I liked this one. It was a bit different storyline for DS and I really enjoyed it. A lot of deep moments but also a lot of lighthearted ones. Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

This was the perfect Danielle Steel novel to get lost in, in those last few days of 2023. I loved the story of the age gap romance and the strained mother-daughter relationship. Danielle Steel is the perfect winter read.

Danielle Steel is a wonderful storyteller. Whenever you read one of her novels you get excellent character development and a story that will hold your interest from the first page to the end. Upside Down is certainly a good read because of the likeable characters and the compelling story. Danielle Steel's books are always filled with much glamour and this one does not disappoint.

At 62, Ardith is at a crossroads and there is a question of where her life will go. She is a movie star with two Oscars who is professional and demanding perfection in her roles. She is estranged from her daughter, Morgan, because Ardith devoted herself so very much to her career and Morgan resents her mother even at age 38. Bill, Ardith's companion, is not everything she wants in a man, but she is content with him because he never complains and just rolls with the flow. Morgan swears off men until Ben, who is her mother's age, enters her life and he may be the link that gets her back to a relationship with her mother. Then Ardith meets Josh, who Bill gets hired to help Ardith when he is on location filming. Josh makes all the difference in the world and although he is much younger, Josh and Ardith hit it off and are best friends and then more.

The theme of this book is love knows no age barrier - even if your partner is much younger than you. Also incorporated into this theme is the concept that to find love at any age, just be free and open to allowing love in your life. As I am soon to be Ardith's age and am single, the book's message was welcome to me. Danielle Steel has created a wonderful older age heroine in Ardith. It is a welcome change of pace to have an advocate in Ms. Steel for older women having success, money and romance as these life achievements are often only reserved for the very young in books. I enjoyed Josh's support, Morgan's growth and Ben's discovery of true love and was rooting for all the characters in the end.

In the beginning of the novel, Ms. Steel uses very long sentences with lots of clauses and commas almost purposefully setting up the story. The writing was better after the first several chapters when she varied sentence length from super long sentences to a combination of long, short and medium sentences. I enjoyed the story and the characters, but sometimes the writing was a little hard with the overly long sentence structure. Overall, though, this book is a winner! And I am glad that I received it as an ARC from NetGalley.

A tale of love and loss dealing with the sometimes fragile relationship between mother and daughter. Ardith and Morgan are two very busy career women living in two seemingly different worlds. At times both their worlds become turned "upside down" contributing to their complicated relationship. This is a captivating tale of how they come together to reconcile their differences.

Upside Down is a fun mother/daughter story about aging actress Ardith Law, a glamorous Oscar winner whose only marriage ended in widowhood many years earlier; and her stuffy daughter Morgan, a plastic surgeon in New York. The two women couldn't be more different, and they don't have a close relationship because Ardith's Hollywood career kept her away from home when Morgan was growing up. After her husband, Morgan's father, died in an accident, it was revealed that he'd been unfaithful. Perhaps this is why Ardith never remarried, even though she was in a long-term relationship with another actor, Bill West.

When Bill passes away, Ardith quickly becomes involved with her personal assistant, up-and-coming actor Josh Gray, who is much younger than she is. At the same time, Morgan gets involved with an older man, Ben Ryan, whose playboy past catches up to him when he's accused of rape by an intern. With Ardith involved with a man whose age is more appropriate for her daughter, and Morgan involved with a man whose age is more appropriate for her mother, the two finally have something in common. But will their upside-down world finally help them to put their strained relationship right-side up? Since this is a Danielle Steel novel, you know it will all work out in the end. But it's still a fun journey to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my opinions.

In classic Danielle Steel style, she takes a mother and daughter and spins a love story for each of them that brings them closer in the end. Both women find love when they weren’t looking for it and have some bumps along the road. In Hollywood, the mother finds love as she grieves the loss of her partner of 12 years. She finds an old soul who she nurtures and teaches more about acting as she finds life again. The daughter finds love in a slightly unconventional way and has to deal with him being in the limelight with some dark accusations to realize her feelings for him. As always, the story leaves you feeling hopeful and uplifted. Another beautiful story by the amazing author.

Ardith Law is a Hollywood star who loses her cheating husband in a plane crash. As her daughter, Morgan, grows up she blames her mom for not being there enough since she's always gone on location for films. Ardith has found a companion in fellow actor Bill West but is adament about not ever getting married again. When Bill is gone filming in London he passes away in his sleep and Josh Gray, the assistant that is part of Bill contract to help Ardith while he's away, is there to step in and do whatever it takes for Ardith to get things taken care of after Bill's death. Morgan who has never wanted a husband or kids due to the way her childhood was. She meets Ben Ryan in her office and they start to date, but there's lots of trials in their relationship.

Both women are dealing with the past, age differences and personal beliefs to find true love for the future. Great story to relax on a winter day with a fire.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Wonderfully written novel by Danielle Steele. She’s always been one of my favorite writers! 5 stars!!

