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In the Shade of the Blossom Tree
"In the Shade of the Blossom Tree, previously published as Forbidden Pleasures, is a glittering novel of romance and suspense.
In the high-stakes world of international gambling, where success is measured by the roll of a dice or the spin of a roulette wheel, the lives of two women will become entwined in ways neither could have imagined.
Privileged party-girl Savannah Hudson has everything she's ever wanted – apart from the love of her cold and distant father, Michael. A self-made casino mogul in Las Vegas, he has little time for his daughter when competing with the other empires that line the famous strip.
Lois, a tough, ruthlessly ambitious ex-cop, runs the security business of Michael's greatest rival. She's fought hard for everything she has in life and no one has been able to halt her rise through the glamour and wealth of the casinos . . . not even her young daughter.
As the lines between their lives become ever more blurred, will the two women realize what truly matters before the morally corrupt world of gambling consumes them forever?"
In the high-stakes world of international gambling, where success is measured by the roll of a dice or the spin of a roulette wheel, the lives of two women will become entwined in ways neither could have imagined.
Privileged party-girl Savannah Hudson has everything she's ever wanted – apart from the love of her cold and distant father, Michael. A self-made casino mogul in Las Vegas, he has little time for his daughter when competing with the other empires that line the famous strip.
Lois, a tough, ruthlessly ambitious ex-cop, runs the security business of Michael's greatest rival. She's fought hard for everything she has in life and no one has been able to halt her rise through the glamour and wealth of the casinos . . . not even her young daughter.
As the lines between their lives become ever more blurred, will the two women realize what truly matters before the morally corrupt world of gambling consumes them forever?"
- GenresFiction
544 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2010
About the author
Jo Rees
31 books15 followersJo Rees published her first novel when she was 26. She went on to write several screenplays and internationally successful novels with her husband, Emlyn Rees, including the number one bestseller, Come Together.
Her first solo project was the bestselling Platinum. It's the big, juicy, glamorous read she's always wanted to write. Her next novel, Forbidden Pleasures, will be published in August 2010.Jo lives with her husband and their three daughters by the sea.
Her first solo project was the bestselling Platinum. It's the big, juicy, glamorous read she's always wanted to write. Her next novel, Forbidden Pleasures, will be published in August 2010.Jo lives with her husband and their three daughters by the sea.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 3, 2011
Found this one hard to get into at first but then the characters unveiled and I really did enjoy the twists & turns in the story...right up to the end... I was engrossed for hours....so glad I didn't give up at the start!
April 12, 2020
I’m not one to go for books about casinos and gambling but I really enjoyed this book!!! It opened up a new perspective for me. The behind the slot machine if you will 😂 really interesting story and the few plot twists ..... I did not see coming! Definitely recommend
March 20, 2022
Amazing! Having worked in Igaming, this book really brought to life how dark and daring life behind the scenes can be. A wonderful, suspenseful cross continent journey with strong female characters. This is a perfect 'wild card read.
February 21, 2022
Weer een oldie herlezen uit de boekenkast. Jammer dat er pas naar het einde toe wat diepgang in het verhaal komt, want het leest net niet vlot genoeg om gewoon een lichte roman te zijn.
February 12, 2025
I enjoyed this book.
Liked the characters and plot.
I think the title of the book probably let down its appeal for a wider audience appeal.
Liked the characters and plot.
I think the title of the book probably let down its appeal for a wider audience appeal.
August 11, 2010
Savannah, a British IT girl whose Daddy runs a rather successful casino in Las Vegas, is somewhat sick of being a boring socialite. She wants more, but she doesn’t want to be a good girl to get there. A horrible accident at home means Savannah is forced to take stock of her life, and re-evaluate a few things too. She’s sent to a remote island for rehab which her family hopes will bring Savannah back onto the straight and narrow. On the other side of the world, Lois, an ex FBI cop, is finding her feet working for some more casino bosses, and working out what exactly they want from her, and what she wants from her own life too. Just how are the paths of these women going to cross, and with what consequences?
This is the second novel from author Jo Rees, who first burst onto the chick lit market last summer with her fantastic summer blockbuster Platinum. I really loved that read, and consequently I’ve been very excited about being able to read this one too. I must admit that when I saw the original cover, I wasn’t too impressed as it seemed a bit garish and brash for my liking, but luckily the publishers have had a rethink and they’ve come up with the much nicer design pictured on the left! Anyway, you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover are you?! Either way, I eagerly started to read Forbidden Pleasures, and luckily it wasn’t a let down!
