Laurie Horowitz, The Family Fortune

The Family Fortune

Laurie Horowitz

Morrow, May 2006, $24.95

ISBN 0060875267

Thirty-eight year old Boston Brahmin Jane Fortune is the owner-creator and editor of the highly regarded literary journal, Euphemia Review. However, as her once wealthy family is financially forced to leave prominent Beacon Hill, she wonders what she can do to help them, though she has no idea where to start. Personally, Jane ponders whether she will ever find love, though at times she whimsically thinks of novelist Max Wellman and what could have been, especially when perusing novels containing powerful relationships.

Author Jack Reilly submits a superb story to the Euphemia Review literary contest that sparks Jane's interest in the unknown writer who showed so much talent. She feels obsessed to meet Jack, but as she struggles to find him, her mind wonders back to Max.

Paying homage to Jane Austen's PERSUASION, especially when Ms. Fortune wishes for true love to appear, chick lit fans will enjoy this fine contemporary tale. The storyline at times feels schizoid between Jane's romantic desires and her family financial misfortunes, with what happened to Jane the stronger plot than the lifestyle of the nouveau poor. Laurie Horowitz provides a fine tale, and readers will enjoy Jane Fortune's adventures in love.