Hardcover: 368 pages- Publisher: Head of Zeus (8 Mar. 2018)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1784977586
- ISBN-13: 978-1784977580
- Product Dimensions: 14.5 x 3.8 x 22.8 cm
Synopsis
Top reporter Laura Lake has struck journalistic gold.
She’s discovered a super-exclusive English village where the rich and famous own weekend retreats. Where film stars, Turner-prize winners and Cabinet ministers park their helicopters outside the gastropub and buy £100 sourdough loaves from the deli.
Outsiders are strictly forbidden. But luckily Laura’s best friend Lulu, a logo-obsessed socialite with a heart as huge as her sunglasses, suddenly fancies a quiet life in the country. The door to this enchanted rural idyll opens for Laura. Revealing a great professional opportunity.
Can Laura write an exposé before the snobbish villagers suss her true identity? And before the world’s poshest pub quiz triggers a political scandal not seen since Profumo?
Review
Last of the Summer Moët is the second book featuring journalist Laura Lake, but if like me you haven’t read the previous novel, Three Weddings and a Scandal, don’t worry you can read this as a standalone. Laura Lake, assistant editor at Society magazine, has plenty of friends in the world of showbiz, and in this book she is hoping to enter the inner sanctum of a village, run for the rich and famous, by the rich and famous. It is so secret it isn’t on the internet or Google Maps. The village, and its many residents, open this book up to its plot line and humour. This book is outlandish in it’s story line, but full of humour and cringe worthy moments.
There is a wide cast of characters from socialites, actors, MI6, political figures, Russian Oligarchs, thespians and a controversial artist. But what made this book for me was some of the names. There is Souther’n Fried a rap artist, Savannah Bouche, an actress, Roger Slutt, the being rock star, Casper Honeyman, actor and former flame of Laura and actress Merlot D’Vyne.
Laura Lake, the main character seems the only sane and normal person in this book, and isn’t phased by anyone. Laura is half French, stylish in an understated way, unlike the other characters, and has her chance at editor of Society until arch enemy Clemency Makepeace, scuttles her plans. Laura needs an original story to save her career and the secret village of Great Hording is that story. Laura’s friend socialite friend Lulu, is her way in. Lulu is the polar opposite of Laura, blonde, extravagant, designer obsessed and over the top in every way. She was my favourite character, mainly due to her mispronunciation of English sayings that had me crying with laughter throughout. This is a romantic comedy so of course there is a love interest for Laura, in fact two; Harry, her journalist boyfriend who disappears on assignments for week and months at a time, and Casper Honeyman, an old flame who is now a famous actor.
Wendy Holden’s writing is brilliant, she is witty, clever and topical; at the Ivy awards there is a mix up in the best actor category, a nod to the Oscars. Everything about this book is larger than life, the characters, the plot line but it is action packed. The prose is fast flowing, and the use of language is brilliant, you will laugh and cringe at the same sentence.
The Last of the Summer Moët is a fast, fun and fantastical read. If you are looking or pure escapism, and a book that will make you laugh out loud then this is the book for you. It is sassy, scintillating, sensationally over the top and simply divine.
And that is an funding threat worth taking.