‘FRIEND OF THE FAMILY’ BY TASMINA PERRY

I have had a soft spot for Tasmina Perry ever since the release of DADDY’S GIRLS in 2006. She writes the kind of glitzy novels you want to invest yourself in. She does not always hit bull’s eye but she always comes close. One thing she’s done right is make the trashy novel (or bonkbuster if you will) hot again after a dormant decade or so. I admit I have yet to read all of her backlist but I’m getting there. One I did savour is her latest, FRIEND OF THE FAMILY (available now in any book format), which was handed to me by the folks at Headline and NetGalley and which deserves to hit the best-seller list just as well.  

FRIEND OF THE FAMILY features yet again a strong independent woman who this time is an editor for a fashion magazine. Her name is Amy and she is happily married with child. When a spot opens at a rival magazine she jumps at the chance of getting the position despite being already swamped by responsibilities like taking on a friend’s daughter as an intern and letting her stay at her house. When her regular nanny is suddenly injured, Josie, the intern, agrees to take the nanny’s place for the duration of the family vacation in Provence. But of course things turn quickly sour when Amy starts suspecting Josie of deliberately sabotaging her life. If right, can she stop her before it’s too late?

This variation of THE HANDS THAT ROCK THE CRADLE and SINGLE WHITE FEMALE may be nothing new but done well it is just as riveting. Tasmina Perry has what many glam fiction novelists lack nowadays: the ability to make you care about the characters. FRIEND OF THE FAMILY is filled with interesting people who are far from being perfect. The book is a cross between a suspense thriller and a glitzy novel and is carefully thought-out. If having a front seat view of the well-to-dos (exotic locations, beautiful gowns, glam shoots) is your thing, then look no further—and it will give you chills as an extra. The novel also goes back and forth in time to cement the tumultuous lives of certain characters. And that climax, trust me on this, it does not disappoint. Yes, FRIEND OF THE FAMILY is a must-read. Brava, Miss Perry.

Until next post—Martin  

‘MINE’ BY J. L. BUTLER

MINE by newcomer J. L. BUTLER (a pseudonym for well-established writer Tasmina Perry) is an effective tale of a high-flying lawyer who’s way over her head when she falls for a rich client who may or may not have anything to do with the disappearance of his soon-to-be divorced wife. The author wastes no time in taking you into this fast-paced world of the court justice, with a little glamour on the side and a lot of romance in between. The result makes for an engagingly enough read despite the fact it is not exactly my cup of tea.  

Suspense books are very big nowadays, so I understand Miss Perry for trying to make a name for herself (albeit a different one) in that field—though I must say, the last couple of her books do verge toward that goal. And she deserves to succeed since MINE, like I said, is very well-crafted. The central character is a lovable one and the plot does keep you interested up until the obligatory climax, which, alas, wasn’t much of a huge surprise to me. Yet I would say yes to MINE. But don’t expect to be wowed by it. Although if you’re into this attorney-in-jeopardy shtick I’m sure you’ll enjoy the novel more than I did. 

If J. L. Butler turns out to be a bigger name than the one of Tasmina Perry, then kudos to her for having reached that goal. Let’s just hope that Tasmina Perry is not forgotten in the long run, for I really love what that name has been offering all these years.

Thanks to the publisher HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

  

Until next post—Martin

‘THE POOL HOUSE’ BY TASMINA PERRY

 

Finally I can shout it out from the rooftop. BUY THIS BOOK NOW. I have been withholding my enthusiasm for nearly two months, whispering to anyone who would listen to read this gem ASAP.  Since I always try to respect my engagement with NetGalley and the publishers who graciously handed me a copy to review, I eagerly waited on pub day to finally spill the beans on this knockout of a novel. So here we go.  

 

Of all the current authors topping the bestselling charts I would say Tasmina Perry is one of the best. Her novels always manage to grip me no matter what, and THE POOL HOUSE (Headline) is certainly no different. The plot, well, to keep it as minimum as possible just so you can find out for your very self, involves a dead woman, a curious female protagonist, a beach house in The Hamptons and secrets from the past that will make you turn the pages as quick as the undeniable sense you get of inhabiting a world out of anyone’s reach. Because let’s face it, Tasmina Perry’s world is mostly all glitz and glamour and only the privileged ones get to experience it. Not that anyone actually would want to after reading this novel. 

 

Opulence aside, THE POOL HOUSE is a well-crafted fast moving whodunit filled with enough twists and turns, interesting characters and shocking revelations for one to eagerly yearn for another Tasmina Perry novel in the near future. And that’s always a good sign, especially coming from been there seen that readers like yours truly here.  

