What I Did For Love

Starred review from December 15, 2008
Phillips (It Had to Be You
) makes old Hollywood gossip new again in this over-the-top, hot-under-the-sheets rom-com. Sitcom Skip and Scooter
co-stars Georgie York, who like her character exudes spunky charm, and Bram Shepard, whose upbringing couldn't be more different from the nice boy he plays, hate each other even before Bram's offscreen sexual escapades lead to the sitcom's cancellation. Flash forward eight years: his career has cratered, and her biggest accomplishment has been briefly marrying hunky star Lance Marks, who abandons her for sex-goddess-turned-international-do-gooder Jade Gentry. So when Bram and Georgie wake up from a Vegas bender and find themselves married to each other, they make the most of it: Georgie aims to undo the damage Lance has done to her heart and her public image, while Bram is gunning for a second chance at life, love and stardom. It's a blast to watch the hate-each-other-yet-made-for-each-other couple as they duck paparazzi or spar before falling into bed. In this massively entertaining romp, redemption is always possible, and even a fake Hollywood couple trapped in a pretend marriage might find true love.

Bram Shepard, a Hollywood bad boy who looks to be down on his luck, and Georgie York, a popular former child star, have a history. Now, after a wild night in Vegas, they wake up to find themselves married--to each other--and they're none too happy about it. What ensues is a lesson in love, growth, and the truth of the saying that things are not always what they appear. Julia Gibson subtly portrays the growing attraction between the hero and heroine. Gibson is equally adroit breathing life into the cadre of wacky supporting characters, including Bram's goth housekeeper and Georgie's nerdy personal assistant. Listeners won't miss the story's similarities to the current feeding frenzy surrounding Angelina/Brad/Jennifer, but they don't detract from an enjoyable listening experience. A.C.P. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine