Eileen Goudge, Immediate Family

Immediate Family

Eileen Goudge

Pocket, May 2006, $24.00

ISBN: 0743483197

When the quartet attended Princeton as undergraduates, they became the best of friends. However, over the years since college they went their separate ways, but kept in close contact with one another, and soon they plan to get together to celebrate their fifteen year reunion though each has some family issues.

Los Angeles TV reporter Stevie has recently learned the identity of her mystical father, 1970's rock star Grant Tobin. In Manhattan, publicist Emerson knows first hand the troubles of the sandwich generation, as she raises a child while caring for her ailing snooty mother. Literary agent Franny has always wanted a husband and kids, but feels her biological clock is winding down and no male seems like Mr. Right. Jay is engaged to pregnant Vivienne, but agrees to donate sperm to Franny.

Franny becomes pregnant and meets the nice Keith, but instead finds she dreams of Jay, who reciprocates her desires. Emerson begins to fall in love with her mother's night nurse Nigerian Reggie, but Immigration has revoked his visa. Stevie meets Grant and begins to unravel why she fears commitment.

The lead foursome are likable flawed characters struggling with varying personal issues. Though the storyline is straight forward with no twists, fans will enjoy following the quartet's relationships with one another (think the TV show Friends without the humor). Eileen Goudge provides a fine character study that in some ways reads like an IMMEDIATE FAMILY drama.