SINCE LAST SUMMER

Middle-class Rory and her rich friend Isabel return to continue their romantic adventures in East Hampton.

In The Rules of Summer (2013), Rory worked for the wealthy Rule family and fell in love with Connor, the Rules’ son. This summer, their romance seems to be in trouble. Rory feels they’re somehow pretending, rather as the adult Rules do. Meanwhile, Connor’s younger sister, Isabel, now Rory’s friend, can’t forget Mike, the hot surfer she broke up with last year. Evan, an aspiring comedy writer she meets at the restaurant they both work at, may help her move on. But alas, Evan and Rory seem almost too comfortable with each other….Rory is still aware of her relative poverty, even though Mrs. Rule accepts her as a member of the family. Relationships clash and change as the summer progresses. In this sequel, Philbin focuses more on the changing relationships than on the wealth differentials between her characters, but she still brings her understanding of the benefits and hazards of extreme wealth to the tale. Rory’s internship with a film crew pivots on her relationship with the wealthy Rules, while Isabel learns the real joys that can come from hard work.

Wealth, as seen from someone who’s been there, plus romance that rings true equals nicely entertaining chick lit.