Linda Dominique Grosvenor, The Hamptons

Linda Dominique Grosvenor, The Hamptons - Following her divorce from her philandering spouse, cosmetic dentist Arnez, Joelle Sinclair quits her job as an arts events organizer although her latest work at the Whitney is a testimony to her skills. Joelle leaves Manhattan to move into the home of her sister Stephanie in the Hamptons; because of her excellent references and work history, she obtains a position at the Kenneth Oberlin Gallery.

Joelle plans the end-of-the-season gala for the rich, famous, and influential. Meanwhile, Manhattan attorney Jabari Mitchell meets and desires Joelle, although she insists she is into male abstinence. However, he is persuasive and soon both agree to a summer fling as he is big city and she is determined to be Long Island. As three days of bliss go by, Joelle begins to reconsider her rustification plan. She also refuses to make the same mistake she made with Arnez, who had a drug problem before their marriage that she was unaware of until after they wed. Joelle hires a private investigator to make sure that her beau is who he claims he is.

Linda Dominique Grosvenor provides readers with a wonderful, breezy summer read with a storyline that is fast-paced and character-driven, predominantly by Joelle. Readers will suppose this is a summer romance that might continue into the fall and beyond until the author cleverly reveals a stunner of a twist that works well with a spin that comes from nowhere yet is believable and will shock the audience. Beach readers will appreciate this fine story with perhaps the only drawback being losing oneself in the novel so that sunburn is a threat.

Sadorian, May 2004, $19.95, 148 pp.

ISBN: 0974171425

Harriet Klausner