Monday, February 2, 2015

New Uses For Old Boyfriends by Beth Kendrick

All Lila wants to do is come home and be comforted by her Mom, enjoy the house she left to go out on her own and take some time to adjust to her life as it is now.  First she lost her job, then her husband left her for another woman, and she's not only emotionally shattered; she's poor.  Mom and home will make things better...

Penguin Group sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It's publication date is February 3rd, so you can grab a copy then.

Both Lila and her mother have lived lives of privilege.  They get what they want with price no concern.  Lila's father has died and her mother has continued living that way.  Now with the business debts and her mother's shopping bills, it appears they will lose the house.  Mom doesn't want to give up the house.  She has no income but she's been a model in the past.  She has some very nice fashion dresses that are now hot again because of the retro style and the names of the makers.  When Lila asks her to sell some, she's possessive of those, too.  But something has to give.

While Lila and her mom are trying to save the house and stay alive, mom is also promoting Lila's old boyfriend.  He's a nice guy and Lila thought she loved him, but it's been a long time and she has baggage.  She also doesn't find his kisses exciting; they're more brotherly.  Mom's not ready to give up.

In the meantime, Lila has run across a guy that says he took her out one night but she doesn't remember it in the least.  He's gruff enough and odd enough that he catches her attention.  When his sister lets her in on a secret of his, she knows she needs him.  He can sew and she needs his help for this new dress shop she's going to create.

Her troubles aren't over, though.  There's another dream lost but more will come to take its place. Lila finds new girlfriends, makes peace with having less in life, and even has a chance for happiness again with her new boyfriend by the end of the story. 

This is a quirky tale about a wounded woman who learns to stand up on her own and take charge.  If no one else will do it, Lila learns to take care of herself.  That's a good life lesson for anyone.

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