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Palm Beach
A thought-provoking page-turner from the author of When You Read This and Privilege that captures the painful divide between the haves and have-nots and the seductive lure of the American dream.
Living in a tiny Queens apartment, Rebecca and her husband Mickey typify struggling, 30-something New Yorkers—he’s an actor, and she’s a freelance journalist. But after the arrival of their baby son, the couple decides to pack up and head for sunny, comfortable Palm Beach, where Mickey’s been offered a sweet deal managing the household of a multimillionaire Democratic donor.
Once there, he quickly doubles his salary by going to work for a billionaire: venture capitalist Cecil Stone. Rebecca, a writer whose beat is economic inequality, is initially horrified: she pillories men like Stone, a ruthless businessman famous for crushing local newspapers. So no one is more surprised than her when she accepts a job working for Cecil’s wife as a ghostwriter, thinking of the excellent pay and the rare, inside look at this famous Forbes-list family. What she doesn’t expect is that she’ll grow close to the Stones, or become a regular at their high-powered dinners. And when a medical crisis hits, it’s the Stones who come to their rescue, using their power, influence, and wealth to avert catastrophe.
As she and Mickey are both pulled deeper into this topsy-turvy household, they become increasingly dependent on their problematic benefactors. Then when she discovers a shocking secret about the Stones, Rebecca will have to decide: how many compromises can one couple make?
Living in a tiny Queens apartment, Rebecca and her husband Mickey typify struggling, 30-something New Yorkers—he’s an actor, and she’s a freelance journalist. But after the arrival of their baby son, the couple decides to pack up and head for sunny, comfortable Palm Beach, where Mickey’s been offered a sweet deal managing the household of a multimillionaire Democratic donor.
Once there, he quickly doubles his salary by going to work for a billionaire: venture capitalist Cecil Stone. Rebecca, a writer whose beat is economic inequality, is initially horrified: she pillories men like Stone, a ruthless businessman famous for crushing local newspapers. So no one is more surprised than her when she accepts a job working for Cecil’s wife as a ghostwriter, thinking of the excellent pay and the rare, inside look at this famous Forbes-list family. What she doesn’t expect is that she’ll grow close to the Stones, or become a regular at their high-powered dinners. And when a medical crisis hits, it’s the Stones who come to their rescue, using their power, influence, and wealth to avert catastrophe.
As she and Mickey are both pulled deeper into this topsy-turvy household, they become increasingly dependent on their problematic benefactors. Then when she discovers a shocking secret about the Stones, Rebecca will have to decide: how many compromises can one couple make?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published August 3, 2021
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9181 people want to read
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August 12, 2021
"Palm Beach" by Mary Adkins is a story about 'The Have's' and The Have Not's'!
Rebecca, a freelance journalist, is married to Mickey, an actor who actually works more at catering than acting. They're tired of struggling financially and living scrunched into their Queen's apartment, even more so after the birth of their baby, Sebastian.
That's why Mickey quickly accepts a generous six-figure job offer managing the mansion of a Palm Beach multimillionaire. So, with their bags packed and Baby Bash in tow, they're off to sun, beaches and a more comfortable lifestyle.
Once settled in Palm Beach, Mickey accepts another offer that doubles his income from billionaire venture capitalist, Cecil Stone. Rebecca, whose writing focus is on economic inequality, is appalled at the affectless record and path of destruction from Mickey's new employer.
Rebecca then surprises herself when she accepts an offer from Mrs. Stone to work as her ghostwriter. Soon after, she finds herself invited as a regular guest at the Stone's high-powered dinners.
Is Rebecca after an insider's look at this famous billionaire and his family? Is she looking for a story for her column in New York Magazine? Or, is it simply the money that's so appealing to both Mickey & Rebecca, especially when something unforeseen happens?
I enjoyed this read and how unexpectedly good it was! The story progressed quickly and morphed in surprising directions I didn't see coming. The characters morph a bit, too and all of this happened in a good way. It kept me reading, for sure!
There wasn't a character I didn't like, even the devious ones and there were a few. I love characters that are a bit edgy and Mrs. Stone was definitely that. I feel the same way about quirky characters and Mr. Stone delivered, along with being a bit unintentionally comical. I thought the author did a great job in making all characters interesting and memorable, even those who just popped in for dinner!
I'm sure there are tons of subliminal messages to be found in this novel but, to be honest, I was simply entertained by the author's talent with words. I'll think about and try to figure out all that underlying stuff later. Much later!
I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a well written, entertaining fiction read.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways, HarperCollins Publishers and Mary Adkins for a physical ARC of this book. It is my pleasure to give an honest and voluntary review.
Rebecca, a freelance journalist, is married to Mickey, an actor who actually works more at catering than acting. They're tired of struggling financially and living scrunched into their Queen's apartment, even more so after the birth of their baby, Sebastian.
That's why Mickey quickly accepts a generous six-figure job offer managing the mansion of a Palm Beach multimillionaire. So, with their bags packed and Baby Bash in tow, they're off to sun, beaches and a more comfortable lifestyle.
Once settled in Palm Beach, Mickey accepts another offer that doubles his income from billionaire venture capitalist, Cecil Stone. Rebecca, whose writing focus is on economic inequality, is appalled at the affectless record and path of destruction from Mickey's new employer.
Rebecca then surprises herself when she accepts an offer from Mrs. Stone to work as her ghostwriter. Soon after, she finds herself invited as a regular guest at the Stone's high-powered dinners.
Is Rebecca after an insider's look at this famous billionaire and his family? Is she looking for a story for her column in New York Magazine? Or, is it simply the money that's so appealing to both Mickey & Rebecca, especially when something unforeseen happens?
I enjoyed this read and how unexpectedly good it was! The story progressed quickly and morphed in surprising directions I didn't see coming. The characters morph a bit, too and all of this happened in a good way. It kept me reading, for sure!
There wasn't a character I didn't like, even the devious ones and there were a few. I love characters that are a bit edgy and Mrs. Stone was definitely that. I feel the same way about quirky characters and Mr. Stone delivered, along with being a bit unintentionally comical. I thought the author did a great job in making all characters interesting and memorable, even those who just popped in for dinner!
I'm sure there are tons of subliminal messages to be found in this novel but, to be honest, I was simply entertained by the author's talent with words. I'll think about and try to figure out all that underlying stuff later. Much later!
I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a well written, entertaining fiction read.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways, HarperCollins Publishers and Mary Adkins for a physical ARC of this book. It is my pleasure to give an honest and voluntary review.
March 19, 2022
Living in a small apartment in Queens Mickey & Rebecca are finding it hard to make ends meet especially with baby Sebastian, Mickey works in musical theatre but makes his money by working as a caterer, he works for multi billionaire Freddie Wampler which he is happy to do but then gets another job offer from Cecil Stone a venture capitalist he can earn a six figure sumwhich would make their lives a lot easier.
Rebecca is a freelance reporter & is offered a job by Astrid Stone Cecil’s wife as a ghost writer she accepts the offer she starts going to all these fancy dinners which she got used to, but is she just using this job as an advantage to get dirt on the Stones for her job back in New York?
This was a real page turner I couldn’t put down the characters were all likeable the prose was engaging it was a quick read that was well written & enjoyable, although I can’t relate to the rich it’s just not in my vocabulary all in all a 4 solid read.
Rebecca is a freelance reporter & is offered a job by Astrid Stone Cecil’s wife as a ghost writer she accepts the offer she starts going to all these fancy dinners which she got used to, but is she just using this job as an advantage to get dirt on the Stones for her job back in New York?
This was a real page turner I couldn’t put down the characters were all likeable the prose was engaging it was a quick read that was well written & enjoyable, although I can’t relate to the rich it’s just not in my vocabulary all in all a 4 solid read.
March 16, 2021
I received an ARC of this book, and I wasn't at all sure that it was my kind of book (not to mention, I wasn’t a fan of the cover! lol), but once I started it, I couldn't put it down until I finished the entire thing!
I think what caught my attention the most is that it is totally unpredictable in every way. I thought from the blurb it sounded rather formulaic - struggling couple, Rebecca and Mickey, find themselves moving from New York to Palm Beach after actor/singer Mickey sustains a vocal cord injury and must abruptly change career paths. He takes a job as an estate manager at one of his wealthy clients' Palm Beach home. At the very first dinner party, his attention to detail lands him an offer that he can't refuse, with the uber-wealthy Cecil Stone and his wife, Astrid. Through a twist of fate, Rebecca, a progressive journalist and new mom, finds herself working with Astrid and drawn to her despite her perceived prejudices of the ultra-rich. Both Mickey and Rebecca's careers are going places and life is suddenly comfortable and smooth sailing - until their infant son is diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening issue. To their surprise, the Stones become their salvation in regard to their son’s medical issue. Then Rebecca learns something shocking about the Stones that could change everything, but can she compromise everything she believes in to keep that relationship intact?
At first, I thought this was another ho-hum plot and cast of characters, as Adkins goes out of her way in the beginning to describe everyone in a somewhat stereotypical manner in relation to class, gender roles, politics, etc., but as I said, this is a very unpredictable plot in that every stereotype gets flipped on its a@@, which was refreshing! I actually thought it was a fabulous, subtle message that we are all more than the labels society slaps on us. I liked both Rebecca and Mickey’s characters, and I empathized with both at different times when they were faced with troubling decisions. I also loved the multi-faceted relationships they both developed with the Stones.
It was one of those books that made me feel encouraged about the world at large, which is rare these days! Overall, it’s a quick, but thought-provoking read that drew me in from the first page and didn’t disappoint in its execution and message. 4 stars!
I think what caught my attention the most is that it is totally unpredictable in every way. I thought from the blurb it sounded rather formulaic - struggling couple, Rebecca and Mickey, find themselves moving from New York to Palm Beach after actor/singer Mickey sustains a vocal cord injury and must abruptly change career paths. He takes a job as an estate manager at one of his wealthy clients' Palm Beach home. At the very first dinner party, his attention to detail lands him an offer that he can't refuse, with the uber-wealthy Cecil Stone and his wife, Astrid. Through a twist of fate, Rebecca, a progressive journalist and new mom, finds herself working with Astrid and drawn to her despite her perceived prejudices of the ultra-rich. Both Mickey and Rebecca's careers are going places and life is suddenly comfortable and smooth sailing - until their infant son is diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening issue. To their surprise, the Stones become their salvation in regard to their son’s medical issue. Then Rebecca learns something shocking about the Stones that could change everything, but can she compromise everything she believes in to keep that relationship intact?
At first, I thought this was another ho-hum plot and cast of characters, as Adkins goes out of her way in the beginning to describe everyone in a somewhat stereotypical manner in relation to class, gender roles, politics, etc., but as I said, this is a very unpredictable plot in that every stereotype gets flipped on its a@@, which was refreshing! I actually thought it was a fabulous, subtle message that we are all more than the labels society slaps on us. I liked both Rebecca and Mickey’s characters, and I empathized with both at different times when they were faced with troubling decisions. I also loved the multi-faceted relationships they both developed with the Stones.
It was one of those books that made me feel encouraged about the world at large, which is rare these days! Overall, it’s a quick, but thought-provoking read that drew me in from the first page and didn’t disappoint in its execution and message. 4 stars!
October 23, 2021
Rebecca and Mickey are a couple in their thirties with a new baby. They’re trying to make ends meet. She’s a journalist and he’s a musical theater actor who experienced a vocal cord injury that ended his career. A unique and well-paying opportunity arises for Mickey to become the estate manager for one of the uber-wealthy families in Palm Beach. Rebecca, Mickey and their young son relocate from New York to Florida to start anew. While Mickey proves to be a valuable employee for business mogul Cecil Stone, Rebecca, who writes an online column for New York Magazine on wealth inequality, now has lots of new things to write about. She is also hired to be the ghostwriter for Cecil’s wife Astrid, who is anxious to release her memoir.
Palm Beach is an interesting peek into the world of its billionaires. A world that Rebecca and Mickey at first detest yet come to see its priviledge and power. The grass always seems greener over the large hedges of the mansions we can barely see into. But is it really? The young couple has to face some major decisions that could test their moral compass. What at first appeared to be a light, fluffy story turns out to be a bit more – a commentary on wealth, class and influence. I found Mary Adkins' book to be a worthwhile read.
Rated 3.75 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Palm Beach is an interesting peek into the world of its billionaires. A world that Rebecca and Mickey at first detest yet come to see its priviledge and power. The grass always seems greener over the large hedges of the mansions we can barely see into. But is it really? The young couple has to face some major decisions that could test their moral compass. What at first appeared to be a light, fluffy story turns out to be a bit more – a commentary on wealth, class and influence. I found Mary Adkins' book to be a worthwhile read.
Rated 3.75 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
November 8, 2021
This one really took me by surprise. I grew up near Palm Beach, so was excited to see how it was portrayed. The story follows a young couple who move from NYC to Palm Beach so that the husband, an out of work actor, can take a job as a butler for an extremely wealthy family. Before long, the wife, a journalist focusing on income inequality, also gets pulled into the family orbit as she's enlisted to help with the wealthy wife's memoirs. I was so incredibly sucked into this book that I finished this book in a day (even though I very much had other things to do and wasn't planning to read all day!). I can't believe this book doesn't have more hype!
September 13, 2021
No thoughts were provoked.
July 15, 2021
I have complicated feelings about Palm Beach - this started out as a hit for me, but fizzled out towards the end. I loved the look into the lives of the billionaires of Palm Beach, but so much of this story revolved around Mickey and Rebecca's son that I wasn't sure what the main point was.
Yes, a lot of rich people have made their money in not-so-savory ways. Yes, they can also be good people and use their money for noble causes. I'm not quite sure what "shocking secret" Rebecca uncovered because the reveal towards the end that ultimately wrapped up the story wasn't all that "shocking."
Thank you Harper Books for the ARC!
Yes, a lot of rich people have made their money in not-so-savory ways. Yes, they can also be good people and use their money for noble causes. I'm not quite sure what "shocking secret" Rebecca uncovered because the reveal towards the end that ultimately wrapped up the story wasn't all that "shocking."
Thank you Harper Books for the ARC!
January 27, 2023
Okay I already reviewed this book but I can't stop THINKING about it. Like. What was the point? What was it trying to say? Why was it written?
I guess there are spoilers in this review, but for there to be spoilers, there would have to be a plot to spoil, and there isn't.
Number one, when you read the dust jacket bit, it tells you the entire plot. "They met the Stones and they changed the life of Rebecca and Mickey forever." They don't even meet the Stones until a good 15% into the book. Like, we have to get FIFTEEN percent of the way through the book for the plot to start. That's unnecessary. That's bad writing.
But okay, slow plot isn't the worst sin in the world. I love Catcher in the Rye and nothing even happens in that book. But Catcher is engagingly written, whether you love it or hate it. This was like reading . . . nothing. It had almost no voice. It was like a dessert that only tastes like sugar, and you're like-- wait, that's it?
And what is happening, ideologically? Reviews call this "thought-provoking." The main character, Rebecca, is a vegan journalist who writes about wage inequality. I'm pretty sure she's a privileged white lady. She tries to be aware, but she's only self-righteous. And then Mickey works for rich people (he's worked for rich people before, though, so I don't understand why this is the tipping point) and she talks to Mrs. Stone and suddenly . . . she just throws away everything she believes in and justifies everything that she does. How the frick do you expect me to believe this is a woman who writes about wage inequality and then her husband gets a job making $250,000 a year and she buys dresses that are $700 and then gets worried that her insurance won't pay for her hospital bills? Honey, you said your man was pulling $15,000 every other week. Figure it out.
This isn't thought provoking. It's a bland character study of someone with the conviction of a wet paper towel. It's not engaging or interesting to watch. It's predictable. She pretends she's great and then she pours a water bottle out on a shop counter because the worker politely asked her to obey a posted sign. She gets a man fired for insider trading and then she participates in insider trading and it's fine.
Her husband calls her out on this, and it doesn't work out for her. The FBI gets involved. But does she grow from this? No, she just kind of. weathers it and life goes on. She's never reflective. She never thinks about anything she does. She doesn't change.
Her son gets sick and she instantly accepts all resources her husband's super rich employers can give them. And I don't understand this book. What are you trying to say about rich people and poor people? What are you trying to say about privilege? The message seems to be, "you hate these rich people because you don't have what they have, but you should actually pity them, because they have boring friends and too much routine and they're generous with their money. Also, if you had access to their money, you would be just like them."
