden’s books. She’s a gentle yet silly chick lit author where things always turn out alright in the end, sort of the Agatha Raisin without the murders. My only point with this was it went on just a bit too long, and it also had a lot of punctuation errors in it which surprised me!
February 23, 2020
Quite ridiculous.
May 8, 2018
I've loved reading Wendy Holden's novels for years, since I discovered the outrageously bonkers Champagne DeVyne and was hooked, so it's so lovely to be back in Holden country. As ever, it is a place of puns, outrageous names and characters who put the absolute fun in dysfunctional; all in ridiculously high fashion, of course!
This is the second instalment in the Laura Lake series, and sees our intrepid journalist investigating the comings and goings of an elite village and its residents, as well as trying to keep hold of her job as acting editor of Society magazine in the face of challenges from her arch enemy Clemency Makepeace. Add to this an on off relationship with the delectably mysterious Harry, who keeps vanishing at the most inopportune moments, and the increasingly eccentric exploits of Laura's billionheiress bestie Lulu and you've got a recipe for a laugh riot.
I've always loved Wendy Holden's ability to gently parody the excesses of the London scene, from her consistently witty naming of incidental characters (Lady Rose 'Bouncy' Castle and her wolfoodle, anyone?!) to the emotional heart of the leading players. Laura is a character who is easy to relate to, with a wry eye but the usual insecurities (even if she does have quite a close relationship with megastar Caspar Honeyman, the new James Bond), and she makes a great cypher for Holden to poke fun at the wilder side of the media, but also develop a story of friendship, loyalty and adventure.
While I'd have loved to have found out more about the back story of Peter Delabole, Great Hording bookseller, and have seen more happen with Kiki, to add more perhaps would have slowed the pace of what really is a rip roaring ride. Great Hording itself is grotesque in its small village opulence, and is a fab setting for the main action of the novel. Location wise, this novel has the best of both worlds - a buzzy metropolitan scene as well as a fun depiction of rural life for the chattering classes. I love Wendy Holden's tongue in cheek descriptions of the way the Cods Head Row residents are so hung up on their arts and crafts, and the Cockney rhyming slang Silicon Valley expats are fab, too.
All in all, another great read, and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. More please!
This is the second instalment in the Laura Lake series, and sees our intrepid journalist investigating the comings and goings of an elite village and its residents, as well as trying to keep hold of her job as acting editor of Society magazine in the face of challenges from her arch enemy Clemency Makepeace. Add to this an on off relationship with the delectably mysterious Harry, who keeps vanishing at the most inopportune moments, and the increasingly eccentric exploits of Laura's billionheiress bestie Lulu and you've got a recipe for a laugh riot.
I've always loved Wendy Holden's ability to gently parody the excesses of the London scene, from her consistently witty naming of incidental characters (Lady Rose 'Bouncy' Castle and her wolfoodle, anyone?!) to the emotional heart of the leading players. Laura is a character who is easy to relate to, with a wry eye but the usual insecurities (even if she does have quite a close relationship with megastar Caspar Honeyman, the new James Bond), and she makes a great cypher for Holden to poke fun at the wilder side of the media, but also develop a story of friendship, loyalty and adventure.
While I'd have loved to have found out more about the back story of Peter Delabole, Great Hording bookseller, and have seen more happen with Kiki, to add more perhaps would have slowed the pace of what really is a rip roaring ride. Great Hording itself is grotesque in its small village opulence, and is a fab setting for the main action of the novel. Location wise, this novel has the best of both worlds - a buzzy metropolitan scene as well as a fun depiction of rural life for the chattering classes. I love Wendy Holden's tongue in cheek descriptions of the way the Cods Head Row residents are so hung up on their arts and crafts, and the Cockney rhyming slang Silicon Valley expats are fab, too.
All in all, another great read, and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. More please!
February 26, 2018
With Last of the Summer Moet Wendy Holden is back with her second novel in the Laura Lake series. This time Laura is after the story that will cement her position as editor for Society magazine. She’s heard rumours of a super secret village hiding some of the countries rich and famous. Through her connections with celebrity billionaire heiress Lulu, who just so happens to want a country home, Laura gains access to the exclusive village of Great Hording and sets about investigating. Before Laura has chance to write her expose on the village her arch enemy Clemency Makepeace returns to well…. disturb the peace.
As the second book in this series it follows on well from where the first book ended and I love that so many of my favourite characters from the first Laura Lake book have returned such as Lulu, Casper and Clemency. I’m particularly glad Lulu is back, I love Lulu and her quirky dialogue which can often be misinterpreted. Leading to some interesting conversations.
