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Best Supporting Role
Sue Margolis’s “sexy British romp[s]” ( USA Today ) have captivated readers who enjoy an “irreverent, sharp-witted look at love and dating” ( Houston Chronicle ). Now she returns with a novel about a suddenly single mom whose life needs a lift.
When her gambling addict husband died, Sarah Green was left penniless—and with two children to raise. Since then, she’s been desperate to keep her professional and personal lives on firm financial footing. And what could be safer than dating an accountant and working at a non-emergency crime help line?
But then Sarah’s aunt dies, leaving Sarah her once famous—now flailing—lingerie shop. With her fashion background, Sarah reluctantly decides to make a go of it, even if that means breaking up with her too-prudent boyfriend over the risk.
Suddenly Sarah finds herself falling for Hugh, the handsome struggling actor she hired to renovate her new boutique, and entering a prestigious lingerie competition. Taking chances has never been her forte, but the built-in support of family and friends could give her the boost she’s been looking for....
When her gambling addict husband died, Sarah Green was left penniless—and with two children to raise. Since then, she’s been desperate to keep her professional and personal lives on firm financial footing. And what could be safer than dating an accountant and working at a non-emergency crime help line?
But then Sarah’s aunt dies, leaving Sarah her once famous—now flailing—lingerie shop. With her fashion background, Sarah reluctantly decides to make a go of it, even if that means breaking up with her too-prudent boyfriend over the risk.
Suddenly Sarah finds herself falling for Hugh, the handsome struggling actor she hired to renovate her new boutique, and entering a prestigious lingerie competition. Taking chances has never been her forte, but the built-in support of family and friends could give her the boost she’s been looking for....
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Sue Margolis
18 books138 followersSue Margolis is the author of nine books, which have more than half a million copies in print from Bantam Dell. She lives in England, where she's at work on her next novel.
Sue worked as a reporter for the BBC, before leaving broadcasting to write her first novel. She lives in London with her journalist husband Jonathan. They have three grown up children. Sue’s hobbies include napping, constantly interfering in her children’s lives, not going out, eating - especially the remains of the previous night’s take-out curry straight from the fridge, and watching made for TV true-life movies in her PJs.
She died of lung cancer, aged 62.
Sue worked as a reporter for the BBC, before leaving broadcasting to write her first novel. She lives in London with her journalist husband Jonathan. They have three grown up children. Sue’s hobbies include napping, constantly interfering in her children’s lives, not going out, eating - especially the remains of the previous night’s take-out curry straight from the fridge, and watching made for TV true-life movies in her PJs.
She died of lung cancer, aged 62.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 29, 2019
one never knows a husband that dies and she able get rid of him legitimately great, as he clever but of no use, and to see her strive the business out of debt to design and too not accept finally what she did not want and to win in love and appreciate her values my kind of witty story.
June 11, 2017
I like it. I found parts of it to be very funny. I felt like the ending was rushed a little bit.
Read
June 6, 2019TOO much detail in the book about non-consequential things.
August 3, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/be...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer JoAnne
Sarah Green lives a comfortable life with her adman husband, Mike, and their two children, Dan and Ella, 8 and 5, respectively. Mike makes plenty of money, and Sarah, who before her marriage was an up-and-coming fashion designer, is happily renovating their new home, and is lucky she can afford to send her two children to a private school. When she discovers that Mike, who started gambling only to “blow off steam,” due to his stressful job, has taken it up full-time and put them in serious debt, her world begins to crumble around her. And when he dies in a freak accident one evening (the same evening she has decided to ask him for a divorce), her world completely falls apart.
She has no income, two fatherless children and is completely lost. She speaks to a friend who is a financial adviser, and he tells her that she must sell her beloved home and plan to ‘economize.’ While seriously trying to keep things together, she also finds out that her Aunt Shirley, her mother’s sister, is dying. To keep her mother happy, she goes to visit her aunt, and during the visit, Shirley sort-of extracts a promise from her: that Sarah take over Shirley’s failing lingerie shop and try to make a go of it.
