Service Entrance

De: Kiki Astor

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Cordelia Winthrop once ruled Paris cotillions and launched a disastrous fashion line. Now, broke and desperate, this rebellious ex-debutante is hiding out in a Montecito pool house, facing a reality as beige as her last collection. She needs a second chance, a fresh start, and maybe just a hint of purpose.

Her lifeline: a grueling job as personal assistant to Lucrezia Wilde, an eccentric, high-maintenance ex-supermodel and queen of Southern California elite society. Lucrezia's demands are outrageous, spanning from Hermès scarf organization to bee venom facials, and most importantly, discreetly spying on her notoriously elusive billionaire ex-husband, Hemlocke Wilde.

Life in the gilded cage of Montecito takes an electrifying turn when a latte-induced collision introduces Coco to Ash—a charming, mysterious stranger whose quick wit and even quicker smile threaten to derail her carefully constructed new life. Their sizzling connection ignites a passionate affair, filled with witty banter and a tantalizing forbidden attraction. But every stolen kiss and shared secret deepens Coco's unease.

Is Ash the genuine, soul-baring man she’s falling for, or just another player in Montecito’s high-stakes game of manipulation? As Coco finds herself entangled in family secrets, mistaken identities, and a perplexing twin brother mix-up, she’s forced to confront devastating truths about trust, betrayal, and the cost of true love. Can she save her job, reclaim her dreams, and find her own path to self-love and lasting happiness behind the manicured hedges?

Dive into this smart, sexy, and utterly captivating Montecito romantic comedy with a heartwarming twist. Perfect for fans of witty women's fiction and tales of career redemption where a down-on-her-luck heroine finds purpose, passion, and maybe even a secret billionaire who’s more than meets the eye. If you love glamorous settings, laugh-out-loud humor, and a fiercely independent woman's journey of self-discovery, Service Entrance is your next obsession.

Kiki writes beautifully!

The writing was evocative, sometimes even poetic prose, with witty, playful observations slipped in throughout. The author created amazing sense of place, and characters that were very clear and realistic. I actually work at a PA to a high net worth individual, and chuckled at many of the employers quirks and tasks assigned to the protagonist.

I didn't mind the AI narrator, although would absolutely vote for a human one that understands nuance and pacing.

The two pieces of criticism I have are that the character, who's clearly intelligent, resourceful and intuitive, never puts two and two together about her love interest's mysterious secret. He gives obvious hints throughout. It's also unbelievable that it's only near the end of the book that she sees a photo of the employer's ex-husband.

My biggest criticism is that I was horrified by the protagonist's egregious callousness regarding the quinceanera dress. From the time she promised to make it, she shrugged it off and put her own emotions and puzzling over the obvious ahead of working on the dress that she'd promised a hardworking man who wanted to make his daughter happy. I kept shouting at my phone "What about the dress?!?!" It made me not care that much if she got her happy ever after, when she was so selfishly unconcerned about the young girl's dress and her promise to Luis.

I'll purchase another book of Kiki's, though. The writing was irresistible.

kiki's subtle whit

I follow Kiki on the socials and this is the first book I listed to. while the narrator is AI, not flawless, I was able to pick up on Kiki's whit and humor. While the plot line did become predictable at the end, I kept reading because I loved the characters, the cheekiness, and the ease of listening/reading. Well Done Auntie Kiki! I will read the next one soon.

A Stylish Page-Turner with Local Flavor

What an absolute delight! Service Entrance had me hooked from the very first page. The characters are quirky, layered, and so vividly drawn that I felt like I was eavesdropping on real conversations over cocktails at The Good Lion or grabbing a latte on Coast Village Road.

The plot is full of intrigue and little surprises—it keeps you turning the pages while still feeling warm and clever. I loved the way Astor wove Santa Barbara and Montecito into the story, sprinkling in all the familiar landmarks we know and love. Each mention felt like a wink to locals and a glamorous invitation to those who aren’t.

It’s witty, stylish, and fun—like a beach day that turns into a starry night dinner party. Kiki Astor has crafted a story that’s as charming as it is intriguing, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Witty, Lush, and Utterly Enchanting!

Kiki Astor’s latest is a sumptuous confection — a witty, sun-drenched romance steeped in Montecito glamour. Coco, a clever and charming heroine at a turning point in her life, escapes to her godmother’s pool house (naturally!) only to tumble headlong into a beguiling affair with a man who may not be what he seems.

The prose sparkles with humor and heart, layered with deliciously authentic glimpses of Santa Barbara’s most iconic haunts. As secrets unfold behind the ficus hedges and Pacific sunsets, the story deepens into something both playful and poignant. A radiant delight from start to finish — and the Audible AI narration (on my version) even adds to its cultivated yet cheeky flair!

Great Ventura/ SB county Vibe!

The author had a lovely way of really setting a scene making you feel like you were in various locations. All of the characters were multidimensional and had beautiful arch’s. I enjoyed it throughly. I disliked the AI saying one hundred and one over and over and its mispronunciation of Spanish, but appreciate that AI made it possible for me to listen to it. Tech aside, the book is great.