Lily Steps Out

by Rita Plush

Empty nest, retired husband ... after thirty-three years of marriage as wife, mother, nursemaid, and family mediator, Lily Gold has had it! There must be more to life than making beds and cooking dinners. A lot more, she discovers, when she decides she needs something of her very own – a job.

Re-entering the work force is harder than it seems, and Lily has difficulty finding a position that’s just right for her. When she finally does, she knows it’s a perfect fit. But husband Leon wants no part of it, and off he goes to the bank to put the kibosh on her chance of opening her own antique center.

This is marriage? This is war! Lily steps out of the tired old habit of always letting Leon have his way. This time she turns the status quo into quid pro quo and gives him a run for the money. And, while she’s at it, with a little help from her friends, she breaks the mold of Lily Gold. But does she have what it takes to create a new Lily – a Lily’s renaissance?

Lily Gold’s journey is the journey of every woman who wants it all – love, respect, personal fulfillment, and real happiness.

“...engagingly written. The voice is shrewd, sharp, funny, and yet tender.”
–Joyce Carol Oates

“Charming and carefully observed, LILY STEPS OUT is a First Wives Club for the new millennium. LILY will win your heart as she ‘comes of age.’ A great read!”
–Kevin Misher, producer of Public Enemies

“...the writing is lively and true to life.”
–Francine Klagsbrun, columnist and author of Married People: Staying
Together in the Age of Divorce

“With wit and wisdom, Rita Plush proves F. Scott Fitzgerald wrong – there can be second acts in American lives.”
–Charles Salzberg, author of Swann’s Last Song

“It’s refreshing to read a novel about people whose desires and disappointments are so like our own.”
–Phil Wagner, editor/publisher, The Iconoclast

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 20, 2012

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily Steps Out by Rita Plush

True to life story of Lily Gold, an "empty nester" who decides it is time to make something of her life. Tired of being just a housewife she sets out to find the perfect job. She finds it is not so easy and she will have to do this without the support of her husband.

Fast paces read. Likable characters, some not. Laugh out loud moments as well. A fun read I really enjoyed, I could not help but cheer on Lily wanting her to succeed in her new life.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily Steps Out: Rita Plush

What is the definition according to Leon Gold of a Wife: maid, housekeeper, bed partner, organizer, cook, cleaner and definitely someone that is there to take care of his needs. Well: Maybe this fits someone living in prehistoric times or before the emancipation of women when we got the vote in 1920 but definitely not mine or definitely not mine. Lily Gold might be over 50 but she is not down and out yet. With a mind of her own she decides to change things up but in her favor not Leon’s. When Leon retires he thinks that things are going to remain the same. He can lounge around all day while Lily continues to service him in anyway he sees fit. Inviting their son Larry over for dinner to celebrate his newfound freedom and retirement, Lily relates her plans for her own future. But, typical male or shall I say Leon, he thinks she is going through some kind of hormonal imbalance, not thinking clearly and definitely does not take her seriously. But, when Lily decides to do something watch out! Going through the want ads, walking the hot pavement and looking for a job is not easy for someone her age. But, Lily is smart, enterprising and when she just happens to walk by an antique shop, enters and dazzles the owner with her knowledge well: Guess what Leon: Lily is now a working girl and you will just have to get over it!

Not really thinking that she will stick it out he cannot believe how much she loves what she is doing and how good she is at her job. But, Walter her boss, when you meet him is kind of strange, will sell to only people that he feels he wants to and often sales are lost but not because of Lily. So, what happens next that you definitely make you laugh and endear you to Lily even more? Wait until you hear her innermost thoughts at a dinner party and meet their superficial and rich friends. Some think that Lily is having a mid-life thing and Leon’s sarcasm at the party gets him in trouble. Wait until you find out what she does to get even! Priceless! Added in you hear the voices of many of the women as the talk about their vacations, their plans to renovate their homes and how they are really good at spending their husband’s money. But, Lily has other plans and when out one evening, believe it or not in the middle of the week, wait until you find out what hot and heavy Lily decides to get Leon to do and where!
Lily is definitely committed to her new job and becomes so involved with creating a new window that she loses track of time, upset Leon, decides to stay out all night and not admit to where she stayed. On the way to finding a place to stay she meets Rusty, a storeowner of an upscale boutique that most women would love to just be able to browse through and pray they can afford the prices. But, when you hear her story and listen carefully to what she says you would think if she could trade places with Lily and have her life and a Leon of her own she would give it all up. Lily is definitely discontent with her life and cannot seem to find a happy medium. Her job is time consuming, fulfilling and energizes her and her marriage is taking a slow crash and Leon is about to do something that will definitely surprise not only the reader but Lily too. As the author flashes back to when they first met, her mother’s reaction to him, his job and his dedication you begin to wonder if she is not doing the same thing Leon did before he retired. Can she come up with an even balance? What about Walter and the unique way he runs his shop? The author then enlightens readers as to why Lily questions Leon’s whereabouts at times, recalling with a friend what happened between him and a woman named Fiona and finally the end result with her son coming back home to live. Understanding her point of view, yet floundering on his own, Larry makes you wonder whether he is truly independent or just wants someone to direct his movements. Hoping for the approval of his parents he never seems to remain in one job and falls back on them when things get tough. Lily seems to be let out of a cage or maybe squatting at the start line of a marathon race and once the gun goes off she keeps running until she gets to the finish line. But, what happens when she gets there? Will she turn around and go back the way she came or will she keep on running? Can you run away from your life when things change? Marriages never remain the same and couples either grow together or grow apart. What will happen to Leon and Lily? That still remains to be seen.

