Pink Palazzo: A Steamy Palm Beach Romance With a Twist

by Kiki Astor

Penny Wells is a self-designated architectural historian at the end of her rope.Some people may consider her a spoiled brat, simply a trust fund baby, due to the rumored inheritance she’ll receive when her grandmother passes away. But Penny doesn’t want Grandmama to die. Her grandmother's a larger-than-life character, a Palm Beach grande dame both loved and feared, who lived in the iconic pink Venetian-style mansion at the end of Worth Avenue known as Palazzo Leoni. The Wells women historically don’t bother with romantic relationships, so Grandmama is the only family Penny has. And right now, if this were a rags-to-riches story, Penny is definitely at the rags stage of it, living in freezing cold New York City, on a shoestring budget, and taking every odd job that comes her way, from etiquette coach to cotillion teacher to features writer for House Spectacular, a second-rate design magazine that focuses on renovating old houses.

When Penny learns of her grandmother’s death, she is forced to return to Palm Beach to settle her affairs, and presumably, to inherit her estate, including Palazzo Leoni.

But of course, things are rarely as they seem, and it turns out that the mansion was built on dark secrets, rotten to the core, and crumbling around her, just like Penny’s life seems to be. To make matters worse, there’s another mysterious trustee in the will, and now it turns out that Grandmama’s romantic, and perhaps exaggerated, tales of her glory days in Palm Beach were hiding a rather significant lie.

In the midst of her unraveling identity, Penny needs a distraction, and lo and behold, it appears, in the very sexy form of William, the handsome handyman for the apartment building where she’s staying until she can figure out her life. Penny is instantly drawn to William, but he seems to be struggling with his own desires. He oscillates between flirty and grumpy, seductive and standoffish, leaving Penny suffering from emotional whiplash and feeling jealous and confused.

Penny had sworn off relationships, but for William, even though he's not her usual type, she would be willing to change her mind- if only he wanted her.

Will the hot handyman be Penny’s night in shining armor, or her ultimate undoing? And is he really who he says he is? Readers will be cheering for Penny as she embarks on a journey of love, secrets, and self-discovery, against the glamorous backdrop of Palm Beach, with its sun-drenched vistas, luxurious estates, and high-society intrigue.

'Pink Palazzo' is a steamy romantic mystery with themes of mistaken identity, forbidden love, and jealousy, With its chic setting and suspenseful story line, this is a must-read for fans of sophisticated and sizzling romance looking for the perfect beach read.

Genres: Romance

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2024

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, modern romance set in beautiful Palm Beach. I adore how Ms. Astor can really convey a sense of place. The details, down to restaurant vibes make it almost like you’re reading an exclusive travel guide. Happy to add this book to my Kiki Astor collection.

[Shannon Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy and charming poolside read

I devoured this book poolside in Palm Desert, the perfect getaway read. Kiki Astor’s characters draw you in as if you were a part of their superficial Palm Beach world. Pink Palazzo transports the reader to the glitz, steamy sexuality, and painful generational secrets that inevitably plagued affluent mid-20th-century American families aspiring to build noble legacies against the thin veil of social and racial inequity.

[Kelly Salmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the world of Palm Beach in this book. The story is ultimately a romance, but there's some history and family secrets too. Though Penny has the mindset of a rich spoiled brat, her job and money struggles are relatable. Loved the twists and turns as family secrets were revealed. I'd rate the romance a 7 out of 10 in terms of steam factor. A perfect book to take along on your travels.

[DaShannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun read. Got it from a Little Free Library and maybe the sequel, which I will probably read next summer. I took it to Florida, and it was a good one to dip in and out of, and not make me miss out on social time to get back to. A good storyline, developed characters, and a surprise thrown in every once in a while.

[Adrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fab read for lounging at the pool 👀
Lightweight reading, good romance and there is a mystery that keeps you guessing. I thought I knew where it was going from early on, but then it kept twisting in another direction.... Kept me guessing till the end!