I am delighted to share my review today for The Thunder Girls by Melanie Blake. This is a book that I have had on my shelf for a while. It was when Natalie, a fellow Book Blogger, posted her review of this book on her site that I knew I wanted to find my copy and read it.

Jackie Collins for a new generation. The Thunder Girls is a blockbuster novel, filled with obsession, addiction, betrayal and revenge, that charts the rise and fall of an 80s girl band from Melanie Blake, a true insider of the music business.

THE

Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita, an eighties pop sensation outselling and out-classing their competition. Until it all comes to an abrupt end and three of their careers are over, and so is their friendship.

THUNDER

Thirty years later, their old record label wants the band back together for a huge money-making concert. But the wounds are deep and some need this gig more than others.

In those decades apart life was far from the dream they were living as members of The Thunder Girls. Breakdowns, bankruptcy, addiction and divorce have been a constant part of their lives. They’ve been to hell and back, and some are still there.

GIRLS

Can the past be laid to rest for a price, or is there more to this reunion than any of them could possibly know? Whilst they all hunger for a taste of success a second time around, someone is plotting their downfall in the deadliest way possible . . .

MY REVIEW

This was a fabulous book to read and it was one that took me back to the 80s and mentioned pop stars and bands of the time as well as some of the dodgy fashion trends. The story is based around The Thunder Girls, chart toppers in the 80s but after a massive bust-up, the band members have not spoken in over 30 years. They were a 4-piece band and they were successful.

Each of the women has moved on, they have gone in different directions and all have made adjustments but the bitterness these once good friends had is still very much present. So when Chrissie has to get in touch with each of the other band members, she knows she is going to be in for a rough time. She doesn’t have any other choice in the matter though.

This is a story that dips into the past of the girls and brings up relevant things that build up the story of how they got to the stage they are each at. With fame in the 80s, they were wild, didn’t have any care but had problems. These are not fully revealed until later in the book and when the author reveals them they are shockers.

The author builds a picture and a past for each of the women, some have married, some divorced, some have children and they all try to put on a brave face like a mask. It is when they come together that this mask slips, but who is the one that is going to break and admit mistakes or own up to what happened? These are strong women and over the years they have become a little warier, but they still hold their anger. It is going to be tough for any of them to admit that they made a mistake or show any sign of weakness.

This is the story of the women but also the other important people in their lives. It also gives a glimpse into the scenes behind the stage and how bands are micromanaged. But while you may be thinking this is a nice little get-together you soon realise that there is a subtle but growing idea of something being amiss. There is more to these women and the other characters than meets the eye and when I say things will hit the fan, I really mean it.

This does refer to being a Jackie Collins for a new generation, I was a fan of the original books and I can see that there are some similarities. There is the sly, conniving, backstabber in bitchiness that you got with those books, but this one does go a lot further with the mysterious side of a longer game.

I was surprised by how quickly I got wrapped up in this book, and I pretty much devoured this in two sittings. The women became likeable and I could see why they had gone their separate ways, and it made sense. Putting the past in the past and moving on is a tough one to do, but the author did a brilliant job of weaving a story that did just that. Several twists, and great pacing and is a very addictive book to read.

This is the story of reunion, friendship and moving on and I adored it immensely. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx