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Lovers & Players
Jackie Collins is back—in this deliciously scandalous novel, Lovers & Players . And she's giving her readers a revealing look into the private realms of her fabulously rich and sexy cast of characters.
Dangerous sex, family secrets, irresistible power, mega money and two murders equal one reckless week in New York. Lovers and Players takes you on a high-powered trip from Park Avenue to Brooklyn.
In Lovers and Players , the Diamond family's power extends from coast to coast. Max—a real estate tycoon; Chris—a Hollywood lawyer; and Jett—a young, handsome ex-druggie, now a successful model in Italy, must finally come face to face with their tyrannical father, Red, who has been controlling their world for as long as they can remember.
Working as Red's housekeeper is Diahann, a beautiful black ex-singer. Her stunning bi-racial nineteen-year-old daughter, Liberty—a waitress who is a would-be singer herself—does not approve of her mother working as a housekeeper. Liberty has dreams of her own and while she pursues them, Damon P. Donnell, married hip-hop mogul supreme, pursues her .
Amy Scott-Simon, a beguilingly pretty young New York heiress, in engaged to marry Max Diamond. At her bachelorette party she runs into Jett, Max's younger brother. Jet has no idea who Amy is. She also doesn't realize who he is. A one-night fling leads to major complications.
As the lives of these characters intertwine, power, money, fame and love are the ties that bind—emotionally and otherwise—in this highly charged love story about family relationships and deadly choices.
Dangerous sex, family secrets, irresistible power, mega money and two murders equal one reckless week in New York. Lovers and Players takes you on a high-powered trip from Park Avenue to Brooklyn.
In Lovers and Players , the Diamond family's power extends from coast to coast. Max—a real estate tycoon; Chris—a Hollywood lawyer; and Jett—a young, handsome ex-druggie, now a successful model in Italy, must finally come face to face with their tyrannical father, Red, who has been controlling their world for as long as they can remember.
Working as Red's housekeeper is Diahann, a beautiful black ex-singer. Her stunning bi-racial nineteen-year-old daughter, Liberty—a waitress who is a would-be singer herself—does not approve of her mother working as a housekeeper. Liberty has dreams of her own and while she pursues them, Damon P. Donnell, married hip-hop mogul supreme, pursues her .
Amy Scott-Simon, a beguilingly pretty young New York heiress, in engaged to marry Max Diamond. At her bachelorette party she runs into Jett, Max's younger brother. Jet has no idea who Amy is. She also doesn't realize who he is. A one-night fling leads to major complications.
As the lives of these characters intertwine, power, money, fame and love are the ties that bind—emotionally and otherwise—in this highly charged love story about family relationships and deadly choices.
513 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2005
173 people are currently reading
2481 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Collins
227 books2,690 followersThere have been many imitators, but only Jackie Collins can tell you what really goes on in the fastest lane of all. From Beverly Hills bedrooms to a raunchy prowl along the streets of Hollywood; from glittering rock parties and concerts to stretch limos and the mansions of power brokers-Jackie Collins chronicles the real truth from the inside looking out.
Jackie Collins has been called a "raunchy moralist" by the late director Louis Malle and "Hollywood's own Marcel Proust" by Vanity Fair magazine. With over 500 million copies of her books sold in more than forty countries, and with some 30 New York Times bestsellers to her credit, Jackie Collins is one of the world's top-selling novelists. She is known for giving her readers an unrivalled insider's knowledge of Hollywood and the glamorous lives and loves of the rich, famous, and infamous. "I write about real people in disguise," she says. "If anything, my characters are toned down-the truth is much more bizarre."
Jackie Collins died of breast cancer Saturday, September 19, 2015. Jackie Collins, who had kept her illness secret, said recently that she believed in an afterlife, that she had no regrets and that she had emulated Frank Sinatra in that “I did it my way.”
Visit Jackie's website: www.jackiecollins.com
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/JackieJCollins
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/jackiecollins and Pinterest:
www.pinterest.com/jackiejcollins
Jackie Collins has been called a "raunchy moralist" by the late director Louis Malle and "Hollywood's own Marcel Proust" by Vanity Fair magazine. With over 500 million copies of her books sold in more than forty countries, and with some 30 New York Times bestsellers to her credit, Jackie Collins is one of the world's top-selling novelists. She is known for giving her readers an unrivalled insider's knowledge of Hollywood and the glamorous lives and loves of the rich, famous, and infamous. "I write about real people in disguise," she says. "If anything, my characters are toned down-the truth is much more bizarre."
Jackie Collins died of breast cancer Saturday, September 19, 2015. Jackie Collins, who had kept her illness secret, said recently that she believed in an afterlife, that she had no regrets and that she had emulated Frank Sinatra in that “I did it my way.”
