Thanks to one of our library patrons raving about this book, I read “The Lost Summers of Newport” by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig & Karen White over the weekend. This is the 4th collaboration of these 3 authors and what began as a fluke while they were enjoying a night out together, these 3 best-selling authors have found their niche (and they’re all fun reads)! This book is a storyof money and secrets set among the famous summer mansions of Newport, RI, spanning over a century from the Gilded Age to the present day. The authors divided this story into 3 different time periods: 2019, 1899, and 1957-as well as having developed a main character for each of these periods. Honestly, one cannot tell that this story was written by 3 different authors thanks to their ablility to weave the story into a well written novel!
The book begins in September of 2019. Andie Figuero, the producer of Makeover Mansion pulls into the driveway of her next project, one of the neglected Newport summer cottages from the Gilded Age. Makeover Mansion has been allowed to film their show under the strict conditions that NOONE speaks to the cottage’s reclusive owner, Lucia “Lucky” Sprague and….nobody touches (nor goes near) the mansion’s ruined boathouse. Meanwhile, Andie’s boss wants ratings… The next chapter takes us back to 1899 when Ellen Daniel has been hired to give singing lessons to Colorado mining heiress, Miss Maybelle Sprague in order to groom her for a possible marriage to an Italian prince. Finally, in 1957 we meet a younger Lucky Sprague and her grandmother, Princess di Conti-who returned to America after fleeing Mussolini. What are the secrets this family is hiding?!!! Check out a copy of this book to learn the answers.
Sue Nakanishi, Adult Services Librarian