Julia > Recent Status Updates

Aawww they mentioned Keanu Reeves's statue at Madame Tussauds being at the storeroom because he was one of the forgotten ones and well, 2019 was his year. He's popular again! I kept thinking as I am reading this, "God, crowded Christmas! There's COVID-19 people!" But then this was published in 2010.

Cute

So far there's a unique, nerdy girl and a snarly, broody boy trope. (Manic pixie girl? Broody boy?) But the 1st person pov and the mystery clue game makes the story interesting!

This is interesting so far. It still follows certain tropes (which is common in YA novels) but not annoyingly so.

I like the photo section.

This book is just addressing tabloid articles and giving the couple's side of things. There's nothing revealing about this book (except that I find them whining a lot and kind of spoiled?) There are also recent details about this book like Prince Charles' Covid-19 case. Did they put it here before printing this book?

"Despite the strange dynamics of his family, which many outside the royal bubble struggle to understand, he would always love his grandmother. While he had lost respect for parts of the institution, and even certain family members at points, the Queen was still one of the most important women in his life." Also he Harry enjoys talking to his dad regularly. He probably doesn't talk with some of his cousins. 1/1

It book is not salacious as I was expecting it to be. The Royal family is actually off the hook for most part, except for William and Kate (especially Kate, lots of jabs against her). Not even a mention of dear Uncle Andy! I was thinking this book would be "The royal family didn't protect us like they were protecting Prince Andrew!" None! All the talk about that is from other people and the tabloid. Prince Harry 0/1

Chapter 24: "Specifically, he told the authors of this book, that every time he returned to the African country his experience as a tourist improved, but the community creating that experience remained the same." So they did cooperate.

Why did I went back reading this thing? What did Harry expect? He went out so he should step back from his "honorary" military position. No one is saying his military veteran status is null. What's stopping him to be more active with veteran organizations? This book just reminded me how well the Royal family cleaned his image back in 2013.

I'm not really updated on tabloid gossips about the Royals but I see headlines on my social.media timeline from time to time. There's a lot of leaks, the palace aide said, a source said, a friend said, someone close to the couple said etc. I think we can't really know if these leaks came from the Palace, the Sussexes or friends who like to stir shit up. It's a game of telephone, me thinks. No direct communication

I'm not really updated on tabloid gossips about the Royals but I see headlines on my social.media timeline from time to time. There's a lot of leaks, the palace aide said, a source said, a friend said, someone close to the couple said etc. I think we can't really know if these leaks came from the Palace, the Sussexes or friends who like to stir shit up. It's a game of telephone, me thinks. No direct communication

The impression I get from this is that Harry has always wanted to get out & Meghan gave him a reason to get out. Meghan, based on the book, is willing to bare it a little. I supported it & I think they don't really fit with the Firm. They can blossom outside the Royal family. However, their decision was very rushed & I think they didn't really planned their exit well. They had winged it.

I think H & M have many things to say about the The Firm and the media, but space was wasted on banal details. I don't need to know that they had Ladurée key lime tower on their baby shower or the flowers were done by NY florist Lewis Miller. Is this an advertising book or a resume? So far there's no bomb about the royal family (except for the digs on Kate) but the writers are addressing the headlines.

I have so many questions. Many questions. This books is like a romance novel, comedy skit, and lifestyle blog mixed together. I hope Goodreads has 5,000 word limit review.

Chapter 17 is where they basically prove the tabloid news are true, but they give their side of story. There's a lot of Kate hate. I kind of understand because Meghan didn't have anyone in England & she is expecting camaraderie with Kate, but Kate isn’t as warm as Meghan wanted. Also, culture shock. The Firm has protocols and it means they can't just do whatever they want.For me this chapter makes H & M look bratty.

In writing you have to choose when to mention or not to mention brand names. Would it help with the narrative? As I go further this book, the more brand names I've read. Also, glad to know they are friends with the Clooneys and " they had a secluded decked area and inside was a lounge decorated with traditional club wood paneling, heavy drapes, dark velvets, plush chairs, and a bar." Great interior design taste!

So far there isn't any world-shaking insider scoop about the Royal Family, even about Prince Andrew! So far it's all about praising Charles and Camila –but not you Kate. Again, the writing is so abysmal, so many brands and name-drops. There would be a peek about something but they'd breeze it through and focus on describing what brand of wine they drink, what clothes Serena Williams wore, who's connected to whom.

Wow the writers just breezed through this info: "Following Bishop Curry’s sermon, the twenty-member Kingdom Choir launched into the classic “Stand by Me.” (Like Bishop Curry, the Kingdom Choir was also Prince Charles’s suggestion.)" CHARLES? And according to the choir director that H &M rejected everything they have suggested so in the end Charles put his foot down. Oooohhh each chapter H&M slowly sounds like brats.

Kate has the advantage of having a family thay 100% behind her, Meghan didn't have that sadly. Again, the writing is... ugh. One moment it's a about the drama with her father then the next it's about the Michelin-starred chef preparing autumn squash ravioli and grilled Dover sole. Then back to the father. Then its about the spa done by the skincare guru Sarah Chapman that made her enjoy the calming energy and soul.

No one deserves to have a toxic family. Especially a toxic family that exposed your dirty laundry and their dirty laundry in public.

So the comparison between Kate and Meghan starts here. But unlike the other publications this time the writers make Kate look like a shy, tepid, slow woman and Meghan is, I quote "On the other hand, Meghan, said the courtier, “arrived in this job a fully formed adult, having lived already a third of her life." Previously, the writers also described M as "unapologetically feminist". This chapter doesn't help.

Harry seems delusional/clueless in this chapter. I mean he's been a royal all his life and he wonders how the British media would react to Meghan. He married a biracial woman, he should have known the media would be unfair to her. And the writing is so fluffy it reads like a work of Meghan stans. Sometimes it reads like a lifestyle blog. If you want to know what brands Meghan wore at certain events, this is for you.

These snippets of charitable actions of Harry & Meghan juxtaposed with details of expensive dates in Africa & UK (I kinda get why H is obsessed with Africa thanks to this book) is a bad look. But most rich benefactors & patrons do the same thing: show up to a couple of charity events, then go back to their usual luxurious lifestyle. Also, Harry is shown to be a manchild in this chapter. Good luck M for handling him.

Some of the palace advices are good, especially at this point she was still dating Harry. If I were her I would take the necklace advice. The impression I get was Meghan didn't want to listen and that Harry didn't prepare her enough. It seems like Harry just threw her to the wolves and expected she could handle it herself. And it seems Harry's staff were trying to help and following orders but they were ignored.

Whether it's true Meghan used to call the paps during her Suits days or whether she uses to teases the media via her Instagram while demanding to privacy while dating Harry, she still doesn't deserve the vitriol and racist headlines. Royal ladies get the same media frenzy, but Meghan has this extra racism in the mix. Also Harry and his family are racists, too. In this chapter Harry sounds like he lacks self-awareness