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mbenzz's review against another edition
4.0
I read 'PG County' years ago and loved it. I only just recently found out there was a sequel and tried to get my hands on a copy as fast as I could. Once I did I BLAZED right through it. It picks up right where 'PG' left off.
The wealthy community of Silver Lake, MD and all it's outrageously snobbish residents are a treat to read about. There's the Bentley's, whose marriage seems the picture of perfection, but is FAR from it. Jolene, whose even more despicable and evil in this book than in the previous (which is hard to believe). Patrick and Pearl, trying to build a relationship but with Patrick's conniving ex-wife Jolene lurking about, who knows if it will be possible. And the newest resident of Silver Lake, Baroness Veronique Valentine, is seemingly a beautiful, gracious woman out to befriend the leading ladies of the neighborhood, but has mischief of her own to stir up.
I definitely recommend reading 'PG County' before reading this, but only because it too is a great book and you'll be better acquainted with the characters. It's not necessary though, this book holds up just fine on its own. I would LOVE for Ms. Briscoe to continue writing about this deliciously scandalous group of people, and look forward to picking up another of her books!
The wealthy community of Silver Lake, MD and all it's outrageously snobbish residents are a treat to read about. There's the Bentley's, whose marriage seems the picture of perfection, but is FAR from it. Jolene, whose even more despicable and evil in this book than in the previous (which is hard to believe). Patrick and Pearl, trying to build a relationship but with Patrick's conniving ex-wife Jolene lurking about, who knows if it will be possible. And the newest resident of Silver Lake, Baroness Veronique Valentine, is seemingly a beautiful, gracious woman out to befriend the leading ladies of the neighborhood, but has mischief of her own to stir up.
I definitely recommend reading 'PG County' before reading this, but only because it too is a great book and you'll be better acquainted with the characters. It's not necessary though, this book holds up just fine on its own. I would LOVE for Ms. Briscoe to continue writing about this deliciously scandalous group of people, and look forward to picking up another of her books!
tutti1908's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
essencemichelle's review against another edition
5.0
Very enjoyable read, I enjoyed it more than P.G. County.
mochagirl's review against another edition
2.0
Can't Get Enough, Connie Briscoe's follow up to PG County, returns us to the prestigious Silver Lake community and continues where its predecessor ended. It instantly reconnects with Maryland's Prince George County's most memorable cast of characters who, for the most part, are still rich and still restless - a perfect combination for trouble and drama. Barbara, the wife of philandering millionaire Bradford Bentley, has sobered up and now takes her frustrations out in the gym instead of drowning her sorrows in Belvedere vodka. The results are fantastic - she is feeling good and looking even better. When her real-estate colleague, Noah, 15 years her junior openly flirts with her, he awakens feelings and thoughts that even the most faithful of attention-starved housewives cannot ignore. She wrestles with her feelings for both her husband, Bradford, whose womanizing ways led him to ignore and embarrass her for years by openly conducting affairs with younger women, and Noah, a handsome, attentive and sensual being, who is playing for keeps.
A newcomer to Silver Lake, a one "Baroness Veronique," befriends Barbara and plays devil's advocate to the blossoming romance between Barbara and Noah. However, it is revealed much later that this royal newcomer has ulterior motives with an interesting twist near the end of the story. The Baroness is the envy of the neighborhood after building a replica of a French chateau directly across the street from the conniving Jolene, the latest former mistress of Bradford. Jolene is a scantily clad pariah, shunned by most of Silver Lake for her involvement with Bradford. However, public scorn only fuels her desire to win back Patrick, her well-respected and admired ex-husband. She stoops low and uses their daughter Juliette in a ploy to seduce him. Patrick, however, is smitten with good-natured Pearl, the sweetheart of the neighborhood and friend to everyone. When Patrick rejects Jolene, she, in an act of desperation, retaliates against Pearl in such a mean spirited and hurtful manner that startles all of Silver Lake.
