The Editor by Steven Rowley

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Penguin First to Read/Penguin Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

James Smale is a struggling writer in 1990s New York City. He finally sells his novel to a major publishing house, but what he doesn't know, is that his big break comes because one of the most famous women in America has championed his work.

His editor is none other than Jacqueline Kenney Onasis—or Mrs. Onassis as she is called in the office—as in the former First Lady of the United States. She happened to fall in love with Jame's candid semi-autobiographical novel that pulls back the curtain on his own dysfunctional family.

The stress of publication is putting on strain on James' relationships with both his partner and his family. James suddenly finds himself unable to finish the manuscript even with Jackie's encouragement.

Jackie and James develop a friendship and it is Jackie who persuades James to visit his mother. James returns home to confront the truth about his relationship with his mother and during the visit, a family secret is unearthed. It is another mother's intuition that has a hand in James' life's plan.

Rowley's latest book is about mothers and sons, and an unexpected friendship that will forever change one man.

What I found so fantastic is that Jackie didn't eclipse James—she is the perfect addition to the story with her poise, grace, and sophistication. There is also an immense sadness about her and instead of being swallowed up and consumed by grief, Jackie is empathetic and clever as is the story. Rowley took a risk using someone as famous as Jackie Kennedy Onassis because she could have stolen the scenes away from James thus making him more of a supporting character, but this doesn't happen at all.

Rowley took a risk using someone as famous as Jackie Kennedy Onassis because she could have stolen the scenes away from James thus making him more of a supporting character, but this doesn't happen at all—he stays true to James' story. James is a well-developed character with an incredible amount of depth and growth. What happens instead is the two characters play off one another, and the reader is a witness to their beautiful friendship.

The Editor is utterly endearing and Rowley's words are as elegant as Jackie herself.

BUY NOW

STEVEN ROWLEY has worked as a freelance writer, newspaper columnist, and screenwriter. Originally from Portland, Maine, he is a graduate of Emerson College. Lily and the Octopus was his first novel.

He currently resides in Los Angeles with his boyfriend and their dog.