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No Ordinary Life
Suzanne Redfearn delivers another gripping page-turner in her latest novel, a story about a young mother's fight to protect her children from the dangerous world of Hollywood.
Faye Martin never expected her husband to abandon her and her three children . . . or that she'd have to struggle every day to make ends meet. So when her four-year-old daughter is discovered through a YouTube video and offered a starring role on a television series, it seems like her prayers have been answered. But when the reality of their new life settles in, Faye realizes that fame and fortune don't come without a price. And in a world where everyone is an actor and every move is scrutinized by millions, it's impossible to know who to trust, and Faye finds herself utterly alone in her struggle to save her family.
Emotionally riveting and insightful, No Ordinary Life is an unforgettable novel about the preciousness of childhood and the difficult choices a mother needs to make in order to protect this fragile time in her children's lives.
Faye Martin never expected her husband to abandon her and her three children . . . or that she'd have to struggle every day to make ends meet. So when her four-year-old daughter is discovered through a YouTube video and offered a starring role on a television series, it seems like her prayers have been answered. But when the reality of their new life settles in, Faye realizes that fame and fortune don't come without a price. And in a world where everyone is an actor and every move is scrutinized by millions, it's impossible to know who to trust, and Faye finds herself utterly alone in her struggle to save her family.
Emotionally riveting and insightful, No Ordinary Life is an unforgettable novel about the preciousness of childhood and the difficult choices a mother needs to make in order to protect this fragile time in her children's lives.
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2016
1,377 people are currently reading
4,635 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Redfearn
11听books2,031听followersSuzanne Redfearn is the award-winning author of Six novels: Hush Little Baby, No Ordinary Life, In an Instant, and Hadley & Grace, Moment in Time, and Where Butterflies Wander. In addition to being an author, she鈥檚 also an architect specializing in residential and commercial design. She lives in Laguna Beach, California, where she and her husband own two restaurants: Lumberyard and Slice Pizza and Beer. You can find her at her website, , on Facebook at SuzanneRedfearnAuthor, or on Instagram at SuzanneRedfearn.
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June 6, 2016
No Ordinary Life is Suzanne Redfearn's second novel. I read her first book Hush Little Baby a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. So I was very excited to read her newest novel!
This was such a great book. I had high hopes and they were surpassed.
After Faye Martin's husband, Sean leaves on a road trip and doesn't come back, Faye quickly realizes it's up to her to support herself and her three children. She makes the decision to move her family in with her mother to try to get them back on their feet. It's only after a trip to the mall to look for a job that things start to turn around, but in a very unexpected way.
A video uploaded on YouTube showing Faye's daughter, four-year-old Molly in all her cuteness, goes viral which leads to Molly being offered a starring role on a hit TV show. Is this the answer to all of their problems? But Faye has three children. All with different needs. Can she be the mother she needs to be to all of them? While managing the new career of her youngest child?
And along with all of the fame, the new cars, the money, the clothing, comes hard decisions and dangers of all kinds. Who can Faye trust? More importantly can she trust herself? If it all becomes too much can she make the right decisions to save her family?
I've wondered sometimes if I could survive in Hollywood....or if my child could. Not often but occasionally when I would see an especially cute or funny child on TV I'd wonder if my child could do it. I admit I am a helicopter parent and I know I have a friend or two who think I'm a bit over protective but I try to balance it out. Hope that she'll be protected but still able to grow and flourish. I just can't imagine how I would do that in Hollywood!
We all think we know what we would do in certain instances. How we will raise our children. What we would do if this or that happened. It's so easy to say how we will react...but you just don't know sometimes.
This book really made me think...
I spent a lot of time wondering what I would do in certain situations. Can you always trust an agent to have yours or your child's best interests at heart? What if I felt like a line or scene was inappropriate for my young child or if a situation was dangerous. Would I be able to stand up against a producers demands? I think I would but when you're in that position it can be a different story sometimes.
We've all seen the tragic stories of child stars...drugs, sex, money, and all kinds of addictive behavior. How do you avoid that? How do you stay grounded when your ego is being fed by so many people....
When I hear of actors who talk about being hounded, followed etc. I've occasionally thought "oh poor them, they're so famous and rich and all they have to do is pose for a few pictures and sign some autographs but really everyone should be afforded some privacy. Especially a child.... Do they really know what they are getting into? No not really...it's fun, exciting but they have to trust the adults around them to make the right choices.
It's scary! Even little kids can have admirers that at first seem harmless enough but can be extremely dangerous stalkers. Honestly I am paranoid as it is, I can't even imagine being in a crowd that could suddenly go wild and security can't control them. People losing their minds just to catch a glimpse of someone they consider a friend or more.
"Childhood is a fleeting blink, a momentary bridge of time that shapes who you are and your life to come. It's incredibly precious and brief, and you can't get it back."
This was an excellent book from start to finish. My emotions were in overdrive. I felt so much for Faye, for Molly, and the rest of the family. The characters are unforgettable. I could just picture Molly with her mop of blond curls and the cute way she talked in rhyme. Not all of the time but just enough that I found it adorable. For example when someone says to her "It's a pleasure to meet you, Molly" she replies with "A pwleasuwre I'll twreasuwre fowrevewr." I was occasionally angered by the actions of certain people and as it happens when I'm very involved with a book I start yelling at characters and talking to myself.
Suzanne Redfearn has incredible insight and obviously did her research as I found the book not only riveting but very realistic. Faye wasn't a perfect mother but that made her even more real. I felt that all the things that were happening potentially could happen in real life. Which in some cases was terrifying. I learned some things about the laws around child acting (and how they often skirt around it). I also learned a lot about how the money is handled and how easily it can be mishandled. Interesting information that made the book even more interesting to read.
I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it!
NO ORDINARY LIFE will be released February 2, 2016
I really want to thank NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and especially Suzanne Redfearn for providing me with a free copy of this novel to read in exchange for my honest review.
This was such a great book. I had high hopes and they were surpassed.
After Faye Martin's husband, Sean leaves on a road trip and doesn't come back, Faye quickly realizes it's up to her to support herself and her three children. She makes the decision to move her family in with her mother to try to get them back on their feet. It's only after a trip to the mall to look for a job that things start to turn around, but in a very unexpected way.
A video uploaded on YouTube showing Faye's daughter, four-year-old Molly in all her cuteness, goes viral which leads to Molly being offered a starring role on a hit TV show. Is this the answer to all of their problems? But Faye has three children. All with different needs. Can she be the mother she needs to be to all of them? While managing the new career of her youngest child?
And along with all of the fame, the new cars, the money, the clothing, comes hard decisions and dangers of all kinds. Who can Faye trust? More importantly can she trust herself? If it all becomes too much can she make the right decisions to save her family?
I've wondered sometimes if I could survive in Hollywood....or if my child could. Not often but occasionally when I would see an especially cute or funny child on TV I'd wonder if my child could do it. I admit I am a helicopter parent and I know I have a friend or two who think I'm a bit over protective but I try to balance it out. Hope that she'll be protected but still able to grow and flourish. I just can't imagine how I would do that in Hollywood!
We all think we know what we would do in certain instances. How we will raise our children. What we would do if this or that happened. It's so easy to say how we will react...but you just don't know sometimes.
This book really made me think...
I spent a lot of time wondering what I would do in certain situations. Can you always trust an agent to have yours or your child's best interests at heart? What if I felt like a line or scene was inappropriate for my young child or if a situation was dangerous. Would I be able to stand up against a producers demands? I think I would but when you're in that position it can be a different story sometimes.
