They say you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but….I do. The cover of this lighthearted romp by Jane Lotter caught my eye for two reasons. 1. The people on the cover instantly made me think off all the old movies I used to watch on AMC, specifically Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. 2. I’ve been a huge fan of Bette Davis since watching aforementioned old movies on TV. It just looked like a fun read, and it was.
With a sharp wit and a martini, Margo (has to be a nod to Davis’ role in All About Eve) and Tully (the jilted groom) cruise along Route 66 searching for her niece and the $50,000 her sister, Charlotte ( Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte is another Davis flick) will pay her to return Georgia (the missing bride) to Malibu.
The cruise from Malibu to Manhattan allows Margo time to think and indulge in some self discovery along the way. There are plenty of moments where I laughed out loud but also some dips into reality. A lesbian dance off in Palm Springs was one of the lighter moments while the memories of a lost love made my heart ache for Margo. The past also reveals what The Bette Davis Club is, but if I tell you, it’ll spoil your trip with Margo, so I’m not going to explain.
Margo also realizes that those we place on pedestals can rarely live up to the mantel of perfection we place upon them, and rarely do they want to be there. Sometimes our eyes have to be pried open by others outside a relationship so we can actually see with clarity what we thought we had. I hope that makes sense.
In conclusion, if you have a couple days to relax in a hammock in the woods, a chair on the beach or curled up on your favorite chair, I recommend this book. Even though there are some emotional moments, it’s still a lighthearted romp full of wit and fun. You won’t regret it.