I really thought I'd love this book but I didn't . I found it very slow and contemplated not finishing but I did the the last 50 percent on audio to stick it out. I rounded my rating up to 3 stars but gave it 2.5 unfortunately not for me. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

I fear I’m in the minority with this one. I had seen lots of glowing reviews for Reality Check, and seeing as how I’m a fan of reality tv etc I thought I would love this one but sadly it didn’t really live up to the hype I’d seen for it. I found it predictable in parts, and some of the characters were quite irritating by the end. I’m sure reality tv junkies and romcom lovers will enjoy this one though, it just wasn’t for me!

Light hearted fun storyline . If the Kardashian’s were from Ireland this would be them . Nice easy read, this would be perfect by the pool on holidays

I found this a bit difficult to get into at first but I was intrigued by the blurb (plus the authors of one of my favourite Irish book series recommend it so I had to read)

I love the fact that despite living in LA for a long time Portia’s mum Dessie still has the classic Irish mammy thing going on.

Not only is this book packed with Irish isms and wit that make me homesick but it sheds a light on a really important topic of how women are just expected to have children and if they don’t want them it is heavily debated. It’s a great read for anyone who loves Irish humour mixed in with some difficult topics.

If the Kardashians were from Ireland.........this is kinda how I imagine this family!!!! Uber glamorous, uber rich but with a strong Irish matriarch who loves her ham, cabbage & potatoes! This book is very glam, very glitzy, very witty but also, is a deeply insightful book about the complications of not wanting to have children. Here we have two people, Portia & Jason, who are very much in love and in complete agreement about not wanting to have babies. Unfortunately, we live in a time where not wanting children is seen as controversial and they find themselves defending their position regularly (mostly Portia sadly!) But they are in love and very much united. so they can take the endless probing. But then,, Jason announces he has changed his mind and wants to be a Daddy!! And that's when the wheels come off. Should Portia reconsider her position and relent? Her mother and sister seem to think so. As she tries to come to grips with this situation she finds out that Jason has not just decided this now...he has actually been thinking and talking about it with his sister in law, back in Ireland. Feeling betrayed and let down, Portia has to decide how to proceed....

A really interesting read. It's so sad that women are simply expected to procreate and if they do not want to, they are probed endlessly about why they feel this way! You just know men don't get even a pinch of the same level of scrutiny

A great read, a very interesting topic and all set in a lavish setting - a great debut from Vicki.

This book was so easy to read and get stuck into, the characters are great and it's a perfect blend of glamour and real life. I highly recommend this and can't wait to see what Vicki brings out next

New York-based screenwriter Portia is in a long-term relationship with TV producer Jason, who she met when he worked on her Irish-born mother Dessie Daniels’ reality show Ladies of Los Angeles.
When Jason drops a life-changing bombshell and her model-turned-influencer sister Vinnie is caught up in a scandal, Portia heads to LA to be with her family.
This story is packed with juicy Hollywood drama, as the family tries to control the media narrative and Portia decides her next step. Mostly an entertaining escapist read but sometimes it just seemed to miss the mark.

This was my first book by Vicki and will most certainly be picking up more, really enjoyed this book. It was light hearted, a great storyline and characters. Kept me wanting to turn the pages to find out what happened.

If you love reality TV as much as I do, then this book will be right up your alley. It features an LA family whose drama unfolds on TV and Social Media (think HousewivIf you love reality TV as much as I do, then this book will be right up your alley. It features an LA family whose drama unfolds on TV and Social Media (think Housewives of Beverly Hills), with the intriguing twist that the matriarch is a famous actress from Kerry.

The blend of settings—New York, LA, Palm Springs, and Kerry—adds a vibrant backdrop to the story, enriching the story with a mix of glamour and authenticity. The author's portrayal of these locations is vivid and captivating and most of all FUN, making me feel as if I was right there with the characters living a glamorous/chaotic life.

I loved Portia, our main character, who choses to live out of the public eye, unlike the rest of her family. She is grappling with the decision of whether to become a mother, and I enjoyed her reflections and personal growth throughout the book.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a juicy, drama-filled read with a touch of Hollywood glamour and a splash of Irish charm.
es of Beverly Hills), with the intriguing twist that the matriarch is a famous actress from Kerry.

