Audible
Released Jan 21, 2015
Narrator: Lisa Cordileone
Length: 8 hours 36 minutes
Unabridged
My Review
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani
A few months back I reviewed The Publicist (Book One) by Christina George, a book that has become popular among bloggers because of its inside view on the publishing industry.
I was looking forward to Shelf Life (Book 2) because the first book left some unanswered questions and I wanted to know where Kate's life was headed. Well, I can say that Shelf Life was even better than the first book. The characters were more fully developed, the publishing schemes more devastating and the romantic tangle more intense and emotional. Unlike with the first book, I was more emotionally invested with the characters' lives this time.
Kate is still involved with gorgeous and unhappily married Mac, but in this book we get to see how deeply he's falling for Kate and I began to sense he was going to be the catalyst in Kate's life. George does a very good job of building up the plot and it kept me turning the pages, or rather in this case, tapping the play button on my phone so I could keep on listening to the audiobook.
As with the first book, we are fully immersed into the life of a publicist, but this time more from the publishing industry's point of view than the author's. Because I work closely with authors, publicists and publishers, I was very interested in this aspect of the book and it gave me a different perspective of the industry. Kate is a great publicist. She loves her work and wants to promote good books, but she's restricted by her publisher's demands. I understood her frustration well. Who wants to represent and help to promote a book that reads like tabloid?
Kate's personal life takes on a whirlwind spin when her love life and work collide in an unexpected way causing her to question everything she believes in. Kate then escapes to California, where of course, we have sweet Nick. Once again, I wanted to throttle Kate for thinking with her broken heart rather than her intelligent mind. But, this time I can see why Kate is attracted to both men, more than I did in the first book.
Once again, the narrator Lisa Cordileone did a very good job. Actually, I found her narration improved a lot. I loved how she made Kate and Mac sound. She also infused lots of feelings in her narration which, I think, made me like the book even more. When someone is crying because they are heartbroken, the way they sound pulls on your heartstrings. Cordileone's narration did that for me. She was also able to switch between character voices quite easily.
So once again, if you love the world of books and want an insider view on publishing, you will get it in this book. Be prepared for explicit sex scenes, religious profanities and lots of f-bombs, way more than was necessary. It marred my listening experience, like in the first book. But if that doesn't bother you, there is also humor, lots of emotional and romantic angst and a great comeback on Kate's part. I look forward to reading the final installment in this trilogy, Climax. What else is Christina George going to make Kate go through? I have a feeling the last book is the best one yet.
Note: This book is rated R for explicit sex scenes and profanity (lots of f-bombs) and religious expletives.
To read more reviews, please visit Christina George's tour page on iRead Book Tours.
Christina George has worked in publishing for twenty years (give or take). Here’s what this book isn't. It’s not a slam against publishing (though it is broken) and it’s not a slam against authors (though some of them are crazy). This book is not autobiographical though many of the stories are true. No you won’t know which ones, cause it’s more fun to guess, right? George continues to work in publicity and helps authors because at the end of the day she does love books, she loves publishing, and she loves authors. She hopes you’ll enjoy this romp through Kate’s world as much as she enjoyed creating it.
Connect with Christina: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads
Note: This book is rated R for explicit sex scenes and profanity (lots of f-bombs) and religious expletives.
To read more reviews, please visit Christina George's tour page on iRead Book Tours.
Where to buy the audiobook
About the Author
Christina George has worked in publishing for twenty years (give or take). Here’s what this book isn't. It’s not a slam against publishing (though it is broken) and it’s not a slam against authors (though some of them are crazy). This book is not autobiographical though many of the stories are true. No you won’t know which ones, cause it’s more fun to guess, right? George continues to work in publicity and helps authors because at the end of the day she does love books, she loves publishing, and she loves authors. She hopes you’ll enjoy this romp through Kate’s world as much as she enjoyed creating it.
Connect with Christina: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads
And now for the giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: Thanks to the Penny C. Sansevieri for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.
Disclosure: Thanks to the Penny C. Sansevieri for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.
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