Debbie Macomber; manga art by Yukino Hara, No Competition

No Competition

Debbie Macomber; manga art by Yukino Hara

Harlequin Pink, Sep 2006, $7.99

ISBN: 0373180004

Carrie the artists has always felt like a pale imitation of her twin sister beauty consultant Camille. When she does a portrait of the beautiful Carrie, critics think it is a masterpiece as it hangs in San Francisco's Daupe Gallery. However, no one seems to know that the model is her twin.

Architect Shane wants to buy the painting and meet the artist. When they do meet, they begin to date until Carrie falls in love with Shane. However, when she sees him dancing with Camille, she knows another boyfriend has fallen for the beauty of her sibling, but this is the first time her heart has broken.

This is a cute tale that targets twelve to thirteen years old girls as Manga art is combined with a fun wholesome romance with a bit of a message to believe in yourself and not waste time being jealous of others. Adults will appreciate both the art and text of this graphic book though we have to adjust to the right to left (probably take 3 or 4 pages) boxes while young adults will smoothly handle the transition. Though a paradigm is needed to accept manga in romance instead of the usual fantasy, No Competition is a fine well written and well drawn tale.

Harriet Klausner