"A Hilarious story about Love and Friendships"

Thirty-two year old Claire Spencer is stagnating at the bland, senior citizen magazine where she has the misfortune to work as a travel writer whose articles are always stripped free of her trademark acerbic wit. Claire's personal life is no better, as years of "bad dates, horrible setups and one real bastard of an ex-boyfriend", combined with her parents' acrimonious divorce have left her cynical of men and love, while her tall, full-figured body always makes her self-conscious.

All the stringent, nitpicky rules she lives by fly out of the window when Claire meets and develops an instant rapport with Jack, a charming and gregarious American expatriate who sits next to Claire on a flight from New York to London. Jack appears to be made for Claire, they're so perfect together. Jack's honesty about his impending breakup with his current girlfriend as well the instant chemistry between them has Claire questioning her own long- held and painfully arrived at rules. Should Claire risk her heart and maybe reel in her Prince Charming or should she pay heed to that niggling little suspicion that says it's all a bit too perfect for belief?

There can be no question that Whitney Gaskell has created a compelling, thought-provoking and nevertheless entertaining book. Through the eyes of the central character and narrator Claire, readers come to understand how betrayals of the past and present have helped shape her into the cynical, self-conscious woman she is today. The wonderful suspense Gaskell creates is whether this leads to betrayals in her future as well....only this time will she be the betrayed or the betrayer? Claire's candor comes across in her caustic quips and sarcastic observations and she makes for a very witty and refreshing narrator as she rarely hesitates to mince words. Jack, on the other hand, appears too good to be true, and readers can readily understand Claire's disbelief. Also, their rocky romance creates some very intense and heartfelt emotional scenes. Through Claire and using rapier her own rapier wit, Gaskell pokes fun at the differences between the American and British cultures, gibes at job interviews, and even takes a swipe at ruthless editors among other things. Up until the very end, the suspense is well maintained, the story feel plausible, and Claire especially feels real what with her insecurities and pragmatism. All this takes a nosedive when towards the end melodrama takes over to create a happy ending, which while very satisfying, nevertheless belongs to the realm of fairy-tales. But that apart, the book is overall breezy, delightful and well worth reading.

Reviewed by Rashmi Srinivas
Posted September 13, 2004