EXCERPT: He accepted his coffee from Nurse Greta with his million dollar smile and a wink that ensured that the same scene would play out again tomorrow morning. It was Groundhog Day in here. Same walls, same people, same shit for weeks now. The expensive carpets, manicured gardens, the top-class therapists, and the prime location on top of one of Malibu's most scenic clifftops didn't mask what this was - a collection of misfits and desperados who had everything but couldn't deal with reality without a pill or a swig from a bottle. And he was one of them. Again.

ABOUT 'THE RISE': (Previously published as 'TAKING HOLLYWOOD' by Shari King.

When we bury our secrets, they always come back to haunt us...Their rise was meteoric.

Only a few years before, they had been three friends from Glasgow, just trying to survive tough lives of danger and dysfunction.

But on one Hollywood evening in 1993, they were on the world’s biggest stage, accepting their Oscar in front of the watching world.

That night was the beginning of their careers. But it was also the end of their friendship.

Over the next twenty years, Mirren McLean would become one of the most powerful writers in the movie industry.
Zander Leith would break box-office records as cinema’s most in-demand action hero.

And Davie Johnson would rake in millions as producer of some of the biggest shows on TV.

For two decades they didn’t speak, driven apart by a horrific secret. Until now…

Their past is coming back to bite them, and they have to decide whether to run, hide, or fight. Because when you rise to the top, there’s always someone who wants to see you fall.

MY THOUGHTS: I wasn't sure that I was going to like The Rise, but I enjoy Shari Low's writing so decided to give it a try and I am so glad I did.

I'm not a fan of glitz and glamour and all the so-called benefits that accompany it, but The Rise is reminiscent of Jackie Collins' novels with the bonus of a decent mystery running through it, and I was kept entertained throughout. There are a lot of real-life people and locations thrown into the mix, which just made it all much more realistic.

Yes, there are sex scenes, but most are well done except for one that I thought gratuitous and unnecessary.

The Rise is definitely not a thriller, but if you want a fun read with drama, tragedy and romance, it fits the bill nicely.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

#TheRise #NetGalley

I: @sharilowbooks @therossking @bookandtonic

T: @ShariLow @TheRossKing @BoldwoodBooks

#contemporaryfiction #domesticdram #familydrama #friendship #mystery

THE AUTHORS: When a budding radio DJ and actor met a young nightclub manager in Glasgow in the late 1980s, little did they know that over thirty years and thousands of miles later, they would still be friends.

Shari Low - In real life, once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and twenty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with her husband and a labradoodle. Her two teenagers have now left home, so she spends an inordinate amount of time on video calls checking if they're eating well and keeping up to date with their laundry.

Ross King - Los Angeles based Ross King, MBE, is an award winning TV and radio host, actor, producer, writer, voice-over artist and performer.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Rise by Shari Low and Ross King for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Loving Shari Low's books I was so looking forward to reading this book. She has teamed up with Ross King for this book, and, oh my god, it's such a page turner! A book that reminded me of the blockbusters from Jackie Collins back in the day. It has all the ingredients to make it an addictive read.
We are introduced to Marrin, Zander and Davie, all living close to each other in Glasgow. They are all close friends as teens which grows even closer due to a secret they share. Marrin's novel helps them all out of Glasgow. They all come into their own after it's turned into an award winning film.

We see them all moving in the same social circles but having fell out they never speak to each other. What caused the fall out? Well, someone knows and they have to make a decision about how to deal with it, before someone deals with it for them.

Told from all three of the friends perspectives with the story moving from 2013, 20 years ago and back to the present. As the reason for their fractured friendship is slowly revealed. We get to see the glitz and glam of the star studded lifestyles of Marrin, Davie and Zander as we get to know them all. I always love a story where you get multiple perspectives of the characters. It does mean you get the whole story and not only one part of it.

The characters were all so skilfully created, multi layered with plenty of depth and individuality. They were so intriguing, I wanted to find out everything about them and what had caused their fall out.

This is such an addictive,twisty and gripping read that I was hooked from the first paragraph right until the fabulous ending! Such a great paced book that doesn't allow you to not be entertained for every second you read it.

I am so looking forward to reading the other books that are going to come next in this series. I adored The Rise and definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a book that's pure entertainment form start to finish.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books.

