Money does not buy happiness. Everything is not always as it appears. Themes in this story. Fairly interesting story. A bit confusing and the characters seemed pretty shallow. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read an advance copy.

First, thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

The summary: Veronica and Simon Cutler and their adult daughters, Elodie and Aubrey, are the quintessential Palm Beach family. In a town where social aspirations, wealth and charm prevail, the family’s reputation and pedigree are tops. The sisters couldn’t be more different or closer to one another. When long married Elodie, after multiple miscarriages, learns that she simply cannot conceive, she and her husband James ask Aubrey if she would consider being their surrogate. Wanting some family genetics in their child, Aubrey conceives for her sister with James’ sperm – implanted of course. But this is no scandal.<br /><br />I really wanted to love this book but it just missed the mark for me. The “scandal” is inconsequential and doesn’t really impact the family in any way that would be considered truly scandalous. Perhaps from the perspective of Veronica and Simon it would seem scandalous – but it’s more about private family information revealed that should have been disclosed in the first place – at least to their children. When the information is inadvertently revealed, it causes Elodie in particular to question her entire existence. The plot needs a little work in this area. For a true scandal, perhaps the information could come to light among their community, and for the family (in particular Veronica and Simon) to suffer some type of public embarrassment; followed by recognition among their peers that they did a good thing, while others acknowledge similar plights and redemption. (I’m trying not to create a spoiler here by disclosing what happened.)

On a positive note, Aubrey and Elodie are fantastic characters and their differences are charming. Their differences reminded me of the personality opposites of the two sisters in Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner, although not in such exaggerated fashion. One sister a free spirit and the other more conventional. These type of contrasts do create an entertaining story line. I like how the author alternated the perspective from one sister to the other in chapters. The plot premise is a good one, but could be fleshed out even more – but perhaps that could come in a follow on book that highlights the same characters and brings in others – like Alice.

Although this book is not intended to be part of a series and it is a completely separate novel, I think would help improve the storyline to have some of the characters from A Palm Beach Wife continue in this book so that there is continuity for readers. I think this feature would create more demand for follow on reading among a loyal readership.

I’m sorry to say it was a horribly written book. Soooooooo slow and the ending was very confusing. Thank you anyway Net Galley and St. Martins Press for an early copy.

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martins Press for an early copy. Very slow, good plot but did not like this book at all, made not much sense. What happened at the end?

All that glitters is not gold is certainly an applicable phrase to this book. Despite the clothes, cars, houses and yachts, most are merely for appearance sake and a facade as to what is truly going on. It was certainly the case in the Veronica and Simon show and the secrets they kept from Aubrey and Elodie. The strongest relationship in the book was Aubrey and Tyler as they were a true partnership and had great love and respect for each other. I was surprised by Elodie's behavior at the end and her cavalier attitude towards Grace. What she had claimed she had wanted certainly didn't seem to be the case!

Thank you for letting me read and review this title. it was a fun one. Grateful for the sequel as I love reading books set in a series. It was great to be back with these characters.

Don't judge a family by their outward appearance - a fun look into the world of wealthy Palm Beach!

Elodie and Aubrey have spent their whole lives trying to live up to the high expectations of their parents, Veronica and Simon. But it turns out that their parents had a few secrets of their own...why are they so upset that Aubrey wants to serve as a surrogate for the infertile Elodie? Why is Simon so distant from his family? The story alternates between Elodie and Aubrey's perspectives, and Marren adds plenty of ritzy Palm Beach parties and gossip to keep the reader entertained. I grew up near Palm Beach, so I can vouch that Marren did a great job describing that setting of insular opulence.

I enjoyed this book as a literal beach read - it was fun to peek into the complicated lives of these two sisters and watch the drama unfold. My only wish is that there had been a more satisfying conclusion to the story. But I'd still recommend this as a light summer read, especially if you like family-centered dramas.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A seemingly perfect Palm Beach family consisting of parents Veronica and Simon and daughters Elodie and Aubrey. Elodie is married and they have been trying to start a family, but all ending in miscarriages. Aubrey is a free spirit band promoter with her boyfriend. Elodie's husband wants to use a surrogate to carry a baby created from his sperm so they decide to ask Aubrey to donate her eggs and be the surrogate. Aubrey agrees, feeling bad for her sister. During the pregnancy, Elodie gets DNA tests for her and Aubrey to do, and they find out what!?

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author gave us an interesting glimpse on how rich people live, advantages and all, and yet they experience the same low points as the rest of us. This is a story of the lives two sisters, the older sister with fertility issues and the younger sister becoming her surrogate. This isn't a smooth road, though, as events from the past overshadow and affect their future. I once lived in Jupiter and worked in Palm Beach, so this book immediately grabbed me and did an excellent job showing how different the world is for the rich. I read the first book in the series and enjoyed this one just as much. I definitely recommend this book.