I read this book because she is one of my all time favorite books, her books are always easy to read and just have a great flow to them. This is one about a very famous movie star and her life, Ardith was an amazing actress, she had a grown daughter in New York that she did not have the best relationship with, she also had a 12 year relationship with a man who also lived with her, he was also an actor.

This book was about relationships, enjoying your life and forgiveness, also about not being afraid to try new things. I loved everything about this book and the love that was forefront in this story! Danielle steel always writes amazing stories.

Thnaks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc.

Danielle Steel is well known for her stories featuring strong women, the circumstances they face in their personal lives and the lengths they will go to protect those they love. Family will always play an important part in their lives and win or lose, family is the core of the majority of Steel’s books. Danielle Steel is a prolific writer, beginning with Going Home in 1973, she has kept her loyal fans with over 100 books in her publicated library, including two series of children's books.

UPSIDE DOWN tells the story of a celebrity actress, Ardith and her estranged daughter, Morgan. Morgan may be 38 years old, but she still blames her mother for putting her career before Morgan's welfare. Ardith and Morgan will both find love but struggle with the difference in the ages of each couple. Ardith with a much younger man, Morgan with a much older man. These struggles will pull the two of them together as they face society's opinions of their relationships head on.

Loved it. Danielle Steel is at her best with family relationships and that is the core of this book, where we have two strong women with their own stories, glamorous Ardith, who is a famous movie star and mother who wasn't always there for her daughter, Morgan, 38, who is a successful plastic surgeon and workaholic. The book explores their relationship and how it affects their romantic relationships. A satisfying ending, as usual!

Upside Down by Danielle Steel is another one her excellent standalone novels. We meet Ardith Law, an Oscar winning actress and Hollywood icon; who at 62, is still highly respected and very successful. Ardith was married to a famous movie star, and had child, Morgan; who at the age of 7, lost her father in an accident, and rarely saw mother. The relationship between mother and daughter was strained, and now years later, both rarely talked to each other; with Morgan living in New York, and Ardith in California.

Morgan, now 38, is a successful plastic surgeon, and a workaholic. On the occasion she talks to her mother, Morgan is usually distant, as she blames her mother for putting her career first, and not having much contact during all those years.

Ardith has been in a long-term relationship with actor Bill West, another Hollywood legend. Bill was leaving for a couple of months to London, where he will act in a movie. He arranged with his studio to have an assistant help Ardith while he is away. Much to her surprise, the assistant who shows up, is not a woman, but instead a man.

Enter Josh Gray, a struggling 40-year-old actor, who takes the assistant job to make some money. Josh, despite the 20-year age difference, is very respectful of Ardith, and in a short time, they both find a deep wonderful connection for each other; especially after Bill tragically dies. When Morgan flies to California for the funeral, she acts angry and cold, and questions why Josh is there as her assistant; once the services are over, she returns back to New York.

Morgan, who rarely dates, as she is so deep in her job, but she meets a famous TV anchorman, Ben Ryan, who is determined to win her over. Ben is not only handsome, but very charismatic and very well known, and is 20 years her senior. Morgan finds herself smitten by Ben and in a short time, the both have strong feelings for each other. When Ben is involved in a fake smear campaign, Morgan needs to learn more about the truths. She does turn to her mother for advice.

Ardith and Josh have opened their relationship to the public, with both not caring what people thought. Josh may be 20 years younger, but he treated her like a queen, and she helped him look for a good manuscript to help him start his career. They were so great together.

Upside Down was different kind of unconventional romance storyline, with mother and daughter having love interests opposite love interests. Ardith will go out of her way to show Morgan to go with her feelings, and live for the future; which will bring mother and daughter putting aside differences in the past, moving forward. Upside Down was very well written by Daniele Steel, and it was a fun enjoyable read, especially with each finding love in different directions.

Upside Down, the latest novel by Danielle Steel, is a story about the struggles between mothers and daughters, overcoming challenges, and defining what love means.

Ardith Law, an award winning, old guard Hollywood actress is sixty-two and has struggled to find a meaningful script. She spends her time enjoying life with long-time companion and actor, William West. Her estranged daughter, Morgan, is a successful plastic surgeon living and working in New York City.
Morgan blames all her problems on her mother.

Law is met with tragedy and leans on John Gray, an assistant provider to her by the studio as part of West’s contract. They quickly (and I mean quickly) fall in love, despite their 20-year age difference.

Morgan isn’t too thrilled by her mother’s decision. Ironically, it is Morgan who begins to date a well-known TV journalist, Ben Ryan, who could easily be her father. Ryan is known as a womanizer and his actions create a scandal causing Morgan to rely on her mom for guidance and counsel. The two women comes to terms with each other and their choices.

Upside Down will be a fun weekend read to escape the craziness of the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC.

Although not my favorite Danielle Steel novel, she does make this a quick, familiar read, while always providing some current topics to think about. Ageism and the me too movement, plus May/December love relationships. The hardest part of reading this novel is the disfunction of the relationship between Mother and Daughter. A happy ending is satisfying!

