Marisa de los Santos Love Walked In

Love Walked In

Marisa de los Santos

Dutton, Jan 2006, $23.95, 320 pp.

ISBN: 0525949178

In Philadelphia while managing Cage Dora, Cornelia Brown dreams of one day her Prince Charming sweeping her off her feet like in a Hollywood movie such as her favorite the Philadelphia Story. Alas after serving many caf au lait, her champion has not arrived yet, but that does not stop Cornelia from dreaming and waiting.

At the same time Cornelia fantasizes about her Jimmy Stewart, eleven-year-old Clare lives with her single mother, who the child believes is mentally falling apart especially since the bat. Clare tries to reason with her father, but he is to busy for her so instead she dreams of being an orphan princess.

Cary Grant finally comes to Caf Dora when Martin Grace enters. Cornelia thinks he is her Tracey to his Hepburn. Through Martin, Cornelia meets Clare, whose honesty shocks the adult and makes her re-look her fantasies. Also Cornelia's childhood friend Teo wants more from her at a time she is confused since allegedly she thought LOVE WALKED IN the caf when Martin first entered, but now she feels maternal connections to Clare.

This is a fine chick lit tale starring likable characters, but also falls short as Clare's major issues and concerns are given a short shift. Cornelia is a terrific protagonist whose fantasy has finally come in for coffee, but the reality of her dream does not hold up as well under scrutiny especially with Clare providing her a candid lens to look at Martin's relational shortcomings. Still this is a fine story with Clare being the beacon of light and hope in spite of her parents' neglect.

Harriet Klausner