Fern Michaels, Hey, Good Looking

Hey, Good Looking

Fern Michaels

Pocket, Apr 2006, $25.00, 336 pp.

ISBN: 0743477421

Thirty-three year old Darby Lane comes home to Baton Rouge to attend the funeral of her long time best friend Russ Gunn, who died in an accident. Darby and her three septuagenarian aunts, Dodo, Diddy, and Ducky are upset that Russ' stepmother Bella donated all his organs to donors. Though it seems like a kind gesture, the Lane brood know that the deceased was adamant not to have that happen to him because of an incident at college involving a friend, and that Bella is using this to enable her to finally join the elitist "Rougies". Russ' siblings Ben and Mary also arrive, but she leaves almost immediately unable to deal with their estranged father.

When Ben sees Darby for the first time in years, he knows why he never got married or that involved with another woman; he loves her, but she has always been Russ' woman. As they and the aunts plot to destroy the evil stepmother and rescue the father, Darby begins to fall in love with Ben.

This interesting contemporary romance emphasizes that the end does not always justify the means, as the Lane females and Russ' siblings are horrified that his wishes were ignored by his wicked stepmother, though his organs provide life to others. The ensemble cast for the most part is solid yet eccentric, with fans realizing you don't mess with the three D's. Bella on the other hand is so selfish, she is a caricature of the wicked stepmother, as every action she does is to further her personal objectives (perfect traits for Congress or the White House, but not for a mom and wife). Fans will enjoy this fine tale of matchmaking, rescuing, and honoring loved ones.