I would like to thank Susannah Marren, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Over all I liked the book. The lifestyle of the rich and fabulous, The problems the rich and poor share. And the bond between sisters. However, I was really did not like the ending.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Interesting to see how the other half lives and yet they have the same problems as the rest of us. Their lives take on drama and emotion between two sisters, one having fertility problems and the other becoming her surrogate. However, secrets from the past cast a shadow that will affect their future. I live not far from Palm Beach...truly it is a different world! My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Elodie and Aubrey are sisters, they are very close despite their 8 year age difference.
Elodie and her husband have been married for over a decade and they keep trying for a baby. Elodie keeps miscarrying.
Elodie’s husband James suggests that they ask Aubrey to help. They ask Aubrey to donate the egg and carry the baby.

I’m not sure Elodie really thought Aubrey would agree. It’s an awfully big ask. Aubrey also lives a totally different life style. Aubrey is finally happy with a boyfriend named Tyler. They find new musical talent together. She stays away from Palm Beach most of the time.

Elodie, on the other hand, has spent her whole life trying to fit into her own life in Palm Beach. I started to wonder if Elodie really even wanted a baby or if it just seemed like the thing that she was supposed to do.

When a huge family secret is uncovered, Aubrey handles it better than Elodie. By that I mean that Elodie starts questioning absolutely everything about her life. And maybe it’s not the best time to be doing that with her baby finally on the way.

I wasn’t in love with this book. I found it interesting and I wanted to know what happened. But the ending was lackluster for me. That makes two books that I’ve read by the author where they ending felt too sudden. My preference is for the author to give the reader a clearly defined ending.

I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks!

How far would you go for your loved ones?

Elodie and Aubrey are sisters and have always been close even though their personalities are completely different. Elodie prefers the affluent Palm Beach Lifestyle and is the director of events at the Palm Beach Literary Society. Aubrey, a free spirit and prefers living in Miami where she is a music talent scout with her boyfriend. When Elodie learns she can’t have children, her husband comes up with the idea of Aubrey being a surrogate mother for them. Everything is perfect until Elodie and Aubrey’s parents’ secrets come to light and causes Elodie to pursue more answers that lead her down a trail that just might disrupt their family forever.

I read A Palm Beach Wife and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to read this book when I learned of it. The story kept me intrigued the entire time. I started out liking Elodie and feeling sorry for all that she was going through trying to conceive. Aubrey was the one I didn’t like too much with her wild lifestyle. But by the end of the book, I was liking Aubrey much more than Elodie who started putting herself before everything and everyone else. I liked everything about the book, the glitz and glamour of Palm Beach, the secrets, family drama and the bond between sisters. The only thing I wish would have been different was the ending. It left me with a lot of questions when I really needed closure to the story. I can only hope it will be continued in a future book.

The Cutlers are the quintessential Palm Beach family with plenty of pomp and circumstance. Simon and Veronica and their two adult daughters, Elodie and Aubrey, are prominent members in their tight-knit community. When Elodie experiences fertility issues, Aubrey steps up and becomes her surrogate despite warnings from their mother. Their decision is kept guarded for the time being, or at least until Aubrey starts showing.  

As the pregnancy progresses, the sisters grow closer with a new appreciation for their differences. Elodie and her husband James are key players in the Palm Beach social circles whereas Aubrey and her boyfriend Tyler are living a more free spirited lifestyle. Both couples make sacrifices in order for Elodie and James to fulfill their dream of becoming parents. When an old family secret is revealed, the sisters' lives take a sudden turn. Both question how the past will ultimately affect the future.    

A Palm Beach Scandal is the second book in the Palm Beach Novels series. A realistic depiction of a wealthy Palm Beach family, it explores the in-depth relationship between sisters who are struggling to find their identity. This highly anticipated release touches upon raw emotions and the painful reality of facing life's challenges, specifically decisions that affect an entire family. Insightful and captivating, it is a notable contemporary read that addresses modern day familial issues.

This novel had plenty of angles to it, maybe too many. Eloise and Aubrey are sisters. Elodie has infertility issues so her husband proffers up the idea of Aubrey being the donor and surrogate. Aubrey eventually agrees, but their father is opposed to the plan. A DNA test reveals the girls don't share a father, and they demand answers from their mother. Elodie finds a half sibling and embarks on finding more and her natural father, to the exclusion of the baby her sister carries. I hated the ending. I disliked Elodie. She finally got what she wanted and then didn't want it. I don't know if there will be a continuation of this story, but I was greatly annoyed by Elodie.

I loved this book! It was full of twists and turns. Great writing! I hope there are more to come in this series!

Loved it!! A bit slow on the start but when it got rolling it didn’t stop. Very well done! I can’t wit to see more by this author.