Adkins. Rich people are rich because they *don't* spend money, not because they do. Moreover, if someone who has a billion dollars gives someone $1,500, that's nothing; if someone who makes $20,000 a year gives someone $1,500, that is everything. ADDITIONALLY Rebecca is a thin white woman in her thirties. She has the luxury of even getting close to old money. How can this book try to be self aware so hard when falling so flat? Was the point just to humanize rich people? If so . . . why? There's nothing behind this book.
And I just don't UNDERSTAND. What is the point?! This book was thought provoking, maybe, but only if "?????" constitutes a thought.
Rebecca was selfish and entitled and obnoxious. IF she grew at all, it was in a bad way. She went from being a little annoying to being really self righteous and a total hypocrite. She was the literal embodiment of "embarrassing vegan," but like, add in that she doesn't call her mom and she needs more anxiety medication. Honey, just. Go to therapy. What the heck. Her husband was reasonable but how did he end up with her? Also he was boring. Neither of them become better or more developed people. They just experience some new things, and then it's over.
Basically, I listened to this audiobook on 1.25 speed and then bumped it up to 1.5 and then bumped it up to 2 and then bumped it up to 2.25 and then bumped it up to 2.5 and then bumped it up to 2.75 and listened to the vast majority of this book at 2.75 speed. There was nothing wrong with doing this, because nothing happened in this book that meant anything. So I didn't have to worry about missing anything important at least?
Total score: 1/5 stars
I guess there are spoilers in this review, but for there to be spoilers, there would have to be a plot to spoil, and there isn't.
Number one, when you read the dust jacket bit, it tells you the entire plot. "They met the Stones and they changed the life of Rebecca and Mickey forever." They don't even meet the Stones until a good 15% into the book. Like, we have to get FIFTEEN percent of the way through the book for the plot to start. That's unnecessary. That's bad writing.
But okay, slow plot isn't the worst sin in the world. I love Catcher in the Rye and nothing even happens in that book. But Catcher is engagingly written, whether you love it or hate it. This was like reading . . . nothing. It had almost no voice. It was like a dessert that only tastes like sugar, and you're like-- wait, that's it?
And what is happening, ideologically? Reviews call this "thought-provoking." The main character, Rebecca, is a vegan journalist who writes about wage inequality. I'm pretty sure she's a privileged white lady. She tries to be aware, but she's only self-righteous. And then Mickey works for rich people (he's worked for rich people before, though, so I don't understand why this is the tipping point) and she talks to Mrs. Stone and suddenly . . . she just throws away everything she believes in and justifies everything that she does. How the frick do you expect me to believe this is a woman who writes about wage inequality and then her husband gets a job making $250,000 a year and she buys dresses that are $700 and then gets worried that her insurance won't pay for her hospital bills? Honey, you said your man was pulling $15,000 every other week. Figure it out.
This isn't thought provoking. It's a bland character study of someone with the conviction of a wet paper towel. It's not engaging or interesting to watch. It's predictable. She pretends she's great and then she pours a water bottle out on a shop counter because the worker politely asked her to obey a posted sign. She gets a man fired for insider trading and then she participates in insider trading and it's fine.
Her husband calls her out on this, and it doesn't work out for her. The FBI gets involved. But does she grow from this? No, she just kind of. weathers it and life goes on. She's never reflective. She never thinks about anything she does. She doesn't change.
Her son gets sick and she instantly accepts all resources her husband's super rich employers can give them. And I don't understand this book. What are you trying to say about rich people and poor people? What are you trying to say about privilege? The message seems to be, "you hate these rich people because you don't have what they have, but you should actually pity them, because they have boring friends and too much routine and they're generous with their money. Also, if you had access to their money, you would be just like them."
Adkins. Rich people are rich because they *don't* spend money, not because they do. Moreover, if someone who has a billion dollars gives someone $1,500, that's nothing; if someone who makes $20,000 a year gives someone $1,500, that is everything. ADDITIONALLY Rebecca is a thin white woman in her thirties. She has the luxury of even getting close to old money. How can this book try to be self aware so hard when falling so flat? Was the point just to humanize rich people? If so . . . why? There's nothing behind this book.
And I just don't UNDERSTAND. What is the point?! This book was thought provoking, maybe, but only if "?????" constitutes a thought.
