This was plain boring. I know I’m being too harsh, but I couldn’t get hooked. I thought this was supposed to be like a Gossip Girl kind of book but set in LA, but the main characters were old, so I don’t know who the intended audience is.

I love books that are filled with secrets,lies and betrayal - all in a Hollywood setting! This book is jam-packed with drama and intrigue. It is an excellent start to a terrific, highly addictive series!

The Marshall family have it all, and they have worked hard to get it as well. When the patriarch of the family, Harrison is in a life threatening car accident, the family has to rally together. When someone calling themselves ,'The Fixer' enters the picture, letting them know they will be running all of the Marshall family businesses, it sets the whole family on edge. The Marshall Family includes: Mariella, the matriarch; Luc, the oldest child; Rafe, the middle child; and Elana, the youngest and the only girl. Also there is Gabe, who is Mariella's nephew, but have lived with the Marshall's most of his life. Will the family be able to come together to keep the family businesses alive, or will they succumb to 'The Fixer' whomever he or she may be.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin for the opportunity to read and review this book. 

Once I finished this Episode, I had to find out what was going to happen next, so I ended up buying the entire series. I will do a review for the first 4 episodes here. 

Episode 1 starts with Harrison's car accident and Elana in bed with a man who is not her fiance, Thom. Once the whole family is gathered at the hospital, they learn about 'The Fixer'. But no one has any idea who it could be. 

In Episode 2 we learn more about each member of the Marshall family. Decisions need to be made about whether or not to go through with Elana's wedding, but Elana doesn't want to get married with her father in the hospital. 

In Episode 3, Thom finds out who 'The Fixer' is, but has a very important decision to make about whether to let the family know or to work with 'The Fixer'. Thom has secrets of his own and if he doesn't comply, they could be exposed. 

In Episode 4, we find out who 'The Fixer' is. Rumors are that Harrison is out of his coma and Thom and Elana throw their engagement party. 

I can't wait to find out what is going to happen next. Will Harrison wake up? Will Thom take the offer 'The Fixer' has offered? Will Elana and Thom get married? Will Luc and Gabe continue their long standing rivalry?

A good start to a series, but a really long series to go.  The patriarch of the family is severely injured in a car accident   As his family, gathers together, dynamics between the siblings heat up as tensions from years past rear their heads.  Their mom is a strong women who is prepared to take over the family business while her husband recuperates, but is stunned to find out her husband is involved in another side business, leaving her with no control over the company.  The book leaves us thinking that the accident may not be an accident at all.  I'll give the series a look with book two as the plot is intriguing and the characters in the family are interesting.  But 12 books int he series may be just too many.  We will see....

César Ritz, slide aside. Conrad Hilton, pay homage. John Drake, take heed and recognize. Isadore Sharp and Murray Koffler, study and learn. Potter Palmer, bow down. And John Jacob Astor, take many seats.

The Patriarch.

For never has the world-class hospitality industry known a groundbreaking baron quite like the one named Harrison Marshall of Marshall International, a billionaire hotelier, chef, restauranteur, winemaker, and gourmet foods manufacturer—not to mention television network head, nightclub owner, cocktail bar owner and consumer of souls.

Head of the almighty and all-powerful Marshall clan, the shamelessly rich and wealthy Harrison has been hospitalized in critical condition following a near fatal accident on California's Pacific Coast Highway. Not wearing a seat belt, the influential entrepreneur was thrown from his exclusive Bugatti after the lavish speedster hit a guard rail while traveling at a significantly lofty momentum. And as a result of the collision, Harrison Marshall sustained extensive injuries to his opulent person, including major head trauma, broken bones, a broken leg, and hand damage among a number of other minor disfigurements.

 The prognosis is grave, and the celebrated Harrison Marshall's chances of survival are slim to none. So, with such being the misfortunate circumstance, there is only one thing left for the good-looking and prosperous proprietor to do: fall head-over-heels into the unconscious embrace of a coma.

I Will Now Interlude.

On the sheets of this minted serial drama, Joss Wood works up a wet sweat channeling the preeminent Jackie Collins in the vein of the rich, the famous, the surgically beautified, and the scandalously vile who scheme, cheat, lie, and copulate their way onto the most debaucherous and sumptuously displayed playgrounds of California's ultra elite. 

In Joss Wood's literature, however, the excessively abundant among those of the "Jackie like" is the internationally feared and way too revered Santiago-Marshall clan, a centuries-old lineage of king makers and king breakers who share a keen interest in maintaining the worldly status quo.

I Will Now Resume.

The Matriarch.

