Fern Michaels, Pretty Woman

Fern Michaels, Pretty Woman - In Savannah, Georgia, Vickie Williams warned by best friend and business partner Rosie Gardener not to marry the philandering Kent Bliss. Rosie accuses her size 6 friend of jealousy because a size 14 like her could have such a fianc . Vickie accepts a job as companion to elderly Adeline Summers and leaves for Europe.

Three years later Rosie is miserable as Kent treats her like dirt except for short moments when she buys him expensive presents. She asks him to be home for their anniversary dinner, but he gives her a lame excuse. Rosie has had it with Kent. She takes his name off of everything and when he finally comes home she kicks him out. Rosie is beginning to regain her self esteem when she runs into Vickie, who is back in town following the death of Adeline. They hug and pick up the friendship as if nothing happened. Meanwhile, Rosie obtains a physical fitness trainer, widow Jack Silver, and has won the three hundred plus million dollar lottery, but refuses to acknowledge her victory if Kent gets even a cent. Kent knows she won and plans to take it all.

Though Rosie makes the weight loss seem too easy (the easy is putting it on), fans will enjoy her retaking control of her life with the help of friends. Rosie is the focus of the storyline as she gains courage to finally confront her errors. Although Kent is unhinged when he blames her for his total fall from grace, contemporary fans will enjoy seeing him receive his comeuppance even if the storyline seems too simplistic.

Harriet Klausner