Nikki Rivers Window Dressing

Window Dressing

Nikki Rivers

Harlequin Next, Jun 2006, $5.50

ISBN: 0373880987

Though they been divorced for a decade, Lauren Campbell had not expected the rat to do what he did. When their son left home to attend college, her spouse sold the house she has resided in all these years without warning her of his intent though their legal divorce papers stipulate that his support ends once the nest is empty.

Lauren realizes she must take care of herself and can no longer rationalize that she is raising someone else while behaving as a PTA poster mom as she must accept responsibility of having no nest. She accepts work selling cheese in the grocer though she feels a bit uncomfortable dressing up like a milkmaid. Though lacking skills after looking within, Lauren decides she must find something fulfilling, but before she can learn to fish she must first eat. Thus Lauren begins the transformation to self sufficiency obtaining a job and perhaps a lover.

This is a poignant yet humorous look at a middle age woman struggling with more than just empty nest syndrome as her former spouse forces her by his actions to see her current lifestyle for what it is: empty. Rather than brood, Lauren moves on starting with her cheesy job and soon finds she enjoys life much more participating as herself rather than the image of a nurturing mom with no aspect of her life solely her own. Nikki Rivers provides a deep powerful look beyond the WINDOW DRESSING at self actualizing who is the true essence of a person as all of us wear different roles in varying relationships.

Harriet Klausner