LOVE SUBURBAN STYLE

Author: Wendy Markham ISBN: 0446618438 7/2007 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: WARNER

Fed up with her moody teenage daughter, Meg Addams decides what they both need is a good dose of suburban wholesomeness. But when they leave Manhattan behind for Meg's humble blue-collar hometown, they find it crowded with wealthy strangers and upscale boutiques. Settling into a creaky fixer-upper, Meg finally spots a familiar face right next door—and it belongs to none other than Sam Rooney. The would-be love of Meg's high school life is now a single dad, her daughter's new soccer coach—and a neighborly ghost-buster whenever things go bump in the night. With three kids and an undeniable attraction between them, Meg and Sam are in for some heart-racing, wee-hour encounters that have nothing to do with spirits...but everything to do with hearts.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

LOVE, SUBURBAN STYLE is a light, entertaining read. We meet Meg Addams, who is also known as Astor Hudson when she is acting on Broadway. Astor even has a Tony award to show for her hard work on the stage. However, things are not as great as they seem when Astor loses out on a coveted role to a young up-and-coming actress. Astor's employment aspects are looking pretty slim at this time, and stage right, Meg's personal life is also beginning to fall apart. Her daughter, Cosette, takes a firearm to school (unloaded, of course) to intimidate the people who have been bullying her, and Meg decides that enough is enough. She loads her daughter up and they move to the community where Meg grew up, to give them both a fresh start.

As Meg moves back to her hometown, she notices that many things have changed. The places she liked to hang out as a child are now restaurants and studios. The former stay-at-home moms are sporting designer labels and driving Hummers. However, there is one person who has not changed, and that is her childhood crush, Sam. Amazingly enough, they are also next door neighbors. Will flames ignite between Sam and Meg? Will she be able to provide the environment that her daughter needs? Most of all, will Meg finally figure out who she really is?

This novel was an easy read. It was lighthearted, entertaining and very realistic. The characters are a little above the top, but likeable. This book was a quick read for me and I laughed out loud several times. LOVE, SUBURBAN STYLE would be a good novel to read on a quiet afternoon with a big glass of iced tea.

Kym Oetting