The atmosphere of this book really takes me back. I'm sure I'm dating myself here, but I remember gobbling up every Jackie Collins book I could get my hands on. I'd watch the bookstores, waiting impatiently for the next Collins book to come out. In fact, I'm pretty sure I still have my battered and much-read paperbacks of Chances, Hollywood Wives, Hollywood Husbands, etc. Then, here comes The Rise, and I absolutely had to read it. From the fabulous cover to the characters to the excess of Hollywood, this book is a story I won't soon forget. It's not really a thriller in the sense that you'd expect. Instead, it's a fast-paced and exciting story - the kind that keeps you hanging on and turning pages till the very end. There are a fair amount of characters introduced early on, but as the story takes off, it's not hard to keep them sorted. Rather than give away the book's secrets, I'll just say that if you like soap opera-ish drama and the glam of Hollywood, The Rise is one you won't want to miss. Oh, and I have to throw in that I love the chapter titles!

When childhood friends make it out of the tough streets of Glasgow to the red carpet of LA's Oscars, instead of rejoicing in their sucess the friendship that brought them here instantly dissolves.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I found The Rise to be a powerful cautionary tale which shows that getting what you always wanted doesn't guarantee happiness. Trading in their terraced houses for LA mansions and a luxurious lifestyle, the three battle with constantly being in the spotlight and discover that it's a risky place to be. Especially when they have secrets lurking in the shadows.

I was gripped from the start, eager to know the secret that divided these three friends. The setting is spectacular, and having briefly visited LA several years ago, I was instantly transported back there. The Rise deals with some really tough topics in a sensitive and realistic manor and whilst there were some heart-breaking moments, overall, I found it to be an uplifting and inspiring tale of resilience and friendship.

This was a step away from my usual genre and its more of a glitzy romance thriller than a dark domestic noir type but I did thoroughly enjoy it. The characters are interesting and well-written and although it's abut of a slow burn, it does get under your skin so you have to see it through. I loved the contrast between the two timeliness and settings and its always nice to read books set in Scotland so that was a nice wee surprise for me

I love books written by Shari low and I’ve been privileged enough to be chosen to read a ARC book. I wasn’t disappointed with this book, again Shari has written a book that I could not put down. The characters and the story were brilliant.

Books like The Rise, popular in the 1970s and 1980s, are enjoying a resurgence, and this one, with its echoes of Jackie Collins' blockbuster novels, LA glamour and sleaze and vibrant characters, is an addictive read.

The insider knowledge of life in LA and the in-depth characterisations make this an engaging read. The flashbacks to the main protagonists' roots in Glasgow add authenticity and grit to the present-day story of glamour and glitz. An intriguing mystery at the heart of this story keeps you turning the pages. I love the cleverly crafted characters, the twisty plot full of emotion and poignancy and the vividly depicted settings.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I’ve recently read a few of Shari Low’s books and loved them so when I saw her latest release was a romantic thriller I was excited to be offered a spot on the blog tour.

The story goes back and forth from 2013 to 20 years as we slowly discover the secret which has caused Davie, Zander and Mirren who were once inseparable to end their friendship.

This isn’t a short read at almost 500 pages and it is a slow burn but there is enough going on to keep you engaged and wanting to keep reading.

I loved that each chapter was named with a song title 😍

If you like a good romantic thriller I recommend giving this a read.

Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and the publisher for having me tour and for my gifted ebook.

✰✰✰✰.5
This fictional drama didn’t read like a thriller (at least not the thrillers I’m used to) but I loved it! And…what a cover!

The main story centers around three friends that grew up together and came to LA to make it big. And they did…together. They are all household names but leaving Glasgow wasn’t entirely voluntary and the big secret they share tears their friendship apart.

BOOK QUOTE: “Whisky. Makes the world seem like a better place when it’s all gone to crap.”

As the story progresses, we get a glance into the life of each and the cost of their fame and fortune.

There are a lot of real-life people and places thrown in which adds to this fun read. It’s not all tragedy but it isn’t a happily-ever-after tale, either. It’s the perfect combination of glitz, glamor, money, and sex. This book was a terrific break from my usual read!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and the authors for this complimentary ebook provided through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#therise #boldwoodbooks #sharilow #rossking #booktour #blogtour #honestreview #fameandfortune #addiction #wealth #secrets #thrillerdrama #fictionthriller #bookreviewer #crimeandcocktailsbookcrew #mysteryandthrills #readwithme #bookaddict #thrilleraddict #thrillersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #lovebooks #bookreviewersofinstagram #lovetoreadbooks

The Rise by Shari Low and Ross King.
Only a few years before, they had been three friends from Glasgow, just trying to survive tough lives of danger and dysfunction.
But on one Hollywood evening in 1993, they were on the world’s biggest stage, accepting their Oscar in front of the watching world.
That night was the beginning of their careers. But it was also the end of their friendship.
A good read with good characters. Well developed. Good that it wasn't one sided.
4*.

