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Sparkles
Fabulously wealthy, internationally adored, the aristocratic Massot family owns one of the last great jewelry firms in Paris. But seven years have passed since the disappearance of the patriarch, Pierre Massot. With hope of his return all but extinguished, his beautiful young widow, Sophie, reluctantly declares her husband dead and takes control of the family business. But even as Sophie begins to look to the future, forces are conspiring to destroy the Massots—by unearthing the devastating secret from their past that Pierre may have died trying to protect. Bagshawe’s sweeping story takes readers from the murky diamond mines of Soviet Russia to the cultural whirl of modern-day Paris, unraveling the mystery of Pierre Massot’s fate and the scandal and deceit that lies behind the Massot family fortune. Spanning continents and decades, Louise Bagshawe’s Sparkles is an addictive tale of ambition, betrayal, and romance.
499 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
44 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Louise Bagshawe
52books483followersLouise Daphne Bagshawe was born on 28 June 1971 in England, UK. She attended local all-girls Catholic schools near her family home in Surrey, before going to Oxford University in 1989. After graduating with a degree in Anglo Saxon and Norse, she worked as press officer with EMI records and then as a marketing official with Sony Music. On her 22nd birthday, her passion for writing was realised with a major publishing deal as Louise Bagshawe. She is the author of more than fifteen novels, published in more than eight languages. She is sister of the also writer Tilly Bagshawe.
Louise married Anthony LoCicero, and they had three children, but since June 2011, she is married with her second husband Peter Mensch. She lives in Northamptonshire with her family, and has been the Parliamentary Candidate for Corby and East Northants since November 2006, and became the Member of Parliament for Corby after winning the seat at the 2010 general election.
Louise married Anthony LoCicero, and they had three children, but since June 2011, she is married with her second husband Peter Mensch. She lives in Northamptonshire with her family, and has been the Parliamentary Candidate for Corby and East Northants since November 2006, and became the Member of Parliament for Corby after winning the seat at the 2010 general election.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
July 9, 2009
I've read some reviews here, and have to disagree with most of them. I found this book a thrilling, emotional ride. I was iffy at first about the story, but I absolutly loved it. It is very descriptive, but I find that it adds to the atmosphere that Bagshawe has created. I found myself feeling everything the characters did, which is what I consider the mark of a good book. It made me smile, I honestly found myself grinning like a fool at some parts. I can see how some people would dislike this book, but I really think this is a book well worth reading. Sophie Massot is a loveable protagonist, and you will find youself rooting for her success.
December 4, 2014
Not a book any self respecting bloke would pick up but when laid up after a motorbike accident and the only book within reach........
WOW
Well worth the read. With a different title and cover it would be enjoyed by a wider audience.
WOW
Well worth the read. With a different title and cover it would be enjoyed by a wider audience.
November 25, 2016
Louise Bagshawe’s books are excellent to relax with � they have a good pace, always with some twists. This one is no different � a strong principled woman character in Sophie Massot, mystery, and other scheming characters.
The story is about the Massot family who own a large jewellery chain in France. The owner, Pierre has disappeared and it has been 7 years. His wife, Sophie Massot, decides to move on and declares her husband dead, effectively taking over the company till her son now studying at Oxford is of age. This does not go well with Pierre’s mother Katherine or her son Tom. There is the added complication that Pierre was not a loyal husband, and his mistress Judy is part of the firm. There is also the takeover bid being pursued by Hugh Montfort. With no business background, Sophie attempts to understand and improve the declining fortune of the company. It does not help that her mother in law and son are hostile to her, and Judy is scheming against her - smarting that she has not got her due for all she was to Pierre.
The story is interesting and as expected there are twists in the last quarter of the novel. However, the initial sections are far too long, not allowing the last section of the novel to assert itself. The language of the novel more or less gives you clues on what to expect broadly � it is still good reading though. It is almost as the story itself is tired of being so long, and the climax winds down too quickly.
I rate it at 3.5 stars. Though I liked some of Louise Bagshawe's other books better - for its story and characters, it is worth a read.
