Review: Lipstick on a Strawberry
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Summary:
Estranged from her English family, Camilla Fetherwell now lives in the United States and owns a successful catering business. Returning home for her father's funeral, she reunites with her first love, Billy, whom she hasn't seen since her father broke up their teenage romance. Billy seems eager to resume their love affair. But after one blissful night together, things take a turn.
Camilla suspects her father may have led a secret life, and when Billy reveals something he, too, has discovered, her apprehension grows. Billy holds her heart, but their relationship might be tainted by what her father hid. A reunion seems impossible.
Her life feels as splattered as her catering apron. As she watches her food stylist make a strawberry look luscious with a swipe of lipstick, Camilla wonders if a gloss has been put over a family secret? Can she and Billy survive what's underneath?
Review:
I must confess the title intrigued me. Lipstick on the Strawberry? I thought that must be a clue to the mystery--which is, who's that woman in the picture hidden in her father's drawer? I mean, lipstick right?
I thought the mystery went on a tad long, and Camilla's reason with how Rachel's presence is a deterrent to her relationship with Billy is flimsy. I know why she thinks Rachel's identity would affect their (Camilla and Billy) relationship, but I'm just not sure how valid and believable it is, given today's climate. Please forgive me because I'm not British and culturally, I don't know if it's taboo in that sense there. I can't say what it is because to do so would be a spoiler, so...but suffice it to say, I'm not buying it.
The author did surprise me with a twist on who Rachel's parents were. That was a good one and entirely believable. But I agree with Billy to let sleeping dogs lie--I'm not sure what Camilla's motive is in wanting to have the whole truth out. Sure, the truth is good to have, but if disclosing the truth will only bring problems and trouble, why open a can of worms?
In the end, I have to say it's a great title. While it's a technique that Camilla's assistant used to showcase their food, it could also described the situation in her family. It's a great title for the imagery it evoked as well as the deeper, underlying meaning.
Rating: 3 stars
Estranged from her English family, Camilla Fetherwell now lives in the United States and owns a successful catering business. Returning home for her father's funeral, she reunites with her first love, Billy, whom she hasn't seen since her father broke up their teenage romance. Billy seems eager to resume their love affair. But after one blissful night together, things take a turn.
Camilla suspects her father may have led a secret life, and when Billy reveals something he, too, has discovered, her apprehension grows. Billy holds her heart, but their relationship might be tainted by what her father hid. A reunion seems impossible.
Her life feels as splattered as her catering apron. As she watches her food stylist make a strawberry look luscious with a swipe of lipstick, Camilla wonders if a gloss has been put over a family secret? Can she and Billy survive what's underneath?
Review:
I must confess the title intrigued me. Lipstick on the Strawberry? I thought that must be a clue to the mystery--which is, who's that woman in the picture hidden in her father's drawer? I mean, lipstick right?
I thought the mystery went on a tad long, and Camilla's reason with how Rachel's presence is a deterrent to her relationship with Billy is flimsy. I know why she thinks Rachel's identity would affect their (Camilla and Billy) relationship, but I'm just not sure how valid and believable it is, given today's climate. Please forgive me because I'm not British and culturally, I don't know if it's taboo in that sense there. I can't say what it is because to do so would be a spoiler, so...but suffice it to say, I'm not buying it.
The author did surprise me with a twist on who Rachel's parents were. That was a good one and entirely believable. But I agree with Billy to let sleeping dogs lie--I'm not sure what Camilla's motive is in wanting to have the whole truth out. Sure, the truth is good to have, but if disclosing the truth will only bring problems and trouble, why open a can of worms?
In the end, I have to say it's a great title. While it's a technique that Camilla's assistant used to showcase their food, it could also described the situation in her family. It's a great title for the imagery it evoked as well as the deeper, underlying meaning.
Rating: 3 stars
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