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What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips |
by Jennifer Klunk
Clichés. Romance novels are full of them. From the swooning virgins of the Regency tales to the feisty career women of the contemporary world, nothing surprises romance readers anymore. What I Did for Love, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips does better than most to keep you guessing.
Georgie York, America's sweetheart in a hit sitcom brought to cancellation by the real-life antics, à la sex tape of her co-star, Bramwell Shepard, is having a rather Jennifer Aniston time of it. Her husband, Lance Marks, has left her for rising star and humanitarian Angelina Jolie Jade Gentry. As she tries to repair her reputation, the worst thing possible happens: a drunken night in Vegas lands her married to none other than Bramwell Shepard. In order to salvage what remains of her career and revive his, she agrees to remain married to him in an extended publicity stunt. What follows is a look into the life of a Hollywood star attempting to make good on her bankability by being photographed at the "in" spots and surrounded herself with other celebrities. Georgie must come to terms with her scandal-filled past and take control of her future.
Phillips has always been a consistent favorite of mine, in large part because she doesn't have helpless, ineffectual heroines who need saved. Georgie doesn't weep for her situation until it magically repairs itself because the universe just felt sorry for her; she actively tries to change it, with hilarious and startling results. With Georgie York, Phillips has written a spitfire child-actor-turned actress who takes a great many blows to her ego and pride but keeps on going, surprising everyone but especially herself.
Nor does Phillips have completely stereotypical male characters. At the beginning, there is very little to like about Bramwell Shepard, but as the layers peel away, we see him slowly revealed through Georgie's eyes as more than he seems. He becomes a man trying to redeem himself. As the story unfolds we're treated to a man who's learned from his colorful past and goes after what he wants, and that it isn't simply enough to fix his career. What he does for love will make you smile.
The supporting cast of characters brings this story to greater life. From the antagonistic young housekeeper Chaz, to the unlikely personal assistant Aaron, to the mysterious studio executive neighbor, no one is exactly what they seem. As more facets of the supporting characters are revealed it becomes more and more apparent that the stereotypes these people are pigeonholed into aren't all they are capable of. Even Georgie's overbearing stage father has depth and character beyond just micro-managing her career into ruin. In true Phillips fashion, there's more going on than meets the eye with all of these folks. As a reader, you're hard-pressed to get bored -- whether it be faking romance for the press, getting accidentally quarantined with Georgie's ex and his new wife Jade, or having their party coordinator surprise them with the chance to redo their faked vows in front of the entire reception (themed from their sitcom Skip and Scooter), by the end you're laughing along with them at the absurdity that has become their lives.
There's few real surprises in the unfolding of this story, but the enjoyment comes from seeing how exactly the various plot points come about. As Georgie and Bram struggle to regain their career footing, it affects everyone around them in entertaining, but believable ways. Fans of Phillips' work will recognize some of the character cameos from her other books. The first-time reader will meet some characters you'll want to follow into their stories. As romances go, there's no question of the ending, but the getting there is quite an enjoyable ride. We learn just how far Georgie and Bram will go for love.
What I Did for Love
Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Release Date: January 27, 2009
Publisher: William Morrow
ISBN: 978-0061351501
Jennifer Klunk is a former college student who never left college. In her free time, she enjoys making obnoxious comments about romance, Disney, and people who take their fannish interests too seriously.
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