For Richer For Poorer

by Danielle Steel

After working as head designer for Oscar de la Renta, Eugenia Ward started her own company when she turned forty, fourteen years ago. She is now a major name in evening gowns and wedding gowns, ready-to-wear and haute couture. But with the fashion business in major downturn, she has recently suffered heavy losses, and Eugenia desperately needs new investors—and new ideas.

At the same time, she is the matriarch and guiding light for her five adult children, a single mother for more than a decade, since her divorce from the spendthrift Italian prince she’d married young. As the family gathers for a summer vacation at a beach house, wedding plans for her daughter Gloria are ballooning in expense even as the loutish behavior of Gloria’s fiancé causes Eugenia to question her daughter’s judgment. Meanwhile, Gloria’s sister Daphne is due to deliver twins right around the wedding date . . . which is also very close make or break New York Fashion Week.

The silver lining in it all may be meeting Patrick Hughes, a successful real estate developer who’s also going through a rough patch. A brilliant and creative businessman, Patrick gives her valuable advice about her business challenges. Eugenia finds friendship with Patrick sailing on his yacht and starts to imagine a new beginning, independent of her roles as mother and entrepreneur. But as the family gathers for the big wedding, tensions are running high, money may be running out, and a hurricane is looming on the horizon.

Danielle Steel’s glamorous and gripping novel offers an inspiring portrait of a strong and determined woman who rises to meet life’s challenges with fortitude, creativity, and love.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction

259 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2025

About the author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the author is phoning it in. Thirty pages to tell the reader that the divorced successful owner of a famous fashion house is facing financial ruin due to COVID, one of her daughters is marrying a selfish entitled cad who wants to sponge off her just like her ex-husband , and she’s worried about her other four adult children. All the characters are cardboard cutouts who can be identified by their clothing. One daughter only wears black, one wears thrifted outfits with combat boots, a daughter-in-law wears Vegas showgirl styles , etc. Ah , the hero is a senior fox with his well tailored always appropriate clothing. All the ropes are here too. A money-laundering investor, impoverished and racist British aristocracy, a hurricane interrupting weddings and emergency childbirth. And happily ever afters.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book about family, friends, love, children and growing… both together and apart!

Eugenia has been a successful fashion designer for years. It’s what has kept her entire family afloat through the years.

She married an Italian Prince when she was very young. What she didn’t realize was that all he had was a name/title… No job. No income. And, no plans to ever have any….
She had five kids in a very short amount of time… and ended up raising them, pretty much, alone…

She eventually ended things with him and continued on with her children who are now grown… some with families of their own!

As we are introduced to the family, we see the strong bonds she has with MOST of the kids. She has always done EVERYTHING to make them independent, well rounded, happy and good! And, has always provided well for them.

Now, with Covid taking its course, and the fashion industry taking a huge hit, she’s not sure what will be in her future…

At the same time, one of her daughters is planning her wedding. Eugenia plans to pay for the whole thing, but she’s not sure how much she’ll be able to do after this…. As she will be wiped out!

As the family goes on vacation… all together, they realize that Gloria’s fiancé is NOT what they thought. They’re not even sure that they like him for her….

And a whole new can of worms has opened!! 😮😮😮

I’m going to 🛑🛑 STOP. RIGHT. HERE! 🛑🛑

This was a great read, and if you like Danielle Steele like I do, well then, you’ll need to pick this one up!!

#ForRicherForPoorer by @DanielleSteele and performed nicely by @DanJohnMiller.

4 🌟🌟🌟🌟 for me!

***** This one is being released TODAY, 8/12/25, so look 👀 for it on shelves today! *****


Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #RecordedBooksMedia and #RBMedia for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Insta @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
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[Renee's little gr library · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Stars ⭐

[Melissa Burling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I need to break my addiction of reading Danielle books, but hard to break as I have been reading her books for about 40 years.

They are an easy read for the Goodreads tally, but they are so predictable. The big thing that got me with this book and others, is that one of the characters (adult child) treats her mother so badly and she just takes it (over and over in her books). It makes me wonder if she is writing from lived experience due to her wealth and large number of children? If so, the kids should be ashamed of themselves.

[paige (ptsungirl) · Rating 2 out of 5]

"You learn a lot of lessons when things are difficult."

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's nothing like a quiet weekend, a cup of tea and a Danielle Steel book to curl up with. Occasionally, I am disappointed with her stories, but with For Richer For Poorer she delivers what I love most about her writing. A strong female lead character who overcomes personal and work related obstacles.

Eugenia Ward, a single mother of 5 children is a well known designer of women's formal gowns in New York. Then COVID hit and the demand for this type of apparel disappeared. The story is about her resilience and how she reinvented her floundering business.

5 stars!

[Maria McLellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one

I liked the whole story and people in it. I have enjoyed her last few books last two years best

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of a large family and their lives.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a typical Danielle Steel book about some very rich people. She repeats herself in the book many times which I think is just to drive home a point. Eugenia has five grown children. She and her husband divorced years ago. He turned out to be worthless and never worked in his life. He was from Italy with a title so he thought he was superior to everyone. Eugenia is a fashion designer and this book takes place during the pandemic. Eugenia’s business is in trouble because no one is buying high-end outfits like she sells. She is afraid she may go under. Fortunately for her rock bottom is a long way away. She meets a man who turns out to be as wealthy as she is. Of course money doesn’t matter to them and they just enjoy being together. I enjoyed meeting all of her children who are now young adults. Of course Gloria and her fiancé were portrayed as horrible people, which I think everybody will agree that they were terrible. The book has a happy ending with a bonus wedding taking place. I figured out the bonus wedding was going to take place.

