How does one find out one's true love? When and how comes the magical moment of discovering who one wants to share one's life with as deepest friend, confidante, and sexual flame? Hallie Palmer returns to her hometown, ostensibly to earn enough money for her second year in college, since her parents have more than enough on their hands with seven other children to feed and clothe. But in the frequently poignant and hilarious scenes depicted by this unique author, we get a vivid picture of possible answers in life's varied situations.

Meet Bernard, food connoisseur and artiste, who is dramatically mourning the loss of his boyfriend and needs Hallie's presence to perhaps save his idealistic vision of sharing a lifetime of love, in between cooking elegant meals, singing lines from famous musicals, and decorating with panache his own or someone else's home with rare artsy pieces.

Relish the brightening of the room when Olivia and Ottavio enter the room together. For they are so deeply in love that shortage of English language between both only heightens their passion and support of each other through the thick and thin around them - whether that's social causes or family disasters.

Or perhaps observe what happens when Hallie attempts to save the day by influencing her younger, rebellious sister whose antics may prove to be disastrously close to Hallie's own teenage years but which may result in quite a different future. Feel the passion of loyal town supporters of a "local" drugstore about to become bankrupt because of a "mega" store run by a philanthropic resident who later turns out to be quite something else.

And in the middle of it all, wonder who Hallie will choose as several flaming romances pass through her life, each with his own issues and agenda. How she manages to maintain a vision of integrity and value will delight your imagination and keep you flipping those pages, hoping for the "happy ever after?" ending.

Delightful, a book to cozy up with on these colder days and warm your heart with love and laughter!

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on December 13, 2005

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