Girl About Town by Adam Shankman: Review and Giveaway!

ABOUT GIRL ABOUT TOWN:

Acclaimed film producer/director Adam Shankman and coauthor Laura Sullivan pen a sparkling, witty, romantic mystery inspired by Nick and Nora Charles and Hollywood glamour.

Not too long ago, Lucille O’Malley was living in a tenement in New York. Now she’s Lulu Kelly, Hollywood’s newest It Girl. She may be a star, but she worries that her past will catch up with her. Back in New York she witnessed a Mafia murder, and this glamorous new life in Tinseltown is payment for her silence.

Dashing Freddie van der Waals, the only son of a New York tycoon, was a playboy with the world at his feet. But when he discovered how his corrupt father really made the family fortune, Freddie abandoned his billions and became a vagabond. He travels the country in search of redemption and a new identity, but his father will stop at nothing to bring him home.

When fate brings Lulu and Freddie together, sparks fly—and gunshots follow. Suddenly Lulu finds herself framed for attempted murder. Together, she and Freddie set out to clear her name. But can they escape their pasts and finally find the Hollywood ending they long for?

REVIEW:

Would you keep your silence if you witnessed a murder? Would you take money to buy your silence or would you turn the murderer in? Lucille Is in this predicament and more or less settles on taking the money. Freddie, a so-called rich playboy, discovers how his father made the family wealthy and takes a different course of action. When Lulu and Freddie meet they develop feelings for each other. The book does have a bit of an immediate love which isn't totally realistic. I also wouldn't have minded if the mystery took a little more precedence (that really picks up speed midway through the book).

I preferred Freddie's character over Lulu's. He had a stronger moral compass than she seemed to. She brought a little more frou-frou to the novel than he did. I guess I wasn't totally connected to either one (Freddie being a playboy was a turn-off and her taking money wasn't my cup of tea). I did like how they worked together and how Freddie cared about clearing Lulu's name. The pacing was pretty spot-on for me. I really enjoyed the ending and felt like all of the loose ends had been tied up. Overall, this would be a fun read for young adult/teen readers.

4 Stars