Texas Book 5) - What I Did for Love - A Novel (Wynette

This is the by far the most disappointing book I have read by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. It wasn't a bad idea for a story, but it was long and I was never that interested in the main characters.

This is the story of Georgie York and Bram Shepard. Years ago the two of them starred in a popular sitcom. Georgie loved Bram from the time she was a sheltered child actress and Bram, a bad boy from the streets, had no time for Georgie.

Due to a recent divorce from her superstar husband the scrutiny of the tabloids, Georgie and Bram marry. And so begins the story.

I liked Georgie and thought she was cute and spunky. She showed growth over the course of the book, which I liked. She started out very immature and sure of herself. She was overpowered by her father and though she claimed not to care about her image, her actions were governed by how she would appear in the tabloids.

I liked Bram and thought he was a good example of a bad boy reformed. I appreciated that he reformed himself and unlike Georgie, did it on his own and not through the magical power of love.

My favorite characters were Chaz and Aaron. I loved Chaz and her story. I liked that she came from a troubled past and was helped by Bram who had also had a troubled past. I liked that Chaz found her way to healing through helping Aaron and taking care of Bram.

The story between Laura and Paul (Georgie's agent and father respectively), felt extra. To me, it didn't add anything to the story and felt like it was included to make the book longer.

The book was well written and flowed well, I read it in a couple of days, but it wasn't as satisfying as other SEP books I have read. I recommend it, but I wouldn't put it on the top of my must read list.

I was a bit nervous to read SEP's new book. She seems to be either a hit (Match me if you Can and Ain't she Sweet) or a miss (Natural Born Charmer and Heaven, TX) for me. What I did for Love, thankfully, was a pretty good read, with some minor WTH? (What the heck) moments. I got the relationship between Bram and Georgie, in fact, I could really feel the "star power" behind the two, the reason for hatred, unrequited love to Bram years ago, and Bram's attempt to keep up the bad boy image, even though, that's not the case now. It did feel a little Jennifer Anniston, Branjelina-ish with the love triangle, but still enjoyable. Georgie and Bram connect in some odd levels, but it still felt right, for them. There is a scene that SEP writes with them in the "toy" store dressing rooms with a peep window, which was brilliant, and fun. So, I had nothing to be nervous about. I didn't get Georgie's video obsession with Chaz the housekeeper, and Bram's big turn around wasn't great, as was his video tribute to Georgie, but for the most part, I enjoyed the story. This book could have put her in DO NOT READ Territory, but not so... whew... a relief.

I have to agree with one of the other reviewers, this seemed to be a take on the life on Jennifer Aniston and the split with her husband.

The book had its good moments, but overall it just seemed to disjointed. The H/H don't like each other, don't trust each other but were willing to put all that aside so that they could get "happy" pictures of themselves taken for the tabloids. I guess sacrificing your integrity and honesty does go along way.

I have read SEP for a long while, but this book, just wasn't one of the best, and the reintroduction of past characters just seemed to be a little false. I don't know why they were there.

One of the characters I did really enjoy was Chaz, she stole the show.

Yes it does remind you of Jen and brad at first,And I was put off by the Hollywood thyme at first.But It is still a great story,if you can get past the similarities of real stars and see the Charters as there own,its good.I really liked Chaz's personality,And everyone eles in there circle of friends in this book,Like I said I was put off by this story at first,But if you give it a chance it really Blossoms into a heart warming story with plenty of time to Laugh as well,I really enjoyed this one too.

This book is pretty much a spin-off of Jennifer Aniston's real life story. A funny-face, sitcom-princess marries and then is dumped by the best looking actor in Hollywood. He leaves her for an actress famous for her unusual beauty and dedication to world humanitarian works. The story begins after the divorce, when Georgie (the heroine) accidentally gets drugged by a groupie in LV and wakes up married to her former sitcom costar - a man she detests and who treats her really, really badly.

The book does have all the elements I love about SEP - the quirky characters, funny situations, and witty dialogue. While I did enjoy reading it, at the end of the day it left a bad taste in my mouth.

First - I never liked the hero Bram. For the first half of the book he is just despicable. And while small clues show that perhaps he isn't what he seems, his underlying motivations are still entirely selfish and self-centered. At the end of the book he does redeem himself, but even that seemed like a case of `now that I've really figured out what I want, I really want to get what I want.'

Second - My favorite character in the entire book was Chaz, Bram's housekeeper. She way overshadows either Georgie or Bram.

Third - I kept thinking that I've read this book before. The dialogue especially seemed so similar to other SEP books that sometimes I could even place it. The ending reminded me of `Match me if you can.' While the premise was original, a good lot of the execution felt recycled.

Fourth - One of the reasons I like SEP is because her books are focused on humor and characters and fun. The sex, while present, isn't usually heavy-handed. That didn't seem true in this book. The hero and heroine were married, but absolutely hated each other. Their sexual relationship was like a fling or a recreational event (which they both openly admit), and not an outcome of genuine feelings for each other. Yuck.

So overall why I enjoyed the hilarity and absurdity of this book, too much of it just didn't work for me.

I was really hesitant to read this book after making the mistake of reading Glitter Baby but I definitely wasn't disappointed! WIDFL was everything that I was hoping that Glitter Baby would be. I sat down and read the whole book in one night, letting my other obligations go so that I could finish it.

I have to admit that I was hoping that there would be more about Chaz in this book, but maybe SEP has another book planned for her? Either way, this book is going on my "keeper" shelf!

