From the bestselling author ofWedding SeasonandGoing Dutch. When Perdita Dylan delivers her baby vegetables to a local hotel and finds that her unpredictable ex-husband, Lucas, has taken over the kitchen, she is horrified - particularly when she discovers he's being groomed as the latest celebrity chef and needs her picturesque, if primitive cottage, and her, in supporting roles. Her life is further complicated when Kitty, her 87-year-old friend, has a stroke. Perdita needs someone to lean on - and Lucas seems so keen to help that she starts to wonder if he's really such a villain. Can she cope with all this alone? Or should she face up to the fact that 'You can't cuddle lettuces'?From Publishers WeeklyBritish author Fforde's sixth novel is an extremely good-natured, if rather predictable, romantic comedy. "Well, at least I'm completely over him," Perdita, an unattached organic gardener who's approaching 30, prophetically mutters to herself when her ex-husband, Lucas, suddenly resurfaces as the local inn's new chef. She has remained single since the divorce, focusing more on building her business than on dating. The most important person in her life is her mother's godmother, Kitty, a sprightly 87-year-old who shares Perdita's love of gardening and has doted on her since she was a girl. Kitty, along with Perdita's other friends mainly the colorful locals to whom she sells her produce angle cheerfully for her to go out more, get a makeover and a boyfriend, to little effect. It turns out that Lucas is to be the star of a new cooking show, and its producers commandeer Perdita's kitchen and Perdita herself, too, as cohost thus throwing the fractured couple together again, much to her displeasure. Sparks start to fly before filming even begins. Perdita's interpretation of independence is exasperating at times (she figures the only way to show Lucas that she's over him is to find herself a new boyfriend), but Fforde (Life Skills; Stately Pursuits) infuses life into the story via other characters and subplots. Lucy, an old school friend, begs for help arranging the perfect English country Christmas; Janey, who works in Lucas's kitchen, develops a crush on him; illness forces the autonomous, free-thinking Kitty to relinquish control to various doctors and caretakers and a long-lost relative threatens to take away all that Perdita has worked for. There are few uncharted turns here, but the characters are all appealing, and romantics will be taken with Fforde's clever interweaving of love, friendship, horticulture and cuisine. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.From Library JournalThis sixth novel by British author Fforde (Life Skills) is a good-natured and utterly charming romance about Lucas, a handsome, talented, somewhat prickly chef, falling back in love with his ex-wife, Perdita, whose small produce operation supplies fresh vegetables for his restaurant. Lucas and Perdita struggle to keep the past, and their increasing attraction to each other, under wraps. Various subplots and characters make this novel stand above run-of-the-mill romantic comedies. Thus, the elderly Kitty, who virtually raised Perdita, is losing her struggle to remain independent a predicament Fforde handles with candor and authenticity, as doctors, hospitals, home healthcare aides, and even greedy relatives appearing at the last minute cause Perdita and Kitty undue strain. The courtship between matchmaking Janey, one of Lucas's assistants, and William, an employee of Perdita, adds depth and a bit of suspense to the story. Fforde should find a U.S. audience among readers who relish Jayne Ann Krentz, Jennifer Crusie, or Patti Berg. Wholeheartedly recommended for all public libraries. Margaret Hanes, Sterling Heights P.L., MI
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.