Wednesday, March 23, 2011

#BookReview: Good-bye To All That - Margo Candela

Raquel Azorian has a lot going on.  As assistant to Bert Floss, the vice president of marketing for one of the big studios in Hollywood, she knows that her success is contingent on his success.  Working long hours, playing office politics and sucking up to those in power is just a necessary evil.  She's confident that she's on her way to a promotion until her boss has a meltdown that leaves her vulnerable.

Bert made plenty of enemies in his position and now the chickens have come home to roost.  Cris Fuller, the number two man in Bert's department, despises him. Bert's leave of absence perfectly positions him to take over the department and drive Raquel out at the same time.  Raquel believes she may have an ally in Kyle Martin, the charming vice president of corporate who's rumored to be next in line to take over Belmore, but she could be wrong.

In the midst of all this madness is Raquel's overly dramatic mother and her passive father.  Believing that her husband doesn't love or appreciate her, Marlene has left him and moved into Raquel's place with no warning.  Between work and home, it's a wonder that Raquel doesn't have her own breakdown.

Margo Candela does a masterful job of giving readers a glimpse into the world of Hollywood studios and the cut throat competition it takes to succeed there.

What did you like about this book?
I just knew this story line would be predictable and it really wasn't.  I also enjoyed Marlene.  Her antics provided just the right amount of comic relief.

What didn't you like about this book?
I don't know if it was dislike, but at times I was unclear on what role Raquel's friend Frappa played.  At times she seemed like a friend, at other times I was unsure if she was acting in Raquel's best interest.  I guess I could have used either a more developed story line for her or a better defined understanding of her role.

What could the author do to improve this book?
Other than clarifying Frappa's relationship with Raquel, I can't think of a thing.

300pp
Published July 2010

 



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