Welcome to the Real World - Carole Matthews

Welcome to the Real World details Fern Kendal’s story; how her life changes from her dead-end job in the King’s Head pub when she lands a new job as Evan David’s new assistant. The story is unbelievable at times but provides escapism, for example, Fern becomes a big star at the end of the book, and the relationship between Fern and Evan feels a bit contrived and their strong feelings for each other seem to have come from out of nowhere. The point at which Fern catches Lana and Evan together and wrongly believes they are engaged is a major plot point and I feel that the situation could have been easily resolved at that point: surely the sensible thing to do would be to declare that Lana is marrying your friend to stop the woman that you love from walking away? The Fame Game storyline is dropped quickly after Fern quits the show – who won? How did Evan feel judging it?

The characterisation is something that causes the book to be both weak and strong. Evan David, the famous opera singer, is supposed to be this handsome, arrogant but actually nice guy that Fern is mad over but why Evan is this amazing man doesn’t really come through in Matthew’s words. Even with Evan’s sad backstory, he doesn’t come across as a character that illicit great sympathy or holds great likeability. Instead he is bland, selfish and irritating as he continues to do the wrong thing by Fern. Surely, the better choice would be Carl (despite being creepy at first and making sexual remarks to Fern), who on the whole is more caring and loving of Fern. Fern is the most appealing character and– she is lovable, caring, funny and really likeable as a character. Although I didn’t like the way she leads on and uses Carl – for example, she feels jealous of Carl’s budding romance with Shelley and not long after, she sleeps with him – she is the best thing about Welcome to the Real World. Welcome to the Real World hasn’t got the best storyline nor is it the most interesting tale, but through Matthew’s writing and characterisation, it does make for a good read. 3 stars