The Jetsetters

While the story was ok, the writing was not. Theres a TON of dialogue in this book, but the ONLY word the author could come up with when writing the conversations was SAID. I read 1-5 books per week, am over age 50, but I have NEVER read such awful writing. She could have used Google-words to use in place of SAID-550 examples. On page 254, she finally used pronounced & trilled but then went back to the overuse of SAID.
The editor failed this author.
The other annoying thing the author did at the beginning of the book was name-drop high dollar brands. Over & over. There are better ways to describe the wealth of people.
These things are perhaps more noticeable on the audible addition. Hearing the same word ad nauseum is like nails on a chalkboard.

Any writer who completes a manuscript gets my praise. Any writer who gets published receives further praise. But what Ive learned is that no matter how good the cook, not all published recipes yield good food and need some doctoring. Likewise, not all published books are good reads and could benefit from being book doctored. I love books that nourish my soul. But the only thing the The Jetsetters did was to feed my incredulity how did it get published? While the writer is accomplished, this story felt very amateurish. Not a single character earned my sympathy or admiration they were all wimpy and whiny. The storyline was a thin gruel that the writer tried to spice up with juicy tidbits and predictable seasonings, but never got the mixture right. For example, its hard to believe in todays world that anyone winning such a huge prize in a writing contest such as the protagonist did – would not have been subjected to intense social media from the start. Organizations dont just give away a first-class trip for four people on a luxury cruise in Europe without getting something in return i.e. lots of publicity. There were no handlers, no photos, etc. that might have made for some interesting story tension. Its not until the lame ending that we learn of the trips true origins. Also, we read about the elderly protagonists dark troubles with her deceased, alcoholic husband. He left her widowed with three children and few resources. She ends up selling real estate and struggles to get by. Yet later in the story she claims to have a pension and some money to spare. Realtors are self-employed and do not receive a pension. And the list of inconsistencies goes on. Im rarely this harsh in my literary criticism, but I think what this book needed was a better recipe and a really good book doctor.

The writing is too basic and it doesnt flow. Too choppy

How the author has published 7 previous books is a mystery, as Book #8 is so poorly written. Trite characters (lonely widow, failed actress daughter, daughter whose marriage is falling apart, closeted gay son) and boring story line – who knew you could make some of the Mediterraneans greatest ports so dull. Best thing about this book was the cover (and you know what that means)…

I picked this up because Ive got the video idea to rate and review Reese Witherspoons book club picks and this book… almost made me regret that decision. I cant say I enjoyed this story because none of the characters are likable. I cant say I hated it because I finished it and its let me with this feeling of where do I sit? If you enjoy meandering plotless stories about a dysfunctional family, this one would be for you. Thats all Ill say.

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