Janice Kaplan, Lynn Schnurnberger Mine Are Spectacular

Mine Are Spectacular

Janice Kaplan, Lynn Schnurnberger

Ballantine, Jul 2005, $23.95, 289 pp.

ISBN: 0345468597

In Hadley Farms in Westchester-County, New York forty-one years old Sara Turner accompanied by her son Dylan moves into the home of her fianc Bradford. Meanwhile her best friend, Manhattan darling dermatologist Kate Steele is seeing a married man, Owen. Her other best friend Berni Davis has come home after a successful tour as a Hollywood agent pregnant.

However, Sara's simple relationship comes under assault when her ex-spouse James returns after eight years in Patagonia with demands on her and their child; and Bradford's nasty ex-wife along with their fourteen years old daughter Skylar visit. As Sara's catering business becomes successful, her personal life dives into free fall, but her two pals are not there for her. Owen has dumped his wife with plans to move in with Kate and Berni has hormonal issues caused by twins battering her insides.

At times the three musketeerettes feel like d j vu of teen angst returned though they are fortyish. This middle age chick lit tale is amusing to follow as Sara struggles with the potential of extended family relations and the return of her wandering former spouse; Kate debates whether she wants her lover around all the time rather than some of the time; finally Berni deals poorly with her pregnancy. Though everything is resolved in a perfect climax (no pun intended), the novel is fun when chaos reigns. Only the authors of THE BOTOX DIARIES could do this so well.

Harriet Klausner