Emily Liebert

Perfectly Famous is about a novelist, Ward DeFleur, and a journalist, Bree, obsessed with Ward's story. Ward's daughter, Stevie, is kidnapped on the night of Ward's book signing of her latest novel. At the book signing, Ward meets Bree, and consoles Bree after Bree bursts into tears. Bree's marriage has recently fallen apart, Bree's daughter, Chloe, is being a typical teen, and Bree is overwhelmed.
After Bree learns of Stevie's kidnapping and subsequent death as reported in the news, along with Ward's drop into obscurity, Bree decides she wants to tell Ward's story, pursuing Ward.
However, Bree's doggedness puts all of their lives in danger.
The ending of this book was a huge twist--and while I understand the author's intent, it didn't satisfy me.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC, all opinions are given freely.… (plus d'informations)

So I started out this novel not really seeing where the story was going to go given the 2 very different lives of the protagonists, Bree and Ward. Bree a 40 something, recent divorcee who finds herself trying to start life over again after a failed marriage, and Ward, a reclusive best selling author who up and vanished from public life after a brutal assault killed her only daughter. Looking at the two of them, it was hard to see a connection. In the middle, I thought I had figured out the story. Bree accepts a new job for the local newspaper, and after she gets her feet wet on a few basic articles, she decides she wants to write an expose article trying to find out what really happened to Ward, and where is she? But with Ward’s daughter’s killer still on the loose, this may end up being a dangerous assignment. And then at the end the story gets blown up again with a last minute surprise in the last 2-3 pages. So, the story does a good job of keeping things interesting. I myself did smell a rat early on in the story, and wasn’t surprised to see the evolution of the villain. The ending was a stunner, that left me wondering if there will be a follow up for Bree and Ward? Is there more to their story? Sequel? Maybe. Thank you to Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.… (plus d'informations)

The stories of two women are interwoven in Emily Liebert’s most recent domestic thriller Perfectly Famous. Ward DeFleur is a famous author who goes into hiding following a family tragedy, cutting off all ties to her former life. Bree Bennett is a recent divorcee looking to reboot her own writing career by finding Ward and exposing her story, hoping to eventually turn a series of articles into a book. What begins as an interesting premise for a mystery diverts into banal romance with some unrealistic dialog and awkward interaction. Both women lack clear motivations for their actions, and Bree’s irrational attraction to her literary subject is unconvincing. The most interesting parts of the book involve a subplot about Bree’s teenage daughter, Chloe, who is rebelling after her parents’ amicable split. Unfortunately, no explanation or resolution about the mother-daughter relationship is satisfyingly explored. Liebert attempts to depict an increasing degree of danger for Bree as she chases down her story, but it comes across as artificial and fails to stimulate a genuine sense of peril. Unfortunately, the plot then goes from ploddingly predictable to jarringly irrational at its conclusion. The ending seems to be almost hijacked, tacked on as a last-ditch attempt to elicit surprise. What results is a disappointing and ultimately unrewarding experience—one that is somewhat insulting to today’s sophisticated mystery consumer.

Thanks to the author, Gallery Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.… (plus d'informations)