Sarah, who has for months lived with the fear of having nothing because of Mike’s gambling, and has nearly ended up that way, is determined to sell the shop for what she can get out of it and try to move on. But when a sudden windfall – almost a last gift from Shirley – comes her way, she realizes that she has a chance to try. We are with her as she tries to find her way after Mike’s death; her obligation to keep her childrens’ lives stable, and to find some stability in her own life while juggling a fledgling business and a budding relationship.
Although this would by no means be catalogued as a ‘fun’ read, it is a genial one, well-written and with depth; it is a book filled with hopes, dreams, loss, renewal, and ultimately the satisfaction that comes with finding a place to call home, which doesn’t always mean a house.
Highly recommended.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer JoAnne
Sarah Green lives a comfortable life with her adman husband, Mike, and their two children, Dan and Ella, 8 and 5, respectively. Mike makes plenty of money, and Sarah, who before her marriage was an up-and-coming fashion designer, is happily renovating their new home, and is lucky she can afford to send her two children to a private school. When she discovers that Mike, who started gambling only to “blow off steam,” due to his stressful job, has taken it up full-time and put them in serious debt, her world begins to crumble around her. And when he dies in a freak accident one evening (the same evening she has decided to ask him for a divorce), her world completely falls apart.
She has no income, two fatherless children and is completely lost. She speaks to a friend who is a financial adviser, and he tells her that she must sell her beloved home and plan to ‘economize.’ While seriously trying to keep things together, she also finds out that her Aunt Shirley, her mother’s sister, is dying. To keep her mother happy, she goes to visit her aunt, and during the visit, Shirley sort-of extracts a promise from her: that Sarah take over Shirley’s failing lingerie shop and try to make a go of it.
Sarah, who has for months lived with the fear of having nothing because of Mike’s gambling, and has nearly ended up that way, is determined to sell the shop for what she can get out of it and try to move on. But when a sudden windfall – almost a last gift from Shirley – comes her way, she realizes that she has a chance to try. We are with her as she tries to find her way after Mike’s death; her obligation to keep her childrens’ lives stable, and to find some stability in her own life while juggling a fledgling business and a budding relationship.
Although this would by no means be catalogued as a ‘fun’ read, it is a genial one, well-written and with depth; it is a book filled with hopes, dreams, loss, renewal, and ultimately the satisfaction that comes with finding a place to call home, which doesn’t always mean a house.
Highly recommended.
February 8, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review on TwoClassyChics.com
When this book first started out, I was expecting that this book was going to be more of a drama and not a light women’s read. As you are first introduced to Sarah and her husband, all is not right with the world and they are dealing with major crisis’s. Sarah is having to make major decision’s in her life and then her husband passes away unexpectedly, leaving her in a huge mess. I could really relate to her issues and felt her pain.
Things soon lightened up a bit and we were experiencing changes and following Sarah down new paths. Scared and afraid to take risks, Sarah had huge problems that she had to deal with and her so called friends were self serving and did not understand. Leaning on her parents and a new friend, she started towards a new and improved life, men and a new business – all a big roller coaster ride.
The first few chapters were difficult in many ways for me reading through the drama and problems that the character had to deal with. I know many of her fears and I was hoping that the entire book was not going to be written in that strain. Thankfully, as Sarah got on her feet and started making changes, so did her views and the humor of the situation started to show in many areas. Her new neighbor has a wild job which added some levity and strength to the book, allowing Sarah to opened up and become who she needed to be too. A Strong mother, a good friend, a business owner and more. It was fun watching Sarah grow through each stage and become the women she always wanted to be.
Overall the book was a great read. The beginning had me struggling for a bit but is quickly geared up as the main character started coming into her own. I love the authors fun sense of humor and views of motherhood and life, as only a British woman could write it. Plenty of smiles and grins in this book and a storybook ending. This is a fun summer read that you should check out.