The book mainly tells the story of Savannah, a rich, spoilt IT girl who seems to think the world owes her a favour. Savannah doesn’t expect to work for her money, just that Daddy should supply it and consequently she’s not a very nice person. However, she gets a bit of a shock when she is party to an horrific accident that leaves her a changed person, and for the better it would seem. Even though Savannah wasn’t a very nice person at first, I still felt sorry for her as she seemed trapped in her life, and I enjoyed seeing the change in her as the book progressed.
The other main character in the book is Lois, a former cop turned security guard for one of the big casinos. For some reason, I really disliked Lois from the off, she just seemed to rub me up the wrong way and I just didn’t warm to her at all. As things move on in the story, I think I was supposed to feel sympathy for her but I just couldn’t bring myself to, I didn’t warm to her in the way I did to Savannah initially. Lois seems to work well in a man’s world, and while there is nothing wrong with that, I just found her to really cold and unlikeable. Her relationship with her estranged daughter is also quite odd, very different to the usual mother/daughter relationships you read in most books, but it made it slightly more interesting.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the story, and the different developments as it went on as well. I wondered when I began reading exactly where the book was going because it started with a rich girl doing what she liked, but the incident that happens turns the whole book on its head and sent it careering in a totally different direction which I loved. Savannah becomes a much nicer person, and I love how she starts to see how badly she behaved before and develops a conscience. It was great to read a character making a change like that and using it to her advantage.
The book picks up its edge again around 2/3 of the way in when the rivalry between Savannah and Lois hots up once more. The book takes another turn which again I thought was really good, as it kept my attention and keeps the story fresh and exciting. I was actually unsure how it was all going to end up because just as I thought I had guessed how things were panning out, something else happened which sent the story in another direction, and it was great how Rees kept my guessing the whole way through. The dramatic ending was a great finale for the book, and tied up all the loose ends of the book really well. Savannah was definitely the heroin of the book for me, conquering her past as she did and by the end, I had even warmed to Lois which was good too!
The book is a great blockbuster type read, so if you are a fan of the Bagshawe sisters, Sasha Wagstaff and Olivia Darling, I think you will love Jo Rees’ books. We were able to send out copies of this book to our competition winners for our first birthday a few months ago, and the response to it was extremely positive, so it looks like this is going to be a popular summer read. I would definitely recommend it to be one that you stick in your suitcase if you are off on your summer hols, and if not it’s the perfect escapist fiction for a late night read too! Set in the world of casino’s, it’s really glamorous, exciting and set in a lifestyle most of us would only be able to dream about! A great read!
This is the second novel from author Jo Rees, who first burst onto the chick lit market last summer with her fantastic summer blockbuster Platinum. I really loved that read, and consequently I’ve been very excited about being able to read this one too. I must admit that when I saw the original cover, I wasn’t too impressed as it seemed a bit garish and brash for my liking, but luckily the publishers have had a rethink and they’ve come up with the much nicer design pictured on the left! Anyway, you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover are you?! Either way, I eagerly started to read Forbidden Pleasures, and luckily it wasn’t a let down!
The book mainly tells the story of Savannah, a rich, spoilt IT girl who seems to think the world owes her a favour. Savannah doesn’t expect to work for her money, just that Daddy should supply it and consequently she’s not a very nice person. However, she gets a bit of a shock when she is party to an horrific accident that leaves her a changed person, and for the better it would seem. Even though Savannah wasn’t a very nice person at first, I still felt sorry for her as she seemed trapped in her life, and I enjoyed seeing the change in her as the book progressed.
The other main character in the book is Lois, a former cop turned security guard for one of the big casinos. For some reason, I really disliked Lois from the off, she just seemed to rub me up the wrong way and I just didn’t warm to her at all. As things move on in the story, I think I was supposed to feel sympathy for her but I just couldn’t bring myself to, I didn’t warm to her in the way I did to Savannah initially. Lois seems to work well in a man’s world, and while there is nothing wrong with that, I just found her to really cold and unlikeable. Her relationship with her estranged daughter is also quite odd, very different to the usual mother/daughter relationships you read in most books, but it made it slightly more interesting.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the story, and the different developments as it went on as well. I wondered when I began reading exactly where the book was going because it started with a rich girl doing what she liked, but the incident that happens turns the whole book on its head and sent it careering in a totally different direction which I loved. Savannah becomes a much nicer person, and I love how she starts to see how badly she behaved before and develops a conscience. It was great to read a character making a change like that and using it to her advantage.
