Synopsis

Two estranged sisters find that forgiveness never goes out of style when they inherit their mother’s vintage jackets, purses… and pearls of wisdom

Estranged half-sisters Gabrielle Winslow and Lulu Quattro have only two things in common: mounds of debt and coils of unresolved enmity toward Bette Bradford, their controlling and imperious recently deceased mother.

Gabrielle, the firstborn, was raised in relative luxury on Manhattan’s rarefied Upper East Side. Now, at fifty-five, her life as a Broadway costume designer married to a heralded Broadway producer has exploded in divorce.

Lulu, who spent half her childhood under the tutelage of her working-class Brooklyn grandparents, is a grieving widow at forty-eight. With her two sons grown, her life feels reduced to her work at the Ditmas Park bakery owned by her late husband’s family.

The two sisters arrive for the reading of their mother’s will, expecting to divide a sizable inheritance, pay off their debts, and then again turn their backs on each other.

But to their shock, what they have been left is their mother’s secret walk-in closet jammed with high-end current and vintage designer clothes and accessories— most from Chanel.

Contemplating the scale of their mother’s self-indulgence, the sisters can’t help but wonder if Lauren Weisberger had it wrong: because it seems, in fact, that the devil wore Chanel. But as they being to explore their mother’s collection, meet and fall in love with her group of warm, wonderful friends, and magically find inspiring messages tucked away in her treasures — it seems as though their mother is advising Lulu and Gabrielle from the beyond — helping them rediscover themselves and restore their relationship with each other.

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Review

What would you do if your mom left you a collection of vintage clothing by Coco Chanel? You might be tempted to sell it off or find another way to cash in, which is what at least one of the sisters wants to do, but there are restrictions and an attorney has the final say on what they do with that collection. This book is more than just about clothing by Chanel, it is about sisters finding their way back to one another and learning how to open up and let others into their life.

Gabrielle and Lulu were once close, but time and circumstances have caused a rift between the two. Plus these sisters couldn’t be any more different and you wonder how that could have possibly happened. Lulu is more of a free spirit and really doesn’t care much about fashion. Gabrielle has, and wants more, of the finer things in life. Both have endured some tragedies in their lives, Lulu’s husband passed away and Gabrielle went through a trying divorce. However, both are a little short-sighted and mired in their own grief to look outside of their little world.

This story might resonate with many readers especially when it comes to the loss of a parent. Or perhaps it will be the sibling relationship and what caused a rift so that you aren’t as close anymore. Then there is the merry band of women, friends of Bette (the mother), and the challenges they face as they grow older and want to leave a legacy behind. This doesn’t even include Thea, the bookshop owner that employs Gabrielle, and has her own set of issues with a son that has become greedy over what he might inherit from his mother…but that is a whole other story that you will discover within the pages.

I enjoyed the story even thought Lulu and Gabrielle could get on my nerves with their lack of communication and expressing their needs. Family is family, and while they might be afraid, if they don’t speak up worse things could happen in their lives. I loved Lulu’s kids and their spouses. They were not afraid to jump in and help at various times. Gus even has a love for baking and has all sorts of ideas for the family bakery.

The ending just proves that communication and love will go far in your life, you just have to be able to express it to others.

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Authors

Randy Susan Meyers‘ internationally bestselling novels are informed by years working with families impacted by family violence— and a long journey from idolizing bad boys to loving a good man.

After years working in social service and criminal justice, Meyers published her first novel, The Murderer’s Daughters—a story of the aftermath of domestic violence—a Target Pick for the country. Her novels have twice been chosen by the Massachusetts Center for the Book, as “Must Read Fiction,” who wrote, “The clear and distinctive voice of Randy Susan Meyers will have you enraptured and wanting more.”

Meyers and her husband live in Jamaica Plain, Boston, where she teaches writing at Grub Street Writer’s Center.

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New York Times Bestseller, M.J. Rose grew up in New York City mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum, the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park and reading her mother’s favorite books before she was allowed. She believes mystery and magic are all around us but we are too often too busy to notice… books that exaggerate mystery and magic draw attention to it and remind us to look for it and revel in it.

Her most recent novel, The Last Tiara, will be published Feb 2, 2021

Rose’s work has appeared in many magazines including Oprah Magazine and she has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, WSJ, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio. Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the ’80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors – Authorbuzz.com

The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose’s novels in the Reincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and currently serves, with Lee Child, as the organization’s co-president.

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