LoveReading Says
Fans of this author will find she has grown up. This is no chic lit romance but a strong tale of shattered ambitions and changes of direction with 50’s Hollywood contrasting with today. It is a tale of jealousy and attempted murder. Parallels are drawn between the two ages, the two leading ladies, the two shattered lives, only our present day heroine, Sophie, does perhaps have a chance of happiness. This is a lovely, absorbing read.
November 2013 Book of the Month.
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for Not Without You a small number of Lovereading members were lucky enough to be invited to review this title - 'A chilling tale about Hollywood in the fifties and the present day. Ruthless agents, predatory actors, psychotic stalkers - it's all here. An unsettling but exciting read.'
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Reviewed by Sarah BroadhurstSarah Broadhurst spent her early working life in the book trade in both retail and wholesale until the arrival of children forced her to look for freelance work she could do from…
More reviews by Sarah Broadhurst About Not without You
Sophie knows she should count herself lucky. She grew up in modest surroundings but suddenly finds herself catapulted into the A-list after the surprise hit of a budget movie. But surrounded by botoxed assistants, lecherous old directors and a star-struck mother, Sophie just wishes she could be a proper actress, in proper, serious films.
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Harriet Evans Press Reviews
We have asked a select number of members and browsers to review Not Without You. You can read their reviews below.
Zarina de Ruiter - 'Intriguing, intense and immensely gripping, Not Without You is a thought-provoking novel, which will linger with the reader long after turning the final page.' Click Here to read the full review.
Sally Doel - 'If you are expecting a typical chick-lit style book, this is not what you might expect - it has a much darker side to it...' Click Here to read the full review.
Gill Wilmott - 'It is a well written book, easy to read and the storyline draws you along...I hope you do read it - it’s clever and it’s different.' Click Here to read the full review.
Lyn Barrett - 'a full-bodied read – set in the glamorous world of the movie industry...This story will leave some of itself with you and you will think twice the next time you read a celebrity headline.' Click Here to read the full review.
Maggie Crane - 'This is a book which is very different, muddled in places, but still quite an appealing story of a young woman finding her way.'Click Here to read the full review.
Ruth Paterson - 'Not Without You is a novel that explores fame and relationships, both in the past and present time. A compelling story, the characters haunted me long after finishing the book.' Click Here to read the full review.
Susan Walsh - 'From the sleepy British Countryside to the Glitz & Glamour of the Hollywood Movie set. Follow the lives of two Women Sophie & Eve...A good storyline, with lots of hidden twists.' Click Here to read the full review.
Brenda Steele - 'I found it very difficult to concentrate on this book, and it wasn't until near the end of the story that I began to enjoy it.' Click Here to read the full review.
Emily Wright - 'Not Without You is a captivating tale of movie stars, sisterhood and soul mates. I became invested in the lives of strong lead characters, the novel made my smile, gasp and sob my heart out…' Click Here to read the full review.
Katie Young - 'An interesting read combining two eras of Hollywood with some interesting twists.' Click Here to read the full review.
Phylippa Smithson - 'Being a reviewer of Lovereading.co.uk has opened up my eyes to so very many authors and their stories, none more so than Not Without You by Harriet Evans.' Click Here to read the full review.
Michelle Gray - 'I was really looking forward to reading this book. I love the old history of Hollywood and the dual storylines intrigued me.' Click Here to read the full review.
Lynda DeFreitas - 'This book has everything. It's a thriller with romance, mystery disappearances, treatment of mental health problems, and a potted history of Hollywood with a comparison between the 1950s and now.' Click Here to read the full review.
Elisabeth Thomas - 'An enjoyable book telling the story of the hard road to fame in Hollywood...the twist to the story near the end made me gasp out loud.' Click Here to read the full review.
Joy Bosworth - 'Gripping, interesting, funny, enthralling and different; this is really good book.' Click Here to read the full review.
Sarah Musk - 'A chilling tale about Hollywood in the fifties and the present day. Ruthless agents, predatory actors, psychotic stalkers - it's all here. An unsettling but exciting read.' Click Here to read the full review.
Angela Rhodes - 'Just when you think this is just another ‘chic lit’ Harriet proves you wrong! Want a good girly read with a difference, one to curl up with on cold autumn evening? Then, this is for you.' Click Here to read the full review.
Debbie Patrick - 'This is a well written, very enjoyable book, at 440 pages it’s not a thin book but it only took me a few days to read it as I wanted to find out what would happen to Sophie & Eve...Will recommend this book to my friends.' Click Here to read the full review.
Sallyann Spittle - 'I found this book to be something different and well worth recommending to other readers.' Click Here to read the full review.
Donna Smith - 'A well structured, well written book that delved into the history of film making alongside that of the current celebrity culture.' Click Here to read the full review.
Carolyn Huckfield - 'This is a beautifully written fascinating story...so much more than chic lit. The men never take centre stage and the two love stories are not the only thing that matters, which makes a refreshing change.' Click Here to read the full review.
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Praise for Happily Ever After: 'Funny, wistful and wise ... I loved this book
Katie Fforde. Praise for Harriet Evans:
'Evans's gift for characterisation and appreciation of complicated family dynamics singles this novel out as superior romantic fare ... '
Independent
'Brilliantly observed and emotionally charged'
Daily Mirror
'Rosamunde Pilcher rebooted - in the best possible way.'
Independent on Sunday
'You'll love it'
Daily Mail
'A page-turner... An unputdownable, gripping story of life, loss and one girl's search for happiness.'
Glamour
