New Beginnings by Fern Britton

A warm, witty and wise debut about the ups and downs of life as a TV presenter Christie Lynch's life is about to change -- for ever. A journalist and single mother of two, she can't believe her luck when she is spotted by a talent agent during an appearance on daytime TV show, Tart Talk. Soon the nation's sweetheart, Christie can't help but love her new job and, for the first time in years, she can mend her leaking roof and buy her kids, Libby and Freddie, a few treats. But as her career soars, Christie's forced to spend more and more time away from her kids and from Richard -- the gorgeous single dad she recently met at the school gate. Can Christie find a way to balance her role as a mother with her increasingly demanding job? And will she make it in the cut-throat world of TV? Whatever happens, Christie's going to give it all she's got! Warm, witty and wise, New Beginnings is a behind-the-scenes look at the ups and downs in the life of a daytime TV presenter.

When I chose this book I was really looking forward to reading it. Fern Britton was brilliant on This Morning, comical and witty and I hoped that style would come out in her writing, however I was disappointed.

The book tells the story of Christie Lynch who, after an appearance on Tart Talk, is offered the opportunity to sign with a media agent. The agent arranges a meeting with T7, and she is offered a job on Good Evening Britain, covering for a pregnant with triplets, anchorwoman.

The story tells of the ups and downs of working in television and throughout the book, flashbacks are written about Christie and her recently deceased husband. Christie manages to move on in her own life, and is helped by her own mother, and their two children. Family life is hectic and Christie finds the work-home life balance difficult. With a potential new male lover on the horizon and the uncertainty about her agent and her financial situation, her daughter, who is struggling with being the daughter of a TV star, worries teachers, her nan and Christie is unsure what to do.

The book was in parts, a good read, however there were great chunks of it that I found too wordy, too much descriptive wording in parts. The story was believable and I am sure that their must be dubious agents not telling their clients how much they really earn (although these must be few and far between).

There were parts of the book that I enjoyed and it was basically a good story but not what I was hoping would be Fern's style of writing. It is a good book for an easy read, relaxed weekend, sort of read and I would be interested in reading any further books by Fern to see how her writing style develops.

I received this book via the Amazon Vine program.