April 16, 2007
In Howard's ineptly executed latest (after Never Kiss and Tell), wealthy housewife Lauren, her scheming publicist cousin Paulette, disgruntled NBA wife Reese and aspiring actress Gillian are more or less friends. But greed and marital infidelity cause problems big and small, ensuring punishment for the plotters and happiness for the victims. Unfortunately, Howard's L.A. is hackneyed and her New York is 20 years out of date (Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for instance, is portrayed as a scary industrial wasteland), and though her fashion name-dropping is lackluster (expect the expected: Prada, Gucci, more Prada), she's markedly bling-conversant, especially when talking about her own jewelry line (items from which are described as "stunning," "exquisite" and "one of a kind"). The characters may be swathed in decadence, but the novel is lacking.
March 5, 2007
In Howard's ineptly executed latest (after Never Kiss and Tell), wealthy housewife Lauren, her scheming publicist cousin Paulette, disgruntled NBA wife Reese and aspiring actress Gillian are more or less friends. But greed and marital infidelity cause problems big and small, ensuring punishment for the plotters and happiness for the victims. Unfortunately, Howard's L.A. is hackneyed and her New York is 20 years out of date (Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for instance, is portrayed as a scary industrial wasteland), and though her fashion name-dropping is lackluster (expect the expected: Prada, Gucci, more Prada), she's markedly bling-conversant, especially when talking about her own jewelry line (items from which are described as "stunning," "exquisite" and "one of a kind"). The characters may be swathed in decadence, but the novel is lacking.
Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
March 1, 2007
Four beautiful young African American women are searching for their version of the American dream in glamorous Manhattan. Paulette, young and ambitious, wants to prove her worth to the wealthy relatives who turned their backs on her mother and herself. Reese, a gold digger after money and prestige, is willing to get pregnant to trap an NBA star. Gillian wants fame and stardom, and Lauren, Paulette's wealthy cousin, is looking for love. All the girls envy Lauren's style and grace, especially Paulette, who goes so far as to sleep with her cousin's husband. While all the women attain varying degrees of success, change inevitably occurs, and old friendships are tested. Howard explores the fleeting world of fame and bling with verve and flash, including enough product placements (including the author's own product line) to help aspiring gold diggers know just what to look for, while providing wry entertainment for less-materialistic readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)