How did this happen? Georgie York, once the costar of America’s favorite television sitcom, has been publicly abandoned by her famous husband, her film career has tanked, her father is driving her crazy, and her public image as a spunky heroine is taking a serious beating.
What should a down-on-her-luck actress do? Not go to Vegas . . . not run into her detestable former costar, dreamboat-from-hell Bramwell Shepard . . . and not get caught up in an ugly incident that leads to a calamitous elopement. Before she knows it, Georgie has a fake marriage, a fake husband, and maybe (or not) a fake sex life.
It’s a paparazzi free-for-all, and Georgie’s nonsupporting cast doesn’t help. There’s Bram’s punk-nightmare housekeeper, Georgie’s own pushy parent, a suck-up agent, an icy studio head with a private agenda, and her ex-husband’s new wife, who can’t get enough of doing good deeds and saving the world—the bitch. As for Georgie’s leading man, Bram’s giving the performance of his life, but he’s never cared about anyone except himself, and it’s not exactly clear why.
Two enemies find themselves working without a script in a town where the spotlight shines bright . . . and where the strongest emotions can wear startling disguises.
Susan Elizabeth Phillips has long been a favorite author of mine. She was one of the first contemporary romance authors I glommed. Unlike many others, I’ve enjoyed her more recent works better than some of her later works (ex: I loved Ain’t She Sweet and Dream A Little Dream but didn’t care for Nobody’s Baby But Mine or Heaven, Texas). I went into What I Did For Love with pretty high expectations and I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed. This isn’t my favorite of her works, but it was typical SEP and I really enjoyed it. Since the synopsis does a good job of outlining the story, I’m just going to go into my likes and dislikes.
I found this to be reminiscent of some of her earlier works, specifically Honey Moon and Breathing Room. And let’s just cut to the chase here, this is basically a retelling of Brad and Jen’s romance gone wrong in real life Hollywood. The similarities just can’t be ignored. Since I’ve never been a fan of Jennifer Aniston this really annoyed me, because Georgie is obviously the Aniston of the story.
Like all SEP heroines, Georgie has a bright, sunny disposition and sees (mostly) only the good in life. Although I found this annoying at times, I like Georgie for the most part. She was spunky and strong, and even though she was victimized in the beginning, she really grew and matured throughout the novel. Watching her come into herself was wonderful.
Her relationship with her father was a key element to her personality, but it seems somewhat contrived. I can’t believe the solution came about so easily considering the number of years Georgie felt like a failure to him and all his years of acting cold and unfeeling.
Also, like all SEP heroes, Bram was a complete ass but showed hidden depths as the story progressed. This was not now, nor will it ever be, a surprise to me in a SEP novel. She writes too sweet heroines who hook up with asshole heroes. The key here is that, despite the formula, she makes it work. Even though Bram was a complete ass to Georgie and she acted the doormat half the time, I wanted their romance to work. And it did.
SEP excels at writing intimacy between her main protagonists and I think this is a prime example. We actually saw Georgie and Bram becoming closer to one another, rather than being told about it. I also loved her approach to sex. It cracked me up how she was all, “I’m going to get mine and I don’t care about you getting yours” and then Bram thinks to himself, “Damn, that’s hot.” Heh.
I liked the secondary storylines. I generally do in her books. I think the one between Chaz, Bram’s housekeeper, and Aaron, Georgie’s assistant, was the better of the two, though. There was just something about that one that got me. The romance between Georgie’s father and her publicist seemed superfluous to me.
My biggest issue came from Bram’s actions at the end of the story. What he did to Georgie was beyond over the top, and I don’t feel he suffered enough for it. He was almost defiant in the end, rather than remorseful.
Overall this is another well written, witty contemporary romance from a proven master. Although this doesn’t top my list of favorites, it didn’t disappoint.
4 out of 5
This book is available from William Marrow. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
I liked this book too, despite seeing several “meh” reviews.
I adore SEP, and once I got into the story, I couldn’t put the book down. (Then I had to have more, and reread LADY BE GOOD.)
Anyway, I too, never really liked Jennifer Aniston and found myself feeling the same way you seemed to about her being the star of the book, because it just didn’t fit. But once I got past that, I was fine.