Mariella Santiago-Marshall, this transient tale's Leona Helmsley—blended with just a touch of old era Bianca Jagger—is a proud heiress of the Don Juan Santiago dynasty of California. A control freak of epic proportions, and a hater of independent people who have no need of her, Harrison Marshall's wife of over thirty years is the CEO of MSM Event Planning, the catering division of her husband's hospitality empire. Mariella, enviable beyond compare (in the opinion of those who envy her), sits as queen on the throne of a two-clan ancestry—one by blood, and the other by marriage.

The undisputed empress of the sprawling Casa de Catalina, otherwise known as "Casa Cat," Mariella's God is her combined bloodline and money. And it is in the names of Santiago and Marshall that she puts her unwavering trust.

The Firstborn Child.

Dr. Luc Marshall is a Mercedes-AMG-driving plastic surgeon (specialized in breast and buttock enhancement), and the arrogant eldest child of Harrison and Mariella. The significant other of one Rachel Franklin—the nipped, tucked, unloved and needy daughter of California Congressman Nicholas Franklin—Dr. Luc is the spit of his luxe environment, and an idolator of his Earthly father.

The Secondborn Child.

Rafe Marshall is the incredibly intelligent, albeit less ambitious and homosexual, middle child of Harrison and Mariella. Rebuked by his father but fervently cherished by his mother, the wayward Rafe serves as a figurehead consultant on renovations and designs for the Marshall International hotels and restaurant chains.

The Lastborn Child.

Elana Marshall is the coitus-starved youngest child of Harrison and Mariella. Getting by on her looks, her renowned name, and her witty charm, the pitifully unmotivated Elana serves as a figurehead party planner for MSM Event Planning, an important position that requires a tremendous level of talent and responsibility—both of which Her Highness lacks. Good God, dahhhling, what would she do without Gabe?

The Cousin.

Gabriel "Gabe" Santiago is Mariella's beloved nephew and loyal first cousin to Luc, Rafe, and Elana. But despite having two—count 'em, two—degrees in business, even still, the smart and hardworking Gabe Santiago is reduced to both doubling as Elana's babysitter in MSM's Event Planning division and basking, humiliatingly, in the more exalted shadows of his three extended family members, spoiled as the trio of heathen are.

The Ship's Anchor.

 Joe Reynolds is Harrison Marshall's Aston Martin-driving confidant, business partner, and oldest, dearest friend. Considered by Mariella to be the 'rock and strong rope that connects her and Harrison to the ground,' the impious Joe Reynolds also wears—in addition to his George Hamilton tan—the coddling hat of Marshall family advisor.

The Fixer.

Whomever this mystery man may be, his well-paying job is to make sure that every disgusting opprobrium the unforthcoming Harrison Marshall evacuates from his outrageously privileged entrails gets flushed immediately. 

In this, Episode 1 of Secrets of the A-List, Joss Wood cooly introduces her silk-stocking cast in a punch 'em-stomp 'em-bang 'em flair that is certain to remind readers of the timeless storylines glamorously scribed by the one and only Queen of the Hollywood Bonkbuster herself, the late, great Jackie Collins.

Joined by an equally haughty bundle of supporting players, including Jerrod Jones, the Hollywood director upon whose mind-blowing erotica Elana finds herself dependent; Finola Jones, Jerrod's gorgeous, tremendously talented, and Oscar-winning wife; Thom, Elana's sexy, rich, and cocoa-skinned fiancé; and Nora, a wealthy mystery woman living in Paris with questionable ties to the mighty Harrison Marshall, the top-billed troupe puts forth every given effort to shine in their debut performances. And for the most part, they don't disappoint.

Indeed, the orgasmic fluid seeping out from the loins of this scurrilous and nauseating 62-page quickie emits a musky potpourri of deception, pride, ego, arrogance, false idolatry, lust, vindictiveness, and avariciousness. I genuinely enjoyed the time I spent cuddled up with this cavorted plot. And if you fancy a ritzy mystery thriller jet set with the filthy rich who double dare comeuppance to interfere with their pompous paths in life, then you most certainly will also.

Five Champagne-wishing and Black Beluga caviar-dreaming stars.


 • It is my kindly pleasure to thank Harlequin Special Releases, as well as NetGalley, for the advanced review copy (ARC) of Secrets of the A-List (Episode 1 of 12) in exchange for my honest review.

 Analysis of Secrets of the A-List (Episode 1 of 12) is courtesy of Reviews by Cat Ellington: https://catellingtonblog.wordpress.com

Date of Review: Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Secrets, lies and betrayal in a Hollywood setting! This book is packed with drama and intrigue--a terrific series, addictive!

Interesting and well written. I personally don't care for installments

Wow, way to leave the reader hanging on the edge of their seat!!! I had no clue what I was getting myself into when I first started this book, now I'm thrilled that I picked it up. I can't wait to read the second book! 

