January 5, 2004
Scattered with references to Roman Holiday
, this would-be madcap romantic comedy by the sister of bestselling chick-lit writer Sophie Kinsella strives for love, laughs and intrigue but lacks the necessary charm and flair. Blithely irresponsible Georgie Beauchamps, a researcher at a legal publishing company in London, dates serious, dependable David Bradley, an accountant who investigates crooked financial dealings. But Georgie still holds a torch for her ex, the devilishly handsome Mike Marshall, and when Mike asks her to accompany him on a trip to Rome, Georgie jumps at the opportunity, thinking he has realized the error of his ways and is trying to win her back. But the suddenly wealthy Mike seems to be up to no good, and when David shows up in Rome on business, Georgie slowly starts delving into the puzzle. But Georgie unveils more than just a mystery—she discovers a source of strength in herself, uncovering a scandal at her own company and accusing long-suffering David of treating her like a child when he miraculously forgives her for her dalliances and betrayals. David may play along, but some readers will be rubbed the wrong way by Georgie. Though the plot zooms as fast (if sometimes as erratically) as a Vespa on the streets of Rome, the novel's selfish protagonist drains the fun from this jangly caper.
January 1, 2004
Georgie is convinced life is perfect with her dependable accountant boyfriend, David, until her last boyfriend, the aimless (but devilishly sexy) cad, Mike, reenters it. Mike is now the owner of a swanky BMW and his own record company, and his flirty e-mails and champagne lunches have Georgie's head spinning and David's blood boiling. David's workaholic tendencies have Georgie agreeing to a weekend away with Mike. But the romantic Roman holiday turns sour when Mike is too busy in business meetings and has no time for fun. And then David surprises Georgie in Rome outside the Sistine Chapel. He gives her the Audrey Hepburn treatment, scooting her off to an Italian restaurant on a Vespa. Neither man will tell Georgie exactly why he is in Rome, and each takes numerous mysterious phone calls, meets with glamorous women, and dodges shady gangsters. Once back in London, she finds herself embroiled in suspect mergers and makeshift spy-girl antics. A slow start is more than made up for with endearing characters, a madcap plot, and a rewarding finish.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)