Review: Forbidden Pleasures by Jo Rees

Title: Forbidden Pleasures
Author: Jo Rees
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: August 5, 2010
Publisher: Corgi
Edition: Paperback
Blurb:
From Las Vegas to Dubai, from Shanghai to London, the fatal pull of the gambling world stretches...Savannah, pleasure-loving It Girl, wants to prove herself to her powerful, ruthless father Michael Hudson - until a terrible tragedy forces her to re-think her life. Lois, an ex-cop from the wrong side of the tracks, is now running the gambling business of Michael's greatest rival, Roberto Enzo - and torn between the glamour and wealth of the casinos and the needs of her vulnerable young daughter. Both women have to confront their pasts, discover new loves, and find out the really important things in life before the greed and corruption of their worlds consume them.


This book tells the story of two very different women: Savannah, the rich heiress who is always trying to find ways to prove herself to her father and Lois, an ex-cop who was blamed for a crime she didn't commit and that ruined the life she worked so hard to obtain. At the end, they both end up as rivals in the casino business, Lois working for Roberto and Savannah trying to keep her father's assets going.

I liked Lois since the beginning. It was interesting seeing her relationship with her mother and also seeing her to try to get to know her daughter. She has some tought decisions to make through the novel, and you really see how she evolves as a character when she finally makes her choices. One of the things I liked the most about Lois was how she always tried to make the best of her situation without complaining.

Then there's Savannah. At first I wasn't much interested in her part of the story and I didn't really like her attitude either, but as her story unfolds we see some changes in her and it was intriguing seeing her become a full fletched businesswoman as well as a mature adult.

This was the first book I read by this author and the truth is that I was pleasently surprised. It was a very engaging read with a clever plot, interesting characters and the necesary amount of mystery and action. This was a perfect summer that will get you hooked since the first page.


Rating:

* I received this book from the publisher for review.