A fun read set in the world of luxurious New York society, where Lily Bartholomew discovers what is truly important as she ascends and descends the social hierarchy. Having married into a wealthy family, Lily and her husband are nonetheless struggling after the birth of their first child and the loss of both their jobs. Determined to regain some level of financial security, Lily begins writing about the snobbish social set she inhabits and finds herself at risk for making more enemies than friends. Filled with details of parties, designer dresses, and exclusive vacation locales, this novel makes for some fun, light reading. ( )

I think I found this when I was searching around for current fiction about New York City -- I had gone through everything Cheryl Mendelson wrote (e.g. Morningside Heights) and needed more. This was disappointing, but still strangely compelling. Boncompagni is an awkward writer (her characters rarely "say" anything; rather, they "chuckle" or "exclaim" or even "tsk"), and she tends to tell rather than show. Plus this is one of those chick-lit genres -- what's it called, name-brand fiction? -- where you not only know the color and cut of every item the heroine is wearing, but the designer and sometimes the price as well. (Is it a novel, or a catalog?) That said, this tale of a Manhattan socialite struggling to get back on the "A-list" is pure escapism, and the author knows how to keep us turning the pages. I really wanted the heroine to opt out of the whole who-can-be-a-size-zero game, "Sweet Potato Queen" style, but no -- she pretends, in the end, she's not playing by the rules, but that's because she's already won the prize. She may have ditched the Porsche, but she gets to keep the diamond solitaire earrings. Sigh. ( )

Lily is a fish out of water in New York society, with a witch of a mother-in-law, a distant husband, and an infant son. I've read many stories with this same kind of premise, and while this was not groundbreaking by any means, it was well written and the story moved quickly.

I did get tired of Lily not standing up for herself; she seemed so weak much of the time. But she does eventually grow a spine, and the book has a satisfying ending.

An enjoyable first novel. I'll be looking for this author's next work. ( )

Lily Bartholomew lived the sweet life. She was the ultimate “It” girl that everyone wanted to be seen with. That was about thirty pounds and a million diaper changes ago. Now Lily is married; recently gave birth to a healthy, happy boy named Will and can no longer fit into a size 2. Lily and her husband, Robert loves each other very much except for the other woman in the picture. This woman knows Robert inside and out, she’s rich and powerful as well as a force to be reckoned with and she’s causing havoc on Lily and Robert’s marriage. So just who is this woman? She is none other then Robert’s mother…Josephine. She is considered to be one of the creams of the crop women in New York’s high society.

Lily is ready to be back on top again. But it will be a long, windy and frustrating road ahead. Apparently though there are certain rules you need to be aware of if you are going to be an “It” girl in high society. They consist of being able to wear a size 2, owning all of the top designers clothing (but heaven forbid you have to pay full price for them), your worth is only as good as how many photographers want to take your picture and never ever call the beach “The Hamptons”.

The first thing I have to say about Gilding Lily is …….Fantastic, Bravo, Magnificent! I have not had so much fun and enjoyment from reading a book in a long time. Books like Gilding Lily only come around every once in a while and when they do they are a pleasure. You would think someone like Lily, who has lots of money, would be spoiled and annoying but she was neither. In fact she was very warm-hearted and caring, which made me fall in love with her as a character. Gilding Lily is a quick read. Author, Tatiana Boncompagni is dressed to impress with her first book Gilding Lily. I look forward to many more books from this great author. ( )

Lily Bartholomew has the dream life that most girls (not women, girls!) dream about. She met & married one of the most eligible bachelors in New York. She married into the Bartholomew family. With their trust funds & vacation homes, she is sure that her life will be nothing but "happy ever after".

But then reality sets in. She gets pregnant on their honeymoon. Her husband quits his job in her third trimester & her mother in law would rather see her dead than say anything positive to her or about her.

Flash forward a bit. The baby is five months old. She has not lost an ounce of the baby weight. Her husband STILL doesn't have a job. The debt is piling up fast. And when he decides to trade their sensible SUV in for a $97,000 Porsche. Lily is at her wits end. Will she ever lose the weight? Will things ever go back to the way they were before the baby? Will her Mother in Law ever treat her like a human being? Will they EVER pay off the debt they have accumulated?

Lily decides it is time to go back to work. Instead of writing about Hedge Funds she finds herself writing about the social elite that she so desperately wants to be a part of. And that is when the story really starts to get good.

I actually cried when I read this book. I felt so horrible for Lily so many times through out the story, that I just had to cry for her. Especially when dealing with her horrible, evil, wicked Mother in Law. And even worse when her husband took her Mother In Law's word over hers.

Somewhere in this tale of the New York High Society is the story of rocky relationships. The story of a woman fighting to be accepted by so many people. Her husband, her mother in law, & her "friends". It is a different kind of "coming of age" stories, but it is a story that you will find engaging & touching.