Limelight

A Novel

By: Amy Poeppel

Narrated by: Carly Robins

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

In a smart and funny new novel by the author of the critically acclaimed, “big-hearted, charming” (The Washington Post) Small Admissions, a family’s move to New York City brings surprises and humor as their lives merge with the captivating world of Broadway.

Allison Brinkley - wife, mother, and former unflappable optimist - discovers that a carefully weighed decision to pack up and move her family from suburban Dallas to the glittery chaos of Manhattan may have been more complicated than she and her husband initially thought.

Allison learns that New York is unruly and bewildering, defying the notions she developed from romantic movies and a memorable childhood visit. After a humiliating call from the principal’s office and the loss of the job she was counting on, Allison begins to accept that New York may not suit her after all.

When Allison has a fender bender, witnessed by a flock of mothers at her son’s new school, she is led to the penthouse apartment of a luxurious Central Park West building and encounters a spoiled, hungover, unsupervised teenager who looks familiar. It doesn’t take long to recognize him as Carter Reid - a famous pop star who has been cast in a new Broadway musical. Through this brush with stardom, Allison embraces a unique and unexpected opportunity that helps her find her way in the heart of Manhattan.

In an audiobook that delivers laughs, warmth, and delightful wish fulfillment, Poeppel dives into celebrity culture and modern motherhood with her trademark “quick-witted and razor-sharp” (Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Maybe in Another Life) style.

©2018 Amy Poeppel (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

A wonderful story!

I bought the audiobook based on a newspaper review. I am so glad I did. It is so good: funny, thoughtful, entertaining. It is a book that you can read and finish with a smile on your face and in your heart. The narrator is perfect.

Limelight!!

I almost didn't purchase this book. I've purchased so many duds, and books that I couldn't finish; but this one was a delightful surprise. Fun story, that held my interest all the way through! I definitely recommend.

Absolutely no likable characters

Listened to the entire book waiting for a redeeming quality to appear with any of the characters. Never came. Honestly kept waiting for there to be something likable. Yes there was supposed to be a bratty character, but the other main character was even worse, and we were supposed to admire her for some inexplicable reason. Even side characters were terrible and unlikable. Exasperating.

Fun read!

I loved this book...loved the characters and the setting. I highly recommend this book!

New York City here I come!

I loved this book for a few reasons. One I love New York and everything about New York. It was a funny light read. This is the exact type of book I prefer to read. No graphic sex scenes and no stupid outlandish fake romance crap. This was about learning to find yourself in New York while dealing with an obnoxious child like person. I don't want to give away any spoilers. The obnoxious person did kind of make me mad at times but isn't that the whole point of the book? To evoke feelings, good or bad? This was definitely a win for me and I will be looking to read more books by this author.

Lastly, the narrator was fantastic! She was great at the different voices. I will definitely look out for books that she has narrated.

Charming story

As some other reviewer’s have noted, there is quite a bit of “language.” Some listeners may be put off by that, but I don’t think this in anyway detracts from the delightful storyline, it only helps to round out the characters. I enjoyed it very much, laughed out loud several times, and thought the reader was excellent.

Far fetched but fun!

The plot of this story is full of inconceivable events but it’s a pretty happy romp through Manhattan based life. The narrator manages many parts well.

Don’t Miss This Chance

Limelight is wonderful. The characters develop and become real people that you want to hate, love, and forgive. The narration is fantastic. This is the best book I’ve read this year.

Just ok

I might have enjoyed the story more if the character of Carter Reed hadn’t been so unredeemingly obnoxious. It was excruciating to listen to as he walked all over everyone in his orbit. The main character, Alison, did nothing to stand up to him; in fact, she seemed to feel sorry for him. What !?!? The story was actually good, a fun look at behind-the-scenes of a fictional Broadway musical with real-life names dropped in. The fictional characters were just so unrealistic. Narration was fine.

Fun but unreasonable plot

The plot is ridiculous, that said, the book is enjoyable. The performance is okay, not as good as some other performers.