I've been going to and going to and going to read a Danielle Steel novel, and now finally...and this wasn't bad! A story that drew me in, and good characters. For such an experienced novelist, I thought the formulaic outline of her plot showed like a pantyline. But the story withstood it.

What I enjoyed the most was the beautiful words, the philosophy in the words. They look underwhelming on the page, but when I heard these words they buoyed me:

"Josh nodded and marvelled as Artis' ability for forgiveness, given how badly Morgan treated her.

Artis seemed to have a remarkable capacity to believe that things would turn out well in the end. He hoped she was right. And so far she had been.

He still couldn't believe all the good things that had happened since he'd met her.

She had a profound conviction that if you did things right, worked hard, were faithful, had integrity, and were an honest person, the right things would come. And it had been true so far."

This is a love story x 2, the other couple being Artis' daughter Morgan and her love interest, Ben. Both matches have 20+ age differences, which once again, shows the protagonists' ages as inspiringly irrelevant in the world of romance writing! The theme: age doesn't matter when the MCs are soulmates.

I admire it but can't help be skeptical when the older MCs are usually portrayed as gorgeous and looking many years younger than they are. This applies to very few people in real life.

Artis, 62, a major Hollywood star, has a personal trainer, and no doubt Ben, 63, a world famous news reporter, did too. But both also had personality and gravitas that outshone their physical appearance - Josh describes Artis' noble character in my cut-and-paste above; and Morgan describes how massively charismatic and attractive Ben is, without specifics. And both older MCs attract via their "importance" - they are both big celebrities - which does not apply to 99.9% of us!

The narrator is Michael Braun. It's a straightforward narration as there is not much direct speech. And there are no "bedroom" scenes to draw on some acting skills. In fact, there is no sex, which made it seem like a 20thC romance novel, yet it was published this year! 2024

PS: I agree with Kris_Anderson's comment below: there was a surprising amount of repetition. As I'm someone who listens intently, it boring and annoying. ( )

Danielle Steel has written another winning saga of second chances, life's pitfalls, and forgiveness in the book, Upside Down! This story is about a mother, Ardith Law, a sixty-two year old well known actress living in the Bel Air neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. Also about her daughter, Morgan, a very successful plastic surgeon living in New York City. They have a very difficult relationship throughout their life. The circumstances and new found love for both of them pull together a very rewarding, can't put down, romantic book that will captivate a reader till the very end! I enjoy reading Danielle Steel's books as I know there will be no bad language or explicit sex scenes. She writes about family, love, and finding happiness! Well worth a readers time! ( )

Upside Down by Danielle Steel is about two couples where there is a large age difference. While I found the story to be easy to read, the storyline is predictable. The same details are repeated throughout the book (how many times do we need to be told about the age difference between the two couples, that Morgan resents her Mother, the unfaithful first husband, Josh’s loud motorcycle). The characters are cliched and lack development. I was not a fan of Ardith’s daughter, Morgan, or her older boyfriend, Ben. The pacing is mixed. I have read all of Danielle Steel’s books (I have been reading them since I was twelve), but this one is my least favorite. Upside Down is a story that does not require exerting many brain cells to get through it. ( )