Gemma Townley, The Hopeless Romantic's Handbook

The Hopeless Romantic's Handbook

Gemma Townley

Ballantine, Apr 2007, $12.95

ISBN: 034548004X

In London, Kate Hetherington blames her best friend Sal (married to Ed) for her trying speed dating. Their other pal, single Dr. Tom Whitson, says Kate is a hopeless romantic who will be disappointed by love. Kate is upset over the teasing so she goes on to eBay for fun and buys the Hopeless Romantic's Handbook.

Kate likes working as the interior stylist for the TV makeover show Future: Perfect. She detests the emcee, the odious one-hit-wonder Penny, tolerates the producer Marla, and likes the rest of the crew. The book arrives and Kate begins to apply its advice. It suggests she do something different so Kate takes the bus to work. The book says to confront cynics, not ignore them. So when Penny is nasty to Kate she stays professional. Kate goes out with American wannabe actor Joe. She forces herself to listen to him talk about his desires and does not sleep with him just as the book recommends. She thinks she is in love but loses her job and her man to Penny. Meanwhile, Tom, worrying about Kate, knows he loves her, but fears admitting that to her as he never recovered from when his mom walked out on him and his dad when he was eight.

This is a terrific, contemporary romance with a solid, extended cast and believable relationships between the three best friends. However, the key to this fine chick-lit tale is the sparing use of The Hopeless Romantic's Handbook so that enhances the storyline rather than takes away form it. Though a side issue between Sal and her spouse seems inane as they should have been talking, Gemma Townley provides a delightful charmer.

Harriet Klausner