THE LOST SUMMERS OF NEWPORT - Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White
William Morrow
ISBN:0063040743
May 2022
Fiction

Newport, Rhode Island - 1899, 1957, 2019

This is a three part story of a family, of sorts, or maybe of the house various members occupied throughout the twentieth century. Sprague Hall has been in the Sprague family since they purchased it in 1899. It is overshadowed by the nearby splendor of Rosecliff built shortly after the Spragues (new money) purchased it, and the magnificent Marble House, the Vanderbilt's "summer cottage". And the Spragues don't like being outdone!

2019:

Andrea (Andie) Figuero, with a degree in historic preservation, has arrived at Sprague Hall to work as the moderator of a reality television show called Makeover Mansion. She is immediately drawn into the dynamics of a family that is at odds with the decision. The elderly matriarch, Lucia "Lucky" Sprague has agreed to the filming in order to pay for needed repairs on the house. But her daughter is completely against the idea, and her son, Luke, who is Lucky's power of attorney, is determined to abide by his mother's wishes. Andie hears their arguing, so is somewhat prepared for what's to come as the production gets organized. But is she really prepared?

1899:

Ellen Daniels has been hired by John Sprague to prepare his stepsister (the Sprague family heiress) to meet, and hopefully, marry a visiting prince from Italy. Ellen, whose real name is Eileen O'Donnell, has fled Boston, and a nightmare event, hoping to hide from those who may be looking for her. She is a talented musician, and the Sprague heiress, Maybelle, needs to be ready in two weeks to sing for the prince. John Sprague expects nothing but perfection from Ellen, and his obvious need to pull off the marriage becomes apparent. But Maybelle is a shy, reclusive young girl who is more interested in reading Jane Austen than in performing for a prince. When the prince's entourage arrives, it is Ellen who accidentally meets him before the family does. 

1957:

Lucky Sprague faithfully does her societal duty as chair of the upcoming Tiffany Ball in Newport. It's a charity ball to raise funds for the Preservation Society which is restoring the glorious old mansions of the Gilded Age. But her marriage to Stuyvesant Sprague is a trial. His drunken behavior, lack of interest in his wife or daughter's well being, leaves Lucky with little to cling to. Her childhood friend, Teddy Winthrop, is the only shoulder she can cry on. And with her grandmother's fading memory, Lucky feels she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. The mansion is falling apart, there isn't much money to pay for repairs, and Stuy's behavior just makes things worse. Can she hold everyone, and everything, together alone? Her early childhood in Italy with her grandparents is but a memory now. Those were the happy days for Lucky. 

The three stories may seem separate, but they come together suddenly, and readers will be turning the pages to find the answers to a growing mystery. Or mysteries? The authors have melded an intriguing tale between them, and, as they have in previous collaborations, the end result will surprise, and delight their readers. 

As a long time resident of Newport, these authors nailed it. Don't miss THE LOST SUMMERS OF NEWPORT.  You won't be disappointed.

Jani Brooks