Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

No surprise is a good surprise. At least according to thirty-four-year-old Daisy Richardson. So when it’s revealed in dramatic fashion that her esteemed father had been involved in a public scandal before his untimely death, Daisy’s life becomes complicated—and fast.

For one, the Richardsons must now sell the family home in Georgetown they can no longer afford, and Daisy’s mother is holding on with an iron grip. Her younger sister, Wallis, is ready to move on to bigger and better things but falls fast and hard for the most inconvenient person possible. And then there’s Atlas, Daisy’s best friend. She’s always wished they could be more, but now he’s writing an exposé on the one subject she’s been desperate to avoid: her father.

Daisy’s plan is to maintain a low profile as she works to keep her family intact amid social exile, public shaming, and quickly dwindling savings. But the spotlight always seems to find the Richardsons, and when another twist in the scandal comes to light, Daisy must confront the consequences of her continued silence and summon the courage to stand up and accept the power of her own voice.

Review:

I wasn't sure how this modern-day take on Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility would work.  The original book is about how a family of women lose everything, their home, their money, and their position in society, when the patriarch of the family dies.  Back in Jane Austin's time, when there was no male heir, everything would go to the nearest male in the extended family.  But how to create a similar situation that takes place now?  Make the man who dies a politician, and then reveal a huge scandal during the funeral.  This worked!

But, using this vehicle, the author found a way to discuss how women remain silent about bad male behavior.  The reasons for this are many, but mainly women think that by keeping quiet, they will protect themselves.  But does it?

What I Liked:

Premise:

After a famous politician suddenly dies, the surviving family members (all female) must deal with a scandal that ruins the legacy of the man.  As the women learn more about their father, they need to reconcile the man they think they knew verses who he actually was.  The book follows the plot of Sense and Sensibility closely.  Daisy holds a torch for a man who is a friend of the family, while her younger sister Wallis jumps right into a relationship with a charismatic man who may not be who he seems.  I liked that I had some idea about how the plot was going to go.  But also, it was refreshing that the emphasis wasn't on nabbing a husband.

Characters:

Daisy is the practical sister, who rarely lets her feelings show, while Wallis is an open book. I liked that the sisters looked out for one another, and their mom, but also maintained their individuality.  Wallis and her mom assume that Daisy will wind up with Atlas, but let her figure things out for herself.  They just want her to be happy.  Similarly, Daisy just want to protect Wallis from disaster.  Wallis fall for the son of an extremely conservative political (think Betsy Devos).  But, ever the optimist, she just thinks everything will work out.  Daisy knows this is headed for trouble. 

I also loved the mom, Cricket.  Often, when we see political wives "standing by" their man, we are critical.  Whey are they doing it?  Do they just want to maintain their position in society?  I think that Cricket really believes that if she is supportive of her husband, she will protect herself and her children.  At the beginning of the novel. Cricket is not the most secure person, and her confidence is rocked when her husband's scandal breaks.  But, she is a survivor.  She finds out how to become her own person.

Themes:

I found the themes of the story to be very compelling.  What is the cost of silence?  And why should women ever have to cover for the bad behavior of their husbands?  Is it ever a win for the woman?  But speaking out also has a price.  You have tp be willing to find your self-worth in your own accomplishments.  But women are conditioned to put the goals of their partners ahead of their own.  Hopefully, this is just a generational thing.  The challenge is finding that balance between supporting your partner, and pursuing your own dreams.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  February 9th, 2021

Author:  Lauren Edmondson

Publisher:  Graydon House

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction

Page Length:  384 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format: E-Book

Recommendation:  The author found a way to make Sense and Sensibility high relevant to our times.  Very entertaining, with a surprising depth.