Along with getting her great story Laura is also having trouble in her love life as both previous lovers Harry and Casper are vying for her attention, she’s not entirely sure of the sincerity of either though, as both quite literally disappear from her bed as soon as they’re in it.
The plot of this book does border on the ridiculous, especially the ending but I think this is the kind of book where you just must not take it too seriously and enjoy it for what it is fun. I find Wendy Holden’s writing incredible funny, so I love her far-fetched storylines and the over-exaggerated characters, the wackier the better in my opinion.
I love that Wendy Holden has not given all the answers surrounding the mystery of Laura’s father Peter Lake, which fingers crossed means there is a third book in the pipeline, no doubt with an even crazier storyline.
I think Wendy Holden fans like me are sure to adore this latest edition to her growing collection of light-hearted, quirky and full of fun novels.
Thank you so much to the publishers Head of Zeus for sending me a copy to review honestly and for inviting me to be part of the blog tour.
As the second book in this series it follows on well from where the first book ended and I love that so many of my favourite characters from the first Laura Lake book have returned such as Lulu, Casper and Clemency. I’m particularly glad Lulu is back, I love Lulu and her quirky dialogue which can often be misinterpreted. Leading to some interesting conversations.
Along with getting her great story Laura is also having trouble in her love life as both previous lovers Harry and Casper are vying for her attention, she’s not entirely sure of the sincerity of either though, as both quite literally disappear from her bed as soon as they’re in it.
The plot of this book does border on the ridiculous, especially the ending but I think this is the kind of book where you just must not take it too seriously and enjoy it for what it is fun. I find Wendy Holden’s writing incredible funny, so I love her far-fetched storylines and the over-exaggerated characters, the wackier the better in my opinion.
I love that Wendy Holden has not given all the answers surrounding the mystery of Laura’s father Peter Lake, which fingers crossed means there is a third book in the pipeline, no doubt with an even crazier storyline.
I think Wendy Holden fans like me are sure to adore this latest edition to her growing collection of light-hearted, quirky and full of fun novels.
Thank you so much to the publishers Head of Zeus for sending me a copy to review honestly and for inviting me to be part of the blog tour.
September 11, 2018
Last of the Summer Moet by Wendy Holden
This is a book my Dad picked up from Palmers Green library and i then borrowed it to read on holiday.
Wendy Holden’s writing is fast paced and has you gripped from the beginning. You get a sense of urgency and drama running through the book but also fantastic humour and irony.
The main character is Laura Lake, a 23 year old half French foodie living in Shoreditch but working on a glossy magazine as a journalist called Society”.
Laura is living in hip and happening Cod's Head Row, Shoreditch and trying to make her way in the world of journalism and navigate her way through the emotions of love and friendship.
I loved the way Wendy Holden describes Shoreditch. She writes about the local businesses and the people who run them with great humour and insight especially as part of the book is set in the countryside.
“Despite being situated in the London of 2018 most of the Cod's head row businesses were more in tune with the medieval countryside. There is a shop selling hand churned butter and another trading in obscure artisanal cheeses. Nigel Forage the greengrocer stocked only the produce of local allotments and leaves hand gathered from the nearby park. Laura never bought those. The nearby park contained far too many dogs.
Laura lived in a scruffy first floor walk up above Gorblimey Trousers, a self conscious pie and mash caff run by husband and husband team of ex Google executives. On either side was Reaping the Whirlwind, a scything workshop and Bodgers which made chopping boards from reclaimed wood and stamped them with expletives.”
You get the sense that Laura has a real passion for writing and a good nose for a story compared to her colleagues at Society who are mostly there because they are aristocratic and whose homes are open to the public.
Carinthia is Laura’s boss, the Editor of Society and due to alcoholism is leaving a trail of destruction at Society. She has a habit of printing the most trivial and sometimes farcical articles.
Somehow the reader gets the impression that Laura Lake has a more natural talent and it would make sense for her to take over as Editor when Carinthia has to go off for “Indefinite Spa Leave” due to alcohol problems.
Things don’t go to plan for Laura though as her old “frenemy” Clemency Makepeace wheedles her way into “Society”, manipulating the Managing Director to take over as Acting Editor.
The reader develops a deep empathy for Laura and you can feel that Clemency is making her life a real nightmare. it would have made even the strongest willed journalist quit but Laura lake is indignant at this injustice and determined to stay calm.
I found myself really rooting for Lake and wanted her to get her job back. Wendy Holden really well portrayed the villain character Clemency with describing her cat green eyes and red lipstick.
