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The Thunder Girls
Jackie Collins for a new generation. The Thunder Girls is a blockbuster novel, filled with obsession, addiction, betrayal and revenge, that charts the rise and fall of an 80s girl band from Melanie Blake, a true insider of the music business. Perfect for fans of Tasmina Perry and Daisy Jones and The Six. Soon to be a nationwide play with an all star cast.THEChrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita, an eighties pop sensation outselling and out-classing their competition. Until it all comes to an abrupt end and three of their careers are over, and so is their friendship. THUNDERThirty years later, their old record label wants the band back together for a huge money-making concert. But the wounds are deep and some need this gig more than others.In those decades apart life was far from the dream they were living as members of The Thunder Girls. Breakdowns, bankruptcy, addiction and divorce have been a constant part of their lives. They’ve been to hell and back, and some are still there.GIRLSCan the past be laid to rest for a price, or is there more to this reunion than any of them could possibly know? Whilst they all hunger for a taste of success a second time around, someone is plotting their downfall in the deadliest way possible . . .
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2019
124 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
July 13, 2019
Awful,truly one of the worst books I've ever read.Terrible dialogue,paper thin characters and a completely ludicrous plot.
July 19, 2019
*eye roll*
I wanted something a little less intense to read than the last 2 books I had just finished.
This seemed like a good and light choice. Unfortunately, it definitely didn't live up to its 'Dramatic and Sensational' review.
The story in itself isn't anything groundbreaking, although entertaining enough while on a train ride to work.
We keep on going to one shock event to the next, in a very far fetched way. This is very Dallas/The Young and the Restless.
The characters are quite hollow, gimmicky and generally unpleasant and selfish people, doing a lot of unpleasant things to each other. I found Becky, who thankfully doesn't have a lot of 'screen time' in this, particularly unpleasant with her 'with all due respect' at every start of a sentence. Yes it's her thing, we get it.
Having worked in the music and entertainment industries, the author is writing from experience, and I'm sure the industry is full of self-absorbed people, but surely there was a way to make this a little less shallow and to create characters a bit more multidimensional?
I guess it appeals to a market segment I am not part of. Then again, it is my own fault, I get very frustrated with divas, so not sure why I thought this would appeal to me. I thought it would be more 'Rolling Stones' style, which it was not.
I wanted something a little less intense to read than the last 2 books I had just finished.
This seemed like a good and light choice. Unfortunately, it definitely didn't live up to its 'Dramatic and Sensational' review.
The story in itself isn't anything groundbreaking, although entertaining enough while on a train ride to work.
We keep on going to one shock event to the next, in a very far fetched way. This is very Dallas/The Young and the Restless.
The characters are quite hollow, gimmicky and generally unpleasant and selfish people, doing a lot of unpleasant things to each other. I found Becky, who thankfully doesn't have a lot of 'screen time' in this, particularly unpleasant with her 'with all due respect' at every start of a sentence. Yes it's her thing, we get it.
Having worked in the music and entertainment industries, the author is writing from experience, and I'm sure the industry is full of self-absorbed people, but surely there was a way to make this a little less shallow and to create characters a bit more multidimensional?
I guess it appeals to a market segment I am not part of. Then again, it is my own fault, I get very frustrated with divas, so not sure why I thought this would appeal to me. I thought it would be more 'Rolling Stones' style, which it was not.
June 28, 2019
From the second this book and its press release dropped through my door, I knew it was exactly the sort of book I absolutely love to read and my only question was whether I was going to resist reading it before I went on holiday as I really is the perfect poolside / holiday read.
Well let's just say first opportunity to sit in the garden, in blazing heat and I figured it was a good time to start reading. An hour or so later I had read the first 150 pages and knew I was hooked.
And wow what a debut, it is clear that Melanie Blake knows what she is talking about when it comes to the music industry. I felt as though I had been on this roller coaster of a journey alongside all 4 of The Thunder Girls.
Once you had the basic grounding of the story, seeing how and why the group split up in the 80s, and there various present day situations you are properly suckered into the story with so so many different threads, many characters and and just wow...
... how many secrets, revelations, lies, double crossings, revenge. back stabbing, bitching and all that assorted themes can you fit into one book. I mean every time you looked around another sucker punch came at you giving you a vital new piece of information.
Arguably this book needs a second read just to see if I can work out sooner how it was all put together but then again it would lose the moments where I was on a train an mouthing swear words because I hadn't seen something coming.
There is just so much going on, you are not sure who to trust, who will end up in what situation and whether or not the Thunder Girls will ever realise their dreams of playing at Wembley!
This is a rock and roll blockbuster that if you, like me a huge fan of big summer blockbuster books that would make a wonderful film too, that are full of incredibly strong female characters - even if the don't see eye to eye the whole time - then this book is for you.
I really hope to see it everywhere when i'm on holiday as it really is for me one of those wonderful escape into a completely different lifestyle sorts of story, that you can sink in between the pages for.
Absorbing, engaging, unpredictable, what an absolute roller coaster of a book. I loved every last second and am desperately hoping that Melanie Blake goes on to write more. I'll be first in line to read them!
Thank you to EDPR for my copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Well let's just say first opportunity to sit in the garden, in blazing heat and I figured it was a good time to start reading. An hour or so later I had read the first 150 pages and knew I was hooked.
And wow what a debut, it is clear that Melanie Blake knows what she is talking about when it comes to the music industry. I felt as though I had been on this roller coaster of a journey alongside all 4 of The Thunder Girls.
Once you had the basic grounding of the story, seeing how and why the group split up in the 80s, and there various present day situations you are properly suckered into the story with so so many different threads, many characters and and just wow...
... how many secrets, revelations, lies, double crossings, revenge. back stabbing, bitching and all that assorted themes can you fit into one book. I mean every time you looked around another sucker punch came at you giving you a vital new piece of information.
Arguably this book needs a second read just to see if I can work out sooner how it was all put together but then again it would lose the moments where I was on a train an mouthing swear words because I hadn't seen something coming.
There is just so much going on, you are not sure who to trust, who will end up in what situation and whether or not the Thunder Girls will ever realise their dreams of playing at Wembley!
This is a rock and roll blockbuster that if you, like me a huge fan of big summer blockbuster books that would make a wonderful film too, that are full of incredibly strong female characters - even if the don't see eye to eye the whole time - then this book is for you.
I really hope to see it everywhere when i'm on holiday as it really is for me one of those wonderful escape into a completely different lifestyle sorts of story, that you can sink in between the pages for.
Absorbing, engaging, unpredictable, what an absolute roller coaster of a book. I loved every last second and am desperately hoping that Melanie Blake goes on to write more. I'll be first in line to read them!
Thank you to EDPR for my copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
July 28, 2019
I was excited to read this one, what a freaking let down. The characters are barely more than one dimensional sketches, the dialogue is horrible and the drama is so over the top manufactured that I felt second hand embarrassment for the terrible writing. Worst of all, it was boringly predictable. *YAWN*
December 26, 2022
— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Thunder Girls
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Melanie Blake
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery/Thriller
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 4th February 2021
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5
The Thunder Girls is the moniker of a popular girl band with members Anita, Chrissie, Roxanne and Carly, broken up right in their prime for reasons that aren't apparent apart from the selfishness of Chrissie who wanted to go solo. Thirty years later, when each member of the group is desperate for an injection of cash, their old manager wants to introduce a Thunder Girls reunion in the one stadium every member of the band has wanted to play - Wembley. Can they put aside their differences long enough to gain that £500,000 each. And will the past come back to haunt them or was it never really put to rest?
Melanie Blake's writing is dramatic and sensational. Blake does not hold back and writing despicable characters, yet leave you hooked, whether you're rooting for them or eagerly awaiting their downfall. Chrissie is that character in this book. She is a spoilt cut-throat princess who I actually came to love towards the end of the book.
