Ellen Meister (a favorite author) returns following Take My Husband and her popular Dorothy Parker stories with her ninth novel, a fun romp adventure of second chances and reinvention—DIVORCE TOWERS.

A young woman at her lowest takes a job in Beverly Hills among the rich and shameless, with more scandal and drama, than she bargained for.

Everyone deserves a second chance.

About...

Meet Addison Torres, a native of Queens, NY, with nothing left to lose— no job, no fiancé, no parents. She was fired from her best and worst job. A Manhattan premier matchmaker to the rich. Her boss was toxic. She made a mistake with a client, and her engagement with Marco ended.

That part of her life is over. After all this and more, she has taken a vow of celibacy.

She is about to start her new life. A new job.

Her great Uncle Arnie (her last living relative) offers her a concierge job at his glamorous highrise Beverly Hills condo in sunny LA, California.

She was a genius at finding matches for other people, but not so much when it came to herself.

Dr. Arnold Glass (Uncle Arnie), her last living relative, age 75, is a retired plastic surgeon. He is a player and a charmer.

Addison would be their building's new concierge at the luxurious Beekman Towers―(Divorce Towers) named for all the newly single residents with the most eligible and entitled bachelors.

Divorce Towers is for the uberwealthy, where affluent people move when their marriage falls apart or their spouse kicks them out.

Soon, Addison finds this condo is a Peyton Place and every divorcee over fifty wants a piece of her uncle. There are breakups, drama, gossip, and mystery. As a concierge, she would essentially be a camp counselor to the rich, glamorous, and naughty.

She must make this work.

She observes her uncle is dating airheads, bimbos, and stoners. She knows he needs a woman of substance. With her matchmaking skills, she is on a mission to find the perfect woman for her uncle.

In the meantime, there are two men who grab her attention—Zack, a caring tech geek, and Dante, a talent agent. The last thing she wants is a romantic relationship.

Will she find her uncle the perfect woman?

My thoughts...

DIVORCE TOWERS is wickedly delicious, hilarious, and highly entertaining; readers will enjoy this group of seniors and the cast of colorful characters, where there is never a dull moment. Full of humor, heart, mystery, scandal, and second chances with a bit of romance!

I have been a huge fan of the author for many years and loved the wink to America’s most celebrated literary wit, Dorothy Parker. Ellen writes compelling, compassionate novels with characters you come to know and love.

Told from multiple POVs, Addison, Carly, and Arnie, the author keeps you entertained until the satisfying ending. I enjoyed Addison, Zach, and Uncle Arnie’s journey and the ending.

THE DIVORCE TOWERS is a fun, light-hearted story with quirky characters, full of wit and sass. It is never too late to start over.

Having lived in my share of highrises with seniors, trust me there is always something going down (the fictional tale is very realistic).

I adore Ellen Meister's books and her dark humor (her Dorothy Parker and others). Stay tuned for her upcoming book, JOYRIDE (2025)

Interview...

Check out my fun #AuthorElevatorSeries, where we go behind the book and up close and personal with this talented author.

Recs...

For fans of the author, Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan, Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Weiner, Kaira Rouda, and Sally Hepworth.

Thanks to Montlake for a gifted digital advanced review copy via NetGalley for an honest review.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDColins.com | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Sept 1, 2024
September 2024 Must-Read Books
Author Q&A Interview

Divorce Towers is absolutely delicious —as scrumptious as an espresso soaked tiramisu or a creme brulee, its velvety custard hidden beneath a crisp, crackling sugar top. The characters are unforgettable—rich, elegant, and diverse, the plot has beautifully constructed layers and unexpected twists, there’s snarky but intelligent dialogue, and it all takes place in a fairytale like setting. Through the grouping of these delectable ingredients, a sexy, steamy, “you will never be able to put this down” yet refined book emerges. It’s reminiscent of the two Jackies—Collins and Susann, but updated for 2024 and well, just better on every level. Written from the point of view of multiple characters spanning different generations—the fabulous Addison, who keeps finding love though she insists she’s not looking—shy, recently separated from her verbally abusive husband Carly, a metamorphosis waiting to happen—and Arnie, who is at least fictional proof that 75 year old men are incredibly sexually active—the innuendos are both hot and hilarious. Can you say a visit to the National Museum of Torture followed by a spanking and an enchanted S&M wedding that includes an armed, uninvited guest? That’s only the tip of the iceberg. Divorce Towers is tender and witty and you will find yourself caring about all of the characters, so much so you will be sad when you’re finished reading…until you realize that it’s also ripe for a sequel. A sequel, you say? Sign me up!

DIVORCE TOWERS by Ellen Meister
Such a sexy, intriguing, satisfying book, with an ending full of surprises that made so much sense as I thought back through the gilded nuggets of clues (I was going to say breadcrumbs, but that’s too ordinary for this splendid setting). A sigh of happiness, but also regret that it was finished. It’s going to be a hard book to follow.
Beekman Towers aka Divorce Towers is luxurious — descriptions made me wish I could live there, at least for a while, or even just drop in to enjoy the rooftop pool and restaurant. It’s also a bit scandalous, as if Peyton Place were a high rise. At heart, though, everyone is seeking connection, even if it’s sometimes misdirected.
When Addison leaves N.Y. and her career as a matchmaker, she brings her gifts and instincts with her, but she has to contend with the demanding and entitled wealthy residents, scheming exes, larceny, scandals, and her own foibles. Also, she can’t drive (in L.A.!) and has an allergy to cats. (I can relate to both challenges).
She’s so very likable that I’m sad to leave her company. I’d love this to be the start of a series, or perhaps a Netflix series . . . oh yes, that would be good, too. For now, I’ll be content with a marvelous book.

Ellen book Divorce Towers
This book is fantastic! It's got everything. Ample sexy romance, an intriguing mystery, lovable characters, non-stop action, lots of laughs, and plenty of heart.

We meet smart, sultry Addison as she's boarding a plane for LA to start a new life as a concierge at an upscale apartment building. She was recommended for the job by her charming, vibrant Uncle Arnie. It comes at the perfect time as she's just blown up her life in New York by losing both her job and her fiance. But what she didn't count on was the apartment building being a cauldron of drama, gossip, and intrigue as its inhabitants are mainly wealthy, divorced scamps who love to play and can't wait to get Addison embroiled in their shenanigans.

Addison shines as the center in this fast-paced page turner. There's a lot simmering under her surface, and she needs all her wits to navigate the fascinating people she's been thrown into. Especially because she's intent on helping her uncle once again find love. He's a lovable scamp with a talent for finding Ms Wrong, but he never loses his generous, gregarious, and humorous nature.

The men in this book sizzle off the page and several other intriguing women enter the mix. There's a lot going on, but you'll never feel lost. Instead, you just get pulled deeper  while being charmed by most everyone. Best of all, though it's a page-turner, it's nit all froth. There's plenty of heart and emotion which raises the stakes.

This is a delightful, expertly crafted romantic page turner with a mystery twist.