Release date: January 14, 2025
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Synopsis:
A propulsive page-turning thriller following the hit reality TV show Garden State Goddesses where secrets are uncovered, intense rivalries surface, and a startling murder propels a producer on a riveting quest for the truth.
One of Huzzah’s most popular shows, Garden State Goddesses, was in need of a refresh. Largely centering on the Sicilian American Fontana family of Shady Pond, New Jersey, showrunner Eden Bennett found a solution that helped her both personally and she introduced lovable bachelor Leo Fontana to her estranged cousin Hope—a blonde beauty and aspiring singer. After a whirlwind romance, they begin the new season with Leo and Hope’s wedding, but not everyone is happy, least of all Hope’s new sister-in-law Carmela, who finds Hope’s lack of family, friends, pop cultural knowledge, and social media presence deeply suspicious. Nevertheless, Hope is joining Carmela, and their other sister-in-law Valeria, a lovable ditz too dependent on cutting Carmela, and wealthy grand dame Birdie St. Clair as a new lead on Garden State Goddesses. Hope quickly bonds with castmate Renée, a down-to-earth single mom whose daughter Ruby aspires to be the next Ariana Grande.
When one of the goddesses collapses while filming at the Broke Not Broken gala at Birdie’s manor, there will be a reality reckoning. Eden will be forced to confront the ways she is emotional manipulation, coercion, and dropping her naïve cousin in this mess while also using her skills as a producer to seek out the truth—uncovering that many of the Fontanas have rivalries and grievances that go back decades, some with serious legal, financial, physical, and romantic consequences.
Review:
I am a day one Housewives fan, I never miss an episode and am obsessed with just about every franchise, so the minute I heard about this one I knew I had to read it! I expected it to be dramatic, over the top, glamorous and juicy and it was but it was also silly, shallow and not thrilling at all. Sadly, it’s a very middle of the road read for me and it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I did enjoy how this felt almost exactly like watching an episode of RHONJ down to the confessionals. I also loved all the nods to the franchise, lots of Easter Eggs that were fun! I didn’t expect to be bored and unfortunately I was and I also didn’t expect the mystery aspect to be so lackluster but it was. The characters had no depth either which sounds like it could’ve worked here but it fell flat. Overall a miss for me and I’m truly bummed about it.
Overall rating: 2.5/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
Novelgossip 