Tuesday 2 February 2016

Book Review - Styling Wellywood by Kate O'Keeffe

Amazon UK
Title: Styling Wellywood
Author: Kate O'Keeffe
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author supplied review copy
Publisher: Wild Lime Books
Publication Date: 8th May 2014
Rating: 3.5 Stars


Book 1 in The Wellywood Series 

Ousted from London, The Centre Of her Glamour Universe, 28-year-old Jessica Banks returns to her New Zealand hometown. For her it’s the Land Of Been There, Done That—and a deeply buried past. 

And she’s got a lot to deal with. There’s her overbearing mother, her new fashion career, not to mention the sudden disappearance of her best friend. Thank goodness for Ben, her reliable, cute friend who always has a broad shoulder to cry on—at least when his gorgeous girlfriend isn’t around. 

Then sexy tennis pro, Scott bursts into her life, serving up a hot and steamy love match. But off the court Scott is running a different racket—one that might just open Jessica’s eyes and heart. 

With everything she ever wanted and feared in front of her, will Jessica finally find her way home? 

Escape to beautiful New Zealand in this sexy, feel-good romantic comedy. 


What attracted me to Styling Wellywood, was the setting of Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. If you have ever wondered what Wellington is really like, then I feel this book probably gives a fairly accurate representation of the place, or at least the version that is in Styling Wellywood has made me a lot more curious about visiting New Zealand, and to see the contrasts between London and Wellington. 

However apart from the lovely setting, I found Styling Wellywood a typical chick lit book, with a predictable outcome. Yes there are some funny bits, and Jessica's encounters with Scott the hunky American will get your pulse racing. 

Jessica though spent half the book very anti being back in Wellington, having had to return to her home, after four years in London, due to her visa expiring. She takes up a new career as a stylist, with one of her best friends Morgan (who is incredibly flaky). She seemed to resent New Zealand, and was adamant that she would be able to bring London style to Wellywood, as there wouldn't be any home grown talent at all. 

Jessica's attitude to her situation started to grate on me, although I could understand, she just didn't seem to have enough "get up and go" to make me really relate to her. Most of the main characters (and there is a character list at the start of the book) felt very shallow and not that fleshed out. 

That being said, as I tend to enjoy these sorts of books, I did really like Styling Wellywood, and if you enjoy chick lit, or want to read a book set in New Zealand then this isn't a bad choice...it's just that personally I feel there are better books out there. 

Thanks to Kate O'Keeffe for this review copy. This was my honest opinion. 

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