Gilt

Brenner (Blush) shines in this tale about the women behind a Manhattan jewelry empire. Ruthless Elodie Pavlin is willing to do anything to remain CEO of one of New York City’s most venerable jewelry stores, and her estranged niece, Gemma Maybrook, is equally determined to make it as a jewelry designer. Gemma’s late mother, Paulina (Elodie’s sister), married Elodie’s boyfriend Liam Maybrook, and after Paulina and Liam were killed in an accident, Gemma was raised by her father’s family. Now, after Gemma graduates from the New York School of Design, her jewelry starts to gain serious attention. Meanwhile, Elodie wants to hold an auction of Pavlin & Co’s private collection, but she can’t do it without the support of the other signatories on the trust, including Gemma and another of Elodie’s sisters. As the three women gather in Provincetown, Mass., long-held assumptions fall away and genuine relationships and respect grow in their place. Brenner shows great skill at describing fine jewelry and the workings of the industry, and makes all of her characters engaging. This beach read sparkles like a two-carat diamond. (June)