Widow Remi, an editor at The Sophisticate magazine, is tired of fending off redundancy rounds. Then along comes new chief digital officer Jason who believes his AI program, MAUDE, can take over much of the editorial work.
Remi wants to prove Jason wrong – that AI can never replace the soul of a workplace. He wants her to give MAUDE a chance.
Her first test is asking it to improve her dating profile and she is soon matched with the perfect guy - humanitarian doctor Noah, who is working in the Congo. Then she gets MAUDE to help her prepare for a career-defining interview with the senator she blames for her husband’s death in Ukraine.
The concept of machine vs magazine crew was what made me instantly pick up this book. It didn’t quite deliver the story I was hoping for but it was still a timely reminder of how technology can both assist and deceive.
Plum Everly has grown up on reality TV, with her family starring in one of the original programs. After a wardrobe malfunction denies her the trophy on a Dancing With the Stars-type show and still smarting from the leak of a sex tape, she signs up for a show in France, restoring an old chateau.
She soon falls for the charms of the rather smarmy site foreman Bastien but also forges a bond with the head of production and cameraman Elliott as they investigate the history behind the chateau.
This book ticked all the boxes: burnt-out celebrity looking for redemption; love triangle; a bit of a mystery; and an appealing Provence setting. I was expecting though more scenes along the lines of the fish-out-of-water renovating a historic building.
After a lavish Broadway-inspired proposal, Avery finds out that her fiance Adam is a fraudster. Left outside the jail without her phone or money, and needing a ride home, she is given a number to call and directed to a phone booth, the last one in Manhattan.
When Avery rings the number, a mysterious person sends her to an address which turns out to be the home of her ex, Gabe. Is this telling her to give their relationship another try?
After returning to waitressing at a café where staff belt out Broadway numbers between food service, Avery also realises she wants to pursue acting again.
Inspired by Dickens’ tale of ghosts past, present and future, this story follows Avery on her journey back from rock bottom, as she learns to trust herself to make the right decisions and follow her dreams. On the bah-humbug side, the writing was sometimes a bit clunky and the magical elements were never fully explained. But if you love theatrical references and second chance stories, this may raise your spirits.
