Review: Upside Down by Danielle Steel

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Upside Down by Danielle Steel, explores the intertwined lives of Ardith Law, a glamorous Hollywood icon, and her estranged daughter Morgan. Their worlds collide with unconventional romances and a web of challenges, leading them on a poignant journey toward reconciliation and second chances. This book promises to tug at your heartstrings, revealing the power of love and forgiveness.

Review In A Nutshell

I gave this book a 3/5 stars. I’ve got a full review below. Here is a snapshot of what you can expect from Upside Down.

• Hollywood glamour
• Complex family dynamics and mother-daughter relationship
• An emotional journey toward healing and forgiveness
• Unconventional romantic relationships

Publisher’s Synopsis Of Upside Down by Danielle Steel

In Upside Down by Danielle Steel, the story revolves around the life of Oscar-winning actress Ardith Law, a dazzling figure in Hollywood at the age of sixty-two. Known for her remarkable talent and glamorous persona, Ardith’s life is not without its complications, particularly in her relationship with her daughter, Morgan. Now thirty-eight, Morgan, a successful plastic surgeon in New York City, harbors resentment towards her mother for prioritizing her career over motherhood. The physical distance between Morgan’s life in New York and Ardith’s luxurious home in Bel Air symbolizes their emotional estrangement.

Ardith’s journey as a single mother began when Morgan was just seven, following the death of her unfaithful husband in a tragic accident. In recent times, Ardith has found solace in the companionship of her fellow actor, Bill West. However, her world is shaken when she employs Josh Gray, a personal assistant with a starkly different demeanor from her usual acquaintances, while Bill is away in London. Their relationship evolves unexpectedly, especially after a sudden tragedy, leading to mixed emotions in Ardith towards this younger man.

Meanwhile, Morgan’s life takes a turn when she falls for the renowned TV anchorman Ben Ryan, significantly older than her but equally captivated. Their whirlwind romance faces a critical test when a blackmail plot threatens Ben’s career and their relationship, leaving Morgan in a dilemma. This crisis may lead her to seek support from an unexpected source – her mother.

Upside Down is a novel about unconventional love, the challenges of family dynamics, and the pursuit of second chances. Danielle Steel masterfully weaves a story that explores the complexities of relationships and the possibility of healing and reconciliation.

My Review – Upside Down by Danielle Steel

I am a diehard Danielle Steel fan. To the point where I don’t even read the synopsis of any upcoming books any longer. I just automatically get the book to read.

And, we all know that Danielle Steel has written a boatload of books – you can see them all here and there is even a Danielle Steel printable book list.

In reality, I’ve never completely DISLIKED a Danielle Steel novel. But I must admit, my feelings about this one were just…meh. For some reason, it wasn’t my favorite. However, I can’t really pinpoint anything specific that was wrong with it. Do you know what I mean?

What I Liked

The characters: I liked the main California characters. This was the glamorous Hollywood star Ardith and then her rough-around-the-edges “assistant” Josh. They made me laugh more than once and I love that in a character. I also loved that Ardith wasn’t really the glamorous icon all the time. She looked and acted like a regular person when she was away from the camera or in the midst of a glittering star-studded Hollywood event of some kind.

The setting: The book switches between what’s going on in California, and what’s going on in New York. This kept the story moving very quickly.

What I Didn’t Like

The characters: For some reason, I never quite warmed up to the main New York characters. These were Ardith’s daughter Morgan and her new beau Ben Ryan who is a high profile TV newsman.

The Plot/Storylines: Here’s where I think this book lost somewhat. I didn’t necessarily dislike the story, but I just didn’t love it either. It felt a little predictable to me. That’s where my feeling of “meh” comes from. However, this book was written in the style that is typical of many of Danielle Steel’s books, and included some issues that could be relevant today – specifically the “me too” movement.

My Review Rating For Upside Down

I gave this book 3 (Decently Engaging) out of 5 stars.

Conclusion – Upside Down by Danielle Steel

In the end, I think Upside Down is a decently engaging book despite the fact I didn’t absolutely love it.

I still polished the entire book off in little more than a day, so it certainly kept my attention long enough to devour the book quickly which is what always happens when I read Danielle Steel.

If you’re a Danielle Steel diehard like me, you’ll definitely enjoy this book. It has all the hallmarks of a DS book and I can recommend that you read it.

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