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Hollywood #1
The Rise
When we bury our secrets, they always come back to haunt us...
Their rise was meteoric.
Only a few years before, they had been three friends from Glasgow, just trying to survive tough lives of danger and dysfunction.
But on one Hollywood evening in 1993, they were on the world’s biggest stage, accepting their Oscar in front of the watching world.
That night was the beginning of their careers. But it was also the end of their friendship.
Over the next twenty years, Mirren McLean would become one of the most powerful writers in the movie industry.
Zander Leith would break box-office records as cinema’s most in-demand action hero.
And Davie Johnson would rake in millions as producer of some of the biggest shows on TV.
For two decades they didn’t speak, driven apart by a horrific secret.
Until now…
Their past is coming back to bite them, and they have to decide whether to run, hide, or fight.
Because when you rise to the top, there’s always someone who wants to see you fall.
Their rise was meteoric.
Only a few years before, they had been three friends from Glasgow, just trying to survive tough lives of danger and dysfunction.
But on one Hollywood evening in 1993, they were on the world’s biggest stage, accepting their Oscar in front of the watching world.
That night was the beginning of their careers. But it was also the end of their friendship.
Over the next twenty years, Mirren McLean would become one of the most powerful writers in the movie industry.
Zander Leith would break box-office records as cinema’s most in-demand action hero.
And Davie Johnson would rake in millions as producer of some of the biggest shows on TV.
For two decades they didn’t speak, driven apart by a horrific secret.
Until now…
Their past is coming back to bite them, and they have to decide whether to run, hide, or fight.
Because when you rise to the top, there’s always someone who wants to see you fall.
472 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2014
2049 people are currently reading
1076 people want to read
About the author
Shari Low
47 books1,472 followers*No1 Multi-Million Copy Best-Selling Author*
In a career spanning twenty five years, author Shari Low has published over 40 books, and sold over five million copies around the globe, hitting the best seller charts in many countries including UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Australia.
In 2020, her first novel, What If? (originally published in 2001), was updated and re-released, followed by the sequels What Now? and What Next?. All three novels became international best sellers.
Since then, several of Shari's books have been #1 chart-toppers - including One Day With You, One Moment in Time, One Christmas Eve, One Year After You, One Midnight With You and One Day & Forever.
Her latest novels, One More Day of Us and One Snowy Day were published in 2025 by Boldwood Books.
Shari has also co-written three Hollywood thrillers, The Rise, The Catch and The Fall, with LA-based TV presenter and actor Ross King.
In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and thirty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with the one they said would never last. Their children have now grown and scattered across the world, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls and aeroplanes.
For all the latest news, visit Shari on Facebook, twitter, instagram or at sharilow dot com
In a career spanning twenty five years, author Shari Low has published over 40 books, and sold over five million copies around the globe, hitting the best seller charts in many countries including UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Australia.
In 2020, her first novel, What If? (originally published in 2001), was updated and re-released, followed by the sequels What Now? and What Next?. All three novels became international best sellers.
Since then, several of Shari's books have been #1 chart-toppers - including One Day With You, One Moment in Time, One Christmas Eve, One Year After You, One Midnight With You and One Day & Forever.
Her latest novels, One More Day of Us and One Snowy Day were published in 2025 by Boldwood Books.
Shari has also co-written three Hollywood thrillers, The Rise, The Catch and The Fall, with LA-based TV presenter and actor Ross King.
In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and thirty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with the one they said would never last. Their children have now grown and scattered across the world, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls and aeroplanes.
For all the latest news, visit Shari on Facebook, twitter, instagram or at sharilow dot com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
September 26, 2022
EXCERPT: He accepted his coffee from Nurse Greta with his million dollar smile and a wink that ensured that the same scene would play out again tomorrow morning. It was Groundhog Day in here. Same walls, same people, same shit for weeks now. The expensive carpets, manicured gardens, the top-class therapists, and the prime location on top of one of Malibu's most scenic clifftops didn't mask what this was - a collection of misfits and desperados who had everything but couldn't deal with reality without a pill or a swig from a bottle. And he was one of them. Again.
ABOUT 'THE RISE': (Previously published as 'TAKING HOLLYWOOD' by Shari King.)
When we bury our secrets, they always come back to haunt us...Their rise was meteoric.
Only a few years before, they had been three friends from Glasgow, just trying to survive tough lives of danger and dysfunction.
But on one Hollywood evening in 1993, they were on the world’s biggest stage, accepting their Oscar in front of the watching world.
That night was the beginning of their careers. But it was also the end of their friendship.
Over the next twenty years, Mirren McLean would become one of the most powerful writers in the movie industry.
Zander Leith would break box-office records as cinema’s most in-demand action hero.
And Davie Johnson would rake in millions as producer of some of the biggest shows on TV.
For two decades they didn’t speak, driven apart by a horrific secret. Until now…
Their past is coming back to bite them, and they have to decide whether to run, hide, or fight. Because when you rise to the top, there’s always someone who wants to see you fall.
MY THOUGHTS: I wasn't sure that I was going to like The Rise, but I enjoy Shari Low's writing so decided to give it a try and I am so glad I did.
I'm not a fan of glitz and glamour and all the so-called benefits that accompany it, but The Rise is reminiscent of Jackie Collins' novels with the bonus of a decent mystery running through it, and I was kept entertained throughout. There are a lot of real-life people and locations thrown into the mix, which just made it all much more realistic.
Yes, there are sex scenes, but most are well done except for one that I thought gratuitous and unnecessary.
