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Plus One: A Novel
As deputy editor of the glamorous FILLE magazine in London, Lisa Lassiter had almost passed up the chance of a weekend on a billionaire’s yacht off the coast of Mykonos. But her best friend Claudia Hemmingway, on her way to becoming one of the hottest movie stars on the planet, could be very persuasive when she wanted something. Not only would they get there by private jet, she’d told Lisa, they would also get to rub shoulders with VIP guests – not least a famous Hollywood film producer. It would be a weekend of fun, sunshine, champagne and partying. And it was all of those things. Until it wasn’t. Lisa has spent ten years trying to get past that weekend. If she has learnt anything, it is that unfinished business and secrets always work their way to the surface. Moving on is one thing; forgetting is another, and forgiving … well, where to start?
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2018
6 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 5, 2018
Loved. Loved. Loved every chapter, page, paragraph, sentence. Word. A gripping tale from page 1 to the last page. The glamorous life of lights, camera, action!!!
A well written novel. The setting, storyline and plot were evidence of one who knew this specific industry very well. Luscious diction. Envious brand positioning. The book read like "The Devil Wears Prada" on steroids.
At first glance, the story seems to revolve around Claudia, but with carefully crafted plot twists, the focal point shifts, one decibel at a time.
Brilliantly manufactured. You will not see the end coming.
A well written novel. The setting, storyline and plot were evidence of one who knew this specific industry very well. Luscious diction. Envious brand positioning. The book read like "The Devil Wears Prada" on steroids.
At first glance, the story seems to revolve around Claudia, but with carefully crafted plot twists, the focal point shifts, one decibel at a time.
Brilliantly manufactured. You will not see the end coming.
September 4, 2018
Totally loved this book. Originally I bought it to support the author who is a South African woman that I find inspirational - and that was before reading this fun, sexy, riveting page turner. Although the subject matter would not normally draw me - I am so glad that I made an exception and bought the book anyway. Read way into the wee hours - and finished it in 2 days.
Definitely well worth it and a highly enjoyable read.
Definitely well worth it and a highly enjoyable read.
June 28, 2020
“As deputy editor of the glamorous FILLE magazine in London, Lisa Lassiter had almost passed up the chance of a weekend on a billionaire’s yacht off the coast of Mykonos. But her best friend Claudia Hemmingway, on her way to becoming one of the hottest movie stars on the planet, could be very persuasive when she wanted something. Not only would they get there by private jet, she’d told Lisa, they would also get to rub shoulders with VIP guests – not least a famous Hollywood film producer.
It would be a weekend of fun, sunshine, champagne and partying. And it was all of those things. Until it wasn’t…”
In this story, there are 2 timelines: 2008 where it all starts and some parts end, and then jumps to current day 2018, where old wounds are opened and develops into a quite satisfying ending.
I’ve always enjoyed a good ‘life of the rich & famous’ book and this one did not disappoint. The writing was great & the characters well-developed. It explores power dynamics between siblings, men & women and rape culture. This was, is, and unfortunately probably will always, be very relevant.
If you enjoy the gloss & a bit of dark behind the scenes of Hollywood, you will enjoy this. If not, rather pass this one.
4/5
It would be a weekend of fun, sunshine, champagne and partying. And it was all of those things. Until it wasn’t…”
In this story, there are 2 timelines: 2008 where it all starts and some parts end, and then jumps to current day 2018, where old wounds are opened and develops into a quite satisfying ending.
I’ve always enjoyed a good ‘life of the rich & famous’ book and this one did not disappoint. The writing was great & the characters well-developed. It explores power dynamics between siblings, men & women and rape culture. This was, is, and unfortunately probably will always, be very relevant.
If you enjoy the gloss & a bit of dark behind the scenes of Hollywood, you will enjoy this. If not, rather pass this one.
4/5
June 9, 2019
I so love reading books by South African authors.
This is a first novel by the daughter of one of South Africa's most iconic woman's magazine editors and an outstanding editor and director in the field of woman's media herself.
It is a well written story dealing with one of the biggest and most contentious issues of the last few years, #metoo.
