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Perfectly Famous Paperback – June 2 2020
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As a mother and a famous author, Ward DeFleur has it all. She lives in a beautiful estate in picture-perfect Connecticut, along with her teenage daughter, Stevie, where nothing can go wrong. Until, one night, when Stevie is brutally murdered and Ward’s entire world is shattered. Consumed by panic and grief, Ward vows never to put pen to paper again.
Enter Bree Bennett.
Bree is a recently-divorced, former-journalist-cum-housewife, desperate to fill her days with something other than Pilates classes and grocery shopping. So she decides to start writing for the town newspaper. What begins as Bree’s effort to tell Ward’s tragic narrative turns into a fixation with finding her favorite author. Unfortunately, Ward doesn’t want to be found. Even worse, Stevie’s killer is still on the loose…
This harrowing tale of one woman’s infatuation and another woman’s fear is full of explosive surprises, perfect for fans of The Night Olivia Fell and Then She Was Gone.
- Print length320 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJune 2 2020
- Dimensions13.49 x 2.03 x 20.96 cm
- ISBN-101982110317
- ISBN-13978-1982110314
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Review
"What a fun, engrossing read! Emily Liebert has such a gift for creating relatable characters who find themselves tangled up in something sinister. The ending of this book packs a huge surprise you won't see coming!" -- Sarah Pekkanen, New York Times bestselling author of You Are Not Alone
"What do you get when you cross a famous author in hiding, her murdered daughter, and a newly divorced housewife looking for a way to fill her days? A fast-paced whodunit with one whopper of an ending. Emily Liebert takes us on a wild ride in Perfectly Famous, a propulsive thriller starring two sets of mothers and daughters. Find a sunny spot, because this is the perfect summer read." -- Kimberly Belle, bestselling author of The Marriage Lie and Stranger in the Lake
"Perfectly Famous is a killer summer read! When a back-to-work journalist investigates the sudden disappearance of a famous author, suspects emerge from every corner of both women’s lives. Spot-on characters and clever plotting drive this latest thriller by Emily Liebert to a deliciously unexpected ending!" -- Wendy Walker, internationally bestselling author of The Night Before
"Much more than a clever whodunit, Perfectly Famous is a subtle and lyrical acclamation of relationships, especially the challenging one between mothers and daughters. Irresistible and intriguing, it smolders with a brooding, slow-burn tension that delicately unwinds to a final, profoundly shocking outcome. A captivating story that’s richly evocative, with characters you won’t soon forget. Perfectly Famous is a must read for fans of domestic drama." -- Christina McDonald, USA Today bestselling author of The Night Olivia Fell and Behind Every Lie
“A twisty game of cat and mouse with a shocker of an ending. Gripping and entertaining.”
-- Michele Campbell, international bestselling author of A Stranger on the Beach
"Readers who appreciate strong, independent, female characters with a wicked sense of humor may enjoy this one.” ― Publishers Weekly
“Perfectly Famous packs plenty of meta storytelling about the literary world into its suspenseful framework." ― Popsugar, Thrillers That Will Have You on the Edge of Your Seat This Summer
“Her [Emily Liebert's] combination of dark humor and sensationally-plotted storylines was so gripping and addictive.” ― She Reads, Necessary Thrillers To Read In 2020
“A fun, twisty thrill ride about the dark side of female friendship.” ― PopSugar
"A breath of fresh air, because it’s honestly kind of meta." ― Betches
“Perfectly Famous checks all the boxes for a summer read. The twists and turns throughout most of the book make it a gratifying read." ― Authorlink
Praise for Pretty Revenge
"A riveting tale of subterfuge, betrayal, and retribution set among the glittering world of New York’s elite.”
-- Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish and The Last Time I Saw You
"Old wounds reopen with a vengeance in the latest from Emily Liebert, an irresistible page turner set against the glamorous backdrop of moneyed New York. Pretty Revenge twists its way through a riveting tale of blame and obsession, where revenge isn’t as neat or pretty as it seems. The perfect summer beach read."