The Rise is definitely not a thriller, but if you want a fun read with drama, tragedy and romance, it fits the bill nicely.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheRise #NetGalley
I: @sharilowbooks @therossking @bookandtonic
T: @ShariLow @TheRossKing @BoldwoodBooks
#contemporaryfiction #domesticdram #familydrama #friendship #mystery
THE AUTHORS: When a budding radio DJ and actor met a young nightclub manager in Glasgow in the late 1980s, little did they know that over thirty years and thousands of miles later, they would still be friends.
Shari Low - In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and twenty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with her husband and a labradoodle. Her two teenagers have now left home, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls checking if they're eating well and keeping up to date with their laundry.
Ross King - Los Angeles based Ross King, MBE, is an award winning TV and radio host, actor, producer, writer, voice-over artist and performer.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Rise by Shari Low and Ross King for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT 'THE RISE': (Previously published as 'TAKING HOLLYWOOD' by Shari King.)
When we bury our secrets, they always come back to haunt us...Their rise was meteoric.
Only a few years before, they had been three friends from Glasgow, just trying to survive tough lives of danger and dysfunction.
But on one Hollywood evening in 1993, they were on the world’s biggest stage, accepting their Oscar in front of the watching world.
That night was the beginning of their careers. But it was also the end of their friendship.
Over the next twenty years, Mirren McLean would become one of the most powerful writers in the movie industry.
Zander Leith would break box-office records as cinema’s most in-demand action hero.
And Davie Johnson would rake in millions as producer of some of the biggest shows on TV.
For two decades they didn’t speak, driven apart by a horrific secret. Until now…
Their past is coming back to bite them, and they have to decide whether to run, hide, or fight. Because when you rise to the top, there’s always someone who wants to see you fall.
MY THOUGHTS: I wasn't sure that I was going to like The Rise, but I enjoy Shari Low's writing so decided to give it a try and I am so glad I did.
I'm not a fan of glitz and glamour and all the so-called benefits that accompany it, but The Rise is reminiscent of Jackie Collins' novels with the bonus of a decent mystery running through it, and I was kept entertained throughout. There are a lot of real-life people and locations thrown into the mix, which just made it all much more realistic.
Yes, there are sex scenes, but most are well done except for one that I thought gratuitous and unnecessary.
The Rise is definitely not a thriller, but if you want a fun read with drama, tragedy and romance, it fits the bill nicely.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheRise #NetGalley
I: @sharilowbooks @therossking @bookandtonic
T: @ShariLow @TheRossKing @BoldwoodBooks
#contemporaryfiction #domesticdram #familydrama #friendship #mystery
THE AUTHORS: When a budding radio DJ and actor met a young nightclub manager in Glasgow in the late 1980s, little did they know that over thirty years and thousands of miles later, they would still be friends.
Shari Low - In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and twenty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with her husband and a labradoodle. Her two teenagers have now left home, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls checking if they're eating well and keeping up to date with their laundry.
Ross King - Los Angeles based Ross King, MBE, is an award winning TV and radio host, actor, producer, writer, voice-over artist and performer.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Rise by Shari Low and Ross King for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 19, 2022
I used to love Jackie Collin’s books, no one did the exotic glam and thrill of L.A. like her and in my teenage years I would rush to buy her latest bestseller and dream of going to L.A…..this dream became reality in my early 20’s and we went there for a month ( the power of books eh? ) anyway…nothing has come close to her books and so I picked this with interest as it seemed to have all the ingredients to make one of these long gone blockbuster reads….and it held true to what it promised, its alive with vibrancy, salacious gossip, fantasy locations wonderful OTT Characters and a smattering of name dropping of real stars, welcome Louboutin/Chanel/Tom Ford, top hotels and restaurants abound and money is to be spent, liberally, all this plus everything else needed to make this book as good ( for me ) as it was….importantly too there is a really really good lead story ( as well as many sub ones ) re 3 youngsters from Glasgow who have made it ( and are now losing it ) in the City of Angels
I can’t tell you how much I loved every bit of this book other than I wish it was double, treble in length and how good it was to be back in the LA bubble world, it may not suit all, I get that, for me it was awesome
10/10
5 Stars
I can’t tell you how much I loved every bit of this book other than I wish it was double, treble in length and how good it was to be back in the LA bubble world, it may not suit all, I get that, for me it was awesome
10/10
5 Stars
August 7, 2023
4 solid stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book gave me serious Jackie Collins vibes! She was one of my favorites, so this book did not disappoint.
My one complaint is that it’s almost 500 pages long and took me forever to read - but I was reading it in between book club selections and library books. Anyway, I’m looking forward to starting book two in the series - The Catch - soon!
This book gave me serious Jackie Collins vibes! She was one of my favorites, so this book did not disappoint.
My one complaint is that it’s almost 500 pages long and took me forever to read - but I was reading it in between book club selections and library books. Anyway, I’m looking forward to starting book two in the series - The Catch - soon!
November 17, 2022
This fictional drama didn’t read like a thriller (at least not the thrillers I’m used to) but I loved it! And…what a cover!
The main story centers around three friends that grew up together and came to LA to make it big. And they did…together. They are all household names but leaving Glasgow wasn’t entirely voluntary and the big secret they share tears their friendship apart.
BOOK QUOTE: “Whisky. Makes the world seem like a better place when it’s all gone to crap.”
As the story progresses, we get a glance into the life of each and the cost of their fame and fortune.
