Claiming Victory

The Dartmouth Diaries #1

by Beverley Watts

Could the most famous actor in the world fall for an ordinary girl? Find out in this hilarious, heart warming romantic comedy set in beautiful South DevonAt thirty two, Victory Shackleford is arguably overweight, undeniably frumpish and the love of her life is a dog. She still lives at home with her father - an eccentric retired Admiral who she considers reckless, irresponsible, and totally incapable of looking after himself. Her father on the other hand thinks Victory is a boring nagging harpy with no imagination or sense of adventure and what’s more, he’s determined to get her married off.Unfortunately there’s no one in the picturesque yachting town of Dartmouth that Tory is remotely interested in, despite her father’s best efforts. But all that is about to change when she discovers that her madcap father has rented out their house as a location shoot for the biggest Hollywood blockbuster of the year. As cast and crew descend, Tory’s humdrum orderly existence is turned completely upside down, especially as the lead actor has just been voted the sexiest man on the planet…And as Tory navigates the madness of showbiz, she discovers that love and laughter can be found in the most unexpected places...Claiming Victory is a delightful and witty tale that will have you laughing out loud and rooting for Tory every step of the way. With its quirky characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and unexpected romance, this book is the perfect escape into a world of comedic mayhem. So grab a copy, sit back, and get ready for a hilarious journey that will leave you smiling from ear to ear!Praise from Amazon readers for the Dartmouth 'I can't ever remember laughing so much at a book.''I'm reading them now. Haven't laughed out loud for so long. Absolute joy.''Belly laughs all the way. Recommended to a friend who rang to say she just couldn't stop laughing. Excellent.''Brilliant books that really do make you laugh out loud. You just don't want to put them down.''I've binge read the first three books. I've laughed to the point of hysterics at the Admiral.''I loved this series. I haven't laughed this much in ages.''Don't read them in the early hours of the morning if hubby is asleep, they made me howl with laughter. Tried to stifle it, but shook the bedclothes. Absolutely brilliant.'

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Rom Com, Humor

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 9, 2014

About the author

Beverley spent 8 years teaching English as a Foreign Language to International Military Students in Britannia Royal Naval College, the Royal Navy’s premier officer training establishment in the UK. She says that in the whole 8 years there was never a dull moment and many of her wonderful experiences at the College were not only memorable but were most definitely 'the stuff of fiction.' Her debut novel An Officer And A Gentleman Wanted is very loosely based on her adventures at the College.
 
Beverley particularly enjoys writing books that make people laugh and currently she has two series of Romantic Comedies, both contemporary and historical, as well as a humorous cosy mystery series under her belt.
 
She lives with her husband in an apartment overlooking the sea on the beautiful English Riviera. Between them they have 3 adult children and two gorgeous grandchildren plus a menagerie of animals including 5 dogs - 3 Romanian rescues of indeterminate breed called Florence, Trixie, and Lizzie, a neurotic 'Chorkie' named Pepé and a 'Chichon" named Dotty who was the inspiration for Dotty in The Dartmouth Diaries.
 
You can find out more about Beverley’s books at www.beverleywatts.com

Reviews

[Roz ~ My Written Romance]

When 55% into a romantic comedy gets no laughs and constant harping about how large the heroine is, I have to pull up the anchor and zoom away.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book of two halves. I loved the first half, Tory's appalling father decides to try to marry her off so that he can move in his (70 year old) floozy. Trouble is, Tory is an English size 14 and just normal looking. His chosen groom? A world-famous American actor who is filming in Dartmouth and whose film crew is using their home, The Admiralty, for filming.

Poor Tory is mortally embarrassed by her father's loud, drunken and blatant match-making (usually in the form of a terrible insult to Tory) but Noah (the afore-mentioned actor) appears charmed.

Now we can all see where this is going, right down to the stunning beautiful (but cold inside LOL) actress/former girlfriend who just happens to be the female lead.

I was really enjoying this until about half way when suddenly (I think) the author wasn't sure how to get Noah and Tory together and so there was a (very) short dream sequence and TA DA! Having spent half a book setting up a gentle romance the author then seemed to skip quickly along - suddenly weeks have past they are in love etc. It's as if she had a page count and had to cut the second part of the book to stay in line.

