I just got back from a week long vacation in Key West where I had lots of free time, so of course I spent much of it reading! Sitting by the pool reading a good book is one of the most relaxing things in the world. I got through three books, two of which were by Madeleine Wickham, one of my (sort of) new favorite authors.
Madaleine Wickham is the real name of famous author, Sophie Kinsella, author of the Shopaholic series, and a book I have previously reviewed, The Undomestic Goddess. Wickham’s writing style is almost identical to her books as Kinsella–light, any funny with characters who are easy to connect with and relate to.
Her first book as Wickham that I read is called The Gatecrasher. This book follows Fleur Daxeny, a high-maintenance single woman looking for love, and more importantly, for money. But what is most unusual about Fleur is the way she meets men…at funerals. With the help of her flamboyant friend Johnny, Fleur attends burials and viewings where she is sure to meet an uber wealthy widower, looking for someone to heal his heart. Fleur sure knows how to put on a show, staying long enough only for him to fall in love with her…and for her to steal his gold card. She bounces from man to man, shattering their already broken hearts, and running with their money. Until she meets Richard Favour.
Richard is a kind, good-hearted man who Fleur finds is surprisingly easy to stay with. But problems with his children…and even hers…may make it more difficult for her to get what she wants. When someone important comes back into Fleur’s life, she is left to decide if money or family is more important.
Although the book focuses on Fleur, it also develops a wide array of other rich characters in Fleur’s and Richard’s lives, intertwining several small stories into one. As my first book from Wickham, I was more than pleased, and glad that I have now more “Kinsella-like” books to read!
Literette 