Lindsay Graves, To Keep a Husband

To Keep a Husband

Lindsay Graves

Ballantine, Feb 2007, $17.95

ISBN 0345485491

In San Carlino, California, the ex-wives continue their efforts TO CATCH A HUSBAND though their standards remain high - he must be rich; breathing is not a necessity though a wealthy hunk would be nice. Poor and even middle class need not apply.

Caitlin Latch fakes being affluent, rationalizing that her preadolescent son Aiden will grow up in a safe environs; she knows that if she was honest about her living standard she would end any chance of hooking up with male money. Jessica DiSantini has doubts about seeing a composer. Finally, pill popper Janey Martinez exercises to the extreme to forget her financial woes. The only one remarried, Lally Chandler Clemente, finds her new-found wealth in jeopardy when her lowlife daughter comes home not to see her, but to gain the benefits of cozying up to her new zillionaire "stepfather."

The second Ex-Wives novel continues the escapades of women seeking a wealthy second husband with the exception being Lally trying to keep her second wealthy husband. Lindsay Graves' skill is to make these gold-diggers into sympathetic characters even the nasty Janey as each has an objective of maintaining a lifestyle of the rich and famous even if when they cannot afford the cost of luxury. Fans of lighthearted romantic satirical romps will enjoy this fun tale as Lally tries TO KEEP A HUSBAND and the others try TO CATCH A HUSBAND.

Harriet Klausner