Lily is determined to succeed in her job and Leon decides they need their own space. Trying to share her enthusiasm with him fails as she encourages her boss, Walter, to consider moving his store, finding merchandise he can part with and then revitalizing his business as partners. Flashbacks to their past, feelings coming out and many resentments are heard as Lily and Leon try to mend what might be permanently damaged but is it? Like a sculpture who takes a piece of clay and molds it to perfection and then decides to remold it again because nothing is every truly perfect the first time, will Leon and Lily try to do the same with their lives or will the clay piece get permanently tossed away?

Lily has her own idea of what she wants and forges ahead much to the surprise of her friends, Leon and her son. Wanting to start her own business required some creative financial thinking. Knowing that her house was in her name and that she could uses it as collateral was her ticket to her future. But, what Leon does throws more than just a nail in a damaged wall and the end could be near for both of them.

Walter proves to be more than just a boss but a loyal friend and we meet Ms. Douglas the owner of a house that would be perfect not only for Lily but for other businesses too. Just how this all pans out and whether she finally gets what she wants you have to hear, read and listen to the negotiations yourself as the narrator whispers what is about to happen before the dialogue is spoken. Added in we hear Lily’s own thoughts stated in italics and we learn more about Leon, his wanderings and his father Theodore.

This book is about change, taking a new turn in life and being able to understand that not everything stays the same. As Walter and Ms. Douglas face their own fears and have to decide whether to keep everything status quo or take a chance on Lily Gold and forge ahead, another member of the Gold family does the same. Hard feelings, sarcasm, selfishness and pride are not only the traits of Larry Gold but Leon too. When the final signature has to be placed on the lease will Lily be able to come up with the cash after what Leon did?

The cover of this book has an amazing statue on it that if in your home would be priceless. The statue was made by a famous artist and the end result is well you have to find out just how special this statue is and what part it plays in this outstanding book. Filled with humor, sarcasm, true to life events and it might even bring some tears to your eyes Lily Steps Out is a vividly depicted novel written by author Rita Plush who allows readers to hear the voices of each character loud and clear as the narrator sets the stage for the action to come. Each chapter can fill an episode of a made for television movie as readers will learn just how far Lily steps out and whether she decides to ever reverse and step back in!

Fran Lewis: reviewer

Let’s give this book : FIVE GOLDEN LILYS

[BestChickLit.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who fell in love with Shirley Valentine’s glorious attempts at reclaiming her life or has allowed themselves to be seduced by Anne Tyler’s quiet Baltimore heroines, Lily Steps Out will seem heartwarmingly familiar, while also managing to add a new, sassy spin on the story of the mid-life personal revolution.

In Lily Gold, New York author Rita Plush has created a perfectly modern heroine: flawed, confused at what life has finally dealt her, but single-minded enough to take it on by her own terms, and win or lose, compelled to stick to the course her newfound freedom has offered her. There’s a surprisingly tender touch to the humorous situations Lily’s newfound desires inevitably lead her into, which means the book seldom resorts to stereotypes or slapstick to get the laughs, but stays grounded and always recognizable as our world. Plush’s voice is witty and distinct, and her insights, not only into Lily Gold’s specific position in life – mother, wife and nurse to an ailing husband – but also into the multitude of worries and distractions sent to regularly punctuate a marriage, are genuinely rewarding.

Fresh and compelling, with a heroine you can really root for – and a husband who for once isn’t the villain or a dolt, but merely another duped and disappointed passenger on the journey of life – Lily Steps Out provides a window onto how the dreams you pursued and eventually won can often disappoint, but also how life never fails to surprise, no matter what your age. Old or young, there’s a lesson for us all: it’s never too late to rekindle those passions you thought had abandoned you, for true passion never dies.

Reviewed by Jamie Simpson on behalf of BestChickLit.com

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily and Leon Gold are at a critical point in their marriage. Leon has retired, their son has left the nest, and Lily finds herself feeling stifled and frustrated by her very existence.

She thinks a job might just do the trick. But when she begins working at Walter's antique store, she discovers so much more. She resumes her art history studies and realizes that she has the knowledge and knack for the business. But Walter seems stuck and resistant to her proposal to move the shop to an old house in an area undergoing gentrification.