There are a lot of real-life people and places thrown in which adds to this fun read. It’s not all tragedy but it isn’t a happily-ever-after tale, either. It’s the perfect combination of glitz, glamor, money, and sex. This book was a terrific break from my usual read!
Thank you to Boldwood Books and the authors for this complimentary ebook provided through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#therise #boldwoodbooks #sharilow #rossking #rachelsrandomresources #booktour #blogtour #honestreview #fameandfortune #addiction #wealth #secrets #thrillerdrama #fictionthriller #bookreviewer #crimeandcocktailsbookcrew #mysteryandthrills #readwithme #bookaddict #thrilleraddict #thrillersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #lovebooks #bookreviewersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks
The main story centers around three friends that grew up together and came to LA to make it big. And they did…together. They are all household names but leaving Glasgow wasn’t entirely voluntary and the big secret they share tears their friendship apart.
BOOK QUOTE: “Whisky. Makes the world seem like a better place when it’s all gone to crap.”
As the story progresses, we get a glance into the life of each and the cost of their fame and fortune.
There are a lot of real-life people and places thrown in which adds to this fun read. It’s not all tragedy but it isn’t a happily-ever-after tale, either. It’s the perfect combination of glitz, glamor, money, and sex. This book was a terrific break from my usual read!
Thank you to Boldwood Books and the authors for this complimentary ebook provided through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#therise #boldwoodbooks #sharilow #rossking #rachelsrandomresources #booktour #blogtour #honestreview #fameandfortune #addiction #wealth #secrets #thrillerdrama #fictionthriller #bookreviewer #crimeandcocktailsbookcrew #mysteryandthrills #readwithme #bookaddict #thrilleraddict #thrillersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #lovebooks #bookreviewersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks
June 7, 2023
I "read" this via audiobook and I have a feeling I would have liked it better if I had physically read the book. The book has 2 narrators thr female Helen McAlpine is great but the male narrator and also 1 of the author's of the book Ross King is just awful as a narrator. He rushes through the script and mumbles half the words, he also seems uninterested in the story.
As for the storyline itself. It really paints such a negative view on life in the lime light. Sucked all the fun out of it, just negatives all round. I think I would have preferred a more tongue in cheek storyline rather than hearing about 3 highly successful people moan about their lives and thr messes they've created over and over. I think my favourite character was Sarah the journalist at least she had her head screwed on.
Thought I'd like it more i have to say but will give it the benefit of the doubt and put it down to the narration or half the narration at least.
As for the storyline itself. It really paints such a negative view on life in the lime light. Sucked all the fun out of it, just negatives all round. I think I would have preferred a more tongue in cheek storyline rather than hearing about 3 highly successful people moan about their lives and thr messes they've created over and over. I think my favourite character was Sarah the journalist at least she had her head screwed on.
Thought I'd like it more i have to say but will give it the benefit of the doubt and put it down to the narration or half the narration at least.
August 22, 2023
Mirren McClean, Davie Johnston and Zander Leith are three Hollywood superstars who grew up together on a tough Glasgow housing estate. They all know how hard it is to stay at the top. The friends used to be inseparable until a big secret they shared ripped their friendship apart.
As the story unfolds we get a glimpse into each of the characters and what the price of fame has done to them.
A great gripping read that swept me along on a twisty yet thrilling ride.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
As the story unfolds we get a glimpse into each of the characters and what the price of fame has done to them.
A great gripping read that swept me along on a twisty yet thrilling ride.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2022
The Rise by Shari Low and Ross King. Thanks to @boldwoodbooks and @netgalley for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Three friends made it big and accepted an Oscar together, never to be friends again. Two decades later they are forced back together and their secrets are back as well.
Wow this really was like a Jackie Collins novel! It was just as entertaining and soapy. The Hollywood and celebrity aspect especially was a guilty pleasure. This is a total summer beach read! There were a lot of characters introduced very early which bogged me down a bit but then the drama took hold.
The Rise comes out 9/13.
Three friends made it big and accepted an Oscar together, never to be friends again. Two decades later they are forced back together and their secrets are back as well.
Wow this really was like a Jackie Collins novel! It was just as entertaining and soapy. The Hollywood and celebrity aspect especially was a guilty pleasure. This is a total summer beach read! There were a lot of characters introduced very early which bogged me down a bit but then the drama took hold.
The Rise comes out 9/13.
September 4, 2022
The Rise
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 9/13/22
Author: Shari Low and Ross King
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Pages: 472
Goodreads Rating: 3.84
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: 3 friends from Glasgow, suddenly they were thrust on to the world’s biggest stage, accepting an Oscar in front of the watching world. Over the next twenty years, Mirren McLean a powerful writer. Zander Leith would break box-office records as cinema’s most in-demand action hero. And Davie Johnson would produce some of the biggest shows on TV. For two decades they didn’t speak, driven apart by a horrific secret. Their past is coming back to bite them, and they have to decide whether to run, hide, or fight. Because when you rise to the top, there’s always someone who wants to see you fall...