The angst seemed particularly contrived and just out of step with the first half of the book - it is not an uncommon plot device in these kind of books (super hot famous guy and Ms Ordinary) but it was a disappointment after the great beginning.

Also, maybe dry January is kicking in, I like a drink (or three or four) but Tory's drinking in this book seemed concerning, especially drinking a client's opened bottle of wine whilst waiting for them to return home (I know plot device). Drinking in the morning, drinking in the afternoon, excess drinking at important social events!!!

Could have been a solid four but the second half dragged it back to a three.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful quirky British comedy romance which will have you hooked after the first couple of pages, I was and I ended up reading it in one sitting, partly because I just couldn't put it down and partly because I knew I had to finish it before bed since my husband would never sleep with me trying hard not to laugh beside him.
It's funny, hilariously so at times I was laughing out loud with tears rolling down my face.
The Admiral has decided that his bossy daughter Victory Brittannia Shackleford needs a man, after all she's nearly thirty three and even though 'She might have an arse the size of an aircraft hanger' she's not all bad and the Admiral is still a man in his 'prime' with a girlfriend, so the scene is set and not one to do things half measure he sets his sights on the worlds most famous actor.

'So , let me get this straight Sir. Your plan is to somehow get Noah Westbrook, the most famous actor on the entire planet to fall in love with your daughter Victory, who we both love dearly, but - and please don't take offence Sir - who you yourself admit is built generously across the aft, and whose face is unlikely to launch the Dartmouth ferry, let alone a thousand ships.'

'Well admittedly, I've not worked out the finer details, but that's about the sum of it.'

If you like humour with your romance then it's really worth giving this a go.

## My dad is an 85 year old Yorkshire man very set in his ways, a few years ago I gave him my old kindle and I now put crime thrillers and westerns on for him, he loves it especially being able to change the print size anyway I put this book on for him I did warn him, repeatedly that it was primarily a romance since that's not his genre at all but I thought he might like the Admiral, I didn't expect him to read the whole book just the first part but he surprised me not only did he read it all, first romance ever apparently but he loved it, thought it was hilarious...so there you go.

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Tegan Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Claiming Victory had the potential to be a funny and really enjoyable book. The characters are charming enough and with a classic rom-com storyline of celebrity falling for a common person, it could have been great.

There is not just one thing that stops this book from being a standout. While the overall story is fine, it lacks the warmth and connection that make you fall in love with the characters. All the swoon worthy scenes of people falling in love are skipped and told as a memory by the FMC which completely kills any connection you may have to the characters.

Aside from the FMC’s character being downright awful, he is not the worst part of the story and does have some funny moments. For me the book is completely ruined by the constant and unrelenting reminders that the FMC is “curvy” or “fat”.
This book felt like a throwback to the 90s and felt in dire need of a body positivity movement. A few comments here and there would have been fine however hearing the FMC frequently noting that she “can’t believe someone would be with her” was appalling and difficult to read.

The book felt like a lesson in why the body positive movement should exist and anything I liked about it was quickly destroyed by the horrible treatment of the “chubby” main character by the author. Coupling this with the fact that the cover of the book has an image of someone who is not a larger girl in the slightest is infuriating.

[Shanice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this book and its characters, especially the Admiral and Mabel. Tory is just a normal girl who isn't stick thin and by the way a size 14 isn't considered fat, chubby, chunky or even plump...the word is curvy and I felt the author made us believe she was practically obese by the way people described her. I was gobsmacked when eventually we found out she was a size 14. I felt kind of insulted even though I'm much smaller than a size 14, to me size 14 ain't fat. Men like something to hold on to honey.

I was laughing away at the story and enjoying the building connection between Noah and Tory and then BAM! They have sex, they're together and are falling in love. I felt it was rushed to the point where it confused me and I had to stop and work it all together. Plus I would have liked more sex or at least a little more descriptive, everyone loves a good sex scene.
Anyway I felt the last half was rushed and it pee'd me off I wanted to read loads more about the two of them.

[Felicity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet this was a nice light predictable story. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the settings and the animals. I thought the characters were well written and very amusing. I enjoyed the simplicity of the story and would only criticise the shallowness of the relationships as they could have been slightly more complex in places. A nice holiday read but for me I think its the end of the road as I won't be buying the next in the series as there was just a bit of originality missing for me.

