ARC courtesy of Gallery Books, provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!
It has been much too long since Alice Clayton has released a new book. She's one of my most favourite authors for her use of constant witty conversations between the characters and writing style that leaves you wanting more with each new book you read by her. I was ecstatic to know that the Redhead series was being continued. After reading the ARC all I have to say is: George and Gracie are back everyone. Back for more Hollywood fun.
My 5-sentence-or-less-synopsis: George and Jack are back in the Hollywood hills where Jack is trying to cope to life now being the new "Hollywood It boy". Along the way Jack find's a new friend and Grace is not to happy with his new buddy. Grace is also dealing with issues of her own since the play she's starred in is finding it's way to the small screen but there are "differences" between her and the producer that makes Grace have to stand up for herself and what she believes in.
This instalment, although lovely, was not as great as its predecessors. I found it lacked many witty remarks, although there was some there wasn't the large quantity that I found encompassed the Unidentified Redhead and the Redhead Revealed. Also it seemed as if every cliché Hollywood mishap was put into this book. It was interesting to see Grace stand up to her critics but clearly I was not happy with Jack's lose of control. The story also seemed to time jump to more pivotal points. Which I will say isn't that bad but I'm left curious as to what happened during the time gap. Curiosity is always one of my most deadliest enemies.
The story didn't seem as well thought out. All these things started happening, a pile of Hollywood problems that made it hard to follow at times.
I did love their romance and to be honest I was missing some schmaltz action. Of course all the classic jokes make a come back and it's always a fun time to remember what led to that phrase or word.
This was probably the first book in the series to deal with much more serious issues that surround those living the Hollywood life. Sort of like a behind the scenes action. Perhaps the tone of the book necessitated less wit in it. There was just, overall, much more emotions portrayed strongly in this story. You can really feel Grace's worry, Jack's stress and everything else. Maybe I relate to negative emotions more. That would be quite be sad indeed but that's what I felt while reading this.
Like I said I didn't love this one as much as the other two. It's still a lovely story but maybe the tone of it was too serious for me. I cherished the Redhead series and it's lightness and playfulness that was embedded in all it's pages that just left you feeling good after reading it. The Redhead Plays her Hand deals with much more intense topics that all the lightness of the previous books was all but gone. I would say though that all the love and chemistry between the characters is still there. So please read this book. Give it a shot if you haven't. It's not a series to disappoint easily.
3.5 - 4
MEH
THE REDHEAD PLAYS HER HAND BLOG TOUR INFO!
Summary:
The third sexy novel in USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton’s playful and erotic Redhead series continues the sizzling romance between actress Grace Sheridan and Hollywood’s hottest leading man Jack Hamilton.
Grace has landed the lead in a new TV series—but when the director asks her to lose fifteen pounds, she goes public with her weight struggles and suddenly develops a huge fan club who support her right to have curves. But between that and the public’s continuing fascination with her “are they or aren’t they” relationship with Jack, Grace begins to wonder if anyone’s really interested in her because of her upcoming TV series, or if it’s all speculation about the size of her ass and her bedroom partner.
Meanwhile, Jack is voted the Sexiest Man Alive and becomes a little too enamored with the party-hard lifestyle. Grace vows to give him the space he needs to find himself, but then he begins to spiral down from lovable Brit to Hollywood brat. People are talking, but are Jack and Grace? Her career is on the rise, and his continues into the stratosphere, but will she be able to catch him if he falls? Will they ever be able to just be a couple who can hold hands when they walk down the street?
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