Alesia Holliday Seven Ways to Lose Your Lover

Seven Ways to Lose Your Lover

Alesia Holliday

Berkley, July 2006, $13.00

ISBN: 0425209946

Since a high school break-up turned ugly when he swung a bat and hit a home run with her car, Shane Madison creates elaborate schemes to get her beau to break off with her. She is so good at having the guy end their relationship, her friends, whom she has advised on SEVEN WAYS TO LOSE YOUR LOVER, think she should become a consultant.

She follows their advice with "The Breakup Artist", which proves very successful. She helps Lizzie end her relationship with "Awful Ben" Gleason, who she realizes the adjective really does not fit though he seems to appreciate his work more than his girlfriend. Following Shane's advice to embarrass him in the office with a jelly belly Mrs. Cameron scenario, Ben ends what he thought was a promising relationship, but also learns that he is a victim of the Breakup Artist. Vowing to avenge his humiliation, he arranges to meet and date Shane, but soon finds himself in deeper trouble as he likes, make that loves the relationship consultant with a money back guarantee, but he wants the life plan.

This is an amusing yet emotional look at relationships as the self proclaimed expert Shane learns that people are dynamic ever changing and that classifying in tight boxes how individuals behave towards one another is not that simple (Myers-Briggs aside). The story line is driven mostly by Shane especially once she meets Ben who is not only not awful but actually delightful. Fans will appreciate this fine contemporary look at the dating scene starring a young lady who wants to believe that NICE GIRLS FINISH FIRST.

Harriet Klausner