The story begins in London in 2008 and then onto Cape Town and Los Angeles in 2018. A lot of water flows under the bridge in those years. The high flying lives of the rich and famous, starlets trying to get to Hollywood, predatorial men, wealthy playboys, death and a return home for the narrator.
A cleverly crafted story dealing with the painful reality of women whose lives are forever marred by rape, with a very unexpected twist at the end which leaves you feeling rather angry.
Ps. I did not read the Kindle edition , but, no other is available for reference.
This is a first novel by the daughter of one of South Africa's most iconic woman's magazine editors and an outstanding editor and director in the field of woman's media herself.
It is a well written story dealing with one of the biggest and most contentious issues of the last few years, #metoo.
The story begins in London in 2008 and then onto Cape Town and Los Angeles in 2018. A lot of water flows under the bridge in those years. The high flying lives of the rich and famous, starlets trying to get to Hollywood, predatorial men, wealthy playboys, death and a return home for the narrator.
A cleverly crafted story dealing with the painful reality of women whose lives are forever marred by rape, with a very unexpected twist at the end which leaves you feeling rather angry.
Ps. I did not read the Kindle edition , but, no other is available for reference.
December 19, 2018
Vanessa Raphaely's debut novel had me gripped. I loved reading it and could relate to the main character, Lisa.
The novel examines the seedy underbelly of fame, the ugliness of the beauty industry, both not always as glamorous as we think. It also looks at the inequality that exists in the world between men and women, which is relevant with what we see going on in the world today.
All of this is wrapped up in a storyline about a mysterious death. There was plenty of twists and turns to keep me on my toes and interested until the very last page.
I really enjoyed reading it and would highly recommend it to anyone.
The novel examines the seedy underbelly of fame, the ugliness of the beauty industry, both not always as glamorous as we think. It also looks at the inequality that exists in the world between men and women, which is relevant with what we see going on in the world today.
All of this is wrapped up in a storyline about a mysterious death. There was plenty of twists and turns to keep me on my toes and interested until the very last page.
I really enjoyed reading it and would highly recommend it to anyone.
May 11, 2019
This was grander in scope than I had anticipated. It started out as a rather bitter and jaded insight into women's publishing, and then evolved into a rather gripping murder - or was it? - mystery.
Lisa Lassiter is a South African magazine editor working in London. She befriends Claudia Hemingway, a rising actress, who one day invites her for a weekend on a yacht with Greek film producers (read drug addicts).
Then, a terrible thing happens on board the yacht...
There are twists, turns, backstories, feminism and drama. The first half set the scene beautifully. The second half was very page-turny.
Lisa Lassiter is a South African magazine editor working in London. She befriends Claudia Hemingway, a rising actress, who one day invites her for a weekend on a yacht with Greek film producers (read drug addicts).
Then, a terrible thing happens on board the yacht...
There are twists, turns, backstories, feminism and drama. The first half set the scene beautifully. The second half was very page-turny.
January 2, 2019
A rollicking good read - had me gripped from the first few pages and not even my December- Instagram-distracted-short-attention-span could tear me away. Great to read about both the imagined, unfamiliar Hollywood world of glitz and glam (and all its shallow depths) while also enjoying some local references that felt wonderfully close to home. Goes well with sun, salty, beachy holiday towel-under-the-umbrella-reading-vibes and the odd glass of Chardonnay
December 19, 2018
I loved this book - from the first page I was completley engrossed. The characters were so real and I felt like I was part of the story. A true indication of a great storyteller.
I loved the ending because I was left not quite knowing whether what I had hoped for was actually the case - don't want to spoil the ending for any one!
Hugely recommend this book - it's a complete delight.
I loved the ending because I was left not quite knowing whether what I had hoped for was actually the case - don't want to spoil the ending for any one!
Hugely recommend this book - it's a complete delight.
January 1, 2019
Brilliant new novel.
An intelligently written story, with lots of twists and turns to keep you interested. The backdrop of Hollywood and the media circus are very believable as are the wonderfully descriptive scenes of Cape Town, South Africa. I loved it!
An intelligently written story, with lots of twists and turns to keep you interested. The backdrop of Hollywood and the media circus are very believable as are the wonderfully descriptive scenes of Cape Town, South Africa. I loved it!