The other characters were solid too, but my favourite character was probably Roxanne, who Blake awarded many of the funny one liners too. Anita was slightly bland, as was Carly, but Carly's mini storyline makes up for her lack of depth. The exploration of her abusive marriage and what followed was simultaneously terrifying and thrilling.
The storyline is easily compared to a spiders web, you think that one storyline has run its course and bam! you find it sticking to your hands, tickling your senses and making you shudder. Each storyline connects up so neatly, and as soon as you open the book, Blake beckons. 'Will you walk into my parlour?' Said the spider to the fly. Well, wrap me in a web and clip my wings, I could stay reading Blake's books forever.
I must say, the drama is intense, this is not a light read. And it contains a lot of swearing, misogyny and gynophobia. But it is the kind of book that keeps you up until 3am to get to the bottom of the story.
🧚🏻♀️
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↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Thunder Girls
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Melanie Blake
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery/Thriller
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 4th February 2021
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5
"'I can't believe you said that.' Chrissie's voice shook.
'Said what?'
'The F-word.'
'I didn't!'
'Fifty. You said I was fifty!'"
The Thunder Girls is the moniker of a popular girl band with members Anita, Chrissie, Roxanne and Carly, broken up right in their prime for reasons that aren't apparent apart from the selfishness of Chrissie who wanted to go solo. Thirty years later, when each member of the group is desperate for an injection of cash, their old manager wants to introduce a Thunder Girls reunion in the one stadium every member of the band has wanted to play - Wembley. Can they put aside their differences long enough to gain that £500,000 each. And will the past come back to haunt them or was it never really put to rest?
Melanie Blake's writing is dramatic and sensational. Blake does not hold back and writing despicable characters, yet leave you hooked, whether you're rooting for them or eagerly awaiting their downfall. Chrissie is that character in this book. She is a spoilt cut-throat princess who I actually came to love towards the end of the book.
The other characters were solid too, but my favourite character was probably Roxanne, who Blake awarded many of the funny one liners too. Anita was slightly bland, as was Carly, but Carly's mini storyline makes up for her lack of depth. The exploration of her abusive marriage and what followed was simultaneously terrifying and thrilling.
The storyline is easily compared to a spiders web, you think that one storyline has run its course and bam! you find it sticking to your hands, tickling your senses and making you shudder. Each storyline connects up so neatly, and as soon as you open the book, Blake beckons. 'Will you walk into my parlour?' Said the spider to the fly. Well, wrap me in a web and clip my wings, I could stay reading Blake's books forever.
"'Still what doesn't kill you -'
'Makes you change your name and drink something stronger!' Chrissie chipped in."
I must say, the drama is intense, this is not a light read. And it contains a lot of swearing, misogyny and gynophobia. But it is the kind of book that keeps you up until 3am to get to the bottom of the story.
🧚🏻♀️
♡ my bookstagram • my twitter ♡
↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
August 16, 2019
"THE THUNDER GIRLS" is a roller-coaster, compulsively gripping novel about the most successful girl band of the 1980s, which at the height of its success in 1989, is unceremoniously disbanded by its record label. Of the 4 women comprising 'The Thunder Girls' --- Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita ---, the decision had been made to launch Chrissie (the self-appointed leader of the band) on a solo career. The other 3 women are abruptly shown the door, and with its closing, so ends the friendship among the band members.
The reader is then carried forward 30 years to today's world driven by bling-bling and social media. Chrissie has fallen upon hard times after her latest husband (a 'boy-toy' model who had bewitched her) took her for every cent she had and disappeared. Her record label offers her one way out from absolute ruin by making her go out and find her 3 former bandmates with the aim of bringing back 'The Thunder Girls' for a one-time, richly lucrative "gathering of The Greats" 1980s music groups in concert at London's Wembley Stadium.
Chrissie then embarks on a long and winding trek to find and persuade her 3 former friends to reassemble the band. Nothing proves to be so clear-cut. But the reader is amply rewarded with a multi-layered, poignant story in "THE THUNDER GIRLS" that has more hairpin curves than one can shake a stick at. Highly recommended.
The reader is then carried forward 30 years to today's world driven by bling-bling and social media. Chrissie has fallen upon hard times after her latest husband (a 'boy-toy' model who had bewitched her) took her for every cent she had and disappeared. Her record label offers her one way out from absolute ruin by making her go out and find her 3 former bandmates with the aim of bringing back 'The Thunder Girls' for a one-time, richly lucrative "gathering of The Greats" 1980s music groups in concert at London's Wembley Stadium.
Chrissie then embarks on a long and winding trek to find and persuade her 3 former friends to reassemble the band. Nothing proves to be so clear-cut. But the reader is amply rewarded with a multi-layered, poignant story in "THE THUNDER GIRLS" that has more hairpin curves than one can shake a stick at. Highly recommended.
August 15, 2019
Not sure what to think of this book to be honest. Chrissie, Carly, Roxanne and Anita were once the Thunder Girls, and now there is a chance of a reunion. Only issue is, it didn't end l well the first time....at all. Chrissie got offered solo and took it.
This book is full of awful men, women who are incredibly bitchy but sort of redeem themselves, and a heck of a lot of drama. So much so that it borders on being ridiculous. It's almost like it's trying to be Daisy Jones and The Six, but in a more traditional format, and failing. The dialogue is very cringy, and the plot is definitely over the top. The characters are all one dimensional.
However, despite the issues, it is slightly addictive and gripping, and kinda satisfying how the women get revenge on all the asshole men in their lives. Even Rick, who is sold as the good guy, isn't great and left one of the women for another when they were younger causing loads of crap.
Jack was by far the most vile, followed by Dave. And the creepy stalker guy. And Scott. There was literally no end of horrible men in this book. Jamie, Roxanne's fashion designer son, was the only decent guy in it.
I enjoyed Anita's character at first. This chill woman who moved to Brazil when her life is a disaster and goes swimming every morning and married Maria. Did not like her character development as she got back with the other Thunder Girls. Seemed to be a very rapid change in character.
At first Roxanne and Chrissie do nothing but hate each other which was really annoying. They weren't exactly very feminist.
Carly was okay as far as characters go. What happened to her when she was in the Thunder Girls the first time was well out of order, and Dave was a terrible husband to her. CARLY DESERVED BETTER.
Anyway, overall, the only upside of this book was the women getting revenge on the terrible men in the book. It's just a shame they weren't very likeable themselves.
Won't be reading again.
This book is full of awful men, women who are incredibly bitchy but sort of redeem themselves, and a heck of a lot of drama. So much so that it borders on being ridiculous. It's almost like it's trying to be Daisy Jones and The Six, but in a more traditional format, and failing. The dialogue is very cringy, and the plot is definitely over the top. The characters are all one dimensional.
However, despite the issues, it is slightly addictive and gripping, and kinda satisfying how the women get revenge on all the asshole men in their lives. Even Rick, who is sold as the good guy, isn't great and left one of the women for another when they were younger causing loads of crap.
Jack was by far the most vile, followed by Dave. And the creepy stalker guy. And Scott. There was literally no end of horrible men in this book. Jamie, Roxanne's fashion designer son, was the only decent guy in it.
I enjoyed Anita's character at first. This chill woman who moved to Brazil when her life is a disaster and goes swimming every morning and married Maria. Did not like her character development as she got back with the other Thunder Girls. Seemed to be a very rapid change in character.
At first Roxanne and Chrissie do nothing but hate each other which was really annoying. They weren't exactly very feminist.
Carly was okay as far as characters go. What happened to her when she was in the Thunder Girls the first time was well out of order, and Dave was a terrible husband to her. CARLY DESERVED BETTER.
Anyway, overall, the only upside of this book was the women getting revenge on the terrible men in the book. It's just a shame they weren't very likeable themselves.
Won't be reading again.
August 11, 2020
I really enjoyed THE THUNDER GIRLS. It is well-paced and has a fair amount of characterization in between the bitchery. And trust me, there is a lot of bitchery...
