The Gatecrasher

A Novel

By: Madeleine Wickham

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Madeleine Wickham is Sophie Kinsella, and The Gatecrasher is just as delicious as her internationally bestselling Shopaholic series. Madeleine Wickham's bitingly funny and edgy style keeps fans coming back for more. So hold onto your haute couture hats, as you dive into the fantastic world of Wickham!

Everything's coming up roses for Fleur Daxeny, as she goes through more rich men than she does designer hats....if that's humanly possible. Beautiful, charming, and utterly irresistible, her success at crashing funerals to find wealthy men is remarkable. But behind Fleur's Harvey Nichols wardrobe, is a woman with a mysterious past.

Fleur wastes no time in seducing her latest conquest, the handsome and rich widower Richard Favour, and she swoops into his life like a designer-clad tornado. His children are caught up in a whirlwind as their father's new girlfriend descends on the family estate leaving chaos and excitement in her perfume-scented wake. Soon, more than one family member is suspicious of Fleur's true intentions.

Fleur is not one to wear her heart on her Chanel sleeves, but she soon finds herself embracing Richard and his lovable family. But just as Fleur contemplates jumping off the gold-digger train for good and enjoying the ride of true love, a long-buried secret from her past threatens to destroy her new family. Fleur is thrown into a race against time to prove herself to Richard before it's too late. Can she trust her heart or will she cut ties and run away as fast as her Prada pumps can take her?

Take a wild and marvelous ride with The Gatecrasher, whose clever, chic, and sassy style will leave you desperately wanting more wonderful Wickham!

Gatecrasher review

After reading several of the reviews I was hesitant to purchase. Glad that I decided to form my own opinion...slow at times and a bit more real than some of her previous books, but I enjoyed the book. I was pleased with the ending. :-)

The cover is deceiving

Don't go by the cover on this one. It's much more serious than lead to believe. The ending is unexpected but in a good way.

Entertaining but too long for the storyline

I enjoyed most of the story but it was lengthy to end in such a way as it did. All the build up and fizzle at the end left me feeling I’d just wasted several hours I could have been enjoying another good book. So middle of the road in this one. Enjoyable times, yes, difficult to like main character. And ended abruptly.

Averagely odd

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

only for a listen while driving somewhere, or coloring your hair or other time when you'll only half listen.

Would you be willing to try another book from Madeleine Wickham? Why or why not?

yes, no one is perfect.

Which scene was your favorite?

the scene's of the lead character's youth in India are pretty good, but short.

Did The Gatecrasher inspire you to do anything?

It made me appreciate my red-gold hair more.

Any additional comments?

The narration was pretty good but sometimes a little over played. Still, not bad.

My absolute favorite Madeleine Wickham.

Clever, attention- keeping, and totally uplifting. Although I find MW books more edgy than Sophie Kinsella's and the main characters more dastardly...this story brought the best of both mystery and satisfaction.