We've all seen the tragic stories of child stars...drugs, sex, money, and all kinds of addictive behavior. How do you avoid that? How do you stay grounded when your ego is being fed by so many people....
When I hear of actors who talk about being hounded, followed etc. I've occasionally thought "oh poor them, they're so famous and rich and all they have to do is pose for a few pictures and sign some autographs but really everyone should be afforded some privacy. Especially a child.... Do they really know what they are getting into? No not really...it's fun, exciting but they have to trust the adults around them to make the right choices.
It's scary! Even little kids can have admirers that at first seem harmless enough but can be extremely dangerous stalkers. Honestly I am paranoid as it is, I can't even imagine being in a crowd that could suddenly go wild and security can't control them. People losing their minds just to catch a glimpse of someone they consider a friend or more.
"Childhood is a fleeting blink, a momentary bridge of time that shapes who you are and your life to come. It's incredibly precious and brief, and you can't get it back."
This was an excellent book from start to finish. My emotions were in overdrive. I felt so much for Faye, for Molly, and the rest of the family. The characters are unforgettable. I could just picture Molly with her mop of blond curls and the cute way she talked in rhyme. Not all of the time but just enough that I found it adorable. For example when someone says to her "It's a pleasure to meet you, Molly" she replies with "A pwleasuwre I'll twreasuwre fowrevewr." I was occasionally angered by the actions of certain people and as it happens when I'm very involved with a book I start yelling at characters and talking to myself.
Suzanne Redfearn has incredible insight and obviously did her research as I found the book not only riveting but very realistic. Faye wasn't a perfect mother but that made her even more real. I felt that all the things that were happening potentially could happen in real life. Which in some cases was terrifying. I learned some things about the laws around child acting (and how they often skirt around it). I also learned a lot about how the money is handled and how easily it can be mishandled. Interesting information that made the book even more interesting to read.
I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it!
NO ORDINARY LIFE will be released February 2, 2016
I really want to thank NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and especially Suzanne Redfearn for providing me with a free copy of this novel to read in exchange for my honest review.
June 22, 2017
Faye's husband has left for a 'road trip' and hasn't shown back up. Leaving her with three young children to raise with little money. She decides to move to LA and move in with her mother.
Then while job hunting one day her youngest daughter gets caught dancing and uploaded to YouTube.
She goes viral. Then she (Molly) gets a GAP commercial and America wants more of this cute little girl.
Molly then is up for a part in the number one TV show "The Foster Family."
She gets the part and the family is changed forever. Faye is unused to fame and all that it entails, and it can be some nasty stuff. Redfearn does an amazing job with her research for this book. At times I really did not like Faye or her actions and then at others I cheered her on. She is completely and totally human.
The side that we get as readers takes us into the film industry and we see some of the downsides of child stars. (We knew it existed but it was still juicy)
I've never wanted to be famous (because... ugh people) but if you have and still want to after reading this book-more power to you.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
Then while job hunting one day her youngest daughter gets caught dancing and uploaded to YouTube.
She goes viral. Then she (Molly) gets a GAP commercial and America wants more of this cute little girl.
Molly then is up for a part in the number one TV show "The Foster Family."
She gets the part and the family is changed forever. Faye is unused to fame and all that it entails, and it can be some nasty stuff. Redfearn does an amazing job with her research for this book. At times I really did not like Faye or her actions and then at others I cheered her on. She is completely and totally human.
The side that we get as readers takes us into the film industry and we see some of the downsides of child stars. (We knew it existed but it was still juicy)
I've never wanted to be famous (because... ugh people) but if you have and still want to after reading this book-more power to you.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
September 10, 2023
2猸�
Genre ~ family fiction
Setting ~ Hollywood
Publication date ~ December 8, 2019
Page Count ~ 365 (103 chapters)
Audio length ~ 12 hours 48 minutes
Narrator ~ Whitney Dykhouse
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ single mom, child r@pe, short chapters
*older read mini review*
Faye is a single mother of 3. When her 4 year old daughter, Molly, gets discovered they're off to make money and get them out of a financial hole her husband left them in.
I was not a fan of this one. It does give a good look at what it's like for children that grow up in the biz, but it's really sad how Faye let her 4 year old do things she wasn't comfortable with.
12 year old, Emily, is feeling left out and rebelling. She's sneaking out and getting drunk. She is r@ped and it was not handled properly at all. At least Faye finally realizes she needs to get her act together, but too little too late IMO.
Yay for short chapters, though!
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.
Connect with me 鉃� ~ ~
Genre ~ family fiction
Setting ~ Hollywood
Publication date ~ December 8, 2019
Page Count ~ 365 (103 chapters)
Audio length ~ 12 hours 48 minutes
Narrator ~ Whitney Dykhouse
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ single mom, child r@pe, short chapters
*older read mini review*
Faye is a single mother of 3. When her 4 year old daughter, Molly, gets discovered they're off to make money and get them out of a financial hole her husband left them in.
I was not a fan of this one. It does give a good look at what it's like for children that grow up in the biz, but it's really sad how Faye let her 4 year old do things she wasn't comfortable with.
12 year old, Emily, is feeling left out and rebelling. She's sneaking out and getting drunk. She is r@ped and it was not handled properly at all. At least Faye finally realizes she needs to get her act together, but too little too late IMO.
Yay for short chapters, though!
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.
Connect with me 鉃� ~ ~
March 12, 2016
More like 1.5
Faye was ditzy and wishy washy and just a simpering idiot 85% of the time. I don't know how many times she said "My kids are first" and then turned around and damn near threw them under the bus for one stupid reason or another.
Still, this would have been rated a star higher if it wasn't for the oh-so-fucking annoying way Redfearn wrote Molly's dialog. "She had an adorable lisp" would give us the picture, not inserting an unnecessary W into every other word the girl spoke.
Faye was ditzy and wishy washy and just a simpering idiot 85% of the time. I don't know how many times she said "My kids are first" and then turned around and damn near threw them under the bus for one stupid reason or another.
Still, this would have been rated a star higher if it wasn't for the oh-so-fucking annoying way Redfearn wrote Molly's dialog. "She had an adorable lisp" would give us the picture, not inserting an unnecessary W into every other word the girl spoke.
October 11, 2020
I liked this. It was a perfectly enjoyable read, and I would definitely read other books by this author - I just didn't love it. I think the focus of the story was one I didn't particularly connect to. It's the story of Faye, a struggling mom of three young kids, recently abandoned by her husband, Sean, and what happens when the youngest, Molly, a precociously talented 4-year old is discovered via a viral YouTube video and lands a role on a hit TV show. To be clear, the video wasn't planned - it was caught by bystanders who happened to be present for the impromptu moment, so her discovery as a new talent comes as a complete surprise to her, and her mother and siblings, Tom and Emily, who have no experience with the life they're about to be thrust into.
What happens when a mom is no longer just mom, but a manager on the payroll? What happens when a dad who's abandoned his family finds out there's something to be gained by re-entering their lives? What happens to the siblings of a famous child? What happens when a parent no longer holds the power over their child's life? What follows is probably a fair attempt at illustrating how destructive that life in the spotlight can be, not only to a child, but to the whole family. It also illustrates how fame and the security of wealth can distort a person's values and decision-making, leading to rationalizations for choices they might previously have never made. As a parent, the stuff in this book made me want to scream naughty words at many of the "adults".
