From the Amazon bestselling author of Meet Me in Paris comes a spicy novella that will take you on a decadent and touching journey into the land of palm trees and sunshine…
When talented DC photographer Natasha Taylor meets alluring investor Nicholas Reyes at her first exhibit, a harmless invitation to join him for a weekend in Los Angeles turns into a passionate love affair that awakens Natasha in ways she never could have imagined.
Juliette Sobanet is the award-winning author of five Paris-based romance and mystery novels, a new island-based fantasy novel, five novellas, a book of poetry, a bestselling memoir, and the screenplay adaptation of her first novel, SLEEPING WITH PARIS. Under her real name of Danielle Porter, she is the author of a spicy thriller titled, ALL THE BEAUTIFUL BODIES. Her books have reached hundreds of thousands of readers worldwide, hitting the Top 100 Bestseller Lists on Amazon US, UK, France, and Germany, becoming bestsellers in Turkey and Italy as well. A French professor and writing coach, Juliette holds a B.A. from Georgetown University and an M.A. from New York University in Paris. She lives between France and the US, and she is currently working on her next novel with her two adorable cats by her side. Visit Juliette’s website at www.juliettesobanet.com. She loves to hear from her readers!
4 Living in the Shadows, Destiny Calling Love Stars * * * *
Fame... songs have been written about it... people have done crazy things for it... and to obtain it, what must be given up.... We learn all types of things about who we call famous.. and today unlike yesterday... we can find out almost anything about their lives... nothing is hidden. But what about the children of the famous...what about the lives they want... do they get to be free and live the way they wish...does being a famous someone's child as the way you are presented to others cause you to doubt who you are... what you want and why these people are even talking with you...
In this book, Confessions of a City Girl: Los Angeles... these are just the tip of the iceberg of concerns and questions for Natasha. She is the daughter of a movie star equivalent of Joan Crawford proportions. Ava Taylor was an old school star...in every way...curvacious figure, talented and a persona for the public which had not a drop of truth...for Ava's usual state was out of control; drunk, drugged and more times than not barely dressed. With a pattern of loving hard and then crashing when left heartbroken; emotions and crass behavior was the norm. This was what "lucky" daughter Natasha got day in and day out. A mother who was self involved, blind to others needs and caught up in the art of making movies and entertainment. How does a child survive and become herself with all of that around her? She focuses on a way to release all of the anger brewing... and the way Natasha did it was through two outlets... one was dance and the other was photography. One, she had to give up at 18; it, ripped away... the other became not only her savior but later her career.
We meet Natasha at her mother's side; she is dying of cancer and the time is very near... As it can happen... those who made serious mistakes with the ones they loved but never figured out how to express it... it is when they are closer to the end, they find their voice to tell their loved ones the truth they see in them... the encouragement that should have been given long ago... with insight which can feel too little to late.... or devastatingly real ...actual, awakening germination of thoughts hibernating in the recesses of the heart.
Ava has watched her daughter wither away in a quest to bear a child in a marriage which has been dying a slow, agonizing death... through IVF treatments and disinterest from her professor husband. Natasha has wasted her photographic talent capturing women glowing in the state she wishes to be in... she surrounds herself with soon to be mothers... like a masochist's dream... every shutter a nail in her barren body's heart. The obsession to bear a child ... and have that dream of the "perfect" family so unlike what she had, slips further and further away....Ethan, the man she once loved... he has become a figment of her imagination... as he no longer is the tenured professor... supportive of her... he has now become the Reluctant Husband... barely there...knowing his is else where with someone... missing appointments for the IVF; missing times with her... just fucking missing...
Ava has decided to do what she should have done so many years ago... look out for her daughter. She has purchased a gallery for Natasha to do a show like no other... all of the photographs taken of The Ava Taylor in all her Real Glory... the images which were never available... the images captured by an angry daughter to record what she was living through.... not the fairytale story all the masses thought of the great Ava Taylor... No... the hell of an abusive, insecure, hurtful and vulnerable woman... images which will launch a career for her daughter to level of real recognition. It will be glorious... and Ava deems it so... in the conditions of the purchase... there must be this showing of her photos in 6 weeks... and then Natasha can sell the gallery to pay off all the debts occurred in the doomed marriage. She explains all of this; has the paperwork there, gives a few choice words of encouragement to Natasha and promptly has the last word on the subject by passing.
