First published 2008
Jonell McLain stands before a jewelry store window in Ventura, California, captivated by an expensive diamond necklace she cannot afford alone. The sight sparks a radical idea: what if luxury could be shared rather than hoarded by the wealthy few? After weeks of phone calls and careful persuasion, she convinces twelve other women to join her unconventional purchase. Each woman brings different backgrounds, beliefs, and financial situations to their arrangement. As the necklace rotates among the thirteen owners, it takes on unique meaning for each person. The jewelry becomes more than an accessory, serving as charm, metaphor, and mirror that reflects their individual pasts while shaping their presents and futures. What begins as an unusual social experiment grows into something deeper as the women discover that sharing extends far beyond their small circle. Their act of collective ownership transforms a traditional symbol of exclusivity into something inclusive, touching their entire community in unexpected ways.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, unconventional
Setting: California, Ventura
Period: 21st-century
215 pages · Hardcover · Ballantine Books