The book picks up its edge again around 2/3 of the way in when the rivalry between Savannah and Lois hots up once more. The book takes another turn which again I thought was really good, as it kept my attention and keeps the story fresh and exciting. I was actually unsure how it was all going to end up because just as I thought I had guessed how things were panning out, something else happened which sent the story in another direction, and it was great how Rees kept my guessing the whole way through. The dramatic ending was a great finale for the book, and tied up all the loose ends of the book really well. Savannah was definitely the heroin of the book for me, conquering her past as she did and by the end, I had even warmed to Lois which was good too!
The book is a great blockbuster type read, so if you are a fan of the Bagshawe sisters, Sasha Wagstaff and Olivia Darling, I think you will love Jo Rees’ books. We were able to send out copies of this book to our competition winners for our first birthday a few months ago, and the response to it was extremely positive, so it looks like this is going to be a popular summer read. I would definitely recommend it to be one that you stick in your suitcase if you are off on your summer hols, and if not it’s the perfect escapist fiction for a late night read too! Set in the world of casino’s, it’s really glamorous, exciting and set in a lifestyle most of us would only be able to dream about! A great read!
August 16, 2010
I have never had the pleasure of reading any of Jo Rees' work before, but I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The one negative thing I will say is that I don't believe the blurb does this book justice.
This novel follows the lives of two women, Savannah Hudson, whose father is a casino tycoon, and Lois Chan, an ex-cop who works for Hudson's rival.
Rees sets the scene by introducing these two women at an awards ceremony, before going back in time to tell their stories from five years previously, until that night. I love the way Rees does this, she gives us a glimpse of what's to come and then fills in the blanks. Her writing style is such that these 'blanks' keep us gripped and eager to find out more.
The two main characters are fantastic. They are well written, deep and most importantly believable. Rees tells us about one for a chapter or two then onto the other. The result is that we feel a deep connection or sympathy with one, and indifference or even distaste towards the other. As we read on it all turns in reverse, to the point where I actually couldn't tell you which character I preferred!
As for the story, well it's quite simply brilliant. There are twists and turns, shocks and romances - it really does keep us on our toes. I'm reticent to reveal any of this fantastic story but I assure you, you will not be bored. Not only does the story seamlessly swing from Savannah to Lois, but the countries and backdrop are ever changing too.
This isn't just a novel about gambling or succeeding, it's a novel exploring trust, relationships, addictions and love. If you want a clever novel that is so much more than a generic chick lit you should not go past this stunning story. I cannot recommend it enough.
This novel follows the lives of two women, Savannah Hudson, whose father is a casino tycoon, and Lois Chan, an ex-cop who works for Hudson's rival.
Rees sets the scene by introducing these two women at an awards ceremony, before going back in time to tell their stories from five years previously, until that night. I love the way Rees does this, she gives us a glimpse of what's to come and then fills in the blanks. Her writing style is such that these 'blanks' keep us gripped and eager to find out more.
The two main characters are fantastic. They are well written, deep and most importantly believable. Rees tells us about one for a chapter or two then onto the other. The result is that we feel a deep connection or sympathy with one, and indifference or even distaste towards the other. As we read on it all turns in reverse, to the point where I actually couldn't tell you which character I preferred!
As for the story, well it's quite simply brilliant. There are twists and turns, shocks and romances - it really does keep us on our toes. I'm reticent to reveal any of this fantastic story but I assure you, you will not be bored. Not only does the story seamlessly swing from Savannah to Lois, but the countries and backdrop are ever changing too.
This isn't just a novel about gambling or succeeding, it's a novel exploring trust, relationships, addictions and love. If you want a clever novel that is so much more than a generic chick lit you should not go past this stunning story. I cannot recommend it enough.
September 1, 2010
I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book at first and must admit that I struggled to get into it. I found the pace a little slow at the beginning, but things got really moving after the first third of the story.
I was rooting for ex-cop Lois from the start but hated the rich spoilt Savvy. It wasn't until a pivotal incident 2/3 of the way through the book that I began to warm to Savvy and by then I was hooked.
The story starts in the present and then flashes back five years to the first time Savvy and Lois meet. As I got further and further into the book I couldn't work out how Ms Rees was going to get the characters from where they were to where you know they are at the start of the story.
I thought the characters were well rounded, especially Savvy. Ms Rees has a writing style that is easy to read and keeps you turning the pages. The plot is complex and interesting with plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading on.
This book is a perfect feel good read. The men are gorgeous, the settings are glamorous and the women are beautiful.
I loved this book and give it 4 out of 5.
I was rooting for ex-cop Lois from the start but hated the rich spoilt Savvy. It wasn't until a pivotal incident 2/3 of the way through the book that I began to warm to Savvy and by then I was hooked.
The story starts in the present and then flashes back five years to the first time Savvy and Lois meet. As I got further and further into the book I couldn't work out how Ms Rees was going to get the characters from where they were to where you know they are at the start of the story.
I thought the characters were well rounded, especially Savvy. Ms Rees has a writing style that is easy to read and keeps you turning the pages. The plot is complex and interesting with plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading on.
This book is a perfect feel good read. The men are gorgeous, the settings are glamorous and the women are beautiful.
I loved this book and give it 4 out of 5.
July 28, 2010
The first book I've read for Transworld's Summer Of Reading this was everything I expected. Whilst on the surface it is a tale of the darker side of the glitzy world of casinos, this book is far more about the lives of the two lead characters than about parties, gambling and decadent living.
I felt that the contrast of Savvy who goes from having it all to have nothing, with Lois who is fighting to get her life back worked well. Both characters were a little more rounded than characters I've read in similar books though the format did feel pretty familiar. If the twist towards the end was intended to be unexpected then it didn't work for me, I'd worked it out and was glad that the characters finally had.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, it would be perfect fare for the beach or poolside.
I felt that the contrast of Savvy who goes from having it all to have nothing, with Lois who is fighting to get her life back worked well. Both characters were a little more rounded than characters I've read in similar books though the format did feel pretty familiar. If the twist towards the end was intended to be unexpected then it didn't work for me, I'd worked it out and was glad that the characters finally had.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, it would be perfect fare for the beach or poolside.
October 2, 2012
A slower read than my last few. Was a read a couple of chapters come back later kinda read rather than a couldn't put it down for a second one. However that said the last 100 or so pages it did become must read can't put down. You suddenly wanted the 2 main female characters to become friends & both get their happy edings.
December 2, 2012
There were two books in the house we rented in Tenerife in October, and this was the second that I read. It was guiltily (a real word?)fun, and maybe more so since it was much better than the first one I read. In addition, the setting where I read it was quite wonderful!
March 5, 2013
The book was pretty good. The reason I only gave 3 stars is because I saw the ending a mile away. I listened to it in audio format and Laurel Lefkow made the book way better; she's an excellent narrator! I'd recommend Forbidden Pleasures from Audible.
September 25, 2013
Kirja kasinomaailmasta, jossa ihmisillä on rahaa ja valtaa. Uhkapelurit olisi ollut huomattavasti parempi kirja, jos suomennos ei olisi ollut niin töksähtelevä. Se aiheutti välillä myötähäpeän tunteita. Hömppänä tämä oli ihan toimiva, joten siitä kolme tähteä.
December 4, 2010
Not bad. Easy read - bit predictable - I'd figured it out by about half way through the book - but ok for a bit of light reading.
February 25, 2011
I didn't like this book very much, I got to the end at a struggle, I was going to give up as it was so slow, an ok read not the best I have ever read
September 1, 2011
Not as gripping as Platinum this is still a very good glamourous read set in the world of casinos and gambling. Excellent for chilling out with on the beach/sunbed.
September 5, 2012
Glamourous, Addictive, and pretty dangerous. But remember "every1 has a price" so just take a hint and read because believe me its worth every penny and it's simply "Forbidden Pleasures"
October 28, 2012
Ill give 5 stars to platinum by jo Rees it's a fab read , but this just wasn't as good
November 8, 2013
You have to get through the first 1/3 of this book before really getting into it. But when u do, it's worth it!!!! Good read
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews