Saturday, October 16, 2010

Make Me an Offer by Jessica Dee Rohm

  • Paperback: 330 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace (July 21, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1453650318
  • ISBN-13: 978-1453650318





Rohm's real estate background really comes across in this novel about two strong, successful but entirely different women.  Alyson Strong owns Marry Well, a glossy magazine designed to teach women how to marry and keep a rich man. She is beautiful, strong, ruthless and married to wealthy developer Walter Strong.  Unfortunately her private life isn't as perfect as she has a habit of entering into numerous extra-marital affairs.  Camilla Madison is employed by Alyson as the writer of a decorating column.  After moving to New York from Palm Beach and using her knowledge of real estate learned from her father, she is on a quest for financial independence.

After having a baby and coming home from the hospital to find an empty closet and a note from her husband saying he had left her for someone else, Camilla retreats into herself, unable to return to work.  Taken in by her friend Rose, Camilla slowly comes out of her depression and contacts Alyson with a business proposition that involves real estate. Alyson gives her approval and advises Camilla to speak to Alyson's wealthy developer husband.  This takes Camilla into the most beautiful and expensive apartments in New York, along the way meeting some wonderful and not so wonderful people.  We also get a peek into some amazing apartments, from the macabre to sleek and modern to art deco.  From Rohm's descriptions you could picture how the other half lives.

Following Camilla from frightened teen-ager to successful entrepreneur was interesting, fun and exciting.  Women will relate to her because she represents what many women are experiencing today.  Juggling motherhood, work and friends and doing it well, despite some bumps in the road.  The book is witty and well-written, keeping your interest throughout.

I would love to see this as a movie.  Perhaps Demi Moore as Alyson and Sandra Bullock as Camilla. I'd go see it.

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