-- Kimberly Belle, author of Dear Wife
“Liebert’s forte is creating authentic female characters, as she does here with those in both primary and secondary roles, while building suspense by withholding until late in the book the details of just what Jordan did to Kerrie 18 years earlier. A psychological thriller with a surprising resolution.” ― Booklist
“Liebert’s skillful character development illustrates the complexity of human motivations and encourages sympathy for unlikely characters. Aficionados of the TV show Revenge or those who enjoy contemporary psychological suspense set in an affluent society will want to consider.” ― Library Journal
"Liebert (Those Secrets We Keep) delivers a first-rate thriller in this irresistible tale of a wedding planner with a dodgy past and the longtime enemy who aims to expose her secrets.. Fans of Leila Slimani’s The Perfect Nanny will devour this expertly paced novel." ― Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
SIX MONTHS AGO
The smooth rhythm of jazz music drifted from the radio as I gazed out the window at the cookie-cutter McMansions with their rambling green lawns, glistening blue swimming pools, and soaring oak trees in a kaleidoscope of colors. This time of year, the air is crisp but not cold. Children frolick outside until just before bedtime. Doors are left unlocked.
It’s safe here in Connecticut.
Ten minutes passed, as we traveled out of the suburban cocoon and through town, until the car pulled to a stop. I checked my reflection in the makeup compact I’d slipped into my purse at the last minute and allowed myself one final swipe of red lipstick, to match the cover of my new novel, Mysterious Stranger. Then I took a deep breath, trapped the air in my lungs for a few seconds longer than usual, and exhaled before the driver came around to open my door.
“Ready, Ms. DeFleur?” He extended his hand, and I accepted it, grateful for the support.
“Yes,” I spoke softly and stepped onto the glossy pavement, as pellets of rain struck the umbrella he was holding. One foot in front of the other, I reminded myself. I’ve done this before. Twelve times. And I’ll do it again. I hope.
“Here we go.” He hoisted me to standing, and I noticed that a bead of water had tainted my red silk flats like an inkblot in the Rorschach test. I never wear heels. When you’re five foot ten, it’s hard enough to go unnoticed. “I’ll keep you dry.”
“Thank you.” I nodded and raked my fingers through my thick, tumbling waves of auburn hair.
The line was already wrapped around the side of the building, a buzzing procession of anticipation. Instinctively, I looked behind me. As expected, the parking lot was crowded with sedans and SUVs jockeying for an open spot. To see me. Even after so many years, it’s still hard to believe.
Once we were inside, fear rose in my chest. I scanned the troop of men and women, mostly women in dark elastic jeans, stiletto boots, and flowy blouses cut to expose just enough of their assets. The landscape was dizzying. I thought about a quick pivot. I could make it back to the town car before anyone reached me. But I didn’t move.
“Hello, everyone,” I said louder than I’d expected. I sounded confident. Unlike myself. I smiled appreciatively at the light applause.
“Fabulous, you’re here.” My publicist, Gwen, swooped in, placed one hand on the small of my back, and cupped my elbow with the other. “Let’s get you settled. The signing doesn’t officially start for another twenty minutes. We can go over some important items.”
“Okay, sure.” I allowed her to cart me off.
“In here.” She thrust me into a small room with a green tweed couch and a cluttered wooden desk. “Make yourself comfortable. How are you feeling?” She motioned to the couch, dragged the metal desk chair over, and sat down on the edge of it, facing me. Her dark brown eyes were dogged. She’d rimmed them with far too much black eyeliner. And her knee was trembling. Probably from that high-octane coffee-in-a-can she drinks all day.
“Good,” I lied.
“Good?”
“Great, I mean. Definitely great,” I qualified.
“That’s better. Because tonight has to go seamlessly.” She maintained eye contact. “This is the first appearance in your fifteen-city tour.”
“I know.” Between my agent, my publisher, my editor, my editor’s assistant, Gwen, Gwen’s assistant, and all the other people at Lyons & Wilder responsible for launching my books, I’ve heard fifteen-city tour more times than my brain can metabolize.
“What I’m saying is that tonight sets the tone.” She leaned in closer and searched my face for mutual understanding. “
Product details
- Publisher : Gallery Books (June 2 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1982110317
- ISBN-13 : 978-1982110314
- Item weight : 243 g
- Dimensions : 13.49 x 2.03 x 20.96 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,679,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #43,378 in Contemporary Women's Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Emily Liebert is the USA TODAY bestselling author of six books. FACEBOOK FAIRYTALES, YOU KNEW ME WHEN, WHEN WE FALL, THOSE SECRETS WE KEEP, SOME WOMEN & PRETTY REVENGE. Her forthcoming novel, PERFECTLY FAMOUS, releases June 2, 2020.
She was born and raised in New York City, attended the Horace Mann School and Smith College, where she graduated with a B.A. in English Language & Literature.
