Review for the abridged audiobook.

736 pages is a daunting size for a book, so it seemed like a good idea to listen to the abridged audiobook version - and it didn't leave me feeling that I wanted to go back and read the book to fill in all the detail, as I sometimes do for something I've really enjoyed. It was well read by Laura Brattan, but I did lose track of some of the many characters and it's hard to trace back to find who people are on a CD. From other reviewers, I realise that the book tends to swerve off into sub plots in the full version and I was more than happy to avoid these.

This was my second Vincenzi novel (after Sheer Abandon) and I think my main problem with her books is that I don't particularly like most of the characters. At the centre of the novel is the marriage of Tom and Octavia Flemming, which appears firm and is even the subject of magazine articles, but soon shows signs of cracking. Hardly surprising when they both work so hard that they only seem to interact when they need something from each other professionally. Then there's Octavia's father, a complete control freak who I really disliked, even before he showed his true colours; I couldn't imagine what his girlfriend, Marianne saw in him! And finally, Octavia's best friend (sorry, I can't recall her name), who plays a much more significant role towards the end of the book - I can't say more here! My favourite character would have to be Octavia's baby, Minty :)

The plot is pure soap opera, with the inevitable adultery and business disasters. Nothing earth shattering or particularly novel.
My conclusion is, that I was more than happy to have had the benefit of the abridgment and I would listen to further books in this format, but I think it is unlikely that I would read another Vincenzi novel in full. ( )

Octavia and Tom Fleming, wealthy, beautiful, part-owners of their own companies are the focus of this book. Mostly what they do is work and network, leaving their three children to be raised by the nanny. When Octavia discovers Tom has had an affair, the power couple begins to disintegrate along with their power life. There are other major players in the book: Octavia's best friend Louise, Octavia's father, his mistress, the couple's business partners. Lots of affairs and vacations take place but not much introspection by the characters. They were shallow and self-centered and seemed happy to continue on in their shallow and self-centered lives even after life-shattering events took place. Vincenzi does have a way with words, which is what kept me reading to the end. So if you're looking for a good soap-opera read, this is the book for you. If you want something deeper, look elsewhere. ( )

Great book- I think most things could have been wrapped up 100 pages before the end, but it was still good to know that things turned out just like you thought thye would! ( )