Not as good as Riders but def worth a read if you like Jilly C!
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This book was quite good but certainly nothing like Riders which I enjoyed immensely (maybe because of the horsey element?). Rivals is fast paced and has a gripping storyline with lovable characters (Taggie's dog being the most lovable!). I was sad to see that Billy LF didn't feature very much, although there was ample chance to feature him more e.g. when he conveniently was out of the country or working. Some people have mentioned about the change in Rupert so I don't think its giving away too much to say he does have a change of character in the middle\end of the book. However I didn't like this. Is Rupert not the lovable cad? isn't the reason we liked him because of the way he treated woman?. To think he is going to settle down properly (not like his first marriage in Riders) changes him completely and it didn't work for me - sorry!. I also didn't like the fact most of the characters kept quoting famous works - what was the deal with that? perhaps for one character ok but not several. People just don't do that in the real world. But all that aside it is an enjoyable read with a real feel for what goes on in the TV industry. Jilly has a great skill with witty one liners (the one about 'Wobbledon' when Rupert is caught playing naked tennis is a classic!).
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Would have it as 6 stars if I could!!!
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This is my favourite book of ALL time, fell in love with it! Taggie and Rupert are soooooooo cute and the storyline is brilliant! You'll have to read it to find out more, but love the return of Rupert C-B! Yay!
All you need in a book, sex, love and TV!
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Rivals- well, nothing else can rival it...
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This, and Polo, are my favourite Jilly Cooper books if I had to choose. Okay, so it centres around television and this might make you have inhibitions about reading this masterpiece, but please- don't let that put you off from reading this. The plot is fantastic, and it keeps you interested the whole way through.
The characters are incredibly well-developed, and trust me- you will have a favourite. I adored Rupert Campbell-Black for his sheer promiscuity and hilarious one-liners, and a special place in your heart will be kept for Taggie O'Hara, who is sweet and lovely and makes you want to cry at her battle with dyslexia and love, and how her mother is such an imbecile.
The Irish O'Hara family are really the centrepiece of this novel- Declan O'Hara makes you want to laugh and cry with him alternately, Maud makes you want to hit her and murder her alternately, and Kaitlin is fantastic, and I adore Taggie.
The battle for the franchise is gripping, as well as a hilarious scene where Rupert and Declan are judging a beauty contest, and well, put a Gucci shoe in it. By the end of the book, you will be extremely irritated by Cameron Cook's neediness, and want to knock Tony Baddingham out.
The part where you WILL shed a tear is near the very end, where Taggie is in the car with Rupert and tells him how much she loves him. Tears will be shed often at Taggie, and also at the end when they get together.
Horses are not really mentioned unlike many of the other novels, but this does not defect from a magnificent story and a glorious cast of characters.
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Best Read
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This is my favourite book. It is great read with wonderful humour and a great story line. The characters live and it is great to get reacquainted with them in other books. It is a book I love to return to. Jilly Cooper is very good at defining the human character.
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genius, simply genius!
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Welcome to round 2 in Jilly Coopers fabulous series of books. I adored Riders and bought this with trepidation that it wouldnt match up, but thankfully i was wrong. Although set in the world of television franchises, something i knew nothing about, it never bored me and infact i found it fascinating. The developing love story between Rupert (dont you just love him) and the sweet Taggie was a joy to read. I couldnt put this down and have re read it too many times to mention. Go and buy this book, unplug the phone, turn off the tv, and tell your friends you are away for a few days. Yes its that good!
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