I will say that SEP nailed Brangelina pretty well in the book, though. (I confess that I read too many gossip columns, so hear about all the behind the scenes stuff. Should I have just admitted that in public??)
Anyway, I agree with your points, and frankly, I expected the ending to be different. I thought that in the end, Bram would have made the sacrifice…not Georgie. That was the only thing that felt flat to me.
And, after reading LADY BE GOOD again, it was very clear that SEP wasn’t writing as funny as she has in the past.
But I still love me some SEP. And have never been disappointed.
I also love SEP and I went into it only knowing that it was an SEP book, which means it’s going to be good.
I liked Georgie but also saw the Brangelina comparison. That was the part I had to get over since I have never liked Aniston. Once I got over that, I was able to really get into the story.
I thought Bram was a great hero. He was such a jerk, and at the end when he lied to her to get what he wanted…I wanted to kill him. But the man was always so obtuse, it just fit his character that he would be so devious to get what he wanted.
I also really love SEPs writing b/c she shows the hero/heroine fall in love. All the little moments that when they finally come to the realization they love each other, it makes the ride worthwhile.
I loved it.
I’ve read a few SEPs, but it’s been a while. I loved, and will still pick up from time to time, It Had to be You.I liked Breathing Room a lot too.
I’m not sure though if I’m up for what’s basically a retelling of Aniston and Pitt. Honestly their marriage ending was a bit depressing, especially the way the news harped on it so much and still will in snide little ways. But, if it’s reminiscent of Breathing Room, it might be worth a go.
Great review!
Colleen,
Do you find SEP to be a funny author? I haven’t ever considered her one. She’s humorous and witty, but I can’t remember ever laughing out loud while reading one of her books. That’s not what I expect from her.
The end..yes, it felt very flat. Especially since it was Bram who acted badly. I thought he needed to pay more than he did.
Still, as you said, love me some SEP and I’ll pick up each and every book.
Oh, also..I heart Lady Be Good. Ahh, Kenny. 🙂
Gabriel,
I thought I was the only person alive who doesn’t like Aniston. I’m glad I’m not. Also, I realize it’s petty of me, but I snickered a lot thinking of Aniston asking someone to marry her just to make her look better in the press. Does that make me a bad person?
As you say, this was a great story and despite Bram acting the fool, I loved him.
KMont,
In the beginning the Aniston/Pitt thing really threw me, but after the first few chapters it wasn’t such an issue anymore.
Have you read Kiss an Angel? That’s my favorite SEP ever.
Good review…you said it better than I would have.
I don’t like Aniston either. She annoys me.
Great review Holly – thank you!
She was one of the first contemporary romance authors I glommed…
Me too 🙂 The first SEP book I picked up was Natural Born Charmer, because I saw a review on a blog and though…’hmmmm. And I loved it and went madly hunting for the others. I still have a couple of go in that series but my favourite is Match Me If You Can.
Kiss An Angel? *racing off to Google the title*
Oh. IO haven’t read it yet, but I absolutely loved Breathing Room. It was my first SEP. I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews on this one, but I’m so easy, LOL.
Great review! I thought Bram was a good hero, an ass but still smexy all the same. =)
Seneca,
After the first part of the book I was able to get past the Jen/Brad/Angie thing and really started to enjoy the story. I even started rooting for Georgie. And I ended up laughing at how Lance/Jade were portrayed later in the book, even though I’m a huge Brangelina fan. 🙂
Holly, I just started this, but had to stop and search some reviews because I have a Jen/Brad/Angelina vibe, too.
I’m not a Jenn fan so it’s hard for me to gain sympathy for the heroine in this book. I’m trying to separate the real life love triangle from this story, but it’s hard because it’s SO similar.
K, I’m going to go back to the book now. I just had to see if others saw the connection.
I forgot… GO TEAM BRANGELINA.
K, I’m done for now. lol
Ewwwwww Brangelina? Yuck, I hate them.
Glad to hear that. Ames tells me that there is a funny part, so I wonder if you are both speaking of the same thing. I guess I’ll see 🙂
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