 

Until next post—Martin
 

Hachette Australia Cover

‘THE HOUSE ON SUNSET LAKE’ BY TASMINA PERRY

Ever since the publication of DADDY’S GIRLS back in 2006 Tasmina Perry has been churning out bestseller after bestseller, and with good reasons. The lady definitely knows how to deliver class trash fiction. Try any novel of hers and I guarantee that you’ll be having seconds and thirds. So it comes as no surprise that her latest is just as impressive. Called THE HOUSE ON SUNSET LAKE (Headline), the story in a  gist revolves around thirtysomething hotel developer Jim Johnston who still holds a torch for the woman that got away many years ago. When their paths cross once again via a business transaction, Jim will stop at nothing to rekindle their romance, however damageable it may turn out to be.  

 

Those yearning for the old Tasmina Perry, the one who fills her books with sins and scandals among the very rich, will once again have to settle for less, since THE HOUSE ON SUNSET LAKE is a tamed down version of what the author used to write. Just like in her last two novels, everything is simpler and more traditional (less characters, less high-jinks, more feelings).  Oh, the opulent setting is still present but contrary to her first few titles it has become secondary to the story itself, a story filled with romance and past mistakes and second chances at love. Perry’s narrative is as strong, if not better than before, and the way the plot boils down to a one on one confrontation between the two leads should please romance junkies everywhere.  

The only flaw I can attribute to THE HOUSE ON SUNSET LAKE is this unnecessary big bombshell regarding Jim’s family the author uses to build up the climax. A revelation that seems a bit overblown since the plot is already strong as it is. But this should not hinder too much any enjoyment regarding this sweet and touching tale of two people rediscovering one another.

 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Until next post—Martin



PB from Headline

 

'ORIGINAL SIN' BY TASMINA PERRY

 

ORIGINAL SIN being my first Tasmina Perry, I was pretty thrilled to finally plunge my heart and soul into this 600 plus page book. I had heard a lot of good things about this author, queen of the bonkbuster genre, brilliant writer… So imagine my excitement coming face to face with this tale of a renowned publicist who has her hands full protecting the shenanigans of a well-to-do family on the verge of a fab and tabloid-driven wedding. Two words to that: sleazy heaven. Indeed, all the elements for a great trashy read are there, a controlling matriarch, a sex-addict daughter, a substance abusive son, a disillusioned bride, and a big big secret that threatens to reveal itself. I mean, what more could I ask for, right? Well, as it turned out, a lot.

First and foremost let me say that I have yet to throw in the towel when Miss Perry is concerned. Her ORIGINAL SIN may have landed below my appreciation radar but I will definitely overlook it. Why? Simple. This writer has spunk. Lots of it. And contrary to TV’s Lou Grant, I love spunk. You can feel it in her words, her sentences, her style… She definitely got the chomps to impress. Trouble is she sometimes misses the boat. Take the character of Tess, for example. She may be an ace at her publicist job but, boy, what a dummy she is at love. It’s hard to feel any real sympathy for her when all she does his blindly tumble over her heartstrings. No, we do not want her perfect, we just want her as shrewd in her love life as she is at her job. It isn’t too much to ask. It’s what is expected.

For all the wrong approach regarding the character of Tess, the one worth mentioning, however, is Brooke, the bride-to-be. The author does a fine job leveling her sense of intelligence. This heroine has flaws but she is not stupid in her actions. We believe she would have second thoughts about her upcoming nuptials and understand her attraction to another man. We do not hate her for it; we embrace her imperfection instead.

Of course, getting into the scheme of things sometimes involves unwanted direction for the reader. In ORIGINAL SIN Perry chooses to elongate her plot and subplots to the point of boredom. A shame actually, for the first 150 pages of her book is almost done to perfection with a sure tempo and a yummy dialogue. But comes the first-half and, suddenly, I find myself loosing interest, due mostly to the characters uninspired ways. I should be having a ball up to that point, not dreading what comes next. But fortunately, the novel last third picks up and saves it from becoming just another snoozer.

There is a fine line between great and super great bonkbuster authors. Jackie Collins, J. J. Salem, Tilly Bagshawe, Jessica Ruston have all caught the nuance. That is why their work flourish while others take a turn for the recycle bin. I am far from saying that Tasmina Perry isn’t one of the super greats. But, judging by her ORIGINAL SIN, it’s truly evident that something is missing. Whether it’s a lack of connection with a male reader or a simple slip from a frothy agenda, we will never know. But one thing’s for sure: her world of sin and caviar still can generate a good buzz despite this lukewarm review. I mean, just look where she is today. Her name is on everyone’s lips. She may have yet to reach mine but she is getting there. All I need is one super great read to seal the deal.

 

Until next post—Martin