Review on Amazon.com:

Claire Fordham is the sister of singer/songwriter/vocalgoddess Julia Fordham. Using her married name, Claire Cross, she was a journalist in England for 20-odd years. After the break-up of her marriage, and her kids growing up and moving onto lives of their own, Claire found herself at a loss for the next thing to do in her life, so on Julia's suggestion she moved in with her in California. This book details a year in their lives together. (Claire returned to her maiden name to publish this book, as there's already another Claire Cross out there.)

I have to admit that I initially bought this purely because I am a huge fan of Julia's music, and wanted to know the inside gossip on her life. Claire's book has MASSIVELY exceeeded my expectations. The book arrived by post yesterday morning and I started reading it at 7pm - and I read it in one sitting. Claire is a fabulous writer - touching, intriguing, interesting - and incredibly funny. There were sections in this book that had me laughing out loud - Julia's dog Muttley and his bloated stomach being a good example.

Julia's life was the thing I wanted to read about to start with - but after just a few pages of reading about Claire, Muttley, the rest of the family, the neighbours, not to mention Claire's desperation to meet and marry George Clooney (her obsession), I was hooked on EVERY single character's life in this book.

Claire writes throughout the book about feeling that she is in her sister's shadow, while Julia is the famous singer/songwriter that everyone wants to meet and greet. Claire, how wrong you are. You are equally shining stars. Different stars of different natures, but of equal brightness.

"Plus One made me weep with laughter. I couldn't put it down and I didn't want it to end. By the time I reached the story about the lost condom I was crying, and my ribs ached. Very few books have ever made me laugh this hard. A gem." -- Haven Kimmel

My Review: This was a fun read! Each chapter was a funny anecdote for Claire Fordham on her adventures in Hollywood. As the sister of a singer Julia Fordham, she was usually included as the "Plus One" on the invite to her sister. She meets David Duchovney at one of the parties with her sister, she re-named him: David Please-Shag-Me. Julia gets a dog named Muttley and he causes some funny problems for both sisters!

Saved for a bookbox.

Putting into my bookbox: Virtual Biography/Auto-Biography/Humor Bookbox, for Round #6.

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Sending to etherea from the Virtual Biography/Auto-Biography/Humor Bookbox Enjoy the books!

I picked this up at the post office on the way home last night. Thanks, JennyC1230!!

A light, fun read with some good stories! Family dynamics are as much a part of this story as Hollywood.

I added this to the Waternixie potluck box and sent it on its way. I hope it finds a new reader!