The stars of the popular Sitcom Skip and Scooter simply loathe each other in real life. Actress Georgie York is a feisty beauty while her costar, the womanizing Bram Shepard is a "Bad Boy" hunk. Bram's latest tryst leads to their show being canceled and both their careers in jeopardy; Georgie has even more reason to detest Bram.

Eight years later neither of their Hollywood careers have recovered from his sexcapade although she has married star Lance Marks. However, he dumps her for a new wife, Jade Gentry, a former perfect 10 actress who has become an international activist saving the world. In Vegas, Bram and Georgie see each other for the first time since the show's debacle when they wake up in the same bed with hangovers and a marriage license. Reluctantly they agree to pretend to stay married as Georgie wants to recover from what her ex has done to her in public and Lance sees a second chance at love to rectify the error of his life.

WHAT I DID FOR LOVE is an amusing satirical look at romance, Hollywood style, which means girl meets boy, girl hates boy, girl loves boy while the matchmaking paparazzi photographs every step in the courtship. Fans will laugh out loud at this amusing tale of beloved enemies as two actors perform their fake relationship so realistically they deserve an Oscar except for one problem; neither needs to act in this particular role. Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a master storyteller.

Harriet Klausner

Coming from Phillips' last book, where I was disappointed, as well as the major let down that was Suzanne Brockmann's last book, this book was a relief.

I did feel that the story was taken, fairly obviously, from the media. That aside I found myself liking the book the deeper into it I got. At the end I got the tingles, which doesn't happen often for me nor do I usually get goosebumps about weddings, thank you very much.

I was pleasantly surprised about liking the characters and I appreciated the laugh out loud aspects because it's been a hard year (already, I know) and I needed a laugh! So, while it wasn't some of her earlier works, what ever is really, it was wonderful to read. I am also interested in the characters that can spring off from this book. Viva Susan Elizabeth Phillips!

This is my first book of hers. I thought the writing was smooth but I just really did not like the story that much. It kept my attention and was okay but then about the last 100 pages I hated how the story went and I just had to make myself finish it as it was so strung out. I definitely will read other stories by this author as I like how she writes, it was just the story and I want to give her another try based on many reviews on here praising and referring to other good books by her.

This was a delightful story, very funny and full of interesting characters. Georgie and Bram struggle to define themselves as adult actors, both being former teen stars coupled in a series for eight years. At times terribly sad but more often humorous, this story keeps your interest and isn't predictable. Bram is a love him or hate him character but he's never boring. Wherever you land with him, the book is better with him in it.

Would the editor(s) of this book please stand up, sharpen her pencil and not let this disjointed, unfocused, inch-deep type book be published again. I say this, because I've read Susan Elizabeth Phillips for years, and this is neither authentic or anywhere as good as she can write. I want the SEP that I know will make me loose myself in the pages. This isn't it.

The main plot reads like a re-hash of a much earlier (and much better) book, Honey Moon. Never really connected with the main characters, they seem like cardboard cut outs.

The real character-the real story-the real interest-- is Chaz. (My vote, She should have been the focus from the start.)

Then, there's all the redux characters-loved them in her other books, but they add nothing to plot, in fact, their inclusion seem really manufactured. It's not charming, it's annoying. Was this an author issue or a marketing plot to sell the other books by dangling characters here and there. Either way, it didn't work. Period. In fact, all through the book, there were a lot of characters and sub-plots that were half-developed, it got to be a bit schizoid.

Either way, What I Did for Love worth checking out of your local library as a summer read, but not worth the $ as the kind of book you'd recommend, read again and again, loan to a friend.

Good story, great writing, I couldn't put it down. The first half of the book was a definite 5, the second half slid a bit, especially near the ending, when the author was trying to wrap everything up. It was strange that the hero took so long to figure out his feelings for the heroine, pretty much near the end. I won't repeat the plot of the book since that's done already. Definitely a feel good happy ending type of book.

I am not sure if my taste is changing or if SEP is not writing novels like I remember them but this was a huge disappointment. I did not like Natural Born Charmer as much as her previous novels either but I thought maybe it was just me. I waited for this one to come out and let me tell you there was nothing, and I mean nothing, to wait for. I am a great fan of SEP's books but this was just terrible.

The premise is about two actors, Georgie and Bram, who had parts as teenagers in a sitcom and the lead male actor, Bram, had a sex tape that destroyed the last years of the sitcom. Now the actors are grown and run into each other in Vegas and SPOILER - they end up on the wrong end of spiked drinks and accidentally marry. The problem is they supposedly hate one another. The story goes down hill from there. Dialogue is poor, story is weak, characters are not likeable. What can I say - really bad. I would get this at the library but I would not purchase it. In fact, I started skimming through it; I could not read the drivel. I hope the real SEP comes back to write another day.

This is my first novel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and I wasn't disappointed. I was a little skeptical at first. I didn't know if I really wanted to read a novel about Hollywood and former child stars, but I found myself warming to Georgie and Bram. What I Did for Love was entertaining and delightful. Bram was a stereotypical child star that threw away his career on drugs and women. Georgie was struggling to bridge the distance between childhood and serious acting. The relationship between the two was strained and sometimes hostile. When forced together by circumstance, we find that hostility hid something deeper, from even the characters themselves. I enjoyed the give and take between the characters, the snarky comebacks.

The reason I give this four stars is because I wish we had seen more character growth from both characters. We glimsped the surface of each of their journeys, but learning a little more about who they grew to be would have been nice. Overall, an engaging read. This probably won't be the only novel I read from this author.

