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| image copied from bookshop.org |
Today's hot summer reading review focuses on Emily Henry's Great Big Beautiful Life. I've long been a fan of Henry's rom-coms. But this novel marks a bit of a departure for Henry from straight romantic comedy. Instead, Great Big Beautiful Life mixes romance, mystery and historical fiction all into one story.
It all begins with Alice Scott, the main narrator of the novel. She's scored an interview with the former tabloid princess, Margaret Ives. Alice became intrigued with tracking the reclusive celebrity down after getting a tip that Margaret was living in seclusion on a small island off the coast of Georgia. Her persistence pays off and Margaret agrees to meet with her to consider writing Margaret's biography together. The only fly in the ointment is Hayden Anderson. It seems that Margaret is also considering the grumpy, Pulitzer-winning memoirist to do her story as well. In the end, Margaret claims to be unable to decide between the two and instead tells them each that she will do a trial series of interviews with both writers over the course of a month, at the end of which she will select her biographer.
I found this Henry novel to be refreshing in its divergence from her normal fair. It still contains plenty of romance tropes in the story, such as grumpy/sunshine romantic leads, rivals-to-lovers, and forced proximity to an extent. But it was also full of interesting details about the glamour of the past when tabloids and newspapers hounded celebrities and were fascinated with mogul families and their empires. It was clear that Henry put a good deal of research into this book. She wove in the glitz and glamour of mid-twentieth century public icons into the story in a way that made her characterization of Margaret's life and that of her family very believable. At the same time, I really appreciated how she managed to also connect this with Alice and Hayden's stories as they unfold. Both have secrets of their own they're carrying. Alice is still struggling with grief over the loss of a loved one. While Hayden, who has grown up under public scrutiny of his own on a smaller scale, has learned to be very reserved and careful about who he trusts or confides in. There is also the mystery about why Margaret seems to be giving both different sides of her story and why she is adamant that they both stick around for a month before she can decide who she wants to work with.
The competition between Alice and Hayden also forces them to put the breaks on any physical relationship while they're together on the tiny island even though they are very attracted to each other. This compels them to find alternative ways to spend time together where they won't be tempted to hook up. It also causes them to develop a much deeper emotional bond over such a short time span, helping them to become friends with the potential to someday become something more. It kept the sexual tension high while allowing me as a reader to get to know each of them as individual characters. Henry is a master of that in many of her novels and she sets up this romance cleverly here as well. I also loved the historical details of Margaret's family history. I found myself drawn in gradually to that the same way Alice was with each encounter she has with Margaret.
I know that some might find this book to be a disappointment because it is different from Emily Henry's other books. However, if you love stories that mix a bit of mystery with some 20th century historical drama along with a steamy, slow-burn will-they-won't-they romance, then I urge you to give this novel a chance. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
For my next review, I'll be focusing on a middle grade urban fantasy set in one of my favorite cities, Savannah, Georgia and in August, I also hope to review a fun mystery by a debut author. The covers and blurbs for both those books that are releasing in early August are listed below. Both the covers and blurbs were copied from bookshop.org.
Savannah, Georgia, with its mossy trees and ornate old homes, is a place rich in history...and ghosts. Ghosts are what pique Harmony Roundtree's interest. Still reeling from her losses back home, Harmony wants to believe in ghost stories...but isn't sure what's real. When she goes on one of the many ghost tours around town, she takes a photo of what might be a ghost. Or is it a hoax?
With two new friends, Harmony sets out to investigate... and stumbles upon clues leading to an unsolved murder. The deeper she digs, the more Harmony realizes that what she saw on the ghost tour might be connected to a shocking crime. But making connections can be dangerous--even more dangerous than ghosts.
New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another action-packed mystery full of surprises and secrets that will give readers goosebumps.
Who knew the marketing world could be so dangerous?
Just when it seems like everything in twenty-eight year old Cassidy Blayne's life is falling apart, a thrilling coffee shop encounter leads to the opportunity of a lifetime. Landing her dream job as Creative Director with an elite advertising firm in a nearby lakeside town fills her with renewed purpose. She's no longer going to allow herself to settle, and resolves to rebuild her life on her own terms.
But from the moment she steps foot out of the elevator, she senses things may not be as they seem at Turner & Nash Advertising. Despite her wariness, Cassie puts all her energy into landing her first big account. Arriving early on the day of the presentation, she's shocked to find one of the owners dead and herself a suspect.
She embarks on a desperate search for answers, unknowingly putting her and the people she cares about in danger. As she pieces things together with some help from her spunky new roommate, twin childhood best friends, an uptight detective, and a gorgeous up-and-coming rock star, warnings and threats escalate. It's clear the killer will stop at nothing to keep her quiet.
Cassie must risk everything to unravel the murder before someone takes her off the market for good.
