Reader Reviews

NEW REVIEW - MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW - January 2015

http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/jan_15.htm#fiction

Critique: A superbly crafted and deftly woven novel, "Soulmate" is a fascinating, entertaining, and riveting read from beginning to end and documents D. L. Lowell as an impressively and imaginative gifted writer. Very highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections, it should be noted that "Soulmate" is also available in a Kindle edition ($5.99).

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CAPTURES LOS ANGELES SOCIOLOGY

Engrossing story set against contemporary Hollywood about two romantically-broken but successful media industry executives. Having personally worked in Hollywood, I can say that this book nails L.A.'s atmospherics and serves up captivating characters. The plot also has some amazing twists.

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LOWELL CAPTURES THE MOMENT

Novelist D.L. Lowell captures important truths in SOULMATE - some about people, others about interesting places: Hollywood, and Mt. Whitney, a high-end TV tradeshow in Cannes, and the inside of a swanky strip club, "the finest bikini bar in Los Angeles" called Piacere - "pleased to meet you" in Italian. That's where Richard Ascot, a lonely but brilliant film industry financial player, meets the woman of his dreams: Grace White.

The truths about people sometimes sting, and Lowell doesn't pull any punches - like when the stunning blonde Kandi tells Richard she doesn't find him attractive - or the slapstick scene when he puts foul-smelling goop in his hair (and gets it all over his bathroom) in a vain attempt to look younger. Some of Lowell's descriptive writing is just drop-dead gorgeous, especially about mountain climbing in California: "He saw a thousand miles of rocky landscape. Distant green shag carpets were the lush pine forests and redwood groves of Sequoia National Park."

His characters drink wine day and night: Pinot Noir and Cabernet and Chardonnay, some from France but much of it from California, including the Santa Ynez Valley. SOULMATE reveals many interesting details. I'm not sure if it has a happy ending or not.

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Put This Book on Your "A" List

Soulmate is a page turner, a brilliant, witty, sardonic novel that worked on so many intriguing levels. First, it entices you with a whole new look at Hollywood and its inner workings... one that will have you looking at films like you never did before. Then, of course, there's the love story--as untraditional and unexpected as you will find.  This is the compelling story of two souls whose love is forged in this strange, dimly lit world. It follows their inner struggles and fears as they attempt to bring their love into the light and lives of their daytime existence. The characters are extremely well conceived, and you cannot help but get drawn into the emotional roller coaster of their journey.

Soulmate is also, for me, a double entendre for how Hollywood itself becomes an irresistible soulmate and mistress of the actors, writers, distributors, filmmakers, and others who get obsessed with it. The portrayal of LA and the culture of narcissism is especially sharp and laugh out loud funny. The shower scene with the "nuclear hair bomb" (I don't want to spoil it so no more need be said) was hilarious. What really surprised me was how the book resonated with me after reading it. It had an uncanny way of bringing in surprising--and sometimes mind-blowing--historical background about our culture. It may also get you thinking in new ways about relationships, beauty, aging, and love. Thanks D.L. Lowell for your fresh voice and a wonderfully written and well-crafted novel. I'm looking forward to your next work.