It’s summer 1976; London is languishing in the sultry heat. Beautiful and talented nineteen-year-old, Alice Abbott, arrives in the city with high hopes of one day seeing her name up in lights but first she must impress Richard, the producer of a new West End show, Theatreland. Alice is befriended at the audition by the more experienced Gina, who, although burdened by her own dark secrets, is determined to protect the newcomer from the sleaze behind the glamour. She also attracts attention from the male lead in the show, Peter, a former pop star struggling to escape his playboy reputation. Alice’s star seems to be rising as fast as the temperature until she naively accepts an impromptu dinner invitation from Richard. What happened that night? And how far will Richard go to protect his guilty secret? Fabulously wicked people who are easy to loathe, counterbalanced with an endearing heroine and friends we’d all love to have as our own. An authentic seventies setting with not one but two twists at the end.
I was hooked before the end of the prologue, needing to know what happens to Alice. With believable characters to care about, memories of my own teenage years in the seventies evoked by descriptive passages and a real insight into 'behind the scenes' in theatreland, I couldn't put it down... Kathy Taylor - television personality
This terrific story is inhabited by fabulously wicked people who are easy to loathe. Counterbalance this with an endearing heroine and friends we'd all love to have as our own and you understand why this novel works so well. And the ending... oh, the ending! You just have to read this book... Anne Woodward - author
The era is re-created with authenticity; the characterswholly believable... I see productions as the polished outcome of this intriguing, often unpleasant world where characters reflect individuals from all of society. And the ending... astonishingly cleverly crafted!... Amazon review April 2017
Praise for previous books:
I assumed it would be lightweight, formulaic chick-lit, an enjoyable read but little else. I was wrong. It was well written with a pace that grips the reader and believable characters that I cared about... Linda's Book Bag (blogger)
Entertaining and heartfelt emotions - Julia Roberts writes believable story-lines for characters that come across as real and imperfect. Holly's story is captivating and emotional... David Reviews - top 500 reviewer on Amazon
I really got caught up in this book and became so involved with all the characters and their many twists and turns... exactly what I love for a good read! An impressive first novel... Lulu - International singing star
A slice of sheer escapism which packs an emotional punch... Jemma Forte - novelist
This is page-turningly unputdownable... I started off thinking I would read the first chapter but stood up many hours later, cold, stiff and hungry - I had read the whole thing! A great holiday read or, in my case, and 'at home' distraction... Andrea McLean - Loose Women TV presenter