It was a clean story with nothing offensive except the constant references to the heroine's fat. This did start to grate after a while and I think it could have been excluded with very little difference to the pleasant little story.

[Julie Woith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I found a new favorite author

It's very refreshing to have humor and romance without vulgarity. Victory was a woman I could identify with and Noah was hunky and human enough to be "dreamy". It's was fast paced and very, very funny. The only thing keeping it from 5 stars, in my opinion, was the lack of relationship development. Since it was done diary style I didn't see much emotion till the end. But it was a fast paced, hilarious story that made the unbelievable believable. I highly recommend it.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a single word...charming! Claiming Victory was a delightful romance that provided the happily ever after romance readers want but with some extras. The setting and premise were unique - always a plus. Noah was to swoon over - and I'm usually a pretty hard sell on men that handsome and charming. Tory was a fun heroine with a father who said things that makes you gasp and grin at the same time. My hat is off to Beverley Watts for writing such a lovely read.

[Liz C · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ Amusing read full of British humour. Gave me Notting Hill film vibes a couple of times. Not sure we needed quite all the references to Victory's weight but didn't stop me enjoying the characters and story.

[Charla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me

[Kimberly A Vowel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Good characters. Funny and witty. Can’t wait to read next one.

[Tina "IRead2Escape" · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claiming Victory was an entertaining read that made me laugh out loud more than once. The story is set in Darthmouth which added a degree of enjoyment to it all. I truly enjoyed all of the British phrases, words and references.

Victory was so funny. She was a hot mess throughout so much of the book. She was almost sure to show her clumsy awkward side in almost every scene. None of this painted her in a bad light, however. It made her endearing and real. Her reaction in finding out that her dad agreed to let the next big movie to be filmed in their home was fantastic.

Noah was a movie star that didn't get caught up in all of the glitz and glamour. I really enjoyed how he was just a sweet man that showed so much interest in those that he met. When his current movie project took him to the Admirality (Victory and her father's home) he was all in. He found so much enjoyment in the quirky behaviors of Victory's father which could have went either way.

This was a book of so many characters. I can't say any one made the book but without them as a whole I don't know that it would have been as good. The Admiral was a mess. That man was sure to say the wrong thing at the wrong time always, but people seemed to find him funny and charming rather than offensive even though it kind of bugged me how he saw his daughter. He loved her but seemed to think she wasn't exactly a catch and didn't hesitate to tell all and asunder. Victory's 2 best friends were supportive and loving but it seemed a little shallow at times. Other than that they at least loved her and was there for her.

[Kwoomac · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick little rom com. I liked all the characters, but I was disappointed in the portrayal of Victory. She’s presented as a frumpy, overweight spinster, with no prospects. In reality(well, in the reality in the book), Victory is a very funny successful designer, who is not movie star/model thin, but she’s curvy and beautiful when she lets her friends dress her. She sees herself as awkward and unlovable, which I suppose she might, having heard this from her blustering foolish father her whole life. This is the first book in a series. Not quite sure where the story might go. Not saying I’m not going to read it.

[Cindy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Retired Admiral, Charles Shackleford, and his daughter, Victory, live in a stately mansion in Dartmouth, England with their dogs, Pickles and Dotty. Victory is 33 years old and not the slimmest girl in town. As a curvy woman, her father thinks she may become an old maid before long, and he sets out to change that if he can. Fortunately, a film crew is coming to film a portion of a blockbuster movie at their home the next month, which makes it a perfect opportunity to do some matchmaking. The male star is a famous gorgeous actor named Noah Westbrook, and the Admiral has his sights set on him. Of course, when Tory (Victory) finds out his plan, she is flabbergasted! There is no way that fantasy is going to happen! After all, don't Hollywood types like slim, young ladies-not a chubby, interior decorator in her 30's who lives with her dad! It all makes for a funny, heartwarming story. Is it realistic or crazy?

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a little feel good romance hit and came across this on in the library and it sounded right up my street. I liked Victory (the MC, an unconventional and down to earth gal who knows exactly who she is). Accompanied by her overbearing father who is determined to see her married off…

When a filming crew and a rather dashing actor come to the town for a movie gig, Victory is perfectly placed to meet the stars as her house is a centre stage of filming. She may find more than just a film crew start to evade her life..

