Well, mixed feelings on this one.  I liked the premise and the initially sympathetic heroine well enough, but could have been a lot funnier with more potential.

 

I also didn't realize it had a sequel when I checked it out of the library.  The sequel sounds like fills in more of the story, including her seeking answers about her father's dand the eath (not a spoiler, book opens with her getting her inheritance).

 

Whiff of a love triangle (which I seldom enjoy) that was fortunately quickly resolved.  A little too easily resolved as one love interest became the saintly underdog and the other the snobby class-ist douchebag.

 

It would have gotten another star if hadn't used some disliked tropes like slut shaming the BFF, a lesbian character dressing in combat boots with bad makeup, etc.  I have DNF'ed other books for less.

 

My rating was likely influenced because I generally like the rags-to-riches and Cinderalla type of stories. 

 

The writing and editing were fine, but despite being mainstream published the story itself reminded me of many self published works.  I think because flow wasn't great -- seemed improbable (or un-researched) in places and very stream of consciousness reality in others.

 

I do want to know what's next.  But not enough to pay current basically hardcover price if doesn't come to my library or drop to normal paperback price range.  

Just starting; held this one after liking the free sample and the premise.  Should be a funny, quick read.

 

Most of my "currently reading" books displaying are actually just poised to be read for next weekend's Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon.

 

Library borrows I do always read immediately for the sake of next reader on waiting list.

Book Description....

Independently Wealthy is "soapy, fast-paced fun."

~Kirkus Reviews

"It's delicious fun."

~People Magazine - People Picks: "The Best New Books."

"In the sequel to New Money, Savannah Morgan delves into the mystery of her late media-mogul father’s death and uncovers more than she ever expected.

In New Money, Savannah Morgan was thrust into high-society New York when she learned she was the sole heir to her father’s billion-dollar fortune. In Independently Wealthy, she is living her dream life on the Upper West Side, excelling at her job as an editorial assistant, and enjoying her handsome new boyfriend, Alex.

Everything in Savannah’s life should be perfect—but she can’t ignore the questions and scandal surrounding her father’s fatal accident. Her hopes of solving this mystery are shared by Caroline Stone—her newfound sister who is slowly becoming a friend. Savannah decides to investigate, although not everyone wants her to discover the truth. Her domineering older brother, Ned, has his own problems, including a lingering regret over his recent divorce, the constant pressure of running the Stone media empire, and managing a playboy bachelorhood. As Savannah's quest for justice becomes complicated and dangerous, she is led to Washington, D.C., an alluring stranger, and more surprises, trouble, and changes than she ever could have imagined."

Title: Independently Wealthy
Author: Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4.5
Review:

"Independently Wealthy" by Lorraine ago Rosenthal

What I liked about this novel....

This was a well delivered intriguing novel of Savannah's search for many unanswered questions of her father's death. "Independently Wealthy" is the sequel to this author first novel of 'New Money' and I did find some of the characters from it in this second novel.


It was quite a read of about Savannah who learns about her father after his death along with learning that this Edward Stone had been a billionaire media mogul leaving her his fortune. However, with learning all of this her father had also left some stipulations in his will and that was that Savannah would have to move from South Carolina to Manhattan, N.Y to work at his new corporation. Now, why was this? Well, I liked this idea...because there were two other half siblings involved in all of this. After arriving in N.Y. Savannah begins to love the idea that she is now rich but also finding herself wanting answers to what had happened surround her father's death, I liked how she set out to find out the answers of this car accident that had taken her father's life. I also liked all of the twist and turns that were brought about from the half brother Ned and it was interesting seeing them playing detective to solve this mystery as it seems that this did becomes Savannah's obsession. This author present so well this relationship that will come about as Savannah, Caroline and Ned will grow and develop through the read. It was of great interest to how well Savannah wanted to find justice for the father she had never even met as questions will be answered from the story.

Be ready for a read which will be suspenseful as it goes into some scandalous cases, many enemies come forth, murder, to affairs to a few other issues and even many surprises will come from this read. This is definitely one of those reads that you will find hard to put down because there will be so much going the readers attention will easily stay very focused on just what will happen next. I found this characters were pretty much well developed, engaging, well portrayed and somewhat believable where the author was able to bring out to the reader by the end of the read just how and why they were the way they were. This author was definitely able to give the reader enough conflict in all that was going on in this story to keep your interest and making it seem like it was a real story that could have happened.

The story settling will start from South Carolina, on to New York and to D.C. where you will find
"Independently Wealthy"was a contemporary read that was a little long but it was fast paced, realistic, with some humor, drama, mystery, intriguing and even some romance and in the end I am left saying that I would I recommend as a enjoyable read.