It felt just a tad Lifetime movie-ish, with the drama and requisite romance, but there were a number of interesting characters with their own fascinating backstories, and the author did a good job at keeping you unsure of which ones could be trusted or what their motivations were. I will add one small annoyance in closing: whatever childish speech pattern the author was trying to create for Molly with her repetitive use of the letter "w" randomly placed in words (ex. "wlike", "fowrever", "scawred", "commewrcial") was more distracting than cute, but whatever. I get the intent.
鈽呪槄鈽� 陆
What happens when a mom is no longer just mom, but a manager on the payroll? What happens when a dad who's abandoned his family finds out there's something to be gained by re-entering their lives? What happens to the siblings of a famous child? What happens when a parent no longer holds the power over their child's life? What follows is probably a fair attempt at illustrating how destructive that life in the spotlight can be, not only to a child, but to the whole family. It also illustrates how fame and the security of wealth can distort a person's values and decision-making, leading to rationalizations for choices they might previously have never made. As a parent, the stuff in this book made me want to scream naughty words at many of the "adults".
It felt just a tad Lifetime movie-ish, with the drama and requisite romance, but there were a number of interesting characters with their own fascinating backstories, and the author did a good job at keeping you unsure of which ones could be trusted or what their motivations were. I will add one small annoyance in closing: whatever childish speech pattern the author was trying to create for Molly with her repetitive use of the letter "w" randomly placed in words (ex. "wlike", "fowrever", "scawred", "commewrcial") was more distracting than cute, but whatever. I get the intent.
鈽呪槄鈽� 陆
January 21, 2016
This was an unexpectedly good book. I say this because I didn't know quite what to expect, child superstar, a novel on a kind of similar life to child stars in Hollywood.
We have Faye, a mom to three beautiful children one of them being little Molly her 4 year old daughter.
Faye finds herself bringing up her children on her own as her husband ran off.
Deciding she needs to move back with her Mother for a while and get a job to help support herself on her family.
One day she decided to take Molly with her to the shopping mall, looking for a waitress job.
Outside there was a busker like band playing where Molly got involved. Later, that was uploaded onto You Tube and it went viral. Hence Molly was picked up on her talent. Looks cute, got talent, and she is very appealing.
Faye's mother is super excited and urges Faye forward with all chances that come for Molly.
We experience the highs and the lows of this with both Faye and Molly.
We are all aware of what "fame" can accomplish or harm children within this spotlight of life on camera and the public media.
Drink, drugs, sex, even suicide. Eating disorders etc we have all read articles about this in the Newspapers.
The author did a fantastic job in bringing all equations, all sides of the "limelight" and lifestyle plus dangers, the highs and the lows. It made for not only a good novel, but also informative thought provoking reading.
No Ordinary Life is a really apt title, because, it really was not an Ordinary Life.
*I would like to thank Grand Central Publishing via Net Galley for my advanced copy to read and review*
April 7, 2016
鈥淒o not yearn to be popular; be exquisite. Do not desire to be famous; be loved. Do not take pride in being expected; be palpable, unmistakable.鈥�
----C. JoyBell C.
Suzanne Redfearn, an American author, pens a heart-wrenching family story, No Ordinary Life that deals with the life of a woman with three young children, left abandoned by her husband, who is finding it difficult to make the ends of daily life meet with no constant flow of finance. But one day, luck shines upon her family when her little daughter is given a chance to act for a major commercial brand advertisement.
Synopsis:
Suzanne Redfearn delivers another gripping page-turner in her latest novel, a story about a young mother's fight to protect her children from the dangerous world of Hollywood.
Faye Martin never expected her husband to abandon her and her three children . . . or that she'd have to struggle every day to make ends meet. So when her four-year-old daughter is discovered through a YouTube video and offered a starring role on a television series, it seems like her prayers have been answered. But when the reality of their new life settles in, Faye realizes that fame and fortune don't come without a price. And in a world where everyone is an actor and every move is scrutinized by millions, it's impossible to know who to trust, and Faye finds herself utterly alone in her struggle to save her family.
Faye is left abandoned by her husband, who now needs to take care of her three children- two daughters and one son on her own. Finding it difficult to make ends meet, she moves to her hometown with her mother in pursuit of a job, that is when her youngest daughter Molly is discovered through a totally random video on YouTube where she is dancing to some tune in a shopping complex. Her pretty 4-year old daughter, Molly, then bags a lucrative offer from GAP, and a big-shot TV mini-series that finally launches her into the world of Hollywood. But fame comes with a hefty price and soon Faye is thrown on to the face of some complicated challenges that might jeopardize the future of Molly as well as her whole family. What happens next is for you to find out!
Firstly the book cover image is absolutely fantastic as well as very arresting. The author's writing style is classy and laced with lots of emotions that will make the readers feel as they delve deeper into the story. The narrative is interesting and inspired from realism that will keep the readers anticipating till the end. The pacing is moderate as there is lot of drama in and around the set of the TV series that the author have written quite descriptively.
The characters are highly inspiring and drawn from realism and I loved Faye, how she bravely handled and took care of her three children, despite of the fact that the children are missing the presence of a fatherly figure in the household. She held to the children, even though there were differences in her elder daughter's demeanor. She is like an epitome of single mothers one, whose postivity keeps her family move forward. The supporting characters are also very well-developed. The children of Faye are a charm to read about with their cute demeanor, even when they got angry at times.
The story ponders vividly into the world of Hollywood, the glitz, the glamour, the world of paparazzi, the behind-the-sets drama, scandals and many things which are portrayed with in-depth details. Faye's life is under the limelight, every move is under the lens of some nosy or some famous reporters. How paparazzi effects a celebrity's life is also well captured by the author.
The story is emotional and the author depicts the love of a mother and the importance of unity in a family so strongly through this story. The story is delightful to read and I will recommend the contemporary readers to give it a read!
Verdict: An engrossing story about a child celebrity and her family.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Suzanne Redfearn, for giving me an opportunity to read and review her novel.
----C. JoyBell C.
Suzanne Redfearn, an American author, pens a heart-wrenching family story, No Ordinary Life that deals with the life of a woman with three young children, left abandoned by her husband, who is finding it difficult to make the ends of daily life meet with no constant flow of finance. But one day, luck shines upon her family when her little daughter is given a chance to act for a major commercial brand advertisement.
Synopsis:
Suzanne Redfearn delivers another gripping page-turner in her latest novel, a story about a young mother's fight to protect her children from the dangerous world of Hollywood.
Faye Martin never expected her husband to abandon her and her three children . . . or that she'd have to struggle every day to make ends meet. So when her four-year-old daughter is discovered through a YouTube video and offered a starring role on a television series, it seems like her prayers have been answered. But when the reality of their new life settles in, Faye realizes that fame and fortune don't come without a price. And in a world where everyone is an actor and every move is scrutinized by millions, it's impossible to know who to trust, and Faye finds herself utterly alone in her struggle to save her family.
Faye is left abandoned by her husband, who now needs to take care of her three children- two daughters and one son on her own. Finding it difficult to make ends meet, she moves to her hometown with her mother in pursuit of a job, that is when her youngest daughter Molly is discovered through a totally random video on YouTube where she is dancing to some tune in a shopping complex. Her pretty 4-year old daughter, Molly, then bags a lucrative offer from GAP, and a big-shot TV mini-series that finally launches her into the world of Hollywood. But fame comes with a hefty price and soon Faye is thrown on to the face of some complicated challenges that might jeopardize the future of Molly as well as her whole family. What happens next is for you to find out!