[Tammy Adams · Rating 1 out of 5]

This should be titled “For Rich Or For Even Richer”. Steel obviously has no earthly idea what poor is. She’s so out of touch with the real world it’s not even funny.

[Audrey Martel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy reading….predictable and fun read.

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Richer For Poorer is my first read by best selling author Danielle Steel and once I got used to the author's omniscient style of narration I was totally wrapped in the setting of the Hamptons and the colourful group of family members.

This is the first book I have read that explores the effects of the lockdowns and how many businesses failed and people lost their jobs during these times.
It is so refreshing to read a story where the main character has a large family and manages to juggle a multi-million dollar business and also see to the woes and demands of her adult children.

For Richer For Poorer really is the lifestyles of the rich and famous and I loved every over indulgent minute. A family holiday where there is a housemaid, a chef and a nanny! Then we meet Patrick who has a yacht with a full crew, a chef and a masseuse. This story took me to another world, one that I will only live in through books.

A nice easy read that I totally enjoyed. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Danielle Steel laid out well, good story and quick ending. Eugenia has five children and is a designer with an excellent career, she married young and was charmed by the European aristocrat that is broke. A major name for a high end gowns but the pandemic hit and she has to diverse. She is scrapping by with having to provide for an exhusband, and the children that don't know how to make ends meet. Preparing for her daughters wedding Eugenia is trying to find investors into her business. Meeting a new friend Patrick she finds his confidence as well as insights helps her rebuild her business. Lots going on in so little time. 3.5 rounded up. The story is laid out and moves fast through all the details. Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good hook for the purpose - something to listen to while running, not too long (7 hours). Eugenia Ward is a high-fashion designer. In the time during/after COVID, women are not buying her high fashion line of clothes. She has to reinvent herself to save her business, all while dealing with the drama provided by the lives of her five adult children. She meets Patrick during this time, a commercial builder dealing with his own business issues in the wake of the pandemic. It was hard to imagine the poorer part mentioned in the title while they were dining on Patrick's yacht or staying in the compound of houses Eugenia rented in the Hamptons for her family's vacation (including a French chef for the week). However, a mother's concerns for her children rang true.

[Julie Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading Danielle Steel since I was a teenager and she has been the one constant in my bookish life. I own, and have read all of her books and they are all solid four or five star reads for me. This one is no different. What I love about her stories is that they are real and are about characters going through human experiences that are relatable. One thing I particularly liked about this one is that nobody was widowed. That has become a regular part of her books, that one or more of the main characters is widowed.

[Sheila Penwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story about Eugenia and her 5 grown up children Stefano, Daphne, Sofia, Eloise and Gloria. Follow Eugenia as she tries to save her fashion business in the time of Covid. Planning a wedding for her daughter Gloria and Daphne is having twins. First they will have their family vacation in the Hamptons and then everything else follows also while there she meets Patrick Hughes see how that goes and does she keep her business. A VERY GOOD READ.

[Carolanne wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to live on Patrick’s boat.

[Lana Dial · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Story!

Another great read by DS!!! I love her books! Always a good read! Cannot wait for the next one to come out!

[DAWNA gAINES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a five star read for me..

[Deity World · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it classic Danielle Steel you won’t be disappointed

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Margaret McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Enjoyable read.

[Kendelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and light read, predictable, yet enjoyable.

[Jenny Riddell-Wehmeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Richer, For Poorer was a solid read, but not one of Danielle Steel’s most memorable for me. The premise is engaging—wealth, love, and all the messy choices in between—but at times it felt a little predictable. The pacing was good, but I didn’t always connect deeply with the characters. Still, it delivered the kind of escapism Steel is known for, with a touch of glamour and drama to keep things moving.

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf- about 50 pages in I wasn’t feeling it
Same rich people now I have it tough waaa

[Linda M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. Eugenia Ward is a successful fashion designer of lovely wedding gowns, ball gowns, and ready to wear. When the pandemic hit, her business flounders and almost goes under. In addition to being a clothes designer, she is the mother of five adult children, one son and four daughters. Her youngest daughter, Gloria, is going to marry a British lord; very minor one. Geoff is a regal pain who puts Gloria down every chance he can. Daphne, another sister, is pregnant with twins. The brother, Stefano, and the other two sisters, Sofia and Eloise, complete the family.

Eugenia plans a wonderful week long vacation for the entire family, including spouses, friends, and others. During the week, she meets Patrick, a creative businessman. He invites everyone to spend the day on his yacht. He and Eugenia become friends and he gives her helpful advice.

This book has a good plot and interesting characters. I could relate to some of the characters, as well as what happened during the pandemic.

[Tina Prince · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Brandy Lemire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Overall it was a good book and I enjoyed the story.

[Jocy Curtis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story wasn’t great but had potential. It was SO repetitive. The narrator would repeat everything the characters were saying. It felt like reading that essay you had to write in high school that had to have a certain amount of characters.
There was only closed door romance…. But the amount of times “they made love” was said was ridiculous 🙄

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't even know if the author was trying for this book.
This book had a horrible time keeping my focus and I did not end up caring about any of the characters in this book.
This book sent me into a reading slump which is unfortunate because I generally enjoy her books.
Very, Very disappointing.