Synopsis:
Set in the glamorous 1920s, A Fine Imitation is an intoxicating debut that sweeps readers into a privileged Manhattan socialite’s restless life and the affair with a mysterious painter that upends her world, flashing back to her years at Vassar and the friendship that brought her to the brink of ruin.
Vera Bellington has beauty, pedigree, and a penthouse at The Angelus–the most coveted address on Park Avenue. But behind the sparkling social whirl, Vera is living a life of quiet desperation. Her days are an unbroken loop of empty, champagne-soaked socializing while her nights are silent and cold, spent waiting alone in her cavernous apartment for a husband who seldom comes home.
Then Emil Hallan arrives at The Angelus to paint a mural above its glittering subterranean pool. The handsome French artist moves into the building, shrouds his work in secrecy, and piques Vera’s curiosity, especially when the painter keeps dodging questions about his past. Is he the man he claims to be? Even as she finds herself increasingly drawn to Hallan’s warmth and passion, Vera can’t suppress her suspicions. After all, she has plenty of secrets, too–and some of them involve art forgers like her bold, artistically talented former friend, Bea, who years ago, at Vassar, brought Vera to the brink of catastrophe and social exile.
When the dangerous mysteries of Emil’s past are revealed, Vera faces an impossible choice–whether to cling to her familiar world of privilege and propriety or to risk her future with the enigmatic man who has taken her heart. A Fine Imitationexplores what happens when we realize that the life we’ve always led is not the life we want to have.
My Rating: 5 stars
My Review:
Readers won’t be able to set this book down, once they begin reading it. A Fine Imitation is the first novel I have read by the more than talented writer, Amber Brock. Her main character, Vera Belington, will call all readers to this intriguing historical read.
Vera Bellington is a woman who grows up having it all. The richness of life is constant but lacking in a few areas. One area is her mom. Another is the loveless marriage she’s found herself bound within…will her life change? Now, enters a mysterious man. Then there’s a painter, who ignites a passion in Vera that she can’t ignore. But nobody is perfect. Vera soon finds herself sandwiched in a place where she must make decisions. Where she decides to head and what happens next, is for readers to find themselves.
A Fine Imitation is one marvelous novel that is stunning well-developed and the words on every page will entice readers every time. Amber Brock is the new author to watch for…her writing is exciting, brilliant, and vibrant. Characters are so life like it’s hard to believe it’s all a work one clever mind. Overall, I highly recommend this title to readers everywhere.
Urban Book Reviews 