This Girl Just Wants to Have Fun

Thank you to Doubleday for sending me an advanced reading copy of Parlor Games by Maryka Biaggio in exchange for an honest review. Parlor Games is available on January 15, 2013.

What can I say about Maryka Biaggio’s Parlor Games? It’s fun, carefree and most importantly, it’s utterly scandalous. Parlor Games is a whirlwind memoir of May Dugas’ adventures around the world. Based on a true story, May Dugas is part con artist, part whore and mostly genius.

She befriends aristocratic men in exchange for money, diamonds and fancy trips around the world. Born in a small town to a poor family, it’s all May can do if she wants to see the world and live life like a baller. People get hurt but May mostly cares about May’s needs so when things get bad, May gets out.

And it’s mostly because of a certain Pinkerton Agency spy who repeatedly spoils May’s plans and outs her for being the conscience-free scam artist she really is. Talk about kill-joy.

Based at the turn of the 19th century, May starts the story off by telling you about how a woman named Frank is suing her. May isn’t the least bit remorseful and at the end of the day; there are no hard lessons learned here. But May’s charm and joie de vivre will have you forgetting her wrongs.

I highly recommend Parlour Games to those who enjoy Downton Abbey, The American Heiress and The Virgin Cure. There are moments of grief but it’s hard to believe someone like May Dugas would let anything stand in her way of having a whole lot of fun.

Related Articles: Parlor Games by Maryka Biaggio : Review (archeddoorway.com)

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