My Thoughts: This story reminded me exactly of a Jackie Collins novel! Hollywood scandal + previous friends + one horrific secret 20 years ago + a noisy journalist = an epic thrilling read. This was an addictive, gripping, twisty read that will draw you in on page 1, that will not end until the last page. This is a series, the first of The Hollywood Series. The story is narrated by our three MCs, in an alternating timeline, from their own POV. For me, I love the alternating POVs because you get the whole story and not just one side of the story. The story starts with the characters, their backstories, then the plot is delivered in many twists, so many that my neck hurts, then ends with an epic ending. The characters were well developed with depth, mystery, intriguing, and creatively done. The author’s writing style was complex, suspenseful, engaging, and brilliant. This is a longer story at almost 500 pages, but it will keep you focused and engaged throughout.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 9/13/22
Author: Shari Low and Ross King
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Pages: 472
Goodreads Rating: 3.84
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: 3 friends from Glasgow, suddenly they were thrust on to the world’s biggest stage, accepting an Oscar in front of the watching world. Over the next twenty years, Mirren McLean a powerful writer. Zander Leith would break box-office records as cinema’s most in-demand action hero. And Davie Johnson would produce some of the biggest shows on TV. For two decades they didn’t speak, driven apart by a horrific secret. Their past is coming back to bite them, and they have to decide whether to run, hide, or fight. Because when you rise to the top, there’s always someone who wants to see you fall...
My Thoughts: This story reminded me exactly of a Jackie Collins novel! Hollywood scandal + previous friends + one horrific secret 20 years ago + a noisy journalist = an epic thrilling read. This was an addictive, gripping, twisty read that will draw you in on page 1, that will not end until the last page. This is a series, the first of The Hollywood Series. The story is narrated by our three MCs, in an alternating timeline, from their own POV. For me, I love the alternating POVs because you get the whole story and not just one side of the story. The story starts with the characters, their backstories, then the plot is delivered in many twists, so many that my neck hurts, then ends with an epic ending. The characters were well developed with depth, mystery, intriguing, and creatively done. The author’s writing style was complex, suspenseful, engaging, and brilliant. This is a longer story at almost 500 pages, but it will keep you focused and engaged throughout.
June 1, 2024
Listened on audiable.
As this wasn't just narrated by Helen McAlpine and was a slightly different slant on any other Shari Low books I've read I wasn't sure on how I'd receive this one so I went in open minded however also with slight trepidation at whether the story would captivate me in any way.
Well safe to say it did, and I loved it. This was well narrated with both Ross King and Helen McAlpine working well together. The story itself albeit Hollywood based does not fall short of bringing back the roots of Scotland that Shari always brings through her books.
This story had so much involved from abuse, neglect, murder, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, bereavement, to love, friendships and most importantly family even in the bright lights of LA and a place where paparazzi exist and people try to remove themselves from each others lives it is inevitable that ones day everything comes back to cross over and tie them back coming full circle.
I look forward to the next 2 in the series.
As this wasn't just narrated by Helen McAlpine and was a slightly different slant on any other Shari Low books I've read I wasn't sure on how I'd receive this one so I went in open minded however also with slight trepidation at whether the story would captivate me in any way.
Well safe to say it did, and I loved it. This was well narrated with both Ross King and Helen McAlpine working well together. The story itself albeit Hollywood based does not fall short of bringing back the roots of Scotland that Shari always brings through her books.
This story had so much involved from abuse, neglect, murder, drug addiction, alcohol abuse, bereavement, to love, friendships and most importantly family even in the bright lights of LA and a place where paparazzi exist and people try to remove themselves from each others lives it is inevitable that ones day everything comes back to cross over and tie them back coming full circle.
I look forward to the next 2 in the series.
August 14, 2014
I've wanted to read this book ever since I saw the cover a few months ago so I was very excited to receive a review copy. My favourite author is Jackie Collins and if you removed the author's name from the front of this book you would instantly think it was a Collins novel from the fantastic cover. The book has also been endorsed by Jackie herself so I was even more excited to read it. I went into it with very high expectations and I'm glad to say it did not disappoint.
The book encompasses everything I look for in a book like this. Mystery: our three main characters Zander Leith, Mirren McLean and Davie Johnston each share a secret. A secret that at first bound them together but ultimately drew them apart. Scandal: each of our main characters experiences their own scandal which sees the start of their lives falling apart around them in dramatic fashion. Straightaway as a reader I was desperate to know what the secret was. We learn more about our three characters by going back in time to when they first met in Scotland until we eventually learn their secret. It's jaw dropping... Meanwhile in Scotland an ambitious young journalist is on the hunt for the story that will make her career. She arrives in LA determined to uncover the trios secret. I loved that we got to see LA through the eyes of somebody who wasn't a part of that world and wondered how long it would take before she got sucked in to it too.
Of course our three main characters have friends, family, children, managers, lovers, enemies and all are brought together to make one hell of an eventful story. Books like these are so action packed that it's impossible to discuss the plot, all I can say is that it's good. Really good. There's so many plot twists and shocking developments your brain may struggle to keep up but it's such an enjoyable read. Jackie Collins says she writes about real people and has to tone her stories down or they would just be too unbelievable. Is that the case here? Ross King must certainly have his fair share of secrets stored in his head. We know he doesn't dish the dirt on his friends but that's not to say he hasn't picked up a juicy tidbit or two along the way and you do have to wonder about certain characters and storylines...
Los Angeles is a city full of fake people looking out for themselves and nobody else and yet it has always been fascinating to outsiders. Some people will seemingly do anything to be a part of that world, but once you are in it is incredibly easy to fall in with the wrong crowd, get caught up in it all and ultimately have your life destroyed and not only that have it splashed all over the media for your so called friends and enemies to take some perverse pleasure out of as our three characters learn in this book. You can't trust anybody in LA and that's definitely the case here.
