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.

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.

I loved this book more than I thought I would.

I felt so connected to Ari; the writing style of Ms Rosenthal really lets you get in her head. Ari is just your typical high schooler. Her sister got married and pregnant at 18 so their mother has always been hard on Ari, pushing her to be her best, as a way to right the wrongs of her older sister. For the most part, Ari did just that. However, life isn't always so eay for her. She's been in love with her sister's husband Patrick since she was 10 years old. Her sister also gets very depressed easily, and her kids prefer Ari to their own mother.

The characters spoke out to you. They seemed like real people. Ari's best friend Summer was just a horrible friend. Ari and Summer had been friends forever; Summer was her only friend. And Summer liked to keep it that way. She didn't like when Ari met Leigh and they started hanging out and getting close. Summer was the kind of person who liked having someone they thought was below them to hang around with because she felt it made her look better. I hated her. She really treated Ari badly. Leigh and Ari had a lot in common, and also a rough past. They were good for eachother. But when Ari meets Leigh's cousin Blake, she falls in love instantly. Leigh feels left out after a few months, and when she moves to California, her annd Ari don't part on good terms. I had liked Blake for the most part. But he needed to learn to put his wants ahead of his father.

This book was heart-breaking at times. I was really rooting for Blake and Ari. Ari had gone through so much in a few short months following meeting Leigh. I felt as though I could sort of relate with Ari. She was a migraine sufferer, and so am I. It's hard, I know, and it can be very debilitating. As for her "deformity"(which I don't really want to say, it's sort of embarassing lol), it's not as uncommon as she believes and yes, it is annoying and can make you uncomfortable with yourself, but it's not the worst thing in the world and most people don't even notice, so it's no big deal.

As I said, I really liked this book. Obviously enough to give it 5 stars (err...butterflies actually :)). I would reccommend this book to anyone who is a fan of realistic fiction. I normally don't read too much of it, but I really enjoyed this one. I would say though, that's its probably more for girls, but if you're a guy, go ahead and read it! I won't stop you :)