Shelf Life

The Publicist, Book 2

By: Christina George

Narrated by: Lisa Cordileone

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Publishing: An industry of out-of-control of egos, unrealistic expectations, and books with the shelf life of milk. This is Kate’s world, but for how long?

When one of Kate Mitchell’s star authors is carted away in handcuffs, she thinks it’s only the beginning of her troubles. As her world crumbles around her, Kate desperately looks for anyone to hold on to but finds that happy endings are truly works of fiction. When her career and love affair hit their expiration dates, Kate sets off on a new adventure....

Starting over in California is easy, but Kate soon learns that leaving her old life behind isn’t. Nicholas Lavigne is eager to help her forget, but two things still own her heart: the dream of discovering the next great American novel and MacDermott Ellis. As Kate tries to rebuild her life, she finds a surprising gift that reboots her career in a new and unexpected direction. Suddenly her name becomes synonymous with one of the biggest best sellers publishing has seen in ages, and she's welcomed back with open arms. At the height of her success, the ghosts of her past come back to remind her of the world she'd been trying to forget and the man who never let go of her heart. Behind the book there’s always more to the story.

©2013 Christina George (P)2014 Christina George

Excellent Series

What did you love best about Shelf Life?

I loved the Publicist and I loved Shelf Life. Kate is real - she had hopes, dreams, fears, and passion. Shelf Life took me more into Kate's life - the struggles of working in the publishing industry - the fears of being in love and the hardships associated with it all.

What did you like best about this story?

Christine does an excellent job of expressing the characters wants and needs.

Have you listened to any of Lisa Cordileone’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I found Lisa to be a excellent narrator. I love being read to and Lisa did an excellent job.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My heart ached for Kate ~ her struggles,being betrayed, and her love.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for a love story that involves passion, betrayal and will power to succeed ~ you will love Shelf Life! I recommend listening to The Publicist first - then listen to The Shelf Life.

Who is it going to be Kate?

What did you love best about Shelf Life?

Throughout The Publicist Series Christina George tells us of Kate and her career as a big time publicist in a big time publishing firm in big time New York. And then suddenly it is over. Kate's career is finished. Her life is forever changed and the love of her life is married.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I particularly enjoyed Lulu. She is a feisty get it done kind of gal who is fiercely loyal and devoted to those that she cares about.

What about Lisa Cordileone’s performance did you like?

She never missed a beat with the character changes and her diction was spot on.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The reveal of the pink Cadillac was very Thelma and Louise for me but I must say that when Kate calls Andrew to tell her the good news of her pending marriage his response was heartbreaking. All she wants is for people to be happy for her but is she really happy with Nick?

Shelf Life - another great book in the series!

Would you listen to Shelf Life again? Why?

Another hit from author Christina George! I’ve read and listened to other books from Christina George’s The Publicist series in the recent past, and I wholeheartedly recommend this book for lovers of workplace romance and drama. I would definitely listen to Shelf Life again because of George's strong writing and characterization, and narrator, Lisa Cordileone does a great job at making Kate come alive! The Publicist series is highly readable and addicting to read!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Kate's strong and confident character, which definitely comes across in the audiobook and Cordileone's accurate and playful portrayal of the character.

Have you listened to any of Lisa Cordileone’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have! I've listened to Cordileone's narration in another Christina George book, and this one remains consistently good and easy to listen to.

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Love this series!

What made the experience of listening to Shelf Life the most enjoyable?

I really enjoyed that I could listen to this book anywhere (mainly on my long commute). It also made Shelf Life more enjoyable that the narrator was very good and has a nice voice. Sometimes I find a narrator's voice distracting from the story, but I did not have that issue with this book.

What did you like best about this story?

I really like Kate's character. She is generally a strong woman, but as happens to us all, she has her moments of weakness.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoy this entire series. The author has written a fantastic story that is captivating from the very beginning. The story includes a wonderful love story while also taking the reader through some twists and turns that you don't expect. It is nice listening to this story too because the narrator makes it a very pleasant experience. I highly recommend this entire series (start with The Publicist). I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I have to dive in to the other books now!

Would you consider the audio edition of Shelf Life to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, so it's rather difficult to answer this question. I will say that this was the first time that I have listened to an audio edition and I really enjoyed it.

What did you like best about this story?

The excellent descriptive storyline and the ending. This book will leave you wanting more that's for sure. I could also relate well to the main character, Kate. I also liked that I could easily get into this book considering I haven't read the first book, "The Publicist".

Which character – as performed by Lisa Cordileone – was your favorite?

I was amazed at how well she transitioned from one character to the next. She had a voice for each character, but I rather enjoy a British accent so I would have to say Andrew. I thought that Lisa Cordileone did a great job with each of the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire book moved me, I felt at times that Kate has been in my shoes. The passion and vivid details made this book easy to love. I love a book that keeps you guessing and draws you in.

Any additional comments?