Firstly the book cover image is absolutely fantastic as well as very arresting. The author's writing style is classy and laced with lots of emotions that will make the readers feel as they delve deeper into the story. The narrative is interesting and inspired from realism that will keep the readers anticipating till the end. The pacing is moderate as there is lot of drama in and around the set of the TV series that the author have written quite descriptively.
The characters are highly inspiring and drawn from realism and I loved Faye, how she bravely handled and took care of her three children, despite of the fact that the children are missing the presence of a fatherly figure in the household. She held to the children, even though there were differences in her elder daughter's demeanor. She is like an epitome of single mothers one, whose postivity keeps her family move forward. The supporting characters are also very well-developed. The children of Faye are a charm to read about with their cute demeanor, even when they got angry at times.
The story ponders vividly into the world of Hollywood, the glitz, the glamour, the world of paparazzi, the behind-the-sets drama, scandals and many things which are portrayed with in-depth details. Faye's life is under the limelight, every move is under the lens of some nosy or some famous reporters. How paparazzi effects a celebrity's life is also well captured by the author.
The story is emotional and the author depicts the love of a mother and the importance of unity in a family so strongly through this story. The story is delightful to read and I will recommend the contemporary readers to give it a read!
Verdict: An engrossing story about a child celebrity and her family.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Suzanne Redfearn, for giving me an opportunity to read and review her novel.
October 3, 2017
Fay Martin's husband leaves to go on a road trip but does not return and abandons Fay and her three children,one who is autistic. Fay is struggling with a low paid job, trying to keep the bills paid and her children fed. Soon things are so tough that Fay moves in with her mother in Los Angeles. Fay's daughter Molly does an online ad and after this success Hollywood comes calling. Fay thinks this is her way out but soon learns that this is a hard and brutal industry, not all glamour and bright lights. It is draining on both Molly, Fay and the other children even though the money is good. This is an interesting read that gives us an insight into how Hollywood works, an enlightening story that keeps you turning the pages which I enjoyed. Thank you to Netgalley the author and publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2021
I read this book about two months after I had finished reading her other book Hush Little Baby, hoping it would be much better, but it wasn't. The characters are so similar I thought I was reading the sequel! In BOTH books: The main character is a mother of young kids, all with their own issues, and struggling to give her kids a new life away from the deadbeat dad. She's very attractive, easily getting the attention of admirers. She has a mum who is hot & cold in her support. And most eye rolling of all, both stories have a cute young precocious daughter where every dialogue spoken by this child is written with (in an attempt by the author to be endearing but is nails down a black board annoying) a phonetically written speech impediment covering words with extra "w"s ("Gwrandma says it's bettewr if I weawr my haiwr up...) omg stab a fork in my eye.... But seriously both books with this dialogue!? Both books had so many holes in the plot. Faye, the main character in this book, ends up being quite vindictive and imbalanced. Didn't enjoy the book, was quite disappointed after great reviews. Just my opinion but I won't be recommending this one. Thumbs down.
September 4, 2016
3.5 stars No Ordinary Life is an interesting look at what happens in the lives of a young separated mother and her children when one of them becomes an unexpected child star sensation.
Faye is down on her luck, her husband is a trucker who has fled to another woman five months earlier and her middle child, Tom, has anxiety disorder which causes him to become mute anywhere except home. With Social Services on her tail, she relocates to live with her mom in LA. Molly, the four year old, a charming exuberant girl is videotaped dancing with street performers as Faye job hunts in the mall. The viral feed of that video leads to a commercial, a financial rescue for the family and the exciting prospect of security with Molly acting in a TV series.
The upheaval, politics, personal drama and power plays in the Hollywood setting with child stars make this an interesting and different subject matter for a novel. I appreciated that Faye had to learn to assert herself and that a real life spin was part of the challenge faced by this family, faced with fame and high demands on its time and emotions.
The only drawback to the novel was that it ended quite abruptly, and after all of the personal growth achieved by Faye, it seemed that the author still contrived to have Faye's happily ever after dependent on a man, which was the beginning of her mess in the first place.
Faye is down on her luck, her husband is a trucker who has fled to another woman five months earlier and her middle child, Tom, has anxiety disorder which causes him to become mute anywhere except home. With Social Services on her tail, she relocates to live with her mom in LA. Molly, the four year old, a charming exuberant girl is videotaped dancing with street performers as Faye job hunts in the mall. The viral feed of that video leads to a commercial, a financial rescue for the family and the exciting prospect of security with Molly acting in a TV series.
The upheaval, politics, personal drama and power plays in the Hollywood setting with child stars make this an interesting and different subject matter for a novel. I appreciated that Faye had to learn to assert herself and that a real life spin was part of the challenge faced by this family, faced with fame and high demands on its time and emotions.
The only drawback to the novel was that it ended quite abruptly, and after all of the personal growth achieved by Faye, it seemed that the author still contrived to have Faye's happily ever after dependent on a man, which was the beginning of her mess in the first place.
November 19, 2015
I seriously love this author's books and wish she could publish one a week! Her first novel, HUSH LITTLE BABY, was fantastic, and this advanced copy (comes out Feb. 2016) didn't disappoint me - another great book by Suzanne.
It really made me think about actor's lives, esp. child actors, and the peaks and pain of being famous. She did a lot of research and it paid off. Great read!
It really made me think about actor's lives, esp. child actors, and the peaks and pain of being famous. She did a lot of research and it paid off. Great read!
February 2, 2016
A special thank you to Grand Central and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Suzanne Redfearn returns following the compelling Hush Little Baby, with her latest, NO ORDINARY LIFE---a riveting domestic suspense of one single mother鈥檚 desperate struggle for survival; a twisted disturbing obsessive fan, and the ultimate cost of fame and fortune. Torn between their lives before and after stardom. The trials and tribulations; greed, damage, regret, guilt - surviving the Hollywood fallout.
Living in Yucaipa, CA, Faye is a young single mother. Husband Sean, left months earlier, on one of his trucking routes, and never returned. During such time, Faye receives no support or income to help raise the children. They are struggling, barely getting by financially. At least the kids are happy where they are, even though they live on less; enjoying the outdoor open areas, horses, and close friends.
Molly (four), Tom (eight), and Emily (twelve). Molly is outgoing, Tom speaks at home; however, at school, he remains mute (selective mutism). Faye is a good mother; however, she does not broadcast her husband has been gone for months, and the school continues to question why she is not getting Tom into therapy. She has no money for therapy, rent, to repair their van, nor get the kids new shoes for school. It is time to move to LA with her mom鈥攈er last resort, since they do not get along. Family services is called in and she knows she has to have help.
Emily, the oldest is devastated about the move, a lover of horses and the open spaces. Versus a condo at her grandmothers. Faye got married early, and has no education beyond high school or job skills except being a waitress.
Shortly after moving to LA, her four- year-old daughter is discovered via YouTube with her winning personality and street dance moves. A PI and agent tracks her down, and GAP is interested in Molly for a commercial. The grandmother is delighted, since her world revolves around celebrities; however, Faye is not sure she wants to subject her daughter to this world. However, she soon learns the money will help them with the expenses, a place to live, and a new car. She can be Molly鈥檚 manager. She is excited and sees this as her way out of this black hole.
Everything seems to be going along well, until the loser ex-husband (they are not divorced), comes back in to the picture to get his hands on half the money. He is manipulative, and tries to get custody of the kids, and in the meantime Tom is now part of the celebrity status and joins Molly, and their entire world begins changing.
