Morning Glory by Diana Peterfreund

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BREAKING NEWS: Ambitious young TV producer Becky Fuller is fired from a local morning show in New Jersey, and her career begins to look as bleak as her hapless love life.



Desperately in need of a job, yet still full of boundless optimism, Becky vows to land on her feet and stumbles into an opportunity at Daybreak, a floundering network morning news program in New York City. Abysmal ratings are only the tip of the iceberg: Executive producers seldom survive beyond the next commercial break, and the outdated cameras belong in the Smithsonian.

Promising the head of the network that she can reverse the downward spiral, Becky makes legendary newscaster Mike Pomeroy an offer he can’t contractually refuse. She successfully adds Pomeroy to the team, but he refuses to participate in any Daybreak fluff pieces and morning show staples like celebrity gossip, weather, fashion, and crafts. What’s more, he takes an instant dislike to his equally difficult co-anchor, Colleen Peck, a former beauty queen. The only bright spot in Becky’s career is Adam Bennett, a gorgeous fellow producer, but Daybreak’s dysfunction spells trouble for their blossoming relationship. As Mike and Colleen’s on-air chemistry proves more explosive every day, Becky must scramble to save her love life, her reputation, her job, and, ultimately, Daybreak itself.

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I first noticed this novel at Costco but ignored to even read it after finding out the book was based on a movie script. I thought I’d go straight to the theater and watch. Then I saw it again at the Starbucks Café in the hands of a middle aged woman reading while enjoying a cup of coffee. Finally I flipped through the first few pages of the trade paperback edition while at Barnes and Noble. The first chapter was short and entertaining – about 10 pages. I liked the voice of the narrator/leading character. I fell in love with the author’s prose and carried it through checkout.

The story was a perfect break for me from work and from reading too many mystery novels I failed to blog out here. It was a fast lighthearted but enjoyable read that made me laugh in several scenes.

Becky Fuller was likable. There weren’t enough descriptions about her appearance, or other supporting characters, but it didn’t matter because I kept picturing Rachel McAdams. I thought that was the plus side of meeting the character as a Hollywood icon, first and foremost.

I was satisfied of the ending and thought it was worth the money and time.

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