The story is about the Massot family who own a large jewellery chain in France. The owner, Pierre has disappeared and it has been 7 years. His wife, Sophie Massot, decides to move on and declares her husband dead, effectively taking over the company till her son now studying at Oxford is of age. This does not go well with Pierre’s mother Katherine or her son Tom. There is the added complication that Pierre was not a loyal husband, and his mistress Judy is part of the firm. There is also the takeover bid being pursued by Hugh Montfort. With no business background, Sophie attempts to understand and improve the declining fortune of the company. It does not help that her mother in law and son are hostile to her, and Judy is scheming against her - smarting that she has not got her due for all she was to Pierre.
The story is interesting and as expected there are twists in the last quarter of the novel. However, the initial sections are far too long, not allowing the last section of the novel to assert itself. The language of the novel more or less gives you clues on what to expect broadly � it is still good reading though. It is almost as the story itself is tired of being so long, and the climax winds down too quickly.
I rate it at 3.5 stars. Though I liked some of Louise Bagshawe's other books better - for its story and characters, it is worth a read.
July 12, 2010
Loved this as much as the first time round. Very enjoyable. Loved Sophie the whole way through. I think the twist is very good tho I knew it was coming this time round but it totally got me the first time I read it! It says that Louise Bagshawe has some of her books turned into movies! I think I'm going to have to look them up :) I brought this book by accident. I was ment to buy a book by Tilly Bagshawe but got confushed with the names and got this one instead and I'm glad I did :)
September 24, 2017
This was long! I know why but man, it seems like some of it could have been cut down and the story would have stayed in tact. The ending was predictable but the lead up was pretty good. I'll keep reading these because I enjoy the characters and how in depth their worlds are.
August 16, 2017
Louise Bagshawe always rocks!!
November 2, 2018
Great chick lit. Enjoyable characters and setting in glorious Paris.
May 8, 2024
Great bit of chick lit.
May 17, 2008
My latest Bagshawe, based on having quite enjoyed the last one I read. This one promised an epic read, and the book is certainly long enough, but dear me the characters are a dreary bunch, by and large. With the exception of Hugh Montfort (and to a lesser degree, Sophie Massot), there's nobody particularly admirable or endearing. Most of the other characters (and even Hugh and Sophie to some degree) feel a bit like cardboard cutouts moving through the scenery that is haut Paris. The business movers are ethically sleazy, the powerful disdainful, or rude, or cruel, to their underlings, the secretaries gossipy and vapid. Pierre Massot is a sociopath; his wife beautiful and effortlessly stylish, but a bit of a nonentity until she has him declared dead; his son is a sulky teenager in severe need of a smack upside the head; and his mistress is obsessively jealous and vengeful (there was one of those in , too; an emerging theme?).
As usual, the writing suffers from excessive description - because it's set in the world of high fashion, we get every detail of the primary characters' clothing choices: designer, colour, style, cut, accessories, down to and including the individual stones in their jewellery. (To be fair, the book is about jewellery dynasty, but I wearied of all the brand names immediately.) Oh, and the things they eat. And drink. Quite apart from the excruciating descriptions, some of the writing feels sloppy and less polished than it should; there is some craft missing. Point of view is inconsistent, and there is a lot of head hopping even within paragraphs. There is also a lot of telling versus showing, which takes most of the tension and much of the interest out of the story at those points.
My final complaint is the twist, which feels like a patch to the main plot, applied to provide a reason for a fireworks-filled ending, which was, notwithstanding, trite, melodramatic, and entirely overblown.
I finished the book, because I liked Sophie enough to want to know how things came out, but I skipped over a lot of the book (mostly the descriptions), because that's what I do when tension flags. Bagshawe's presentation of haute couture and high society doesn't read like the writing of an insider; anyone who has read an international Vogue magazine could drop the same names - Chanel, Louboutin, Lamborghini, Tiffany. wrote about Paris society and fashion much more believably, many years ago, in .
In all, not one of Bagshawe's better efforts. She's written better. Also, the title is rubbish: unoriginal, bland, and pretty meaningless.
As usual, the writing suffers from excessive description - because it's set in the world of high fashion, we get every detail of the primary characters' clothing choices: designer, colour, style, cut, accessories, down to and including the individual stones in their jewellery. (To be fair, the book is about jewellery dynasty, but I wearied of all the brand names immediately.) Oh, and the things they eat. And drink. Quite apart from the excruciating descriptions, some of the writing feels sloppy and less polished than it should; there is some craft missing. Point of view is inconsistent, and there is a lot of head hopping even within paragraphs. There is also a lot of telling versus showing, which takes most of the tension and much of the interest out of the story at those points.
