Alison Pace, If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend

If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend

Alison Pace

Berkley, Feb 2005, $13.00, 304 pp.

ISBN: 0425200248

After two years together as the perfect couple, Texan Jack Davis dumps Manhattanite Jane Laine. Before she can rebound from the shock, she makes a horrendous error at work. She ordered the wrong size Reese's Peanut Butter Cups for her boss Dick Reese, owner of Reese's Art Gallery. To punish her for her transgression, the odious Dick exiles Jane by sending her on a barnstorming Art Tour of four cities in under five months. She is to accompany artist Ian Rhys-Fitzsimmons as he has shows in London, Rome, Chicago and Miami.

Jane does not think highly of her companion as they set off to London feeling his fifteen minutes of fame is way too long. However, she is shocked by his consideration starting at Newark Airport and continuing in Europe. Ian knows he loves Jane, but she clings to the belief that he is a con artist shamming the public. As they become acquainted during the whirlwind trek, Jane sees Ian is nothing like the pampered brats who make up the art world. She concludes he and his work are no shams and fears how much she will miss him once their quest ends.

IF ANDY WARHOL HAD A GIRLFRIEND is a terrific chick lit tale because of the pace applied to the blossoming of Jane into a woman in love. The storyline is character-driven, mostly by Jane, as she starts out detesting Ian, begins to appreciate his kindness and understanding, and finally falls in love with him, but believes he desires someone else. This novel is a fun to read contemporary romance.

Harriet Klausner