Visit Jackie's website: www.jackiecollins.com
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/JackieJCollins
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/jackiecollins and Pinterest:
www.pinterest.com/jackiejcollins
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
April 11, 2010
1) I got this for $1 from the homeless men selling books outside my supermarket, which I think is a fair price.
2) This is classic Jackie Collins: totally over-the-top characterizations, lots of name-dropping and celebrity comparisons, family sturm and drang, tons of money, etc.
3) She has a few black characters that are SO stereotypical it's like the only black people she's ever even HEARD OF are rappers and singers (she mentions Usher four times but never any other rap/r&b artist).
4) The evil character is SO evil he may as well be called Voldemort. And the plot "twists" are so non-twisty that it's kind of cute watching Collins-- ahem, her ghost-writer/assistant-- knock herself out setting them up.
But I spent a pleasant few hours skimming through this and eating grapes, so I can't really complain. You know what you're getting yourself into with this type of trash; it's not worth getting offended. I will say that there are almost no descriptions of clothes, which is why Judith Krantz is a lot better.
2) This is classic Jackie Collins: totally over-the-top characterizations, lots of name-dropping and celebrity comparisons, family sturm and drang, tons of money, etc.
3) She has a few black characters that are SO stereotypical it's like the only black people she's ever even HEARD OF are rappers and singers (she mentions Usher four times but never any other rap/r&b artist).
4) The evil character is SO evil he may as well be called Voldemort. And the plot "twists" are so non-twisty that it's kind of cute watching Collins-- ahem, her ghost-writer/assistant-- knock herself out setting them up.
But I spent a pleasant few hours skimming through this and eating grapes, so I can't really complain. You know what you're getting yourself into with this type of trash; it's not worth getting offended. I will say that there are almost no descriptions of clothes, which is why Judith Krantz is a lot better.
July 16, 2010
It's easy to say, "Wonderful!" "Great!" and "I loved it!" but how easy is it to say why it's those good things (and not give away any of the surprises every reader should be able to savor)? What I liked about the book:
- The 3 half-brothers have had a heck of a bad childhood, yet they do more than survive it. I really enjoyed getting to know each of the three brothers, and it was very satisfying to see them interact and grow, as people and as brothers. None of the three is perfect, but what is enjoyable is seeing how each of them faces up to various bad habits and attempts to get past it. Despite the complete rottenness of their dad, it was interesting to see what he had planned for them (and why) and how they dealt with him. The suspense of the reason for the meeting was fun.
- I liked the plot delving into more than one pond: the "secondary" characters of Liberty, her mom, her cousin Cindi and her aunt, didn't feel like secondary ones because we got to know more than the surface of them; and I loved how the author brought all the ponds together into one big ocean. The characters were sometimes predictible - but it was fun to see how the other characters discovered what I already knew, and it was refreshing to see a beautiful character with a brain and some values... and delightful to see how following what she believed in turns out for her. A bit fairy-talish, but I enjoy a good fairy tale every now and again.
- Finally, I like how the book isn't just about sex. It's a cheerful story that DOES have sex and bad habits in it, but it's got some things to remember: Surviving a tough childhood IS possible, and leaning on someone/asking for help is OK; pursuing dreams is a good thing; why some people turn out the way they do and why superficial sex and bad habits ultimately don't satisfy.
- The 3 half-brothers have had a heck of a bad childhood, yet they do more than survive it. I really enjoyed getting to know each of the three brothers, and it was very satisfying to see them interact and grow, as people and as brothers. None of the three is perfect, but what is enjoyable is seeing how each of them faces up to various bad habits and attempts to get past it. Despite the complete rottenness of their dad, it was interesting to see what he had planned for them (and why) and how they dealt with him. The suspense of the reason for the meeting was fun.
- I liked the plot delving into more than one pond: the "secondary" characters of Liberty, her mom, her cousin Cindi and her aunt, didn't feel like secondary ones because we got to know more than the surface of them; and I loved how the author brought all the ponds together into one big ocean. The characters were sometimes predictible - but it was fun to see how the other characters discovered what I already knew, and it was refreshing to see a beautiful character with a brain and some values... and delightful to see how following what she believed in turns out for her. A bit fairy-talish, but I enjoy a good fairy tale every now and again.
- Finally, I like how the book isn't just about sex. It's a cheerful story that DOES have sex and bad habits in it, but it's got some things to remember: Surviving a tough childhood IS possible, and leaning on someone/asking for help is OK; pursuing dreams is a good thing; why some people turn out the way they do and why superficial sex and bad habits ultimately don't satisfy.