A mother is swept up in a thrilling world of fame and money. Proud of her two stars, Molly and Tom. However, the older daughter, Emily is caught up in the fascination which turns to evil and devastation. With binding contracts, she cannot just up and leave in the middle of the series.
What if it were your child, caught up in a terrifying world of politics, greed, hectic schedules, demands, politics, law suits, contracts, and obsessive dangerous fans? They are unable to live life like a normal child. When a dangerous stalker gets too close, decisions have to be made in order to take control.
Redfearn does a fantastic job with Molly鈥檚 character鈥攕he has a winning personality, and is not caught up in the hair, makeup, and dresses鈥攕he likes her overalls, and her raw wit and simple charm, draws you in. You can envision her on stage, winning hearts.
At times Faye could be na茂ve, weak, selfish, and at times a coward; however, down deep she loves her children, a good mother, and just wants a better life for her children. Sometimes she makes impulsive and reckless decisions, which lead to negative conclusions. However, she experiences tremendous growth from the beginning of the book to the end---finally getting the courage to take control of her life.
The entire time I was reading the story, I continued to think about JonBenet Ramsey鈥攖he six-year-old-star, murdered. I was living in Atlanta when all this occurred and the Ramsey Atlanta home was only a mile away from where I lived. Riding by each day, I continued to wonder what really happened that Christmas night in 1996.
Can relate to being a single mom, which can be tough financially, and the wars between parents. Cover love鈥�(adorable). Enjoyed Suzanne Redfearn鈥檚 writing, while she captured the raw emotions, of each character for an engaging and thought-provoking read.
I look forward forward to reading Hush Little Baby, which I missed along the way (have heard rave reviews).
Suzanne Redfearn returns following the compelling Hush Little Baby, with her latest, NO ORDINARY LIFE---a riveting domestic suspense of one single mother鈥檚 desperate struggle for survival; a twisted disturbing obsessive fan, and the ultimate cost of fame and fortune. Torn between their lives before and after stardom. The trials and tribulations; greed, damage, regret, guilt - surviving the Hollywood fallout.
Living in Yucaipa, CA, Faye is a young single mother. Husband Sean, left months earlier, on one of his trucking routes, and never returned. During such time, Faye receives no support or income to help raise the children. They are struggling, barely getting by financially. At least the kids are happy where they are, even though they live on less; enjoying the outdoor open areas, horses, and close friends.
Molly (four), Tom (eight), and Emily (twelve). Molly is outgoing, Tom speaks at home; however, at school, he remains mute (selective mutism). Faye is a good mother; however, she does not broadcast her husband has been gone for months, and the school continues to question why she is not getting Tom into therapy. She has no money for therapy, rent, to repair their van, nor get the kids new shoes for school. It is time to move to LA with her mom鈥攈er last resort, since they do not get along. Family services is called in and she knows she has to have help.
Emily, the oldest is devastated about the move, a lover of horses and the open spaces. Versus a condo at her grandmothers. Faye got married early, and has no education beyond high school or job skills except being a waitress.
Shortly after moving to LA, her four- year-old daughter is discovered via YouTube with her winning personality and street dance moves. A PI and agent tracks her down, and GAP is interested in Molly for a commercial. The grandmother is delighted, since her world revolves around celebrities; however, Faye is not sure she wants to subject her daughter to this world. However, she soon learns the money will help them with the expenses, a place to live, and a new car. She can be Molly鈥檚 manager. She is excited and sees this as her way out of this black hole.
Everything seems to be going along well, until the loser ex-husband (they are not divorced), comes back in to the picture to get his hands on half the money. He is manipulative, and tries to get custody of the kids, and in the meantime Tom is now part of the celebrity status and joins Molly, and their entire world begins changing.
A mother is swept up in a thrilling world of fame and money. Proud of her two stars, Molly and Tom. However, the older daughter, Emily is caught up in the fascination which turns to evil and devastation. With binding contracts, she cannot just up and leave in the middle of the series.
What if it were your child, caught up in a terrifying world of politics, greed, hectic schedules, demands, politics, law suits, contracts, and obsessive dangerous fans? They are unable to live life like a normal child. When a dangerous stalker gets too close, decisions have to be made in order to take control.
Redfearn does a fantastic job with Molly鈥檚 character鈥攕he has a winning personality, and is not caught up in the hair, makeup, and dresses鈥攕he likes her overalls, and her raw wit and simple charm, draws you in. You can envision her on stage, winning hearts.
At times Faye could be na茂ve, weak, selfish, and at times a coward; however, down deep she loves her children, a good mother, and just wants a better life for her children. Sometimes she makes impulsive and reckless decisions, which lead to negative conclusions. However, she experiences tremendous growth from the beginning of the book to the end---finally getting the courage to take control of her life.
The entire time I was reading the story, I continued to think about JonBenet Ramsey鈥攖he six-year-old-star, murdered. I was living in Atlanta when all this occurred and the Ramsey Atlanta home was only a mile away from where I lived. Riding by each day, I continued to wonder what really happened that Christmas night in 1996.
Can relate to being a single mom, which can be tough financially, and the wars between parents. Cover love鈥�(adorable). Enjoyed Suzanne Redfearn鈥檚 writing, while she captured the raw emotions, of each character for an engaging and thought-provoking read.
I look forward forward to reading Hush Little Baby, which I missed along the way (have heard rave reviews).
February 18, 2016
When I was younger, all I ever wanted to be was an actress on tv. As I got older I still wanted it, but it just wasn't my personality to be center of attention. So instead, I daydreamed about it and created a whole fictional world just for me. Well, none of my daydreaming could ever have come close to what working in the entertainment business is truly like. It's not as glamorous as one may think; its long, at times boring, and privacy is a word that has no meaning.
What we, as normal everyday living people see is money, power, and beauty. Of course, that's what they want is to see. It's not like that. It's not like that at all. No Ordinary Life opened up my eyes and had me thinking about my own children. The whole time it had my anxiety up because it just wasn't as fabulous as I pictured it to be. It seemed darker, scary, and depressing. I only say depressing because it seems like a place where you can trust no one. Everyone is out for themselves.
That's sad. The moment Faye's husband left his family behind, Faye has been struggling to makes ends meet. What was supposed to be a week on the road for his job, Sean just decided to never come back. It's been months with nothing from Sean, so Faye finally decides to do something about it. She moves away from what she and her kids call home, to go live with her mother in L.A. While Faye is looking for a job, Molly becomes a YouTube sensation when she's discovered singing and dancing; pretty much being cute as hell.
The world instantly loved her. Soon, a top Hollywood agent contacts Faye in regards to the beautiful little Molly. There starts the beginning of things to come. Change. Money. New cars. Clothes. Things they never were able to afford before, it's all there's for the taking. But things aren't always what they seem. Faye starts seeing the not so glamorous side to Hollywood, her ex wants back in their lives, her oldest daughter Emily hates her, and her son Tom with his disorder.
I enjoyed this story a lot. I think the author wrote realistically; not that I would know or anything, since I've never known anyone in the entertainment business. I can only go off documentaries I've watched and books I've read. And I think I'd really just like to stick to the Hollywood in my head. The one where everyone is nice and lives happily ever after. Ha! Just kidding. But I do thank the entertainment industry for keeping me, well, entertained. Regardless of what goes on behind the scenes, Hollywood does a great job of keeping us on our toes.
There are a lot of things I disagree with. Things that I would have done differently if this happened to me and my family. Like Faye, I'm a single mother with three kids. I say single only because my husband isn't around right now. Anyways, I thought about my holster an awful lot while reading. I don't have favorites, cause that's just wrong, but if any of my children had that "star" power, it would be my middle child.
