Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Maxine Hortence has the perfect life in 1969 Palm Springs--until her husband reveals at Thanksgiving dinner that he's leaving her for his pregnant secretary. Banished to Scottsdale following her public meltdown, Maxine sets out to prove she's perfect housewife material by entering Mr. and Mrs. American Pie, a beauty pageant for "America's best housewife." There's just one problem: Maxine needs a family. She ropes her closeted bartender into marrying her, gets two offbeat kids from her apartment complex to pretend to be her children, and sets out to win the competition by hook or by crook.
But along the way, Maxine starts to realize she already has the family she's been looking for, even if they are a bit unorthodox. Can she abandon her plans for revenge before she loses them, too? Mr. and Mrs. American Pie is a bawdy, hilarious, and heartfelt novel that recalls the humor of Maria Semple and the smarts of Jami Attenberg.
Synopsis
The year is 1969. Dick Nixon was just sworn in as the thirty-seventh President of the United States. Neil Armstrong just took one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind. And notable Palm Springs socialite Maxine Simmons just found out that her husband is leaving her for his twenty-two-year-old secretary.
After a public meltdown at Thanksgiving, Maxine finds herself not only divorced, but exiled to Scottsdale, Arizona. However, these desert boondocks will not be her end--only her Elba. The former beauty queen sets her eyes on a new crown: that of the Mrs. American Pie pageant, awarded to the nation's best wife and mother.
Maxine only has one problem: to win the crown she'll need to find--or build--a family of her own.
Synopsis
"A gorgeously messy and misguided heroine. I love this story."
--Laura Dern "The perfect blend of salty and sweet." --Booklist (starred review)
"Hilarious." --Refinery29
The year is 1969. Dick Nixon was just sworn in as the thirty-seventh President of the United States. Neil Armstrong just took one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind. And notable Palm Springs socialite Maxine Simmons just found out that her husband is leaving her for his twenty-two-year-old secretary.
After a public meltdown at Thanksgiving, Maxine finds herself not only divorced but exiled to Scottsdale, Arizona. However, these desert boondocks will not be her end--only her Elba. The former beauty queen sets her eyes on a new crown: that of the Mrs. American Pie pageant, awarded to the nation's best wife and mother.
Maxine only has one problem: to win the crown she'll need to find--or build--a family of her own.
Synopsis
Named a 2018 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist A gorgeously messy and misguided heroine. I love this story. --Laura Dern
The perfect blend of salty and sweet. --Booklist (starred review)
Hilarious. --Refinery29
The year is 1969. Dick Nixon was just sworn in as the thirty-seventh President of the United States. Neil Armstrong just took one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind. And notable Palm Springs socialite Maxine Simmons just found out that her husband is leaving her for his twenty-two-year-old secretary.
After a public meltdown at Thanksgiving, Maxine finds herself not only divorced but exiled to Scottsdale, Arizona. However, these desert boondocks will not be her end--only her Elba. The former beauty queen sets her eyes on a new crown: that of the Mrs. American Pie pageant, awarded to the nation's best wife and mother.
Maxine only has one problem: to win the crown she'll need to find--or build--a family of her own.
Synopsis
Palm Royale on Apple TV+ starring Laura Dern, Kristen Wiig, Ricky Martin, and Carol Burnett. "A gorgeously messy and misguided heroine. I love this story." --Laura Dern
"The perfect blend of salty and sweet." --Booklist (starred review)
"Hilarious." --Refinery29
The year is 1969. Dick Nixon was just sworn in as the thirty-seventh President of the United States. Neil Armstrong just took one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind. And notable Palm Springs socialite Maxine Simmons just found out that her husband is leaving her for his twenty-two-year-old secretary.
After a public meltdown at Thanksgiving, Maxine finds herself not only divorced but exiled to Scottsdale, Arizona. However, these desert boondocks will not be her end--only her Elba. The former beauty queen sets her eyes on a new crown: that of the Mrs. American Pie pageant, awarded to the nation's best wife and mother.
Maxine only has one problem: to win the crown she'll need to find--or build--a family of her own.
Synopsis
Stream Palm Royale March 20th on Apple TV+ "A gorgeously messy and misguided heroine. I love this story." --Laura Dern
"The perfect blend of salty and sweet." --Booklist (starred review)
"Hilarious." --Refinery29
The year is 1969. Dick Nixon was just sworn in as the thirty-seventh President of the United States. Neil Armstrong just took one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind. And notable Palm Springs socialite Maxine Simmons just found out that her husband is leaving her for his twenty-two-year-old secretary.
After a public meltdown at Thanksgiving, Maxine finds herself not only divorced but exiled to Scottsdale, Arizona. However, these desert boondocks will not be her end--only her Elba. The former beauty queen sets her eyes on a new crown: that of the Mrs. American Pie pageant, awarded to the nation's best wife and mother.
Maxine only has one problem: to win the crown she'll need to find--or build--a family of her own.