by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

This was a re-read on audible of a book that I had read at least twice, the last time probably around 10 years ago. I was led to this one by the last Susan Elizabeth Phillips book I read, Call Me Irresistible. Georgie York, the heroine of this one, is mentioned there, and the heroine, Meg Koranda of CMI, plays a bit part in this one. It also has a little tie to Natural Born Charmer as April Robillard an important secondary character in that one also has a bit part as Georgie’s stylist. The first part of this book is a thinly disguised re-imagining of the Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Anniston triangle. Georgie has been divorced from Lance for a year or so as the book opens. He left her for glamourous do-gooder, Jade whom he met on a movie set. Georgie, a former child star, now a romantic comedy actress is popular and beloved by virtue of her long-running sitcom, Skip and Scooter, where she grew up on camera in front of the American public. Her co-star was Bramwell Shepherd who took advantage of her schoolgirl crush by nailing her at a party on her 18th birthday. She has hated him ever since for that reason, and the fact that his bad boy behavior (drugs, alcohol, sex tape, bad posse, etc., etc.) finally resulted in the show being canceled. They meet unexpectedly in Las Vegas and thanks to drugged drinks, end up married to their mutual horror. They quickly decide to stay married and act the part of a deliriously happy couple. Georgie, because she can’t stand the thought of being subject to even more pity and compassion for losing a second high-profile husband, and Bram because he’s been persona non grata for years due to his reputation. Being married to America’s sweetheart can’t help but revive his flagging career.

So that’s the setup. Along the way, Lance and Jade make an appearance, and boy, we have no doubt that SEP was definitely Team Jennifer. They are skewered quite thoroughly and hilariously without making them thoroughly despicable. We meet Georgie’s cold controlling father, Bram’s surly but loyal young punk of a housekeeper and cook, Georgie’s nerdy overweight P.A. (also loyal), Georgie’s agent who is under the thumb of her father, and a powerful female head of a major studio who loves Georgie and hates Bram, both for good reason. The reader starts to get hints early on that Bram is a reformed character, but it takes Georgie ( and everyone else) a good bit longer to figure it all out while falling back in love with him for real this time. Bram learns to like and respect Georgie (plus great sex) but doesn’t realize how deep in he really is until it is too late (almost).

I loved the Hollywood setting and the dramatic growth of all the main characters. I loved SEP’s sometimes surprising choices for them. The book did not always take a predictable path. As always, there was plenty of snarky banter, wit, comedy, and some serious issues addressed as well. Georgie was a lovable and admirable heroine, and while Bram was a bit of a mystery and while not exactly a knight in shining armor, we didn’t blame Georgie a bit for falling for him in spite of herself. Originally 4 stars, but I’m bumping it up to 4 1/2. This was a lot of fun and I really liked the Hollywood angle and the high concept.