July 9, 2018
I have read most of Jackie Collins books . I really enjoyed Lovers and Players. With reading so many books by the Jackie Collins, I have actually lost count of how many books of Jackie's I read. I haven't done any reviews on all the books I have read because most of them I read many years ago before joining Goodreads. I do miss Jackie Collins and her books.
January 22, 2019
After a few “heavy” books, my book club thought a light summer read was in order. Thus began “Jackie January”. The Santangelo series was (surprisingly) enthralling, but this was was appalling. No more Jackie for me.
September 10, 2008
So I started this summer telling myself that I was going to read:
1. June-- All of George Orwell
2. July-- All of Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3. August (into whenever because I wanted to take my time)-- All of Cormac McCarthy, in order. Again.
I got halfway through Homage to Catalonia and decided that I have enough heaviness in my life these days, and could therefore read whatever I want.
So I opened the gates for fun stuff. Graphic novels and bestsellers and then I saw Jackie Collins on a morning talk show, and was totally taken by the following:
1. How poised and polite and eloquent she was in interview and in answering call-in questions.
2. How accomplished she was in what she does. I mean, who owns that genre more than Ms. Jackie?
3. That I'd never read any of her books, and might give it a whirl as part of my fun summer reading program.
I mentioned this to my mom, a mostly-feminist who never speaks about, acknowledges, or condones that sex exists, and she breezily answered, "Jackie Collins is an American icon. She came on the scene during the sexual revolution, and filled that gap for women. Everyone should read something by her."
And my mom happened to have a copy of Lovers and Players in the house.
So I read it.
Which brings me to the difficult part.
It was just OK, you know? She definitely has a gift for storytelling like Stephen King or JK Rowling, but it's also pretty formulaic. A lot of the plot twists were predictable, and the characters were unlike anyone I've ever known. It's definitely great escapist stuff, but you have to be like completely-ready-to-check-out-on-the-level-of-an-acid-trip prepared to suspend reality.
In that way, I do kind of like it. It plays into my love of soap operas, and things they suggest about the American female psyche. While there's a generally happy ending in Lovers and Players, the characters' problems are MASSIVE problems, creating a reassuring structure where the glamorous and wealthy have much more stressful lives than one would desire. It's the sort of book you'd set down thinking, "If nothing else, at least I know there is zero chance that our first child might be secretly fathered by my husband's brother, and the other a black market baby bought by my husband to cover the death of our second child during birth, after which I was too delirious to know what was happening."
You have to be prepared to take that sort of thing in stride, over and over.
But I learned a few things.
First of all, apparently I have a level of literary snobbery that does not transcend enthusiasm. I went into this book kind of excited.
Second, that there is something important about writing what you have to say, shaking what you've got, not hiding your light under a bushel basket, as Collins bravely showed through her career. I can understand why she is an icon, regardless of her snob-repellence. She spins well constructed and fun reads. Sue her for being good at that.
Third, I had more to say about this book than any of the lit snob stuff I've read in years. And I've done so here to get it out of my system.
Mostly, though, I write this to tip my hat to Jackie Collins. Well played on all fronts, lady.
1. June-- All of George Orwell
2. July-- All of Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3. August (into whenever because I wanted to take my time)-- All of Cormac McCarthy, in order. Again.
I got halfway through Homage to Catalonia and decided that I have enough heaviness in my life these days, and could therefore read whatever I want.
So I opened the gates for fun stuff. Graphic novels and bestsellers and then I saw Jackie Collins on a morning talk show, and was totally taken by the following:
1. How poised and polite and eloquent she was in interview and in answering call-in questions.
2. How accomplished she was in what she does. I mean, who owns that genre more than Ms. Jackie?
3. That I'd never read any of her books, and might give it a whirl as part of my fun summer reading program.
I mentioned this to my mom, a mostly-feminist who never speaks about, acknowledges, or condones that sex exists, and she breezily answered, "Jackie Collins is an American icon. She came on the scene during the sexual revolution, and filled that gap for women. Everyone should read something by her."
And my mom happened to have a copy of Lovers and Players in the house.
So I read it.
Which brings me to the difficult part.
It was just OK, you know? She definitely has a gift for storytelling like Stephen King or JK Rowling, but it's also pretty formulaic. A lot of the plot twists were predictable, and the characters were unlike anyone I've ever known. It's definitely great escapist stuff, but you have to be like completely-ready-to-check-out-on-the-level-of-an-acid-trip prepared to suspend reality.
In that way, I do kind of like it. It plays into my love of soap operas, and things they suggest about the American female psyche. While there's a generally happy ending in Lovers and Players, the characters' problems are MASSIVE problems, creating a reassuring structure where the glamorous and wealthy have much more stressful lives than one would desire. It's the sort of book you'd set down thinking, "If nothing else, at least I know there is zero chance that our first child might be secretly fathered by my husband's brother, and the other a black market baby bought by my husband to cover the death of our second child during birth, after which I was too delirious to know what was happening."
You have to be prepared to take that sort of thing in stride, over and over.
But I learned a few things.
First of all, apparently I have a level of literary snobbery that does not transcend enthusiasm. I went into this book kind of excited.
Second, that there is something important about writing what you have to say, shaking what you've got, not hiding your light under a bushel basket, as Collins bravely showed through her career. I can understand why she is an icon, regardless of her snob-repellence. She spins well constructed and fun reads. Sue her for being good at that.
Third, I had more to say about this book than any of the lit snob stuff I've read in years. And I've done so here to get it out of my system.
Mostly, though, I write this to tip my hat to Jackie Collins. Well played on all fronts, lady.
March 26, 2016
Oh Jackie...you used to be the best in trashy reading. But time takes a toll on us all, even the greatests.
I can never give a Jackie Collins book one star...even when she's bad, she's bad, and that's part of her charm...but even with all the sleaze, "Lovers & Players" was so boring!
I disliked the heroine, Liberty, who was not pictured on the cover (Lib's biracial, so the blonde on the cover must be boring-assed Amy). She started out as a cantankerous, lazy waitress who bitched at her customers for daring to want to place orders and I was supposed to sympathize with her?
Anyway, Lib's dream is to be a singer, and along the way she becomes a rap video ho, a magazine model and potential mistress to Mr. Damon P. Darnell. That's right, Damon P. Darnell, the hip-hop mogul, who can only be called by his full name Damon P. Darnell, cuz that's how he rolls. (Oh, Jackie!)
The story line is this: evil, overbearing, billionaire Red Diamond demands his three sons show up in New York for a very important announcement regarding their inheritances.
Oldest son Max (who I kind of liked because he was a decent guy) needs the money because all his investors are pulling out of business deals, and he's a got a Russian ex-wife, a virginal bride-to-be and a spoiled five-year-old daughter to care for.
Middle son Chris (also somewhat decent) needs money to pay off a gambling debt to mobsters, but can't, even though he's a super lawyer to the wealthy mega-stars.
Youngest son Jett is a hunky, brainless, walking hard-on of a male-model who falls in love (unknowingly) with Max's fiancee, Amy, a virgin who's saving herself for marriage, but of course fucks Jett on the night of her bachelorette party and doesn't share names, but it's instant lurve for this Ken and Barbie couple.
Jett and Amy what a BORING couple. That cannot be stated enough...just awful and uninteresting.
There is the usual cast of raunchy characters, villains and idiots, and lots of filler. A crap lot of it.
What happened to the sizzling page turners like "Hollywood Wives," "Chances," "Lucky" and "Rock Star" where the action happens over months and years and where the characters were actually unique and entertaining? Now, all her books take place over a span of a few days or weeks, detailing boring lunches and vacations where nothing happens (sure sex, drugs, some tawdry stuff) but no exciting twists or drama.
And the ending...
Jackie's books always end in a seeming cliffhanger, then the epilogue cleans everything up neatly, and it's fun to see what happens to who and where and why. This...was just a mess, as if she really did not give a flying fuck and just had her assistant type out a summary of what they thought should happen.
The last few Santangelo books were so bleh, I was freaking disappointed! One thing I could always depend on was for Jackie to entertain, no matter how cheesy or offensive or crazy! Now reading her books is like watching a boring reality show where the same dull crap happens over and over. All glitz, but that's it.
1 1/2 star/ D-
I can never give a Jackie Collins book one star...even when she's bad, she's bad, and that's part of her charm...but even with all the sleaze, "Lovers & Players" was so boring!
I disliked the heroine, Liberty, who was not pictured on the cover (Lib's biracial, so the blonde on the cover must be boring-assed Amy). She started out as a cantankerous, lazy waitress who bitched at her customers for daring to want to place orders and I was supposed to sympathize with her?
Anyway, Lib's dream is to be a singer, and along the way she becomes a rap video ho, a magazine model and potential mistress to Mr. Damon P. Darnell. That's right, Damon P. Darnell, the hip-hop mogul, who can only be called by his full name Damon P. Darnell, cuz that's how he rolls. (Oh, Jackie!)
The story line is this: evil, overbearing, billionaire Red Diamond demands his three sons show up in New York for a very important announcement regarding their inheritances.
Oldest son Max (who I kind of liked because he was a decent guy) needs the money because all his investors are pulling out of business deals, and he's a got a Russian ex-wife, a virginal bride-to-be and a spoiled five-year-old daughter to care for.
Middle son Chris (also somewhat decent) needs money to pay off a gambling debt to mobsters, but can't, even though he's a super lawyer to the wealthy mega-stars.
Youngest son Jett is a hunky, brainless, walking hard-on of a male-model who falls in love (unknowingly) with Max's fiancee, Amy, a virgin who's saving herself for marriage, but of course fucks Jett on the night of her bachelorette party and doesn't share names, but it's instant lurve for this Ken and Barbie couple.
Jett and Amy what a BORING couple. That cannot be stated enough...just awful and uninteresting.
There is the usual cast of raunchy characters, villains and idiots, and lots of filler. A crap lot of it.
What happened to the sizzling page turners like "Hollywood Wives," "Chances," "Lucky" and "Rock Star" where the action happens over months and years and where the characters were actually unique and entertaining? Now, all her books take place over a span of a few days or weeks, detailing boring lunches and vacations where nothing happens (sure sex, drugs, some tawdry stuff) but no exciting twists or drama.
And the ending...
Jackie's books always end in a seeming cliffhanger, then the epilogue cleans everything up neatly, and it's fun to see what happens to who and where and why. This...was just a mess, as if she really did not give a flying fuck and just had her assistant type out a summary of what they thought should happen.
The last few Santangelo books were so bleh, I was freaking disappointed! One thing I could always depend on was for Jackie to entertain, no matter how cheesy or offensive or crazy! Now reading her books is like watching a boring reality show where the same dull crap happens over and over. All glitz, but that's it.
1 1/2 star/ D-
July 15, 2012
This has been my first Jackie Collins book, her books had been recommended to me from some people at work as this is one of her smaller books i decide to start here.
Red Diamond what can I say? when the memories of him from his sons are bought up i nearly put the book down but i persevered, lucky i did.
What a fantastic story just the right balance of sexiness, romance and drama.
The story of the Diamond sons is remarkable very addictive not to mention Red Diamond house keepers daughter and her struggle in a town where every one wants to be famous.
i enjoyed this book and look forwards to reading what else has come from the mind of Jackie Collins.
Red Diamond what can I say? when the memories of him from his sons are bought up i nearly put the book down but i persevered, lucky i did.
What a fantastic story just the right balance of sexiness, romance and drama.
The story of the Diamond sons is remarkable very addictive not to mention Red Diamond house keepers daughter and her struggle in a town where every one wants to be famous.
i enjoyed this book and look forwards to reading what else has come from the mind of Jackie Collins.
March 29, 2012
Jackie Collins has done it again! She is an amazing author! This book had everything that makes a book intriguing and breathtaking! It had scandal, family drama, sex, murder and lust! The characters were so easy to get hooked on. Each had its own drama and problems that pulled me in right away as a reader. I loved how in the end they all came to be connected . I do have to admit that I did call Red Diamond's secret right away. I was curious to see if I was right on my hunch and to my surprise..... I was right! :)
Believe it or not my favorite character is Red Diamond. Even though he is a major ass, I found him to be humerous. He was a scumbag of a father but he was rather funny in his rude way of talking to people. I found myself giggling at some of the things he would say to his sons.. (They were mean things to say, but still funny!) Out of the 3 brothers, Chris, Max & Jett, I have a hunch that Jett was the most attractive one... after all he's the model! Mariska's secret in the end shocked me. It was a huge blow to the storyline that I was not expecting. Ms. Collins shows that even rich people who live the glamorous life have their own share of scandals!
This is a must read if you like gossip and scandal!
Believe it or not my favorite character is Red Diamond. Even though he is a major ass, I found him to be humerous. He was a scumbag of a father but he was rather funny in his rude way of talking to people. I found myself giggling at some of the things he would say to his sons.. (They were mean things to say, but still funny!) Out of the 3 brothers, Chris, Max & Jett, I have a hunch that Jett was the most attractive one... after all he's the model! Mariska's secret in the end shocked me. It was a huge blow to the storyline that I was not expecting. Ms. Collins shows that even rich people who live the glamorous life have their own share of scandals!
This is a must read if you like gossip and scandal!
June 29, 2010
I'm an avid reader & left the current book I was reading at work last night. So I went to my book shelf and pulled this one off. I'm almost 1/2 through & can't wait to see what happens. My first impression of the "sons" in this book were that they are very arrogant, rich, "the-world-revolves-around-me" kind on guys. But as I continued to read, I found that I really like their characters and the roles that they play. I actually like all of the characters in this book. I think Red Diamond's antagonistic character is a bit extreme, but something I can deal with. As a first time reader of Jackie Collins, I'm taken by this book but not so engrossed that I want to go out and buy all of her books. I think once I put this book down, it will stay down and end Jackie Collins' novels for me.
March 16, 2011
This was like reading a People magazine or watching a reality TV show! The characters are loosely based on people like Paris Hilton...it's a good easy read that will keep your attention if your not much a reader.