January 1, 2019
I loved this book! Great characters, humour and a lovely style of writing. The twists and turns in the book had me up reading all night. Highly recommended!
March 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this book and could not put it down until the very last page. Great to enter the celebrity world and meet these interesting characters.
January 31, 2019
My blog: A MAGICAL WORLD OF WORDS
Source: Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan SA for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read & reviewed this copy. All thoughts are my own.
3.5 stars.
Raphaely's writing is hypnotic and perceptive. Aside from a few unnecessarily long sentences and awkward phrasing (these are the exception), it's intensely readable, and the dialogue is excellent as well. I also love how un-melodramatic the writing is; there's enough drama to keep things spicy, but it's not laid-on too thick.
The story flows effortlessly. I fell head first into the glitz and grit and seduction and shame of the electrifying world Lisa lives in, and was entertained from start to finish. The plot, in one word, is: entertaining. It's so fascinating and juicy, pumped full of secrets and scandals and betrayals. It isn't nice, but it captures you for a wild ride.
My only disappointment with the story is how the thriller aspect is handled. The mystery isn't as tight or well developed as it could have been, and the plot's pacing does not fit for a thriller. There's suspense, but it's not strong enough. It doesn't carry the story with the plot following one main point with every other aspect and scene pointing to it; that's characteristic of a thriller, and since this book isn't focused in one direction, it weakens the suspense. To be a powerful thriller it needs every single scene to contribute towards the mystery. This novel doesn't do that.
I didn't appreciate how the book ended. I can't say much without giving spoilers, so my non-specific explanation is that the final twist - although wonderfully shocking - leaves more questions than answers. The author completely switches themes, and as a result opens a can of worms. Throughout the book she's examining this theme of female abuse by men of power in Hollywood, but the final twist turns everything on its head and brings up a totally new theme, which demands to be examined, too. If that had been brought up anywhere but the final page, then it could have been handled, but as a cliffhanger it's not adequate. It's misplaced, which makes it jarring and insufficient.
Lisa is a brilliant character. I love how her past is subtly revealed throughout the story, and how dynamic her relationships are with the people around her. The theme of friendship is explored deeply, which I also enjoyed, and it helps that the chemistry between the cast is so strong. I also totally shipped Liam and Lisa......the sexual tension between them is fantastic.
Plus One is a glamorous yet gritty look into the lives of Hollywood's elite and those who surround them. It raises serious themes, and delivers non-stop entertainment. I only wish the ending hadn't undone everything before it.
Source: Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan SA for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read & reviewed this copy. All thoughts are my own.
3.5 stars.
Raphaely's writing is hypnotic and perceptive. Aside from a few unnecessarily long sentences and awkward phrasing (these are the exception), it's intensely readable, and the dialogue is excellent as well. I also love how un-melodramatic the writing is; there's enough drama to keep things spicy, but it's not laid-on too thick.
The story flows effortlessly. I fell head first into the glitz and grit and seduction and shame of the electrifying world Lisa lives in, and was entertained from start to finish. The plot, in one word, is: entertaining. It's so fascinating and juicy, pumped full of secrets and scandals and betrayals. It isn't nice, but it captures you for a wild ride.
My only disappointment with the story is how the thriller aspect is handled. The mystery isn't as tight or well developed as it could have been, and the plot's pacing does not fit for a thriller. There's suspense, but it's not strong enough. It doesn't carry the story with the plot following one main point with every other aspect and scene pointing to it; that's characteristic of a thriller, and since this book isn't focused in one direction, it weakens the suspense. To be a powerful thriller it needs every single scene to contribute towards the mystery. This novel doesn't do that.
I didn't appreciate how the book ended. I can't say much without giving spoilers, so my non-specific explanation is that the final twist - although wonderfully shocking - leaves more questions than answers. The author completely switches themes, and as a result opens a can of worms. Throughout the book she's examining this theme of female abuse by men of power in Hollywood, but the final twist turns everything on its head and brings up a totally new theme, which demands to be examined, too. If that had been brought up anywhere but the final page, then it could have been handled, but as a cliffhanger it's not adequate. It's misplaced, which makes it jarring and insufficient.
