Older

Redmond’s lackluster sequel to Younger picks up with writer Liza Miller at 49 after she’s scored a hit with a novel, also titled Younger, about a 40-something posing as a 20-something thanks to some hair dye and tight jeans. The book is now being adapted for TV (just as Redmond’s Younger was), and Liza butts heads with Stella Power, the difficult young star slated to play the lead, after Stella proposes ridiculous rewrites in order to get her ex-boyfriend Hugo Fielding cast in the show. Hugo is cast, and he and Liza hit it off, though Liza’s wary that Hugo might be a player. Josh, Liza’s younger ex-boyfriend, pops up now and again, his presence reminding her of her intense attraction to him, though Liza is convinced their relationship can’t be rekindled because he’s interested in having children and she isn’t. Redmond touches on a couple of unique problems, such as how to deal with one’s life being cannibalized for television, but she doesn’t explore them in a meaningful way and instead focuses on manufactured drama many people would wish they could have, such as the attention of two highly attractive men. Fans of Younger—the book or the show—may like seeing familiar characters again, but others can take a pass (Sept.)