There is no peace, even for the "nice guy" as lovable Patrick struggles to raise Lee, his troubled teenaged daughter from a previous relationship. Lee's half-sister, Juliette, adds gasoline to the fire when she starts to exhibit traces of Jolene (evoking a "Mini Me" persona of her man-chasing mother) when she sets her eyes on her Lee's boyfriend.
Reminiscent to a daytime soap opera, the setting is posh. Everyone is beautiful, possesses an American Express Black card, drives luxury cars and wears designer attire. It seems like owning Armani suits, furs, Jimmy Choo shoes and Mikimoto pearls are an unwritten prerequisite for Silver Lake residents. Briscoe masters the storytelling aspects well by devoting alternating chapters to each main character which allows them to develop nicely while building suspense in an entertaining melodramatic offering. She adds solid doses of scandalous behavior, lying, cheating, double-crossing, and scheming to keep the pages turning until the end.
A newcomer to Silver Lake, a one "Baroness Veronique," befriends Barbara and plays devil's advocate to the blossoming romance between Barbara and Noah. However, it is revealed much later that this royal newcomer has ulterior motives with an interesting twist near the end of the story. The Baroness is the envy of the neighborhood after building a replica of a French chateau directly across the street from the conniving Jolene, the latest former mistress of Bradford. Jolene is a scantily clad pariah, shunned by most of Silver Lake for her involvement with Bradford. However, public scorn only fuels her desire to win back Patrick, her well-respected and admired ex-husband. She stoops low and uses their daughter Juliette in a ploy to seduce him. Patrick, however, is smitten with good-natured Pearl, the sweetheart of the neighborhood and friend to everyone. When Patrick rejects Jolene, she, in an act of desperation, retaliates against Pearl in such a mean spirited and hurtful manner that startles all of Silver Lake.
There is no peace, even for the "nice guy" as lovable Patrick struggles to raise Lee, his troubled teenaged daughter from a previous relationship. Lee's half-sister, Juliette, adds gasoline to the fire when she starts to exhibit traces of Jolene (evoking a "Mini Me" persona of her man-chasing mother) when she sets her eyes on her Lee's boyfriend.
Reminiscent to a daytime soap opera, the setting is posh. Everyone is beautiful, possesses an American Express Black card, drives luxury cars and wears designer attire. It seems like owning Armani suits, furs, Jimmy Choo shoes and Mikimoto pearls are an unwritten prerequisite for Silver Lake residents. Briscoe masters the storytelling aspects well by devoting alternating chapters to each main character which allows them to develop nicely while building suspense in an entertaining melodramatic offering. She adds solid doses of scandalous behavior, lying, cheating, double-crossing, and scheming to keep the pages turning until the end.
arisbookcorner's review against another edition
2.0
IQ: N/A
Barbara finally comes into her own and I am here for it, until the end. I was so proud of Barbara for most of the book until the very end when I just deflated because Bradford is a mess. I'm not sure how Barbara forgot about the nonsense Sabrina pulled in the last book but the fact that her husband is still willing to sit down and have lunch with that woman...just says so much about who he is so I'm not buying this reconciliation. The writing is also lacking, the author constantly recaps situations from the last book (I suppose I can understand doing that in the first few chapters told from the perspectives of each woman but the explanations went beyond that) which grew tiresome and Jolene has changed from a person to a caricature. The book is focused on making her the villain and her relationship with her daughter, her family and with money (her winning the lottery seemed to be an afterthought and I expected that to be a way bigger part of the book) all suffer. Furthermore Veronique is literally brought in to stir the pot, as a character she does not stand on her own (where was her husband is my biggest question) and I grew bored with the author using her as a device to push the other characters to change. Minor quibble: Pearl's son COMES OUT OF NOWHERE. She only talks about him and then all of sudden he just conveniently pops up, it was so odd.