Laura thinks about the most punchy articles she can write to keep her job and try and claw back her editorship at Society. This need to pin down a juicy story leads Laura to a town called “Great Hording” where all the rich and famous like to have houses and spend their weekends there and then go back to London for the week. Great Hording is so exclusive it is not even searchable on the internet. You have to be a famous actor, politician, billionaire oligarch to live there!
As well as the Great Hording article, Laura lands an interview with Ellen who is a Sunday Times Foreign Affairs Correspondent and worked with Laura’s Dad Peter Lake.
Laura Lake’s Dad Peter died in mysterious circumstances in a plane crash but he obviously plays heavily on her mind and influenced her more than she consciously knew.
Laura remembers that Ellen lives in Shad Thames(even though her phone had been stolen by the Editor ‘s Russian spy PA) she silently thanks her journalist Dad Peter Lake and feels he’s looking out for her.
I thought it was funny and touching moment when during the interview at the flat in Shad Thames Ellen tells Laura that “you didn’t need to learn (journalism) you inherited it. You’re a very good writer you know
The theme of food plays quite heavily in the book. The main character Laura Lake has a Parisian Grandmother called Mimi. Mimi has instilled in Laura a love of french cooking and taught her the importance of cooking from scratch, fresh but simple ingredients. Herbs from Paris on your kitchen windowsill is a must. Mimi also features in the book when Laura needs to know what to do next in a tricky, almost impossible situation. “What would Mimi do?”
There is the juxtaposition of the simple Parisian cooking taught by Mimi with the fakeness of thought food of Shoreditch and the haute cuisine of the Golden Goose, the delis, the butchers
Many times in the book Laura comes home to hardly any food in her home or goes to someone else’s house as a guest and uses her cooking skills to make incredibly tasty but simple dishes using salt, pepper garlic, spaghetti and anchovies with a bit of basil from the herb pots!
Food is hilariously portrayed in the book.
“A lavish dinner by leading chef Beowulf Borgenberg beef aged in Himalayan salt caves served with After Eight gravy”
“Di’s Deli in Great Hording has an old fashioned bicycle outside it. The shop has expensive windows featuring bottles of champagne, pots of caviar and tins of foie gras arranged in wicker hampers fitted with leather straps and padded with muted checks”
Another theme is hypocrisy and social injustice
An intern called Wyatt whose dad is the deputy governor of the Bank of England says to laura that she thinks “internships are unfair, a closed shop for the well connected. They stand in the way of social mobility and they skew the employment market so graduates can’t get a paid entry level job.”
Wyatt says “The golden goose used to be called the farmers arms, it used to be nice but now it’s horrible, all designer rooms, celebrity chefs and kitchen gardens. It’s nice if you’re stinking rich but not if you’ve been priced out of everything like a lot of the local people “
Why should former working farms become Marie Antoinette playgrounds with helipads and recording studios? Why should the village school shut down because the only children around go to private schools? Why should the village lanes, formerly bustling with life now be empty apart from the lost Ocado van looking for the oligarch’s mansion.
This is a book my Dad picked up from Palmers Green library and i then borrowed it to read on holiday.
Wendy Holden’s writing is fast paced and has you gripped from the beginning. You get a sense of urgency and drama running through the book but also fantastic humour and irony.
The main character is Laura Lake, a 23 year old half French foodie living in Shoreditch but working on a glossy magazine as a journalist called Society”.
Laura is living in hip and happening Cod's Head Row, Shoreditch and trying to make her way in the world of journalism and navigate her way through the emotions of love and friendship.
I loved the way Wendy Holden describes Shoreditch. She writes about the local businesses and the people who run them with great humour and insight especially as part of the book is set in the countryside.
“Despite being situated in the London of 2018 most of the Cod's head row businesses were more in tune with the medieval countryside. There is a shop selling hand churned butter and another trading in obscure artisanal cheeses. Nigel Forage the greengrocer stocked only the produce of local allotments and leaves hand gathered from the nearby park. Laura never bought those. The nearby park contained far too many dogs.
Laura lived in a scruffy first floor walk up above Gorblimey Trousers, a self conscious pie and mash caff run by husband and husband team of ex Google executives. On either side was Reaping the Whirlwind, a scything workshop and Bodgers which made chopping boards from reclaimed wood and stamped them with expletives.”
You get the sense that Laura has a real passion for writing and a good nose for a story compared to her colleagues at Society who are mostly there because they are aristocratic and whose homes are open to the public.
