Natalie Stenzel, Pop Up Dating

Pop Up Dating

Natalie Stenzel

Harlequin Flipside, Mar 2004, $4.50, 218 pp.

ISBN: 037344186X

In St. Louis, Cassie Smythe and her friend Robyn Wesley agree that girls should just have fun especially since the latter's boyfriend continued to mistreat her in every possible way. As Robyn ends her relationship, she and Cassie search for some disposable passion in sports bars, but the patrons are only compassionate with the spread (not theirs silly).

Cassie decides to sacrifice her own feelings by introducing Robyn to her Mr. Maybe flight school owner Nick Ranger. However, though Cassie believes that her pal and her maybe forever lover would make a fine couple, she is not comfortable with the pairing. Adding to her dilemma is that Nick knows that Cassie is his Ms. Right.

Chick lit fans will enjoy this often amusing, but as frequent serious contemporary romance because the cast, especially the lead trio, seems so very real. For instance everyone knows a bonehead like Robyn's ex. The triangle is at its best when Cassie goes back and forth over why she should and why she should not push Nick and Robyn together whether they agree or not. Surprisingly filled with plenty of angst and obvious humor, readers will take pleasure from POP UP DATING.

Harriet Klausner