Excellent audio book. Anyone that likes romantic novels will love this novel. If you are like me and constantly on the go then you will fully enjoy the audio version.

And The Love Story Continues...

Where does Shelf Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would put Shelf Life right in the middle- it's not the most captivating but not the worst.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shelf Life?

I enjoyed the sections where Kate's career grew; it was very inspiring.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Lisa Cordileone?

I would listen to another book narrated by Lisa Cordileone only if it were a children's book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There weren't any scenes that gave me any extreme reaction. I never cried, but I laughed a lot.

lucky kate!?

Would you listen to Shelf Life again? Why?

Yes this was my first audio book. I enjoyed being read to. I really got into the story. The narrator really created a good "picture" of what was going on.

What other book might you compare Shelf Life to and why?

Shelf life(the publicist series) is a very unique series because of the fact that it deals with the life of a publicist. I haven't read any books about the publishing world before this series and I must say the field of publication is a very intriguing one.Which is another reason I enjoyed the series so well.

Which scene was your favorite?

At the very beginning the book...it opens with one of Kate's authors who has locks herself in a green room because she is having a panic attack about going on a talk show. Kate is trying to stay professional but the author is having a huge melt down..so funny

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes a few times I laughed..."crazy authors " **see my favorite scene

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance novels with a actual story line too. The field of publication is so interesting. The story has, very interesting characters, and the story line is so much more than just romance.

It has a Long and Happy Shelf Life

Would you consider the audio edition of Shelf Life to be better than the print version?

So, how will this review differ from my previous one? Well, the audio format is a different monkey from print, or even e-books, which both rely on a visual experience. The visual you get with an audio format of a book is the cover (which, of Shelf Life is warm and inviting - in a word 'great').But then that's not why people buy audiobooks. Audiobooks are a wonderful way to experience a story when you have neither the time, or maybe the desire to sit down and read. Maybe you are a mother of young children, or a busy publicist on her way to a meeting at her publishing house. So, you've got time, but not necessarily the hands-free status that is sort of required while reading a physical book.

What does Lisa Cordileone bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

What I watch out for with audio books depends a lot on the person or people who are doing the narration. On this count, Shelf Life has a winner. I was tickled pink to see that Lisa Cordileone was also narrating Shelf Life, as she had done for the audio version of The Publicist. She is wonderful on the narration, but I believe where she really shines is in the characterizations. She manages to make each one unique somehow and they are consistent throughout her narration. Having her on board is a definite selling point.

Any additional comments?

As you may surmise from my review of the print version of Shelf Life, I enjoyed the book. I have loved the entire series, starting with The Publicist (review also at the link above) and the 3rd installment, titled Climax. Since rekindling my love affair with books, I have read an enormous amount of books and quite a number of them in series. I would have to rate "The Publicist Series" definitely in my top ten series read, and probably in my top 5. (I can't be absolutely certain because the coffee pot is slow this morning and I haven't had my RDA of caffeine needed in order to to simple math calculations.)However, I can say this: part of my rating would be because I am also acquainted with a growing number of authors and it is fascinating to me what they go through when one of their works get published. The other part of the rating is because any story, in the hands of Christina George, well...is in good hands!I would make a few mild cautionary statements. As before, there are some in flagrante scenes that are for mature readers only. And I wouldn't listen to the racy bits while driving on either a fast, crowded freeway or, say, if your mother-in-law is in the car with you (unless she brought the tape along).Other than those precautions, if you are a fan of audiobooks or a fan of Christina George, the only way you can go wrong is if you don't pick up Shelf Life on audio.

I could easily see this as a television drama

Would you listen to Shelf Life again? Why?

I both read the books and listened. It was enjoyable having a book I really liked read to me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shelf Life?

Mac seems to show up when and where he is neither needed nor expected.
Kate has a chance to make a better life for herself but Mac won't leave her alone.
He can't, even when he wants to, for both of them.
There were times I wanted to slap both Mac and Kate.

Which character – as performed by Lisa Cordileone – was your favorite?

Lisa does a wonderful job portraying authors in distress - having meltdowns.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I loved the first book, this second part only slightly less, but I am so involved now that I want to dive immediately into the third installment.

This book is Awesome!

Any additional comments?

I loved this book all around. It was a great book with a great narrator. Once I started listening to it, I didn't want to stop. Christina George has a way with writing characters that makes you feel as if you know them and root for them to get what they want. Lisa Cordileon is a wonderful reader as well. She read with the emotion that you want to hear when listening. There have been times in the past when I honestly couldn't listen to a book because the narrator had no emotion in their voice. That was definitely not the case here. In essence to the book itself. I like the fact that Kate is a very down to earth person with problems and confusion just like everyone else. The book is great as a stand alone book, but also fits very well into the series. All in all, amazing book, great story, and a definite read/listen, even if you have already read the other books in the series. Two very enthusiastic thumbs way, way up!!!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.