The Widow Waltz By: Sally Koslow

Title:  The Widow Waltz
Author:  Sally Koslow
Publisher:  Viking Adult

• Genre: Mainstream
• Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: 4
Review:

"The Widow Waltz"  by Sally Koslow...

What Is This Book About?

"Georgia Waltz has things many people only dream of: a plush Manhattan apartment overlooking Central Park, a Hamptons beach house, valuable jewels and art, two bright daughters, and a husband she adores, even after decades of marriage. It’s only when Ben suddenly drops dead from a massive coronary while training for the New York City Marathon that Georgia discovers her husband—a successful lawyer—has left them nearly penniless. Their wonderland was built on lies.
  
As the family attorney scours emptied bank accounts, Georgia must not only look for a way to support her family, she needs to face the revelation that Ben was not the perfect husband he appeared to be, just as her daughters—now ensconced back at home with secrets of their own—have to accept that they may not be returning to their lives in Paris and at Stanford subsidized by the Bank of Mom and Dad. As she uncovers hidden resilience, Georgia’s sudden midlife shift forces her to consider who she is and what she truly values. That Georgia may also find new love in the land of Spanx and stretch marks surprises everyone—most of all, her.

Sally Koslow's fourth novel is deftly told through the alternating viewpoints of her remarkable female protagonists as they plumb for the grit required to reinvent their lives. Inspiring, funny, and deeply satisfying, The Widow Waltz explores in a profound way the bonds between mothers and daughters, belligerent siblings, skittish lovers, and bitter rivals as they discover the power of forgiveness, and healing, all while asking, "What is family, really?"


 What I liked from the read....

"The Widow Waltz" was a intricate story that had many twist and turns  that you may find hard to believe...but maybe not.  I will say this story really take the cake and icing when all is said and done...and that ending leaving only for me to say Wow...I was all caught up in this story until  that ending?  I will say that this novel was a fast paced read for me because I couldn't put it down once I had started reading from it. 

This was truly a story that was woven into many lives with such intermingle with all the discoveries that would be found out in the process of it all was deliciously presented by this author.  I liked how this author was able to give us a good read of how this main character (Georgia) was able to deal with her unexpected circumstances of  life.   This was quite a family of dynamics which involved the widow(Georgia), two, daughters (Luey & Cola), brother (Stephen) and I think even the brothers' partner too.  For the heroine along with the daughters had to learn to re evaluate the life they had lived and enjoyed  and for a live of change.  I did like the interchange between the daughters because I felt it was real. 

 Be ready for some side stories in the rich tale as Georgia life crumbles, stories about a ring, stolen necklaces, French chefs, rock stars, dog watching...all coming to emotional roll coaster  as she finds that she really didn't need her husband to feel useful and or productive.  Thank God for that assurance!


 What I also liked from the read...

When all is said and done this could be any women who suddenly loses her husband and you are caught having to deal with something like this can really give us  something for all to think about. 
 In the end "The Widow Waltz" showed that change is possible for one through loving and healing.

 What gave me cause to wonder ...WHAT IN THE WORLD...JUST HAPPENED????

That  ending and I won't spoil it for you but that left me saying W O W and a few more words!  Is that believable!...OK...I know it's fiction but really????