6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Kept Woman: worth the read, March 6, 2001
I really enjoyed this novel as I have with all other Louise Bagshawe novels I have read. As with any other book, you have to be in a certain mood to read certain types of books. Well I was obviously in the right mood while reading this one. The story focuses on the central character Diana who is a society wife. She finds out that her new husband is having an affair so she leaves him. This novel is about a woman who has minimal life skills, and when put it a tough situation, shows everyone that she is more than just a blonde bimbo. It is a cute romantic novel with strong characters and a good plot. Definitly worth the read. If you like this novel and want to read more titles by Bagshawe, I would recommend "The Movie" (also known as "Triple Feature" something or other), then "Tall Poppies" which are both exceptional novels!!
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Despicable!, December 10, 2002
I can't believe a woman wrote this *** of a book. I would give it a half star if I could. First, the plot is nothing more than the reash "uptown girl meets blue-collar man" cliché. As for the hero, Micheal is nothing more than a chauvinist pig, who spends most of his free-time hopping in bars, drinking to oblivion, and going home with faceless women he can't even remember their names the morning after.
What's is more, Micheal is supposedly God's gift to women, and apparently no women who has been in his arms walk out without having experienced the big O. And true to form, since poor spoiled, rich, Diana who never had experienced the big O in her marriage with the ego-maniac Ernie, these two are a match made in heaven. In fact, Diana and Micheal seems to have nothing in common save the fact that "he can awaken" desire within the ice princess Diana.
The worst about this book is that you could figure out the plot within 1/4 through. It's utterly brainless and worst, it is insulting to women. For example, you have Diana saying of Micheal that in the bedroom, "Micheal's word is law" (she is totally at his mercy since the sex he is giving her turns her brain into mush). Talk about a self fufilling prophecy. Micheal the sex God. It get's better: Micheal, having sex with Diana, is thinking that for the first time in his life he is learning to "MASTER" a woman. With his humble beginning, blue-collar-make-good Micheal gets to melt the ice princess. Get real! No, it gets worst. You have Diana begging and pleading Micheal... "*** me Micheal". At this point I got sick in my stomach.
In short, I think the premise of this book is deeply flawed. The characters (save Diana, who does try to change), have nothing to aspire us. What is worst, I have never seen a hero I detest more than Micheal. He does nothing productive with his time other than drinking, having sex, and of course making money (if you think these are productive activities). He is a chauvinist with a capital C.
Moreover, I think the author has a poor opinion of women, since she portrays most of the secondary character women has either *** hungry or gold diggers. Through Micheal's eyes Bagshawe tells us that most women are lemon heads and spend their time trying to get into a man's pants or get a man to look after them. Bagshawe totally infantilizes these women.
Finally, half way through the book, it becomes clear that Bagshawe's project is to try to pass lust for love (not unsual in today's romance fiction). Other than the "great sex" part, Diana and Micheal have no chemistry and are not compatible. In the end, Diana turns out to be Micheal's trophy wife. Her good breeding seems to be her most important asset, something that man like Micheal (or nouveau riche) are most willing to bank on.
In all, I am going to return this book right this minute.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A Kept Woman, February 27, 2001
I have to say that this is not the book that will keep you on the hook. In fact, the plot was hardly substantial, revolving around the partnership/relationship of Michael and Diana, and how their exes plotted to destroy their reputation and what they had. This was quite a disappointment, since the acclaimed Louise Bagshawe reputation emphasized girl-power, and this book lack it much. The ending was rather abrupt and unsatisfying.
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