We are at the showing. Six weeks has passed; the funeral, pr about the show and the nature of the photos has caused a huge buzz. It is 5 minutes to opening the doors and the reluctant husband has once again failed to show up... only illustrating clearer how dead this marriage has become. The doors open and we feel the rush of excitement... the thrill of appreciation for work done... the images are life size and breathtaking. Everywhere, on every wall Ava holds court... but not as the diva of film... these are images of raw, wrecked emotions dripping down the face of an Icon thru day old mascara and smudge lipstick... this is so real the walls are pulsating with Ava's reach... grabbing and twisting the viewer into her pawns... the power can be almost too much.
Natasha has been starring a particular photo... the last one as all of them have been sold... and she is hoping an offer for the gallery will happen as the night is ending. A voice pulls her out of her thoughts and quiet conversation with her mother's image... he is Nicholas Reyes; a once-famous photographer turned investor. She turns and does the polite exchange... yet there is something else going on besides the words which are being said... she met him 10 years ago...at 22 when her mother was photographed by him for the cover of Rolling Stone. The experience was unusual for Natasha as the man that day connected with her as a person... not the daughter of the star... he had sought her out .... took time and listened a bit... while the star carried on and eventually posed for a scandalous cover. Here is this man now... seeing into her head and possibly heart...offering her a deal for the gallery contingent on her coming to Los Angeles to shoot a dance troop he has invested in. More importantly...sh must spend an evening... with him. No... not a hook up; there will be her own room, etc. No, he wants her to go out with him... spend some time and have a little fun... something he senses has been sorely lacking in her life. Natasha thinks on this....breaths... sees the reality of her life... and hears her mother's advice to her through the photo starring down on her... she takes the leap and says yes.
This novella was like those perfect little items we get.... they surprise us with the intricate details; they hold an amount of pleasure which cannot be measured... we are amazed as to how everything just works so well with them. This novella is like that ... there is so much jammed into it... yet while reading all the information and necessary parts... it is like the piece naturally fit. There were a few details which were necessary for the story which made my antenna go Scooby Do Rut Ro... but again, things had to happen in the tale and so... like the items we love so much... when the seams don't match quite right... we still love them and turn a blind eye.
This story is a romance of the mind... not a detailed description. It takes you on a realization of a woman who has been reaching and trying for a supposed perfect brass ring which was never attainable... and learns her "perfect" family is within reach if she leans in the right direction for her.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review. For more reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
I enjoyed Confessions of a City Girl: Washington D.C. so much that I decided to indulge in this one while between books. It's a quick read, even though I spread it out over a few days to enjoy during my workouts.
I liked this story just as much as the DC one. There is a DC element to this one too! Natasha had a lot of stress and pain in her life and I cared about what was going to happen for her. Nicholas sounds amazing throughout the story. There's a really hot romantic scene that you may need to pause after, in order to get your breathing back to normal. ;)
All-in-all, a quick, enjoyable, and entertaining read. I look forward to checking out the other two books in this series and hope for more to be written soon. (So many cities...so many possibilities!)
This is a short(ish), sweet, often humorous read. I really like this author and what she can do! The writing is brilliant, the storyline is fantastic, and I loved the character developments.. I wish it was so much longer as I did not want it to ever end! I will definitely be reading more of this author. The way she kept me hanging onto my seat was incredible. It ticks all the right boxes, including a gorgeous drool-worthy man! I will definitely recommend this book! #2OCCAB
I was expecting something scandalous or spicy by the title. It is neither scandalous nor spicy, but it is a sweet romance. I liked the main character Natasha and the easy way Nicholas slid into her life. Her husband showed little interest in her endeavors so when someone else paid attention, she was smitten.
A quick, cute romance. This is #1 in a series. I will read the next one primarily because it didn’t drag on unnecessarily and with likable characters 🙂
You know for a pretty short book, this wasn’t bad. It was very enjoyable. Not overly exciting I’d say, but I enjoyed listening to it. I do think it’s interesting how her body was rejecting having a child with her husband and how that is so real. Your body just knows when you’re not supposed to be with somebody.