When this book first started out, I was expecting that this book was going to be more of a drama and not a light women’s read. As you are first introduced to Sarah and her husband, all is not right with the world and they are dealing with major crisis’s. Sarah is having to make major decision’s in her life and then her husband passes away unexpectedly, leaving her in a huge mess. I could really relate to her issues and felt her pain.
Things soon lightened up a bit and we were experiencing changes and following Sarah down new paths. Scared and afraid to take risks, Sarah had huge problems that she had to deal with and her so called friends were self serving and did not understand. Leaning on her parents and a new friend, she started towards a new and improved life, men and a new business – all a big roller coaster ride.
The first few chapters were difficult in many ways for me reading through the drama and problems that the character had to deal with. I know many of her fears and I was hoping that the entire book was not going to be written in that strain. Thankfully, as Sarah got on her feet and started making changes, so did her views and the humor of the situation started to show in many areas. Her new neighbor has a wild job which added some levity and strength to the book, allowing Sarah to opened up and become who she needed to be too. A Strong mother, a good friend, a business owner and more. It was fun watching Sarah grow through each stage and become the women she always wanted to be.
Overall the book was a great read. The beginning had me struggling for a bit but is quickly geared up as the main character started coming into her own. I love the authors fun sense of humor and views of motherhood and life, as only a British woman could write it. Plenty of smiles and grins in this book and a storybook ending. This is a fun summer read that you should check out.
April 12, 2015
Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes
Best Supporting Role began with a slightly dry voice for Sarah, I didn’t relate to her at first. Perhaps this was due to the position she was in at the beginning of the story. She’s in a state of angst, dealing with her husband’s growing gambling addiction, and I didn’t immediately warm to her. She then finds herself a single mother and through supporting her children I began to relate to her more and more. In the end, I’d wondered why I’d found the beginning so tough.
I liked the details Sue Margolis gave about the children, the constant watching of the same movie and their anger and nervousness about the changes they had been through. It was all very honestly portrayed and gave another aspect to Sarah’s character. Much as she ends up trying something new with her personal and professional life there was still that feeling of wanting to protect her family first.
I adored her aunt, who leaves her the failing lingerie shop. Feisty and quick- witted I was so disappointed we didn’t have more time with her. Luckily Sarah also inherits two professional seamstresses who fill the role of surrogate aunties to perfection. Each has their own idiosyncrasies to remind Sarah of her aunt and the trust she had in passing the shop over to Sarah. Best of all though was the introduction of Sarah’s neighbour- I loved her to pieces and wanted to seek her out to be my own friend! And, much as the love interests are not unexpected they were both well thought out and played their roles in her development.
Best Supporting Role started off stiffly for me but became a story I was completely absorbed in. Although no big surprises were to be found I still enjoyed the people and found the plot to be original.
Thank you to Penguin Group for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
Best Supporting Role began with a slightly dry voice for Sarah, I didn’t relate to her at first. Perhaps this was due to the position she was in at the beginning of the story. She’s in a state of angst, dealing with her husband’s growing gambling addiction, and I didn’t immediately warm to her. She then finds herself a single mother and through supporting her children I began to relate to her more and more. In the end, I’d wondered why I’d found the beginning so tough.
I liked the details Sue Margolis gave about the children, the constant watching of the same movie and their anger and nervousness about the changes they had been through. It was all very honestly portrayed and gave another aspect to Sarah’s character. Much as she ends up trying something new with her personal and professional life there was still that feeling of wanting to protect her family first.
I adored her aunt, who leaves her the failing lingerie shop. Feisty and quick- witted I was so disappointed we didn’t have more time with her. Luckily Sarah also inherits two professional seamstresses who fill the role of surrogate aunties to perfection. Each has their own idiosyncrasies to remind Sarah of her aunt and the trust she had in passing the shop over to Sarah. Best of all though was the introduction of Sarah’s neighbour- I loved her to pieces and wanted to seek her out to be my own friend! And, much as the love interests are not unexpected they were both well thought out and played their roles in her development.
Best Supporting Role started off stiffly for me but became a story I was completely absorbed in. Although no big surprises were to be found I still enjoyed the people and found the plot to be original.
