Advantages: Good characters, escapist literature
Disadvantages: Unrealistic, doesnt seem overly thought out

...I have been a fan of Louise Bagshawe for a good few years now, and when I heard she had bought out another book, I decided to purchase it in hardback, something I don't really do, but this was on special offer. I did have a quick look on Amazon before I ordered the book and was shocked by the low ratings people have given the book. I do in a way understand why they have rated it low, but I will explain why I am giving it 3 stars as I go through the review. *The Author* Louise Bagshawe has written many successful novels, and is now a parliamentary candidate for the Conservative party. Her sister is also a successful novelist. For more imformation on the author please see www.louise-bagshawe.com *The Novel* The story "Glamour" follows 3 young women through turbulent times in their life, and their struggle to come through... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Okay holiday read.
Disadvantages: Predictable, characters not likeable.

...Louise Bagshawe's latest novel, 'Tuesday's Child' is along the lines of her previous book - 'Monday's Child'. It is not just the title that is similar, she once again portrays the female lead as having her fair share of flaws. While in 'Monday's Child' the character had issues with her weight, this time she is a tomboy who doesn't want to grow up. Lucy Evans shares a flat with her old buddy Ollie, whom she met travelling. While Ollie has grown up and got a "real" job as a lawyer, Lucy is desperate to cling on to her youth: playing computer games until all hours, gorging on junk food, following her favourite rock bands and backpacking around the world. Life with Ollie is cushy and Lucy is in no hurry to change it. Then one day her perfect world falls apart. Firstly Ollie announces he is marrying his nightmare of a girlfriend... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Easy read
Disadvantages: It's only an easy read, flawed plot and characters

...the girls are reunited and set up GLAMOUR, a women's luxury store which is an unrivalled success and quickly expands to all the major cities around the world. Each woman feels that their contribution is what keeps the store going and each would like ultimate control which leads to them calling a meeting in the board room. >>Why I chose this book<< I'd like to say that I chose this because I thought it would be a great piece of literature, but I'd be lying, I wanted something that would be a relaxing easy read while sat at the airport and on a short flight over to Belfast. I'd heard of Louise Bagshawe before but had never actually read any of her previous novels however the cover of Glamour sold it to me as something that I'd probably enjoy. Having returned to the office with book in hand I had a quick look on the Internet at the reviews... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Easy, likeable characters, fast moving story.
Disadvantages: Not up to standard of previous books

...Glamour is the 11th novel by best selling writer Louise Bagshawe. I first discovered her several years ago when I read Tall Poppies. Since then I have read all of her books including her back catalogue and she has become one of my favourite writers. Her books normally centre around very strong, successful female characters. The book written prior to Glamour was called Sparkles and was listed in the Sunday Times as a top five bestseller. Sparkles was a book that I could not put down and enjoyed from start to finish. It was full of intrigue, mystery and great characters. So could the latest book possibly live up to its predecessor? -The Main Plot- Glamour is essentially a story about 3 friends. The girls meet in the 1980s at an all girls school in California which is extremely difficult to get into. All 3 girls have rich successful... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Easy to read style, suitable for holidays and escapism
Disadvantages: Ending over quickly and has adult content that may offend some readers

...Phew! Even though I was lying in the shade I was getting hot. I glanced at my near naked body glistening with oil as I quickly turned another page of my book. "Her legs gave way dizzy with pleasure ... like a tidal wave rearing up ..." Phew again! I ran into the sea for a cooling swim before my own wave crashed, exploded or whatever. Tall Poppies by Louise Bagshawe is definitely my kind of holiday reading. Now I can see some supercilious book types looking down their haughty noses and sniggering at this, but I don't care. What I want on holiday is escapism, vitality, beautiful people and, well, sex. You can keep your stuffy books that have won some obscure prize or need deep contemplation to see if the author may perhaps, possibly, have hidden some meaningful message between the pages. I may give them a look at some other... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Excellent plot & a fantastic read
Disadvantages: none

...This is the first Louise Bagshaw novel I have read and I managed to pick it up from a discount bookstore for the bargain price of 2 pounds! It was worth every penny, so if you spot it- give it a go! 'Glamour' - by Louise Bagshawe, to find out more on Louise Bagshawe visit; www.louise-bagshawe.com My copy; Hard back. Publisher; Headline Review. RRP-12.99gbp My Synopsis; Rewind to the 80's. Sally, Jane and Helen are three best friends, attending the best school money can get you a place at. Three completely different personalities thrown together by one bond- each girl facing the wrath of the school bullies. Set in California, this book journeys the life changing events that turn their worlds upside down, all three girls are dealt a cruel twist in life and are forced to grow up fast whilst learning to stand on their own... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Thoroughly good read
Disadvantages: Nothing

...I am one of the worlds biggest fans of Chick Literature (for those not in the know 20/30-something year female looking for a love, career change, happiness.. basically what all of us females are looking for) and thanks to Louise Bagshawe, whom was one of my first reads in this genre i have managed to remain loyal to this area of literature. After reading Louise Bagshawe's previous release Sparkles, and finding that that was her best book to date I was thoroughly looking forward to her new release GLAMOUR which was due for release extremely quickly. Louise Bagshawe does always follow the same principle of having an English girl and an American girl whose lives become connected in some way. Or very strong minded career driven women. Which is a fantastic trait for authors to adhere to.. imagine reading a book without knowing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: strong characters, an unusual story
Disadvantages: slightly predictable at times

...never know of their sisters's existence, or of the evil which befell their parents - but if all three become extremely successful and perhaps even famous, there's no way they can miss each other. Is there? Louise Bagshawe is known best for her racy blockbuster style, a modern Jackie Collins with equally strong heroines. In some ways, "The Devil You Know" is no exception to this rule - all three girls overcome the odds against them to succeed in their chosen ambitions, clawing their way to the top regardless of the obstacles in their path. There will be at least one character you will identify with, as the three heroines are so different from one another, in spite of the fact they look identical. They all have their flaws, but they also have their likeable traits also - they seem real so it's easy to empathise with the situations they find... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Fast paced and furious
Disadvantages: All the heroes seem the same

...If you compared Louise Bagshawe's style to any author, it would have to be Jackie Collins. She has a tendency towards big, fast paced bonkbusters and writes like she's American even though she's not. I have read every one of her books (bar her very newest one) and of late her books have become less full-of-sex as they started off (which isn't necessarily a bad thingm because every book has been better than the last, bar perhaps Venus Envy which was her attempt at chick-lit and was thereforecompletely different in style). However, Career Girls was her debut novel and so sex was one of its defining features. Another common bond between Bagshawe and Collins are their strong, independent heroines. In this book, there are two. Rowena Gordon and Topaz Rossi are from completely different backgrounds - Rowena is a public schoolgirl... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Glamourous storyline
Disadvantages: Not nice characters, some plot flaws, not her best

...When I first started reading Women's fiction a few years ago now, Louise Bagshawe was one of the first authors I read, and it was really her books which made me love the chick-lit genre. I have all of her earlier material on my bookshelf upstairs, and they are all fantastic stories which are so well written. Sadly her last few books have had a massive drop in quality and enjoyability, so when I heard about her latest novel, I decided I'd get it from the library instead of buying it like I usually do with her books. Athena, Juno, Diana and Venus Chambers have a life to be envied of. All 4 live off of their rich Uncle Clement's trust fund money, all being given £500,000 a year to live on. But their perfect lives are about to be given a shake up, when old Uncle Clements announces he's found a bride and is going to stop their Trust Fund... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful