"Excellent chick-lit romance"

No one does bagels better than Bloom's Deli near Central Park. Apparently, no one does romance better either as relationships are forging that no one would have anticipated. For instance, Susie Bloom is a pseudo- sophisticated Manhattan Jew; her beloved Goy Casey Gordon works as a bagel maker extraordinaire and lives in barbaric Queens. Casey lives in a terrific relatively large and new apartment for much less than Susie's Manhattan closet that she shares with roommates costs her.

Casey wants to move forward with their relationship, but Susie has doubts so while she films a family infomercial, he quits his job and plans to open his own specialized bakery. Casey begins seeing Eva and perhaps other women; Susie knows this is his prerogative, but does not like it even if she refuses to marry him. Will she choose the all- playground hoop star who loves her or will she opt for a sophisticated film life?

The sequel to LOVE IN BLOOM, BLOOMING ALL OVER, is a witty urban romance between what seems like two opposites in a gender bending way. Casey is a realistic dreamer (walk on to the St. John's University basketball team is one heck of a fantasy -- except perhaps this past season); Susie is pragmatic realist (trains crossing rivers to go to work seems obscene). Casey wants to marry Susie while she fears the commitment as living in the boroughs instead of the metropolis frightens her. Fans of New York shtick will appreciate this fine tale that showcases the Manhattan attitude not just across the Hudson, but also to the rest of the city where obviously Attila the Hun resides.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted June 12, 2004