Really outstanding story about a woman editing the memoir of a famous celebrity chef and host. Thea’s career was sidelined when her last subject was exposed for problematic behaviors; she was almost fired from the publishing company, but she was saved because Maria specifically requested her to edit her memoirs. Maria is finally going to talk about the night her husband died.
A celebrity writing their memoirs and demanding a specific ghost writer or editor is becoming SUCH a popular storyline – Great Big Beautiful Life, Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Ghost Writer— honestly this is becoming a trope.
And just like the “one bed” trope in romance, it’s a convenient plot element that doesn’t really happen in real life. Unfortunately it makes some of the reveals a little easier to see coming.
That said, I really did enjoy the multiple POV, the pacing, and the characters. There are many secrets and reveals throughout and it is definitely suspense building. Audiobook was well acted, different voice acting for different characters is essential. One thing- not a criticism whatsoever- but typically I listen between 1.7-2.0 speed and this one I was able to listen easily at 2.5 so the dialogue and exposition are slower and more likely to speed up.
I was fortunate to receive an ALC through NetGalley, thank you to NetGalley and Dreams scape media. Book to be published 8/4/25.
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