"A delightful romantic anthology"

Upstairs Downstairs by Alison Kent. In Tatem, Texas, since her father passed away five years ago, Avery Rice is very protective of her mother, teacher Susannah. Seeking freedom to date, Susannah drafts Computer Science teacher David Marks to occupy her daughter. David has loved Susannah since high school and hopes Avery will see him the way he lovingly sees her. With her matchmaking mother on his side he believes can succeed.

The Road Home by Jill Shalvis. In Martis Hills, California author Jason Lawrence keeps visiting veterinarian Melissa Anders with different animals though he acts uncomfortable around his "pets". His incentive to visit the vet comes from her mother as he owes his life to her. As Mel and Jason fall in love he fears how she will react to the truth because she wants nothing to do with her mother, who gave her up at birth.

What a Girl Wants by Brenda Novak. Quantum physicist Abby Ashton is stunned that her parents are filing for a divorce. Her mom Claire is irate that her spouse for thirty-three years cheated on her and so she is out to have a good time. Meanwhile her dad Walt is thinking of selling the family automobile parts business to former NASCAR legend Gunner Stevens. Abby obtains Gunner's help to aid her in her attempt to reconcile her parents in exchange for her supporting his purchase of the business. Abby arranges for the foursome to go to Mexico where love flourishes.

These three novellas are fine contemporary romances starring two generations of women struggling with relationships with one another and especially with the men in their lives.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted April 30, 2004

Summary

What's a daughter to do? Three brand-new stories . . .three exasperating moms. Abby Ashton's roommate-from-hell . . .her mother. If she doesn't get her parents back together, she'll go crazy. So Abby schemes to get them to Mexico with her, hoping the vacation will lead to romance. And it does -- for Abby and race-car driver "Gunner" Stevens! Tall, dark and charming Jason Lawrence keeps visiting Mel Anders's veterinary clinic -- with everything from a drooling St. Bernard to a potbelly pig. And the man doesn't even seem to like animals. Hmm . . .Mel is mighty suspicious -- but she never suspects her mom . . . Avery Rice is way too overprotective of her widowed mother. So when Mom gets a new man in her life, she enlists her cute tenant, David Marks, to keep Avery off the trail. And of course she's matchmaking. She's Mom! When it comes to love, mothers know best.