"Sassy and Smart"

Maralys is living in Boston making ends meet by designing web pages and doing a "Dear Aunt Martha" column on the Internet. When her two nephews call because their mom didn't pick them up, she calls a cab and takes them home. She finds a note from her twin sister Marcia that says she is leaving her husband. James has been a very successful attorney in his father's firm. No one realizes that he is in debt up to his eyeballs. Marcia, on the other hand, loves spending all that wonderful lucre but now that it has dried up along with James' career, she walks.

Maralys and James have never gotten along. He thought she was a slut and she thought he was a stuffed shirt during her sister's eighteen-year marriage. Of course, she and Marcia never really got along either. Maralys is a free spirit although much of her sassiness is self-protection. Now that she is thrown into James' company, she sees a very different man. He actually has a sense of humor and he is very sexy. She is feeling more and more attracted to her brother-in-law but is terrified of letting down her defenses.

DOUBLE TROUBLE is an excellent book. It is written in first person and is smart and hilarious. Who could not like the sassy Aunt Martha? It moves along at a very fast pace leaving the reader grinning or laughing out loud at Maralys' thoughts and the funny dialogue. Maralys who claims to change her hair color once a day hides a caring spirit although she would never admit it. She helps James and her nephews as well as caring for her father who does not appreciate her. Claire Cross starts each laugh-a-minute chapter with a letter to Aunt Martha.

Don't get the idea that DOUBLE TROUBLE is just funny with no romance. There is a lot of romantic tension and a few unexpected twists that make for a terrific romance. James is definitely a hero to die for. Everything was tied together at the end to make one perfect book IMHO (computer language that Maralys would use).

DOUBLE TROUBLE is certainly not the usual comical romance. No slapstick here - just very funny along with a serious situation. And I liked that everyone came together at the end to solve their problems. I have to admit to not usually enjoying comedic romances but if they were all like this one, I would love them. Ms. Cross has just found a new fan. DOUBLE TROUBLE is one of the best books I have read this year. She has just become a favorite. I am on my way to hunting the backlist of this very talented author. If you want a terrific reading experience, I would suggest you do the same! Can you tell that I really loved this book??

Reviewed by Marilyn Heyman
Posted December 26, 2001