Synopsis

Hollywood is a temptress, a trickster, a soul-stealing devil. I married an A-list player, knowing I come second place to his craft. But Lucas and I are a golden couple, a modern-day fairy tale.I’ve never doubted what we built…until the sudden death of Lucas’s best friend has scandal rocking the Hills and shaking the foundation of our relationship.

I chose Lucas as my safe haven…he chose the role of a lifetime.

For the next three months, I’ll share my nights with a stranger, watching as he buries his pain, immersed in his role and living as someone else.

We’ve done this before. I tell myself it’s just another movie, and he’ll return to me.

I should’ve known this time would be different.

To get my husband back, I’ll need the strength of ten men.

As it turns out, I’ll have to go through two.

Review

5 « cleverly written » stars

It took Method to bring me out of my book funk and get back the 5 stars rating!

Method is just exceptionally built! Not only is it moving but the way Kate Stewart built her story, alternating chapters between pas and present, beginning with the end then going to “four months ago” to follow with years past was brilliant, clever and demonstrates a huge talent!

Honestly I always focus my reviews on the characters and I will but I need to take a moment to delve on the structure of that book! Because smart is not a strong enough word to describe it!

Rarely have I read stories with such flawless construction.

Usually when choosing to peek in the character’s past, you alternate between past and present chapters but Kate did not stop there.

As I said above the prologue is a dramatic scene located somewhere close to the end of the book.

Then you are sent into “four months ago” as it was the turning point of the story. The culprit or rather the trigger for all that will unfold later. Interwoven with “four months ago” are memories of years past. Then step by step you will progress to present time.

This allows Kate Stewart to have us guess for a long time what pushed Blake to that point. It also gives us an insight into Mila and Lucas love story as well as Lucas childhood.

At no point in the book does it get boring nor uninspiring.

Kate Stewart managed to keep the suspense and the tension all along while anchoring us into Mila and Luca’s orbit. They truly are one of these legendary couples.

But even couples united by a love as deep as theirs have their own ordeals, their own work to make it a success again and again.

This is how writing must be done!

Now I would not be true to myself of course if I did not speak of the characters. And what characters!

They are perfect for each other and will obviously have a place among my OTP (One True Pairing).

Mila is opinionated, smart, independent, dedicated and generous. She can live alone but she will take a leap of faith to live with Lucas, thrive as a star’s wife without embracing Hollywood’s extravagance.

Lucas was just …not perfect as he did mistakes but one of the best book boyfriends I have ever read about!

He was handsome, smart yet humble. Loyal (thank God!), loving, incredibly gifted and committed to have his marriage last a long time.

Reading about his childhood just broke my heart!

“I was the smelly kid, you know? I was the one that had to steal deodorant from The Family Dollar so I wouldn’t fucking reek after gym. The one with the shredded clothes.”

When he found Mila he found his safe harbor. His life partner.

“You changed my luck, Dame. And for the first time in my life, I feel like if I ever need rescuing, I’ll have somebody there to help save me.”

Yet, Blake’s death and the method acting will take their toll on him and pose a huge threat for their marriage.

One of this book’s main topics is about method acting, I think Kate did a great job highlighting the toll it takes on actor’s lives. How totally consumed by their character they become. So immersed with their role that it threatens theirs sanity and make family life extremely difficult.

You will also think about fulfilling your dreams and about what’s next. When you are on top of the mountain, what’s awaiting you? What makes you thrive? And was it worth the cost?

Because the cost Blake’s paid was certainly not worth it.

While reading this story I experienced the whole feeling’s spectrum: joy, angst, anger, fear, sadness, love … It was nor overdone nor downplayed. Just …balanced.

I can’t find a flaw in that story. I can’t pinpoint to something I would have done in another way. I can’t choose a scene or a chapter that felt unnecessary nor roughly written.

I am simply smitten with that story, these characters and the story building.

Just read it.

Have you read any book by Kate Stewart? Or encountered any book whose building left you in awe? If so just give it to me! 😀

Thanks for reading.

Sophie