Rebecca was selfish and entitled and obnoxious. IF she grew at all, it was in a bad way. She went from being a little annoying to being really self righteous and a total hypocrite. She was the literal embodiment of "embarrassing vegan," but like, add in that she doesn't call her mom and she needs more anxiety medication. Honey, just. Go to therapy. What the heck. Her husband was reasonable but how did he end up with her? Also he was boring. Neither of them become better or more developed people. They just experience some new things, and then it's over.
Basically, I listened to this audiobook on 1.25 speed and then bumped it up to 1.5 and then bumped it up to 2 and then bumped it up to 2.25 and then bumped it up to 2.5 and then bumped it up to 2.75 and listened to the vast majority of this book at 2.75 speed. There was nothing wrong with doing this, because nothing happened in this book that meant anything. So I didn't have to worry about missing anything important at least?
Total score: 1/5 stars
November 1, 2021
Oddly, this book felt like a page-turner while reading it, and looking back I'm not sure why. It's about a new mom who moves from NYC to Palm Beach where her husband has gotten a butler job making six figures. All the characters have very rigid morals that they are forced to confront and reconsider, with the ultimate takeaway being that money can, in fact, buy happiness. It's heavy-handed, cringey, and uncomfortable (I think mostly on purpose). The last quarter of the book really did not work for me -- the surprise conflict didn't feel earned and it was resolved way too quickly.
March 1, 2021
This is an arresting novel. Once I was captured by the plot, I couldn’t put it down. It might be one of the least predictable books I’ve read. Rebecca and Mickey find themselves in Palm Beach after a series of crazy events find Mickey in need of an immediate career change and a job. As a struggling actor, he put his catering skills to work and took a job as an estate manager. Ultimately, Mickey winds up in the home of the ultra-rich Stones.
Rebecca, a journalist, finds herself working with the Stones as well. Her career takes off and it would seem that their lives were on a smooth glide path. Fate was not initially kind, their infant son Bash is diagnosed with an unexpected, rare, life threatening problem.
Yet, this odd relationship becomes their salvation on many levels.
I really enjoyed this book and I think it will be a book club favorite. Thank you Netgalley fir this great read.
Rebecca, a journalist, finds herself working with the Stones as well. Her career takes off and it would seem that their lives were on a smooth glide path. Fate was not initially kind, their infant son Bash is diagnosed with an unexpected, rare, life threatening problem.
Yet, this odd relationship becomes their salvation on many levels.
I really enjoyed this book and I think it will be a book club favorite. Thank you Netgalley fir this great read.
March 24, 2021
Talk about a page turner!
Usually for me, the only books that fall under that category are juicy thrillers, but there was something about Palm Beach that hooked me and wouldn’t let me go!
Married couple Rebecca and Mickey are thirtysomething New Yorkers, struggling to make ends meet after the arrival of their newborn son. They decide to pack it all up and move to Palm Beach, Florida where Mickey’s been offered a job as a house manager for a multimillionaire. When they arrive, he’s quickly poached by a famous billionaire, and Rebecca takes a job with the billionaire’s wife, ghostwriting her memoirs. Their lives become entrenched in this world of insane wealth and privilege, and when Rebecca discovers a shocking secret about their wealthy benefactors, she must make a difficult decision that could alter all their lives forever.
Mary Adkins is a terrific writer. This novel is perfectly paced and beautifully written. She managed to develop her characters extremely well and quickly for such a relatively short book. I absolutely loved the peek into the world of the super rich!
Thanks to Harper for my advanced review copy. I cannot wait to read everything else Adkins has ever written!
This one comes out August 2021. Make sure to get your copy!
Usually for me, the only books that fall under that category are juicy thrillers, but there was something about Palm Beach that hooked me and wouldn’t let me go!
Married couple Rebecca and Mickey are thirtysomething New Yorkers, struggling to make ends meet after the arrival of their newborn son. They decide to pack it all up and move to Palm Beach, Florida where Mickey’s been offered a job as a house manager for a multimillionaire. When they arrive, he’s quickly poached by a famous billionaire, and Rebecca takes a job with the billionaire’s wife, ghostwriting her memoirs. Their lives become entrenched in this world of insane wealth and privilege, and when Rebecca discovers a shocking secret about their wealthy benefactors, she must make a difficult decision that could alter all their lives forever.
Mary Adkins is a terrific writer. This novel is perfectly paced and beautifully written. She managed to develop her characters extremely well and quickly for such a relatively short book. I absolutely loved the peek into the world of the super rich!