My final complaint is the twist, which feels like a patch to the main plot, applied to provide a reason for a fireworks-filled ending, which was, notwithstanding, trite, melodramatic, and entirely overblown.
I finished the book, because I liked Sophie enough to want to know how things came out, but I skipped over a lot of the book (mostly the descriptions), because that's what I do when tension flags. Bagshawe's presentation of haute couture and high society doesn't read like the writing of an insider; anyone who has read an international Vogue magazine could drop the same names - Chanel, Louboutin, Lamborghini, Tiffany. wrote about Paris society and fashion much more believably, many years ago, in .
In all, not one of Bagshawe's better efforts. She's written better. Also, the title is rubbish: unoriginal, bland, and pretty meaningless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2018
This was my first Louise Bagshawe book and won't be my last. It was a gripping read with characters that were full of substance and you could really root for. I also enjoyed the twists the author built in which were genious.
May 22, 2007
So I picked this up in America because I wanted to read about Europe (France, in particular) while I was there. What can I say? Euro-trash soap opera sums it up nicely. This is yet another 500-pager that left me wondering why it wasn't cut down to a nice, clean 250 pages. Cut out the numerous food descriptions, the over-done, unnecessary, and dry descriptions of the character's clothes and jewels, and you're halfway there.
The first 200 pages were dull, but I kept reading for the simple reason that I wanted my 13 bucks worth. Around page 250, the story starts to get interesting. Slightly. Enough to motivate me to keep reading. The end was trite, melodramatic, and stupid ... I've read better endings by Harlequin writers, for Chrissakes.
To the author's credit, there was a jaw-dropping plot twist and a touching love story that grew from one character's transformation. Other than that, the book was trash, not even worthy of beach-reading.
The characters were flat. The writing is boring and patronizing, if not just bad. I couldn't stand how the author was used the same repetitive adjectives to describe two completely different characters: this is not a literay device, this is just sloppiness from the writer and the editor (who probably fell asleep on the job hundreds of pages of ago.) Metaphors sucked. Nothing original here at all.
The story could have had potential, though ... too bad a better writer didn't come up with the idea.
The first 200 pages were dull, but I kept reading for the simple reason that I wanted my 13 bucks worth. Around page 250, the story starts to get interesting. Slightly. Enough to motivate me to keep reading. The end was trite, melodramatic, and stupid ... I've read better endings by Harlequin writers, for Chrissakes.
To the author's credit, there was a jaw-dropping plot twist and a touching love story that grew from one character's transformation. Other than that, the book was trash, not even worthy of beach-reading.
The characters were flat. The writing is boring and patronizing, if not just bad. I couldn't stand how the author was used the same repetitive adjectives to describe two completely different characters: this is not a literay device, this is just sloppiness from the writer and the editor (who probably fell asleep on the job hundreds of pages of ago.) Metaphors sucked. Nothing original here at all.
The story could have had potential, though ... too bad a better writer didn't come up with the idea.
August 7, 2013
Wow - I am absolutely amazed at how much I enjoyed this book, as I usually shy away from 'chic-lit'. But this has an amazing twist towards the end that actually made me gasp aloud.
It's the story of the Massot family. Pierre Massot, entrepenaurial jeweller, disappears, leaving a wife and child behind. Seven years later, Sophie Massot declares him dead and takes an interest in the firm, finding out that not everything is as right as it should be. Fighting the unwanted attentions of the stand-in Director, the manipulations of her mother-in-law, a bid to take over the company from a rival and the hatred from her son, she learns to stand on her own two feet and takes the world by storm.
There is something completly sumptious about this book. The descriptions of the food are amazing and I bet your mouth will be watering - mine was. The Jewellary also sounds amazing and the whole fictional world is a great bit of escapism, while somehow remaining true to life too (and I usually hate that phrase!). A brilliant read and an author that I am sure I will return to in the future.
It's the story of the Massot family. Pierre Massot, entrepenaurial jeweller, disappears, leaving a wife and child behind. Seven years later, Sophie Massot declares him dead and takes an interest in the firm, finding out that not everything is as right as it should be. Fighting the unwanted attentions of the stand-in Director, the manipulations of her mother-in-law, a bid to take over the company from a rival and the hatred from her son, she learns to stand on her own two feet and takes the world by storm.