The Rise alternates between three decades, following three characters in the 80s and 90s when they are teens/young adults living on the same street in Glasgow, and in 2013 when they are each living very separate lives in LA. Mirren, Davie and Zander grew up in Glasgow with their mothers in a rougher council housing area, we learn about their teen and young adult years slowly through flashbacks and chapters set in the 80s which are interspersed throughout the novel. The majority of the story takes place in 2013 though. Mirren's 18 year old daughter Chloe is dealing drug addiction, her 17 year old son is on tour with his boy band, and her husband is cheating on her with a 25 year old, but she's not the only one whose life is suddenly getting out of control. Davie's wife has been sleeping with her female cohost and Davie has been sleeping with the adult main character on the TV show his young children star in, his career as a host and producer of reality tv is going very well until it isn't and then he quickly finds himself fighting to save his career and marriage! Zander is going through yet another rehab stint in hopes that he can get his life back on track and be able to continue starring in movies, but addiction is not so easily recovered from. All three celebs are suddenly brought back to their ominous past once a Scottish reporter starts to ask questions about a decades old secret that links these three former best friends with the disappearance of Zander's father. The timing is awful for all of them, but the impact that could come from uncovering this secret could be life changing.

Split into about 80 short chapters, this book is a pretty fast-paced read that you will not want to put down! Whenever I hear the word thriller, I worry about potentially keeping myself up at night with fear, fear is definitely not what will keep you up with this book, but this page turner is one you might just stay up reading! Though murder, rape, overdose and scandals are major parts of this novel, it is definitely not too scary for the average reader. There is a fair amount of sex in the story, but it is not overly graphic either, just enough to draw you in without being afraid to read it in a public place! I'll admit that I didn't fully understand the title, but I think that it is referencing the rise to fame? Either way, it is a captivating story that will hold your interest and leave you with just enough closure at the end. I have read a few Low books, and she does a fabulous job creating memorable characters who are interconnected in both predictable and unexpected ways. The Rise definitely fits that description well and despite having three main characters and several supporting characters, the story is still fairly easy to follow.

Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Xpresso Book Tours for giving me the chance to read and review this book! It is coming out September 13, so go grab a copy!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This book was unputdownable and I was hooked from the beginning.

The story is narrated by three individuals in different timelines, and is their own viewpoints and gave you the story in full instead of just one side.

It begins with the characters, giving their background and the plot begins with a lot of twists, and a great ending. I felt the characters were well developed.

I recommend this book.

This was immense!

At first I couldn’t get into it. The first couple of chapters were a bit confusing with too many characters. Once I got into it, this was fantastic and I could not put it down!

Brilliant characters - I loved the development and journey they went on. This book was filled with values, morals, dilemmas and heartbreak. We saw the decisions they had to make and how events affected everyone differently.

The ending was so good, the reveals just kept on coming! Despite the very specific events, it was not confusing and was laid out brilliantly.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Boldwood Books and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Loved the story and characters. It was an interesting read from the beginning.

This was a different read from Shari Low’s other books; it was much darker and grittier but still had her fun writing style. I don’t know anything about the other author to be able to comment on his contribution.
I found the beginning very hard to get into, it was littered with celebrity name drops, and the dialogue was interspersed with mentions of big-name brands. It was hard to navigate the story through all the ad placements, and if you didn’t know your celebrities, it would be an even more challenging read as it would have just been a mass of random names coming at you through the pages. This did calm down a bit as the story started to develop. I assume it was in overload at the beginning to show how high up our three protagonists had climbed.
The story itself had moments of brilliance, and I was gripped. However, a few times, I found myself bored and wondered how the chapter I was reading was necessary and related to the story as a whole.
We follow three ex-friends. Zander a handsome top of his game actor with a severe addiction problem. He is trying to overcome demons from his past by blotting out most of his present. There is Mirren, a successful screenwriter with what looks on the surface to be a perfect family; however, as her life starts to unravel, she realises what she has lost and what is more important to her in the world. Finally, there is Davie, a mogul in the showbiz world with a finger in most pies and on top of the world, until he isn’t and he realises he has nothing but himself and just material things to show for his success. Their chapters alternate, so we get to see everything from each perspective. The story is also interspersed with the point of view of a tabloid reporter, Sarah and events from the past. Everything is starting to close in on the three success stories.
The ending was really good; everything that had been building up throughout the book comes to a head. We get answers to all the questions and a perfectly lovely ending. It wasn’t the grittiest book I’ve ever read, but as I said, it was compared to other books by Shari Low. There wasn’t her usual wackiness, it was a lot more serious, but her writing style flows easily once we are established in the story.
Overall, a good read and certainly something different. A solid four-stars.

