Ciao Bookworms,
I feel like I should be greeting you with air kisses today, because we’re going to Hollywood! Actually, we’re going more to the seedy underbelly of show business, but I’m getting ahead of myself. I was contacted by TLC Book Tours to take part in the tour for Caeli Wolfson Widger’s new novel, Real Happy Family
Lorelai Branch is your classic desperate actress, completely absorbed with fashion, parties, and getting noticed. Her mother Colleen is content to live vicariously through Lorelai, playing the role of obsessive stage mother to a T. Robin is Lorelai’s long-suffering sister-in-law and agent, battling infertility and marital strife. Set against the backdrop of Hollywood excess and reality television, Real Happy Family gives the reader a glimpse into the dark side of show business.
Getting into this novel was a challenge for me, because I found Colleen and Lorelei’s personalities so repellent. I mean, I love watching a train wreck as much as the next gal, but yikes. I don’t think this book would have worked for me at all if it hadn’t been for Robin. Robin makes some astonishingly poor choices, but compared to Lorelei and Colleen, she’s a beacon of normalcy.
Real Happy Family is a book about Hollywood, but its look at the plight of the “might-have-beens” is a refreshing change of pace from the lifestyles of the rich and famous tomes that dominate the genre. As it turns out, you can be a hot mess without fame and fortune. The single minded pursuit of fame can destroy people just as easily. And dear lord, the drugs! So. Many. Drugs.
This book isn’t going to be for everyone. If the trials and tribulations of the overprivileged and beautiful get stuck in your craw, avoid this one. However, if you’re a fan of the occasional reality TV show (I know some of y’all watch Real Housewives on the regular), this might just be your jam. Thanks to the awesome folks at TLC Book Tours and New Harvest, you can enter to win your own copy of Real Happy Family! (Open to residents of the US and Canada.)
Quirky Chrissy
I can’t watch reality TV…it drives me bonkers. Even those house remodel shows are obnox. That being said, I always wanted to go on Survivor or the Amazing Race.
Daddio
Joules and Nathan say HI. Since I can’t deal with “reality” (and I REALLY mean the quotes here) shows I don’t think I’ll attempt this book. On the other hand I did find a great book called Orvis Fly Patterns that’s just riveting!
Cindy
I like some reality shows. I can’t explain why, maybe because they’re crazy and so different from me?
I do prefer Amazing Race and Survivor to the Housewives, but can’t always resist the Housewives.
Words For Worms
We’ve all got our thing. A little trash TV now and again is good for the soul, I say!
Heather J @ TLC Book Tours
“As it turns out, you can be a hot mess without fame and fortune.” Yes, yes you can!
I’m glad to see that you enjoyed this book. Thanks for being on the tour! I’m featuring your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.
Words For Worms
Thanks Heather! 🙂 I’m flattered!
Isi
Definitely, not for me.
Melinda
Doesn’t sound like it’s for me either, but thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂
Suzy
I love stories that have a Hollywood angle. I used to work in the industry, so I’ve seen it all. : )
Words For Worms
I’m sure you have! I’d love to hear some of your stories!
Claudia
I’m not generally a fan of train wreck characters, although I enjoy them on occasion. Then I feel smug about all my (sorta kinda) good life choices.
Words For Worms
Yes! Me too! I’m like “well, at least I’m not hooked on Meth” and then I feel better about things :).
Claudia
Also, I just realized I forgot about to comment about reality TV. My friends and I love watching Say Yes to the Dress on TLC together, just because how over the top it is and of course to plan our future wedding dresses!
Words For Worms
Wedding dresses are just so darn pretty. I don’t blame you for indulging in the daydream!
Katie @ Doing Dewey
This definitely doesn’t sound like a book I’ll be picking up, since I think I’m unlikely to enjoy a book without a more likable character, but I did enjoy your review 🙂