There's a whole lot of name dropping and place dropping but to be honest I read these books for the glamour, the bitchiness, the over the top storylines and the outrageous situations the characters find themselves in. We get all of those things here and then some. The best word to describe this book is addictive. Addictive and almost impossible to put down. The writing is fantastic, very bitchy in places with some fabulously cutting remarks and one liners. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. It will keep you guessing right the way up to the book's fantastic finale. It is the perfect Summer read featuring a story you will not want to end. I would love to see more from this writing duo in the future and given that Ross says this is the first in a trilogy I think we will!
The book encompasses everything I look for in a book like this. Mystery: our three main characters Zander Leith, Mirren McLean and Davie Johnston each share a secret. A secret that at first bound them together but ultimately drew them apart. Scandal: each of our main characters experiences their own scandal which sees the start of their lives falling apart around them in dramatic fashion. Straightaway as a reader I was desperate to know what the secret was. We learn more about our three characters by going back in time to when they first met in Scotland until we eventually learn their secret. It's jaw dropping... Meanwhile in Scotland an ambitious young journalist is on the hunt for the story that will make her career. She arrives in LA determined to uncover the trios secret. I loved that we got to see LA through the eyes of somebody who wasn't a part of that world and wondered how long it would take before she got sucked in to it too.
Of course our three main characters have friends, family, children, managers, lovers, enemies and all are brought together to make one hell of an eventful story. Books like these are so action packed that it's impossible to discuss the plot, all I can say is that it's good. Really good. There's so many plot twists and shocking developments your brain may struggle to keep up but it's such an enjoyable read. Jackie Collins says she writes about real people and has to tone her stories down or they would just be too unbelievable. Is that the case here? Ross King must certainly have his fair share of secrets stored in his head. We know he doesn't dish the dirt on his friends but that's not to say he hasn't picked up a juicy tidbit or two along the way and you do have to wonder about certain characters and storylines...
Los Angeles is a city full of fake people looking out for themselves and nobody else and yet it has always been fascinating to outsiders. Some people will seemingly do anything to be a part of that world, but once you are in it is incredibly easy to fall in with the wrong crowd, get caught up in it all and ultimately have your life destroyed and not only that have it splashed all over the media for your so called friends and enemies to take some perverse pleasure out of as our three characters learn in this book. You can't trust anybody in LA and that's definitely the case here.
There's a whole lot of name dropping and place dropping but to be honest I read these books for the glamour, the bitchiness, the over the top storylines and the outrageous situations the characters find themselves in. We get all of those things here and then some. The best word to describe this book is addictive. Addictive and almost impossible to put down. The writing is fantastic, very bitchy in places with some fabulously cutting remarks and one liners. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. It will keep you guessing right the way up to the book's fantastic finale. It is the perfect Summer read featuring a story you will not want to end. I would love to see more from this writing duo in the future and given that Ross says this is the first in a trilogy I think we will!
December 30, 2015
What to expect from Taking Hollwood. It really does have the glamour of Jackie Collins and the grit of Martina Cole.
September 11, 2023
I’m glad I stuck with this book. It was better towards the end. There were some parts that could’ve been left out. It did seem to drag on at times. I’ll have to read book #2 of course!
July 2, 2024
Loved it!
August 20, 2022
The Rise by Shari Low and Ross King is the perfect summer novel - reminiscent of a Collins novel - it is packed with interesting characters - each with their own back story but each character is inextricably tied to each other with the threat of a closely guarded secret ready to make itself known.
Marrin, Zander, and Davie are childhood friends who grew up in Glasgow - living a few doors from each other, the teenagers form a close friendship which becomes even closer by the secret that they share.
The three teenagers escape Glasgow on the back of Merrin's novel which is turned into an award winning film - which sees each of their stars shine - Merrin is a film producer. Zander a model and Davie produces award winning tv shows. The trio have fallen out and don't speak even though they move in the same media/celebrity circles.
Joining the story is Sarah, she is a Glaswegian newspaper reporter who is desperate to get to the bottom of their secret - where is Jono Leith (Zanders father who was also a Scottish gangster.)
Each character has their own story and I particulary enjoyed how King has brought his media and celebrity knowledge to Low's writing.
Fast paced, totally absorbing, a recommended read!
Marrin, Zander, and Davie are childhood friends who grew up in Glasgow - living a few doors from each other, the teenagers form a close friendship which becomes even closer by the secret that they share.
The three teenagers escape Glasgow on the back of Merrin's novel which is turned into an award winning film - which sees each of their stars shine - Merrin is a film producer. Zander a model and Davie produces award winning tv shows. The trio have fallen out and don't speak even though they move in the same media/celebrity circles.
Joining the story is Sarah, she is a Glaswegian newspaper reporter who is desperate to get to the bottom of their secret - where is Jono Leith (Zanders father who was also a Scottish gangster.)
Each character has their own story and I particulary enjoyed how King has brought his media and celebrity knowledge to Low's writing.
Fast paced, totally absorbing, a recommended read!
September 11, 2022
The Rise is the first in the Hollywood series and it did not disappoint. In the Rise, we meet three friends whose rise to fame was meteoric and they find themselves accepting an Oscar. While this night was the first night in their careers, it was the last night of their friendship. Bound together by a horrific secret, they’ve not spoken for two decades until now. The past is catching up to them and someone wants to see them knocked off their pedestal. They have a choice to make. Will they run, hide, or fight?
I found this book to be full of drama and tension inherent in my favorite Lifetime movies or soap operas. The cast of characters are brilliantly written and realistic. They were depicted as I imagine Hollywood stars to be. With their foundational personalities well developed. I look forward to seeing how they develop as the series evolves. The plot is well executed and kept me engaged from start to finish. The descriptions were vivid, and I could see it in my imagination. I liked the writing style and am looking forward to book 2!