It was one of those effortless and enjoyable reads and was a quick hit of what I was looking for. The audiobook I had was great and easily immersive. Also gave me a little bit of a giggle as the voice actor for Tory’s father did a great voice that reminded me of Postman Pat which amused.

I enjoyed the story and the writing and there was nothing major to fall out with.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is very funny! The author has some one-liners that had me laughing out loud. For example: “She’s got more chins than a Chinese telephone book!” Victory, aka Tory, has a father that is very much a narcissist who puts Tory at the center of his jokes. Tory’s little white dog, Dixie, provides her with emotional support that her father doesn’t. Although Tory still lives at home, she has a successful design business. She meets the love of her life when a film company rents the grand estate for a movie they are filming. She is hired to redo the newly purchased home of the movie’s male lead. There might be too many references to Tory’s plump body type. I’m sure that was to insure that the reader doesn’t think Tory is the not the overly glamorous type.

This book is the 1st book in a series. It’s lighthearted reading and enjoying. It’s just the ticket after some of the heavier fare I’ve recently read! I will read more of this series!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very funny book - with quite a few laugh-out-loud scenes.

Amazon synopsis:
At thirty-two, Victory Shackleford is arguably overweight, undeniably frumpish and the love of her life is a dog. She still lives at home with her father - an eccentric retired Admiral who she considers reckless, irresponsible, and totally incapable of looking after himself. Her father on the other hand thinks Victory is a boring nagging harpy with no imagination or sense of adventure and what’s more, he’s determined to get her married off.

Unfortunately, there’s no one in the picturesque yachting town of Dartmouth that Tory is remotely interested in, despite her father’s best efforts. But all that is about to change when she discovers that her madcap father has rented out their house as a location shoot for the biggest Hollywood blockbuster of the year. As cast and crew descend, Tory’s humdrum orderly existence is turned completely upside down, especially as the lead actor has just been voted the sexiest man on the planet…

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed many of the characters very much but the story went downhill pretty quickly. Unoriginal trope of handsome-as-sin famous person, whose ex is a nasty, stick thin famous person, falls in love (in a matter of a week or two) with the main, average looking person (who the author keeps trying to convince the reader is "fat"). What really did me in though was the hero's line regarding his ex ending an unwanted pregnancy (HIS baby of course) and our heroine sympathizing when he said: "All 'she' had to do was give birth." Really. That's all. As if she wasn't even a human being, was nothing more than an unfeeling machine to birth his baby. I actually had to check the publishing date after that line because I couldn't believe it came from a relatively recent book. Unpleasant echoes of 'your body, my choice'.

[Cece · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars I did infact like this book even if..

The second hand embarresment I got from this book was soo painful to read through. I don't know if the author attributed this unfathomable clumsyness just because of the girls weight but explain WHY . WHY is this girl tripping and falling into, or onto someting EVERY CHAPTER. Do we need to work on your balance or something? Furthermore to top it off she was way to0 down bad for him; seriously in need of some self preservation and respect AND decorum. Lastly, KEEP YOU DOG ON A LEASH because why was this dog running into everything and everyone causing 50% of the mayhem in this book. The other half of the book is her just falling or tripping on thin air or endulging her very prominent drinking addiction; average brit though so atleast it's realistic

Like dog like owner they say; always causing trouble

[Staci Troilo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Tory!

Sometimes, you need a little dash of romance. Other times, a comedy. When they invented the rom-com, they found a way for us to have our cake and eat it, too.

I found myself laughing aloud at some of Tory’s misfortunes. Her earthiness is so relatable, and her clumsiness and unfailing ability to end up in embarrassing situations only add to her charm. Throw her father into the mix, and you know there will be antics.

Noah might be a bit too perfect and Gaynor could have used a little more development and a little more page time, but all in all, this was a solid cast of characters and a solid, if predictable, plot.

If you’re looking for a rom-com that truly is romantic and funny, this is the one. No big surprises, but no big mistakes, either. A fast, fun read.