May 18, 2009
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!!
the plot is like one of the best things I've ever read and the book's just got everything from love story to thriller!!!
the plot is like one of the best things I've ever read and the book's just got everything from love story to thriller!!!
January 14, 2014
Was good, kept me hooked!
November 16, 2014
Let's do this quick and dirty like a Jackie Collins sex scene.
Initially, I thought this was going to be a homage to her awesome 1977 novel Lovers & Gamblers (and really, if you read only one Jackie Collins novel that is it; some say Chances but I say Lovers & Gamblers). However, after a strong start, it disintegrates into a hot mess. There's no character development and no motives behind any of the character's actions. One character will stop at nothing to hide from high society the fact that his daughter is illegitimate since his ex-wife was married to another man while they were married. I mean, really? Three adult men allow their near 80 year old father to bully them for no good reason. A woman falls madly in love with a man who takes her virginity with some good dicking. Turns out the man is her fiancé's brother. Oh, not to mention we're repeatedly told over and over again that bully daddy has something important to tell his sons. But we don't find out until the end, and by then, it doesn't matter plot-wise or reader-wise.
This is an awful, quick read, guilty pleasure novel. If you can get past just about everything and go along for the ride it can be fun. My disappointment lies in the fact that I know Ms. Collins is (or at least was) capable of writing much better than this. I highly recommend Lovers & Gamblers if you truly want a taste of the pre-Hollywood Wives, juicy, page turning, trashy novels Jackie Collins once-upon-a-time was famous for.
Initially, I thought this was going to be a homage to her awesome 1977 novel Lovers & Gamblers (and really, if you read only one Jackie Collins novel that is it; some say Chances but I say Lovers & Gamblers). However, after a strong start, it disintegrates into a hot mess. There's no character development and no motives behind any of the character's actions. One character will stop at nothing to hide from high society the fact that his daughter is illegitimate since his ex-wife was married to another man while they were married. I mean, really? Three adult men allow their near 80 year old father to bully them for no good reason. A woman falls madly in love with a man who takes her virginity with some good dicking. Turns out the man is her fiancé's brother. Oh, not to mention we're repeatedly told over and over again that bully daddy has something important to tell his sons. But we don't find out until the end, and by then, it doesn't matter plot-wise or reader-wise.
This is an awful, quick read, guilty pleasure novel. If you can get past just about everything and go along for the ride it can be fun. My disappointment lies in the fact that I know Ms. Collins is (or at least was) capable of writing much better than this. I highly recommend Lovers & Gamblers if you truly want a taste of the pre-Hollywood Wives, juicy, page turning, trashy novels Jackie Collins once-upon-a-time was famous for.
March 22, 2012
Jackie Collins never disappoints, this was such a great read, should be a script for a movie, it is a page turner many late nights reading this book loved it!
Amy Scott-Simon, a pretty young New York heiress, is engaged to marry Max Diamond an older, powerful real estate tycoon. At her Bachelorette party she runs into Jet, Max younger half brother, fresh from Italy, where he is an successful model. A one time drug addict, Jet has no idea who Amy is and she does know who Jet is. They have a one night fling leads to falling in love and many
regrets and complications.
Chris Diamond is a LA entertainment lawyer flies into into town to meet his two brothers, and Red Diamond his billionaire father, a abusive father.
Working as Red's housekeeper is Diahann, a beautiful black ex singer, has a stunning 19 year old daughter Liberty, a waitress who wants to be a singer, does not approve of her mother being a housekeeper for Red Diamond.
Liberty has dreams of her own, and while she pursues them Damon Donnall married,a hip hop mogul pursues her.
Then the Mariska Max's Russian socialite ex wife, a woman with more secrets than anyone, lead her to mysterious murder..
The story has power, love, sex, money, murder and fame are the ties of these characters, it is a love story in a way, family bonding, but has deadly choices, dangerous sex, all combined together, that is always the joy of reading Jackie Collins.
Amy Scott-Simon, a pretty young New York heiress, is engaged to marry Max Diamond an older, powerful real estate tycoon. At her Bachelorette party she runs into Jet, Max younger half brother, fresh from Italy, where he is an successful model. A one time drug addict, Jet has no idea who Amy is and she does know who Jet is. They have a one night fling leads to falling in love and many
regrets and complications.
Chris Diamond is a LA entertainment lawyer flies into into town to meet his two brothers, and Red Diamond his billionaire father, a abusive father.
Working as Red's housekeeper is Diahann, a beautiful black ex singer, has a stunning 19 year old daughter Liberty, a waitress who wants to be a singer, does not approve of her mother being a housekeeper for Red Diamond.