I found this book to be full of drama and tension inherent in my favorite Lifetime movies or soap operas. The cast of characters are brilliantly written and realistic. They were depicted as I imagine Hollywood stars to be. With their foundational personalities well developed. I look forward to seeing how they develop as the series evolves. The plot is well executed and kept me engaged from start to finish. The descriptions were vivid, and I could see it in my imagination. I liked the writing style and am looking forward to book 2!
August 27, 2022
I've been a huge fan of pretty much everything Shari Low has ever written, so when I heard her latest novel was going to be a thriller, I was even keener to read it.
Co-written with Ross King, The Rise is set between Glasgow in the 80s and Los Angeles in the new Millenium. It manages to switch effortlessly between a crime-ridden Scottish council estate to the glitz, fake glamour, and gossip of Hollywood.
Whilst I wouldn't quite deem it a thriller, it's an enticing drama that has you invested in the very different lives of the three friends. With the exception of a couple of very violent scenes, I loved the story and hope there'll be more books like this from Shari and Ross.
Co-written with Ross King, The Rise is set between Glasgow in the 80s and Los Angeles in the new Millenium. It manages to switch effortlessly between a crime-ridden Scottish council estate to the glitz, fake glamour, and gossip of Hollywood.
Whilst I wouldn't quite deem it a thriller, it's an enticing drama that has you invested in the very different lives of the three friends. With the exception of a couple of very violent scenes, I loved the story and hope there'll be more books like this from Shari and Ross.
October 22, 2023
OMG what a rollercoaster book! I wasn’t sure I would like this when reading the first few pages but not long into the first chapter, I was invested in the characters, their backstories and their current lives. I was trying to guess the ending, was surprised by it and got emotional reading through. Am looking forward to reading the next instalments!
September 13, 2022
The Rise by Shari Low and Ross King.
Only a few years before, they had been three friends from Glasgow, just trying to survive tough lives of danger and dysfunction.
But on one Hollywood evening in 1993, they were on the world’s biggest stage, accepting their Oscar in front of the watching world.
That night was the beginning of their careers. But it was also the end of their friendship.
A good read with good characters. Well developed. Good that it wasn't one sided.
4*.
Only a few years before, they had been three friends from Glasgow, just trying to survive tough lives of danger and dysfunction.
But on one Hollywood evening in 1993, they were on the world’s biggest stage, accepting their Oscar in front of the watching world.
That night was the beginning of their careers. But it was also the end of their friendship.
A good read with good characters. Well developed. Good that it wasn't one sided.
4*.
October 31, 2022
Reminded me of early Jackie Collins, jilly Cooper, great read
January 7, 2023
I love this authors work. This is a great wee story co-written with Ross King and it is a beauty.
Love the back and forth between their younger years in Glasgow and their current fame as adults in LA. Very likeable characters with a interesting link between them all. I love the grenade of why Davie’s Mum never moved house even with all her sons money.
Success, tragedy, fame, fancy houses it has it all.
Love the back and forth between their younger years in Glasgow and their current fame as adults in LA. Very likeable characters with a interesting link between them all. I love the grenade of why Davie’s Mum never moved house even with all her sons money.
Success, tragedy, fame, fancy houses it has it all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2023
Far to slow for my personal liking. Going from past to present, alternating narrators. Just couldn’t pick up the plot.
April 2, 2024
DNF. Just wasn’t my fav. Hard to push through. Seemed like everyone was living a great life and then things just blew up all at once and we start the story there. Felt hectic at times.
December 10, 2022
Wonderful
February 11, 2023
The higher the rise, the deeper the fall…
In 1993, three friends from Glasgow accepted their Oscar for their movie. But after that night, their yearlong friendship came to end while their career took flight. Two decades later, and Mirren McLean is a successful writer in the movie industry, Zander Leith is a famous action hero and Davie Johnson is the producer of the biggest TV – shows. But their world is not all the glitter and glamour everyone thinks. Because each of them may seem to be at the top of the world, but are facing bigger dramas than a soap opera. Even if the friends haven’t spoken to each other for twenty years, a dark secret from their past still link them together. When someone is determined to find out what happened in Glasgow, will this be the last straw for them?
I have absolutely loved each book I have read by Shari Low, so even if this was a total different genre, I knew I had to read this book too. And I learned that different isn’t always a bad thing, and in this case, it’s the total opposite!
Obviously the authors took some liberties in this book, as for example in 1993 the Oscar winner was not a film with the same name. or that while some famous and real names are dropped, they are totally not related to real events.
But while this book is total fictional, and maybe at moments a bit exaggerated (at least I hope so…), it shows us that Hollywood life is all but this glamourous life we all imagine.
And our three main characters show us clearly that no matter how good life seems to be on he spotlights, it’s behind closed doors that the drama unfolds. But also that the past will always keep haunting you and can even break the best friendships.
Mirren, Zander and Davie have all moved on from that Oscar night, and have reaped the benefits of it, by becoming all successful in their own branch. But no matter how bright their lights are, each character is facing its own drama and tragedy. And while for some it may seem that the downfall serves him right, I couldn’t not sympathize with them all. And especially Mirren’s story truly broke my heart, as I can only imagine the devastation and the inability to offer the help she must be feeling. With flashbacks, we also get to see how these three became friends, even best of friends. And that was in a way sweet to read about. Because they didn’t have the best lives, and their future didn’t seem bright at all. It kept me wondering what that dark secret would be, as the authors just let the readers guess what happened twenty years ago. Yet the truth left me shocked, even if it didn’t came as a total surprise. But it was more the aftermath that caused the tsunami leading to their current lives.
