Customer Reviews

Welcome to the Real World (Red Dress Ink Novels)

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

 

 

This books started out as a fun read but halfway through the book the plot took such a turn that I don't think Carole Matthews thinks much of her readers. Without giving it away, the plot "twist" is something that could be easily cleared up and reminds me of a (stupid) premised from the TV sitcom Three's Company. Give the reader a little credit! Yes, this may be a "chick-lit" book but not all your readers are dumb blonds! Very disappointing!

Fern has aspirations of making it in the entertainment world. Barely scraping by doing double duty with her job as a bartender and crooner at the local pub, she reluctantly takes a day job as personal assistant to temperamental germ-phobic opera singer Evan David, to whom she soon becomes attracted. When her partner Carl asks her to audition with him for the Fame Game (think American Idol, or since this is the UK, Pop Idol), she does not hesitate to play hooky. When the show offers her a solo opportunity, Carl steps aside and tells her to take the plunge. Then the unthinkable happens ~ Evan is chosen as one of the Fame Game judges, and knowing his stand on wanna-bes, Fern gets cold feet and flees the live show.

Matthews just keeps churning them out, and her writing this time out is a bit stale, and the plot contrived. The plotting is slow - why the two of these characters think they are in love with each other is beyond me - they only interact in about 1/4 of the entire story, and both spend more time in bed with others.

I usually love her novels, but this time out, I can only give it a lukewarm recommendation. The plot, while interesting, fails to spark much interest, and the romance is just not non-existent. While I expect happily ever afters in romance novels, this one was just a little too pat. Just not what you expect from such an accomplished author. More like she phoned this one in.

A lighthearted novel filled with quick wit and totally unrealistic developments that will have you rolling your eyes and laughing at the same time. Welcome to the Real World is built squarely upon the foundation established by the romantic comedy genre - it is an escape from the gloom and doom, stress filled world where dreams are crushed quickly and no one believes in happy endings!

With the popularity of American Idol soaring, believing regular people can achieve astronomical success is no longer a crazy dream, but an expected season finale. Capitalizing on this phenomenon, Welcome to the Real World weaves Fern Kendal's singing aspirations and a short lived opportunity to perform on Fame Game into the fabric of this fantasy tale that could only take place within the real world of Matthews creative imagination.

When Fern Kendal, barmaid and wanna-be singer lands the temporary job placement assignment of a life time, as the personal assistant for opera singing sensation, Evan David, what ensues is a genuine collision of polar opposites. While Fern has very little, lives in a shabby flat, works slinging lagers at a local pub, David rides in limosines, sipping champagne. Yet, they have much to learn from each other. Throw in all the complicating factors of Fern's family problems, asthmatic nephew and a best friend that has loved her since their teens, and there's a lot going on throughout this novel, much of which will take the reader by surprise.

Welcome to the Real World is one of those absolutely unreal, happily ever after stories that entertains the reader with quick humor and flaky characters. The lack of true interaction between the leading characters, Fern and Evan, makes their relationship feel forced and contrived. Most all "happy ever afters" are unrealistic in some way however, there's a bit too much "just go with me" in this one.

Happy Reading!

Chocolate Lover's Club is scheduled for release in February '08.

I love Carole Matthews. She presents us with stories that could never happen, plots that are off the wall, endings that could only appear in Grade C fairytales--and makes us believers.

"Welcome to the Real World" is the story of down-on-her-luck Fern Kendal, who, when we meet her, is a thirysomething rather disheveled woman who lives in a practically derelict flat above an Indian restaurant, and earns most of her "money" (practically nothing) drawing beers and singing in the local shabby pub. She also takes other jobs, though, because her single-dad brother has a very sick asthmatic child named Nathan, and Fern's main concern is helping them. And her parents. And anybody else who needs it.

Fern sings with her retro hippie pal Carl, who has been her rock since they were both teenagers. Carl is madly in love with her, but try as she might, she simply cannot go beyond the deep friendship love she feels for him. So they sing away, weathering all sorts of crises (Fern's parents suddenly break up and her boozy dad comes to stay; Nathan is getting worse; and so forth) And then comes an improbable job--as part-time assistant to the biggest opera star since Paravotti, Il Divo himself,Evan David. And Fern, who has never heard a true aria in her life, finds herself in the middle of this superstar's wealthy, finicky life. We said it was improbable! And did we also say that Fern secretly wants to be a professional singer?

OK, all the pieces are in place. Check your mind in at the door and eat this confection with a great big spoon. It is simply delightful.