I am a fan of SEP but this book did not do it for me at all. The characters were horrible to each other often stating how much they hate one another and so forth...I did not believe the whole change of heart thing between them and how they fell in love!

The secondary characters were great and I liked them more than the main characters. The book had the author's signature humor...I found myself laughing out loud sometimes, but as a whole it lacked her usual spark and chemistry between the main characters...it just wasn't there. I found myself pondering the story of Georgie being dumped by her mega star blonde husband for a humanitarian brunette who got pregnant...it sounded too much like the Jen/Brad/Angie saga to me and I just didn't buy it.

I did not like Bram or Georgie; they were not likeable characters at all. SEP has blown me away with books like (Nobody's Baby but Mine, Kiss An Angel, Lady Be Good, Match Me If You Can, & Dream a Little Dream) now these books were good books with the kind of chemistry that just jumps off the page and sucks you in.

Sadly "What I Did for Love" was not one of her best...I did not find that they did anything for love, just a lot of selfish ambition and animosity between the two.

Oh and another thing the whole book seemed to be about Georgie and what she was thinking...we hardly got to read enough about Bram and his thoughts!

This is the first time I have experienced Mrs. Phillips writing and I was surprised about my emotional reactions. It was really refreshing to observe the talented in an overall humanistic way. Like rooting for those that some may dislike because they are creative and imaginative; willing to share their talents with the world regardless of their motivations.

This funny, insightful book on personalities caught up in the world that we support (openly or privately) is a Winner. I found myself rooting for the characters in a positive way instead of looking for some negative downfall and being glad it happen.

Mrs. Phillips made me laugh out loud and that is rare for me to experience that act while reading. It is appreciated with all the trash that is published under the umbrella of literature. It is OK for me to love again..it is never too late. Thank you Susan Elizabeth Phillips for sharing your creativity, especially with the beautiful act and respect for kissing..well done..Just a real Romeo

loved the story 2 actors who hate each other wake up in vegas after a drunken night married to each other they agree to lie and stay together for 6 months because of their fans love conquers all even when not expected

This is the story of Georgie and Bram, two actors who were costars in a comedy series when they were young. On screen it was loving, off screen it was loathing. Years have passed, Georgie is on the run from the very public failure of her marriage (think a certain "Friends" star) and Bram is on the climb back to respectability after years of dissipation. A series of unfortunate events trap them in a marriage neither of them wants, dead center in a media storm. Georgie desperately wants to avoid another public humiliation and Bram can't afford to look like the bad guy again. So, this is the story of their attempt to "make do" while waiting to get out.

As usual, SEP delivers memorable characters and a fast moving plot line. Secondary characters are also well drawn and interesting, but spend entirely too much time center stage. The result being that while we are told some rather compelling past histories, we don't feel an emotional connection to any of the characters. They all seem about an inch deep.

The humor, an SEP strength, is forced and at times cruel.

Check this one out at the library, if only to catch a glimpse of April and Jack from "Natural Born Charmer" and Meg, the daughter, from "Glitter Baby".

So I am one of those people who love celebrities....I subscribe to People magazine, am usually on top of all the latest gossip, and am a sucker for famous hollywood love triangles...for all these reasons, this was a great book!

SEP ranks as one of my top 3 authors....along with Judith McNaught and Lisa Kleypas. What sets SEP apart from ALL other authors is her unique and signature humor. I can't describe it, but you know when you are reading a SEP book because her use of humor is so distinct....fans know exactly what I'm talking about!

This book, while maybe not QUITE as good as some of her "gems" like Heaven, Texas, Nobody's Baby But Mine, and It Had To Be You, is still penned by the resident genius Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and for that reason is a must read...maybe not a must buy, but great all the same.

What I Did For Love contains one of the sexiest and most erotic love scenes I think I've ever read...I can't believe other reviewers have yet to comment on it! It takes place in a erotic toy/negligee shop called "Provocative". This part of the book is so original, steamy, and fun, that you'd be well served to read the WHOLE book just to get this chapter. It is great fun!

I get what the others are saying about the love story/emotional chemistry being lacking between Georgie and Bram, but I did understand their hang-ups and motivations. This book contains THREE love stories (another signature SEP find). I enjoyed all the secondary characters, but the relationships did feel a bit rushed....maybe just TWO romances in one book would've been more doable.

Overall, worth the wait. The best part about waiting for a SEP new release to come out is revisiting some of her "oldies but goodies" that never fail..I haven't decided if What I Did For Love will constitute one of those, but if it doesn't I have plenty others to pick from....I love that Glitter Baby!

I have loved this authour's books since I was a teenager, would have even consideres myself a "Seppie" (which is what her fans call themselves ;) ) - until I read this book. At first I thought the story of the Aniston/Pitt/Jolie love triangle meets Britney's Vegas wedding would be entertaining but that promise didn't fulfill itself. The first third is simply boring, the hero unlikeable, the heroine whiny and after their drug-induced Las Vegas wedding their entire life consists of dressing up and making appearances for the paparazzis. The shallowness of the main characters and the emptiness of their lifestyle does nothing to endear them to the reader. Bram was the same character that we met in "Breathing Room", only blond, Chaz was a ringer for Lucy out of "First Lady". We have the overbearing father that is so popular in SEP's books (First Lady, Kiss an Angel) and, as always, we get to the point, where the heroine realizes she's in love with the hero, then the hero does something stupid but has an epiphany right after that he's in love with the heroine, only now she won't believe him, then the hero has to make a grand gesture in order to prove his eternal love. I've enjoyed this the first couple of times the author has used this in her earlier books but by now it's gotten old!
Also, none of the characters, not even the secondary ones, is ever allowed to end up anything but thin, beautiful, über-successful, and filthy rich which kind of seems like overkill...
Susan Elizabeth Philipps always seemed to have fun with her characters and where their stories would take them but this time she seemed to only go through the motions. The main characters' emotions and the conflicts they go through seem oddly unfinished, the way the difficult situation between Georgie and her father is resolved is banal and not believable. Also, the book really isn't nearly as funny as the authour's other books - I could almost believe she used a ghost writer...
Very disppointing!