I absolutely loved this creative and well written book! Mirren, Zander and Davie had demons that had been following them forever, some from their past in Glasgow and others that were more recent. The glitz and glamour of Hollywood allowed them to achieve a level of success they could have never imagined. A chance encounter twenty years ago with a generous benefactor resulted in a new life for all of them, but what secrets did they leave behind as they were whisked away to America? Would fame and fortune turn them into people they didn’t even recognize?

I found “The Rise” to be compelling, entertaining and hard to put down. What a great idea to use song titles as chapter headings! I was hooked on the lives of the three friends and I desperately hung onto every word they spoke, every teary eyed confession they made, and every secret they kept well hidden. Success didn’t bring them peace and solitude and their lives were not their own. All of their movements were dissected by the press and their lives were a disaster. I suppose that is why I enjoyed this book so much. I was swept away into their fairytale, but troubled lives, while at the same time experiencing the magic of Hollywood and that to me, is the goal of a great and unforgettable story!!

The Rise
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 9/13/22
Author: Shari Low and Ross King
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Pages: 472
Goodreads Rating: 3.84

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: 3 friends from Glasgow, suddenly they were thrust on to the world’s biggest stage, accepting an Oscar in front of the watching world. Over the next twenty years, Mirren McLean a powerful writer. Zander Leith would break box-office records as cinema’s most in-demand action hero. And Davie Johnson would produce some of the biggest shows on TV. For two decades they didn’t speak, driven apart by a horrific secret. Their past is coming back to bite them, and they have to decide whether to run, hide, or fight. Because when you rise to the top, there’s always someone who wants to see you fall...

My Thoughts: This story reminded me exactly of a Jackie Collins novel! Hollywood scandal + previous friends + one horrific secret 20 years ago + a noisy journalist = an epic thrilling read. This was an addictive, gripping, twisty read that will draw you in on page 1, that will not end until the last page. This is a series, the first of The Hollywood Series. The story is narrated by our three MCs, in an alternating timeline, from their own POV. For me, I love the alternating POVs because you get the whole story and not just one side of the story. The story starts with the characters, their backstories, then the plot is delivered in many twists, so many that my neck hurts, then ends with an epic ending. The characters were well developed with depth, mystery, intriguing, and creatively done. The author’s writing style was complex, suspenseful, engaging, and brilliant. This is a longer story at almost 500 pages, but it will keep you focused and engaged throughout.

Just finished this book, it seemed to take me ages!! It’s very long and I’d say the first half is very slow and difficult to get to know or care about any of the characters. However it does get better and I enjoyed the second half. I felt like it was based on a Jackie Collins bonkbusters but not as good. Still enjoyable once you got into it, it just took a while to get there!
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy

The blurb for this novel about three teenagers from Glasgow, Davie, Zander and Mirren who make it big in Hollywood intrigued me. I loved Jackie Collins’ blockbusters back in the day.
I am sorry to say that I found this disappointing, and not in the same league.
The shallowness, bitchiness, backstabbing and soapyness of Hollywood is all there, along with the glamour, but unfortunately the three main characters failed to draw me in. I couldn’t engage with them and their stories, and the reasons why the they deliberately cut each other out of their lives after their huge Hollywood success so many years ago.
The first 40% of the book is incredibly slow, with a disjointed narrative from multiple POVs muddying the waters, along with the introduction of so many characters it made my head spin. The painfully slow gradual reveal of what took place in their joint past, became the focus for the novel. I found that I cared little for what happened, or may now happen to any of them, or their careers, as they are all equally unlikeable.
This book was not for me, but it will appeal to many people, so I would say ‘ Read it for yourself’
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book

A tale of friendship.

A story flooded with lies and deception.

It's not always fun at the top!

I loved this book.

Entertaining from start to finish.

We are shown the not so glamorous side of Hollywood life. The darker aspects of what comes with being famous.

Told from four points of view.

The three estranged friends and the reporter trying to bring their past into the present.

Scandalous is how I'd describe this story.

A great combination of mystery and drama, with an abundance of secrets, as the reader I felt like I was getting whiplash from the amount of twists and turns thrown in.

Fast-paced.

I really enjoyed the fact that each character had equal presence within the book, their backstories showing that in one way or another, that they were all tied to each other. Refreshing also to see that they were flawed/broken in some way.

Deliciously dramatic.

I was utterly seduced by the glitz and glamour of it all.

And also completely taken by the journey that each character was on, battling their own personal demons whilst trying to keep presenting that perfect image of life to their fans.

Money and fame don't automatically mean happiness.

Hope these two choose to write more stories together, I'll be waiting impatiently for them to be released.