Carinthia is Laura’s boss, the Editor of Society and due to alcoholism is leaving a trail of destruction at Society. She has a habit of printing the most trivial and sometimes farcical articles.
Somehow the reader gets the impression that Laura Lake has a more natural talent and it would make sense for her to take over as Editor when Carinthia has to go off for “Indefinite Spa Leave” due to alcohol problems.
Things don’t go to plan for Laura though as her old “frenemy” Clemency Makepeace wheedles her way into “Society”, manipulating the Managing Director to take over as Acting Editor.
The reader develops a deep empathy for Laura and you can feel that Clemency is making her life a real nightmare. it would have made even the strongest willed journalist quit but Laura lake is indignant at this injustice and determined to stay calm.
I found myself really rooting for Lake and wanted her to get her job back. Wendy Holden really well portrayed the villain character Clemency with describing her cat green eyes and red lipstick.
Laura thinks about the most punchy articles she can write to keep her job and try and claw back her editorship at Society. This need to pin down a juicy story leads Laura to a town called “Great Hording” where all the rich and famous like to have houses and spend their weekends there and then go back to London for the week. Great Hording is so exclusive it is not even searchable on the internet. You have to be a famous actor, politician, billionaire oligarch to live there!
As well as the Great Hording article, Laura lands an interview with Ellen who is a Sunday Times Foreign Affairs Correspondent and worked with Laura’s Dad Peter Lake.
Laura Lake’s Dad Peter died in mysterious circumstances in a plane crash but he obviously plays heavily on her mind and influenced her more than she consciously knew.
Laura remembers that Ellen lives in Shad Thames(even though her phone had been stolen by the Editor ‘s Russian spy PA) she silently thanks her journalist Dad Peter Lake and feels he’s looking out for her.
I thought it was funny and touching moment when during the interview at the flat in Shad Thames Ellen tells Laura that “you didn’t need to learn (journalism) you inherited it. You’re a very good writer you know
The theme of food plays quite heavily in the book. The main character Laura Lake has a Parisian Grandmother called Mimi. Mimi has instilled in Laura a love of french cooking and taught her the importance of cooking from scratch, fresh but simple ingredients. Herbs from Paris on your kitchen windowsill is a must. Mimi also features in the book when Laura needs to know what to do next in a tricky, almost impossible situation. “What would Mimi do?”
There is the juxtaposition of the simple Parisian cooking taught by Mimi with the fakeness of thought food of Shoreditch and the haute cuisine of the Golden Goose, the delis, the butchers
Many times in the book Laura comes home to hardly any food in her home or goes to someone else’s house as a guest and uses her cooking skills to make incredibly tasty but simple dishes using salt, pepper garlic, spaghetti and anchovies with a bit of basil from the herb pots!
Food is hilariously portrayed in the book.
“A lavish dinner by leading chef Beowulf Borgenberg beef aged in Himalayan salt caves served with After Eight gravy”
“Di’s Deli in Great Hording has an old fashioned bicycle outside it. The shop has expensive windows featuring bottles of champagne, pots of caviar and tins of foie gras arranged in wicker hampers fitted with leather straps and padded with muted checks”
Another theme is hypocrisy and social injustice
An intern called Wyatt whose dad is the deputy governor of the Bank of England says to laura that she thinks “internships are unfair, a closed shop for the well connected. They stand in the way of social mobility and they skew the employment market so graduates can’t get a paid entry level job.”
Wyatt says “The golden goose used to be called the farmers arms, it used to be nice but now it’s horrible, all designer rooms, celebrity chefs and kitchen gardens. It’s nice if you’re stinking rich but not if you’ve been priced out of everything like a lot of the local people “
Why should former working farms become Marie Antoinette playgrounds with helipads and recording studios? Why should the village school shut down because the only children around go to private schools? Why should the village lanes, formerly bustling with life now be empty apart from the lost Ocado van looking for the oligarch’s mansion.
February 7, 2018
This is such a fun read – warm, witty and I defy anyone not to giggle all the way through!
Laura Lake has the weirdest colleagues and even more outlandish friends and I loved every one of them. Wendy Holden is an author I have read previously – oops, some time ago – but her talent in choosing wild and wacky names for her characters hasn’t diminished one bit and she follows through with her fabulous descriptions of some very strange characters indeed! The basic storyline is good, but the embellishments are what makes this story GREAT.
I had the strangest moments working out characters genres – it’s really not so easy to decide whether ‘Wonky’ is male or female and as for ‘Vlad’ .. well, read the book and you’ll see what I mean! Would I recommend this – you bet! Give yourself a treat and line this one up .. you’ll raise your spirits, laugh out loud and have the best time!
