Are you living in the Real World? (Welcome to the Real World - Carole Matthews)

Member Name: rachelwestall

Product:	Welcome to the Real World - Carole Matthews
Date:	05/01/09 (97 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy, lightharted chick-lit.

Disadvantages: ~

I only seem to read very light novels at the moment. Maybe it's because life is so busy and I just need to escape from reality. My choice of book was probably not very sensible then, as it is entitled - Welcome to the Real World. This isn't going to be a detailed review as I have the flu - that's life!

This is a romantic story, that will warm the cockles of your heart on a cold winters evening! It is about following your dreams, not giving up and not being frightened to grab opportunities when they come along.

~The main characters~

Fern Kendal, our heroine is immensly likeable and has had a tough life. We find out very early on that Fern has a great voice and that it is wasted singing in the dingy pub where she works as a bar maid. As all good heroines she is strapped for cash and living in virtual squalor. She needs to find more work to survive, and to be able to help her brother and his seriously ill son. She manages to land the job of personal assistant to a major opera star. A job she stuggles to cope with alongside her other work. Fern is sparky, witty and pretty, but will all her dreams come true?

Evan David - 'the voice', is an international opera star, surrounded by his agent, chef, personal trainer, voice coach and body guards. He finds himself fascinated by his feisty new assistant. He is a handsome broody character who has a past that he seems to keep hidden He avoids relationships and channels all his energies into his singing. But whatever seems to happen in his life he can't get Fern out of his head.

Carl is Ferns best friend and singing partner. He has always loved Fern, but she only sees him as a mate. He is desperate for Fern to succeed in he music industry and persuades her to enter a TV talent show - The Fame Game. He sticks by her throughout all her troubles, but is his love unrequited?

~My Opinion~

This is a story of love and friendship. It moves along quickly and I read it in a couple of days. Carole Matthews style is witty and light hearted. However there were a couple of points in the story when I was moved to shed a tear. (Mind you I haven't been well and may be feeling a little emotional!) I also laughed a bit. During the story Fern's Dad ends up living with her. He fakes having tourettes syndrome in an attempt to get his wife to take him back. Although it may not sound amusing, within the context of the story, the dreadful man's sad attempts to get his wife's attention made me smile. I also learned a little about various operas and their story lines.

I did get a little frustrated with the lack of communication between characters, (hence only 4 stars) and the contrived misunderstandings, but I guess the author uses this to move the story along. There are one or two surprising twists in the story, although I guessed the ending. I must have been reading too much of this genre! However a good book and worth the read - definitely escapism from the real world!

This book was Shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2007. Carole Matthews has written a string of novels. Including 'The Chocolate Lovers Club' and 'The Chocolate Lovers' Diet'.

Welcome to the Real World is available on Amazon for £6.49

Summary: A good book to read on a cold winters evening!