She's very outgoing, always smiling, very funny; she's only two. Not only that but she doesn't look like me or my other two kids - she's a blonde, curly Shirley Temple type. My son, is too shy and my youngest, well, she's just very serious and cautious. I can't ever see her wanting to be in front of a camera entertaining the masses. Back to my point - if my two year old crazy, funny girl, were to somehow get "discovered", i just don't know what I would do.
Would I be selfish if I said no? Would I be selfish if I said yes? Faye made a decision for her family that best suited them. But me? I just would be able to do that to my kids. I want to take the time to personally thank the publishers for providing me with an early copy to read and review. With eyes opened wide, I'll never look at a tv show or movie the same way again. A lot of hard work goes into it! Overall, I totally recommend this thought provoking, serious read. It's intelligent, enlightening, and entertaining all at the same time.
*Review copy given for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What we, as normal everyday living people see is money, power, and beauty. Of course, that's what they want is to see. It's not like that. It's not like that at all. No Ordinary Life opened up my eyes and had me thinking about my own children. The whole time it had my anxiety up because it just wasn't as fabulous as I pictured it to be. It seemed darker, scary, and depressing. I only say depressing because it seems like a place where you can trust no one. Everyone is out for themselves.
That's sad. The moment Faye's husband left his family behind, Faye has been struggling to makes ends meet. What was supposed to be a week on the road for his job, Sean just decided to never come back. It's been months with nothing from Sean, so Faye finally decides to do something about it. She moves away from what she and her kids call home, to go live with her mother in L.A. While Faye is looking for a job, Molly becomes a YouTube sensation when she's discovered singing and dancing; pretty much being cute as hell.
The world instantly loved her. Soon, a top Hollywood agent contacts Faye in regards to the beautiful little Molly. There starts the beginning of things to come. Change. Money. New cars. Clothes. Things they never were able to afford before, it's all there's for the taking. But things aren't always what they seem. Faye starts seeing the not so glamorous side to Hollywood, her ex wants back in their lives, her oldest daughter Emily hates her, and her son Tom with his disorder.
I enjoyed this story a lot. I think the author wrote realistically; not that I would know or anything, since I've never known anyone in the entertainment business. I can only go off documentaries I've watched and books I've read. And I think I'd really just like to stick to the Hollywood in my head. The one where everyone is nice and lives happily ever after. Ha! Just kidding. But I do thank the entertainment industry for keeping me, well, entertained. Regardless of what goes on behind the scenes, Hollywood does a great job of keeping us on our toes.
There are a lot of things I disagree with. Things that I would have done differently if this happened to me and my family. Like Faye, I'm a single mother with three kids. I say single only because my husband isn't around right now. Anyways, I thought about my holster an awful lot while reading. I don't have favorites, cause that's just wrong, but if any of my children had that "star" power, it would be my middle child.
She's very outgoing, always smiling, very funny; she's only two. Not only that but she doesn't look like me or my other two kids - she's a blonde, curly Shirley Temple type. My son, is too shy and my youngest, well, she's just very serious and cautious. I can't ever see her wanting to be in front of a camera entertaining the masses. Back to my point - if my two year old crazy, funny girl, were to somehow get "discovered", i just don't know what I would do.
Would I be selfish if I said no? Would I be selfish if I said yes? Faye made a decision for her family that best suited them. But me? I just would be able to do that to my kids. I want to take the time to personally thank the publishers for providing me with an early copy to read and review. With eyes opened wide, I'll never look at a tv show or movie the same way again. A lot of hard work goes into it! Overall, I totally recommend this thought provoking, serious read. It's intelligent, enlightening, and entertaining all at the same time.
*Review copy given for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 2, 2016
I must have had No Ordinary Life sitting on my Kindle a while, but it was brought back to my attention when the books publicist emailed asking if I was planning to review, I then made it my immediate priority, because it sounded amazing and I'd remembered all over again why I had requested it in the first place.
No Ordinary Life is SUCH an on-point novel. Kids acting, and kids becoming superstars, is something always in the news. You see adults who used to be child stars messing up their lives left, right and centre, and there must be a reason, and that reason seems to be the mess that is Hollywood and Redfearn is on point with the lovely Molly, who herself becomes famous after a dance throw-down on the streets of LA. We follow Molly's mom Faye as Molly's fame skyrockets and she even gets the chance to be part of one of the most popular sitcoms, and you just knew it was all going to end up blowing up in Faye's face, and it was like waiting for a car crash to happen, but I felt for Faye because all she was trying to do was to care for her kids, all of her kids, and Molly acting allowed them to do more than just exist.
Faye is an amazing mom, everything she does in the novel is amazing, and even when she sometimes lets Hollywood take over and Molly do things she's not entirely comfortable with, she realises her failings and always vows to do better. Her end game was astounding, and I wanted to stand up and give her a standing ovation, because what she did was brave. Some might say cruel, I say brave. A mother does what she has to, to protect her kids, and Faye knew Hollywood was destroying her kids and acted accordingly, and I applaud that.
Molly is of course the scene-stealer in the book, she's amazing and her little rhymes and the way she could ape anything was amazing. She's precocious, and adorable, and I just wanted to keep her for myself. But there's also Molly's two other kids, Emily and Tom. I actually really loved Tom, he was so shy, and at times had crippling anxiety which caused him to stop speaking, and I felt so bad for him. Emily was another matter. I liked her, and I understood why she was so annoyed at her mom, but the way she acted made me despise her at times. She did things that you can't just write off as teen angst, and she needed to make things right, which we sadly didn't get to see.
This was such a good read. I always love books set in the world of Hollywood, and TV shows, and it's crazy, but I do love reading about it. Suzanne is a very, very talented writer and I'm definitely going to go and find myself her first novel Hush Little Baby. I perhaps would have liked more to the ending, because it was left soooooo open, I wanted to know what happened, I wanted MORE. I craved more. I would love a sequel, I would sooo love a sequel, please Suzanne. I really, really loved this read. It's been a long time since I've really loved a women's fiction novel and this was an amazing read, so nuanced, so clever, and it asked a lot of questions. Make sure you read this book, it's amazing.
No Ordinary Life is SUCH an on-point novel. Kids acting, and kids becoming superstars, is something always in the news. You see adults who used to be child stars messing up their lives left, right and centre, and there must be a reason, and that reason seems to be the mess that is Hollywood and Redfearn is on point with the lovely Molly, who herself becomes famous after a dance throw-down on the streets of LA. We follow Molly's mom Faye as Molly's fame skyrockets and she even gets the chance to be part of one of the most popular sitcoms, and you just knew it was all going to end up blowing up in Faye's face, and it was like waiting for a car crash to happen, but I felt for Faye because all she was trying to do was to care for her kids, all of her kids, and Molly acting allowed them to do more than just exist.
Faye is an amazing mom, everything she does in the novel is amazing, and even when she sometimes lets Hollywood take over and Molly do things she's not entirely comfortable with, she realises her failings and always vows to do better. Her end game was astounding, and I wanted to stand up and give her a standing ovation, because what she did was brave. Some might say cruel, I say brave. A mother does what she has to, to protect her kids, and Faye knew Hollywood was destroying her kids and acted accordingly, and I applaud that.