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April 22, 2020
'The Thunder Girls' was published in July 2019 in ebook, paperback and audiobook. I am thrilled to be able to bring you my thoughts on this epic read as part of the Midas PR arranged blog tour as I had brought a paperback copy of this storming debut last summer!
What a book! It is perfect for lovers of Jilly Cooper or Jackie Collins, a slice of nostalgia, which, like prosecco, is best served cold and bubbly and downed in one , satisfying gulp. This tale of 4 women, who start the book as a manufactured girl band, reeling from the announcement that Chrissie is going solo.
Fast forward 30 years and the nostalgia wave is re-igniting careers left right and center. Chrissie, the only still visible(read 'on the cover of 'Hello') member of The Thunder Girls, has been duped, dumped and had all her bank accounts emptied. Left with nothing, when she is approached by ex-manager-and ex-husband-Rick,to perform at Wembley as part of the Rock Legends show, she has nothing to lose. But with a huge committment comes facing the consequences of decisions made, words spoken and bitter breakups of over 3 decades.
Are any of the Thunder Girls willing and able to put their differences aside and not only have a book written about them, but sing together?
The over arching plotline is the will they/won't they get back together, but underneath this are so many subplots about loss, expectation, love and the power of female friendship. These girls were thrust together, their decision to disband was taken away from them and each has grown into a person who needs to reconnect with who they were, in order to move forwards.
Their decisions are ultimately secondary to their individual cases-Chrissie, desperate to be relevant and loved, Roxanne, a club owner about to lose everything, Carly, married to a one time snooker superstar whose constant gibes are eroding her self worth, and Anita, the one no one can find. She has disappeared and is uncontactable-in reality living an authentic life with her girlfriend so far off the radar that no one knows where she is.
With aplomb, Melanie Blake brings all her years of experience to bear in creating 4 flawed, brilliant women, in whom I think we can recognise so much of ourselves. I feel that readers will relate to one or other more, same as choosing a favourite Spice Girl, but at times I felt connected with all 4, they are not one dimensional characters, they leap off the page fully formed and bellowing.
I was totally engrossed in their tales, desperate to know why they disbanded, what dark secrets were hinted at and whether any or all of them would get to the end of the book.
A musical 'Valley of the Dolls' for the post modern era, this is a feel good, unashamedly feminist blockbuster of a novel that blew me away, I cannot wait to see the reschduled live show when lockdown is over. If it's half as good as the book, theatre goers are in for a real treat!!
What a book! It is perfect for lovers of Jilly Cooper or Jackie Collins, a slice of nostalgia, which, like prosecco, is best served cold and bubbly and downed in one , satisfying gulp. This tale of 4 women, who start the book as a manufactured girl band, reeling from the announcement that Chrissie is going solo.
Fast forward 30 years and the nostalgia wave is re-igniting careers left right and center. Chrissie, the only still visible(read 'on the cover of 'Hello') member of The Thunder Girls, has been duped, dumped and had all her bank accounts emptied. Left with nothing, when she is approached by ex-manager-and ex-husband-Rick,to perform at Wembley as part of the Rock Legends show, she has nothing to lose. But with a huge committment comes facing the consequences of decisions made, words spoken and bitter breakups of over 3 decades.
Are any of the Thunder Girls willing and able to put their differences aside and not only have a book written about them, but sing together?
The over arching plotline is the will they/won't they get back together, but underneath this are so many subplots about loss, expectation, love and the power of female friendship. These girls were thrust together, their decision to disband was taken away from them and each has grown into a person who needs to reconnect with who they were, in order to move forwards.
Their decisions are ultimately secondary to their individual cases-Chrissie, desperate to be relevant and loved, Roxanne, a club owner about to lose everything, Carly, married to a one time snooker superstar whose constant gibes are eroding her self worth, and Anita, the one no one can find. She has disappeared and is uncontactable-in reality living an authentic life with her girlfriend so far off the radar that no one knows where she is.
With aplomb, Melanie Blake brings all her years of experience to bear in creating 4 flawed, brilliant women, in whom I think we can recognise so much of ourselves. I feel that readers will relate to one or other more, same as choosing a favourite Spice Girl, but at times I felt connected with all 4, they are not one dimensional characters, they leap off the page fully formed and bellowing.
I was totally engrossed in their tales, desperate to know why they disbanded, what dark secrets were hinted at and whether any or all of them would get to the end of the book.
A musical 'Valley of the Dolls' for the post modern era, this is a feel good, unashamedly feminist blockbuster of a novel that blew me away, I cannot wait to see the reschduled live show when lockdown is over. If it's half as good as the book, theatre goers are in for a real treat!!
November 26, 2022
This was a fabulous book to read and it was one that took me back to the 80s and mentioned pop stars and bands of the time as well as some of the dodgy fashion trends. The story is based around The Thunder Girls, chart toppers in the 80s but after a massive bust-up, the band members have not spoken in over 30 years. They were a 4-piece band and they were successful.
Each of the women has moved on, they have gone in different directions and all have made adjustments but the bitterness these once good friends had is still very much present. So when Chrissie has to get in touch with each of the other band members, she knows she is going to be in for a rough time. She doesn't have any other choice in the matter though.
This is a story that dips into the past of the girls and brings up relevant things that build up the story of how they got to the stage they are each at. With fame in the 80s, they were wild, didn't have any care but had problems. These are not fully revealed until later in the book and when the author reveals them they are shockers.
The author builds a picture and a past for each of the women, some have married, some divorced, some have children and they all try to put on a brave face like a mask. It is when they come together that this mask slips, but who is the one that is going to break and admit mistakes or own up to what happened? These are strong women and over the years they have become a little warier, but they still hold their anger. It is going to be tough for any of them to admit that they made a mistake or show any sign of weakness.
This is the story of the women but also the other important people in their lives. It also gives a glimpse into the scenes behind the stage and how bands are micromanaged. But while you may be thinking this is a nice little get-together you soon realise that there is a subtle but growing idea of something being amiss. There is more to these women and the other characters than meets the eye and when I say things will hit the fan, I really mean it.
This does refer to being a Jackie Collins for a new generation, I was a fan of the original books and I can see that there are some similarities. There is the sly, conniving, backstabber in bitchiness that you got with those books, but this one does go a lot further with the mysterious side of a longer game.
I was surprised by how quickly I got wrapped up in this book, and I pretty much devoured this in two sittings. The women became likeable and I could see why they had gone their separate ways, and it made sense. Putting the past in the past and moving on is a tough one to do, but the author did a brilliant job of weaving a story that did just that. Several twists, and great pacing and is a very addictive book to read.
This is the story of reunion, friendship and moving on and I adored it immensely. It is one I would definitely recommend.
Each of the women has moved on, they have gone in different directions and all have made adjustments but the bitterness these once good friends had is still very much present. So when Chrissie has to get in touch with each of the other band members, she knows she is going to be in for a rough time. She doesn't have any other choice in the matter though.
This is a story that dips into the past of the girls and brings up relevant things that build up the story of how they got to the stage they are each at. With fame in the 80s, they were wild, didn't have any care but had problems. These are not fully revealed until later in the book and when the author reveals them they are shockers.
The author builds a picture and a past for each of the women, some have married, some divorced, some have children and they all try to put on a brave face like a mask. It is when they come together that this mask slips, but who is the one that is going to break and admit mistakes or own up to what happened? These are strong women and over the years they have become a little warier, but they still hold their anger. It is going to be tough for any of them to admit that they made a mistake or show any sign of weakness.
This is the story of the women but also the other important people in their lives. It also gives a glimpse into the scenes behind the stage and how bands are micromanaged. But while you may be thinking this is a nice little get-together you soon realise that there is a subtle but growing idea of something being amiss. There is more to these women and the other characters than meets the eye and when I say things will hit the fan, I really mean it.
This does refer to being a Jackie Collins for a new generation, I was a fan of the original books and I can see that there are some similarities. There is the sly, conniving, backstabber in bitchiness that you got with those books, but this one does go a lot further with the mysterious side of a longer game.
I was surprised by how quickly I got wrapped up in this book, and I pretty much devoured this in two sittings. The women became likeable and I could see why they had gone their separate ways, and it made sense. Putting the past in the past and moving on is a tough one to do, but the author did a brilliant job of weaving a story that did just that. Several twists, and great pacing and is a very addictive book to read.
This is the story of reunion, friendship and moving on and I adored it immensely. It is one I would definitely recommend.
May 4, 2020
About the book:
It’s the 1980’s. Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita are ordinary girls with extraordinary lives. They are better known as eighties pop sensation The Thunder Girls. This girl group is dominating the pop scene, their faces on every magazine cover, millions of fans worldwide, constantly at the top of the charts. Until one of them brings the band’s dream run to an abrupt end. Three of their careers are over – and so is their friendship.
Fast forward thirty years. Their old record label lands a bombshell by asking them to reunite for a series of huge concerts. These would be the gigs of a lifetime with a pay check to match – some need it more than others – and old wounds leave deep scars. A lot has happened since The Thunder Girls were ruling the charts. Addiction, breakdowns, bankruptcy and divorce have led them far from the lives they once lived. If they are to move forward, the past needs to be laid to rest – but there is more to this reunion than meets the eye. Each Thunder Girl is hungry to revive their past success, but what they don’t know is that someone is watching their every move – and is determined to stop them succeeding – in the deadliest way possible.
These four girls have been to hell and back – and some of them are still there.
And that tells you all you really need to know about this book.
The 80s was my era for music and I really wanted this book to be evocative of then but, for me, it wasn't. I liked the idea of the band breaking up then getting back together in later years and all the angst and continuing snidiness that would ensue but for me it fell a little flat. There were none of the characters that I particularly cared about and that didn't help. Maybe I'm not the target audience.
Not a terrible book l guess, just not for me
It’s the 1980’s. Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita are ordinary girls with extraordinary lives. They are better known as eighties pop sensation The Thunder Girls. This girl group is dominating the pop scene, their faces on every magazine cover, millions of fans worldwide, constantly at the top of the charts. Until one of them brings the band’s dream run to an abrupt end. Three of their careers are over – and so is their friendship.
Fast forward thirty years. Their old record label lands a bombshell by asking them to reunite for a series of huge concerts. These would be the gigs of a lifetime with a pay check to match – some need it more than others – and old wounds leave deep scars. A lot has happened since The Thunder Girls were ruling the charts. Addiction, breakdowns, bankruptcy and divorce have led them far from the lives they once lived. If they are to move forward, the past needs to be laid to rest – but there is more to this reunion than meets the eye. Each Thunder Girl is hungry to revive their past success, but what they don’t know is that someone is watching their every move – and is determined to stop them succeeding – in the deadliest way possible.
These four girls have been to hell and back – and some of them are still there.
And that tells you all you really need to know about this book.
The 80s was my era for music and I really wanted this book to be evocative of then but, for me, it wasn't. I liked the idea of the band breaking up then getting back together in later years and all the angst and continuing snidiness that would ensue but for me it fell a little flat. There were none of the characters that I particularly cared about and that didn't help. Maybe I'm not the target audience.
Not a terrible book l guess, just not for me
July 7, 2019
Having broken up acrimoniously, Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita might come back together for one last show.
I’m going to be completely honest and say I wasn’t expecting a great deal from The Thunder Girls. Having thought The Thunder Girls was probably over hyped and celebrity endorsed because of Melanie Blake’s showbiz background, I was expecting a self-consciously glamorous read with little or no substance. I was completely and utterly wrong. Melanie Blake has confounded me with a fabulously entertaining read written with verve and dynamism. I enjoyed every moment of being immersed in The Thunder Girls. It’s witty, sassy and actually incredibly exciting!
Melanie Blake writes with a vivid and fast paced style that draws in the reader and makes them part of The Thunder Girls‘ world. I loved discovering an existence that is about as far from my middle aged, middle England life as it could be. It was like stepping away from the mundane into a world of glamour and intrigue where not everything is as straightforward as it might at first appear. References to real people add to the authentic feel and I loved the touches of humour along the way too.
There’s an absolutely cracking plot to The Thunder Girls that packs a real punch. Obviously I can’t spoil the story for others but, although I worked out some elements, I was also kept guessing right to the end and encountered several surprises along the way. This is so much more than a mere escapist read.
Themes explored also add a layer of depth I didn’t expect. I can’t mention them all because it would undermine the enjoyment in the narrative and reveal some of the aspects from later in the book, but Melanie Blake understands the nature of true friendship, trust, betrayal and revenge. She uncovers the world of social and print media and the Machiavellian machinations of publicity perfectly. I’d defy any reader not to find an aspect of The Thunder Girls that resonates with them, regardless of their own lives.
There’s quite a cast of characters, but each person is so distinct that I felt I came to know them personally. Chrissie, the catalyst for the original band break up, was by far my favourite. This is because Melanie Blake illustrates through Chrissie the personal price of stardom and the way in which, regardless of our so-called status or fame, we can be self-delusional and actually quite vulnerable. I thoroughly appreciated the message that we alone are responsible for our lives, but that we might need support from other along the journey. The interactions between the band members are dynamic and hugely entertaining. Each woman has her insecurities, her secrets and her basic need to be loved so that The Thunder Girls really does illustrate that appearances and personas may not be the real person beneath.
I finished the book feeling as if I had had a thoroughly entertaining and engaging time. The Thunder Girls is like a glass of the best champagne – sparkling, fun and with just the right amount of bite! I loved it and hope it isn’t the last I’ll read about The Thunder Girls.
https://lindasbookbag.com/
I’m going to be completely honest and say I wasn’t expecting a great deal from The Thunder Girls. Having thought The Thunder Girls was probably over hyped and celebrity endorsed because of Melanie Blake’s showbiz background, I was expecting a self-consciously glamorous read with little or no substance. I was completely and utterly wrong. Melanie Blake has confounded me with a fabulously entertaining read written with verve and dynamism. I enjoyed every moment of being immersed in The Thunder Girls. It’s witty, sassy and actually incredibly exciting!
Melanie Blake writes with a vivid and fast paced style that draws in the reader and makes them part of The Thunder Girls‘ world. I loved discovering an existence that is about as far from my middle aged, middle England life as it could be. It was like stepping away from the mundane into a world of glamour and intrigue where not everything is as straightforward as it might at first appear. References to real people add to the authentic feel and I loved the touches of humour along the way too.
There’s an absolutely cracking plot to The Thunder Girls that packs a real punch. Obviously I can’t spoil the story for others but, although I worked out some elements, I was also kept guessing right to the end and encountered several surprises along the way. This is so much more than a mere escapist read.
Themes explored also add a layer of depth I didn’t expect. I can’t mention them all because it would undermine the enjoyment in the narrative and reveal some of the aspects from later in the book, but Melanie Blake understands the nature of true friendship, trust, betrayal and revenge. She uncovers the world of social and print media and the Machiavellian machinations of publicity perfectly. I’d defy any reader not to find an aspect of The Thunder Girls that resonates with them, regardless of their own lives.
There’s quite a cast of characters, but each person is so distinct that I felt I came to know them personally. Chrissie, the catalyst for the original band break up, was by far my favourite. This is because Melanie Blake illustrates through Chrissie the personal price of stardom and the way in which, regardless of our so-called status or fame, we can be self-delusional and actually quite vulnerable. I thoroughly appreciated the message that we alone are responsible for our lives, but that we might need support from other along the journey. The interactions between the band members are dynamic and hugely entertaining. Each woman has her insecurities, her secrets and her basic need to be loved so that The Thunder Girls really does illustrate that appearances and personas may not be the real person beneath.