This book is being described as a thriller, but for me, it didn’t feel like one. I understand why it’s labelled as one, but I felt it more like a tale about three friends who went from having nothing, to have it all to being on the brink of losing it all over again.
I felt the rawness and the hurt and pain the characters endured. But at some moments, I also felt the sparks of hope submerging despite everything that is happening to them.
These characters may be total fictional, but while you are reading their story, they couldn’t feel more real…
I absolutely devoured this book, as I just couldn’t wait to read more about these three lost friends, trying to keep it all together while being surrounded by drama after drama.
My fear of not liking this kind of book as much as what I am used to read from Shari Low was absolutely unjustified.
I found myself on a rollercoaster of emotions with thanks to the many twists and turns. I went from happiness over the friendship, to feeling a bit disgusted over how someone would make things work in his favour, to getting heart – broken over a few tragic events, but like I already said, there was also a feeling of hope as there seemed to be a silver lining somewhere… Because no matter what you are going through, and no matter how deep you have fallen, there is always a way to get back on track.
In 1993, three friends from Glasgow accepted their Oscar for their movie. But after that night, their yearlong friendship came to end while their career took flight. Two decades later, and Mirren McLean is a successful writer in the movie industry, Zander Leith is a famous action hero and Davie Johnson is the producer of the biggest TV – shows. But their world is not all the glitter and glamour everyone thinks. Because each of them may seem to be at the top of the world, but are facing bigger dramas than a soap opera. Even if the friends haven’t spoken to each other for twenty years, a dark secret from their past still link them together. When someone is determined to find out what happened in Glasgow, will this be the last straw for them?
I have absolutely loved each book I have read by Shari Low, so even if this was a total different genre, I knew I had to read this book too. And I learned that different isn’t always a bad thing, and in this case, it’s the total opposite!
Obviously the authors took some liberties in this book, as for example in 1993 the Oscar winner was not a film with the same name. or that while some famous and real names are dropped, they are totally not related to real events.
But while this book is total fictional, and maybe at moments a bit exaggerated (at least I hope so…), it shows us that Hollywood life is all but this glamourous life we all imagine.
And our three main characters show us clearly that no matter how good life seems to be on he spotlights, it’s behind closed doors that the drama unfolds. But also that the past will always keep haunting you and can even break the best friendships.
Mirren, Zander and Davie have all moved on from that Oscar night, and have reaped the benefits of it, by becoming all successful in their own branch. But no matter how bright their lights are, each character is facing its own drama and tragedy. And while for some it may seem that the downfall serves him right, I couldn’t not sympathize with them all. And especially Mirren’s story truly broke my heart, as I can only imagine the devastation and the inability to offer the help she must be feeling. With flashbacks, we also get to see how these three became friends, even best of friends. And that was in a way sweet to read about. Because they didn’t have the best lives, and their future didn’t seem bright at all. It kept me wondering what that dark secret would be, as the authors just let the readers guess what happened twenty years ago. Yet the truth left me shocked, even if it didn’t came as a total surprise. But it was more the aftermath that caused the tsunami leading to their current lives.
This book is being described as a thriller, but for me, it didn’t feel like one. I understand why it’s labelled as one, but I felt it more like a tale about three friends who went from having nothing, to have it all to being on the brink of losing it all over again.
I felt the rawness and the hurt and pain the characters endured. But at some moments, I also felt the sparks of hope submerging despite everything that is happening to them.
These characters may be total fictional, but while you are reading their story, they couldn’t feel more real…
I absolutely devoured this book, as I just couldn’t wait to read more about these three lost friends, trying to keep it all together while being surrounded by drama after drama.
My fear of not liking this kind of book as much as what I am used to read from Shari Low was absolutely unjustified.
I found myself on a rollercoaster of emotions with thanks to the many twists and turns. I went from happiness over the friendship, to feeling a bit disgusted over how someone would make things work in his favour, to getting heart – broken over a few tragic events, but like I already said, there was also a feeling of hope as there seemed to be a silver lining somewhere… Because no matter what you are going through, and no matter how deep you have fallen, there is always a way to get back on track.
September 25, 2014
When I heard Shari Low, fabulous Chick Lit author, was teaming up with Ross King, king of the celebrity gossip on Lorraine, I was intrigued! They're the best of friends, and who better to write a Hollywood-set novel than a man who lives and reports from there on a daily basis? Not to mention Shari's fantastic writing skills. It's been a while since the last release from Shari - and she's been much missed, so it was thrilling to see her back with Taking Hollywood. I've grown to love the old-school Jackie Collins-esque cover for Taking Hollywood, with a black background and gold palm trees and writing. It's old school and classic, and harks right back to the 80s. (Not that I would know, being born in 1990, but I've seen the books, seen the covers.) I couldn't wait to dive in to this mammoth read!
Taking Hollywood is a massive book. 487 pages of Hollywood scandal and drama, and it's the perfect summer read. It tells the tale of three Hollywood celebrities, who used to be friends. Davie Johnston, Zander Leigh and Mirren McLean. Something happened years ago that forced them to break apart, but they've all made their own way in Hollywood. Davie's a producer, Zander's a huge movie star and Mirren's a writer. Until Sarah McKenzie, an amibitious journalist in Glasgow starts digging into the past of Davie, Zander and Mirren, desperate to find out what happened that tore their relationships to shreds. It's the last thing either of the trio really need, with other headaches looming large - Davie's marriage is a fraud, Zander's on the slippery slope of an addict and Mirren's dealing with a drug-addicted daughter, so the last thing they need is a nosy journalist knocking on their doors, but Sarah is determined to find out the truth...
