- "The story starts very-Hemingway, with longer sentences full of description."
-Ottobox
- "Especially, I think, as summer comes up, this is a great beach read. It's a fabulous book to get on your Kindle. You'll be laughing out loud on the beach, so just beware you might look a little bit weird, laughing to yourself!"
-Natalie Wright's YA: Writer Chat Wednesdays
- "Still in the process of reading this book. Had to stop for a few to wipe up the milk that shot out of my nose. Warning: do not read this book while having cookies and milk!"
-Gregory Allen, Napa Fantasy Review
- "Thanks for the love! We are stoked!"
-VonZipperUSA
- "I've read it 3 times now! It's one of those books that is funny EVERY time!"
-JennyPop Fan Club president, Eslilay Evoreday
- "I grew up in Southern California and every time I read your book I can feel the ocean breeze and smell the salt air. What witty descriptions of the odd nature of the O.C."
-Michele Lim-Sanders, M.D. (NorCal)
- "Ch. 60. ROFL!" "Done. Omg! L.o.v.e.! So, so funny!"
-Angelea Bruce, RB Vino & Libri Chicks
One doesn't have to read The Darlings of Orange County during the summertime, but it's certainly the best time to do so! Author Jennifer Susannah Devore, best-known for her Savannah of Williamsburg historical-fiction series, waded deep into the skanky end of the pool for this bikini-and-martini novel. She tried something different, stretching far out of her comfort zone.
Drawing on inspiration from, among myriad, other sources, Arrested Development, 30 Rock and Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series, Jennifer S. Devore has crafted a seedy, surfy, silliy, sandy and sexy Orange County: a gauche glimpse into the O.C.'s (Don't call it that.) nipped, tucked and royally %ucked underbelly. If you think Bravo's The Real Housewives of Orange County is a tacky, cautionary tale, take note. The Darlings of Orange County is your best How Not to Succeed in Entertainment guide. Perfect for reading poolside with a frosty Tequila Sunrise, or on the beach with a classy, cranberry can of Sofia by Coppola Blanc De Blancs wine.
Publisher's Description
The casually-cashmere, sexy beaches of Orange County and San Diego aren't always what they seem. The dirty little secret here is what it takes to make it. Everybody has a trick up their silk sleeve. Veronica Darling is smart enough to know what it takes and is willing to soil her soul, and her sleeve, to bring Hollywood to the California Riviera.
Enjoy a brief excerpt!
Eventually, as the Inland Empire does, everyone was driven back inside by the insane heat: 102 degrees, smog, or as it was more romantically known, hazy sunshine and not a breeze in sight. Veronica and Ryan were both decked out in linen, but to no avail. Veronica's once crisp and starched pink, Ralph Lauren, 1950s-style sundress was now just a wrinkled, limp, wet pile of fabric; Ryan's white linen trousers and Hemingway fishing shirt were now see-through due to the intense perspiration. Lorelei looked cool and hot: ponytail, white wife-beater, a yellow tennis skort and a pair of white leather, KSwiss tennis shoes and those little socks with the pom-poms at the ankle. The pom-poms were yellow today.
Despite her Renaissance Faire affinity, she was Central Casting’s answer to a posh country club girl. In fact, she was a tennis-pro at The Laguna Niguel Racquet Club and rarely wore anything except tennis gear, or sailing gear. She was also a sailor: teaching kids the basics at The Newport Beach Sailing School. A killer, athlete’s body, she was the rare redhead who tanned well, sans freckles, and sported an attractive, light-bronze year-round. Of Swedish and Irish origin, her skin was perfect and her hair was carrot-orange with thick, natural waves and rested, when not in a luxurious ponytail, to the middle of her taut back. Tucker pretended not to like her, but Veronica kept catching him spying on her from behind doors and walls, much the same way as when he was feeling anxious or protesting Mexican food.
Currently, he was watching Lorelei through the French doors in the hallway. Her pom-poms were very exciting and it made him think of a former gym teacher. He then turned around and plodded down the hallway's hardwood floors and went directly to into his mother's bathroom, where he thought very explicit things about that gym teacher, Lorelei and the condiment bottles in his hot dog cart.
-excerpt from The Darlings of Orange County by Jennifer S. Devore, published by KIMedia, LLC