I finished the book feeling as if I had had a thoroughly entertaining and engaging time. The Thunder Girls is like a glass of the best champagne – sparkling, fun and with just the right amount of bite! I loved it and hope it isn’t the last I’ll read about The Thunder Girls.
https://lindasbookbag.com/
January 19, 2021
If you've ever wondered what OK! magazine would look like as a novel, you should 100% read this book.
And the narrator of this audio book did really weird voices for the characters.
And the narrator of this audio book did really weird voices for the characters.
May 27, 2021
Fun and gripping with some great twists! A ridiculously easy read, I gobbled it up in a few days as I absolutely loved it and all it's different characters. Showing the different stages of life, ageing and fame. I'm reaaallly hoping there is a prequel that explores the THUNDER GIRLS when they were a band back in the 80's and all the drama that unfolded.
August 30, 2019
Ok for the beach, as no thought required! Mindless nonsense.
August 3, 2019
Now and again I like to clear the head with a bit of mindless bunkum. Sadly this one was a little too mindless.Similar to Jackie Collins but without the humour, this is the tale of a successful girl band in the 80's who split on bad terms. 30yrs later they reform but relations are still not good between them. Silly and not very enjoyable.
July 13, 2019
The Thunder Girls is the first novel by Melanie Blake, who as a manager and working behind the scenes of Top Of The Pops has first hand experience of the music industry. The Thunder Girls were the biggest girl band of the 1980’s until they were betrayed by their record company, Shine Records, and band member Chrissie. Chrissie has a successful solo career but now, thirty years later, Shine Records wants he girls back together for a gig at Wembley Stadium. The only problem is that Chrissie needs to get the other three girls, Roxanne, Anita and Carly on side, not that easy as all three hate her for her betrayal not just for leaving the band, but in Roxanne’s case also stealing her boyfriend. Accusations, recriminations, arguments and cat fights aplenty, the road to Wembley is not going to be a smooth one.
Melanie Blake notes one of her inspirations as the legendary author Jackie Collins, and in character and plot that influence is clear; four feisty female characters, some untrustworthy male characters, plenty of drama, glitz, but without all the sex scenes. The four female leads are all very different characters, all at varying points in their life and all facing problems from their past; addiction, bankruptcy, a breakdown and divorce. These are huge hurdles to overcome especially when Roxanne, Carly and Anita have never forgiven Chrissie for walking out without telling them face to face. I loved all four of these characters for different reasons, Chrissie seems like the bitch but there is a softness under that tough exterior. Roxanne as she had the double whammy of her career and her love life taken away from her in one day. She is feisty and the one who is the thorn in th sideof the group in not wanting to get the band back together. Anita ran away from it all to Brazil for anonymity but comes back and is willing to face her demons. Carly is the baby of the group and the peacemaker who just wants. everyone to get along. Her marriage is in trouble, a husband who constantly puts her down, but reconnecting with the girls gives her a strength to take hold of her life.
Melanie Blake’s experience working with some of the biggest bands, like Bros, Spandau Ballet (both favourites from my youth) and Steps really comes through in her writing. Her understanding of the. intricate workings of thematic industry, the cat fights and diva moments that happen in bands, we have seen the documentaries on Steps and Bros, and the type of people who work in that environment; hopefully like Jackie Collins she won’t say who her characters were based on. These intricacies of the industry, the relationships between the girls and their management, and the troubles that beset their reunion make this an addictive and exciting read. Melanie Blake has even adapted the book for the stage with Coleen Nolan playing Anita and Beverly Callard as Roxanne, I hope they tour this as it will be a fantastic experience and I would love to go.
The Thunder Girls is the perfect read for those who loved Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins. Its a story of friendship, betrayal, secrets, lies and how fame can have a darker side. Throw in the thrills of someone wanting the girls to fail, murder, and a stalker and you get a darker side to the plot. Like The Thunder Girls themselves, this is sassy, sexy, strong and sensational read, perfect for your beach bag. Absolutely fabulous in every way !!!
Melanie Blake notes one of her inspirations as the legendary author Jackie Collins, and in character and plot that influence is clear; four feisty female characters, some untrustworthy male characters, plenty of drama, glitz, but without all the sex scenes. The four female leads are all very different characters, all at varying points in their life and all facing problems from their past; addiction, bankruptcy, a breakdown and divorce. These are huge hurdles to overcome especially when Roxanne, Carly and Anita have never forgiven Chrissie for walking out without telling them face to face. I loved all four of these characters for different reasons, Chrissie seems like the bitch but there is a softness under that tough exterior. Roxanne as she had the double whammy of her career and her love life taken away from her in one day. She is feisty and the one who is the thorn in th sideof the group in not wanting to get the band back together. Anita ran away from it all to Brazil for anonymity but comes back and is willing to face her demons. Carly is the baby of the group and the peacemaker who just wants. everyone to get along. Her marriage is in trouble, a husband who constantly puts her down, but reconnecting with the girls gives her a strength to take hold of her life.
Melanie Blake’s experience working with some of the biggest bands, like Bros, Spandau Ballet (both favourites from my youth) and Steps really comes through in her writing. Her understanding of the. intricate workings of thematic industry, the cat fights and diva moments that happen in bands, we have seen the documentaries on Steps and Bros, and the type of people who work in that environment; hopefully like Jackie Collins she won’t say who her characters were based on. These intricacies of the industry, the relationships between the girls and their management, and the troubles that beset their reunion make this an addictive and exciting read. Melanie Blake has even adapted the book for the stage with Coleen Nolan playing Anita and Beverly Callard as Roxanne, I hope they tour this as it will be a fantastic experience and I would love to go.
The Thunder Girls is the perfect read for those who loved Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins. Its a story of friendship, betrayal, secrets, lies and how fame can have a darker side. Throw in the thrills of someone wanting the girls to fail, murder, and a stalker and you get a darker side to the plot. Like The Thunder Girls themselves, this is sassy, sexy, strong and sensational read, perfect for your beach bag. Absolutely fabulous in every way !!!
March 28, 2021
After having read and taken part in the blog tour of Ruthless Women by Melanie Blake, I was keen to read other books by her. I grabbed a copy of this via BorrowBox the digital lending side of my local Library.
I devoured this book and found it every bit as gripping and entertaining as Ruthless Women. Melanie Blake is proving herself to be an Author to watch, her books would sit well among the 80's bonkbuster style reads that I devoured as a teen. It goes to show that a good bonkbuster is still very much in demand in my opinion.
I gave this an 8/10 or 4 stars. It was a well written romp that was full of intrigue, secrecy, jealousy, blackmail and just general naughtiness.
Grab a copy and read about the lives of The Thunder Girls, their associates, family and how they cope with the second chance at fame and all that surrounds the celebrity lifestyle years on from when they were originally famous.
I devoured this book and found it every bit as gripping and entertaining as Ruthless Women. Melanie Blake is proving herself to be an Author to watch, her books would sit well among the 80's bonkbuster style reads that I devoured as a teen. It goes to show that a good bonkbuster is still very much in demand in my opinion.
I gave this an 8/10 or 4 stars. It was a well written romp that was full of intrigue, secrecy, jealousy, blackmail and just general naughtiness.
Grab a copy and read about the lives of The Thunder Girls, their associates, family and how they cope with the second chance at fame and all that surrounds the celebrity lifestyle years on from when they were originally famous.
October 3, 2019
I so wanted to enjoy this, after hearing about the stage play.
The story line is a good one, but I'm sorry, the writing felt amateur; shallow characters, lots of telling instead of showing, head hopping, unrealistic and repetitive dialogue...
This one's a 'no' from me.
The story line is a good one, but I'm sorry, the writing felt amateur; shallow characters, lots of telling instead of showing, head hopping, unrealistic and repetitive dialogue...
This one's a 'no' from me.
November 12, 2019
2.5 Stars
First off, what a truly appalling name for a band - The Thunder Girls. Really, this was the best you could come up with? At first it didn't bother me but when the PR Team start with the Thunderbirds puns for promoting the band it started to make me twitch and that didn't improve as the book progressed.