This was the first Susan Elizabeth Phillips book I read, years ago. I loved it then and loved it even more now. Her cast of characters are delightful and varied with several stories going on at the same time. An excellent read.

If you loved this book, I'm sorry.

I'm not the first to comment on the thinly-veiled Jennifer Aniston-Brangelina thing. What surprised me was that an author with SEP's obvious talent and inventiveness would allow herself to be so obvious. It was actually uncomfortable to read.

You can borrow from reality, as she does quite deftly in placing her story in the fascinating world of Hollywood, but you can't just copy it exactly. There were so many ways she could have written the characters to show what slimes they were, but it was very hard to 'suspend disbelief' when I kept seeing Angelina Jolie in my mind. Even the physical description of Jade - long, lean, black hair down her back, sleeveless tops and black pants. I mean come on - make her blonde and chubby or something. Something.

Someone has commented on the sex scene that takes place in the sex shop - one of the worst ideas ever. Are you honestly telling me that getting it in on in the pervy change room of a kinky shop is anyone's idea of hot? Could there be anything grosser? And less intimate than sex in public in some skeevy room with a glory hole? I don't think so.

Very disappointing. I almost stopped reading right there.

And lastly, one of the skills of a good writer is to know when the story has jumped the shark. Making everyone quarantined in the house together was just too much. It was Fonzie jumping over the shark. (And another pet peeve of mine - if you're going to include mention of a disease like SARS in your story, do your homework and don't say that the patients are on 'antibiotics'. SARS is caused by a virus that antibiotics won't work on, they would never be given antibiotics.)

SEP is obviously a talented writer, but I think she let this one get away from her.

***SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS***

I love SEP and I own many of her previous books. What I love the most about her novels is that they can make you laugh and cry. Okay, I've never cried before but I have felt very emotionally attached/touched. Anywho, What I did for Love worked and didn't really work for me on many levels.

Worked:
First, you can depend on humor. There were a few points in the book where I found myself grinning or laughing like a crazy woman.

Second, she brought up some real issues that she hasn't really in the past such as drugs, prostitution, weight problems, etc. It made her characters more flawed and human and relatable.

Didn't Work:
First, I couldn't NOT think of Georgie York as Jennifer Aniston.
Georgie's ex-husband, a gorgeous blonde movie star, leaves her for another woman. Who coincidentally happens to be his costar in a movie and she is also an accomplished, talented, sexy brunette who does charity work and promotes global causes!! AND she was pregnant!

Secondly, I have to say this...very few sex scenes! Of course, they get it on in the book, but there's really only one scene that I can recall that was "descriptive." The rest of the sex scenes were more just like...oh...and they slept together. I think it was because of this that...

Thirdly, I kind of found it hard to believe that they fell so in love. They wasn't a strong emotional connection. As young costars, they had their beef with each other. On Georgie's part, rightfully so. Bram's, not so much. But they DID separate for years. They DID hate each other their entire acquaintance. But forced intimacy made them realize they loved each other? There was delightful and witty arguing (which I LOVE)...but I never really saw what was so great about Georgie OR Bram.

Fourth, I never connected to Georgie York or Bram Shepard. I love SEP's spunky and intelligent heroines and tough and confident heroes. Neither Georgie nor Bram really shine compared to SEP's previous characters.

Overall, I enjoyed it. What I Did For Love is not SEP's best work, but it is STILL better than a LOT of other romance novels out there, past and present! I don't regret buying it at all. It is well worth the hardcover price. It really didn't touch me the way her novels have in the past, but it was still pretty good.

I would give it a B-.

And ps. for those of you who were hoping to catch up with Glitter Baby Fleur Savagar and "Bird Dog Caliber" Jake Koranda...they appear in the novel but you never hear them speak! Their daughter, Meg, is a character in this novel, but they themselves are only referenced in conversation. I'm kind of sorry for that. It would have been nice to see what they were like now.

I have loved listening to all SEP's audiobooks, but since she has a narrator they just don't have a va va voom they used too. SEP's audiobooks usually convey all the spunkyness of her characters and are really really enjoyable.
Unfortunately I found 'What I did for love' strangely flat, I think she needs someone like Amanda Ronconi, someone who can really convey the sassy humour that is the hallmark of SEP's books.

I have loved this author for so long, that I automatically buy her books. After I bought this one, I read reviews on the store and wished I hadn't. The name Jennifer Aniston came up and that ruined the book for me. I immediately pictured her as Georgie and could not get that image out of my mind. And that is NOT a good thing as far as I am concerned. Not a fan. So I looked ahead in the book and found this to be such a 'formula' story, totally predictable, and entirely too much like the Aniston-Pitt-Jolie circus. Didn't even finish this one. Life is too short to read a crappy book when there are so many others out there yet to be read.

