Book Review
Walk on the Wild Side: The Reinvention of Violet Monte by Suzie Jay
Publisher: Booktrope
Publication Date: April 24, 2015
Format: Paperback - 142 pages
Kindle - 1271 KB
Nook
ISBN: 978-1620159422
ASIN: B00WTNVXMA
BNID: 2940151527842
Genre: Chick Lit / Romantic Comedy
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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
Book Description:
Violet Monte believed her love and marriage would last a lifetime–until she catches her husband in bed with a younger woman. When she realizes she was nothing more than a trophy wife, Violet decides to chase her own dreams. The only problem is, she has no idea what they are. Violet begins to pursue her own interests which sometime include spying on her mysterious neighbor, who might actually be a lady of the night. Just as Violet is finding stability–– and the possibility of opening her heart again–– her husband returns not with an apology, but with a signed pre-nuptial agreement, claiming he’ll keep everything and leave her with nothing. Violet is far from the compliant woman he once knew but she doubts she has the strength to fight and win, until her intriguing neighbor unlocks what Violet has been looking for all along. Can Violet fight back from a lost love and reinvent herself into the person she always wanted to be or will she forever be just an ex-trophy wife?
Book Excerpt:
“Once upon a time, in a land meant only for the young and good looking, there lived an unemployable, unlovable, wretched old hag. How she survived to the ripe old age of forty-one remains a mystery. All the beautiful girls in the village used to stare at Violet, the old hag, and laugh at her attempts to find love and success. The beauties sat back, stroking their long blonde locks, while the handsome princes drooled like rabid dogs and obeyed their every command.
“One sunny summer’s day, Violet was out walking when she happened upon the most stunning, tanned goddess she had ever seen. Her attention was captured immediately, and she couldn’t take her eyes off of this mesmerising beauty. Unfortunately, the one man in the village who claimed to love Violet appeared to be equally smitten by this glamorous woman, and was pawing all over her. Violet was angry and heartbroken.
“She couldn’t stand to watch the man she loved turn his attention elsewhere, so she picked up a frying pan—one of the good, solid type that you see on the late night infomercials— and she swung it back with all her might and smashed it hard against the dirty, cheating, scumbag’s—”
“Violet!” Her sister’s angry voice broke her train of thought. Damn, just as she was getting to the good part.
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t let your cynical and somewhat psychotic attitude influence my children,” her sister snapped.
Violet glanced down to see her twin nieces looking up at her with wide eyes and huge smiles.
“Oh, they’re fine, they love Auntie Violet’s fairy tales.” Violet laughed and ruffled the girls’ hair.
“We all know you are heartbroken, and you have no job and nowhere to live—yada, yada, yada—but filling my children’s heads with your daydreams of revenge is helping no one. You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and get back out there. It’s been months, Violet.”
What the hell does that even mean? Get back out where exactly? Get back to my home so I can witness my husband flaunt his new love in front of me?
The way he looked at Magen or Meagan or whatever her stupid name was, broke her heart. He hadn’t looked at Violet like that for, well, ever. She had never seen such passion in his eyes until that day, and now that she had, she was beginning to think Jim never really loved her. Yet, he had been her one great love, her knight in shining armour, her dream guy. That dream had turned into a nightmare the day she got fired and came home early.
“One sunny summer’s day, Violet was out walking when she happened upon the most stunning, tanned goddess she had ever seen. Her attention was captured immediately, and she couldn’t take her eyes off of this mesmerising beauty. Unfortunately, the one man in the village who claimed to love Violet appeared to be equally smitten by this glamorous woman, and was pawing all over her. Violet was angry and heartbroken.
“She couldn’t stand to watch the man she loved turn his attention elsewhere, so she picked up a frying pan—one of the good, solid type that you see on the late night infomercials— and she swung it back with all her might and smashed it hard against the dirty, cheating, scumbag’s—”
“Violet!” Her sister’s angry voice broke her train of thought. Damn, just as she was getting to the good part.
“I would appreciate it if you didn’t let your cynical and somewhat psychotic attitude influence my children,” her sister snapped.
Violet glanced down to see her twin nieces looking up at her with wide eyes and huge smiles.
“Oh, they’re fine, they love Auntie Violet’s fairy tales.” Violet laughed and ruffled the girls’ hair.
“We all know you are heartbroken, and you have no job and nowhere to live—yada, yada, yada—but filling my children’s heads with your daydreams of revenge is helping no one. You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and get back out there. It’s been months, Violet.”
What the hell does that even mean? Get back out where exactly? Get back to my home so I can witness my husband flaunt his new love in front of me?
The way he looked at Magen or Meagan or whatever her stupid name was, broke her heart. He hadn’t looked at Violet like that for, well, ever. She had never seen such passion in his eyes until that day, and now that she had, she was beginning to think Jim never really loved her. Yet, he had been her one great love, her knight in shining armour, her dream guy. That dream had turned into a nightmare the day she got fired and came home early.
My Book Review:
Walk on the Wild Side is an entertaining chick lit / romantic comedy that follows forty-one year old Violet Monte Reynolds' journey of personal discovery and reinvention after her twenty year marriage to her childhood best friend Jim Reynolds ends when she catches him cheating with a younger woman.
In her debut novel, author Suzie Jay weaves a sassy fun tale that easily draws the reader into Violet's story as she picks up the pieces of her life, and embarks on a personal journey of self-discovery that will help her move forward with a new beginning.
Told in the third person narrative and set in Adelaide and Sydney, Australia, Violet turns her broken heart into a personal journey filled with quirky antics, funny trials and tribulations, emotional challenges, and a sweet romance, that will keep the reader engaged and turning the pages while cheering Violet on as she rediscovers and reinvents herself, and finds true love and happiness a long the way.
I really enjoyed the poignancy, humor, romance, and intrigue of Violet's story. The author provides the reader with a sassy main character and a great cast of secondary characters who provide many laughable moments, it's a fast paced and thoroughly entertaining story that will leave a smile on your face.
Walk on the Wild Side is a touching story of rediscovering oneself, following dreams, friendships, family, and finding true love.
RATING: 4 STARS
About The Author
Suzie Jay is a mum of six who lives in Adelaide, Australia with her husband and children. She has a Diploma in Child Psychology and owned her own baking and cake decorating business. She is also a former school teacher, but escaped and now intends on torturing the world by sharing what’s inside her head. This is Suzie’s debut novel. Other published work includes an April fools day anthology titled Fools Rush In.
Contest Giveaway
Thank you for reading and reviewing. It's very much appreciated. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Suzie! Thank you for the opportunity to host your virtual book tour event. I really enjoyed reading the book, it was a fun read! :)
DeleteThanks for hosting!
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