"A charming romance"

Prue Hale designs a successful clothing line for the Maple Hill Library. Her work has enabled her to move past her spouse Hugh Gideon until he shows up. Hugh has come to plead with her, insisting he never cheated on her with Claudia Hackett. Prue rejects his plea so he plans to move onto Alaska to help a friend start up a winery.

Prue is shocked that he is leaving behind his family's winery and his White Plains law practice. She also knows that by just seeing him she understands why she failed to sign the divorce papers; a horrified Prue still loves Hugh, but does not trust him. Hugh is ready to throw in the towel, but gives it one last try offering legal service to his beloved's start up business with the hope that she will see he never cheated on her. If successful, Hugh will next have to deal with the fact that she failed to trust him.

This engaging contemporary romance stars two likable protagonists who allow a misunderstanding to place their love on the brink of extinction. Readers will feel for Hugh as he struggles to get his recalcitrant wife to realize he could never philander as long as she is in his life; but also the dilemma of winning his case means still losing because he has doubts about any future alleged misstep. Prue receives less empathy although the circumstantial evidence seems obvious in support of her conclusion that THE MAN SHE MARRIED is NO MAN IN A MILLION as she once thought.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 18, 2004

Summary

Gideon and Prue Hale are still married—but try telling that to Prue. Even though no papers have been signed, as far as Prue's concerned it's over.

She can never forgive Gideon's betrayal.

When Gideon comes to Maple Hill with an offer to help get her fledgling clothing design company some publicity, Prue has trouble turning him down.

Especially when Gideon is being so nice. There's only one catch—she has to pretend they're still happily married, for his aunt's sake.

But while playing her part, Prue realizes she misses Gideon. And might still love him—