I finished reading another book while spending my days at home, in quarantine. I started reading Lauren Weisberger’s Last Night at Chateau Marmont last month and now that I’m finally done with it, I can happily include this in my read books for 2020. This also ups my 2020 GoodReads Reading Challenge to 4 books out of 12 that I challenged myself to read for the year.
Book Description
Brooke loved reading the dishy celebrity gossip rag Last Night. That is, until her marriage became a weekly headline…. For five years, she’s worked two jobs to support her husband’s dream of making it in the music world. Finally, after countless gigs at Manhattan dive bars and toiling as an A&R intern, the soulful, enigmatic Julian Alter gets signed by Sony, where he logs in long hours in the recording studio with no promise of success. But when he is invited to perform on a national late-night talk show, he is catapulted to stardom – literally overnight. At first the newfound fame is fun – who wouldn’t want to stay at the Chateau Marmont or love being treated like rock loyalty? But as Brooke’s sweet husband becomes increasingly absent and tabloid rumors swirl, Brooke begins to question the truth about their marriage and is forced to finally come to terms with what she thinks she wants – and what she actually needs.
Things I Loved About the Book
1. The references to real life Hollywood celebrities and shows
2. How the book feels like it’s accurately describing the Hollywood life – both its glamorous side and its ugly side (the gossips, the paparazzi). It feels like getting an insider info!
3. How alive the characters of this book seemed (Those who stood out for me aside from Julian and Brooke were: Leo and Nola)
4. How her husband publicly adored her at the start (Imagine how many ladies who adore your rock star husband and he’s got his eyes on you). Saw a reader that thought Julian might have been using Brooke to fulfill his dreams but the thought didn’t cross my mind.
5. That ending. I love, love, love it. (Not what I actually thought would happen when I read that plot. It was a better ending.)
It took a while to finish the book because the first few chapters’ story was slow to unfold. It was when Julian started becoming famous that the story started getting exciting. This is my 3rd Lauren Weisberger book and the one I like the best so far of the three (read Everyone Worth Knowing and The Devil Wears Prada – I liked the movie version better).
Would I recommend it? If you’re looking for a light read and/or if you like Sex and the City feels, you’ll find this book entertaining to read. Don’t put a lot of expectations. The story’s nothing mind blowing but it’s good enough chick lit.
Lisa's Notebook
I have to be honest, this probably isn't something I'd pick up but the rock star element of the plot did remind me a little of the characters in Jilly Cooper's The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (Jilly Cooper fan and proud!). Glad you enjoyed it though, sounds like a great lockdown read! Lisa x
Liz
Totally get that. Main thing really is we find a good book to cozy up to specially during this time. 🙂
Vinn
Great to know that she is the author of Devil wears Prada! But with this book i may not be selecting this from the shelves. Though I can read this some other time . Thanks for the review!
Liz
Yeah, I think for me also she's not the kind of author with books that I would find myself automatically be reaching for and get excited about when I see it on the bookshelves. Though I did like reading this book. 🙂