Room and Board by Miriam Parker

Room and Board 

Book Summary 

A charming and redemptive novel about unexpected second chances, following a publicist who, after the sudden implosion of her career, takes a job as a dorm mom at a Sonoma boarding school that happens to be her alma mater.

Gillian thought she had everything she ever wanted—as a successful publicist running her own Manhattan firm and working with a high-profile-celebrity clientele, she finally made herself at home among the elite who eluded her throughout her youth. That is, until her career implodes, leaving her jobless, friendless, and with a googleable reputation that follows her everywhere. So, when she receives an offer to become a “dorm mom” at Glen Ellen Academy, the prestigious Sonoma boarding school she attended two decades earlier on scholarship, she leaps at the opportunity for a change of scene—at least until she can figure out how to rehabilitate her career.

But Gillian is surprised to find herself enjoying her new life: her role as a mentor is unexpectedly fulfilling, she finds a community, and most surprisingly of all she runs into an old flame from her own time at school, who is just as dashing now as he was then. However, just as she begins to feel comfortable, a scandal surfaces on campus that threatens to derail everything, and Gillian must figure out how to save her job, her students, her friends, and her new romance before it’s too late.

My Thoughts

Room and Board by Miriam Parker is the perfect cure for insomnia.  I struggled to finish this book. The disgraced publicist becomes a dorm mom at the boarding school she attended for high school.  We are left to wonder how she got this this job for which she is not qualified.  The other dorm moms must do double duty by teaching and chaperoning a building full of students.  Gillian neglects her job from the beginning.  The first night she is too tired to check on her charges and is just shocked when she discovers evidence of partying in the building the next day including the requisite sick teenager from overindulging in alcohol.  This will not be the last time Gillian neglects her duties (dating before duties seems to be Gillian’s motto).  I was surprised when a pampered princess named Bunny (a senior) befriends Gillian.  Bunny and her clique frequently hang out in Gillian’s suite.  The students just love Gillian, and they trust her from the beginning (is anyone buying this).  Gillian pays more attention to her love life than the students she is responsible for.  Gillian’s crush from high school is now the father of Rainbow who happens to live in Gillian’s dorm (what a coincidence).  Here is Gillian’s chance for the man she has been unable to get out of her thoughts for twenty years.   She is willing to overlook what he did back in high school.  

The students are your stereotypical pampered rich kids who expect the best and enjoy torturing the scholarship students.  I believe the author has spent too much time watching Gossip Girl (both versions) and Gilmore Girls.  I can see details from both shows in the book.  I had to roll my eyes at some of the scenes.  When you put out a sign stating that you can ask me anything, what do you expect.  People are going to ask you some ridiculous questions.  Gillian gets annoyed when a child shows up at her door asking for help.  This means taking time away from getting ready for a date or stalking her crush on social media.    The author is detail oriented.  I really did not need to know what Gillian wore down to her shoes or that she spends an hour doing her face care routine (or all the items she used to keep her skin looking youthful).  There are many contradictions in the book.  If the headmaster’s assistant does the accounting for the school, why is there a finance department?  Gillian tells the girls that accepting freebies will make you beholden to others, but readers are told in great detail how the majority of Gillian’s wardrobe is from freebies (clients and from companies).  The dialogue is awkward and unrealistic (the author should have spent some time talking to teenagers).  There were some plot points started in the book that were never revisited while others were left unresolved.  I found the ending to be unrealistic.  Room and Board is one of those books that left me feeling like I had just wasted a few hours of my time.  

Room and Board comes out Tuesday, August 16 and it can be preordered from Amazon*.  You can follow Miriam Parker on Amazon to receive an email when she has a new book release.  Room and Board was not a good fit for me.  I do suggest that you download a sample so you can judge it for yourself.  I appreciate you stopping by today and reading my book review.  The Challenge by Danielle Steel is on deck for tomorrow.  We are halfway through August which is the hottest month in Florida.  I am eager for fall to arrive.  I am keeping myself busy (while I impatiently wait for fall) planning my outdoor Halloween decorations.  I am hoping to rope in a neighbor or two. I have more ideas than space. I hope that you have a joyful day (joy is good for you).  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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