This was an entertaining book, but not even close to what SEP is capable of. She was clearly inspired by the Jen/Brangelina triangle when writing this but I didn't mind so much. What I did mind was that it was missing chemistry between all of the characters. Although it had it's funny moments, and the dialogue is very witty when the two leads spar, it was completely lacking in passion. Also, I sometimes dislike the secondary love story that is so typical with her books, but this time she had a third story to go with it, so it took away from any real development of the two leads.

Georgie York and Bram Shepard starred together for eight years in a wildly successful sitcom Skip and Scooter. Like her character Scooter, Georgie is a paragon without a bad bone in her body. She is America's sweetheart, but Bram is the complete opposite of his character Skip who redefines Bad Boy and doesn't have a redeeming bone in his body. He holds every vice possible, taking advantage of Georgie's crush and her virginity, and eventually gets their sitcom cancelled when he's caught in a sex tape scandle. He's pretty much burned every bridge in Hollywood and eight years later finds he has no career and no one will take a chance on him. Georgie, eight years later is still coping with a very difficult divorce. Her ultra stud action hero husband has left her for another actress who is also pregnant. No one in the modern world wouldn't see Jen, Brad and Angelina in this. Georgie is crushed because she wanted that family for herself and finds herself being attacked by the paparazzi while Bram coincidentally is there to witness it. He doesn't help her with the crowd, but he does follow her and develops a plan to use Georgie and her reputation to get him back into the movie scene.

Bram follows Georgie to Vegas and while there, their drinks are drugged and they find themselves together in bed naked with a wedding certificate. Not being able to face another scandal, Georgie convinces Bram to stay married for one year to help out both their reputations and he easily agrees. While together they become good friends, support one another, have mind blowing sex, and Georgie manages to kick start Bram's career. The problem is, the sex scenes didn't seem mind blowing at all. It was very tame compared to what SEP normally writes, instead of showing us how great it was, she's basically just tells us that they had great sex. Very disappointing. Eventually Georgie falls for Bram, but Bram isn't in love with Georgie so she leaves to deal with the mess she's gotten herself into while Bram eventually realizes he does love her.

There was a huge supporting cast in this book and it weaved in several characters from her past novels Natural Born Charmer and Glitter Baby. There were two secondary love stories that also developed which were actually short and sweet. Not as distracting as she often does, but it is possible I felt this way, because I wasn't as into Georgie and Bram in the first place. I liked Georgie alot. She was funny, witty, and charming and it was difficult to understand why she would even entertain being with Bram. Bram, we come to realize has cleaned himself up over the years, but not realizing any feelings for Georgie, left them passionless. No sweeping love story here, but even SEP's worst books are still decent. The epilogue is the most romantic part of the book and had a dreamy quality that was never seen in the story.

I read this book just when I needed to read a laugh out loud funny book. And I did laugh out loud all through it. The book worked for me on so many levels. I loved the Hollywood scene, and the image is everything plot device. Add to that the goody goody heroine (who America loves) making a devil's deal with her former co-star & bad boy.

I felt like the heroine and hero were a perfect match and their Katherine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy verbal fencing was extremely entertaining.

I do feel that the heroine and hero had a wonderful emotional connection, and loved his love letter to her. .

It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a book this much, so I highly recommend it.

I love love love SEP's books normally. This one really lacked warmth and character development. Throughout the novel the heroine was described as being sweet and good, but in this case actions speak louder. She was rude, unfeeling, ugh. And the hero felt selfish and humorless until the bitter end. I really wanted to like this book and couldn't.

I listened to the audio version of What I Did For Love during a recent road trip. I won't go into the specifics of the story, since many others have described it here (ever heard of Jennifer Anniston? Then you might as well skip this book). I don't listen to many audio books but compared to the others I own, this was particularly painful. The reader has two voices: a posh, Katharine Hepburn-esque drawl and a valley girl accent. Every single female character has one of these two voices, some with more Hepburn (Georgie's agent), some with more valley girl (Chaz). The main character, Georgie, has the most annoying combination of the two which makes the majority of the story irritating to hear. The men sound exactly like the female characters and so the sex scenes are a little weird. The strange thing is that I actually liked the reader's voice when she wasn't voicing a character. It was the only thing that made the story even remotely pleasant. Overall, a very disappointing audio version of a disappointing SEP book.

I do not know what book some of you were reading....because after reading these reviews i previewed the book first because some people got me worried that it was not going to be good.

I rushed out to barnes and noble because I wanted to get to know the characters and the full story. I hated paying full price but it was worth it. I spent two late nights finishing the book and being tired the following days because I just could not put it down.

I loved the main characters as well as the side characters. To me that is what makes SEP's books so good. She gives yo such layers. Id rather pay for a compelling story entwined with different stories than one story dragged out over alot of pages.

I wanted to hear CHaz's story and wish there could have been more about her and her romance. I think SEP could have given us some more layering.

As far as Bram, i liked him. I could understand him and he felt like a real person rather than a romance hero...I do not like reading those type of books. SEP has always written about men who had a wild early life that eventually turned there lives around in time for the women they fall for.

Overall if you are a true fan of SEP and her style I htink this book will definetly be page turner and is worth getting or at least putting ur name on the local libary wait list (my libary had 56 names before me so I caved and bought it just like with Natutal Born Charmer.).

This book was delightful to me in that it gave me a kind of peek into an unfamiliar world, the very different world of Hollywood stars.