My thanks to publishers Head of Zeus for approving my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
Laura Lake has the weirdest colleagues and even more outlandish friends and I loved every one of them. Wendy Holden is an author I have read previously – oops, some time ago – but her talent in choosing wild and wacky names for her characters hasn’t diminished one bit and she follows through with her fabulous descriptions of some very strange characters indeed! The basic storyline is good, but the embellishments are what makes this story GREAT.
I had the strangest moments working out characters genres – it’s really not so easy to decide whether ‘Wonky’ is male or female and as for ‘Vlad’ .. well, read the book and you’ll see what I mean! Would I recommend this – you bet! Give yourself a treat and line this one up .. you’ll raise your spirits, laugh out loud and have the best time!
My thanks to publishers Head of Zeus for approving my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
February 20, 2018
Laura Lake is living the dream: editing a fancy society-fashion mag in London, dating dashing Harry, best friends with multi-millionheiress Lulu, etc. For all its UK setting and characters, the plot-base is very American current political intrigue, with nary a mention of Brexit.
This seemed to be written for quick thrills and giggles, with LOL-grade cleverness, like "she was the very opposite of incognito. She was ultracognito." On the other hand, there were also inconsistencies and contrivances, but I don't think Wendy Holden's readers mind (for example Laura madly scribbling her notes at an interview with the world's biggest celebrity, at Buckingham Palace, without a photographer or an assistant, just scribbling notes by hand). And while I find it interesting that French people avoid bad breath by drinking champagne with ice in it, I did not enjoy the constant repetition of Laura always being hungry at mealtimes, and how very French that is.
This seemed to be written for quick thrills and giggles, with LOL-grade cleverness, like "she was the very opposite of incognito. She was ultracognito." On the other hand, there were also inconsistencies and contrivances, but I don't think Wendy Holden's readers mind (for example Laura madly scribbling her notes at an interview with the world's biggest celebrity, at Buckingham Palace, without a photographer or an assistant, just scribbling notes by hand). And while I find it interesting that French people avoid bad breath by drinking champagne with ice in it, I did not enjoy the constant repetition of Laura always being hungry at mealtimes, and how very French that is.
August 6, 2021
What a load of rubbish. Senseless nonsense. Honestly, I struggled to get through it. It reads like a bad spoof and tries so hard not to be boring that it is exhaustingly ridiculous. Too many silly names, puns, made up words, over-the-top characters and obsolete phrases. Every few pages I was looking words up. It was rife with proofing errors too. With all those distractions, I could hardly keep up with the story, let alone the main character’s love life (which was confusing, to say the least). I hated that the author relentlessly poked fun at real celebrities and brand names. There just wasn’t anything funny about it, especially when it was done all the time throughout the whole book. But the worst part? For me, it was the offensive and insulting portrayal of Lulu. It implies anyone with English as a second language is stupid!? I haven’t disliked a book so strongly for so long. I’m shocked people liked this.
October 25, 2020
I decided to read this book as I had just finished a dark novel and wanted a light, heart warming, funny and or easy read. I chose this hoping it would be that. I struggled from the first chapter, but carried on, almost half way through I gave up. The constant made up names throughout, the forced humour, over thought out sentences, and characters that I could not connect with or found interesting, or relate-able, and there is a few in there, so it just made me feel bored. The book was trying so hard to be funny, but achieved the opposite. It was a difficult read that made my head scrunch! I had to keep reading the same sentences back, the style of writing is so difficult to grasp also, very frustrating. Unfortunately, it is one of the very few books I could not complete.
February 15, 2018
This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
February 4, 2018
This is the first Wendy Holden book I've read and I wasn't disappointed. It's clever and funny, the characters are great and I loved the ending. Don't worry, no spoilers! It's just a great story that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, convinced you know whats going to happen and laughing out loud as you get drawn into the plot.
August 20, 2019
Didn't finish it. Gave up.
March 1, 2018
Last of the Summer Moët is the second book featuring journalist Laura Lake, but if like me you haven't read the previous novel, Three Weddings and a Scandal, don't worry you can read this as a standalone. Laura Lake, assistant editor at Society magazine, has plenty of friends in the world of showbiz, and in this book she is hoping to enter the inner sanctum of a village, run for the rich and famous, by the rich and famous. It is so secret it isn't on the internet or Google Maps. The village, and its many residents, open this book up to its plot line and humour. This book is outlandish in it's story line, but full of humour and cringe worthy moments.
