Dianne Blacklock Almost Perfect

Almost Perfect

Dianne Blacklock

Berkley, Sep 2006, $14.00

ISBN: 0425211622

In an upscale suburb of Sydney, Australia, Anna and Mac seem to have it all as they are the perfect married couple obviously in love with one another while also succeeding in at their respective work. . However, being DINKs (double income no kids) has bothered both, but especially Anna. She has become obsessed with having a child, but seven years of infertility has left her depressed and turning to alcohol for comfort; he turns to other comforts and longer hours at the office to avoid her.

In another nearby suburb, bookstore owner Georgie moans her lack of a love life. She wants a relationship in the worst way. When she meets Liam at her bookstore, she thinks she found Mr. Right. However, she soon believes he is not even close to being ALMOST PERFECT.

The key cast members including others besides those above make for a warm contemporary Australian drama. The story line is driven by the needs and desires of the two women, whose actions inadvertently damage their relationships with the respective men in their lives. Though everything ties up too neatly in spite of so much angst, ALMOST PERFECT is a strong character study.

Harriet Klausner