Synopsis: "In this modern retelling of the Princess and the Pauper, three generations of women live together in a loft in an urban district as they redefine love and happiness and the meaning of "having it all."
Matriarch Maeve, 85, is losing her mind to Alzheimer's and after she receives a note that the musical, The Princess and the Pauper, is being revived, she believes she's 25 again, when she starred in the show. Suddenly, she's a stage diva again and can't stop talking about her co-star, Canty, someone her daughter and grand-daughters had never heard of.
Bess, Maeve's only daughter, is dealing with her divorce at the same time she's planning her 25 year-old daughter's wedding. To make things worse, they are starring in a reality TV show, Luxe Weddings, but no one knows the Apples aren't as wealthy as everyone believes. Her oldest daughter, Kelly, 35, has a secret of her own: she's pregnant by a donor, but is afraid to tell her family due to their position in the community. Just when she's given up men, Kelly meets Edgar, the producer of The Princess and the Pauper, who hires her to plan the launch and wants to include Maeve in the show. Meanwhile, the youngest Apple, curvy shoe-addict, Gwen, struggles with her weight and keeping up with the other brides-to-be on the reality show, when the stage bug - and love bug - hit her at the worst possible time.
With humor and heart, Something New delves deep into our inner lives where secrets, passion and identity yearn for the spotlight"
My Review: I was very happy to revisit my favorite character from Lott's Last Resort. I had wanted to get to know Kelly more and have gotten to know her along with all the Apple women. It was very interesting watching the dynamics of all the women as they rediscover and reinvent their relationships with one another. I have so much sympathy for Bess, I can't imagine watching your mother suffer through Alzheimer's and not remembering that you even exist at times. On the other hand Maeve's Alzheimer's brings her back to her happiest times and gives her an opportunity to set things straight or make new choices. Gwen did a lot of growing up and joining the rest of the ladies in her family in making her own decisions and becoming more independent. And Kelly learns she doesn't always have to be so independent, that you can lean on family and friends a little more. Of course Malena Lott has a talent for painting scenes so vividly that you feel like you are there feeling the emotions or at least wishing you could be in a specific place. I really wish I could have a romantic night in a field of lavender while on a weekend getaway in Sonoma Valley with my special someone!! *swoon* talk about romantic scene setting!! Oh and you don't have to read Last Resort to enjoy Something New!
Matriarch Maeve, 85, is losing her mind to Alzheimer's and after she receives a note that the musical, The Princess and the Pauper, is being revived, she believes she's 25 again, when she starred in the show. Suddenly, she's a stage diva again and can't stop talking about her co-star, Canty, someone her daughter and grand-daughters had never heard of.
Bess, Maeve's only daughter, is dealing with her divorce at the same time she's planning her 25 year-old daughter's wedding. To make things worse, they are starring in a reality TV show, Luxe Weddings, but no one knows the Apples aren't as wealthy as everyone believes. Her oldest daughter, Kelly, 35, has a secret of her own: she's pregnant by a donor, but is afraid to tell her family due to their position in the community. Just when she's given up men, Kelly meets Edgar, the producer of The Princess and the Pauper, who hires her to plan the launch and wants to include Maeve in the show. Meanwhile, the youngest Apple, curvy shoe-addict, Gwen, struggles with her weight and keeping up with the other brides-to-be on the reality show, when the stage bug - and love bug - hit her at the worst possible time.
With humor and heart, Something New delves deep into our inner lives where secrets, passion and identity yearn for the spotlight"
My Review: I was very happy to revisit my favorite character from Lott's Last Resort. I had wanted to get to know Kelly more and have gotten to know her along with all the Apple women. It was very interesting watching the dynamics of all the women as they rediscover and reinvent their relationships with one another. I have so much sympathy for Bess, I can't imagine watching your mother suffer through Alzheimer's and not remembering that you even exist at times. On the other hand Maeve's Alzheimer's brings her back to her happiest times and gives her an opportunity to set things straight or make new choices. Gwen did a lot of growing up and joining the rest of the ladies in her family in making her own decisions and becoming more independent. And Kelly learns she doesn't always have to be so independent, that you can lean on family and friends a little more. Of course Malena Lott has a talent for painting scenes so vividly that you feel like you are there feeling the emotions or at least wishing you could be in a specific place. I really wish I could have a romantic night in a field of lavender while on a weekend getaway in Sonoma Valley with my special someone!! *swoon* talk about romantic scene setting!! Oh and you don't have to read Last Resort to enjoy Something New!
My Rating: I really enjoyed this follow up novel and as always with Malena Lott, you can't help but love the characters and storylines. I give it a rating of Four Paws.
Something New was sent to me by Malena Lott's publicist for review.
You can see my review of another of her books, Last Resort or find out more on Malena's author page on Goodreads.
You can also get your copy of this BRAND NEW book (yup it was just released yesterday) on Paperback or ebook formats on Barnes & Noble or in paperback on Amazon.
This book sounds right up my alley! And I've never heard of Lott, so I'll have to check out her other book too. Thanks for reviewing.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you saw my review then! I have really enjoyed both of Lott's books that I have read and need to get the others too. They are always emotional and I really get attached to the characters. I hope you get a chance to read one or more of her books!
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