There is a wide cast of characters from socialites, actors, MI6, political figures, Russian Oligarchs, thespians and a controversial artist. But what made this book for me was some of the names. There is Souther'n Fried a rap artist, Savannah Bouche, an actress, Roger Slutt, the being rock star, Casper Honeyman, actor and former flame of Laura and actress Merlot D'Vyne.
Laura Lake, the main character seems the only sane and normal person in this book, and isn't phased by anyone. Laura is half French, stylish in an understated way, unlike the other characters, and has her chance at editor of Society until arch enemy Clemency Makepeace, scuttles her plans. Laura needs an original story to save her career and the secret village of Great Hording is that story. Laura's friend socialite friend Lulu, is her way in. Lulu is the polar opposite of Laura, blonde, extravagant, designer obsessed and over the top in every way. She was my favourite character, mainly due to her mispronunciation of English sayings that had me crying with laughter throughout. This is a romantic comedy so of course there is a love interest for Laura, in fact two; Harry, her journalist boyfriend who disappears on assignments for week and months at a time, and Casper Honeyman, an old flame who is now a famous actor.
Wendy Holden's writing is brilliant, she is witty, clever and topical; at the Ivy awards there is a mix up in the best actor category, a nod to the Oscars. Everything about this book is larger than life, the characters, the plot line but it is action packed. The prose is fast flowing, and the use of language is brilliant, you will laugh and cringe at the same sentence.
The Last of the Summer Moët is a fast, fun and fantastical read. If you are looking or pure escapism, and a book that will make you laugh out loud then this is the book for you. It is sassy, scintillating, sensationally over the top and simply divine.
There is a wide cast of characters from socialites, actors, MI6, political figures, Russian Oligarchs, thespians and a controversial artist. But what made this book for me was some of the names. There is Souther'n Fried a rap artist, Savannah Bouche, an actress, Roger Slutt, the being rock star, Casper Honeyman, actor and former flame of Laura and actress Merlot D'Vyne.
Laura Lake, the main character seems the only sane and normal person in this book, and isn't phased by anyone. Laura is half French, stylish in an understated way, unlike the other characters, and has her chance at editor of Society until arch enemy Clemency Makepeace, scuttles her plans. Laura needs an original story to save her career and the secret village of Great Hording is that story. Laura's friend socialite friend Lulu, is her way in. Lulu is the polar opposite of Laura, blonde, extravagant, designer obsessed and over the top in every way. She was my favourite character, mainly due to her mispronunciation of English sayings that had me crying with laughter throughout. This is a romantic comedy so of course there is a love interest for Laura, in fact two; Harry, her journalist boyfriend who disappears on assignments for week and months at a time, and Casper Honeyman, an old flame who is now a famous actor.
Wendy Holden's writing is brilliant, she is witty, clever and topical; at the Ivy awards there is a mix up in the best actor category, a nod to the Oscars. Everything about this book is larger than life, the characters, the plot line but it is action packed. The prose is fast flowing, and the use of language is brilliant, you will laugh and cringe at the same sentence.
The Last of the Summer Moët is a fast, fun and fantastical read. If you are looking or pure escapism, and a book that will make you laugh out loud then this is the book for you. It is sassy, scintillating, sensationally over the top and simply divine.
February 2, 2018
I had never read anything by Wendy Holden before, and so when I was sent an email about this book by publisher Aria, I KNEW I had to have a listen on my Kindle app. Of course, I had heard of Wendy Holden, and had heard she wrote fun books. This book is right up my street- glamour, fun and "summer" in the title! A perfect read/ listen for a cold January day or night.
I was even happier when I saw it was part of a series. I still have to find (and listen to) a copy of book #1 somehow as whenever I listen to a series of books, I like to try and listen to every book.
Laura Lake is the deputy editor of Society, a high-end glossy fashion magazine. She is in charge after her boss is off work with stress and exhaustion. The book oozes with glamour. Laura finds herself in Great Hording, a village for the most elite people in society when she has to help her BFF Lulu. I really liked Laura right through the book and the way she handled everything that happened to her.
Her boss (Corinthia) reminded me of Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. I was really looking forward to seeing what Great Hording would be like. The descriptions in this book are good, and Laura's character is well fleshed out, but we don't get to know too much about Lulu. What does come across is how wealthy she is due to being a billionaire. I didn't like Kikki Cavendish much. I liked Caspar and was hopeful for love between him and Laura.
All in all, there's certainly an ecclectic mix of characters in Great Hording.
The real downside of this book was that I felt there were too many characters who were not developed enough. I did debate as to whether that many characters were even needed in fact.
