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Book Reviews of Groundswell

Groundswell
Groundswell
Author: Katie Lee
ISBN-13: 9781439183595
ISBN-10: 1439183597
Publication Date: 6/21/2011
Pages: 240
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 8

3.5 stars, based on 8 ratings
Publisher: Gallery
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

3 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

emeraldfire avatar reviewed Groundswell on
In the scientific world the theory is known as the "Butterfly Effect". In the real world, it simply means that sometimes the biggest ripples in a person's life are caused by the smallest events. For Emma Guthrie - a novice PA who's just dropped out of college after losing her scholarship - that was the way everything began. One day she walks into the trailer of the world-famous movie star Garrett Walker; when she walks out the door, she's fast on her way to becoming Mrs. Emma Walker - the wife of an A-list actor.

Soon, Emma has made the seamless transition from relative nobody to red-carpet royalty, trading her generic-brand jeans and flip-flops for closets full of names such as Chanel and Birkin - the typical clothing and accessories worn by every celebrity who swishes past velvet ropes to attend every lavish party and charity gala held on both coasts. With her husband's encouragement, Emma soon pens a screenplay based on her life. Her movie memoir, 'Fame Tax', quickly becomes a blockbuster sensation. Through it all, Garrett is her ally and her mentor...until their relationship is thrown into question by an incriminating text message that Emma discovers on Garrett's phone the night of the all-important Met Costume Institute Gala.

Undeniably devastated by her husband's blatant infidelity and hounded mercilessly by the paparazzi, Emma must flee New York City to try and get away from it all. Choosing the furthest possible location she can in order to clear her head, Emma's perfect destination turns out to be a sleepy coastal town in Mexico where she can sink back into obscurity. Absolutely no one recognizes her and there is nothing to see but unspoiled beaches for miles. Here, she meets Ben, a gorgeous, native Californian - a surf instructor, who teaches Emma about the healing properties of surfing, shows her the joys of the simple life, and ultimately reopens her heart to the possibility of love.

In a story that showcases some of Manhattan's trendiest restaurants to the yacht-and-celebrity infested waters of the vacationer's paradise known as St. Bart's, Katie Lee's debut novel offers an irresistible insider's glimpse into a glittering world - and a captivating story about how losing everything you thought you wanted can often be the first step in the journey toward finding what you need. I must say that while I watch Katie Lee all the time on her television show 'The Kitchen' - and I assumed that she wrote several cookbooks - it never even crossed my mind that she wrote a novel as well. I was actually quite surprised to learn that Ms. Lee was a published author of contemporary fiction.

In my opinion, this was just the right type of book for me to read. It was fairly fast-paced, and an easy enough read - and it only took me a day to read. Yes, there was romance throughout the story, and as most of you may already know - I don't usually like reading stories that are so focused on romantic elements. Groundswell: A Novel by Katie Lee was slightly different though; I found myself really enjoying the story and would give this book an A+!
reviewed Groundswell on + 109 more book reviews
Groundswell is a great read. I enjoyed it as a quick summer read. The story centers around Emma Guthrie who has entered the Hollywood world after marrying movie star Garrett Walker. When Emma becomes a celebrated screen writer, she thinks her life couldn't be more fabulous unti she discovers her husband's infidelity. Emma retreats from her life and discovers a new kind of happiness. Would make a good tv movie.
reviewed Groundswell on + 988 more book reviews
EAT, SURF, LOVE. A butterfly flaps its wings in New York City . . . and a groundswell forms in Mexico. . . . Sometimes the biggest ripples come from the smallest events. Like the day that Emma Guthrie walks into world-famous movie star Garrett Walker?s trailer. When she steps through the door, she?s a novice PA who?s just dropped out of college after losing her scholarship. When she walks out, she?s on her way to becoming Mrs. Emma Walker?wife of an A-list actor. Soon, Emma has made the transition from nobody to red-carpet royalty, trading jeans and flip-flops for closets full of Chanel and Birkin bags, swishing past velvet ropes to attend every lavish party and charity gala on both coasts. With her husband?s encouragement, Emma pens a screenplay based on her life, Fame Tax, which becomes a blockbuster sensation. Through it all, Garrett is her ally and her mentor . . . until their relationship is thrown into question by an incriminating text message that Emma discovers on Garrett?s phone the night of the Met Costume Institute Gala. Devastated by her husband?s infidelity and hounded mercilessly by the paparazzi, Emma must flee New York City to get away from it all and clear her head. Her destination? A sleepy coastal town in Mexico where no one recognizes her and there is nothing but unspoiled beaches for miles. Here, she meets Ben, a gorgeous, California-born surf instructor, who teaches her about the healing powers of surfing, shows her the joys of the simple life, and ultimately opens her up to the possibility of love. From Manhattan?s hippest restaurants to the yacht-and-celebrity infested waters of St. Barts, Katie Lee?s debut novel is an irresistible insider?s glimpse into a glittering world?and a captivating story about how losing everything you thought you wanted can be the first step to finding what you need.