Spa Wars by Chris Manby is about waxing, reality TV stars and revenge. It starts out with a cracking pace and the brilliant writing sucks you into the story immediately. Emily Brown has always wanted to make others look good. Her goal in life is to open her own beauty salon and with some prudent saving she achieves the dream. Thanks to a name drop from Carina Lees, a reality TV star, bookings have to be made weeks in advance. She expands, takes on new staff. Then everything seems to go wrong.
The first half of this book was great and I zipped through it thinking, yup this one could be on for a five star rating. But then things started to go a little flat. Emily, as the heroine, was a strange character. I didn't know what to think of her but then she did something quite tactless and I thought, I don't care what happens to you anymore. All of a sudden I wasn't quite so desperate to reach the end. But then, surprisingly, the book changed pace again and I was drawn back into the plot.
This is a great book. Full of up to date cultural references and a behind the scenes look at how reality TV stars milk their fifteen minutes, despite the slowing in pace, I really enjoyed it.
In my dusty memory I don't think I've read any books by Chris Manby before, but I look forward to ploughing through her back catalogue.
Rating: 4/5
Like this? Try Just Say Yes by Phillipa Ashley