Harrison Marshall successful chef, hotelier, billionaire, was in a terrible car accident, driving to fast in his new sports car without wearing a seatbelt on the highway. His wife of 30 years, Mariella, and their 2 boys, Luc and Rafe, are there with their Mom. The only ones missing is their rebel of a sister, Elana and cousin Gabe.

Luc is the oldest, he's a plastic surgeon who never needed to rely on his parents wealth after college. Rafe is the middle brother, he's very artistic, he works for the Marshall hotels, restaurants, catering, etc. He has a natural flair of seeing something and immediately envisioning the end piece in seconds. Elena is engaged to her best friend, but she's sleeping with a married man. She claims to work at the Marshall party planning business, but she shows up late and does nothing. Their cousin, Gabe, who Mariella and Marshall took into their home when he was only 10 years old, because he was being neglected by his drug user mom. Marcella raised him as a fourth child, Elana looked up to him. But the boys resented him. He always had both of their parent's ears when it came to business decisions, and the boys didn't like that. Rafe and his Dad somehow weren't able to mesh after Rafe came out of the closet. Harrison supported his choice, but they just weren't as close. Mariella relished her relationship with Rafe, which left Luc on the sidelines. 

With Harrison in a coma, Mariella needs someone to help her run the companies, make decisions while her husband is in a coma. The only person capable of doing so is Gabe, which has all 3 siblings fighting over that decision. Claiming that he's not even part of the Marshall family, but he is the only one who knows the businesses other than Harrison or Mariella. 

But that becomes irrelevant when Harrison's best friend, Joe, tells the family who's REALLY in charge of ALL the decision making, while Harrison is unresponsive; shocked doesn't cover how they feel. Especially after Joe describes what the man does for a living, and how he scares the hell out of him.

An amazing read!!

The first in a series of twelve episodes, we're opened with a scene from a tragic accident.  While nothing is settled in this issue, we do see the family dynamics involved.  We (and the family) get a couple of surprises, along with all the drama that ensues when large quantities of money are involved.  I am looking forward to the other eleven issues.  It had me drawn into the story from the first page.  The writer has an easy prose without having to go back and reread paragraphs trying to understand the intended meaning.  Looking forward to more!

This is the first episode/novella in a series of 12. First of all, there is a mysterious fixer introduced at the very beginning. Story involves an extremely wealthy family: dad is a hospitality/hotel mogul, mom comes from an important California family, oldest son is a doctor, youngest son hasn't settled on a career, and the daughter is engaged but fooling around on her fiance. When the dad is left comatose from a terrible car accident, the family gathers at the hospital. But they aren't all happy, and there is a lot of tension between them. What they find out at the end of this episode is mind-boggling to them. Time for the next episode.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  I must say for a short book, this uses way too many words.  It is overly descriptive and could be even shorter.  The “Fixer” is a person that I don’t understand.  The family is a mixed up mess of rich, entitled people who need to figure themselves out! If the father didn’t get himself into an accident, I don’t think they would even be in the same place at the same time!  I just couldn’t get into the story and identify with any of the characters.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but I really liked it . And it definitely left me wanting to continue reading these episodes to figure out exactly what is going on and get to know the characters in more detail. The characters and their dynamic was all very intriguing . Great first read by this author !

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
The first episode in this 12-part series introduces to the main characters in the Marshall family. Harrison, the patriarch, has had a car accident and is in a coma. His wife and matriarch Mariella is trying to keep it together as her husband, the man she loves, is fighting for his life.

Their sons, Luc and Rafe, who are very different and don't get along well and as tensions run high they end up fighting. No one can get in touch with their sister Elana, who is busy with her lover. Gabe, their cousin, seems to be the only reasonable one even while he is being treated as an outcast by his cousins.

In the background we have The Fixer. The Marshalls will soon learn that Daddy had a side business they know nothing about. What that means for the family we don't yet know.

The first instalment of this series is fast paced, highly entertaining, and full of family and relationship drama. I am eager to read the next instalment to find out where they go from here. I can already tell I'm going to love this series. I'm very happy we only have to wait a week for episode 2. Bring it on.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first of a dozen installments in the story – which will be passed around for different authors to complete, which I think sounds like a fascinating idea.

I have recently read a couple of slow release books, and much to my surprise found that there is something rather magical about repeatedly getting short bursts of information about an unfolding drama. I guess that should not be a surprise, given that Dickens, Thackeray, and many classic novelists shared their stories that way... but in this world of instant gratification, and even binge watching of TV shows, it provides a novel form of entertainment – and I would recommend that you give it a try at the very least.

