How Nancy Drew Saved My Life

I've enjoyed all of Baratz-Logsted's books enormously, but this definitely tops the list for me. The author has included practically everything possible to amuse me, and it works, beautifully. I'm a fan of Nancy Drew, of Jane Eyre, of nannies and sweet kids. The adventure is funny, the romance is hot, the literary allusions come fast and furious. This humorous riff on the gothic style is the best since one of my other favorites, Austen's Northanger Abbey. And may I also add, without giving away too much, that I enjoyed the final chapter more than anything I've read that's been written in 200 years?

What a great story! The majority of it takes place in Iceland (whoever said Chick Lit had to be based in NY anyway?) and tells the story of a young woman trying to find herself after heartbreak. Charlotte Bell is a plucky young nanny/governess who needs a change and a clean break and finds it in her new post half a world away. I loved her quirkiness and willingness to cut her losses and start over. By far this is my favourite of Lauren Baratz-Logsted's books (and I've never read even one Nancy Drew).

Although I have read other books by Lauren Baratz-Logsted, my eye was caught by the title. Growing up, Nancy Drew was my idol (although I have a soft spot for Trixie Belden too)!! It's a shame that I haven't thought of trying to channel her sooner!! That's exactly what Charlotte Bell does, as she jets to Iceland of all places. After her heart was ripped to shreds during an affair with her (married) employer, Charlotte is desperate and needs to get away. Taking a job as a nanny, ok, governess to a 6-year-old ambassador's daughter in Iceland will certainly do the trick! With shades of Jane Erye, this book is fun and spunky. What would Nancy Drew do?? She would READ THIS BOOK!

In Connecticut Charlotte Bell is saddened and depressed for not only falling in love with a married man, but though she knew better let Buster reel her in to a full blown affair. Her heart was destroyed once he ended it as Buster stayed with his wife who probably never knew about their liaison. All Charlotte can find work as far away from New England as possible. She applies and is hired as a full time nanny in Reykjavik before learning the city is the capital of Iceland. With the wisdom of the fifty-six Drew books (though nothing on Iceland) to guide her, Nancy make that Charlotte flies the seven hours to Iceland to be the nanny to Annette, the six years old daughter of the American Ambassador Edgar Rawlings. Charlotte immediately falls for the precocious child and not long afterward Annette's father who seems to hide a secret from her even as he seems to be falling in love with her. Charlotte ponders what Nancy would do though her responses to herself are more like what Nancy would not do. This is a fine chick lit tale that uses the wisdom of Nancy Drew to guide the heroine as she struggles with relationships. Though a one trick gimmick, Charlotte's asides are fun to follow because many of them refer to the teen sleuth's adventures so that long time favorites of the Nancy Drew series have an added pleasure. Readers will enjoy Charlotte's adventure in Iceland because this adult coming of age tale stars a heroine learns who she is through her analysis of what Nancy would not do. Harriet Klausner

It is so rare to find an author whose narrative voice is naturally humorous. Reading one of her books is a double chocolate sundae. Another winner!