I liked the sense of the lives the real people behind the celluloid (or digital, these days!) might live because of career pressures, because of the constant invasion of the rest of us into their lives.

Georgie's situation drew me in because I could imagine what life would be like for someone suddenly on the negative end of public attention. Bram, who was tough, a bit self-centered, fascinated me because of how he grew and changed. He grew from a self-absorbed kid, really, into a man who could appreciate Georgie, who could appreciate the people around him.

That's a rare bit of writing.

Loved the minor characters, too: belligerent, punked-out Chazz, Georgie's wounded father carefully guarding himself and his emotions, Georgie's agent who had her own growing up to do--very real and moving characters.

And of course I laughed out loud so many times during the book at the situations and the dialogue.

As for the sex? Ahem, while a lingerie shop of the kind in the book may not exist in MY suburbia, I absolutely buy that it exists in the world of glitter and glam--and that two gorgeous people attracted to each other would get really, really turned on in one!

I loved this book. Loved it for its bit of grittiness coming from the Hollywood life/world, and loved it because of Bram and Georgie, two flawed people who changed and could truly love one another.

Lovedlovedloved it.

I am a huge SEP fan - her books have had me laughing out loud and crying too, but I didn't feel the same emotional connection in this book. Of course this is a well written book and the dialogue is engaging, but I agree with many others that there wasn't enough of a story line to fill the book, and in the end was predictable.

And to the reviewer who said this seemed to mirror Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie vs. Jennifer Aniston saga -- I thought the same thing!!!

So, all in all, worth reading if you are a SEP fan, but rent it from the library as it won't be one you are likely to re-read.

First, I didn't mind the Brad/Jennifer line. I thought that part was handled with an interesting slant.

What I did mind:
1. The author forced too much conflict. The hero did something despicable to Georgie when she was young. It was truly unforgivable. The fact that she could fall in love with him later makes her a weak, abused and not admirable woman. The fact that he did this--no matter how much he regretted it--shows a deep character flaw. Some sins are forgiveable. This one wasn't. The only way I could finish the novel was by pretending this hadn't happened. If I did that, I really liked these two characters. There was plenty of conflict without this action.
2. The first sex scene was ludicrous. I realize that having the h/h hate each other makes motivation for the scene--at least for the heroine--difficult but (SPOILER ALERT) going to a sex shop and modeling naughty underwear for each other until they are so hot they can't stop themselves is not an acceptable alternative. It felt nasty and contrived. I enjoy a good, well-written sex scene, but this wasn't one and made the characters seem spineless for not having been honest about the attraction.
3. At the end, everyone was happy! It was incredibly unrealistic and made me want to throw the book against the wall. Not everyone needs to fall in love and get married at the end of a book. As for these visiting characters from past novels--WHY? They added nothing and made it harder to keep the characters straight. WHY was Meg needed?
A small thing, but the writing was not professional. There were sentences like (and I've simplified it), "Annie threw the book down and hit the wall. She was angry." Readers don't need this spelled out.

I'm guessing that by this time in her career, Mrs. Phillips earns so much money for her publisher that the editors dare not say anything or SURELY this would have been a much better book if the editor had done her job.

I, too, got it at the library and am REALLY glad I didn't spend money for it.

Personally I could care less if this book was based rather loosely on Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, and Angelina Joelie. I do not think the author was trying to disparage Brad Pitt and Angelina Joelie because the characters in this novel are fictional. In fiction people have the right to make up any characters and story lines they like, and we must keep in mind it is only that- fiction. It was a fun and breezy read, and something I picked up after reading a few other novels with depressing elements. I definitely will read more novels by this author.

I have liked most of Susan Elizabeth Phillips's other novels but this one was awful! She uses the same characters from previous novels and just slaps new names on them and puts them in a slightly different setting. Boring and unoriginal. I was looking forward to reading this book, and was totally disappointed. She and her editor should be ashamed of themselves for putting out such a poor effort!

susan elizabeth phillips never fails to bring it. her stories entrance - you can't put the book down until you find out how it will end - she keeps me laughing with all her great banter and sense of humor

As a die-hard SEPpie I can't believe how bad this book is, awash with contrived plot excuses, playing guess who this celebrity is supposed to be worst of all---write what you know, basic errors! As a life long, 10th generation Native Californian I know these locations, the author tries to avoid visiting her location by using good friends. But as she was writing about well known celebrity hangouts all I could think about is what this excellent writer missed by not going there in person. For example as the (in)famous Ivy restaurant, you can catch butterflies, sometimes hummingbirds in the shrubbery oblivious to the paparatzzi shenanigans. Also, she left out a famous steak restaurant, Dan Tana's, which would have been a perfect hangout for several of her male characters. Great food and usually George Clooney too. Just a waste and the first SEP hardback that is NOT a keeper.

Perfect beginning...middle...and ending...EVERY TIME!!!
I better have all my work done before I start reading because I don't want to put it down until it's finished!
Every man should read her books...too!!!

I'm wondering if the readers who gave this 5 stars have ever read her classic books? Especially the Chicago Stars series as well as her older ones like Kiss an Angel. I know SEP can deliver--even what I expect and beyond...yet this book has been the WORST ever. The last book I read that was even remotely SEP's style was Match Me If You Can. I was in high hopes waiting for Natural Born Charmer because she did such a great job of portraying Dean in Match Me if You Can...but even that book was pretty disappointing. However, I would have to say that this book is HORRIBLE. Yet, it takes her ridiculously long to write these books. SEP, if you're gonna spend 2+ years writing ONE book, please write some GOOD ones that are worth the money and time.