The blend of settings—New York, LA, Palm Springs, and Kerry—adds a vibrant backdrop to the story, enriching the story with a mix of glamour and authenticity. The author's portrayal of these locations is vivid and captivating and most of all FUN, making me feel as if I was right there with the characters living a glamorous/chaotic life.

I loved Portia, our main character, who choses to live out of the public eye, unlike the rest of her family. She is grappling with the decision of whether to become a mother, and I enjoyed her reflections and personal growth throughout the book.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a juicy, drama-filled read with a touch of Hollywood glamour and a splash of Irish charm.

A long time reader of Notaro's newspaper work I was delighted to get the chance to review #REALITYCHECK.

Glamourous, sexy and above all funny

Portia is a screenwriter and is the eldest daughter of international sensation and Kerry native Dessie Daniels, the epic maven of the Ladies of Los Angeles (LOLA) reality show. Her sister Lavinia seems to have it all, model looks, a devoted husband and picture perfect children. Portia and her long term Irish boyfriend Jason were on the same page re kids -ie they weren't going to have any when Jason suddenly drops a bombshell. With her whole life turned upside down Portia retreats to her mother's west coast mansion to recuperate, only to be joined by her sister when her carefully constructed world also implodes.

With a cast of fleshed out unique characters, glitzy locations and quick one liners, Reality Check is the perfect summer read.

Sharp, wryly observed and delicious.

Cute rom com and good debut. Some parts were very well rounded and fleshed out but some parts felt a bit rushed. Interested to see what comes from this author in the future

Unfortunate dnf at 15%. It was just paragraphs of the characters inner monologue and explaining everything. I want to be shown what someone is like, not given 3 paragraphs of description and explaining someone.

Also at 15% we should have a clear idea of the plot. No idea what this was about apart from the fact she didn’t want a baby and her husband did.

I loved the idea of books depicting a reality show and I especially love the contrast of the reality show lifestyle with Kerry.

Reality Check by Vicki Notaro
Rating:4/5
Release Date: 9 May 2024

In her perfect apartment in Lower Manhattan, Portia thrives in her ideal job writing for TV, revelling in the blissful anonymity her family lacks. However, drama reigns supreme with her mother, Dessie, the Kerry-born queen bee of the hit reality show, Ladies of Los Angeles, and her sisters, Vinnie, a supermodel-turned-Insta-guru, and Ariel, a TikTok teen sensation.

When Jason delivers shocking news that shatters her world, Portia seeks refuge with her family. Yet, her timing couldn't be worse, as scandal consumes Vinnie's empire and Ariel's bratty antics spiral out of control. Meanwhile, Dessie harbours secrets of her own, and it becomes apparent that the glamour and gossip upon which she built her empire might also lead to its downfall.

This book certainly grabbed my attention, and I found myself deeply invested in characters. I believe Vicki has skilfully crafted a book that, beneath its seemingly light-hearted tone, delves into profound themes and the genuine struggles women encounter, particularly amidst societal pressures and the digital age's impact on mental health.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business | Sandycove and the author, Vicki Notaro, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I absolutely loved this reality TV related novel, set in Ireland. The characters are engaging and the plot is exciting and believable. So good!

Title: Reality Check by Vicki Notaro

Release Date: May, 9th, 2024

3.5 Stars

Portia Daniels seemingly has it all - the perfect man, a dream apartment, and a fulfilling job in TV writing. However, her life takes a drastic turn when her boyfriend drops a bombshell, prompting her to seek solace with her drama-filled family. As scandal rocks her sister Vinnie's empire and her younger sister Ariel's behaviour spirals out of control, Portia begins to question the authenticity of her own life. With secrets lurking beneath the glamour of her family's reality TV world, Portia finds herself facing a wake-up call that could change everything.

In my opinion, Vicki has crafted a book that, despite its seemingly lighthearted tone, tackles deep themes and the real-life challenges women face, especially concerning societal pressures and mental health in the age of social media. The characters, particularly Dessie Daniels, are depicted vividly, and Vicki's clever incorporation of Irish elements adds humour and warmth to the narrative.

The infusion of humour and wit enhances the story's appeal, giving it a distinctive and charming flavour. Although some plot twists were foreseeable, the engaging family dynamics and authentic representation of Irish culture contribute to making the book an enjoyable read.



Thank you to The Publisher Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business | Sandycove ,The Author Vicki Notaro & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.