In addition to newly one dimensional characters, the author completely forgets about Lee. She comes out of nowhere with this story line that Lee doesn't like Pearl and it just makes no sense. She's cool with the father who is a complete stranger to her but not to the woman whose been nothing but nice since she entered Patrick's life? Get out of here. If that is a realistic scenario the author did a poor job of delving into Lee's feelings in order to help the reader understand. I would also like to know if the author got paid by St. John for product placement because that's the only brand she seems to talk about (with a passing mention of Ferragamo and a few others). The story is funny and the characters engage in cringe-worthy antics (mainly Jolene but also Barbara as evidenced by my previous paragraphs) which while poorly written still makes for an escapist type read. Also I like the cover. But I found this sequel to be disappointing compared to the first book although I appreciate her focus on Black wealth.
PS I have read PG County I just seem to have lost my copy and I'm furious (last seen in Washington DC)
Barbara finally comes into her own and I am here for it, until the end. I was so proud of Barbara for most of the book until the very end when I just deflated because Bradford is a mess. I'm not sure how Barbara forgot about the nonsense Sabrina pulled in the last book but the fact that her husband is still willing to sit down and have lunch with that woman...just says so much about who he is so I'm not buying this reconciliation. The writing is also lacking, the author constantly recaps situations from the last book (I suppose I can understand doing that in the first few chapters told from the perspectives of each woman but the explanations went beyond that) which grew tiresome and Jolene has changed from a person to a caricature. The book is focused on making her the villain and her relationship with her daughter, her family and with money (her winning the lottery seemed to be an afterthought and I expected that to be a way bigger part of the book) all suffer. Furthermore Veronique is literally brought in to stir the pot, as a character she does not stand on her own (where was her husband is my biggest question) and I grew bored with the author using her as a device to push the other characters to change. Minor quibble: Pearl's son COMES OUT OF NOWHERE. She only talks about him and then all of sudden he just conveniently pops up, it was so odd.
In addition to newly one dimensional characters, the author completely forgets about Lee. She comes out of nowhere with this story line that Lee doesn't like Pearl and it just makes no sense. She's cool with the father who is a complete stranger to her but not to the woman whose been nothing but nice since she entered Patrick's life? Get out of here. If that is a realistic scenario the author did a poor job of delving into Lee's feelings in order to help the reader understand. I would also like to know if the author got paid by St. John for product placement because that's the only brand she seems to talk about (with a passing mention of Ferragamo and a few others). The story is funny and the characters engage in cringe-worthy antics (mainly Jolene but also Barbara as evidenced by my previous paragraphs) which while poorly written still makes for an escapist type read. Also I like the cover. But I found this sequel to be disappointing compared to the first book although I appreciate her focus on Black wealth.
PS I have read PG County I just seem to have lost my copy and I'm furious (last seen in Washington DC)
exlibrise65af's review
4.0
Jolene is ridiculous in this book, and the Jolene hate is worse than ever. Still, the growth of Barbara is gratifying, the womens' friendships with the Countess are lovely (up until the reveal at the end), and Pearl's interactions with her new family are so authentically awkward that her eventual successes are even more satisfying.
Pearl does become a bit of a Mary Sue in this book, but her breakthrough with her daughters is what will keep me coming back to reread it time and again. The main negative in this book is Bradford. He acts exactly the same as he did in the first book, but because he told Barbara that he's faithful now, the reader is supposed to believe him. BUT - the reader doesn't know they're supposed believe him until the end, so everything he says is just interpreted through the lens of Barbara. If the goal was to set Barbara up as an unreliable narrator and make the reader rethink all of their previous conceptions, that goal really is achieved. But I wish it wasn't at the cost of taking a badass woman and making her the villain.
Feminist rubric:
Positives
1. Barbara's growth towards independence and self love: So the book may not end the way I would like it to, but Barbara's journey is so sweet and honest and powerful that I would still mark this as a positive. SPOILER: I love that she doesn't end up with Noah. I don't love that she ends up with Bradford again after learning what he did to the Countess (GAH), but I can appreciate that she is there because she wants to be rather than needs to be.
2. Chapters 30 and 33!
3. Characters are racially and/or culturally diverse without being stereotypes and without that being their main characteristic.
