I didn't notice it was the second book in the trilogy but there was a catch up page so I didn't feel as if I would be missing out on anything. This very glitzy, very glamorous and gritty read just kept me turning the pages. It's very different from my normal read but I found it very entertaining.

After the thrilling first book (The Rise), I was very excited to dive back into the world behind Hollywood stardom.

Three best friends, Mirren, Davie and Zander, who took Hollywood by storm 20 years ago are back at the academy awards. After all that happened, they are back to being friends and their future looks brighter than ever until the secret that they guard with their life is threatening to come back out.

And we are thrown back into the emotional rollercoaster that is the life of the Hollywood elite. In the public eye, while trying to keep parts of them hidden by all means necessary.

It's an intense story that grips you from the start to the last page and leaves you breathless. With so many twists and turns you can never know what happens next.

Highly recommend it!

I had no idea this was the second book in a series but a helpful recap is given in the beginning of the book so I didn't feel hopelessly lost. The book is about a trio of childhood friends who have all made it big in the entertainment industry. This is soapy, escapist fun, reminiscent of Jackie Collins in her heyday.

This is the 2nd book in a series of 3. Unfortunately for me I haven’t read the first book, it did give you a short recap but not enough for me to get immersed in the story!

The Catch
by Shari Low; Ross King

Pub Date 20 Feb 2023 | Archive Date 20 Feb 2023
Boldwood Books
You Like Them
General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers

Another pacy, glamorous suspense following the lives of the trio of protagonists who have now achieved fame and fortune. However, things are not as they appear, and it soon becomes clear that someone, somewhere is out to destroy them and carefully deconstruct their ivory towers. This is a worthy sequel to the first in the series, with a well-crafted cast of characters and a fast-paced storyline.I enjoy immersing myself in the worlds of Mirren, Zander, and Davie... Their lives progressed significantly. I, too, enjoyed the ending. It required a fantastic little twist, which the authors nailed.

Finally, it can be read as a standalone, but why not start with the first? I'm excited to see what the third instalment has in store.

The Catch Ross King/Shari Low


4 stars

This is the 2nd book in a trilogy and although I have not read the first book, there is a synopsis at the beginning that told me what had happened before and set the scene for this book.

The story revolves around three main characters, Mirren McLean, Davie Johnston and Zander Leith. All three had grown up together in Glasgow and had always been friends forming a united front against their dysfunctional parents. The first book describes the tragedy that had occurred and how Mirren, by writing the story, albeit with totally different characters, had made it big in Hollywood and made stars of her two friends.

The second book is 20 years on and gives us an amazing insight into the lives of the rich and famous, how corrupt everything is and how fame can be taken away in an instant. Someone is out to ruin all three of the main characters and the past comes back to haunt them.

In many ways the events that are described seem too far-fetched but both the authors are part of the scene that they are describing and obviously know all about the scandals that they describe. The references to real life people also added an element of authenticity to the story and I can well believe that a lot of the action is based on real life.

I will look out for the final book as I would really like to see how their lives continue. A great book to read if you like an insight into the rich and famous in the TV and film world.


Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net galley

This is the second book in the Hollywood trilogy, there is a reminder at the beginning of who the characters are, which is very helpful to new readers! Mirren, Zander and Davie pick up from "The Rise" in this installment. This is a total escape into the LA lifestyle, actors, writers, producers and films. It's an easy read, with excellent characterisation and well written chapters. It's a perfect escape from life! Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

The Catch is book two of a Hollywood trilogy. That being said, i don't feel as if I needed to have read the first to have gotten the gist of the story. People who will do anything to make it, etc etc etc.

This is mindless trash and that's totally fine. Sometimes, that's what you want and what you need. Not everything can be deep.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Salacious Hollywood drama that gives us a peek into the darker side of Hollywood, showing us just what people will really do for fame and money. This book is the second in the series, and follows the lives of three childhood friends as they experience the ups and downs that Hollywood brings them. Overall a guilty pleasure read that provides the perfect escape from real life!

thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! This book is out February 20th, 2023!

The second book from the writing duo Shari Low and Ross King, The Catch is a worthy follow on from the first book The Rise.