Molly is of course the scene-stealer in the book, she's amazing and her little rhymes and the way she could ape anything was amazing. She's precocious, and adorable, and I just wanted to keep her for myself. But there's also Molly's two other kids, Emily and Tom. I actually really loved Tom, he was so shy, and at times had crippling anxiety which caused him to stop speaking, and I felt so bad for him. Emily was another matter. I liked her, and I understood why she was so annoyed at her mom, but the way she acted made me despise her at times. She did things that you can't just write off as teen angst, and she needed to make things right, which we sadly didn't get to see.
This was such a good read. I always love books set in the world of Hollywood, and TV shows, and it's crazy, but I do love reading about it. Suzanne is a very, very talented writer and I'm definitely going to go and find myself her first novel Hush Little Baby. I perhaps would have liked more to the ending, because it was left soooooo open, I wanted to know what happened, I wanted MORE. I craved more. I would love a sequel, I would sooo love a sequel, please Suzanne. I really, really loved this read. It's been a long time since I've really loved a women's fiction novel and this was an amazing read, so nuanced, so clever, and it asked a lot of questions. Make sure you read this book, it's amazing.
February 6, 2016
Neither I or any of my family has ever worked in the entertainment industry, so much of what was in this book was new to me. I had assumed that world to be cutthroat, but never did I imagine how rabid it is! But it was a fascinating world to a person like me and I admit to devouring every page!
First, the story. Needless to say, I was hooked! It's a rags to riches Hollywood story about a child who, through a YouTube video, becomes an overnight sensation. This child, Molly along with the rest of her family, is completely taken over. She becomes famous and things go downhill for the family from there. I do not intend to tell the entire story, but it was fascinating!
Secondly, the characters. Molly, of course, is adorable. I believe she's a lookalike to Shirley Temple (0r at least she is in my mind). Her mother, Faye, is a steadying influence for her and the family - or as much as she can be when she's the mother of a child star. Her brother and sister, Tom and Emily, are both featured, though not like Molly. And then there's Sean, the dad. Oh my goodness, he's something else! There are lots of Hollywood stereotypes that wander though the story, but it is essentially about the family.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to read and provide an honest review of "No Ordinary Life." It was a delight and I highly recommend it to everyone.
First, the story. Needless to say, I was hooked! It's a rags to riches Hollywood story about a child who, through a YouTube video, becomes an overnight sensation. This child, Molly along with the rest of her family, is completely taken over. She becomes famous and things go downhill for the family from there. I do not intend to tell the entire story, but it was fascinating!
Secondly, the characters. Molly, of course, is adorable. I believe she's a lookalike to Shirley Temple (0r at least she is in my mind). Her mother, Faye, is a steadying influence for her and the family - or as much as she can be when she's the mother of a child star. Her brother and sister, Tom and Emily, are both featured, though not like Molly. And then there's Sean, the dad. Oh my goodness, he's something else! There are lots of Hollywood stereotypes that wander though the story, but it is essentially about the family.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to read and provide an honest review of "No Ordinary Life." It was a delight and I highly recommend it to everyone.
October 16, 2015
Another 5 star read from Suzanne Redfearn. Very fortunate to have received an advance copy. No Ordinary Life is different from her first novel, Hush Little Baby, but will again have you turning the pages.
February 10, 2016
鈥淣o Ordinary Life鈥� presents a startling (and probably very realistic) look at how childhood stardom affects ordinary children and their parents. Yes, there鈥檚 money and fame, but Ms. Redfearn provides perceptive insights into what goes on behind the scenes. Ultimately, this is a story about family and what a mother is willing to do to care for and protect her children. A gorgeous book cover and an entertaining, captivating book.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
March 26, 2024
This book was hard to read. The child actress was a four-year-old and had no business being stuck on a set all day everyday being forced to work harder than most adults to support her entire family.
February 25, 2016
"No Ordinary Life" is the story of Faye Martin and her children. When her youngest, Molly, is discovered one day right after they move to Los Angeles, the whole family's world is turned upside down. At first, Faye can't believe her fortune but she is faced with a slew of new problems that she could once only imagine. This is the story of one woman trying to hold her family together when their world is turned upside down. Hollywood glamour isn't always glamorous!
The Hollywood life is definitely not for me but that did not prevent me from enjoying living vicariously through Faye and her family in this book. The book is told from Faye's perspective, which really pulled me into the story. I really enjoyed seeing the events of the book through her eyes. This book definitely shows the unglamorous side of Hollywood. At first, Faye thinks that being in Hollywood is going to solve all of her family's problems but she finds that the problems just change (and arguably get worse) as her family gets more entrenched in the business. This book made me really anxious for the family throughout the book and I love when a book can elicit such a strong response in me!
The writing of the book is good. I thought that the author did a good job of showing the characters' growth (especially Faye's) throughout the book. The flow works well and kept me involved with the book. Overall, this was a good read that gave a lot of insight into a world I'm not familiar with!
The Hollywood life is definitely not for me but that did not prevent me from enjoying living vicariously through Faye and her family in this book. The book is told from Faye's perspective, which really pulled me into the story. I really enjoyed seeing the events of the book through her eyes. This book definitely shows the unglamorous side of Hollywood. At first, Faye thinks that being in Hollywood is going to solve all of her family's problems but she finds that the problems just change (and arguably get worse) as her family gets more entrenched in the business. This book made me really anxious for the family throughout the book and I love when a book can elicit such a strong response in me!
The writing of the book is good. I thought that the author did a good job of showing the characters' growth (especially Faye's) throughout the book. The flow works well and kept me involved with the book. Overall, this was a good read that gave a lot of insight into a world I'm not familiar with!
February 23, 2016
This was an EXCELLENT book! I don't give out 5 stars very often but I couldn't put this book down! I started last night & read all thru the night!! Wish this author had more books. I read her previous book so this was a must & I was not disappointed.
I was a little hesitant because it was about a child YouTube star but that quickly disapates (?) & I'm hooked from the very beginning!
I was a little hesitant because it was about a child YouTube star but that quickly disapates (?) & I'm hooked from the very beginning!
December 7, 2015
Great book! Sucked me in from the first page!
February 15, 2018
A good read that you can gobble up over a weekend. Look forward to reading more from this author.
January 13, 2017
A very entertaining book on Hollywood life and the making of a child star. I was frustrated at times on the decisions the mother made concerning her children but I can only imagine what it must be like being in the limelight of fame. Disliked the ending but maybe one has to do whatever it takes to survive in the glamorous world of television entertainment in LA.. This is a rags to riches story with happiness and heartache, a mom who only wants the best for her children, and a missing husband who reappears as a father when his children become famous. No Ordinary Life is a good read and I look forward to reading another book by Suzanne Redfearn. 3.5 stars
February 18, 2016
I will tell you that if you are looking for a book that you will fly though, this is your pick. And for me to say that about a book with about 400 pages is really something. I was engaged and hooked from page one because I really identified with Faye. She's got three children, her moron husband has seemingly picked up and left and doesn't seem like he's ever going to return. She works a dead end, low-paying job, she has a teenager being a teenager, a son who has "selective mutism" and she can't afford the therapy to fix it so the school has called CPS, and she has just a little toddler who doesn't understand the world around her because she's busy being a toddler. She reluctantly packs the children up and moves in with her mom who makes it very clear she knew that guy was a loser and if you'd just listen to your mom (and stop having babies) you wouldn't find yourself here.