By: Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
ISBN: 9781250040350
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: 12/02/2014
Format: Other
My Rating: 4 Stars

 

A special thank you to St. Martin's Press, Thomas Dunne Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lorraine Zago Rosenthal delivers INDEPENDENTLY WEALTHY, a fast paced intriguing and dangerous journey—a woman’s search for answers surrounding her father’s mysterious death.

As the sequel to New Money continues, Savannah learns she is now rich, and loving her new found social lifestyle and job in glamorous Manhattan. In New Money, Savannah came from a small southern Charleston, SC --where she always had dreams of becoming a writer, and wanted desperately to escape the small town, where snooty debutantes have always looked down on her.

At twenty-four she learns her real dad is Edward Stone, a billionaire media mogul who has left her his fortune, with the stipulation she move to Manhattan and work at this news corporation. (I want a father like this). So against her mother’s advice, off she goes to a world of luxury and wealth to the big city. However, there is a problem, the two half-siblings are pushed to the side (ouch).

Now in New York, loving life, she becomes obsessed with uncovering answers surrounding her father’s death. Her father, Edward Jones, was a powerhouse and CEO of Stone Media Corporation, and Savannah, his illegitimate daughter inherits mega billions. However, his car accident may not have been so simple.

Of course, now she has a half-sister, Caroline and a half-brother, Ned, to deal with and things are not simple with them, as they would love to send her back to Charleston; however, they are trying to develop a friendship and bond regardless of the circumstances and want to work together playing detective to solve the mystery.

The suspense heats up revolving around this high-profile scandalous political case—a man with many enemies; from an accident to murder with many suspects from the NY Senator/affair, the husband, the Senator's son, or the Amicus Worldwide or the Lake Kolenya scandal connection, or others? The path they take may lead them to danger from NY to DC, with some love interests for Savannah, New York Christmas cheer, a twenty-fifth birthday approaching, and some surprises along the way. (possibly getting back to the outline of the novel she wants to complete).

This was my first book by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal, as have not read the first book in the series, and now would like to go back and read it. I enjoyed the family drama and the dynamics between Savannah and her relationships: love interest (s), as well as the new siblings, while learning about the father she never knew.

The writing is tight, and fast-paced for a contemporary, witty, and heartfelt new adult novel with a likable heroine. Would recommend to younger women in their 20-30’s, who enjoy women’s fiction, drama, romance, relationships, humor and chick lit with a little intriguing detective mystery mixed in.

 

 

 

Sept 10.2013

New Money 

 

 

 

 

New Money: A Novel - Lorraine Zago Rosen... Despite being really excited for New Money once I read the synopsis, something about this novel fell flat for me. It's been said by me and by others that reading is a very subjective experience, and I want to remind y'all of that going into this review. My issues weren't so much with the quality of the writing, the style, or the pacing, but rather with more personal dislikes - and because of that, I'm still going to urge others to give Rosenthal's book a fair chance.

I think my biggest issue was Savannah. Savannah is a meddler, and a "fixer" who doesn't really know when to step in and when NOT to step into someone else's life and problems. She tries hard to be a good friend, but her tendencies get in the way. Couple that with a duplicitous nature (she's as willing to blackmail or play dirty as anyone is, but eager to condemn them for those same things) and she and I didn't hit it off. Without that connection, hard as I tried, I could never really feel for Savannah. She had a tendency to do things that flat out pissed me off and make snap, rash decisions that came back to bite her in the ass. My instant dislike of Savannah was my biggest issue with New Money.

New Money has an interesting, if recycled plot. The poor-girl-turned-rich when she finds out an unknown relative (her father in this case) left her a huge inheritance trope has been done before, and better, I think. When I didn't like Savannah, I hoped other, secondary characters would redeem New Money for me, but Savannah's half-siblings were monstrous to her, without even a shred of civility. One of the love interests was an arrogant ass; the other, at least, offered some salvation, and was a genuinely good guy. The inevitable love triangle felt lukewarm though, as to me, the choice Savannah should make seemed obvious (both in who was better for her, and who she was more interested in/passionate about.) However just when things were looking good, Savannah made another of those decisions I talked about earlier in the review. She just honestly boggled my mind with her childish, impetuous, rude behavior so many times.

Finally, the writing bugged me at times. Though I read a galley, I felt it should have been a bit more polished. I know Rosenthal's book probably went through one final edit, which hopefully cleaned up the prose. The wording was odd, and several key scenes (like a love-making scene) were written so awkwardly, I wondered if an adult had even written them. And the end came...and everything was neatly wrapped in a little bow, which leads me to question WHY in the WORLD this book needs the sequel I've heard is forthcoming?

Final Thought: Readers who go into New Money expecting a light, "chick-lit" type story should be pleased; anyone looking for character growth, memorable characters, or a strong, original plot will be disappointed. A selfish, childish main character and a lukewarm love triangle weighed down my enjoyment of this book; the best I can say is that it DID hold my interest, and I DID want to finish it. I also liked one of the love interests.