Interesting book. Mental health issues, horrible men, 1957 was not a fun time for women, artist. Nice story. ( )

This was such a great read! It only took me a couple days and I didn't want to put it down. Don't wait for a summer day and the beach, any time you get to read about The Hamptons it's a perfect time. ( )

On Gin Lane by Brooke Lee Foster is a 2022 Gallery Books publication.

Everleigh’s fiancé, Roland, surprises her with a hotel he built for her in the Hampton’s. Though she didn’t ask for this, Everleigh, embraces the role, but then a fire breaks out, putting Roland in a financial bind, and both of them under suspicion, as detectives believe arson might be to blame.

Under the strain, Everleigh’s relationship with Roland, begins to fray, and she begins to second guess her decision to marry him. Meanwhile, Everleigh’s love of photography gives her an opportunity to work doing something that she loves. Yet her family, and Roland, are determined to force her to quit…

As she digs her heels in, Everleigh is becoming more and more certain she’s made a mistake with Roland, but can’t seem to find a way out of her engagement…

Although Everleigh is naïve, and comes from a wealthy family, she spends her summer in the Hamptons growing up and becoming wise. She still must fight with herself about social standings and appearances, duty, and how her decisions will affect her family, but she comes into her own, in her own good time.

There is a mystery, an investigation, and loads of questions about that fire, but for a long time the mystery runs in the background as Everleigh struggles with her failing romance, her desire to break free from the strictures of her life, as she falls under the spell of both her new photography mentor, Starling Meade, and Curtis, a doctor she keeps bumping into.

Once the revelations start pouring out, though, the surprises are stunning, and not nearly as predictable as I expected them to be...

This was a book I had intended to read over the summer-but I crammed too many ‘Beach’ reads onto my summer list, and, sadly, ran out time before I had a chance to read all of them. Usually, I packed all seasonal books away until the next year- but the premise for this one sounded so good, I had to have just one last summer fling before I pack away the summer books for good this year.

I loved the setting, the location, and the quiet way the novel unfolded, the character growth and the pioneers who paved the way for women to have more options in life and step out from behind the shadows of their fathers and husbands to gain more independence and control over their own destinies.

Starling might have been the trailblazer in this story, but though it seemed unlikely, Everleigh also became a trailblazer in her own right, as well.

Overall, I have to say I enjoyed my last beach flirtation, and think this was a lovely swan song for the summer of 2022…

4 stars ( )

On Gin Lane is the story of a socialite, Everleigh, in 1957 whose fiancé , Roland, unexpectedly gives her a hotel as a surprise wedding gift in Southampton, NY. Everleigh doesn't want to live in a hotel, having been raised in one her entire life. Tragedy strikes on the opening night of the hotel, and then Everleigh's life begins to unravel, and she begins to see that Roland is not what she expected. As they become more and more distant from each other, Everleigh begins to find herself, as a photographer and as a woman taking control of her life.
This is historical fiction, and while it highlights the perils of women in the 50s, the depiction of the socialites and the way they spent money bothered me. ( )

An effervescent, nostalgic look at The Hamptons in the '50's. Centers mainly on solving the mystery around a fire. And of a young woman trying to find her way in life.
Not too heavy handed in the tired "I want to be more and feel held back by men" vein, so that is good.
A couple of fun celebrity character cameos.
It bothers me that there that the cover art shows a blonde, when our main character Everleigh (love that name!) is a brunette.
Overall, a good summer read, with happy endings for most. ( )