Finishing on a positive note, Great Hording's surroundings and atmosphere were well-represented. As expected of a wealthy village. there are high-powered people: judges and a MI6 member to name a few.
Last of the Summer Moët had me laughing out loud and I finished the book in a day. This is a quick read/ listen, and the pace really keeps the book interesting.
Huge thanks to Wendy Holden and Aria for my ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. As well as a review, I was pleased to take part in the blog tour for the title.
I was even happier when I saw it was part of a series. I still have to find (and listen to) a copy of book #1 somehow as whenever I listen to a series of books, I like to try and listen to every book.
Laura Lake is the deputy editor of Society, a high-end glossy fashion magazine. She is in charge after her boss is off work with stress and exhaustion. The book oozes with glamour. Laura finds herself in Great Hording, a village for the most elite people in society when she has to help her BFF Lulu. I really liked Laura right through the book and the way she handled everything that happened to her.
Her boss (Corinthia) reminded me of Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. I was really looking forward to seeing what Great Hording would be like. The descriptions in this book are good, and Laura's character is well fleshed out, but we don't get to know too much about Lulu. What does come across is how wealthy she is due to being a billionaire. I didn't like Kikki Cavendish much. I liked Caspar and was hopeful for love between him and Laura.
All in all, there's certainly an ecclectic mix of characters in Great Hording.
The real downside of this book was that I felt there were too many characters who were not developed enough. I did debate as to whether that many characters were even needed in fact.
Finishing on a positive note, Great Hording's surroundings and atmosphere were well-represented. As expected of a wealthy village. there are high-powered people: judges and a MI6 member to name a few.
Last of the Summer Moët had me laughing out loud and I finished the book in a day. This is a quick read/ listen, and the pace really keeps the book interesting.
Huge thanks to Wendy Holden and Aria for my ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. As well as a review, I was pleased to take part in the blog tour for the title.
August 18, 2018
Last of the Summer Moët, Wendy Holden
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre:, Women's fiction, General fiction (adult)
Women's Fiction? Once more – why? Why alienate a good section of possible readers.
My bad, I missed that this was a part two, and that I'd read the previous book about Laura. That was a three star for me, and I noted that though I enjoyed Wendy's stories years ago either her writing or my tastes have changed.
This story is if possible even more OTT, frenetic and at times plain silly. There's a point when poking fun at a selection of folk in humorous, and then there's trying to ram fun down readers throats( you Will laugh!! Everyone else has... ) that's the vibe which came across here, I like subtle humour, what this book delivers is a thin story peppered with not just oddball eccentrics, but totally off the wall unreal characters, and situations that are so extreme as to be impossible to believe. If that's what you like in a story good for you, you'll love this book. I don't. I gave up at about 40%, skimming through to see if there was any change but not finding enough to hold my interest and continue.
Stars: Two, a DNF for me. If you like overdone humour and situations that are really OTT you may love this story, I can see others already do. My taste doesn't run that way though so it was a fail for me.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publisher
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre:, Women's fiction, General fiction (adult)
Women's Fiction? Once more – why? Why alienate a good section of possible readers.
My bad, I missed that this was a part two, and that I'd read the previous book about Laura. That was a three star for me, and I noted that though I enjoyed Wendy's stories years ago either her writing or my tastes have changed.
This story is if possible even more OTT, frenetic and at times plain silly. There's a point when poking fun at a selection of folk in humorous, and then there's trying to ram fun down readers throats( you Will laugh!! Everyone else has... ) that's the vibe which came across here, I like subtle humour, what this book delivers is a thin story peppered with not just oddball eccentrics, but totally off the wall unreal characters, and situations that are so extreme as to be impossible to believe. If that's what you like in a story good for you, you'll love this book. I don't. I gave up at about 40%, skimming through to see if there was any change but not finding enough to hold my interest and continue.
Stars: Two, a DNF for me. If you like overdone humour and situations that are really OTT you may love this story, I can see others already do. My taste doesn't run that way though so it was a fail for me.
ARC supplied by Netgalley and publisher
January 30, 2018
I rated this 4 but it is more of 3.5. I enjoyed it too much to give it a 3.
Laura Lake, deputy editor of Society magazine, has the opportunity to act as editor for her magazine and intends to turn the magazine around and secure her position with a good story. However her arch enemy Clemency is back in the office and is vying for the same position.
Throw in the conflict with Clemency, the language problems of her friend Lulu and the activities of the larger than life characters in the village Laura is hoping to write about and you have a story that will make you laugh.
