Kissing Your Ex
Brooke Stevens
NAL, Jul 2004, $12.95, 304 pp.
ISBN: 0451212029

Maddy and Jack were an entry for five years before they married. A decade later, they amiably divorce. Maddy left New York for Atlanta where she now works as an art director in an Atlanta ad agency.

Jack sends her a package containing chocolate, photos, a copy of Alice in Wonderland, other items, and a letter. He says he still loves her and asks if they could open up the lines of communication. He is willing to fly down for the day just to talk. Finally, he tells her that he has thought of this for months. Maddy still loves Jack, but they inadvertently hurt one another when they went down different paths. Does she want to go on retreat with him to a tropical island to see if they can come to grips on their feelings or is it over? Maddy has to decide if she wants to know Jack again.

This is entertaining look at modern day relationships through mostly the eyes of Maddy, but also to a lesser degree, readers see the aches that Jack suffers. The story line is amusing yet filled with angst though at times it turns a bit cutesy. Maddy is a wonderful protagonist wondering if she should just say no before they try a second chance at love. Jack is a compassionate soul struggling with what he knows he lost, which is the love of Maddy. He will do what it takes including walking away if he felt he lost her love. Insightful though slightly mushy MEETING YOUR EX is a fine contemporary tale.

Harriet Klausner