We are given some heavy clues as to the nature of the family members of the seriously injured Harrison, and some of his associates, either private or business... Paris anyone? But there is something strange afoot, and we can only wait till the next installment to find out just what it may be!

Fun concept which gets off to a good start!

I look forward to reading more in this 12 installment book, when a car crash leaves Marshall Harrison in a coma it also brings out every secret he has.  Great story that shows everyone has a secret.

"The Fixer had no doubt that the Marshalls would rally together and face this challenge as a united front, but there was a strong possibility that the secretive nature of what they did would be revealed. No problem was unsolvable, however, as they proved over the years."..........

Harrison Marshall has been in a horrible accident. Harrison isn't just anyone, he's famous and rich, and hiding a few secrets. Seems his wife and three children, and nephew, have their own little secrets.

Enter "The Fixer." What exactly can he fix for this family? What will come to light with Harrison's life hanging by a thread? Can "The Fixer" keep them safe? Safe from their own mistakes, lies, and self made drama. Will Harrison live or die? Tune in to this episode to find out.

Just when you start getting into the secrets, and who the fixer might be, the story comes to an end. Gasp! 

This is "episode 1" in a 12 episode series. See what happens next in the lives of the people on the "A" list. 

Thank you Joss Wood, Netgalley, and Harlequin Books

3.5 stars 

First off, I had no idea when I began reading this book, how short it was. I didn't figure out that it had 11 more episodes" as they call it, until I was done and wondering "what the heck". So now you know, this series is a total of 12 episodes. Each episode is written by a different author.

So this episode is focus on the Marshall family. The head of the family, Harrison Marshall, has been in a serious accident and is at the hospital when story begins. Harrison is dealing with life threatening injuries and the family is freaking out.

Due to Harrison's accident, we start to discover that he was involved in more than everyone thought. So when Harrison is transferred to a private hospital, and no one from the family authorized this transfer, things really heat up. They come to find out that a person going by the name "The Fixer"is who transferred him. Who is this Fixer and how are they involved with Marshall?

As far as the story itself, its a lot of information for a small book. You might understand it all and piece it together, but just when you think you know, the book ends. You almost feel cheated. I know I did. So if you like all the Hollywood drama of the rich, then this series will be your thing.

I received a free ARC in exchange for a honest review via NetGalley and the author. 
This book introduces us to the Marshall family. A an affluent and private family. When The head of the family, Harrison Marshall ends up in a coma in the hospital we're introduced briefly to his family members and some trusted employees. It was a quick read but a lot of information. I would compare this to one episode in a soap opera. The author gave just enough to have you wanting to know more. 
This is the first book in what I'm assuming 12 books. This was episode one. I've never read a book titled as an episode. I really enjoyed the book. The 'Episode' was short yet satisfying. I am looking forward to reading the following episodes. There are so many secrets I feel that need to be uncovered and I have a feeling there will be lots of twists and turns.

Intriguing! Like the Dallas soap opera, a powerful family with secrets and whose members have rivalry and competition between each other. The family owns an empire that started in the catering business, then branched out into hotels, restaurants, etc. The patriarch, Harrison Marshall, came from poverty and worked relentlessly to make a name for himself. He married into the Santiago family, whose pedigree dates back to when Los Angeles belonged to Spain. Part of the reason he worked so hard was to prove himself to his wife’s family. His wife Marissa, a force herself, has been his partner and collaborator during the thirty years they have been married. They have three children: Luc, a plastic surgeon, Rafe, an interior designer, and Elana, who “works” at the family corporation, but her attendance is just enough to justify her salary. Marissa’s nephew, Caleb, was taken to live with them as a child, because his mother was a drug addict, and he is loved by Hamilton and Marissa as if he was their own. The siblings, however, make sure to differentiate him as apart from the main family.

This is not a book, but the first of a series of twelve novellas. In this book, Harrison suffers a very serious car accident and his prognosis is uncertain. His wife, children, nephew and best friend rush to his side. Then there’s a mysterious character, named “The Fixer”, who has controls over Harrison’s life and his fortune. No one in the family had ever seen him nor heard of him, yet they are about to find out how much control The Fixer has, the hard way.
No romance plot seen at the time, but it seems like a very interesting read. Ends in a cliffie, BTW, so desperation for the next chapter rapidly ensued.

I was a bit confused.
I hadn't quite caught on this is a serial of books, I saw 12 parts and thought it was 12 different stories in the series but it's not so beware for those who like reading a complete story in one go.
This is well written. It's about a family and it is unique as it deals with so many people, a bit like a TV show.
I did get a bit confused at the start, it talks about 'The fixer'.
There is family dynamic or non dynamic as is the case with some family members and a bit of mystery.