Ardith Law, 62, is at the Oscars waiting to see who will win as she has won several awards herself. She is a well-known actress and a perfectionist looking for the perfect roles she wants to star in. Her husband died many years ago in a helicopter crash along with his girl friend.

Ardith’s one daughter, Morgan, 38, is a successful plastic surgeon in New York. Their relationship is cool as Morgan always felt alone when her mother was off shooting movies.

Ardith lived for years with her companion, William West, a man much older than her. When he was shooting a film in England, he died in his sleep. Now, Ardith is giving him a beautiful Hollywood funeral. Bill’s film company has sent an assistant to be with Ardith for 6 weeks to help her through this difficult time. The assistant turns out to be a man named Josh Gray and he’s only 41. He is a Juilliard trained person who wants only to act. At first, their time together is difficult as he assumes Ardith is the typical spoiled actress, but he soon learns that is not the case.

The book centers around the relationship between Ardith and Josh and Morgan and Ben, an older man she has met and is top in his field of newscasting. We see how the younger/older relationships can work in life. It’s also good to see how Ardith and Morgan learn to accept one another and firm up their relationship. As always, Danielle Steel has penned a wonderful novel of tension, forgiveness, and true love. Don’t miss this one and enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Upside Down by Danielle Steel is a perfect read for the beginning of the new year. It’s gentle romance sweeps away the dust of other books and all things annoying that have happened recently. It is two love stories, two May/December romances. A mother and a daughter. There are trials and tribulations, of course but there is much joy, as well. Ardith Law is a movie star, maybe not the biggest, but amongst the top stars. She is attending the Oscar awards ceremony with William West, her companion for the past twelve years. It was not a passionate romance, but a comfortable one, one she enjoyed. He was to leave in a couple of days to make a movie being shot in England. He was not as big a star as she was but he was well-known and well-respected with an impressive backlog of films to his name. She was both looking forward and not to the months without him. He had made a deal with the studio to provide her with an assistant during his absence. The assistant arrived bearded and frightening on a very large Harley. Ardith had pushed the panic button and the police came. It was an embarrassing error. Meanwhile, in New York, her daughter, Morgan, who was a plastic surgeon was with a patient, one who normally saw her partner, for a check on a gash in his chin. He was a famous newscaster and had run into some trouble in India several months earlier. The future was bright.

Steel writes the same kind of books every time. She is good at it. They are perfect reads. Especially if following something difficult or unpleasant. It is mostly third person narration, with some breaks into conversations. She draws a complete character; it is one of her strengths. She tells a good story of unanticipated love. There is love-making, but it is not graphic. She uses interesting characters and puts them into unexpected situations. It is no wonder she is such a well-known author and has best seller after best seller.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Upside Down by Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #DanielleSteel #UpsideDown

Great story about a mother/daughter relationship that needs to be repaired.

When Morgan’s boyfriend is being blackmailed she turns to her mom for advice. The mom that she barely talks to as their relationship has always been strained. Can these two women repair their relationship and learn how much they need one another?

Upside Down by Danielle Steel is about two couples where there is a large age difference. While I found the story to be easy to read, the storyline is predictable. The same details are repeated throughout the book (how many times do we need to be told about the age difference between the two couples, that Morgan resents her Mother, the unfaithful first husband, Josh’s loud motorcycle). The characters are cliched and lack development. I was not a fan of Ardith’s daughter, Morgan, or her older boyfriend, Ben. The pacing is mixed. I have read all of Danielle Steel’s books (I have been reading them since I was twelve), but this one is my least favorite. Upside Down is a story that does not require exerting many brain cells to get through it.

This book just left me feeling flat.

Ardith Law, two-time Oscar winner is 62 years old and a legendary Hollywood icon. When her boyfriend/actor Bill, who she's been with the last 12 years suddenly dies of a heart attack while on location, she's lost. She lost her husband, a famous director/producer when he died in a helicopter crash almost 30 years ago, leaving her as a single mom. But the worst part was he died with his young mistress in the crash causing a big scandal. When Bill went on location, the studio sent her an assistant to help her out with daily things. She turns out to be an out-of-work actor, and a man.

Their daughter, Morgan, was basically forgotten at just 7 years old while her mom worked away from home. She's now a successful plastic surgeon who has no time for a relationship with her regretful mom.

Josh, Ardith's new assistant takes over while she plans Bill's funeral. Meanwhile, Morgan starts to date a famous newscaster, 25 years older than her who's known to play around. His playing days catches up with him and she doesn't know what to trust.

Will she finally let go of her anger and confide in her mom?

Ardith Law an older well loved Hollywood star is the main character in this book. She was married to a big Hollywood movie producer and she had one child a daughter. The producer died in an accident with his girlfriend and Ardith chose not to remarry. Ardith had another significant other that she lived with but never married. He also died in his sleep while filming a film in England. His studio had given an assistant to help Ardith will he was gone. The two Morgan and Ardith fell in love with new men. Ardith fell in love with her assistant who was 21 years younger and Morgan fell in love with a news person over 20 years older. Interesting book.