Liberty has dreams of her own, and while she pursues them Damon Donnall married,a hip hop mogul pursues her.
Then the Mariska Max's Russian socialite ex wife, a woman with more secrets than anyone, lead her to mysterious murder..
The story has power, love, sex, money, murder and fame are the ties of these characters, it is a love story in a way, family bonding, but has deadly choices, dangerous sex, all combined together, that is always the joy of reading Jackie Collins.
June 14, 2008
The Diamond family...
At the head of the family is Red Diamond, a selfish, controlling and filthy rich father..his three sons Jett, an ex druggie and a successful model in Italy, Max, a real estate broker and Chris, a Hollywood entertainment lawyer.
The Diamond family is far from being perfect. Red Diamond treats everyone including his three sons like trash. Chris is constantly busy with clients with ridiculous demands and he has a secret that could cause him to lose everything. Max is engaged to a wealthy girl name Amy, but when a murder hits home..he's the prime suspect. And Jett use to be an alcholic and druggie, but now that he is a model in Italy will his past come to haunt him?
Jackie Collins also features Liberty,a biracial wanna be singer who doesn't know who her father is and her mother Diahann..a ex jazz singer has a deep dark secret of her own.
Secrets, lies, murder, betrayal and sex make up exciting ingredients for Lovers and Players. This book kept my attention from the first page to the last. Jackie Collins is now one of my favorite authors!!!
There wasn't a boring moment in this book! Jackie sure does know how to tell a story
At the head of the family is Red Diamond, a selfish, controlling and filthy rich father..his three sons Jett, an ex druggie and a successful model in Italy, Max, a real estate broker and Chris, a Hollywood entertainment lawyer.
The Diamond family is far from being perfect. Red Diamond treats everyone including his three sons like trash. Chris is constantly busy with clients with ridiculous demands and he has a secret that could cause him to lose everything. Max is engaged to a wealthy girl name Amy, but when a murder hits home..he's the prime suspect. And Jett use to be an alcholic and druggie, but now that he is a model in Italy will his past come to haunt him?
Jackie Collins also features Liberty,a biracial wanna be singer who doesn't know who her father is and her mother Diahann..a ex jazz singer has a deep dark secret of her own.
Secrets, lies, murder, betrayal and sex make up exciting ingredients for Lovers and Players. This book kept my attention from the first page to the last. Jackie Collins is now one of my favorite authors!!!
There wasn't a boring moment in this book! Jackie sure does know how to tell a story
September 30, 2008
I read the book "Lovers and Players" by Jackie Collins. the novel is about the busy, glamourous, and sometimes scandelous lives of New York Royalty. The all-powerful, business man of the world, Red Diamond, makes sure everything always goes his way. This abusive, short-tempered man is almost 80, and still acts like he's 20 and doesn't have a care in the world. His three sons are all successful in the world they live in, one way or another.
The book is centered around Red, and his three sons, but each chapter is told from a different point of view. Somehow the eldest son, is engaged to a woman who cheated on him with his brother who she's never met, who secretly doesn't know if she's marrying the right guy, and throughout the novel she tries to figure out her love life crisis. This is one of many conflicts in the book. The novel is written very well, and is modern, entertaining and hard to put down. Jackie Collins did a great job, and it's no mystery why the book's a New York Times Bestseller.
The book is centered around Red, and his three sons, but each chapter is told from a different point of view. Somehow the eldest son, is engaged to a woman who cheated on him with his brother who she's never met, who secretly doesn't know if she's marrying the right guy, and throughout the novel she tries to figure out her love life crisis. This is one of many conflicts in the book. The novel is written very well, and is modern, entertaining and hard to put down. Jackie Collins did a great job, and it's no mystery why the book's a New York Times Bestseller.
June 27, 2014
The woman who reads the audio of this book is hysterical, and a genius. Her accents are insane and awesome. I think she had more fun with this book than anyone could have. Otherwise, this is truly a waste of time. I'm going to stop and read some real books for a while. This tour of the ghetto has been enlightening and exhausting. And insulting. This book probably wasn't even read twice by anyone involved in its production. Characters who are presented one way (in AA?) are introduced again later holding martinis, no mention made. The crux issues of the many, exceedingly pointless and boring story arcs are nonsense. So profoundly afraid of your child being called "illegitimate" because her mom wasn't legally married to you at the time of her birth? but now your divorced? the story clearly takes place in the early 2000s, so I can't imagine where this pathetic victorian era concern is coming from. Anyway, it's a terrible book, even as bad but good reads go, let this one go. It's just pitiful. I've never read a Jackie Collins book before and I won't again.