Upon her death bed, Hollywood actress Ava Turner makes her daughter promise to host a photography exhibition chronicling the less glamorous times of the stars life. Natasha makes good on her promise and throws herself into the showcase. Besides being a therapeutic project to harbour her sadness at her mother’s passing it also helps her escape from her loveless marriage to Ethan.
When Natasha meets fellow photographer Nicholas Reyes her whole world becomes a drama worthy of a Hollywood film set.
Review
Firstly, let me just get this out. I love Juliette Sobanet. I have yet to read a story by her that I haven’t loved and I genuinely feel that she is one of the most underrated romance writers that is releasing novels today.
That being said, I will admit I was dubious about reading this short story. Mainly, the reason for this worry was that it was so far removed from my comfort zone. Sobanet usually takes me on rip-roaring adventures in the heart of France. How was she going to woo me in LA?
Well, actually, she did so quite easily. Though I shouldn’t approve of the scandalous affair that took place in Confessions of a City Girl: Los Angeles, I couldn’t help but be enchanted by Natasha’s affair with Nicholas. I even began to root for them to get together. It all seemed so deliciously wrong but equally it was so very right.
That is essentially Sobanet’s superhero power as a writer, she draws you into her characters world so quickly that you fail to be impartial; you root for them from beginning to end.
Confessions of a City Girl: Los Angeles is another fine example of her work. I implore everyone to read this and her other book releases.
Confessions of a City Girl: Los Angeles (A Confessions Novella) by Juliette Sobanet is available now.
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You can follow Juliette Sobanet on Twitter @JulietteSobanet
To be honest, I was not sure how I felt about this novella and struggled to write this review. I was really riding the fence on how to rate it. Should I give it 3 stars because I thought it was just okay? Or should I give it 4 stars because there were a few parts that I liked? After thoughtful deliberation, I’ve decided to give it 3 stars. Boo me! I just didn’t connect to this story, and it felt wrong rating it higher.
Don’t get me wrong, I was curious about the mysterious Nicholas Reyes that showed up at Natasha’s gallery opening ready to buy it, but I didn’t feel like I really knew him. I felt more connected to Natasha than Nicholas, which hardly ever happens. I am typically more inclined to fall in love with the guy in the story, but something about Natasha made me want to give her a hug and tell her it was okay. Her mom was jacked, and she married a loser. How awful is that? But then she met Nicholas and everything fell in place. Great, right? Right. I was happy things worked out for Natasha and Nicholas, but I wasn’t rooting for them. Sigh!
Anywho, this book was a quick read. Now was I in love with the book? No. Did I enjoy it? parts of it like their random visit to the creepy yet accurate psychic. BTW....that was one of my favorite parts.Oh, and I enjoyed their intense sexual chemistry. I also appreciated the pace of this novella. Not rushed nor was it drawn out. Would I recommend it? Depends on what you are in the mood for. Are you looking for a book where fate brings two people back together under unusual circumstances and they quickly fall in love? If the answer is yes, then this novella is for you.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for reviewing purposes.
This book is an amusing read. It took me only 3 hours to read. And I didn’t rush through it or anything. It’s not that long and because of the amusing factor I mentioned before I kept reading and reading … until Kindle showed 100%. I’d definitely read another book written by Juliette.
One of the things I really liked was the setting. The story takes place in D.C. and LA. I’d love to see the places mentioned in the book. Another thing were the names used for the main characters. Natasha and Nicholas. It sounds really nice together, doesn’t it? Then there is an amusing scene with a psychic. I laughed at that description. I always give authors extra points when they make feel as if the scene takes place in front of me.
There were some teeny, tiny things I found odd. N&N know they’re perfect for each other, but spend a long time without even talking on the phone (not to mention actually seeing each other). However, I won’t look too much into that because that’s how the author wanted to make it. And the in depth conversation about their respective life stories at the very beginning of the book was a bit too much too soon :)
To sum up, I liked this book very much and I will recommend it to my friends. Doesn’t take too much time, nice story with amusing elements. This definitely ticks a lot of boxes. It’s just the kind of book I’d read to relax after a long day. And we all need such books.