Thanks to Harper for my advanced review copy. I cannot wait to read everything else Adkins has ever written!
This one comes out August 2021. Make sure to get your copy!
January 27, 2023
4 stars!! I liked that this was almost a social commentary. Sometimes people are a lot better than we initially give them credit for, and it not, they at least may be more human than we think.
January 29, 2022
Really enjoyed this one after reading comments here.
December 26, 2021
Palm Beach is the story of a couple (Rebecca and Mikey) that moves from New York to Palm Beach, Florida, after Mickey is offered a job running the household of a wealthy man. Mickey is an actor, and they’ve just had a baby, so they are tired of living paycheck to paycheck. This job offers them the best salary Mickey's ever. This is the story of what happens to the couple once they relocate to Palm Beach. Their lives get entangled in the lives of this billionaire family, and crazy stuff happens.
I have been to Palm Beach many times and loved how the author portrayed the setting. I love how the author decided to make this more of a reported novel. There are so many facts and figures included in the story. There is also a lot in the book about income inequality disparity—the gaps between the wealthy and the not-so-wealthy—and the class differences.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/mar...
I have been to Palm Beach many times and loved how the author portrayed the setting. I love how the author decided to make this more of a reported novel. There are so many facts and figures included in the story. There is also a lot in the book about income inequality disparity—the gaps between the wealthy and the not-so-wealthy—and the class differences.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/mar...
September 20, 2021
So I’m not sure what exactly the plot of this book was, but I enjoyed reading it. The author’s purpose is clearly to make a social commentary on wealth and privilege, but in doing that I think a lot of the character development and plot lines got lost. It also doesn’t help you’re set up to have almost no empathy for one of the main characters. Still, I didn’t dislike it and it had me thinking about some of my own hypocrisies on wealth.
February 11, 2024
3.5 stars rounded down.
An enjoyable read about a young couple who move to Palm Beach to work for a billionaire couple. They are exposed to a lifestyle that they never could have imagined. Mickey, who had to give up an acting career in NYC, becomes a house manager for Cecil and Astrid Stone. Rebecca, a journalist, is recruited to write Mrs. Stone’s biography. When a medical crisis befalls their young son, the Stones provide the means to treat him, making Mickey and Rebecca even more dependent upon them.
The story moves along at a good pace. The main characters, Mickey and Rebecca, are somewhat well portrayed, but you never feel like you get beneath the surface of any character, including the Stones, although Astrid Stone may be the most complex character in the book. There is supposed to be a “shocking secret“ about the Stones, but in reality, it’s not really shocking at all. The ending feels rushed, and a bit flat, which was disappointing since most of the book was pretty good.
Thank you to Goodreads for the ARC giveaway.
An enjoyable read about a young couple who move to Palm Beach to work for a billionaire couple. They are exposed to a lifestyle that they never could have imagined. Mickey, who had to give up an acting career in NYC, becomes a house manager for Cecil and Astrid Stone. Rebecca, a journalist, is recruited to write Mrs. Stone’s biography. When a medical crisis befalls their young son, the Stones provide the means to treat him, making Mickey and Rebecca even more dependent upon them.
The story moves along at a good pace. The main characters, Mickey and Rebecca, are somewhat well portrayed, but you never feel like you get beneath the surface of any character, including the Stones, although Astrid Stone may be the most complex character in the book. There is supposed to be a “shocking secret“ about the Stones, but in reality, it’s not really shocking at all. The ending feels rushed, and a bit flat, which was disappointing since most of the book was pretty good.
Thank you to Goodreads for the ARC giveaway.
January 16, 2024
Quick read with a very relatable story.
March 9, 2025
This book ~sucked~
June 16, 2023
said with semi-ironic self-assuredness: good beach read. or, in my case, good airplane read?
in my opinion there is certainly not enough development of our characters as there could have been, which is a major point of regret - like what is Paul's deal? the Stone daughter? the main plotline ties up sooo neatly but that means there's very little regard for anything else that was brought up.
im pretty sure cecil stone's whole deal is an actual and real thing that some billionaire fuck did but. Like, whatever. not sure I can say i particularly appreciate astrid stone's elevation as some moral bastion of ultrarich people — it's so uncritical!! what the hell. what the hell.
rebecca, you had an ELECTION PARTY. enough said.