Fern Kendal is a barmaid at King's Head pub. Her dream is to be a professional singer, but until then, she belts out tunes with Carl as her backup for a few extra bucks. She lives in a shabby apartment and has befriended the mouse that lives within her walls. Her mom has left her dad after forty years and appears to have taken up with her new boss, Mr. Patel. Fern's dad has now decided he has Tourette's syndrome and yells out obscenities at anyone who passes by. Fern's best friend Carl has been in love with her since they were teenagers, but Fern feels nothing but platonic love for him. Fern's brother is a single dad caring for his asthmatic son who can't handle the air in London. Could things get any worse?

Actually, they get better. A lot better, hence the subject line. Carl hooks Fern up with a temp agency and though she has no skills, she sets off to be the personal assistant of a very famous opera singer, Evan David. Tempermental and having the sense of humor of a kitchen sponge, Evan manages to make Fern run away on several occasions. Something about her touches Evan, and he wants to get to know her better. He has been hurt in the past, so it will be difficult for him. But, she may be the one to open his heart.

I am an avid reader of chick lit, so I understand that at times, there are going to be some improbable situations. But, the whole book? I found myself sighing, rolling my eyes, and saying, "Oh, please!" on more than one occasion. Not only did everyone get everything that they always wanted in this book, it took 441 pages to do so. In my opinion, it could have been shortened to 150. There were too many added details that didn't need to be there and too much boy-meets girl, boy-chases-girl scenarios. One other reviewer explained it well, a "Three's Company" situation that threw a wrench in the whole thing, and it could have been cleared up rather quickly, had the main character not been so impulsive.

I just found that the characters weren't very likeable, it didn't feel real, and none of this would have happened in real life...at least, not all at the same time.

I'm avid Red Dress Ink reader so overall I enjoyed reading the book but there were situations where I found it to be a far stretch from reality.

For example, the situation with Fern's parents, especially her dad's behavior. Her job as an assistant which she didnt even do for at least a week and her string of bad lucks with her job & her house. It's a possibility but not to the extreme like that

The one thing that bothered me was that Fern & Evans did not even spend that much time together. Maybe a week at the most and most of the 400 page book goes on with their own separate stories. It wouldve been better if they had spend more time together.

Fern Kendal certainly doesn't have it easy. Living in a completely unglamorous flat above and Indian restaurant, Fern must take on multiple jobs just to afford her rent. She desperately hopes to make it as a singer, but performing at a small pub with an unappreciative audience is not helping her case. Her best friend and accompanist Carl convinces Fern that they should try out for Fame Game, a reality TV competition for singers. To Fern's surprise, she makes the callbacks- but has to go ahead without Carl.

Meanwhile, Fern is struggling to make ends meet while trying to help support her brother and his extremely asthmatic son who needs constant care and dealing with her new housemate- her father. Fern's parents are on the verge of divorce and her father is quickly becoming more than a nuisance for Fern. She takes on the job of assistant to Evan David, popular opera singer- even though she knows nothing about opera and keeps having to run out on her professional duties to deal with her personal life events. To make matters more confusing, Evan David takes an unexplainable liking to Fern, all while Carl is desperately hoping that Fern will one day love him as much as he loves her.

Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews brings likable characters and a scenario that is very real. It was fun to read about the struggles that the heroine is dealing with, and was refreshing to see a character that isn't just hoping to fall in love- she is pursing big dreams and fantasies. With a supporting cast of hilarious characters (Fern's father pretending to have Tourette's to try to win back his wife) readers will enjoy the humor and snappy dialogue that Matthew's brings to all her novels.

I found this book to be a quick, witty, and delightful read. The perfect book to losing all your stress into. Wasn't the most mind working book I've read to date, but satisfying none the less.

I'll skip the storyline, as I read reviews not to obtain a condensed version of the book that defeats the purpose of reading the book itself - but to find out if others liked the book.

I enjoyed this latest book from Carole Matthews, even though the plot was more than a stretch from reality. Like many of her other books, you may think you know where the plot is going, but then again, maybe not. The contrast of the regular people vs. the rich and famous in this book was interesting, as most books tend to be about one OR the other.

If you're looking to be entertained with light, upbeat reading, I recommend this book. The author writes with a humorous touch that prevents the book from being depressing when the characters are in dreary or grim situations. In this case, the main character is a little too good to be true, but it makes for pleasant reading. Definitely Chick Lit, but populated with colorful characters that aren't all 20-something singles.

the book arrived bent and wet. the package must have been delivered in the rain with no covering and the book pages were messed up and smeared.

not pleased.