There is something completly sumptious about this book. The descriptions of the food are amazing and I bet your mouth will be watering - mine was. The Jewellary also sounds amazing and the whole fictional world is a great bit of escapism, while somehow remaining true to life too (and I usually hate that phrase!). A brilliant read and an author that I am sure I will return to in the future.
October 3, 2012
I thought this was a good book. I was given this book to read by my sister, but it's not my usual genre as I am more into trashy romance novels. But this book surprised me. It was a bit heavy on the descriptions, especially for someone who doesn't know what a Chanel suit looks like, or the names or colors of precious gems, or what the complex food dishes were. However, this did not ruin the book for me. I actually thought the book had a great plot line, and it completely shocked me in the end, because I wasn't expecting it. It wasn't predictable at all to me. I have never read a Louise Bagshawe book before, nor had I ever heard of her, but I might read another one.
I did find Sophie a bit too naive and trusting for a woman in her late 30s, and her son was a spoiled brat that I wanted to punch in the face. And, I find it somewhat difficult for all of that hiring and firing in the business world, especially for executives, to be a tad unbelievable.
I did find Sophie a bit too naive and trusting for a woman in her late 30s, and her son was a spoiled brat that I wanted to punch in the face. And, I find it somewhat difficult for all of that hiring and firing in the business world, especially for executives, to be a tad unbelievable.
February 12, 2015
DUMB. DUMB. DUMB. SO DUMB IT HURTS.
JUST SHUT UP. YOU'RE STUPID.
NO MORE PLEASE! YOU DUMB B****
As bad as her career as a Tory MP.
Generally at tall dark handsome cliché of a hero. Everyone other woman is a baddie. And she's the elegant beauty. Snore
JUST SHUT UP. YOU'RE STUPID.
NO MORE PLEASE! YOU DUMB B****
As bad as her career as a Tory MP.
Generally at tall dark handsome cliché of a hero. Everyone other woman is a baddie. And she's the elegant beauty. Snore
April 19, 2016
3 and a half stars.
I needed something fluffy and feel-good, and this book gave me that.
Sophie Massot's husband, the owner of a big time Paris jewelry empire, goes missing mysteriously. 7 years later, Sophie, the once compliant and timid housewife, must forge her own life path, both in love and in business.
The book is full of glamour and glitz, which was fun. There was a good twist at the end, which did take me by surprise.
If you feel like a good light read for holiday purposes, then this is the book for you.
I needed something fluffy and feel-good, and this book gave me that.
Sophie Massot's husband, the owner of a big time Paris jewelry empire, goes missing mysteriously. 7 years later, Sophie, the once compliant and timid housewife, must forge her own life path, both in love and in business.
The book is full of glamour and glitz, which was fun. There was a good twist at the end, which did take me by surprise.
If you feel like a good light read for holiday purposes, then this is the book for you.
January 5, 2009
This book interested me because of the whole jewelry and gem stone side to it. Once I pick up a book, unless it's totally awful, I usually finish it even if I'm not all that thrilled with it. This is one of those not so thrilled but had to finish books. It was typical and predictable.
September 16, 2024
The book started off quite slow for me and I began to dislike the main character, Sophie, as she was a non confident woman and many people were taking advantage of her. She declared her husband dead since he had been missing for 7 years and slowly over time began to regain a sense of self. She went to her husbands company to look at the books and over time began to build herself up.
There was a lot of deceit going on trough this process with unfavorable people befriending her but this helped her to regain herself as time went on. Her son Tom was angry with his mom for legally declaring his father, dead and decided to quit Oxford and go back to France to take over his inheritance, which was the company Sophie was running.
Eventually the background noise becomes louder and the plot does some twists and turns until the final chapter. This is when the book felt like a let down. I knew there was going to be an outcome that was dramatic but how it came to be wasn't an ending that left me with any other feeling but disappointment. For me, the ending didn't do the 600 pages of reading justice.
There was a lot of deceit going on trough this process with unfavorable people befriending her but this helped her to regain herself as time went on. Her son Tom was angry with his mom for legally declaring his father, dead and decided to quit Oxford and go back to France to take over his inheritance, which was the company Sophie was running.