Thank you to Penguin Group for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
August 5, 2014
As per usual when it comes to a Sue Margolis book - I loved it!
Sarah had some seriously difficult situations to deal with - first, she finds out that her husband has a gambling addiction and they're about to lose their house. Then, he is killed in a most bizarre accident and she's left to sort all the debt on her own. Next, her aunt dies and leaves her a slowly dying lingerie business to take over. Then add romance issues on top of that!
Definitely a good read, Sarah handled everything exactly as I hope that I would if I were in that situation. And being a former fashion designer wannabe, I love that she did that before having kids. Between that and the bra competition, those old wants to do that myself have been woken up. Maybe I'll get my sewing machine out and try to make something soon.
And Hugh? Hugh is one of those fictional guys that you wish were real. With that said, there are a lot of the really great things about Hugh that remind me of my boyfriend, so it's true, those guys really are out there. They're just hard to come by.
But the book, yes, put it on your to read list - somewhere near the top. Especially if you're looking for a feel good story that will provide some laughs too.
One of my favorite characters is Sarah's Aunt Shirley, even though she had a small role in the book, I adored her wit and personality. :)
Sarah had some seriously difficult situations to deal with - first, she finds out that her husband has a gambling addiction and they're about to lose their house. Then, he is killed in a most bizarre accident and she's left to sort all the debt on her own. Next, her aunt dies and leaves her a slowly dying lingerie business to take over. Then add romance issues on top of that!
Definitely a good read, Sarah handled everything exactly as I hope that I would if I were in that situation. And being a former fashion designer wannabe, I love that she did that before having kids. Between that and the bra competition, those old wants to do that myself have been woken up. Maybe I'll get my sewing machine out and try to make something soon.
And Hugh? Hugh is one of those fictional guys that you wish were real. With that said, there are a lot of the really great things about Hugh that remind me of my boyfriend, so it's true, those guys really are out there. They're just hard to come by.
But the book, yes, put it on your to read list - somewhere near the top. Especially if you're looking for a feel good story that will provide some laughs too.
One of my favorite characters is Sarah's Aunt Shirley, even though she had a small role in the book, I adored her wit and personality. :)
July 23, 2014
BEST SUPPORTING ROLE by Sue Margolis is an interesting New Adult/Contemporary. WOW~what an interesting tale of dating, suddenly being a single Mom, and love.
Sarah Green, finds herself a single Mom, after the death of her gambling-addicted husband's death. Penniless, with two children and thrust back into the dating game. What is more safer than dating an accountant. And she work at a crime help line, non-emergency, of course. Than her aunt dies, and leaves her, her failing lingerie shop. Enter, Hugh, a struggling actor, who Sarah hire to renovate her new boutique. Sarah must learn to trust her instincts and follow her dreams and move forward.
Funny, witty, original and engaging. A must read tale of a struggling single Mom, the renovation of a boutique, a struggling actor, the dating game, and finding love against all odds.
The characters are engaging. The storyline funny, with wicked candor,and a bit of naughtiness. Oh yeah, and the Aunts are just plain funny. A fun and entertaining story, with it's compelling moments as well. A engaging and enjoyable read! Received for an honest review from the publisher.
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Sarah Green, finds herself a single Mom, after the death of her gambling-addicted husband's death. Penniless, with two children and thrust back into the dating game. What is more safer than dating an accountant. And she work at a crime help line, non-emergency, of course. Than her aunt dies, and leaves her, her failing lingerie shop. Enter, Hugh, a struggling actor, who Sarah hire to renovate her new boutique. Sarah must learn to trust her instincts and follow her dreams and move forward.
Funny, witty, original and engaging. A must read tale of a struggling single Mom, the renovation of a boutique, a struggling actor, the dating game, and finding love against all odds.
The characters are engaging. The storyline funny, with wicked candor,and a bit of naughtiness. Oh yeah, and the Aunts are just plain funny. A fun and entertaining story, with it's compelling moments as well. A engaging and enjoyable read! Received for an honest review from the publisher.