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OKAY. I've noticed that this writer tries to make things funny by making the characters bumbling fools. The embarrassment factor can be endearing at times, but not as hilarious as the writer may think. Some of it had me chuckling a little, but as a size 14 woman, I didn't appreciate the constant comments alluding to Tory being very large. I shouldn't care because I'm an athletic 14 and nicely portioned...but I honestly don't appreciate any kind of body shaming. I'm not saying we need to praise obesity either, just leave it out altogether. The H could mention she felt larger than her friends as a size 14 - but to constantly nit-pick it was a turn-off to the series. I probably won't continue it. Give the characters more depth, please.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first title in the Dartford Diaries series. Set in Dartmouth the book follows the lives of Admiral Shackleton and his daughter Victory alongside close friends Jimmy, Kit and Freddy. The Shackleton household is the location for filming for a new film starring one of the worlds best known actors Noah Westbrook . When Tory & Noah meet, despite the seeming mis match of the couple they hit it off. But life with a Hollywood star is never straightforward - especially when dark forces are meddling…..Laugh out loud moments, especially where The Admiral is concerned, coupled with romance,tears,frustrations all of which make for entertaining reading.

[Elva Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claiming Victory: (The Shackleford Diaries Book 1) Beverley Watts

I didn’t realise how funny this book would be when I opted to read it whilst looking through Kindle Books Unlimited. But! My word was I so surprised, after the first chapter I didn’t put it down. Read it in one sitting, just making a cup of tea once. I also had to let my dog, bundle of fluff Shih Tzu Teddy, out for her ablutions. I really loved the whole story including Victory and her two best friends and the Admiral, her over loud and simple Dad. You MUST read this book and the rest in the series. Hilarious but lovely 💕

[Janice Salotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute treat.

Many thanks to Beverley for this delightful romantic comedy. The characters were amazing, even when throttling the Admiral seemed like a fine idea. Tory is blessed with incredible friends and her darling Dottie dog. These were people I wish I could know.
The writing was fabulous and funny, It was hard to stop for wanting to know what came next. There are some phrases and words that might be unfamiliar, but don't let that keep you from the fun.
I'm glad there are more Victory books to read and savour.

[Sandra Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

On my this book made me laugh out loud so often. An absolute tonic of a book. I read a lot of crime fiction so every so often I like to read something a bit lighter, this completely fits the bill.

Knowing the area where it takes place and being able to picture it in my head added to the experience. All the characters are so well created. I have seen reviews complaining that the end was rushed and other comments that amount to spoilers. However this is a series so we know there is much more to come. I for one can’t wait.

[Sarah Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isn't it a delight to stumble unexpectedly on a little gem? Well that's what I felt about this book. I wasn't expecting much but boy, was I wrong.
Firstly for a book to make me laugh out loud is hard but this one achieved this feat.
Secondly it had some seriously good characters.
Thirdly, great descriptions of the Dartmouth areas.
I've really enjoyed this book so will now have to truffle out some more books by this author.
A wonderfully funny and charming book in equal proportions.
Fairly short, I read it in two sittings.

[Karla Renee Goforth Abreu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victory is a thirty-something never married pleasantly plump and pretty woman. She has a dog who is her constant companion. Victory lives with her hilarious father, a retired general, on an old estate in Dartmouth, England. A film director want to use their property for the setting of his next blockbuster movie. The male lead is swoon-worthy. So from there the story develops. What makes this readable, instead of just a syrupy romance, is the narration, largely from the viewpoint of Victory. It is truly comedic.
Read it on a rainy day.

[JenMcJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this on Audible. The narration was fine. This book wasn't nearly as funny as the reviews led me to expect. Additionally, her dad was just awful to her.

In a reverse twist, usually for me, when American characters use British words that are so out of place it takes you me out of the story. In this book, the English character used American words that took me out of the story.

I didn't really believe in this couple. There was too much telling and not enough showing them getting to really know each other.

[Marzipan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought Tory & Noah were cute together. Wasn't too fond of the Admiral character - the way he talked to/about other people was horrible. I didn't like how the romance part was written as a dream sequence. I actually thought I'd missed a chapter or something as it was that confusing! Best part was the best friend Kit who I adored and the story kept me engaged enough to finish it. Not planning to read anymore of the series though.