Then we come to the publishing house hyperbole surrounding the novel:
Glamorous - Well, maybe a little bit of glamour is in the book but mainly in name checking designers and talking about the application of lip gloss. Honestly, the amount of time spent mentioning one character or another applying lip gloss or running out of lip gloss or lending lip gloss is incredible. No real glamour though.
Dramatic - There are some moments that could be described as dramatic and a couple even manage to live up to it. Sadly, most of the supposed drama falls a bit flat.
Sensational - It reads like a British Sunday Tabloid that is now defunct so there is a lot of sensationalism in the book but that is very different to being sensational. It is just a bunch of tropes and the usual rumours surrounding anyone with a modicum of fame blended together.
Blockbuster - Well it is certainly that, only because of serious hype building by the real life PR team. The blurb is cleverly written to draw you in but please don't expect too much of this book, it is not what it's glossy surface purports it to be.
There is a plot here but one that annoyed me as each member of The Thunder Girls (gag) is painted as a victim throughout the book. Each and every revelation about what happened after the band split up only serves to denigrate the character further on the page. I am sure that the author intended us to see the adversity in these women's lives and watch them reclaim their rightful place in the world as empowering. It simply doesn't work, probably because each character is a cliche:
Chrissie - The true Diva of the group - selfish, self-centred and concerned only with image.
Roxanne - The business woman of the group - her business is failing now but she hopes the reunion will give it a big enough boost to get her back in the black. Fancies herself as an entrepreneur but really she is just riding the coat tails of her fame.
Carly - The quiet one, stuck in a borderline abusive marriage to another ex-famous person (this time a snooker player) she uses the opportunity to get away from him. That really is all she does.
Anita - The wild and crazy one, went down the whole drug and alcohol route and then disappeared to Brazil where she married a woman and ran a bar. Now they are back together, oh no, will she become wild and crazy once more?
Almost every early 1990's girl group cliche is covered - we just needed someone really interested in football to make the set of five. Although they were supposed to have their heyday in the 1980s, it really all felt much more 1990s to me.
I just couldn't take anything about this book seriously. From stumbling dialogue to a plot that drags along until you get to a set piece it just didn't do it for me. Definitely more style than substance.
First off, what a truly appalling name for a band - The Thunder Girls. Really, this was the best you could come up with? At first it didn't bother me but when the PR Team start with the Thunderbirds puns for promoting the band it started to make me twitch and that didn't improve as the book progressed.
Then we come to the publishing house hyperbole surrounding the novel:
Glamorous - Well, maybe a little bit of glamour is in the book but mainly in name checking designers and talking about the application of lip gloss. Honestly, the amount of time spent mentioning one character or another applying lip gloss or running out of lip gloss or lending lip gloss is incredible. No real glamour though.
Dramatic - There are some moments that could be described as dramatic and a couple even manage to live up to it. Sadly, most of the supposed drama falls a bit flat.
Sensational - It reads like a British Sunday Tabloid that is now defunct so there is a lot of sensationalism in the book but that is very different to being sensational. It is just a bunch of tropes and the usual rumours surrounding anyone with a modicum of fame blended together.
Blockbuster - Well it is certainly that, only because of serious hype building by the real life PR team. The blurb is cleverly written to draw you in but please don't expect too much of this book, it is not what it's glossy surface purports it to be.
There is a plot here but one that annoyed me as each member of The Thunder Girls (gag) is painted as a victim throughout the book. Each and every revelation about what happened after the band split up only serves to denigrate the character further on the page. I am sure that the author intended us to see the adversity in these women's lives and watch them reclaim their rightful place in the world as empowering. It simply doesn't work, probably because each character is a cliche:
Chrissie - The true Diva of the group - selfish, self-centred and concerned only with image.
Roxanne - The business woman of the group - her business is failing now but she hopes the reunion will give it a big enough boost to get her back in the black. Fancies herself as an entrepreneur but really she is just riding the coat tails of her fame.
Carly - The quiet one, stuck in a borderline abusive marriage to another ex-famous person (this time a snooker player) she uses the opportunity to get away from him. That really is all she does.
Anita - The wild and crazy one, went down the whole drug and alcohol route and then disappeared to Brazil where she married a woman and ran a bar. Now they are back together, oh no, will she become wild and crazy once more?
Almost every early 1990's girl group cliche is covered - we just needed someone really interested in football to make the set of five. Although they were supposed to have their heyday in the 1980s, it really all felt much more 1990s to me.
I just couldn't take anything about this book seriously. From stumbling dialogue to a plot that drags along until you get to a set piece it just didn't do it for me. Definitely more style than substance.
October 23, 2019
The Thunder Girls is Melanie Blake's first book, but to read it, you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise.
The story opens back in the 1980s, when the biggest girl group of the time, (the titular Thunder Girls) find out that one of their members is going solo, shattering the group and the lives of the other three. The scene set, we then move to the present day, when events unfold that mean the group is set to reform.
With nearly 30 years of bad water under the bridge and one of the group absent for much of it with whereabouts unknown, the task of getting the group back together is an uphill battle from the start, and much of the first half of the book focusses on this. In doing so we get a better understanding of the treachery that underlies the bad spirit between the women.
Once the mammoth task of getting the group back in a position where they can agree to disagree and get the reunion done, the rest of the book changes direction and pace. Almost every chapter introduces a new thread, often resolved one or two chapters later, with new dramas unfolding and resolving at a very fast pace.
Depending on your preferred style of book and reading, this may not be to everyone's taste. But it's worth remembering that this book is targetted towards the "summer novel" type market. Which is to say that the style is deliberately done this way. Chapters are short and punchy, making it easy to pick up and get through the story in small bites if you're living a busy life, or picking up the book in-between cocktails by the pool.
Come to the book expecting Lord of the Rings, and you'd be left wanting. Come to the book expecting fun, drama, sassisness, intrigue, and an underlying message that age is nothing but a number, and you'll come away a happy reader, as I did.
At the time of writing, the digital version is only £0.99p, which makes it a criminal offence NOT to buy it, really. But even at full price (or if you just prefer a paperback version, as many people do), it's still great value for the amount of content you get.
A brilliant first book, by an author who's one to watch. Bravo.
The story opens back in the 1980s, when the biggest girl group of the time, (the titular Thunder Girls) find out that one of their members is going solo, shattering the group and the lives of the other three. The scene set, we then move to the present day, when events unfold that mean the group is set to reform.
With nearly 30 years of bad water under the bridge and one of the group absent for much of it with whereabouts unknown, the task of getting the group back together is an uphill battle from the start, and much of the first half of the book focusses on this. In doing so we get a better understanding of the treachery that underlies the bad spirit between the women.
Once the mammoth task of getting the group back in a position where they can agree to disagree and get the reunion done, the rest of the book changes direction and pace. Almost every chapter introduces a new thread, often resolved one or two chapters later, with new dramas unfolding and resolving at a very fast pace.
Depending on your preferred style of book and reading, this may not be to everyone's taste. But it's worth remembering that this book is targetted towards the "summer novel" type market. Which is to say that the style is deliberately done this way. Chapters are short and punchy, making it easy to pick up and get through the story in small bites if you're living a busy life, or picking up the book in-between cocktails by the pool.
Come to the book expecting Lord of the Rings, and you'd be left wanting. Come to the book expecting fun, drama, sassisness, intrigue, and an underlying message that age is nothing but a number, and you'll come away a happy reader, as I did.
At the time of writing, the digital version is only £0.99p, which makes it a criminal offence NOT to buy it, really. But even at full price (or if you just prefer a paperback version, as many people do), it's still great value for the amount of content you get.
A brilliant first book, by an author who's one to watch. Bravo.
Read
August 2, 2019We've all seen those pop bands who do well only to then split up, with one going solo and the rest left to try to eke out some sort of living once the limelight has faded. That's what happens to The Thunder Girls at the start of the story and then we push forward 30 years to discover what's happened to them in the intervening years, just as their old record label try to entice them back together for one last concert.
