Hi everybody! Welcome to Meet Me at The Bookshelf. *Sassy Wavy Paws
I am a dog. I contribute to the fabulous Anipal Times. I write impressions of the books Momma reads to me each night.
Today I am reviewing a book called The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor.
This fast read centers on the life of a talented, rising-star writer, Olivia, who has a hit debut novel, All the Little Lights.
Olivia and her longtime boyfriend, Jack, live together when her more personal second effort book flops. It is called Becky, and is a modern-day retelling of the famous book Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Her agent, Charley, can’t find any work for Olivia, who now has writer’s block. Olivia needs to pay her rent.
Finally, her agent calls with a fantastic writer- for – hire offer for Olivia in Malibu, but the details are sketchy. The offer is to ghostwrite a book for a gorgeous, well-known, mega billionaire, twice named People’s Sexiest Man Alive star called Henry “Ash” Asherwood. They will deposit $5000 into her account for just one meeting in Malibu to discuss the Asherwood book.
Olivia will then get $50,000 to ghostwrite the actual book.
Fresh from her boyfriend, Jack, moving out, and her failing to feed five of her six now passed on goldfish that she purchased after Jack left, Olivia takes the money and flies to Malibu.
Don’t look at me. I would skip a week of walks to take that deal. Sold!
As a bonus, Olivia’s friend from college and writer workshops, Noah, lives in the area. Olivia’s book soared up the charts, but Noah had yet to find success. She plans to reconnect with him when she arrives. She asks Jack to feed her one remaining fish, Oscar.
Olivia gets settled in a lovely hotel and then meets with Ash.
He has scattered, vague, maybe even creepy ideas about the book he wants to write. It revolves around his grandmother, Emilia, who died in a fire that his grandfather was able to escape, much like the famous book Rebecca. The family rarely mentions Emilia in their biographies and folklore, and Ash hires Olivia to give his version of his grandmother’s life.
Doggy clue one: Why would you have a fiction writer tell the real-life story of your grandmother?
Ash claims he has his Grandma’s journals written entirely in French, which prove that Daphne du Maurier stole Emilia’s entire book. Olivia is skeptical and notes that several others sued, claiming Daphne stole Rebecca, but all suits failed.
Doggy clue two: She asks to see the journals.
After a few days, Ash submits two pages of ramblings that barely resemble a book manuscript or Rebecca’s story. Ash insists he has sent the journals off to be transcribed. Ash’s assistant, Clara, seems to back him up.
Olivia calls to see if Jack has fed her fish.
Take a guess.
The book wanders before revealing that Ash might not be who he appears, and what happened to his wife, rumored on Reddit to be alive but reported dead.
I give this book three paws up.
The characters are engaging, but the story is too cute by half. A tighter list of Ash’s behaviors would make the book more suspenseful and satisfying.
I did not for a second believe Ash’s grandma, Emilia, wrote Rebecca, so we could not go along for the ride of trying to get Olivia to ghostwrite a book proving it.
The book felt convoluted, but if you have time, read it even though it is not great.
Walkies are way more fun!
Maybe try it on Audible while having a dance party. That will spice it up.
Wuvu and thanks for spending woo time with me in another book review at Meet Me At The Bookshelf. *Sassy wavy paws.
Here is my rating system for the books I review:
Five paws: A must-read. So good, that all my paws are waving. So good, that I borrowed a paw from Momma, who types for me, plus added all four of mine.
Four paws: A great read. Enjoy it in the tub.
Three paws: Eh. To read or not to read. If you have extra time, then read it.
Two paws: Likely skip it. Drags on, characters are silly, or just not a good read.
One paw: Seriously, skip it.
We use the local public library. You can request and waitlist any of these books at yours.