I have read or listened to all of SEP's previous books. This one was the first one I have not enjoyed all that much. Usually I get to love SEP's characters, and by the time I get to the end of the book I feel like I am going to miss them dearly. The characters in this book are flat and I did not find myself liking them all that much. The book was also not as humorous as they usually are. Keep in mind I am comparing this to her other books. The book was not too bad by general standards.

I made the mistake of looking at the reviews for this book before I started reading it. I have to say that I almost didn't read it and thought to myself that I would read a few chapters and if I didn't like it..would put it away. I LOVED IT! Not sure what book some of these reviewers were reading. It is a book! Not true life!

I won't make the mistake of reading reviews again. Way to go Susan Elizabeth Phillips! Another funny and romantic book from start to finish!

I was expecting not much from this book that a light, fluffy, slightly angst romance and that is exactly what I received. I loved how she incorporated past events into the story without it becoming this long brought about flashback. I loved her narrative and her sense of comic timing.

If you are expecting shakespeare - obviously do not read. But if you are looking for a light, sweet heartfelt romance - give it a whirl.

I wasn't reminded by any real life movie star stories; I just loved the plot, story, characters, settings, etc. This author always delivers for me and this book is no exception. If you love Susan Elizabeth Phillips you will like this story.

I am a big fan of SEP, but did not like this book at all. The main characters are cold, and sometimes the story gets to be really crude. It is difficult to have much sympathy for the lead characters. One of the secondary characters, Chaz, is much more interesting, but that does not help the book much.
I would leave this book in the book store, or wait till a cheaper version is out.

I echo much of the reviewers sentiment below in that "What I Did For Love" is not among Susan Elizabeth Phillips (SEP)'s strongest books. I was a huge fan of the Chicago Star series, including my favorites, "It Had To Be You", "Nobody's Baby But Mine", "Match Me If You Can" because she brought amazingly believable, real characters together and every minute of it was exciting. Not so in this new book. Full disclaimer here: I stopped reading about 70 pages in because the chemistry was just not there.

On the other hand, if you've never read any of SEP's books, be sure to check the rest out! Don't be discouraged by this book!

(**Also, was it just me or did this book's premise mirror the Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt vs. Jennifer Aniston tangle?)

I loved this book. It's not often I find something that makes me laugh out loud. While it does sound like she had Jennifer Aniston in mind when she wrote it, who cares? And as far as the sex, I like an author who can write real life stuff, and sex is not always about romance and love. In this day and age, there's nothing wrong with making the best of a situation your dealt and having some fun while your at it.

While I still enjoyed reading the book, I never felt the emotional connection to the characters that I normally have with SEP stories. Their relationship lacked any chemistry for me.

I can't claim that I liked either main character much nor did I really care if they worked it out. I was actually hoping for more of a Hot Shot ending -- where the heroine ends up with a different man entirely. I really just couldn't connect.

After how much I enjoyed reading Glitter Baby, this was a let down. That's not to say you shouldn't buy it if you're a SEP fan; just consider getting it from the library.

I too saw the thinly veiled characters of Jennifer Aniston, and "Branjelina" (throw in a bit of Saved by the Bell and you're there). I never got to like Bram--he was mean and selfish. I did like the housekeeper, Chaz though. The book just wasn't that interesting; other books by SEP are much more fun.

Like a lot of other reviewers I have love love loved books by this author but not so much this one. I agree with the other reviewer with Georgie's husband leaving her for a beauitful brunette humanitarian who gets pregnant was way too similar to the Brangelina-jennifer aniston story and made me feel as though SEP couldnt come up her own story so she borrowed one from OK magazine. This book also made me say "yeah right" A LOT, so much so that I skipped to the end. I recommend picking this book up at your local library (which is what I did) and if you find its a keeper then go buy otherwise be glad that you saved your money and hope like me SEP's next book is better.

I usually love SEP. This book was lacking. The main female protagonist. Georgie, I didn't like at all. Although she had valid reason to dislike her "husband", Bram, the things she said to him were extremely rude, and no one would tolerate them outside of a book where dialogue is in the author's control. The plot felt forced, not natural, and the premise for the marriage was ridiculous. And at the end, everybody was married and extremely succesful, just too happy, sappy, and gooey for words.

What a fabulous read in these rotten economic times...lifts you up, takes you away, and totally entertains. The characters are fresh and wonderful--the side characters unforgettable--and the mesh of their stories is full of twists and surprises. This is a total keeper!

SEP's books used to be worth the wait, but no longer. She keeps recycling too many subplots (a parent having a romance, for instance) and the humor falls flat more than once. Many opportunities to flesh out her characters are missed, therefore too many scenes are dull. One can't reach suspension of disbelief in this story, so the book fails sadly.

I've had this book for nearly 2 years and never picked it up. Decided to go through my library of physical books to get rid of the massive amount of books that I needed to read. This book could have waited a lot longer. It was so boring. It drags on. 200+ pages too many. You get the picture. Very descriptive. I'm a fast reader and every time I pick up this book. I lose concentration. I'm on day 5 of reading this book and I just keep losing interest in it. None of the characters really connect and its already obvious of whats going to happen in the end.

