Customer Reviews

The Truth About Ruby Valentine

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

'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.

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.

Loved this book, probably got it the wrong way around but read this one first, as soon as I had finished it I dove straight into How To Be Famous. I really enjoy Alison Bonds writing, really down to earth and laugh out loud funny - I felt like I was taken on a journey to behind the scenes LA.

A great read.