sparkling read which improves on her last two bonkbusters - Rated 
This is Tilly Bagshawe's third book (having followed in her sister Louise's footsteps into the realm of the bonkbuster) and it is a distinct improvement on her first two, which were middling. Yes, it's predictable, yes it's unrealistic (hello other reviewer, you read this to get a realistic view of hotel management?!) but it is pure fantasy, in the tradition of Jilly Cooper, Jackie Collins et al and as such it is well done. This is a brilliant escapist read full of glamour, sex, romance and luxury, along with the requiste struggles for the protagonists along the way. The characters are pretty standard for the genre, but better drawn than in her previous books, and the story draws you in and keeps you there snugly until the last page. I highly recommend this if you are about to head off on holiday as it is a perfect / classic beach read.
Do not disturb - Rated 
Picking up this book you would expect light entertainment, an interesting storyline, some loveable characters, etc etc ...
This book proves to me that, just as with comedy, when done well it only looks easy when in fact it may be just as difficult to write as so-called serious fiction. Unfortunately, "Do not disturb" felt too simplistic (two-dimensional characters, none lovable, predictable storyline etc) both in plot as in writing style to be entertaining. As for fun, it didn't raise a smile. The plot is linear and predictable - as soon as the characters are introduced, you can rightly guess who they will end up with.
At the same time it feels as though the author tries to cram too much into this book, some "heavier" themes which she then completely fails to develop (one of the main character's frail relationship to her father dying of Alzheimers, child prostitution, illegal arms traiding etc etc) which irritated me a lot. Better to have left it out altogether if you can't follow it through.
The most serious flaw however seems to be the author's lack of knowledge of how hotels are actually run, writing about the hotel managers reads very much like a guest would think it is done when in fact the behind-the-scenes are far from how it is depicted here; a little bit of research could have done this book a world of good. In addition, anyone who knows a little bit about the Hamptons on Long Island knows that there ARE NO big hotels with spas etc as described in the book, - a fact that is so ingrained to the very character of this area that having it described so differently is quite irritating.
So overall, bearing in mind this is supposed to be a light, entertaining read, there is a lot better out there.
Tacky but oh so readable...!!! - Rated
After having read quite a few 'serious' books in a row I really wanted something light and fun and girly and sexy....so Tilly Bagshawe was an absolute God send! This sort of book is predictably some people's worst nightmare but it was just what I needed. While it was very tacky with stereotypical characters galore, it was fun and easy to read and very sexy and a bit more upper class than her previous novels. Plus, the storyline was actually pretty good...gritty and tense and with loads of sex as always. Tilly never disappoints and when a girl needs a good old pick-me up read, you can always rely on her. My only complaint is that I wasn't on a beach reading it. This is the ultimate summer read!! Do not pick this up if you are looking for a serious read but do pick this up if you are looking for a bit of fun and to get yourself away from the tedium of real life!! I loved it!!!!
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