I recently discovered Susan Elizabeth Phillips (SEP) and loved her books... until now. When I got my hands on "What I Did for Love", I couldn't wait to read it. What a HUGE disappointment! I'm no fan of Hollywood celebrities, but I hate it when people slam other people (even stars) they've never met and don't even know. SEP is either Jennifer Aniston's Number 1 fan or new PR rep, because this book is a fictional valentine to Aniston. And if I were Brangelina, I'd sue SEP for defamation. However thinly disguised, SEP denigrates Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - their character, acting talent and even their humanitarian efforts - and makes them two-dimensional cartoon characters. I don't know any of these celebrities (obviously), but I have to admire anyone who tries to help others less fortunate.

I also found Georgie York, the heroine of this book (the Aniston character), not that appealing and a bit too self-absorbed. In discovering her new vocation of documentary filmmaker, she forcibly films intimate personal confessions of those close to her without their consent! And when the formerly homeless teen, initially resistant to be filmed, later sobbingly insists on being filmed in order to make her story important, I just didn't believe it. It was contrary to the teen's personality as developed in the book and just seemed a device to justify Georgie's actions.

The love story is usually the strong point of SEP's books, but I didn't find this one credible. I couldn't help thinking that Georgie's marriage to Bram wouldn't last more than two or three years.

Bottom line: SEP, stop using tabloid headlines as inspiration for your story ideas - and go back to original storylines and more complex character development.

This book is slow, uninteresting and totally unoriginal. Susan Elizabeth Phillips follows a dull pursuit in the Hollywood love triangle which is taken straight out of a tabloid. This book seems like a bad case of writer's block. I have read many of Phillip's book and this is the author at her worst! Too many pages for such a boring and predictable read.
It keeps going and going...on about the same old stories we get from wathcing 'TMZ'
Leave this one at the bookstore.

While I liked this book tremendously, and loved the creative plot, I never made the emotional connection with Bram. I was never convinced of the depth of his feeling for Georgie. The passion was there, but the "need" was not.

It's SEP though, which means it's better than most books out there, but it's not her best work.

I hope SEP writes about the rest of Georgie's group.

I have enjoyed SEP's work to the point I preorder her books and wait in great anticipation. "What I Did for Love" was a true let down to me. I didn't laugh, I didn't cry, I didn't feel that bond that I usually feel with at least one of her characters. It was like reading yet another interpretation of the Aniston/Pitt/Jolie saga that, personally, I am tired of. I could not connect any of the story to reality and the characters were flat and lifeless (just like Pitt and Jolie).

It almost felt like SEP didn't actually write this one.... too blah.

I usually like books by this author. I didn't read any reviews before I bought it which I regret. The male lead is so unlikeable, that even when the author tries to show a hidden side of him that is better, it just doesn't work. For me, his terrible character overshadowed the book. I agree with another rater that this is a play off of Brad, Angelina and Jennifer. It followed the pattern a little too closely which was a little distracting as well.

As other reviewers have said, the hero isn't "hero" material, he isn't that prince charming that every girl wants. He's selfish and mean. The heroine isn't very likable either. She is also a self-centered "Hollywoodie" type. Reminded me of Brad/Jen/Jolie. From the beginning I kept thinking, "who cares about these people". I have read ALL of SEP books and have loved them all, except for this one.

I have read every book written by this author and laughed and cried with each story - her writing has always been endearing and funny. BUT this book barely hit the mark. I never felt invested with the characters as I had with her previous titles. I look forward to her next book, this one has already been traded in at the book exchange.

Do yourself a favor and read the book instead of listening to the audio version. Georgie is a very well written character, but the narrator make her sound like an airhead with no emotions at all. She sounds like she's bored throughout the entire book. Very monotonous and very annoying.

I went in not expecting much and came out very satisfied. It was not the greatest book I ever read, but I fell in love with the characters and enjoyed the humor and the romance. It is well worth reading in my opinion.

Wow, I bought the audiobook blind as I have loved every one of her books, but this one was just not up to Phillips standards. If I didn't know, I'd have sworn it wasn't one of her works. No humor at all and the characters weren't endearing like her others. Add to that the fact that it seemed very much like a take on Jennifer Aniston's life and I was disappointed. I did manage to finish the audiobook, but unlike my worn out copies of her other books, I doubt it will get a replay. This is NOT the book for first time SEP readers to start with. Try First Lady or Nobody's Baby But Mine or any of the other fantastic books she wrote previously, but please don't start with this one.

Five Stars ***** I loved this book! I don't follow all the Hollywood hoopla so I didn't go into this book with any preconceived ideas. I loved the banter between Georgie & Bram. There's a perfect balance of humor & conflict.

I had read several duds in a row by other authors and this was a refreshing hit that I couldn't put down.

I love all her books, but this one was a let down. Too many secondary caracters, i couldn't conected with Bram and Georgie. Generally cold sex scenes, not romantic at all.
I hope she will get her inspiration back for the next book.
SEP is very tallented, except for this one and First Lady.

SEP delivers again with multi-faceted characters in a richly detailed world. The two leads had the most interesting backstory of any SEP hero/heroine to date. This is prabaly not my favorite SEP of all time (that's still Match Me If you Can) but this is definitely in the top three, along with It Had to Be You.

I loved WHAT I DID FOR LOVE. Like all Susan Elizabeth Phillips books, she made me laugh, cry, and delighted me with her trademark humor. Fabulous.
In this story, she layered multiple love stories. And yet made the Hollywood world intimate and this story unique.
Don't miss it. I am so glad I didn't!!!!

Ms. Phillips is slipping badly...her earlier books were fun with characters you couldn't help but like. This book was dull, boring and featured totally blah characters. I put the book down half-way and have not wanted to pick it up. I just don't care to waste the time.