Lisa is a brilliant character. I love how her past is subtly revealed throughout the story, and how dynamic her relationships are with the people around her. The theme of friendship is explored deeply, which I also enjoyed, and it helps that the chemistry between the cast is so strong. I also totally shipped Liam and Lisa......the sexual tension between them is fantastic.
Plus One is a glamorous yet gritty look into the lives of Hollywood's elite and those who surround them. It raises serious themes, and delivers non-stop entertainment. I only wish the ending hadn't undone everything before it.
January 5, 2023
VANESSA Raphaely’s Plus One is the perfect novel to buy your daughter, sister or mother – and even the men in your life!
Set on the the backdrop of the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal that rocked Hollywood, Lisa Lassiter’s story as the ‘plus one’ to her movie-star-friend, Claudia Hemmingway’s glamorous world of champagne, VIP parties and private jets, unveils some of the dark secrets and truths behind the world of fame and fortune.
Lisa’s life is turned upside down after a beloved Hollywood actor, Robert Morton, turns up dead during an alcohol and drug-abundant party on a luxury yacht. She is left ‘ghosted’ by Claudia and her step-brother, Liam, with whom Lisa fell head-over-heals in love following an intimate moment they shared on the night of the murder.
Before she embarked on this party, however, Lisa (an award winning journalist and successful deputy editor of a successful glossy women’s magazine) discovered that Robert might not be the wholesome Hollywood hero he pretends to be. For years, Lisa is haunted by the many unanswered questions she has of that night.
The protagonist’s character is so relatable as she goes through all of the emotions of feeling inadequate in a world where beauty standards are impossible to reach and where, regardless of their success, women are seen as sexual objects. She also battles through heartache and self doubt over frail friendships, the expectation and guilt to settle or love another man and the shame over her own doubt and powerlessness when it comes to the claims of a sexual assault victim.
Throughout the novel, Raphaely also dabbles on some of the emotions, fears and trauma experienced by sexual assault victims. She sheds some light on why they often choose to remain silent and, sometimes only years after the assault, decide to speak out. On the other spectrum, she also hints at why people sometimes doubt sexual assault claims.
Not only is Plus One an entertaining page turner with a brilliantly chilling and unexpected ending, it carries with it some important and powerful messages!
Set on the the backdrop of the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal that rocked Hollywood, Lisa Lassiter’s story as the ‘plus one’ to her movie-star-friend, Claudia Hemmingway’s glamorous world of champagne, VIP parties and private jets, unveils some of the dark secrets and truths behind the world of fame and fortune.
Lisa’s life is turned upside down after a beloved Hollywood actor, Robert Morton, turns up dead during an alcohol and drug-abundant party on a luxury yacht. She is left ‘ghosted’ by Claudia and her step-brother, Liam, with whom Lisa fell head-over-heals in love following an intimate moment they shared on the night of the murder.
Before she embarked on this party, however, Lisa (an award winning journalist and successful deputy editor of a successful glossy women’s magazine) discovered that Robert might not be the wholesome Hollywood hero he pretends to be. For years, Lisa is haunted by the many unanswered questions she has of that night.
The protagonist’s character is so relatable as she goes through all of the emotions of feeling inadequate in a world where beauty standards are impossible to reach and where, regardless of their success, women are seen as sexual objects. She also battles through heartache and self doubt over frail friendships, the expectation and guilt to settle or love another man and the shame over her own doubt and powerlessness when it comes to the claims of a sexual assault victim.
Throughout the novel, Raphaely also dabbles on some of the emotions, fears and trauma experienced by sexual assault victims. She sheds some light on why they often choose to remain silent and, sometimes only years after the assault, decide to speak out. On the other spectrum, she also hints at why people sometimes doubt sexual assault claims.
Not only is Plus One an entertaining page turner with a brilliantly chilling and unexpected ending, it carries with it some important and powerful messages!
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March 4, 2019Perfectly paced except that I should really have started a day earlier than I did - it ramped up to the extent that I must confess that I spent my lunch and tea breaks today COMPLETELY glued. I do hope Lise makes a reappearance. I became so fond of her. (PS That Hairo idea could fly too!)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews