The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan

In Dineen’s (She Sins at Midnight, 2014, etc.) latest novel, a 30-something public relations professional finds that getting a guy can be complicated.

Mimi Finnegan, a PR maven, is single and a size 12. She joins Weight Watchers to get fit and ease the strain on her bunion, which she’s named “Edith Bunker.” At work, she represents British author Elliot Fielding, and on her part, it seems to be hate at first sight. However, she soon realizes that’s she’s not feeling hate but lust, which turns to love, despite Elliot’s buttoned-up demeanor. The problem is that he’s in a relationship and about to become engaged. Mimi decides to transform herself by losing weight in order to get his attention. She accompanies Elliot to New York to help promote his book, and she finds out that he has strong feelings for her—but his relationship with his soon-to-be-fiancee is complicated. Mimi’s new confidence also attracts Richard Bingham, a New York City advertising executive, who sweeps her off her feet and has no problem with a little competition. After Mimi returns home to her small town, she hopes that Elliot will choose her, but instead she finds out that he’s finally popped the question. Devastated, she moves to New York, where she’s been offered a job and Richard is waiting with open arms. Mimi then learns a secret about Elliot’s relationship, and her love for him deepens. Soon they reunite in New York and try to figure out if they can be together. This novel has myriad outrageous moments and some touching ones, as well, such as when Mimi learns that her sisters consider her the most supportive sibling—and not just the sister who has a bunion. The author openly pays homage to characters such as Bridget Jones and Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw, but she still gives Mimi her own spice and personality. The repetitive jokes about bunions and the bad writers of Mimi’s life’s script, though, sometimes make the prose fall a little flat. However, the story also has a deeply emotional side as well as a satisfying ending.

A romantic comedy with a lively, funny cast, including a lovable main character.