Too tame for a romance, too obvious for a mystery, but Carr (whose “inspiration,” we’re told, was “her librarian mother’s...
Librarian runs amok.
In her own quiet way, of course: Ally Sheffield hates to draw attention to herself. But the prospect of turning 40 seems to be awakening all sorts of long-repressed impulses . . . after all, Ally’s been celibate for the last 15 years. One look at Aleksi Kullio, the new conductor of the Philadelphia Philharmonic, though, and she’s head over heels in lust. Later, her curiosity is piqued when she spots Aleksi’s perfect blond wife at the library. Why does Michelle Kullio need a book on poisons? Is she really writing a mystery—or planning to kill her husband? Ally persuades her lawyer friend Susannah to follow Michelle, then wangles a volunteer job cataloging materials in the Philharmonic’s archives. An afternoon’s dogged work turns up long-forgotten letters from Stravinsky on the proper interpretation of Rite of Spring. Would Aleksi be interested in seeing them? Yes, indeed—and he hopes to meet her in person to discuss her amazing find. Ally is overjoyed, despite the problems that have suddenly cropped up at the library: Someone has been setting off stink bombs in the ventilation system. Could it be Ed, the weird homeless guy? Would he follow her to the concert hall? Well, to hell with Ed and anyone else who gets in her way—she isn’t going to miss her chance to wow Aleksi. Gordon, her good-looking colleague, is nonplussed by her newfound boldness, not to mention how sexy she looks without glasses and with her hair down. Ally blithely ignores his remarks, twitting him about his womanizing. Off she goes. The Finnish conductor proves as mesmerizing off-stage as on, and she’s ready to swoon into his arms. But what about his pesky wife? And does he love her for herself . . . or the musical treasure trove she’s unearthed?
Too tame for a romance, too obvious for a mystery, but Carr (whose “inspiration,” we’re told, was “her librarian mother’s zeal for books”) has a knack for quirky characters. Oddly amusing.Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2003
ISBN: 0-451-20971-0
Page Count: 272
Publisher: NAL/Berkley
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2003
Anyone who believes in true love or is simply willing to accept it as the premise of a winding tale will find this debut an...
True love flares between two people, but they find that circumstances always impede it.
On a winter day in London, Laurie spots Jack from her bus home and he sparks a feeling in her so deep that she spends the next year searching for him. Her roommate and best friend, Sarah, is the perfect wing-woman but ultimately—and unknowingly—ends the search by finding Jack and falling for him herself. Laurie’s hasty decision not to tell Sarah is the second painful missed opportunity (after not getting off the bus), but Sarah’s happiness is so important to Laurie that she dedicates ample energy into retraining her heart not to love Jack. Laurie is misguided, but her effort and loyalty spring from a true heart, and she considers her project mostly successful. Perhaps she would have total success, but the fact of the matter is that Jack feels the same deep connection to Laurie. His reasons for not acting on them are less admirable: He likes Sarah and she’s the total package; why would he give that up just because every time he and Laurie have enough time together (and just enough alcohol) they nearly fall into each other’s arms? Laurie finally begins to move on, creating a mostly satisfying life for herself, whereas Jack’s inability to be genuine tortures him and turns him into an ever bigger jerk. Patriarchy—it hurts men, too! There’s no question where the book is going, but the pacing is just right, the tone warm, and the characters sympathetic, even when making dumb decisions.
Anyone who believes in true love or is simply willing to accept it as the premise of a winding tale will find this debut an emotional, satisfying read.Pub Date: Oct. 16, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-525-57468-2
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: July 30, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK TO SCREEN
With frank language and patient plotting, this gangly teen crush grows into a confident adult love affair.
Eleven years ago, he broke her heart. But he doesn’t know why she never forgave him.
Toggling between past and present, two love stories unfold simultaneously. In the first, Macy Sorensen meets and falls in love with the boy next door, Elliot Petropoulos, in the closet of her dad’s vacation home, where they hide out to discuss their favorite books. In the second, Macy is working as a doctor and engaged to a single father, and she hasn’t spoken to Elliot since their breakup. But a chance encounter forces her to confront the truth: what happened to make Macy stop speaking to Elliot? Ultimately, they’re separated not by time or physical remoteness but by emotional distance—Elliot and Macy always kept their relationship casual because they went to different schools. And as a teen, Macy has more to worry about than which girl Elliot is taking to the prom. After losing her mother at a young age, Macy is navigating her teenage years without a female role model, relying on the time-stamped notes her mother left in her father’s care for guidance. In the present day, Macy’s father is dead as well. She throws herself into her work and rarely comes up for air, not even to plan her upcoming wedding. Since Macy is still living with her fiance while grappling with her feelings for Elliot, the flashbacks offer steamy moments, tender revelations, and sweetly awkward confessions while Macy makes peace with her past and decides her future.
With frank language and patient plotting, this gangly teen crush grows into a confident adult love affair.Pub Date: April 10, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5011-2801-1
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2018
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