Book Review: To Touch the Stars by Jessica Ruston

Title: To Touch the Stars
Author: Jessica Ruston
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
ISBN: 978 0 7553 7031 3
358 pages
Paperback
Genre: Fiction, Chick Lit
Proof copy provided by the publisher

To Touch the Stars tells the story of the wealthy Cavalley family, headed by Violet Cavalley who has created a world-famous millinery business. Her three adult children, Flip, Blue and Fran, are also involved in running the business.

Violet Cavalley is talented and ambitious and quite-rightly proud of Cavalley's, her successful company, and proud of her family too but she is also haunted by each of the various tragedies in her life and is convinced they are the result of the 'Cavalley Curse'.

The story begins as Violet is celebrating her 60th birthday surrounded by her family and friends, at a huge party. As Violet contemplates which of her three children she will choose to run Cavalley's after she is gone, she finds her world is about to be turned upside down by an unexpected guest.

I was captivated by the backstory about Violet's upbringing and how she had transformed herself into a sophisticated and extremely rich businesswoman and I was quickly drawn into Violet's world of hats and high fashion. I wanted to find out more about her, and her family.

What was the mystery about her adopted daughter, Fran? How did Fran get the scar on her face? What happened to Scarlet and Sebastian?

As Violet's secrets are gradually revealed, it becomes obvious that her children are concealing secrets of their own.

This fascinating rags-to-riches story of a talented, powerful woman and her complicated family, reminded me a lot of the fabulous books by Barbara Taylor Bradford which feature the wonderful Emma Harte character. I was pleased to find To Touch the Stars is a similar engrossing saga.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading To Touch the Stars and wish to thank Headline Publishing Group for sending me the proof copy.