After college, Emily landed her first job as an Executive Assistant at ABC News, where she honed her organizational skills and helped produce television specials for Peter Jennings Reporting. To this day, she is a whiz with "To Do" lists.
Since childhood, Emily's had a passion for writing, so when the opportunity to become Editor-in-Chief of The WAG--a luxury lifestyle magazine covering Westchester and Fairfield Counties--presented itself, she jumped at the chance. During Emily's five-year tenure, she wrote hundreds of articles, including celebrity profiles, travel, fashion, and beauty.
Ready for her next adventure, Emily became a full-time freelance writer, penning lifestyle pieces for media outlets such as, The Huffington Post, Oprah.com, Elite Traveler, Robb Report, Gotham, and Cottages & Gardens.
In 2009, Emily edited Kerry Kennedy's New York Times bestseller Being Catholic Now: Prominent Americans Talk About Change in the Church and the Quest for Meaning.
The following year, Emily published her first book, FACEBOOK FAIRYTALES, which was featured at the 2010 Frankfurt Book Fair, and Emily was one of 20 guests of honor--among Elizabeth Kostova, Russell Banks, and Lisa See--at the renowned Literary Feast 2010, a privilege reserved for best-selling and buzz-worthy authors.
Shortly thereafter, Emily was hired by Microsoft as the spokesperson for Bing's partnership with Facebook and appeared in 30+ television and radio spots for the brand, which garnered exceptional ratings.
In 2012, Emily wrote her debut novel, YOU KNEW ME WHEN, which published on September 3, 2013. Her second novel, WHEN WE FALL, published on September 2, 2014. THOSE SECRETS WE KEEP, her third novel, released on June 2, 2015, her fourth novel, SOME WOMEN, came out on April 5, 2016, all with Penguin Random House. Her fifth novel, PRETTY REVENGE, released on July 2, 2019.
Emily is featured often in the press, by outlets such as: Today Show, The Rachael Ray Show, Anderson Cooper, FOX News, Good Day New York, Oprah Radio, Martha Stewart Radio, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, InStyle, People StyleWatch, OK!, Nylon, Ladies' Home Journal, Woman's World, WWD, Woman's Day, The New York Post, The Washington Post, The New York Daily News, The Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, People.com, and The Huffington Post.
When Emily's not writing, she teaches Pure Barre classes and enjoys traveling, cooking, eating, and reading. She's been known to ride on a Harley Davidson. And she does a mean Running Man on the dance floor. Emily lives with her husband, Lewis, and their two sons, Jax and Hugo, in Westport, CT where she moved kicking and screaming for fear that there would be no Chinese food delivery at three in the morning. She was right.
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My latest listen is Perfectly Famous by Emily Liebert.
Ward DeFleur (a nom de plume) is a successful author who seems to have it all.....until her teenage daughter is murdered. The killer was never found. With her life in shambles, Ward goes into hiding of her own volition.
Bree Bennett is newly divorced and is a also mom to a teen daughter. Bree is bored with her life and decides to try and rekindle her career as a journalist by writing for the local newspaper. What she focuses on is telling DeFleur's story. And that focus becomes an obsession with finding the author.
I liked the premise. Where is DeFleur? Why is she hiding? It is grief or something else? How is the investigation into her daughter's murder progressing? Will Bree find her?
What I had a hard time with? The main character. I found Bree to be so...well to be a lead I just couldn't get behind. She needs to have a new man in her life and Liebert's storyline gives her two to choose from. Cameos from former hubby. Her daughter is angry and is acting out. And this is when Bree decides she has to travel and leave her child with a friend for a few days. Honestly she just seemed full of herself and I never really understood why she was so driven to find Ward. Bree's investigative skills need some work as well. She takes information from someone she's just met as the gospel truth without even following up on her own to confirm. The whodunit is telegraphed long before the reveal. And really, Bree? You should have seen that coming. Now, with that reveal, I thought the book was done. But things keep going with a few more threads that just felt like weird add-ons. The whole book seemed very "Days of Our Lives" soapy. With a side of 'it was only a dream". I do have to say, I really liked Bree's Mom - she had some great lines.
Not that being said, I did listen to it in its entirety. There were two readers for this novel - Tavia Gilbert and Natalie Naudus. Both are award winning narrators and both turned in excellent performances in Perfectly Famous. Their voices are pleasant to listen to, easy to understand and clearly enunciated. They both captured the emotion of the characters and the action of the plot very well.
This may be a case of me not being the right listener for this book. I'm a bit of a pragmatist. And I do love a good mystery. Perfectly Famous started off strong, but ended up being just an okay listen for me.
Top reviews from other countries

Blurbs from other published authors dot the front cover of this book. How?
"Perfectly Famous" is a vacuous, meandering maze of a book that purports to be a thriller, employing neither thrills nor plot to keep it even halfway afloat. It sinks even further when its slim allotment of stock characters stumble their way into the chapters, wondering what they and their two-dimensional lives could possibly be doing in this turkey. Well, I can give a rough outline: Famous author Ward DeFleur, who is a psychological mess, is in a kick-off reading for her most recent book tour. Two of the last people at the book signing are Bree Bennet and her best friend Maggie Something-or-Another. Ward comforts Bree, who is recently divorced. Later that evening, Ward's daughter disappears, is found close to death after being beaten in a warehouse, and the next day, dies.
Six months later, Bree vows to find Ward, who dramatically disappeared from public view after these tragic circumstances. Bree has decided to write Ward's story. Subsequently, Bree manically and obsessively roots out everything she can about Ward, at the expense of her fifteen-year-old daughter, who is clearly suffering from her parents' divorce (drinking, ignoring her curfew, cutting school, doing drugs). Somehow, Bree and her husband don't put their daughter in a therapist's care, or even devote much time to her, instead, both working and leaving her with neighbors or schoolmates.
Bree spends much of the novel discovering post-divorce dating. We cut to Ward's story, where Ward lives with her stepmother, rediscovering high-school friendships. Bree searches for Ward. Ward reconnects with an old boyfriend. Bree can't find Ward, but sure finds boyfriends. Ward does stuff. Bree ignores her daughter. Ward doesn't have a daughter.
This novel DRAGS. I couldn't really figure out the point of the novel. There's no tension; there's no point. What I DID discover, and this is of serious consequence pointing to both the author's casual negligence and indifference on the part of her editor's, is a criminal social prejudice on the part of the author. The only reason I finished this novel was to see if I could find ANY REDEEMING QUALITY in a character who was NOT white, rich, well-heeled, or educated at an ivy.
I did not find it. And I'm going to be honest, this is a terrible attribute, even in what is supposed to be a fun summer read. Prejudice matters, and I realize that this may seem a highly critical analysis out of left field for a bland and (let's face it) not very good novel, but at a time of unbelievable economic inequality and rising social tensions, it matters when rich white authors who LIVE in affluent white enclaves thoughtlessly put out mass market garbage that reinforces thoughtless stereotypes. A receptionist is described as "a slovenly, middle-aged woman with frizzy black hair, ruddy skin and...yellowing teeth," who is naturally rude to Bree upon first encounter (and later on, the same woman is reading US Weekly, because naturally, she wouldn't read anything intellectual, would she?).
The lunch lady at the school is hefty, swears, and uses words and phrases like "ya mean," "gonna", and Bree primly queries why Sandy doesn't question the Powers-that-Be over the food budget (I guess people in Bree's Fairfield County don't want to pay enough taxes for healthy school lunches. God forbid any of the PARENTS bring up this troubling trend themselves).
Further along, Bree's mousy, unattractive friend from years ago is also a clumsy, embarrassing, tone-deaf, Kermit-the-Frog voice dupe--but, as it turns out, currently useful for Bree. So useful, that Bree sets up a quick meeting with her as a means to get into her Manhattan building, and afterward, sneaks into another office (so not a TOTAL loss, then). It also figures that the only one in Ward's group of high school friends with more than two children (four! the horror!) is a stumbling alcoholic with an unhappy marriage.
Ava, Spanish daughter of a landscaper, wears shabby sneakers, and shakes Bree's hand with a limp grip. Despite the fact that another character describes her later as being "smart", the dispiriting quality to these visuals is a reminder that this description from a woman of privilege just reeks of derision.
Skip this endless pile of offensive stereotypes. For that matter, the plot isn't very good, either. I have no idea where the ending leaves the reader, since there's a bizarre twist that comes out of nowhere. It reminds me of stories that I used to write with my friends when I was young. We used to pass along a piece of paper with a sentence on it, and we had to write a continuation of a story, using the sentence written on the paper. When we didn't know what to write, we'd pen down the awesome line, "...and then s/he died." On a really exciting day, we'd get that excellent novelette several times in a row! That's pretty much what's left of this book when all is said and done: nonsense. Was there a plot? And: who cares?