Taking Hollywood was a super interesting read, that I devoured in two sittings. It's your typical Hollywood fare, with fake marriages and addicts and cheating and all that other stuff, but I found the back story fascinating. I had sort of figured it all out before hand, I will be honest, although I hadn't actually cottoned on to who had done what. That was the only part, for me, that remained a mystery up until it eventually came out. It was intriguing to learn the story piece by piece, and also frustrating because I like instant gratification, I like to be told the story all in one go, not have it fed to me bit by bit, with large gaps in between scenes, because it leaves me always wanting more (which is, obviously, the reason). It was probably Sarah the journalist who was my favourite character. Zander, Mirren and Davie are selfish, rich Hollywood folk who I found it hard to warm to. Zander is your typical addicted movie star, incapable of realising he has a problem; Mirren seemed okay, I suppose, but there was something there about her I didn't really trust; and Davie was probably my favourite of the three, though he was quite ostentatious.
Sarah, however, had an interesting story, and I was with her all the way as she chased down Zander, Mirren and Davie, and I was hoping she'd discover the truth. Taking Hollywood was a fascinating read that kept me gripped from start to finish. The teaming up of Shari Low and Ross King will likely prove to be a very successful one - and I'm awfully curious to know all about their writing style (who writes what, etc). Taking Hollywood was a great tale of kids from a rough area who end up coming good, although it begs the question of at what cost did they end up coming good? And it's intriguing to learn the truth, nugget by nugget. Definitely an interesting read, and I look forward to what the pair write next!This review was originally posted on Girls Love To Read
Taking Hollywood is a massive book. 487 pages of Hollywood scandal and drama, and it's the perfect summer read. It tells the tale of three Hollywood celebrities, who used to be friends. Davie Johnston, Zander Leigh and Mirren McLean. Something happened years ago that forced them to break apart, but they've all made their own way in Hollywood. Davie's a producer, Zander's a huge movie star and Mirren's a writer. Until Sarah McKenzie, an amibitious journalist in Glasgow starts digging into the past of Davie, Zander and Mirren, desperate to find out what happened that tore their relationships to shreds. It's the last thing either of the trio really need, with other headaches looming large - Davie's marriage is a fraud, Zander's on the slippery slope of an addict and Mirren's dealing with a drug-addicted daughter, so the last thing they need is a nosy journalist knocking on their doors, but Sarah is determined to find out the truth...
Taking Hollywood was a super interesting read, that I devoured in two sittings. It's your typical Hollywood fare, with fake marriages and addicts and cheating and all that other stuff, but I found the back story fascinating. I had sort of figured it all out before hand, I will be honest, although I hadn't actually cottoned on to who had done what. That was the only part, for me, that remained a mystery up until it eventually came out. It was intriguing to learn the story piece by piece, and also frustrating because I like instant gratification, I like to be told the story all in one go, not have it fed to me bit by bit, with large gaps in between scenes, because it leaves me always wanting more (which is, obviously, the reason). It was probably Sarah the journalist who was my favourite character. Zander, Mirren and Davie are selfish, rich Hollywood folk who I found it hard to warm to. Zander is your typical addicted movie star, incapable of realising he has a problem; Mirren seemed okay, I suppose, but there was something there about her I didn't really trust; and Davie was probably my favourite of the three, though he was quite ostentatious.
Sarah, however, had an interesting story, and I was with her all the way as she chased down Zander, Mirren and Davie, and I was hoping she'd discover the truth. Taking Hollywood was a fascinating read that kept me gripped from start to finish. The teaming up of Shari Low and Ross King will likely prove to be a very successful one - and I'm awfully curious to know all about their writing style (who writes what, etc). Taking Hollywood was a great tale of kids from a rough area who end up coming good, although it begs the question of at what cost did they end up coming good? And it's intriguing to learn the truth, nugget by nugget. Definitely an interesting read, and I look forward to what the pair write next!This review was originally posted on Girls Love To Read
September 2, 2022
The Rise started off *very* slow, alternating narrators, going back and forth between past and present and proving the reader with a lot of backstory. Around the 35% mark I skimmed other reviews who indicated it started slow but it did pick up so I stuck with it, and kept waiting for it to pick up. Unfortunately, it never felt like there was a moment in the plot where things started to pick up. I finished the book to say I finished more than because I was invested in the story. I am in the minority with my feelings towards this book, it did fall short for me and wasn't worth finishing (hindsight), but others seemed to throughly enjoy this book which is what I hope happens for most readers.
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Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
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Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 16, 2021
Ik weet het niet zo goed. Wanneer ik las wilde ik steeds nog een hoofdstuk lezen. Van de andere kant ook wel erg voorspelbaar en heb ik de nodige tijd over dit boek gedaan. Dat kan komen vanwege de voorspelbaarheid maar ook vanwege misschien een beetje leesmoe zijn.
July 28, 2015
Nice Hollywood romp. Drama, wealth, fame, secrets, violence and scandal. Certainly in the vein of Jackie Collins. Enjoyable.
March 27, 2022
This was an ok, smutty read. Kept my interest at times; a bit of a bore at other times.
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