Leon is also stubbornly refusing to part with any cash to help Lily create her dream.

So what can Lily do? Desperation is the mother of creativity in this situation, and the unique ways that Lily, and eventually Walter, begin to formulate their plan for Lily Gold's Renaissance, a store for vendors and their wares, are signs of how one can achieve any dream with enough persistence and ingenuity.

"Lily Steps Out" is a delightful tale of one woman's journey to finding herself and escaping her husband's tyrannical control. Along the way, she also discovers that sometimes you have to let go in order to move on. It took a while for me to get into this story, as the beginning plodded along a bit, but once Lily "stepped out," I was rooting for her. 4.0 stars.

[Christoph Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lily Steps Out" by Rita Plush is a very realistic and pleasant take on the theme of a female midlife crisis.
Unlike other protagonists in the genre Lily sees her life neither as a victim, nor does she see things black and white. Her husband and her son take her for granted in many ways but Lily's dissatisfaction goes deeper. The opportunity to do something meaningful or something she is good at comes into her life unexpectedly and it changes her. Her transformation when she realises herself how good she is is heartwarming and inspirational. Her problems don't go away, though.
Going for her dream despite the consequences isn't done light heartedly and Lily's honest reflections and deliberations are a highlight in this novel (Is there a right way to say no to your children?).
The success of her son in the business world is a great tool of reflection on Lily and her new life. Also the sons 'legitimate' selfishness compared to what is often perceived by those around her as unnecessarily selfish deeds by Lily is one of many great details in the book.Lily is a wonderful protagonist that carries this story very well.
This is a great story and a well delivered character study that is pleasantly low key and realistic and more importantly: upbeat, witty and entertaining.

[Sheilah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I began this story I glanced at some reviews. Yes, I am guilty. I remember one that said something along the lines of not much happens in this story. This is true. This is not a story that is a grand adventure that will take you away from your troubles. Instead, it is a story that is about an ordinary woman, living an ordinary life. And I think that is the exact point of the story. It is meant to speak to everyday ordinary women who want to change their life in some small way. It is a story that is meant for a specific audience.

The story reminds me of something you might encounter two women gossiping about over lunch, while they catch up on what has been going on, “Did you hear the troubles going on in the Gold marriage? For shame!”

Plush is a good writer, a light writer. While the story deals with some depressing themes, Plush keeps the tone light and in-tune with the chick-lit genre. It clicks along at a nice pace and I think there are women who will relate to the protagonist Lily Gold.

Overall, the story was not for me. I had a hard time connecting with the main character. But that is my own subjective experience and I do believe this story has an audience that will appreciate it.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

I describe Lily Steps Out as “women’s fiction,” rather than chick-lit, because in chick-lit the protagonist may have a love interest with a portion of the story working out how or if that relationship works into the rest of her life, but she isn’t normally married to him. Other than that, this reads a lot like chick-lit. Lily Gold is married and has lived a traditional life (even old-fashioned by today’s standards) as a wife, mother, and homemaker. I think she was happy with that life, but with her son building a career and her husband retired, Lily is ready for more, even if her husband is happy with things the way they are.

Lily’s search for something to give her life new purpose and how (or even if) to fit that in with her current life, has much in common with chick-lit. Lots of humor (both from some idiosyncratic secondary characters and Lily herself), some soul searching, and plenty of conflict, all combine into a story that is both entertaining and enlightening.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[Nikki Bywater · Rating 3 out of 5]

There must be more to life than cooking and making beds, and after thirty years of doing just this suburban New York housewife Lily is going to find out. Lily decides to go out and find herself a job, she finds the perfect one, and a fantastic opportunity, but husband Leon soon tries to put a stop to her new life. Lily must take on the new challenge of finding her own strength, and identity to become the woman she knows she can be.

Not a lot really happens in this book, although I did find it a little slow-paced, I wanted to read on and see how the story developed. For me personally it never picked up pace and I found my attention drifting at times. I wanted more to happen in the story; I found what was going on to be a little dreary at times. But it was true to life, realistic and a nice easy read.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true to life story.Lily Gold is an "empty nester" who decides it is time to make something of her life. I think a lot of women go through this once our children are grown and our job as a parent is done. What do we do now? Lily is tired of just being a house wife so she tries to find the perfect job for her. She finds it is not easy and her husband is not going to support her in this goal.A fast paced read, some laugh out loud moments, some of the characters were like able some weren't.I really loved this book, i cheered Lily on i really wanted her to succeed in her new life.I look forward to reading more books by Rita Plush.

[Ky Grabowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lily Steps Out was a light read. It was creative and refreshing. I enjoyed reading this book and am thankful to Rita for providing me a copy to review it. I admire Lily for going after her independence. Trying to keep that after finding it while being the person everyone once knew or still expected her to be was a great challenge. I think Rita added such character and realism to the story. I think both older and young people can enjoy this book. I sure did and look forward to reading more of Rita's works as she proves age is only a number in Lily Steps Out!