Review – Dead Rich by Louise Fennell

This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.

Sexy, Rich, Glamorous…and hiding secrets. The Spender family are in turmoil. Georgia Spender, famous fallen celebrity, has been found dead, and now Britain’s favourite family have to deal with the aftermath. Glamorous, rich and very, very famous the family must try and stick together through the scandal that is spinning them out of control before they’re ripped apart for good. Trapped behind the doors of their exquisite house, epically named ‘The God’s’, the Spender family try to hold everything together whilst keeping the crazed paps, and the even crazier fans, out. ‘Dead Rich’ is the perfect title for this book. The Spender family ooze money and their nonchalant attitudes to life are addictive to read as they swan around London’s most glamorous boroughs throwing money, and sometimes themselves, at whatever they want. As a nation of people who enjoy dipping into the lives of the rich and famous with television shows such as ‘Made In Chelsea’, ‘Dead Rich’ is a deliciously indulgent tale of sex, scandal and lies for anyone who would never dare behave like this family. Zelda and Jake Spender are left cleaning up the mess after Jake’s infamous sister Georgia seemingly commits suicide, leaving behind daughters Dusty and Willow (the outrageous names in this book were a particular favourite of mine). Zelda is doing her best to keep everything together, whilst sleeping with her mother’s personal trainer – she is strong, independent, ruthless and used to getting what she wants. Jake is wasting his life getting drunk on the most expensive scotch money can buy and then falling asleep on the sofa. None of the characters in this book are particularly likeable but I liked that. Louise Fennell creates characters that I hope I am nothing like but loved reading about, from self-obsessed Valentine Robinson to Zelda’s uber glamorous mother, Cleo. These characters had my jaw dropping to the floor with their attitudes and antics and I couldn’t wait to see what they’d do next. The book also provided me with laughs and I loved the dark humour that was woven throughout it, offering itself as a cautionary tale for those who have ever wished they’d be rich and famous (that would be me then!). The book deals with some serious real life issues, such as drugs and alcohol abuse, without being heavy to read and I had a real sense that Louise Fennel had thoroughly researched into the lifestyle of the family in this book. What I loved most about it though is how purely outrageous this book is, it doesn’t hold back, it shocks you with the behaviour of the characters and it doesn’t apologise for it. In a world where they are surrounded by make-up artists, stylists, personal trainers and agents the blurb on the back of the book states “they are never alone but always lonely” and it couldn’t be more true. An ideal summer beach read that you won’t want to put down. 8/10 MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK