Karin Tanabe

This was a challenging and confusing read and listening to the audiobook while reading the digital book only provided some mild entertainment. This story would be better told in a visual format as there is too much going on that it looses it's "star" appeal. I enjoyed some of this author's previous books but this one felt too busy.

The plot is set in 1970's Los Angeles' where the young and beautiful flocked to parties where drinking and drugs were commonplace. The road to success is rocky even for those from wealthy families. Aside from those who long for a spot on the screen, there is Beatrice DuPont, who makes her living behind a camera. She works for Vogue and Rolling Stone and attends all the society parties recording history in on film. She is a transplant from New York and surprised to find her long ago "crush", Kai de la Faire, living in LA. He's not only rising to fame but is attached to Evra Scott, the fashion diva of Sunset on Sunset, an exclusive boutique for the rich and famous in LA.

There are strong connections between the characters that build and demolish as the years pass and some rise to stardom while others aren't so fortunate. Scattered among the rich and soon-to-be famous are people who aren't who they claim to be. The writing flows but the plot feels cluttered with many stories and developed characters who all seem to be entwined. It's difficult to really find many likeable characters as they are all pretty flawed some with better intentions than others. I felt there was too much "in the middle" and the story exposed the secrets and lies and wrapped up in the end. It just felt like a longer journey to get there.

Many thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me access to read this digital book. My review of this book is my honest and unbiased opinion. All comments are expressly my own.… (meer)

A 1970’s brat pack of sorts, each a bit different but also sharing many similarities of finding fame and relevance in each other which makes the backbone of the Sunset Crowd. Amidst the egos and golden Hollywood veneer lies secrets, womanizing, mystery and perhaps murder, and the Sunset crowd is entrenched in it all.
A glamorously human story of a time and place where dreams are built and come to die, and where people can carve an actual life for themselves. Great read!
*I received an arc from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review… (meer)

Evra and Kai are the hottest couple in Hollywood. Then there is Theodora. She is a “want to be” producer and she knows just which buttons to push to get it done. Add in Bea. Bea is a photographer for Rolling Stones magazine. And she is just taking in all the limelight and extra curricular activities. But, she secretly harbors a love for Kai! So where does this lead???

This book has a very slow start. I almost ditched it. But then I remembered reading this author’s other book, A Woman of Intelligence , and so, I kept going. I am glad I did! I found these characters completely insane, entertaining, weasels! Every single one. Talk about flawed! This whole book is full of real life people making real life mistakes and bad choices.

I found this novel fascinating in many places. I did figure out Theodora. But she is definitely a character which MADE this book for me. Everyone knows a Theodora. Maybe not to this extent…but we all know someone like her! That is what makes this author’s books for me. Her characters are always someone I know. And trust me…you will know them too.

The narrator, Sarah Molly-Christensen, really kept this book moving. I will be honest, I might have dnf-ed it if not for an audiobook.

Need a book which will have your cringing…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.… (meer)

Beatrice is a rebellious teen New Yorker from old money. After being sent to a private school in Switzerland for her behavior, she befriends (and falls in love with) Kai de la Faire. Kai is gorgeous, part Hawaiian, and the crush of every girl in the school.

Years later, in the mid-1970s, Beatrice is a photographer in LA. The hottest thing going on the strip is a new store -Sunset on Sunset- owned and operated by Evra Scott. Evra is a wealthy socialite, the daughter of Hollywood Royalty. Her store is THE store, and Avra is THE girl in LA,. Avra's current love interest is Kai de la Faire. Beatrice, Evra, Kai, and their friends live the ultimate LA party life. Fueled by drugs and alcohol, they enjoy all that fame and money have to offer.

One day, Theodora Leigh comes into Sunset to return outfits from Paramount Studios. Evra is fascinated by this young girl with a mysterious past... Part Chinese, and multi-lingual, she is getting ready to produce a film of her own. Evra is fascinated by young Theodora and takes her under her wing. Theodora soon becomes a part of their crowd as well. Young, beautiful, and talented, she seems to know all the right people. She shows up everywhere at just the right moment.No one seems to notice until it is too late.

This novel will take you from the Hollywood Hills to the French Riviera. You'll get a front-row seat at how glamorous people live. You will also get a good look at their motives and mores. The author has developed real and believable characters.. It is interesting to see how each of them reacts differently to events and to each other. I think this is one saving grace for Beatrice. Deep down, some East Coast common sense remains.

This book is a great read, especially if you love to read about the rich and famous. I don't want to leave spoilers, but, I will say I wasn't especially happy with the ending. I'd have liked a little more closure. However, I think that was the point. Sometimes you're just left to wonder.… (meer)