No Ordinary Life

Suzanne Redfearn

Feb 2016 · Grand Central Publishing

About this ebook

Suzanne Redfearn delivers another gripping page-turner in her latest novel, a story about a young mother's fight to protect her children from the dangerous world of Hollywood.

Faye Martin never expected her husband to abandon her and their three children . . . or that she'd have to struggle every day to make ends meet. So when her four-year-old daughter is discovered through a YouTube video and offered a starring role on a television series, it seems like her prayers have been answered. But when the reality of their new life settles in, Faye realizes that fame and fortune don't come without a price. In a world where everyone is an actor and every move is scrutinized by millions, it's impossible to know whom to trust, and Faye finds herself utterly alone in her struggle to save her family.

Emotionally riveting and insightful, NO ORDINARY LIFE is an unforgettable novel about the preciousness of childhood and the difficult choices a mother needs to make in order to protect this fragile time in her children's lives.

Ratings and reviews

No Ordinary Life by Suzanne Redfearn is about a child’s life in the motion picture industry and how it affects a whole family. Faye is applying for a job on the boardwalk in Santa Monica and she had to bring her children, Molly (4), Emily (12), and Tom (8) with her. Her husband, Sean is a truck driver. He disappeared five months prior and has not returned (or called). Molly, a precocious child, does an impromptu routine with a dancer (which people capture on their phones) and soon the video is a hit on-line. Faye soon gets a call from Monique Braxton of the Braxton Talent Agency. Molly is wanted for a Gap commercial. Faye sees this as a way out of their financial troubles (and an answer to her prayers). Molly does great in the commercial which quickly turns into a hit. Molly is then asked to audition for a popular show and gets the part. This is the beginning of a new life for all of them. But things are not rosy for the family. Emily is not happy. Because of the financial troubles, Faye moved the family in with her mother (in a small condo). Emily misses her friends and her old school. Then Sean comes crawling out of the woodwork (smells money) and starts making demands. What Faye thought was an answer to her prayers is turning into a nightmare. Will Faye make the right choices? No Ordinary Life gives you a peak at what life is like for families when one child is a star. The long hours, the lines, publicity, stalkers, etc. You may make good money, but it comes at a price. The authors writing style makes No Ordinary Life easy to read, but the content is extremely frustrating (not a relaxing book to read). I wanted to make Faye stop and think about her choices (as she kept making wrong choices). One thing about Faye that was annoying was she kept thinking about sex (a lot). Did she look sexy? Was she appealing to this person? Did they want to sleep with her? This went on through the whole book (and was really not needed). I started skimming (my word for speed reading) through these sections. I give No Ordinary Life 3 out of 5 stars. It was okay, but not great (she my personal feelings). I thought it was predictable (about life in Hollywood, the husband coming back for money, and the ending). I wish the author had been a little more creative. I received a complimentary copy of No Ordinary Life from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.

About the author

Suzanne Redfearn is a summa cum laude graduate from California Polytechnic University and is an architect, in addition to an author. She is also an avid surfer, golfer, skier, and Angels fan. She lives with her husband and children in California.