— but again, beach read.
2/5 with an extra star for genre allowances
in my opinion there is certainly not enough development of our characters as there could have been, which is a major point of regret - like what is Paul's deal? the Stone daughter? the main plotline ties up sooo neatly but that means there's very little regard for anything else that was brought up.
im pretty sure cecil stone's whole deal is an actual and real thing that some billionaire fuck did but. Like, whatever. not sure I can say i particularly appreciate astrid stone's elevation as some moral bastion of ultrarich people — it's so uncritical!! what the hell. what the hell.
rebecca, you had an ELECTION PARTY. enough said.
— but again, beach read.
2/5 with an extra star for genre allowances
August 27, 2021
3.5 Stars, Sorta literary fiction but still very readable. The second book I read this month that gave a slightly more nuanced look at Republicans vs. Democrats without just labeling one good and one bad. Not super nuanced or very political but better than I've seen in many books and felt realistic without being preachy.
April 7, 2023
3.5 stars. The first half of the book was super boring but the second half was pretty good.
May 11, 2022
Couldn’t put this down! This is much more that a ‘beach read’ covering topics from wealth disparity, parenting, race, and cultural norms. Although I did not personally like each character I can’t say I wouldn’t have made the same decisions given each complex situations. A great look into a different life and from a new perspective. Wealth does not change how you judge yourself and others, just what you base your judgements off of.
December 29, 2021
Rebecca and Mickey move to Palm Beach, Florida for Mickey to run the estate of a billionaire. Mickey was a Broadway star until he lost his voice and Rebecca is a journalism who mostly writes about wealth inequality. Taking along infant Bash, they move to the land of the wealthy and get a glimpse into the perks and confines of how the rich live. Their lives become intertwined with the Stones. When a medical emergency strikes, Rebecca begins to rethink he stances on money and influence.
We listened to this audiobook and both my husband, and I loved it (we raced to finish it separately). We loved the sarcasm and humor and sharp writing and the knotted-up storyline. This is a book I will remember.
We listened to this audiobook and both my husband, and I loved it (we raced to finish it separately). We loved the sarcasm and humor and sharp writing and the knotted-up storyline. This is a book I will remember.
July 28, 2022
I enjoyed the hypocrisy in this book. I like seeing both sides of a story and also the truth of how people are willing to compromise their values when it benefits themselves. It says something about the human condition, and not for the better, and we see it in politics all the time. Someone can believe that their views are the only way, but when feeling the opposite will make their lives better, they are willing to change their views in order to gain the benefit without ever looking back. With that said, one of the main characters, Rebecca, was unbearable. To the point where I wanted to see her fail because she was so obstinate. It was hard to read her obsessing and helicoptering and say her views were the only ones that were right. In the end, I felt there really was no consequences for her activities and I felt that it failed the book and it’s message.
October 18, 2021
I really really enjoyed this book. It's an interesting peek in to the world of "the help" for staff members that work homes of the uber rich and famous. I really enjoyed the character development, even if I didn't necessarily like all of them. The plot twist at the end I did not see coming and it came to a satisfying conclusion to me, so it's a win!
August 7, 2022
This book doesn't have much of a plot but that's part of its charm. I would describe it as a slice-of-life book between a husband, wife, and their newborn and their interactions with the billionaires of Palm Beach. I enjoyed it, was stressed at times, and liked and hated the characters through different points of the story.
September 7, 2021
This was the August 2021 selection by Annie B. Jones, owner of The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA, with whom I have a monthly Shelf Subscription. What a wonderfully thought-provoking yet equally entertaining novel and the perfect end to my summer reading. Highly recommend!
December 29, 2021
Awful... I did not like any of the characters, especially the main character. I read over half of the book trying to get through it, but did not finish. Too political and woke for this Trump fan! Avoid this one as time is better spent elsewhere!
November 23, 2024
The plot and premise for this book is actually really appealing and interesting, but the main character is so unlikable that ultimately I can’t recommend it. Plus, it feels like it ends very prematurely with only one of what I would consider to be the major plot lines having been resolved.
August 13, 2021
I love books like this. So many layers of humanity, making many-layered decisions amongst the scope of what life hands them. Fascinating cast, non-rushed pace, wonderful sense of place, great read.
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