Gilt by Jamie Brenner – a Review

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Description:
One perfect diamond is all it takes to divide a family. Could one summer be enough to fix it?

The Pavlin family built an empire on love. As the first jewelers to sell diamond rings exclusively for proposals, they started a tradition that has defined engagements ever since. But when an ill-fated publicity stunt pits the three Pavlin sisters against one another for a famous family jewel, their bond is broken. No ordinary diamond ring, the Electric Rose splinters the sisters, leaving one unlucky in love, one escaping to the shores of Cape Cod, and the other, ultimately, dead.

Now, over a decade later, Gemma Maybrook is still reconciling the reality of her mother’s death. Left orphaned and cast out by her family after the tragic accident, Gemma is ready to reclaim what should have been hers: the Electric Rose. And, as a budding jewelry designer in her own right, Gemma isn’t just planning on recovering her mother’s lost memento, she’s coming back for everything.

From Manhattan’s tony Fifth Avenue to the vibrant sands of Provincetown, Gilt follows the Pavlin women as they are forced to confront the mistakes of the past if they have any hope of finding love and happiness of their own.

Review:

Gilt by Jamie Brenner was a wonderful standalone novel.  Gilt is told in two timelines (90’s and present day), revolving around the Pavlin family, who built a jewelry empire, famous for their magnificent diamond rings for proposals/weddings; including the illustrious Electric Rose.  This famous family jewel, divided the three sisters, with one eventually taking control, another moving away, and the other dead; with the family broken for over 10 years.

Gemma Maybrook, has just graduated, having won the prestigious award for Jewelry design. Gemma is the daughter of Paulina, who died and was sent to live with her grandmother on her father’s side; she has not had any contact with the Pavlin family, since the death of her mother.   Gemma has had success in selling special jewelry that she has designed, but even though she is low on money, she is determined to find the Electric Rose engagement ring, and reclaim what should have been hers.   Gemma decides to reconnect with her two aunts, in the quest to find the ring, and possibly repair the rift in the family. 

In the past and the present, we learn more about the Pavlin family, the mother and father, and the three sisters, Paulina, Celeste and Elodie.  The sisters became divided, over jealousy and love; and upon the accidental death of Paulina, 8-year-old Gemma was sent away, Celeste wanted nothing to do with the business and moved to Providencetown, and Elodie was the heir apparent to the business.  In the present time, Gemma will eventually meet her estranged aunts, when Elodie needs Celeste and Gemma’s signature to auction off some jewelry, as the financial situation at Pavlin has dropped.  This will give Gemma a chance to meet Celeste in Provincetown, and eventually Elodie.   

The three of them spend the summer at Providencetown, with Gemma helping Celeste at her antique store, and Elodie determined to get what she wants, until she meets someone who changes her.  Gemma will find herself becoming close to Celeste, and beginning to feel part of the family.  Will the three of them be able to confront the past mistakes, and come together as a family.

Gilt was a wonderful, uplifting and engaging story, with a fantastic group of characters, and so very well written by Jamie Brenner.  I suggest you read Gilt, as I loved it.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher