Just in time for spring, Kristen Wiig’s new Apple TV+ series Royal Palms takes viewers to mid-century Palm Beach and brings in Laura Dern, Ray The cast features a star-studded cast including Ricky Martin and Carol Burnett.
"Royal Palm" is loosely based on the book "American Pie" by Juliette McDaniel. So if you love the series and want to spend a little more time in its colorful comedic world, why not check out this 2018 novel? Here's a summary and closing review of the book that inspired Palm Royale .
Start from scratch
When readers first meet Maxine (played by Wiig in "Royal Palms "), she is facing a precarious social status in Palm Springs. She's looking forward to hosting Thanksgiving at home and even plans to invite Queen Bee Evelyn. But her perfect vacation is ruined when she learns her husband, Douglas, is divorcing her and marrying her pregnant secretary, Jennifer.
This causes Maxine to break down in front of guests, damaging her reputation in the society she desperately wants to join. As part of the divorce, Douglas gave Maxine his Scottsdale apartment as long as she promised to leave Palm Springs.
She did so reluctantly. She quickly befriends local tavern owner Robert and begins caring for her neighbor Charles and his little sister Dawn, whose father is in the army and her mother is largely absent.
Maxine passed the time by dressing up as different characters and testing new ones in church confessionals. Her acting skills are put to the test when Robert calls her from jail one night after the police raid his gay bar.
To prevent Robert from getting into trouble, Maxine told the authorities that she and Robert were about to get married, explaining that he had just stumbled upon the bar. The police even followed Maxine and Robert to the courthouse, where they got married to cover up the truth.
Now that they are married, Maxine convinces the makeshift family to enter the Housewives pageant, telling Robert it would be good for business and business. Remove any doubts about his sexual orientation.
Maxine found her family.
After advancing in the state pageant, Maxine, Robert and company travel to Palm Springs, home of the national competition. As they continue the riddle, Maxine is troubled to discover that Douglas is one of the judges.
When Douglas realizes Maxine's intentions, he threatens Robert, telling him that if he doesn't leave immediately, he will get the police involved. So Robert and the children went home. Meanwhile, Maxine blackmails the pageant leader into letting her win. As she accepted her victory on stage, she denounced the beauty pageant and told her new family she loved them. They watch at the bus stop and then quickly return to reunite with Maxine.
Ten years later, it was revealed at the end of Dawn's birthday that the family is still together. Charles and Dawn were officially adopted after their mother, Sarah, became unable to care for them. They moved to West Hollywood and shared a duplex, with Maxine and Robert each having their own relationships while still functioning as a family unit.
