Last year 2 of my favorite things came together. I have watched Days Of Our Lives
Opportunity Knocks: A Novel
Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Hachette Books (April 5, 2016)
Paperback: 206 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0316261609
E-Book ASIN: B013CATULY
Alex Cleary has careened from one dead-end position to another. But suddenly the ingenious makeup artist finds her distinct talents are valued by none other than lifestyle-empire mogul Hillary P.–renowned for her golden touch in broadcast and print media, as well as for her hair-trigger temper. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the daytime television scene that Alex is determined not to screw up.
Then a frank word in the wrong ear puts Alex’s job on the line. Alex anticipates Hillary’s rage, but she can’t believe that this multimillionaire is holding her newest staffer to a nondisclosure agreement that demands reparation of 5 million dollars.
Alex has only 48 hours to repair the damage. And with a vengeful Hillary P. watching the clock, the devil will have her due…
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Again Alison Sweeney takes us behind the scenes, this time we follow make-up artist Alex Cleary as she tries to kick start her career. She is in the right place at the right time and lands a job with Hillary P. (I would say her empire is striving to be live Oprah Winfrey.) Hillary is not an easy woman to work for, she has a quick temper, demands a lot from her employees and has no problem raging at you when others are present. These traits can cause trouble not only for Hillary but everyone that works for her. Alex is called on the carpet for breaking the terms of her non-disclosure agreement and is on the hook for 5 million dollars! How is Alex going to come up with that kind of money? Is there another way out of this mess?
This was a fast entertaining read. Alex is very personable and very engaging. Her parents had different plans for her life but she is following her dream. Hillary P., is a woman with a rising career and quite a dictator. She rules her life and her employees with an iron fist and steps on or over anyone to advance her career. So of course we readers are rooting for Alex from the get go.
Sweeney has created several other great characters in this story. Alex’s best friend Emma, Billy Fox, an actor Alex meets when he guests on Hillary’s show, her boyfriend, Sean, and her family, plus others Alex meets when she follows Hillary’s show to New York. One who ends up turning Alex’s life inside out.
I enjoyed the way the author brings the madness of Hollywood/New York to life within these pages. I also liked seeing New York through Alex’s eyes. I have never been there myself and think my reactions would be quite the same.
Great characters, a flowing plot, romance, and humor all come together to make this a perfect escape!
Alison Sweeney is an award-winning actress, producer, director, TV host, and author of four previous books including the two novels: Scared Scriptless
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
How did I not know about this! I have also watched DOOL (in fact it is on the TV as I type), seen her on The Biggest Loser and the Hallmark movies and didn’t even know she’d published a book, much less three. Thanks for the alert!
I love Alison Sweeney! I’ll have to find copies of her books. Thanks for posting this!
Thank you south for the review! Shelved on Goodreads!