Melissa Tag's debut novel, a romantic story set in America, has an imaginative, if rather too complicated plot, which at the same time intrigues but also confuses. For me there were too many characters and sub-plots. However, despite having to recap as to who was who, I had to read on to confirm my prediction of how the storyline would develop. I was in for many surprises. Miranda Woodruff, the book's central character hosts a popular TV show on home building. Into this unusual scenario come producers, PAs, and reporters, all of whom impact on a star who is battling with her past and who feels an increasing pull back to her faith. It is a story of a house building star who starts to rebuild her life.

Miranda Woodruff, the reality TV star of From the Ground Up, faces a dilemma. She landed her job as the host of one of television?s most popular home-building shows based on a lie: her husband taught her everything she knew. Unfortunately, she?s not married, but her fan base thinks she is, and with her ratings slipping, her husband might be the answer to saving the show. The Hollywood solution: hire an actor to play her husband. Enter reporter Matthew Knox, who needs to salvage his career. He?s been assigned to write a blog following Miranda, her show, and her husband. But there?s something weird going on. Miranda and her husband aren?t quite in sync, an ex-fianc? has shown up, and, strangest of all, Matthew thinks he might be the right person for Miranda. If only she weren?t married. VERDICT This debut romantic comedy with hidden layers will appeal to fans of Sandra D. Bricker, Trish Perry, and Rachel Hauck.