This is a really fun read about the music industry, about what goes on behind the scenes, and of the maneuverings, shenanigans and downright back-biting between the four women who collectively make up The Thunder Girls. I enjoyed getting know Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita, some, I have to say that I liked more than others, but I think that's where the charm of the book lies, in that you won't like all of them, but the author does a great job of bringing the characters to life in a such a entertaining way that you can't help but be drawn into their story.
I'm not going to say anything about what happens over the course of the story except to say that I was gripped from the first page and read the book more or less in one sitting as I couldn't wait to see what would happen next to Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita. I have to say though, that parts of the story made my jaw drop, other parts made me laugh out loud, and there's a dinner part get-together which had me in fits of giggles, and yet, there are also parts of the story which are quite poignant and rather emotional. By the end of the novel I was cheering for The Thunder Girls and hoped that everything would work out for all of them 😊
The Thunder Girls is a real blockbuster of a summer read by an author who knows the music industry like the back of her hand and who brings a lively enthusiasm to this her debut novel.
This is a really fun read about the music industry, about what goes on behind the scenes, and of the maneuverings, shenanigans and downright back-biting between the four women who collectively make up The Thunder Girls. I enjoyed getting know Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita, some, I have to say that I liked more than others, but I think that's where the charm of the book lies, in that you won't like all of them, but the author does a great job of bringing the characters to life in a such a entertaining way that you can't help but be drawn into their story.
I'm not going to say anything about what happens over the course of the story except to say that I was gripped from the first page and read the book more or less in one sitting as I couldn't wait to see what would happen next to Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita. I have to say though, that parts of the story made my jaw drop, other parts made me laugh out loud, and there's a dinner part get-together which had me in fits of giggles, and yet, there are also parts of the story which are quite poignant and rather emotional. By the end of the novel I was cheering for The Thunder Girls and hoped that everything would work out for all of them 😊
The Thunder Girls is a real blockbuster of a summer read by an author who knows the music industry like the back of her hand and who brings a lively enthusiasm to this her debut novel.
May 7, 2020
Finding it difficult to concentrate on reading lately, I was looking for a book to grab my attention and help me escape real life for a little while. Well The Thunder Girls did just that and I absolutely loved it. There's so much drama in The Thunder Girls, it's like a glitzy soap opera on steroids.
Set in the music industry, The Thunder Girls is the story of the world's biggest girl band getting back together after a 30 year gap. With a group of girls there'll always be bitchy backstabbing and catfights, even 30 years later when the 'girls' are in their fifties! Even more so when one of the girls left to pursue a solo career and the record label kicked the band into the gutter. They all dreamed of playing at Wembley one day and with the offer of a lifetime to do just that on the table, how can they possibly resist?
I absolutely loved the drama of The Thunder Girls, it reminded me of the the bitchy feuding between Krystle Carrington and Alexis Colby in Dynasty but even worse! These four girls had the world in their hands back in the 80's until one of them wanted the whole world to herself, or at least that's the way the other three saw it. So who can blame them for giving Chrissie the cold shoulder? They start to thaw with the Wembley carrot dangling in front of them and the promise of a cool half a million each for one show. The Spice Girls said 'friendship never ends' but will the girls ever be able to forgive and forget?
Filled with secrets, lies, tension and drama The Thunder Girls is THE book to read this summer; it's pure escapism and hugely entertaining. It's a glitzy and thrilling rollercoaster ride so you'd better buckle up for the ride of your life!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Set in the music industry, The Thunder Girls is the story of the world's biggest girl band getting back together after a 30 year gap. With a group of girls there'll always be bitchy backstabbing and catfights, even 30 years later when the 'girls' are in their fifties! Even more so when one of the girls left to pursue a solo career and the record label kicked the band into the gutter. They all dreamed of playing at Wembley one day and with the offer of a lifetime to do just that on the table, how can they possibly resist?
I absolutely loved the drama of The Thunder Girls, it reminded me of the the bitchy feuding between Krystle Carrington and Alexis Colby in Dynasty but even worse! These four girls had the world in their hands back in the 80's until one of them wanted the whole world to herself, or at least that's the way the other three saw it. So who can blame them for giving Chrissie the cold shoulder? They start to thaw with the Wembley carrot dangling in front of them and the promise of a cool half a million each for one show. The Spice Girls said 'friendship never ends' but will the girls ever be able to forgive and forget?
Filled with secrets, lies, tension and drama The Thunder Girls is THE book to read this summer; it's pure escapism and hugely entertaining. It's a glitzy and thrilling rollercoaster ride so you'd better buckle up for the ride of your life!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
July 11, 2019
Eighties pop music girl band, The Thunder Girls, break up suddenly, right when they’re in their prime. One of the girls’ betrayal causes the others’ careers to come to a grinding halt along with their friendship. 30 years later, their record label tries to get the old band back together, resulting in the reopening of past wounds and fights. How the girls lay the past to rest and try to move on with their lives forms the rest of the story.
When I first received the PR for The Thunder Girls, I thought it would be a sensational and dramatic book. I wasn’t wrong at all. The Thunder Girls is exactly the kind of fast-paced, dramatic, rollercoaster ride you’d want to read at the beach or poolside.
The book has a lot of twists, some which you’d smell coming from a mile away, and the rest, a little surprising. In addition to all the revenge, jealousy, and drama in this book, it also covers serious issues such as addiction, domestic abuse, and harassment.
The drama in this book borders on theatrical, so it’s no wonder it’s going to be a nationwide play in the UK. It’s exactly the kind of melodrama that audiences would love to watch performed onstage.
The book is 400 pages long but you won’t feel time pass when you read it–it’s that engrossing! Interestingly, my review copy came in only a couple of days back and I still managed to finish the book in time for my promised review date!
The Thunder Girls is an engaging and entertaining read with fierce females, a lot of laughs, and an accurate portrayal of the music industry. I’d highly recommend it if you’re looking for an easy, fast-paced read that’s both dramatic and serious at the same time.
When I first received the PR for The Thunder Girls, I thought it would be a sensational and dramatic book. I wasn’t wrong at all. The Thunder Girls is exactly the kind of fast-paced, dramatic, rollercoaster ride you’d want to read at the beach or poolside.
The book has a lot of twists, some which you’d smell coming from a mile away, and the rest, a little surprising. In addition to all the revenge, jealousy, and drama in this book, it also covers serious issues such as addiction, domestic abuse, and harassment.
The drama in this book borders on theatrical, so it’s no wonder it’s going to be a nationwide play in the UK. It’s exactly the kind of melodrama that audiences would love to watch performed onstage.
The book is 400 pages long but you won’t feel time pass when you read it–it’s that engrossing! Interestingly, my review copy came in only a couple of days back and I still managed to finish the book in time for my promised review date!
The Thunder Girls is an engaging and entertaining read with fierce females, a lot of laughs, and an accurate portrayal of the music industry. I’d highly recommend it if you’re looking for an easy, fast-paced read that’s both dramatic and serious at the same time.
July 13, 2019
This book has more twist and turns than a ride on a rollercoaster. The Thunder Girls tells the story of an 80's girl band at the top of their game. They are ripped apart by the betrayal of one of their own. Flash forward 30 years and the band are reuniting for a huge gig. The girls haven't spoken since they split. They all come together for a make or break reunion dinner, sparks fly and secrets are revealed that change all their lives.
This is Melanie Blake's first novel and it's a fantastic read. You connect to the characters and feel for them as all the twist and turns unfold, one thing is for sure the music industry is a dog eat dog world and some of the people are in it are horrid. (When you read Carly and Anita's stories and the choices they made you will understand.) The Thunder Girls is a great read for anyone whose ever been a fan of a massive band and seem them reunite. It's a gripping and captivating novel that I read in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more books by Melanie Blake in the future as her debut with The Thunder Girls really shows off her skill at creating characters who make you feel and a story that keeps you turning the page, gripped until the very end.
