A Hollywood Ending

A Hollywood Ending is about a woman named Paige Carson. But Paige isn't just any woman; she is a Hollywood megastar with an Oscar under her belt. That Oscar isn't enough to console her when she starts fretting about the future of her career, especially after being humiliated on set by a co-star who thinks Paige doesn't have any real acting talent. That fear, coupled with numerous disappointments and upsets in her personal life, drives her to England to perform in a theatre production of the Bard's As You Like It. Not only does Shakespeare make Paige question whether she actually can act, but getting used to England takes some adjusting, especially considering that she is living without the creature comforts she has become so accustomed to. Surprisingly, the thing Paige finds most difficult about England is her landlord, Ed. A documentary filmmaker with his own troubles, Ed thinks that the last thing he needs is some spoiled famous person living in the house that was supposed to be his. They are both in for a surprise as they realize that opposites attract and they may need each other more than they think. Robyn Sisman's book is a classic fairy tale-type story about the rich, bratty girl who ends up being more than she seems. At the beginning, Paige seems like a spoiled brat who can't be happy for anyone else because she seems to be having a mid-life crisis (albeit an early one.) By the end of the book, it is revealed that she is simply human, with doubts like any other girl. When faced with less-than-stellar circumstances, Paige acts out, and those unappealing parts of her personality come forward. In England, though she is presented with circumstances that aren't exactly what she's used to, she still measures up admirably. It is difficult to feel sorry for her when she realizes that she must walk to the theater as it doesn't provide a car service. Of course that must be shocking to someone in that situation, but as a car service isn't something the general public who will be reading this book has access to, it just makes Paige seem like more of a brat. She adjusts well, and these "shocks" quickly disappear. One does wonder, though, what she will be like upon her return to Hollywood. Will she return to the Paige we see at the beginning of the book, or is the change permanent? The book is simply too short and does not delve deep enough into Paige's character to be able to tell. The character of Paige herself was interesting. Sisman seems to have loosely based the character on the actress Liv Tyler. After all, Paige Carson is the daughter of aging rock god Ty Carson, and had a small role in the film "Journey to Mount Doom," while Liv Tyler is the daughter of Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler, and had a small role in the film series "Lord of the Rings." It doesn't really have any bearing on the storyline, it just is an interesting observation. The book has the predictable dramatic twist right before the ending, but that end is so short that the read

We are only a few weeks into summer and I have already breezed through a small stack of fun, frivilous, no real educational value but total candy for the brain, beach reads: Jane Green's Second Chances, Something Borrowed and Something Blue by Emily Giffin, A Dangerous Dress by Julie Holden. They were all good books, but A Hollywood Ending by Robyn Sisman was definitely my favorite. I know the novel is set in Hollywood and features a confused, slightly air-headed, but flawlessly beautiful movie star (which means 99% of the readers will find her difficult to connect with), but I found it a charming tale about a woman's desire to strip aside all that is phony and wasteful in her life and get down to what is substantial and satisfying. Paige Carson is a Hollywood born and raised, Oscar winning diva suffering a serious crisis of conscience. She loves what she does (acting in movies) but hates all that seems to go with it (ie. the backstabbers, media hounds, vapid wannabees, and blood-sucking parasites that live off the truly talented). She decides to put her Hollywood life on hold, head across the pond to jolly old England, and star in a play...by Shakespeare, no less. Her life in England is far different than her pampered, coddled, sun-kissed existence in La La Land. She worries about being a convincing stage actress, has to find for herself on the mean streets of London (read: walk several blocks by herself, no limo, GASP!), and she has a cranky, snotty landlord. In no time at all, Paige learns the lessons she needs to learn to be a happier, more grounded (read: less Hollywood-like) person and enjoys a perfect, Kabbalah-water fueled Hollywood Ending. Don't buy this book if you want to learn about the history of the French Revolution, the complexities of microrobotics, or the ideologies of Tibetan monks. DO buy this book if you want to spend an enjoyable day lying in a hammock, devouring a light, breezy beach read.

Adorable Oscar winning actress Paige Carson lands a part as the lead female actress opposite the famous Jackson Rolfe in a Cleopatra remake called Code Red. She was ecstatic at first, but quickly her image of him changes as he ruins every scene they have together. When she meets with her agent about the difficult situation with her costar, she discovers that prime acting roles - meant for her - are going to aspiring young actresses. She is upset that her career just might tank. Her agent mentions to her that a London theater is offering her a role in a Shakespearean play. Fed up with the Hollywood scene, Paige decides to leave Hollywood, its spoiled trappings and her parents behind for a part in live theater. Both parents have been negligent in spending time with her, especially her dad, a rock star, since he left her mom when Paige was young. It is off to London for Paige as she bravely struggles to fit in with the unfamiliar theater scene. As she grapples with learning Shakespeare, her acting coach advises her to get a boyfriend and fall in love - in order to capture the essence of adoration for her role. Sure, right! She, unexpectedly, harbors an attraction of sorts to her landlord Ed Hawkstead, a snobbish, handsome documentary filmmaker with lofty aspirations. Could Ed be her man? Ed is not happy with his new Hollywood star tenant, believing she is trouble personified. His first glimpse of Paige has him thinking that she is so attractive she practically sparkles! This seals his opinion of her as a Hollywood diva. As Ed and Paige's paths cross, their original thoughts about one another surprisingly change. Does Paige realize that the right man for her could be right under her nose? Robyn Sisman delivers a glorious tale of romance between two unlikely characters in A HOLLYWOOD ENDING. The story is charming, without feeling deliberate on the subject of love. I love how Ms. Sisman creates the story with a wonderful touch of realism by adding compelling settings and charismatic language. The story revolves around Hollywood life and the theater. Paige Carson, the star of the story, is disheartened with Hollywood and her parents. When the disillusioned actress leaves all that behind and moves to London, she moves in with a haughty, sexy documentary filmmaker - Ed Hawkstead. She is surprised at how snobbish he is! Ed's original impression of Paige is loathsome, but that all changes as they get to know each other. Adventures ensue and soon their feelings for each other change. Does Paige get her own Hollywood ending? Rush out and buy a copy of Robyn Sisman's delightful novel A HOLLYWOOD ENDING to find out!

Fearing her career is diving into made for TV movies older women roles; Oscar winner Paige Carson needs a major success. She made a poor choice when she agreed to star in a horrific remake of Cleopatra. Paige is also losing juicy parts to younger actresses. However, Paige is euphoric when she is selected to star with superstar Jackson Rolfe in what looks like may be the box office hit of the year. However, her inane co-star makes Paige reconsider her career as he is as unprofessional of an actor she has had the misfortune to meet. When London stage calls her to perform Shakespeare, Paige leaves behind Hollywood dirt and the latest tabloid lies and shenanigans especially her rock star superstar father. In London she finds herself attracted to her snooty landlord, Ed Hawkstead, a documentary filmmaker struggling to break out; he to his chagrin reciprocates as he does not want to want this Hollywood fluff dubbed by the press as Princess Paige. This enjoyable contemporary romance stars two likable opposites whose initial stereotype of the other makes each detest their feelings, but this is more Paige's tale since the first part focuses on her woes and Ed does not enter the stage until act two (about halfway into the novel). Still as Paige and Ed become acquainted they realize their preconceptions were false and allow their hearts to lead them. Readers will enjoy the romance between this fine couple. Harriet Klausner

I thoroughly enjoyed the latest from Robyn Sisman, half of which takes place in Hollywood, half in London. Sisman does a great job capturing the culture of each place and creates a lovable character in Paige, an unabashed yet innocent diva. She meets her match in Ed, a crusty intellectual who has a thing or two to learn about love; and the breathless plot, involving movies, malicious reporters and a Shakespeare play staged in a crumbling theater, keeps things moving along nicely. I thought this was one of Sisman's better offerings.