Second book of the year, Rich Again by Jackie Collins, err, I mean, Anna Maxted.
Rich Again is one of those books that is a little bit shocking. The lives of rich people is so different from the life that you or I lead. Anna Maxted's newest book could have been ripped from the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. The book focuses on the Kent family. The most dysfunctional family you will ever meet. Let's see if I can give a bit of a back story.
Jack Kent marries Felicia, the love of his life, much to the dismay of her High Society parents. Jack vows to prove himself worthy of her love and soon finds himself to be a self-made man. Felicia is unable to have children, so they adopt Claudia, who is soon to be the light of their lives. They were in the middle of adopting Nathan when Felicia tragically dies. Jack stops the adoption proceedings and gives Nathan back.
After two years of mourning, Jack marries Innocence Ashford, the biggest bitch on the planet. Every "Wicked Stepmother" cliche applies. She soon gives birth to Emily, pushing Claudia even further out into the cold. It only gets worse from there.
The book is told in a series of out of order flashbacks. The dates are given with each chapter, as well as the name of the person currently playing the role of "main character". It is a bit confusing. If the back story of the family is not enough for you to think Jackie Collins, let me throw in sociopathic behavior by Innocence, homicidal behavior by Nathan, and potential incestuous behavior by Claudia. You have the perfect recipe for a trashy novel.
I have only read one other Anna Maxted novel and I don't remember it being quite so shockingly trashy. I was expecting a little more fluffy of a read. Instead of being rated PG-13 for some adult situations, I get rated X for mature themes. And yet, I couldn't stop reading. LOL.
If you are in the mood for a fluffy "Chick Lit" read, this is not the book for you. If you are headed off to the beach for a winter vacation, then this might be the book for you. But either way, consider yourself warned.
Great review - not sure if this will be a read for me but loved reading your thoughts on it!
Wow...kind of sounds like a train wreck. :) Very good review though! I love reading book reviews, I'll have to come back and see what else you've been reading.
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