Louise Harwood, Lucy Blue, Where Are You?

Lucy Blue, Where Are You?

Berkley, January 2007, $14.00

ISBN: 0425213587

In London, Lucy Blue decides she needs a new life, as her job is no fun, her family is drowning her and her boyfriend Teddy is definitely not for her. She breaks off with Teddy and takes off for a New Year's Eve mini vacation away from friends and family in Scotland, mostly to reflect introspectively.

However, on the way home, a snowstorm grounds all flights, leaving Lucy stranded in Scotland. She accepts an estimated fourteen hour drive with a stranger willing to take her with him to London. To Lucy this is extraordinary, as she never goes anywhere with strangers, let alone sleep with one, but she did. Back in London she assumes her one night stand is her secret, as she plans to return to her rut, except for Teddy, until she sees the shocking train-station poster: "Lucy Blue, Where Are You?" Should she or should she not is the question.

This is a fun English chick lit tale starring a confused lead female struggling with a life that is tedious. Lucy Blue is a fascinating protagonist, though her musings seem real, as she vacillates, but that also feels overly long when reading, as her inner introspection slows down the plot. Still, this is a solid look at a young woman pondering whether to take chances in order to bring excitement into what she deems is a dull life sentence of ennui.