Rating - 4 stars
Who would I recommend it - people looking for an amusing, quick to read story
I have said this before on several occassions I really am not a person who like shorter reads as in instalment series or novella's but I do on the odd occassion read them. And I have to say that I am glad I read this book and none of the storyline was affected by it being only 89-ish pages long. It was delivered well and actually being that is was short, there simply is no waffle, it's pertinent scening all the way through and perfectly constructed.
I quite enjoyed this sweet romance. I like Juliette's writing style, it's easy deliverance and chatty prose make for good reading. I did struggle a little with one element of the story line, I didn't quite gel with the pyschic element. But that's just me, I am not a person who has ever been into pyschics or any anything to do with reading people.
I loved the song reference in the book, Jesse Ware and Wildest Moment's is one of my favourite songs and that made me smile to see it referred to. Natasha and Nicholas were fun to follow, I enjoyed the back story of Natasha and her mum and the reason the exhibition was set up. Nicholas was a perfect male specimen, wealthy, caring, understanding, physically fit and not scared to show his feelings and emotions. He's a great character.
All in all this was a fun, sweet little romance read and this was a nice little introduction to Juliette's writing and I will be checking out more of her books.
I came across this novella just this morning, purchased it, and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of emotion and plot jam packed into this novella. I read it in one sitting and couldn't put it down. I found Natasha to be real and a character many women will be able to relate to. She has real life problems with her career, marriage, family and while she was brought up in a Hollywood lifestyle, this was never the spotlight she was meant to be in. Her passion for dance and photography kept her grounded and on the path to a rewarding future.
Once Natasha was able to find her true path in life, the pieces of her scrambled life were put back together in a way she never saw coming. The trip to the fortune teller and the demise of her marriage were both filled with so much fictional passion, it could easily be reality. I could have read about Nicholas for days with his romantic words and the passionate chemistry he shared with Natasha.
I enjoyed the writing style of this author and look forward to the rest of the stories in this series! Give this one a shot, you won't be disappointed!
I have to admit I really did like this short story. Natasha had a promising dance career until a stupid act turns the dance world against her. She goes to college and takes up photography. She has been married to Ethan for ten years. They have unsuccessfully been trying for a child, however Ethan really doesn't want any children. Natasha's mother was a very famous actress and dancer and she is very ill now and dying. Natasha's mother gives her a art gallery with the stipulation that she has to have a show of all the pictures she has taken of her mother over the years. She agrees to her terms. She has the show and it is a success, but she also decides she needs to sell the gallery to pay off her fertility bills and her home. After the show is over a man approaches her about buying the gallery. He will with the stipulation that she comes to LA and stays with him so he can take her out on the town. His name is Nicholas and he is good looking and charming. Ethan has been cheating on her for years, so she takes him up on this deal. They both wind up getting more in the deal than they bargained for. This is a good read
At first I thought this was going to be a light read, as this a novella. What I discovered is that the author pack a great deal of drama, emotions, and sizzling romance into this short book. Natasha is just going through the motion of being a wife. Plus, her IVF treatments have added more stress to her marriage, whipped out the savings, and has reduced sex to almost a medical procedure. It is all too obvious to Natasha that she and her husband are just settling and not really enjoying their marriage anymore. By the hands of her late mother, Natasha life takes an unexpected, but very welcomed change, as Nicholas re-enters her life. This is a story of finding your soul mate and believing in second chances. Readers may find themselves questioning their own situations, and questioning if they are truly living a fulfilling life or just settling.
Wow, this book moved at light speed. But at the same time it took place over such a short period of time. It was a little weird.
But, as always with novellas, I wanted more. I wanted more backstory with Ava and Ethan and Natasha and I wanted to see Natasha through her pregnancy, and send her friend Liz find happiness. Do Natasha and Nicholas get married? What do they name their child?
This book felt like a good first few chapters, but I want more! I'm hoping the others in the series will fill in the info for me.
Opening a new book from a familiar author is like cuddling up in your favorite fluffy blanket. Just so very nice. As a novella, this was a quick read, but in a good way. I enjoyed the pacing, the story didn't seemed rushed. I was a little skeptical about the subject matter, for personal reasons, but in the end I was happy for them.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but it was beautiful. I loved the characters and the way the story was written. A very enjoyable short read :-)