But alas. There Faye is, in Hollywood, barely making ends meet with her three kids and unsure of where life is going to take her next. All of a sudden, her super cute toddler is seemingly discovered online and all of a sudden she becomes the key to the family getting out of their rut. But of course, nothing is ever as easy as it seems and Faye is quickly learning about the dark side of show business and her family's happiness and normalcy is at stake. Every single stereotype you can think of in Hollywood is represented in this book and you cringe when you can see them coming but Faye can't. She's too nice, too naive, too trusting, and in her case, it's basically her being confronted with every fear she has. She has to go against everything she has ever done for her family to pull through. And then of course we have the dad, Sean, and he's a serious piece of work and you really hope Faye just pops off at him and really gives it to him.
I won't tell you if she does, of course, or how it winds up for the family. But it was a really great book that I sailed through on the weekend. It's just a really great book of a mom who doesn't think she's good or strong enough for her family but deep down she can do it. She's so easy to identify with as a mother.
But alas. There Faye is, in Hollywood, barely making ends meet with her three kids and unsure of where life is going to take her next. All of a sudden, her super cute toddler is seemingly discovered online and all of a sudden she becomes the key to the family getting out of their rut. But of course, nothing is ever as easy as it seems and Faye is quickly learning about the dark side of show business and her family's happiness and normalcy is at stake. Every single stereotype you can think of in Hollywood is represented in this book and you cringe when you can see them coming but Faye can't. She's too nice, too naive, too trusting, and in her case, it's basically her being confronted with every fear she has. She has to go against everything she has ever done for her family to pull through. And then of course we have the dad, Sean, and he's a serious piece of work and you really hope Faye just pops off at him and really gives it to him.
I won't tell you if she does, of course, or how it winds up for the family. But it was a really great book that I sailed through on the weekend. It's just a really great book of a mom who doesn't think she's good or strong enough for her family but deep down she can do it. She's so easy to identify with as a mother.
December 17, 2015
Faye is now a single mother - the eldest is at the dangerous age of thinking she knows it all, her mother is old hat and that she is very much a woman of the world (very tricky stage that!), the boy is very sweet, family conscious but with a condition which prevents him talking when he is with outsiders - he is perfectly normal with family members, and then you get the littlest four year old, cute as a button and around whom the story revolves.
Scouted out for a commercial and then going on to greater things, the youngest brings about financial stability for a family which was living hand to mouth but fame also brings a lot of dissension to the family. The sudden reappearance of the father was so disillusioning as he was only wanting to get on the gravy train and to get his paws on whatever his youngest was earning.
The struggles of being a single mother, the what you should and definitely what is out of bounds, how to handle difficult teenagers and growing up children and the frailties of even those whom you love are very descriptively told in this story.
Each character was very specific and very different and this added a lot of interest to the story.
February 6, 2016
What if this was you? What if your child was suddenly discovered as a star? How would you react? How would you allow things to go on and not be able to have a say?
Wow. This book asks all that as it tells the story of what a mother does when her young child(ren) are discovered as young actors. Such a great story. Faye is my hero.
Wow. This book asks all that as it tells the story of what a mother does when her young child(ren) are discovered as young actors. Such a great story. Faye is my hero.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2015
No Ordinary Life by Suzanne Redfearn took hold of my heart and ran with it! I feel so lucky to have received an ARC of this gem. Suzanne's characters are unforgettable and come to life right off the pages. You know you have a great read when you are up reading a book until the middle of the night. I can't wait for her next one!
June 30, 2020
"I watch paralyzed, knowing regardless of how this turns out, that this moment will not be forgotten, the moment I was too much of a coward to stand up for my kid and stop this from happening."
.
This is my third book from the amazing author @suzanneredfearn and I loved it! It had a refreshingly, unique storyline about a struggling single mom whose youngest daughter is discovered on YouTube and becomes an instant celebrity and how Hollywood, not only affects her daughter, but the entire family. Redfearn goes into the "behind the scenes" of filming a popular TV show and all the lengths the mom must take to protect her family. The story had a lot of emotion with some unexpected twists and I always love when the writing pulls me in right away which this definitely did! This would be a perfect bookclub pick with plenty to discuss and make sure to read the "A Note From the Author" section at the end to understand how/where Redfearn got the ideas for this book! I will be waiting patiently for a new book by Redfearn and can't wait! I recommend reading all her books and so glad I finished my June reads with a bang!
.
This is my third book from the amazing author @suzanneredfearn and I loved it! It had a refreshingly, unique storyline about a struggling single mom whose youngest daughter is discovered on YouTube and becomes an instant celebrity and how Hollywood, not only affects her daughter, but the entire family. Redfearn goes into the "behind the scenes" of filming a popular TV show and all the lengths the mom must take to protect her family. The story had a lot of emotion with some unexpected twists and I always love when the writing pulls me in right away which this definitely did! This would be a perfect bookclub pick with plenty to discuss and make sure to read the "A Note From the Author" section at the end to understand how/where Redfearn got the ideas for this book! I will be waiting patiently for a new book by Redfearn and can't wait! I recommend reading all her books and so glad I finished my June reads with a bang!
October 25, 2020
This book was good, but a little too drawn out and nothing exceptional. In this book, Faye and her 3 kids go from barely making ends meet to being uber famous and we get to see the hard side of fame. Her husband, Sean, has left her with kids (12, 9, and 4 ish) and her 4 year old girl gets discovered for her acting abilities. It starts with a commercial and ends with a role on a major TV show, catapulting the family into instant fame. Her son also is a talented actor (although previously suffered from selective mutism) so the stardom is multiplied. We see the impact that fame has on the kids who are acting, the child who is not, the parents (both Faye and the absentee dad), and their circle as a whole. It was interesting enough, just moved a little too slow for me.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
In the very end, Faye decides to pull her kids from the show because they are being followed, overworked, etc. Faye gets accused of child abuse because of weird camera angles but gets the kids back. The oldest rebels because she's the only one not getting a part. The dad comes back chasing the fortune, but eventually all is righted.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
In the very end, Faye decides to pull her kids from the show because they are being followed, overworked, etc. Faye gets accused of child abuse because of weird camera angles but gets the kids back. The oldest rebels because she's the only one not getting a part. The dad comes back chasing the fortune, but eventually all is righted.
July 31, 2017
Se j谩 tinha gostado de O Fim do Sil锚ncio, O Pre莽o da Fama superou largamente as minhas expectativas.
Cap铆tulos curtos, cheios de "energia" e uma escrita bastante apelativa que, comparada com a de alguns policiais, 茅 muito mais interessante. A tem谩tica 茅 bastante pertinente uma vez que se debru莽a sobre a exposi莽茫o medi谩tica de crian莽as de tenra idade e respectivas consequ锚ncias. Junte-se a isso um casal "separado" e a explora莽茫o do fil茫o pelo progenitor ausente e temos uma obra que se l锚 rapidamente, com renovado interesse e que, devido a certos ep铆tetos, talvez n茫o conquiste os mais leitores que deveria.
Aconselho vivamente e espero que a editora continue a apostar em Suzanne Redfearn.
Cap铆tulos curtos, cheios de "energia" e uma escrita bastante apelativa que, comparada com a de alguns policiais, 茅 muito mais interessante. A tem谩tica 茅 bastante pertinente uma vez que se debru莽a sobre a exposi莽茫o medi谩tica de crian莽as de tenra idade e respectivas consequ锚ncias. Junte-se a isso um casal "separado" e a explora莽茫o do fil茫o pelo progenitor ausente e temos uma obra que se l锚 rapidamente, com renovado interesse e que, devido a certos ep铆tetos, talvez n茫o conquiste os mais leitores que deveria.
Aconselho vivamente e espero que a editora continue a apostar em Suzanne Redfearn.
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