Review: The Widow Waltz by Sally Koslow

The Widow Waltz by Sally Koslow

Published: June 13, 2013
Format: Finished copy via publisher
Publisher: Viking
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary via Goodreads

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?”

My Thoughts

The Widow Waltz is a tale of a widow whose life is turned upside down after the sudden death of her husband. Georgia Waltz and her daughters lived a very comfortable life, however while dealing with the aftermath and settling her husbands will she is dealt another unbelievable blow. He left her virtually penniless. While trying to find out what all he was doing with their money she finds out something she could never imagine…her adoring husband was having an affair. While I won’t spoil the book for you, the book continues with how she deals with these new found revelations and other things you can’t believe.

I enjoyed the storyline and the cast of characters. It explores how one learns to deal with the things that life throws are way. Showing how no matter how bad you think you have it, it all eventually gets better and you become way stronger than you could ever have predicted.

This is a wonderfully written story of hope, family and most important self-discovery, which allows us to know that we aren’t alone when life throws us obstacles.