Upside Down by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Description:
Oscar-winning actress Ardith Law is a Hollywood icon. Radiant at sixty-two, she is the epitome of glamour and a highly respected artist. But her success has come at a she has a strained relationship with her daughter, Morgan, who at thirty-eight still blames Ardith for putting her career before being a mother. Morgan is a successful plastic surgeon in New York City—and the distance from Ardith’s Bel Air mansion is not lost on either of them.

Ardith became a single mother when Morgan was seven, after her unfaithful husband died in a helicopter accident. In recent years, she has found amiable companionship with fellow actor Bill West. But Ardith’s comfortable world is turned upside down when she hires a temporary personal assistant, Josh Gray, while Bill is away filming in London. Josh’s rough-around-the-edges persona is the opposite of what Ardith is used to, but an unexpected tragedy brings them closer, stirring up conflicting feelings in her for this younger man.

In New York, Morgan is swept off her feet by world-renowned TV anchorman Ben Ryan. Though more than two decades her senior, Ben is handsome, charismatic, and just as smitten as Morgan. But when a blackmail scheme puts his career—and their relationship—on the line, Morgan doesn’t know where to turn. Perhaps . . . to her mother? As each woman navigates an unconventional romance, they cautiously approach each other on new terms and attempt to put aside their past for a new future.

In Upside Down, Danielle Steel tells an unforgettable story of bold choices, second chances, and the hope of reconciliation.

Review:

Upside Down by Danielle Steel is another one her excellent standalone novels.  We meet Ardith Law, an Oscar winning actress and Hollywood icon; who at 62, is still highly respected and very successful. Ardith was married to a famous movie star, and had child, Morgan; who at the age of 7, lost her father in an accident, and rarely saw mother.  The relationship between mother and daughter was strained, and now years later, both rarely talked to each other; with Morgan living in New York, and Ardith in California. 

Morgan, now 38, is a successful plastic surgeon, and a workaholic. On the occasion she talks to her mother, Morgan is usually distant, as she blames her mother for putting her career first, and not having much contact during all those years.

Ardith has been in a long-term relationship with actor Bill West, another Hollywood legend. Bill was leaving for a couple of months to London, where he will act in a movie. He arranged with his studio to have an assistant help Ardith while he is away.    Much to her surprise, the assistant who shows up, is not a woman, but instead a man.

Enter Josh Gray, a struggling 40-year-old actor, who takes the assistant job to make some money. Josh, despite the 20-year age difference, is very respectful of Ardith, and in a short time, they both find a deep wonderful connection for each other; especially after Bill tragically dies.  When Morgan flies to California for the funeral, she acts angry and cold, and questions why Josh is there as her assistant; once the services are over, she returns back to New York. 

Morgan, who rarely dates, as she is so deep in her job, but she meets a famous TV anchorman, Ben Ryan, who is determined to win her over.  Ben is not only handsome, but very charismatic and very well known, and is 20 years her senior.  Morgan finds herself smitten by Ben and in a short time, the both have strong feelings for each other. When Ben is involved in a fake smear campaign, Morgan needs to learn more about the truths.  She does turn to her mother for advice.

Ardith and Josh have opened their relationship to the public, with both not caring what people thought.  Josh may be 20 years younger, but he treated her like a queen, and she helped him look for a good manuscript to help him start his career.  They were so great together. 

Upside Down was different kind of unconventional romance storyline, with mother and daughter having love interests opposite love interests. Ardith will go out of her way to show Morgan to go with her feelings, and live for the future; which will bring mother and daughter putting aside differences in the past, moving forward.  Upside Down was very well written by Daniele Steel, and it was a fun enjoyable read, especially with each finding love in different directions. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher