Welcome to the Real World

Fern Kendal certainly doesn't have it easy. Living in a completely unglamorous flat above and Indian restaurant, Fern must take on multiple jobs just to afford her rent. She desperately hopes to make it as a singer, but performing at a small pub with an unappreciative audience is not helping her case. Her best friend and accompanist Carl convinces Fern that they should try out for Fame Game, a reality TV competition for singers. To Fern's surprise, she makes the callbacks- but has to go ahead without Carl. Meanwhile, Fern is struggling to make ends meet while trying to help support her brother and his extremely asthmatic son who needs constant care and dealing with her new housemate- her father. Fern's parents are on the verge of divorce and her father is quickly becoming more than a nuisance for Fern. She takes on the job of assistant to Evan David, popular opera singer- even though she knows nothing about opera and keeps having to run out on her professional duties to deal with her personal life events. To make matters more confusing, Evan David takes an unexplainable liking to Fern, all while Carl is desperately hoping that Fern will one day love him as much as he loves her. Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews brings likable characters and a scenario that is very real. It was fun to read about the struggles that the heroine is dealing with, and was refreshing to see a character that isn't just hoping to fall in love- she is pursing big dreams and fantasies. With a supporting cast of hilarious characters (Fern's father pretending to have Tourette's to try to win back his wife) readers will enjoy the humor and snappy dialogue that Matthew's brings to all her novels.

I'll skip the storyline, as I read reviews not to obtain a condensed version of the book that defeats the purpose of reading the book itself - but to find out if others liked the book. I enjoyed this latest book from Carole Matthews, even though the plot was more than a stretch from reality. Like many of her other books, you may think you know where the plot is going, but then again, maybe not. The contrast of the regular people vs. the rich and famous in this book was interesting, as most books tend to be about one OR the other. If you're looking to be entertained with light, upbeat reading, I recommend this book. The author writes with a humorous touch that prevents the book from being depressing when the characters are in dreary or grim situations. In this case, the main character is a little too good to be true, but it makes for pleasant reading. Definitely Chick Lit, but populated with colorful characters that aren't all 20-something singles.

Once again Matthews pleases with this quirky off beat novel about overcoming situations and realizing your dream. Cute, fun, fast, enthralling read.

I love Carole Matthews. She presents us with stories that could never happen, plots that are off the wall, endings that could only appear in Grade C fairytales--and makes us believers. "Welcome to the Real World" is the story of down-on-her-luck Fern Kendal, who, when we meet her, is a thirysomething rather disheveled woman who lives in a practically derelict flat above an Indian restaurant, and earns most of her "money" (practically nothing) drawing beers and singing in the local shabby pub. She also takes other jobs, though, because her single-dad brother has a very sick asthmatic child named Nathan, and Fern's main concern is helping them. And her parents. And anybody else who needs it. Fern sings with her retro hippie pal Carl, who has been her rock since they were both teenagers. Carl is madly in love with her, but try as she might, she simply cannot go beyond the deep friendship love she feels for him. So they sing away, weathering all sorts of crises (Fern's parents suddenly break up and her boozy dad comes to stay; Nathan is getting worse; and so forth) And then comes an improbable job--as part-time assistant to the biggest opera star since Paravotti, Il Divo himself,Evan David. And Fern, who has never heard a true aria in her life, finds herself in the middle of this superstar's wealthy, finicky life. We said it was improbable! And did we also say that Fern secretly wants to be a professional singer? OK, all the pieces are in place. Check your mind in at the door and eat this confection with a great big spoon. It is simply delightful.

London bartender and lounge singer Fern Kendal dreams of making it to the big time in the music industry, but reality is that with two jobs and three males depending on her income, she will never leave the bar scene. Fern is tired, but knows that her asthmatic nephew needs full time care which is tendered to him by his father. That she is okay with; she resents funding her father's gambling addiction as he resides in her flat eating her food, etc. Fern manages to obtain a position as personal assistant to opera singer Evan David; they are immediately attracted to one another. Meanwhile her former high school sweetheart and pianist Carol persuades Fern to try out for a spot on talent show Fame Game; Evan is one of the competitors so she hides her efforts from her boss. Surprising herself, she is invited back by the show producers, but without Carol at a time when an opera diva makes a sexual attempt to reel in Evan The relationships between Fern and the two men in her life are strong and fun to follow as the audience wonders who will end up with the girl that is if one does. The story line can turn sappy, but Fern's run for fame while having two men desire her makes for a solid fine tale with a rival Lana Rosita adding jealousy and humor to the mix. Fans will enjoy this delightful London swings contemporary romance. Harriet Klausner