It's a Love Story

found the book a little bit saccharine for me - yes i get it they're in love and that's great.

Oh my, I so enjoyed this book. I grew up alongside the Kemps and their respective music and loved those times. OK, the dedication had me howling, of course.....but although there was of course some sadness, most of it is uplifting, full of tremendous memories and an insight into one of THE most successful partnerships in "celeb-land". They've both always come across as lovely people and by dint of the fact that Noel Fitzpatrick penned the foreword we know that of course they're also doggy people, so really ? What's not to like ?Some things I hadn't known.....like Steve Strange being in a band with Chrissie Hynde, or that The Blitz Club only lasted a year. I thought it was around for a decade at least. It just goes to show the reach it had. I recall the hype around Wham! in China...but the experience sounds like the stuff of nightmares and wouldn't ever be a place I want to head to.I got a kick out of Martin's dream about the trophy and his encounters of the supernatural kind....fascinating stuff. Love what Shirlie said about George heralding Christmas for so many. For me, it was with December Song, which always made me sob BEFORE we lost him and the beautiful Last Christmas now always upsets me as well, of course, despite it being a huge favourite of mine nonetheless. It just wasn't 'right' that he died then....so unfair.I did spot a couple of mistakes that someone ought to have picked up to ensure it was perfect...this line gained a needless 'was'...."but I think that was this is what bonded us for life." Mike Leigh was mentioned but then as Mike Lee but a real howler was when Shirlie mentions her 2-year old self making the Wham! video....should've been 22 !It does tend to jump about a bit with timings and then skipped over a lot of years altogether. We never really spent much time with them as young parents at all or hear much about Martin's time at Eastenders, back when it was properly riveting watching. I see reviewers complaining that it's all a bit too lovey-dovey but the clue's in the title, folks. What did you expect to be reading about ? It was nice and these days it makes a really pleasant change to have some "niceness" in our lives. The fact people feel the need to complain about this tells us all we need to know about the state of the human race !!Interesting that Shirlie writes about her parents never telling their kids they love them. Mine never did, either. You just didn't in those times.I got a kick out of Martin still being the boy on the cover of a magazine for her, even now, and also her secret to a good marriage. I'm not married but think that's the best idea anyway.....everyone needs a dog in their life !! This passage I loved as well, "If your children are some of your favourite people to spend time with, you've done a great job." I think that is super and both their kids have grown into lovely people as well.Martin falling for Shirlie after seeing her on TOTP reminded me of David Beckham falling for Victoria after seeing her on that as well, though in a video. And they're another success story so they had some sort of Cupid knocking about somewhere !!I have really enjoyed my trip back in time with this book with two extremely likeable people indeed.And belated birthday greetings, Shirlie...I see you just had a milestone day......wow !! I can't believe that ! And loved the photos included, too.

To be honest I never thought this book would have been of any interest to me, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading through the stories of how their lives and careers developed throughout the years.A relaxing easy read that gives you on the one hand,a glimpse inside their “fame bubble” and on the other , day to day life and the complexities along the way

What a lovely book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Written from their hearts, all the ups & downs of their lives. My era as I am a similar age, also I'm from Watford, so there was that interest too.Will be recommending it.A great read.

Martin Kemp’s celeb journey has been well documented since he rose to fame with Spandau Ballet, before going into films then through health scares, to Eastenders and latterly onto projects with his son.Shirlie’s story is perhaps less familiar, due to her being more of a supporting singer and dancer for Wham! then leaving the scene after a short stint front of stage with Pepsi to concentrate on her family.Martin and Shirlie’s enduring relationship and devotion is of course touching and commendable, particularly when played out in the fickle and cutthroat world of entertainment.But the book becomes a test of the reader’s endurance too due to its repetitive nature. It doesn’t take long for us to get how much Martin loves Shirlie and vice versa. The reader really doesn’t need this reiterated ad infinitum.And whilst both are keen to highlight their humble working-class backgrounds, there is little acknowledgement that their subsequent privileged status undoubtedly helped Martin though his life-threatening ordeals.It’s far easier to show commitment to loved ones and bounce back when your bank balance is a healthy shade of black and you have well-connected super-celeb mates.But perhaps this is nitpicking, because Martin is a likeable guy without a doubt and is one of the few who doesn’t appear phased by his fame. His devotion to the family is familiar to anyone who shares such commitment.What is slightly puzzling is that his brother Gary gets very few mentions at points where you’d expect him to feature.And where friends enter the story, the other Spandau lads are conspicuous by their absence.Of course, this is after all, Martin and Shirlie’s “love story” so do we need to hear what the dynamic is with Tony Hadley or Greg Norman?The only ‘regular’ to feature is George Michael; being a friend and band mate of Shirlie’s it is only to be expected I guess.But by that same token surely then the reader should expect a little more from Martin’s respective working relationships?Ultimately this book won’t reveal much fans of one or both didn’t already know. But aside from Martin’s take on his darker days at the mercy of his brain tumours, this is primarily Shirlie’s Tale, as she recounts intriguing memories of George and her musical career with Pepsi.It’s worth a read for sure but it doesn’t go much further than what it says on the tin.

This book was written from the heart, enjoyed every moment of reading how they met to their careers in the music industry what a story, anyone who believes in love will love this book

I absolutely loved this Autobiographical Love Story of Shirlie and Martin Kemp. I loved Wham and Spandau Ballet back in the 1980's so this was right up my street, but was so full of heart, warmth, memories and anecdotes that I feel it would appeal to anyone who is a lover of music and musicians.

I only bought this book to qualify for free postage. I am so glad that I did as it is well written & provides the backstory to a big part of my youth.They are such a lovely couple