Summary: In this second novel about the Kingsley family, the reader finds the clan gathered at a posh resort in Laguna Beach for a “corporate retreat” organized by the current CEO, Paige Kingsley. The family is as quarrelsome as ever – with patriarch Richard expressing his disapproval of Paige and intention to remove her from her position after only a year, while Ted and John jockey for position and attention. The rumours continue to swirl around the death of John’s wife aboard the family yacht a year previously, and former spouses Ted and Paige are now bitter rivals and enemies. Prodigal daughter Sibley returns to the scene as an ally for Paige, as well as the disgraced Serena, having left her disappointing Italian lover. As Paige struggles to focus everyone on the company’s future, the infighting continues and the Santa Ana winds wail outside, unsettling everyone and creating an ominous atmosphere.

Thoughts: I listened to this second installment about the Kingsleys on audio, which was a fun way to experience this naughty family. The novels give me a guilty pleasure feeling – rather like surreptitiously watching a racy reality TV show. The Kingsley men are as vile as ever - Ted drinks like a fish and sleeps around; John whines about how unfair his life is and schemes ways to overthrow Paige; while Richard bullies and manipulates everyone around him. Not to be outdone, Paige is loving her newfound status and power and has no intention of losing it, while Serena plots her way back into Richard’s life, and a new woman, “Crystal Carrington” (hello Dynasty fans!) targets John and his fat wallet. It is all in poor taste and amoral. It is also great fun! I will definitely be reading, or listening to, the next one to find out what happens in this wealthy, scandalous family. Thanks to Brilliance Audio for providing a copy of the audiobook.