FALLING FOR MR. WRONG

Life and loves of a London literary agent, from Upcher (Grace & Favour, 2001, etc.).

Polly Atwell has always been an ugly duckling—too tall, prone to galumphing—but she did snag a husband, John de Soto, much to the surprise of her bitchy journalist girlfriend Joan. Now that John’s walked out the door and left her—well, he couldn’t exactly walk out the door because it was painted shut by accident—what’s Polly to do? Carry on bravely, with the able assistance of her dotty secretary Mrs. Flowers, that’s what. An independent producer like John certainly had his share of temptations, what with all those trips to Los Angeles and all that hanging around with starlets. Nor does she miss preparing his meals and taking his messages and putting up with his scatterbrained ways, really. But a welcome distraction awaits: Hector O’Neill, famous American actor, is reading the script for Mr. Wrong (one of Polly’s authors wrote the novel), and he’s sure he’s right for the Wrong part. But is he right for Polly? Well, she’ll make up her mind after a brief fling with an adman hoping to pen a novel—it’s all too much to think about now. Meanwhile, John keeps calling, worried about Luana, his nymphomaniac daughter, who’s getting a dreadful reputation for having sex with absolutely anyone. Apparently, Luana has been corresponding with Hector O’Neill, and she’s going to be majorly miffed when she finds out that someone else has bedded the handsome actor. Polly, though, ready to romp at last, wonders why Hector can’t be as much of a man off screen as on. He seems so needy, especially now that Joan has revealed that Hector’s father is a homeless drunk who sleeps on the streets. Will Polly ever find peace? Is that John knocking on her door again?

Muddled but agreeable love story of sorts.