Neutral
1. Fewer strong parent-child relationships: Pearl and her daughters are great. I'm frustrated that Jolene becomes a terrible mother in this book, or at least, an absent one, since that was her love for her daughter was her most humanizing characteristic.
2. Pearl and Patrick's relationship: Pearl and Patrick are pretty great together, but I just hate the scene where she decides to "fight for her man."
3. Language about men deprives them of autonomy, e.g. "keeping them," or "stealing them." Pearl does lay down some sense in chapters 30 and 33, but then the seduction scene with Jolene and Patrick really does make men seem like they completely lack autonomy.
Negatives
1. Virulent misogyny and slut shaming towards Jolene ALL THE TIME. From what I knew of Jolene, I just don't see her going through with the terrible thing she did in this book. I would have much preferred that she change her mind halfway through and work to come to an understanding with her new extended family. In the first book, Briscoe sets Jolene's humanity up so well by telling us about her pregnancy and showing her with her family. There is so much material there! I'm sad that it's wasted just so everybody else can band together over a common enemy.
2. Appearance generally tied to male approval or disapproval: I believe Patrick says something like "I like a little extra sugar on my brownie," when referring to Pearl's weight. No. Pearl is allowed to be whatever weight she wants to be. She doesn't need your permission by learning what level of weight you prefer. GROSS.
3. It seems unrealistic that Lee wouldn't need counseling after what she's been through. I would have preferred a more sensitive exploration of her transition to her new life.
Pearl does become a bit of a Mary Sue in this book, but her breakthrough with her daughters is what will keep me coming back to reread it time and again. The main negative in this book is Bradford. He acts exactly the same as he did in the first book, but because he told Barbara that he's faithful now, the reader is supposed to believe him. BUT - the reader doesn't know they're supposed believe him until the end, so everything he says is just interpreted through the lens of Barbara. If the goal was to set Barbara up as an unreliable narrator and make the reader rethink all of their previous conceptions, that goal really is achieved. But I wish it wasn't at the cost of taking a badass woman and making her the villain.
Feminist rubric:
Positives
1. Barbara's growth towards independence and self love: So the book may not end the way I would like it to, but Barbara's journey is so sweet and honest and powerful that I would still mark this as a positive. SPOILER: I love that she doesn't end up with Noah. I don't love that she ends up with Bradford again after learning what he did to the Countess (GAH), but I can appreciate that she is there because she wants to be rather than needs to be.
2. Chapters 30 and 33!
3. Characters are racially and/or culturally diverse without being stereotypes and without that being their main characteristic.
Neutral
1. Fewer strong parent-child relationships: Pearl and her daughters are great. I'm frustrated that Jolene becomes a terrible mother in this book, or at least, an absent one, since that was her love for her daughter was her most humanizing characteristic.
2. Pearl and Patrick's relationship: Pearl and Patrick are pretty great together, but I just hate the scene where she decides to "fight for her man."
3. Language about men deprives them of autonomy, e.g. "keeping them," or "stealing them." Pearl does lay down some sense in chapters 30 and 33, but then the seduction scene with Jolene and Patrick really does make men seem like they completely lack autonomy.
Negatives
1. Virulent misogyny and slut shaming towards Jolene ALL THE TIME. From what I knew of Jolene, I just don't see her going through with the terrible thing she did in this book. I would have much preferred that she change her mind halfway through and work to come to an understanding with her new extended family. In the first book, Briscoe sets Jolene's humanity up so well by telling us about her pregnancy and showing her with her family. There is so much material there! I'm sad that it's wasted just so everybody else can band together over a common enemy.
2. Appearance generally tied to male approval or disapproval: I believe Patrick says something like "I like a little extra sugar on my brownie," when referring to Pearl's weight. No. Pearl is allowed to be whatever weight she wants to be. She doesn't need your permission by learning what level of weight you prefer. GROSS.
3. It seems unrealistic that Lee wouldn't need counseling after what she's been through. I would have preferred a more sensitive exploration of her transition to her new life.
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