Book Review: Prime Time by Jane Wenham-Jones

I’m excited about the new novel on my reading list this week, a delightful romantic comedy entitled Prime Time.  Prime Time is written by the lovely Jane Wenham-Jones and it promises to be something that will make me smile–and it promises to be filled with characters that many of us can relate to! From the back cover blurb alone, I’m captured and can’t wait to sink into Laura’s life!

 Jane Wenham-Jones is the author of four novels and two non-fiction books – Wannabe a Writer?  – a humorous look at the trials and tribulations of becoming a scribe and Wannabe a Writer We’ve Heard Of?  – a how-to on PR and self-promotion.  She has also contributed to several short story anthologies and two cookery books, the latter being a particular achievement since she barely knows where the kitchen is.  As a freelance journalist, she has had numerous short stories and articles published in women’s magazines and the national press and is the agony aunt for Writing Magazine.  Jane has appeared on a variety of TV shows – from Ready, Steady, Cook to The Politics Show – and many radio programmes and is regularly booked as an after-dinner speaker.

Find out more about this lovely author at http://www.janewenham-jones.com

Prime Time:

Laura Meredith never imagined herself appearing on TV– she’s too old, too flabby, too downright hormonal, and much too busy holding things together for her son, Stanley, after husband, Daniel, left her for a younger, thinner replacement.

But best friend Charlotte is a determined woman and when Laura is persuaded on to a daytime show to talk about her PMT, everything changes.  Suddenly there’s a camera crew tracking her every move and Laura finds herself an unlikely star.  Wined, dined, and pampered, she begins to see the charms of a younger partner herself.  But as things hot up between her and gorgeous TV director, Cal, they’re going downhill elsewhere.  While Laura’s caught up in a heady whirlwind of beauty treatments, makeovers and glamorous film locations, Charlotte’s husband, Roger, is concealing a guilty secret, Stanley’s got problems at school, work’s piling up, and when Laura turns detective to protect Charlotte’s marriage, things go horribly wrong.

The champagne’s flowing as Laura’s prime time TV debut looks set to be a hit.  But in every month, there’s a Day Ten …

 http://www.amazon.com/Prime-Time-ebook/dp/B006M0TUQC

MY REVIEW:

A mother of one, Laura Meredith is having a hard time with 40.  The majority of her midlife crisis can be blamed on her divorce—which wasn’t particularly the most ego bolstering.  Her cheating husband, after years of marriage, traded her in for a younger, sleeker model.

Any woman knows that, once that hill is hit in age, they don’t view themselves as being lean machines that look stunning in a bikini.  Daniel (her soon to be ex) has ruined Laura’s self-esteem and confidence far worse than any midlife crisis ever could.  She’s feeling unattractive, unappreciated, and ready to be placed on the old maid shelf.

Most of all, she doesn’t want the same devastation to befall her friend Charlotte!

Prime Time by Jane Wenham-Jones is a wonder of delicious fun!  The character of Laura suffers through the most flawed of situations, all which are realistic and truly part of a woman’s life in one form or another.

Prime Time is an entertaining read that made me laugh, cringe, and jump for joy for Laura.  Truly a magnificent story for one wanting to sink into a novel that encourages all women to see the beauty within them.

4 ½ stars!

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