This large cast of character and winding plot is a bit difficult to follow at times but the scenes the writer created kept me reading. From breast baring at a restaurant to wrong names being called in award ceremonies and an actor who knocks himself off; this novel is humorous. Her descriptions were hilarious too- lips are described as two slugs having a spasm, cheek bones jutted out like plane wings and someone had a love life like the spin cycle on a washing machine.
Will definitely love to read other books by this author.
Thanks to netgalley and Head of Zeus for an advance copy. This is my candid review of this book
Laura Lake, deputy editor of Society magazine, has the opportunity to act as editor for her magazine and intends to turn the magazine around and secure her position with a good story. However her arch enemy Clemency is back in the office and is vying for the same position.
Throw in the conflict with Clemency, the language problems of her friend Lulu and the activities of the larger than life characters in the village Laura is hoping to write about and you have a story that will make you laugh.
This large cast of character and winding plot is a bit difficult to follow at times but the scenes the writer created kept me reading. From breast baring at a restaurant to wrong names being called in award ceremonies and an actor who knocks himself off; this novel is humorous. Her descriptions were hilarious too- lips are described as two slugs having a spasm, cheek bones jutted out like plane wings and someone had a love life like the spin cycle on a washing machine.
Will definitely love to read other books by this author.
Thanks to netgalley and Head of Zeus for an advance copy. This is my candid review of this book
February 1, 2018
Last year I read Wendy's first book in Laura Lake series and let me tell you it was a wildly entertaining read! Wendy Holden is known for an extraordinary take on humour, and that is why I could not wait for the second book in this series, Laura Lake is back with more humour, more colourful characters and more adventure. This time Laura is after a super article about a secret village where only the rich and powerful have access to, and no ordinary folk knows where this golden village is hidden. Well luckily for Laura, she has a wealthy and very famous friend Lulu who decided that she needs a country retreat of her own.
Once again I was taking on a fictional journey that is full of posh political scandals, spies and people will a hidden agenda plus a sprinkling of a romance or two!
I absolutely adore Laura and her fierce determinations to sniff out the super exclusive piece to cement her new position in Society.
It was also lovely to catch up with socialite Lulu and her remarkable attitude to life and get to know some of the other marvellous character gracing the pages of this book.
Wendy Holden writing style is juice, fast flowing, sublime and utterly hilarious with a few surprises thrown into the mix.
I highly recommend this fabulously sparky read for your February TBR.
Once again I was taking on a fictional journey that is full of posh political scandals, spies and people will a hidden agenda plus a sprinkling of a romance or two!
I absolutely adore Laura and her fierce determinations to sniff out the super exclusive piece to cement her new position in Society.
It was also lovely to catch up with socialite Lulu and her remarkable attitude to life and get to know some of the other marvellous character gracing the pages of this book.
Wendy Holden writing style is juice, fast flowing, sublime and utterly hilarious with a few surprises thrown into the mix.
I highly recommend this fabulously sparky read for your February TBR.
January 31, 2019
Okay, so I loved the first Laura Lake book. It was brilliantly witty, funny, a bit silly, with a wonderfully eccentric cast of characters. I felt myself rooting for Laura and her dreams of becoming a journalist, and when I saw that the sequel, Last of the Summer Moet was released, I was excited.
I wanted to like this book. I really, really did. Part of the reason I liked the first one so much is because of Wendy Holden's humour, her quite sarcastic take on the rich and famous. Laura's world is like a well-crafted parody of a particular lifestyle and previously, I loved it. But this book was WAY too over the top. Don't get me wrong, I adore Wendy Holden's style of writing. It really is wonderful. But I think the issue I had with this book was that it was just trying too hard to be more hilarious and barmy than the last one. It just felt forced, as though the author was trying to outdo the silliness found in the first novel (which was so much fun). I found it hard to root for any of the characters this time round. Even Laura, whose plot seemed to have been swallowed up in everyone else's overly-eccentric lifestyles. Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one.
I wanted to like this book. I really, really did. Part of the reason I liked the first one so much is because of Wendy Holden's humour, her quite sarcastic take on the rich and famous. Laura's world is like a well-crafted parody of a particular lifestyle and previously, I loved it. But this book was WAY too over the top. Don't get me wrong, I adore Wendy Holden's style of writing. It really is wonderful. But I think the issue I had with this book was that it was just trying too hard to be more hilarious and barmy than the last one. It just felt forced, as though the author was trying to outdo the silliness found in the first novel (which was so much fun). I found it hard to root for any of the characters this time round. Even Laura, whose plot seemed to have been swallowed up in everyone else's overly-eccentric lifestyles. Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one.
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