August 21, 2008
I had a hard moment deciding just how many stars this book needed. I almost gave it 5. It happened as a read-aloud on a road trip, but the road was not long enough to reach the ending. I awoke the next morning two hours early to continue. 'Would Amy know the man she just fucked was actually Max's Brother?' I knew all that would happen and still I read: That feeling you get after ejaculation? That sad, tired, small shame? (Maybe just me) but it is an extended version of this, while you plow through thinly veiled plots and wonder just how these words are greeted entering the consciousness of other minds. I waver between pride and shame at the pool as the sun catches the sparkle on the cover. Do they know how great this horrible book is? What is Jackie Collins eating right now?
November 19, 2013
Lovers & Players revolves around the different lives of 10 people, yet there seems to be a rope tied to each one of them as their lives are intertwined/connected to each other.
First off, Liberty's identity was very predictable. But Lulu's was a revelation. I didn't see that one coming.
I really liked Liberty's personality, such an independent and strong person. She has control over herself, does not fall for some hot and multimillionaire in one look.
Though the others are annoying, especially Amy & Jett. It's so not realistic that they fell in love with each other after a one-night stand.
However, this book is worth a read. The revelations are just too shocking, and still there are some lessons implied by the story.
First off, Liberty's identity was very predictable. But Lulu's was a revelation. I didn't see that one coming.
I really liked Liberty's personality, such an independent and strong person. She has control over herself, does not fall for some hot and multimillionaire in one look.
Though the others are annoying, especially Amy & Jett. It's so not realistic that they fell in love with each other after a one-night stand.
However, this book is worth a read. The revelations are just too shocking, and still there are some lessons implied by the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2009
Awful awful awful. The only reason I gave a star is because I recognized some of the places in New York. This is the worst sort of bubble gum fiction that a person could get their hands on. No character in this work of "fiction" is even close to human. I kept on waiting for it to redeem itself, but alas, redemption never arrived. If you see this book, don't buy it. Don't even think about buying it. Luckily, I didn't buy it - I just borrowed it for a day. Now, I will never get back those 4 hours I spent reading it. Please don't make the same mistake I did.
April 3, 2008
Disappointed by the latest installment from the divine Ms.Collins. I wanted my playing and I wanted more loving! This is a good book, well written and of course about a variety of peoples whose lives irrevocably become intertwined in a grand finale, but I wasnt quite as absorbed as I have been in the past. The best ones for me are the Hollywood Wives and Hollywood Husbands Eras.
March 28, 2013
What a juicy read! This was book was like a soap opera in the palm of my hand. Every chapter just became more and more intense! It made me want to read it further and further every night just to find out all about the naughtiness and sabotage and just overall craziness that was in store for these characters! It was amazing! The only time's I put it down was when I had to go to sleep at night!
July 20, 2013
I enjoyed this book it was fast paced and kept you hooked. With intriguing characters that made you feel sorry for them, hate them and a wide range of other emotions. The twists and turns kept me reading. Will defiantly read another Jackie Collins now as my opinion has defiantly changed as I thought they were trashy chic lit but I actually found it a good read!
February 5, 2014
First book I've read by Jackie Collins and I loved it. Even though there were a lot of characters it was easy to keep track of them. I did not expect the final pages to happen and the entire book was suspenseful. Can't wait to read more
October 8, 2012
i loved this book!
its so funny yet humorous yet something you want to save for a rainy day!
better then opening a box of chocolates!
its so funny yet humorous yet something you want to save for a rainy day!
better then opening a box of chocolates!
May 29, 2013
Very interesting..couldn't put it down.
July 14, 2013
I like the way all of the characters are intertwined in some way. Loved the ending!
June 27, 2013
Jackie Collins is the queen of my literary world. Her novels have so much life, character development and entertainment. Jackie's female leads give power to women!
Thank you Jackie!
Thank you Jackie!
June 13, 2025
I really love Jackie Collins novels and this did not disappoint
July 4, 2025
I am almost half way through the book, it’s quite interesting. it’s a book you definitely want to pick and read to see what happens. however, i feel there are too many vague and ambiguous sentences that just leave the readers confused about what just happened. for example, the scene after the video shoot, aretha is making a feast for the girls. collins talks about how “her mother comes out of the kitchen and is furious” it’s something along those lines. but you’re left to wonder who is being talked about. you can get an idea it is aretha since she doesn’t want to talk to cindi, but then in a few sentences u find her in the kitchen again. there are many other occasions u just don’t know who is being talked about unless u re read it a couple of times. its face paced, probably why i take time to get it. but i do love the drama the tensions that she builds. i would pick up a novel of hers again, and would definitely reread this one to see if i misinterpreted somethings or just didn’t understand cause it was the first book i picked up in a while. nevertheless the story and plot is good. hopefully, the rest of it matches the level.
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