This is Melanie Blake's first novel and it's a fantastic read. You connect to the characters and feel for them as all the twist and turns unfold, one thing is for sure the music industry is a dog eat dog world and some of the people are in it are horrid. (When you read Carly and Anita's stories and the choices they made you will understand.) The Thunder Girls is a great read for anyone whose ever been a fan of a massive band and seem them reunite. It's a gripping and captivating novel that I read in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more books by Melanie Blake in the future as her debut with The Thunder Girls really shows off her skill at creating characters who make you feel and a story that keeps you turning the page, gripped until the very end.
August 9, 2019
Every now and then I need to step away from the serial killer thrillers and read something fun and lighthearted and The Thunder Girls was the perfect book to read.
Based on the authors experience and in-depth knowledge of the music industry Melanie Blake has created a story based around a very successful girl band from the 80s who for reasons unknown were disbanded at the height of their success when the management decided to make one member a solo artist.
Fast forward 30 years and the “girls” are now in their late forties/early fifties living away from the spotlight and haven’t spoken to each since their acrimonious split.
When the management offer them the chance to reform and play Wembley Stadium the “girls” are forced to face each other and their past in order to fulfil their dream.
The Thunder Girls was a fabulously, frothy and fun escape which I thoroughly enjoyed. The “girls” were all wonderful characters and being in my late, late forties I personally loved all the references to famous people and events that I remember from my youth.
It’s a lighthearted and easy read and absolutely perfect for a summer holiday book.
Based on the authors experience and in-depth knowledge of the music industry Melanie Blake has created a story based around a very successful girl band from the 80s who for reasons unknown were disbanded at the height of their success when the management decided to make one member a solo artist.
Fast forward 30 years and the “girls” are now in their late forties/early fifties living away from the spotlight and haven’t spoken to each since their acrimonious split.
When the management offer them the chance to reform and play Wembley Stadium the “girls” are forced to face each other and their past in order to fulfil their dream.
The Thunder Girls was a fabulously, frothy and fun escape which I thoroughly enjoyed. The “girls” were all wonderful characters and being in my late, late forties I personally loved all the references to famous people and events that I remember from my youth.
It’s a lighthearted and easy read and absolutely perfect for a summer holiday book.
November 27, 2022
I’ve been catching up with back episodes of the @bloodbrotherspod podcast and listened to the Melanie Blake episode and thought she and her books sounded like they’d be just up my street.
This, her first book was available for immediate download on Borrowbox
This is the story of top 80s girls band The Thunder Girls who after splitting acrimoniously at their peak at brought back together 30 years later for their big reunion
Can the women forgive and forget and make the reunion a success or are there too many people out to sabotage them?
I loved this book, it reminded me of Jackie Collins and Jilly Cooper type books. Anything about the 80s is like reliving fun years in my life and it was nice that the main characters were all 50 something year old women.
Melanie Blake has a background in the TV and music industry and while the story is obviously fiction, I can imagine the characters are very real!
I’m really looking forward to reading her other two books starting with Ruthless Women which of the first in her Ruthless series.
The audio book was really well narrated by Imogen Church.
July 27, 2019
All I wanted to be in my 20s was a rock star. I’m in my 30s now and much like my 20s there is zero chance of it ever happening but man I can still dream.
That is what is absolutely fantastic about The Thunder Girls by Melanie Blake. I am given the opportunity to live the rock star lifestyle vicariously through the girls in the band: Chrissie – your typical egotistical bitch with a heart of gold hidden under her icy exterior, the scorned Roxanne – I wouldn’t like to get on her bad side, the peacekeeper Carly – just because she is quiet doesn’t mean she doesn’t have secrets, and Anita – the feisty kick ass member of the band who may in fact be the glue that keeps them all together.
Melanie Blake has written an absolute page turner about what the music industry is like. She uses her real life experiences which give the book a verisimilitude and dammit she has made me want to continue the dream of being a rock star.
I really wish that I could unread this book so I could read it all over again.
Absolutely fantastic.
The Thunder Girls by Melanie Blake is available now.
That is what is absolutely fantastic about The Thunder Girls by Melanie Blake. I am given the opportunity to live the rock star lifestyle vicariously through the girls in the band: Chrissie – your typical egotistical bitch with a heart of gold hidden under her icy exterior, the scorned Roxanne – I wouldn’t like to get on her bad side, the peacekeeper Carly – just because she is quiet doesn’t mean she doesn’t have secrets, and Anita – the feisty kick ass member of the band who may in fact be the glue that keeps them all together.
Melanie Blake has written an absolute page turner about what the music industry is like. She uses her real life experiences which give the book a verisimilitude and dammit she has made me want to continue the dream of being a rock star.
I really wish that I could unread this book so I could read it all over again.
Absolutely fantastic.
The Thunder Girls by Melanie Blake is available now.
July 28, 2019
Thunder Girls makes me want to reread my whole Jackie Collins back catalogue. Authors like Melanie Blake are really doing a great job trying to carry on the blockbuster novels so many loved by the amazing Jackie...
The Thunder Girls were THE band of the Eighties, that was until one of them left to go solo, so far so standard band etiquette!
Fast forward thirty years later and the Thunder Girls have all led very different lives, but when their old record company wants to stage a reunion, can they shove aside old rivalries behind them... Did things really occur the way they thought they did... Who was really controlling the strings...
Chrissie, Carly, Anita and Roxy are all fabulous characters, great strong women who know how to fight their corner and are smart enough to know, if you want to create a storm, you have to expect a little bit of thunder!
This novel is Total escapism and is exactly what this crazy world needs right now, this reading experience is enhanced with a cocktail and some sunshine, perfect holiday read!
The Thunder Girls were THE band of the Eighties, that was until one of them left to go solo, so far so standard band etiquette!
Fast forward thirty years later and the Thunder Girls have all led very different lives, but when their old record company wants to stage a reunion, can they shove aside old rivalries behind them... Did things really occur the way they thought they did... Who was really controlling the strings...
Chrissie, Carly, Anita and Roxy are all fabulous characters, great strong women who know how to fight their corner and are smart enough to know, if you want to create a storm, you have to expect a little bit of thunder!
This novel is Total escapism and is exactly what this crazy world needs right now, this reading experience is enhanced with a cocktail and some sunshine, perfect holiday read!
November 27, 2019
I read "The Thunder Girls" for a bit of fun and light relief, hoping for some 80s nostalgia, both in terms of the music scene and the kind of "airport blockbusters" I enjoyed in those days.
Unfortunately, that wasn't to be. The book isn't really about musicians or rock & roll, more about the entertainment business. There were even one or two factual howlers relating to real-life music and musicians. The feel was far more 90s than 80s, with the group (I wouldn't describe them as a band) having more in common with the Spice Girls than Bananarama or the Bangles.
The writing, especially the dialogue, was stodgy, the group's antics tame and the plot-line predictable. A trendy "empowerment/men are crap, women are fab" agenda is sledge-hammered in.
It did keep me turning the pages and was a harmless enough way of passing a couple of evenings. I think it'll be a very good seller to the Prosecco/Pink Gin "girly night out" crowd.
Next time I want a good old-fashioned blockbuster, though, I'll go back to Jilly Cooper or Jackie Collins.
Unfortunately, that wasn't to be. The book isn't really about musicians or rock & roll, more about the entertainment business. There were even one or two factual howlers relating to real-life music and musicians. The feel was far more 90s than 80s, with the group (I wouldn't describe them as a band) having more in common with the Spice Girls than Bananarama or the Bangles.
The writing, especially the dialogue, was stodgy, the group's antics tame and the plot-line predictable. A trendy "empowerment/men are crap, women are fab" agenda is sledge-hammered in.
It did keep me turning the pages and was a harmless enough way of passing a couple of evenings. I think it'll be a very good seller to the Prosecco/Pink Gin "girly night out" crowd.
Next time I want a good old-fashioned blockbuster, though, I'll go back to Jilly Cooper or Jackie Collins.
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