Eventually the background noise becomes louder and the plot does some twists and turns until the final chapter. This is when the book felt like a let down. I knew there was going to be an outcome that was dramatic but how it came to be wasn't an ending that left me with any other feeling but disappointment. For me, the ending didn't do the 600 pages of reading justice.
May 28, 2019
This book was a 2/5 for the first half of the book. I thought the writing was terrible and the characters were 1 dimensional and so unrealistic. I felt no attachment to any of them and had no interest in where the plot was going. I also got frustrated at how much detail went into what people were wearing and what they were eating. You could strip out about 50 pages if all of that was left out.
About 2/3 through the book I found that I did actually want to pick up the book and find out what was going to happen next and I really enjoyed the drama unfolding which is why it got bumped up to 3 stars.
About 2/3 through the book I found that I did actually want to pick up the book and find out what was going to happen next and I really enjoyed the drama unfolding which is why it got bumped up to 3 stars.
February 3, 2018
Wow a must read i couldn't put it down a real page turner, there are some really good twists in this book and loved all the characters, as I was reading it I was there, brilliant i really recommend . my Husband has been reading this along side me on Audio we have been racing against each other he has enjoy it as much as me but has had problems with his reader device so i beat him but he said if it breaks down i am going to have to download as he has to know what happens, now that has to tell you something i just totally love this book and i know you will too.
June 23, 2017
3.5 stars - This book was a fun romp written in a style similar to Judith Krantz. The characters were all moderately dislikable, but the descriptions of the jewels and clothes and Paris were divine. The secondary characters were lovely, and I could have read a lot more about them. There was an easy-to-see twist and predictable ending, but still a satisfying book.
May 1, 2018
What a journey this book is. Very easy to follow & it gains pace as it goes. I found the pace rapidly increases as you read. I had worked out "the twist" (best way I can think to put it without giving anything away) just after 2/3rds of the way through & was shocked when I was proven correct. This is a brilliant read you really won't want to put it down. Totally recommend this book.
June 19, 2024
This was good but way too dramatic, with 15 different stories converging into the ultimate ending.
I really like the heroes Sophie and Hugh. Tom has too much of Pierre's personality and is a spoiled kid who, well, learns from his mistakes.
It's super long with many names which make it all a bit confusing.
I really like the heroes Sophie and Hugh. Tom has too much of Pierre's personality and is a spoiled kid who, well, learns from his mistakes.
It's super long with many names which make it all a bit confusing.
January 6, 2019
Страхотна книга! Разказ за бижута, бизнес, интриги, семейни връзки. Неочаквани обрати. Персонажите са пълни, страхотно добре изградени. На няколко пъти си мислех, че съм стигнала кулминацията на разказа, а се оказва, че има и още :D С удоволствие я четох!
February 8, 2020
FANTASTIC
This was an incredibly book. Surprise after surprise. There were moments when the story dragged but then you turned the page and found a new twist. This is the book you want to travel with. I could hardly put it down.
This was an incredibly book. Surprise after surprise. There were moments when the story dragged but then you turned the page and found a new twist. This is the book you want to travel with. I could hardly put it down.
March 16, 2021
I had this book sitting around for a while and kept putting it off as I thought it would just be fluff. I was surprised to find this an enjoyable family saga set in France. Intrigue, and romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 26, 2021
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this book!
I couldn’t put it down once I actually started it but it was also ridiculous at times and all a bit much, with a lot going on but even the plot twists were predictable.
I couldn’t put it down once I actually started it but it was also ridiculous at times and all a bit much, with a lot going on but even the plot twists were predictable.
August 29, 2021
Light and fluffy, an easy read even though it's long at 600 pages.
The characters are paper-thin, and the descriptions of people's outfits are usually in too much detail, but there are a few interesting twists and turns to keep the reader going.
The characters are paper-thin, and the descriptions of people's outfits are usually in too much detail, but there are a few interesting twists and turns to keep the reader going.
May 15, 2024
Published 18 years ago it’s a great read in the style of Jackie Collins. A romp, a story, a few twists, a love match, bit of a concentration on name dropping of clothes and designers but it also had a fairly satisfactory end
September 25, 2017
A slow start, pace picked up and story was enjoyable although very stereotyped. It felt a little long and the ending was too neat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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