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
September 19, 2014
Check out the full review at Kritters Rambilngs
Sarah is a fantastic main character - mom of two and at the beginning married to a man who is very successful in his career, but started to use gambling as a stress reliever and in doing so has gambled away everything they had. As I won't be spoiling the book a bit, as Sarah decides to leave the marriage, her husband dies - I won't tell you how, that is worth reading! So although Sarah is free from a horrible relationship and situation; she is now a single mom of two with no income and lots of debt. This is where the story begins!
Each character in this book was spot on! Sarah, the kids, the grandparents, "the Aunties", and so on were just written to a T. The ups and downs of the story were perfectly timed and couldn't contain my excitement when I was surprised by a few of Sarah's decisions. Although I am not usually a fan of books set in London with all the London speak, this one didn't make me feel left out of the joke - I honestly read it in two sittings!
Sarah is a fantastic main character - mom of two and at the beginning married to a man who is very successful in his career, but started to use gambling as a stress reliever and in doing so has gambled away everything they had. As I won't be spoiling the book a bit, as Sarah decides to leave the marriage, her husband dies - I won't tell you how, that is worth reading! So although Sarah is free from a horrible relationship and situation; she is now a single mom of two with no income and lots of debt. This is where the story begins!
Each character in this book was spot on! Sarah, the kids, the grandparents, "the Aunties", and so on were just written to a T. The ups and downs of the story were perfectly timed and couldn't contain my excitement when I was surprised by a few of Sarah's decisions. Although I am not usually a fan of books set in London with all the London speak, this one didn't make me feel left out of the joke - I honestly read it in two sittings!
August 31, 2014
This book was disappointing. I thought it would have way more pizzazz and spice than it did. The clever title and interesting concept - widowed woman in her late 30s inherits a specialty lingerie store and tries to make a go of it while parenting her two children alone - seemed like it would provide lots of opportunity for me to care about the character, maybe laugh a bit, hopefully see her meet with some happiness and success. In the end, I did finish the novel, never laughed, saw some cheer come her way but never once cared about her. I barely cared for her elderly parents or the two grandmothers who helped her run the shop. How is this possible? Not caring for grandmother characters? I've never met a grandmother in a book who didn't bring me to my knees.
So, maybe I am having an 'off' week? I really don't know but I had to force myself to finish the book and really didn't care what happened to anyone; young or old. It felt like a creaky story without any soul. Perhaps when I've reached the bottom of the pile I might try a Sue Margolis book again but likely not.
So, maybe I am having an 'off' week? I really don't know but I had to force myself to finish the book and really didn't care what happened to anyone; young or old. It felt like a creaky story without any soul. Perhaps when I've reached the bottom of the pile I might try a Sue Margolis book again but likely not.
October 22, 2014
Really enjoyed the book, for the longest time I was pretty sure that things wasn't going to end well, the main character struggles throughout almost every chapter and rarely appears to have things together but manages to muddle through the day to day struggle of parenthood and daily living. The ending was quite good and I'm happy that things worked out well in the end.
July 6, 2014
Not one of my favs. I miss the old Sue Margolis.
July 13, 2014
A good enough quick summer read, fine for pool or beach. Not the best of the genre but far from the worst.
July 26, 2014
Great book - loved the story lines and characters. Never a dull moment. Highly recommend!
July 30, 2014
Wooden - no feeling to it at all.
August 28, 2014
I don't understand the great reviews that this book received....I was very disappointed. Very predictable, difficult to finish. Did not hold my attention at all.
November 16, 2014
Nice light summer read.
September 13, 2014
Perfect beach read. Thanks, Brenda!
September 13, 2014
Nice read, nothing exciting.
September 10, 2014
Another win for Sue Margolis :)
January 19, 2015
DPL. Very light triffle with little character development. But delivers what it promises--moderately amusing chick lit.
November 1, 2016
loved the storyline. part love story and part chic flick
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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