The Truth About Ruby Valentine [Paperback]

Alison Bond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 2006

In rural England, Kelly Coltrane's world is a million miles from the one she reads about in her Hollywood magazines. But when screen legend Ruby Valentine shocks the world with her mysterious suicide, Kelly's father reveals something even more shocking-Kelly is Ruby Valentine's daughter.

Kelly sets off for Tinseltown to find some answers, diving head first into Hollywood society with her new family of jet-setters and fashionistas-and attracting the attention of a heartbreakingly handsome hunk.

But the more Kelly digs into Ruby's real life, the closer she gets to uncovering the most unbelievable truth of all...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alison Bond, the author of How to Be Famous, worked in the film industry for seven years before escaping to write full-time. She started her career at ICM as an assistant to a maniacal boss with a superstar client list and ended it amicably as an agent at Casarotto Ramsay, London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (March 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451217616
• ISBN-13: 978-0451217615
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,600,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars intriguing contemporary tale, March 8, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Truth About Ruby Valentine (Paperback)

The BBC reported that screen legend Ruby Valentine was found dead in Los Angeles from an apparent overdose. The office was gossiping about the death when Kelly Coltrane's dad Sean tells her to come home immediately which she does because it has always been her and him with no mom. Sean shows her photos he took of Ruby, explaining they were friends who had an affair and a baby girl, Kelly.

Kelly tells her boyfriend Jez before deciding she needed to know her mom especially why the renowned actress rejected her and now apparently committed suicide. She flies to California to learn who Ruby Valentine was. As Kelly becomes engulfed in the Hollywood lifestyle, she begins to find some startling clues about the life and death of her mother starting with the agent Max and Sunset Boulevard

THE TRUTH ABOUT RUBY VALENTINE is an intriguing contemporary tale that focuses on the price of fame. Ruby gave up plenty to become a Hollywood icon including her daughter, who seeks some connection beyond the DNA to her famous mom. Kelly is a fine lead protagonist as she does not hesitate to do what she believes is right, which helps her retain some of her equilibrium once she gets caught up in the glitz. A final twist feels right for this exciting book that looks at the downside of becoming famous.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars In my opinion..., February 22, 2006

By 

Little D (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Truth About Ruby Valentine (Paperback)

'The Truth About Ruby Valentine' is a great book, but in my opinion it's lacking something.

I did like the way it's written. There's flashbacks about Ruby Valentine and how she became the celebrity she is today. The other parts are present day about Kelly Coltrane trying to find out things about the mother she's never come to know.

Overall, a great book to lose yourself in.

5.0 out of 5 stars Discover the truth ..., November 20, 2006

By 

Steph B. "chicprincesspetite" (NY | NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Truth About Ruby Valentine (Paperback)

In this day in age, celebrities reign supreme. Look anywhere and you are sure to run across detailed information on their whereabouts, what they like, what they wear and what they love to do. So it's not a surprise when twenty-five year old Kelly Coltrane, like many young women, fantasizes about living the same glamorous life broadcasted in her glossy gossip magazines.

But tragedy strikes. Screen legend Ruby Valentine commits suicide and the whole world mourns her untimely death. Kelly is definitely not prepared for the news that comes next. Her dad confesses to her that Ruby was her mother. Though shocked by this news, Kelly sees this as an opportunity to get some answers and a taste of the alluring Hollywood scene.

Throughout this journey, the things she learns about her mother, her new family and most of all herself is completely unexpected.

THE TRUTH ABOUT RUBY VALENTINE reads like a really good movie. It was very realistic and you got the sense of the true meaning of finding oneself. I especially enjoyed the way Alison Bond masterfully incorporated flashbacks of Ruby's life in between Kelly's story. It was truly well written and you will definitely find yourself escaping with the characters.