What I Did for Love

By: Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Narrated by: Julia Gibson

Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

How did this happen?

Georgie York, once the costar of America's favorite television sitcom, has been publicly abandoned by her famous husband, her film career has tanked, her father is driving her crazy, and her public image as a spunky heroine is taking a serious beating.

What should a down-on-her-luck actress do? Not go to Vegas . . . not run into her detestable former costar, dreamboat-from-hell Bramwell Shepard . . . and not get caught up in an ugly incident that leads to a calamitous elopement. Before she knows it, Georgie has a fake marriage, a fake husband, and maybe (or not) a fake sex life.

It's a paparazzi free-for-all, and Georgie's nonsupporting cast doesn't help. There's Bram's punk-nightmare housekeeper, Georgie's own pushy parent, a suck-up agent, an icy studio head with a private agenda, and her ex-husband's new wife, who can't get enough of doing good deeds and saving the world. As for Georgie's leading man, Bram's giving the performance of his life, but he's never cared about anyone except himself, and it's not exactly clear why.

Two enemies find themselves working without a script in a town where the spotlight shines bright . . . and where the strongest emotions can wear startling disguises.

©2009 Susan Elizabeth Phillips (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Read Susan Elizabeth Philips' other books 1st

I love SEP's books while this book was better than Glitter Baby, it wasn't one of my favorites. It is worth listening to because the character development was so good as was the narrator, but story line was kind of hokey at times. Listening to Glitter Baby first would probably make this book more enjoyable. I would recommend it if you are an SEP fan; it just isn't one of her saucy jaunts.

Great book!

I finished in 2 days! Maybe a little unrealistic but I love romantic happy endings!

Another great story from Phillips!

Georgie and Bram have a regrettable past but discover that they are not the same people they had been years earlier. It's a rocky road but manages to make you cheer them on to growth and happiness.

Ok, not great

The book was ok, the story was ok. My favorite SEP book is Ain't She Sweet, followed by Kiss and Angel
I am a big fan of SEP but Julia Gibson is one of my least favorite narrators anyway. I don't think she does not do men well, as her voice is just too high and she does not have enough variation in her female voices to handle the number of people in the book. she also lacks the nuances of delivering the humor and personality of the characters I have grown to love in the SEP books. I have listened to over 300 books and often a narrator will help me choose my next book

I hope the SEP crew read these reviews, I would recommend Joyce Bean for her next book. If Julia narrates the next one, I will not be getting it on audible.

Could not stop listening

Literally could not stop listening to this fabulous and entertaining story. Once again, Susan Elizabeth Phillips has created characters who can make you laugh and then cry within minutes. Her romantic comedy is unmatched because the heroine is someone you love and understand. When she hurts, the reader hurts. One of the best things about Ms. Phillips' books is there is always a happy ending and you feel so good when the end comes, although, I always want more when it is over!

No more Julia Gibson!

I actually liked this book. Sure, it's not socially meaningful literature, but so what? I just want a fun, brainless book to listen to when I walk the dog and SEP always comes through. When I want Pulitzer material, I re-listen to "The Help." As for the Brangelina rip-off, so what? No biggie.

But, PLEASE ditch Julia Gibson. The minute I started listening to it I thought to myself that this sounds like the awful narrator from "Belong to Me." Checked and sure enough, same narrator. You think she was bad on this one, try listening to "Belong to Me." The only voice she did well in this book was Aaron. Please find a new narrator.

And for those waiting for a SEP book as good as Natural Born Charmers, give it up. There always has to be a best and a worst. I don't see the point in hating a SEP book just because it's not as good as Natural Born Charmers. SEP books are lots of fun.

Pretty Good

I see that alot of people hated this book. I must admit, it was out of SEPs ordinary storylines and was a bit stretched. It had a Jackie Collins-esque feeling but if you like that type of novel, you'll like this one. Don't be afraid to download this book, just don't expect the feeling you get with Anna Fields fantastic narrations. The bad news, I'm no longer anticipating SEP's next book; previously, I downloaded all of her books without first reading the reviews. Now its a must, sorry Susan.

Wonderful journey

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed the journey between the two characters, particularly Georgie's discovery of her true self and Bram's new character. The story unfolds beautifully from their teenage past to the now complicate lives. Their hatred was founded in their early success with Georgie the responsible one and Bram the spoiled young celebrity. Now their career struggles are identical in the post- hit tv show world (a novelty for a SEP book :) where they are trying to establish themselves as series actors.

Any additional comments?

I give the story 2 stars because its obvious where the "inspiration" came from. Besides that, the underlying plot is entertaining as always.

Enjoyable

This isn't going to win any Pulitzers or change any lives, but I found it to be enjoyable enough. I agree with some other sentiments that it wasn't exactly like I was just dying to hear what happened next, but I also wasn't reluctant to hear more. It definitely made my commute more enjoyable, and that is what counts.

What I Did For Love

The book started slowly but after a while I was sucked into the story. This is a very light and airy story would be perfect for a vacation or trip where you want to relax with a good book.