We meet the three stars of the first novel, Mirren, Davie and Zander and pick up from the end of The Rise following the death of Mirren’s daughter Chloe. This book focuses on a threat to all of the gang as they try and rebuild their lives after the tragedy more threat to them all follows.

Great writing combination which again sees a nail biting and rollercoaster of a read. The plot is well thought out and the characters are more interesting and developed from The Rise. Some real humour as well as the rock and roll life style portrayed by the characters.

Thoroughly recommend this and to read The Rise first to fully understand the characters.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

To get the very best from this book I suggest you read The Rise first - it is the series opener after all!
So, we start after the fallout from the shenanigans of what happened in the opener. Mirren, Davie and Zander have been reunited from their estrangement. But the secret they were so desperate to keep. A secret so bad that, well, the fallout from that exposure would be so so shocking that it doesn't bear thinking about. A secret that could very easily come out any day...
And then someone reenters their lives and threatens to do just that... threatening their very lives too...
Ok so if you haven't read the first book (shame on you, you're missing out) there is a recap at the beginning. Not as detailed as reading the book obviously but it serves well as a memory jogger - kinda like a "previously on..." at the start of a new series of a TV show. Thereafter we are once again thrown into the showbiz world our main characters inhabit and, as already mentioned, the secret. Having bonded well with the characters in The Rise, I was really fearing for them in this book, and rooting for them every step of the way. I got a bit emotionally involved at one point but that just shows the power of the characterisation of these authors.
The story is gripping and had my stomach in knots. I needed to know what was going to happen so much it was hard to tear myself away from the book. Luckily the authors don't subscribe to waffle or padding so it got on with itself very well.
At the end I was sad to have to say goodbye to them once again, hopefully book three is not long coming. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I really enjoyed this second story about Mirren, David, and Xander. Back in touch with each other, they think the worst is behind them, but someone is gunning for them, and determined to take them down.

I enjoyed getting deeper into their lives, and the background of flashy Hollywood behind the scenes.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!

Loved the second part of this series! It moves the story along! Love the side of Hollywood we don’t see and know about! Looked forward to the third one!!

Ivory Towers..
The second instalment in The Hollywood Trilogy and another pacy, glamorous suspense following the lives of the trio of protagonists, now risen to fame and fortune. Things are not what they seem, however, and it soon becomes apparent that someone, somewhere, may be out to destroy them and carefully deconstruct their ivory towers. With a well crafted cast of characters and a fast moving storyline, this is a worthy follow up to the first in the series. (Worth a mention that this works well as a standalone as events are recapped.)

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another brilliant book reminds me of Jackie Collins, full of glitz and drama. Recommended.

I really enjoyed part 2 of this installment. The stories are bright and fun with dark mixed through. Really enjoyed this and qpild hope for another xx

I'm on the fence with this one. It's not my usual taste, I prefer darker, more.relateable thrillers and this was very character based and felt like a jackie Collins type. All the over the top glamour and fantasy kind of vibe. That said, I did still enjoy it as a quick read. I hadn't read the previous installment but I don't think that had too much of an impact into enjoying this one. I'd say it's a perfect summer read when you want that escapism and it certainly paints a vivid picture of the lives of the rich and famous. I also didn't see the twists coming so that was a nice wee surprise that it's not predictable. It.wont keep you up at nigh but it's perfect for escapism

A very well written book, with a good plot, and a nice little twist at the end. It was nice to go on the journey with the characters. Not quite as gripping as I would have liked but overall pretty good.

Thank you NetGalley, the authors and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in return for an honest review.

This is the second book in the trilogy and as soon as I saw this available I wanted to read the next one. And it didn’t disappoint. I love diving into the world of Mirren, Zander and Davie…the development of their lives was great. I loved the ending of this too. It took a fabulous little twist and the authors nailed it.

Finally, it can be read as a stand alone but why miss out on the first one. I can’t wait to see what the third has in store.

Loved this! The follow up to The Rise, but could be read as a stand alone as there are references the the previous book which are explained. Mirren, Davie and Zander haven’t yet reformed their friendship, but worrying circumstances and some strange contact means that Mirren needs to rekindle their relationship. Someone seems to be out to ruin the lives of the three of them; someone who knows their past. This story tells of how the three work together to keep their safety and uncover who is looking to attack them. This story is brilliant; I binge read it in two days. Definitely recommend and hope for a next instalment!