Tall Poppies by Louise Bagshawe

I was given this book by my Mam who was raving about it, so I repurchased it on my Kindle.

It is the first Louise Bagshaw novel I've read and although very well written, my issue is with the storyline which just didn't seem believable. So if that doesn't worry you, then I have no issue recommending this book, but if you're looking for something original or different then this is not it.

The story follows Elizabeth and Nina two girls from different lives, who's paths inevitably cross and their world's become subsequently intertwined. It begins with Elizabeth. Born into privilege, but hated by her step-mother and with her father's only ambition to marry her off ... really! I almost stopped reading at this point wondering if I had picked up a children's Disney story by mistake, or thinking I had misunderstood the historical context of the novel for this scenario to seem real. It must surely be set sometime between the two world wars - but no, this was meant to be a contemporary story, relevant today.

Meanwhile, Nina, born on the wrong side of the tracks in New York, abandoned by her first love, is forced to battle through life, her path stereotypically following the School of Hard Knocks.

Elizabeth eventually gains her father's attention by becoming a world-class skier when all she really wants, is to be taken seriously as a marketeer in his company and Nina wins his affection by becoming his mistress, after first becoming a top rising executive in his firm. Initially hating each other, the girls eventually plot his downfall. (This final segment of the story was the weakest element for me, simply for the simplicity of the way they were able to accomplish their goal.)

I found the sub-plots of the romances between Nina and Harry, and Elizabeth and Jack, which I assume were there to add some romantic tension and give the author the excuse to include some saucy scenes (which weren't in my opinion that hot - I've read some much steamy scenes by others, Rosalind James, Maria Luis to name a few), simply not compelling enough and added to my confusion.

I just couldn't work out what the point of the whole plot was. Was this a story about revenge against a controlling antagonist? Or about struggle and self-discovery? Or about finding love? To me, it tried to be all three and therefore wasn't strong enough in any one area.

I persevered with the story by just felt 'meh' when I reached the end. It was well written and I no issue with Louise's craft as a writer. Technically her writing is more than sound, I just simply didn't believe any of it, even as a fictional story, which meant I wasn't invested in the characters - but then perhaps that's the point, and I'm just not the target reader for this type of novel.

I'm sure Louise Bagshaw fans will love it, but it hasn't turned me into one. Sorry (sad emoji face)