Book Synopsis
The
bestselling author of A Hundred Summers brings the roaring twenties
brilliantly to life in an enchanting and compulsively readable tale of intrigue,
romance, and scandal in New York society.
As
the hedonism of the Jazz Age transforms New York City, the iridescent Mrs.
Theresa Marshall of Fifth Avenue and Southampton, Long Island, has done the
unthinkable: she’s fallen in love with her young paramour, Captain Octavian
Rofrano, an aviator and a hero of the Great War.
Though
the battle-scarred Octavian is devoted to his dazzling socialite of a certain
age and wants to marry her, Theresa resists. The old world is crumbling, but
divorce for a woman of Theresa’s wealth and social standing remains a
high-stakes affair. And there is no need: she shares a gentle understanding with
Sylvo, the well-bred philanderer to whom she’s already married.
That
is, until Theresa’s impecunious bachelor brother, Ox, decides to tie the knot
with Miss Sophie Fortescue, the naïve young daughter of a wealthy inventor.
Theresa enlists Octavian to check into the background of the reclusive Fortescue
family. When Octavian meets Sophie, he falls under the spell of the charming
ingénue, even as he uncovers a devastating family secret.
As
a fateful triangle forms, loyalties divide and old crimes are dragged into
daylight, drawing Octavian into transgression . . . and Theresa into the jaws of
a bittersweet choice.
Full
of the glamour, wit, and delicious twists that are the hallmarks of Beatriz
Williams’s fiction, A Certain Age is a beguiling reinterpretation of
Richard Strauss’s comic opera Der Rosenkavalier set against the
sweeping decadence of Gatsby’s New York.
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My Review
I know it is wrong to judge a book by a cover, and I try really hard not to ... but I have to admit that I knew I would love this book just from the cover art. It features a 1920's flapper against the background of glittering New York. Thankfully, my instincts were right; I absolutely loved A Certain Age.
The novel centers around Theresa, a 40ish woman, her young lover Octavian, and the very young woman, Sophie, that Theresa's brother becomes engaged to. There is a romantic triangle and a mystery in this story that is told from different viewpoints (Theresa and Sophie).
The chapters begin with little quotes about men and women from Helen Rowland. I looked her up and found she wrote a New York World column called Reflections of a Bachelor Girl.
I loved this book, absolutely loved it, and found myself reading slowly because I didn't want it to end The 1920's setting was fascinating. I loved the period details and the glimpses of Jazz Age life in New York.
The characters were equally compelling. I found myself pulling for all three of the leads - Theresa, Octavian ("The Boy"), and Sophie. I loved the way the perspective changed back and forth with alternating chapters.
I found the decades old mystery interesting, and was curious to see how it would play out.
I've heard of Beatriz Williams' books for ages and now I want to read the others, too. A Certain Age is easily one of my favorites of the year so far, and I cannot recommend it highly enough for fans of historical fiction, the Roaring '20's, and great storytelling. Five stars!
The novel centers around Theresa, a 40ish woman, her young lover Octavian, and the very young woman, Sophie, that Theresa's brother becomes engaged to. There is a romantic triangle and a mystery in this story that is told from different viewpoints (Theresa and Sophie).
The chapters begin with little quotes about men and women from Helen Rowland. I looked her up and found she wrote a New York World column called Reflections of a Bachelor Girl.
I loved this book, absolutely loved it, and found myself reading slowly because I didn't want it to end The 1920's setting was fascinating. I loved the period details and the glimpses of Jazz Age life in New York.
The characters were equally compelling. I found myself pulling for all three of the leads - Theresa, Octavian ("The Boy"), and Sophie. I loved the way the perspective changed back and forth with alternating chapters.
I found the decades old mystery interesting, and was curious to see how it would play out.
I've heard of Beatriz Williams' books for ages and now I want to read the others, too. A Certain Age is easily one of my favorites of the year so far, and I cannot recommend it highly enough for fans of historical fiction, the Roaring '20's, and great storytelling. Five stars!
Author Bio
A
graduate of Stanford University with an MBA from Columbia, Beatriz Williams
spent several years in New York and London hiding her early attempts at fiction,
first on company laptops as a communications strategy consultant, and then as an
at-home producer of small persons, before her career as a writer took off. She
lives with her husband and four children near the Connecticut shore.
Find
out more about Beatriz at her website, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
