Love and the Single Mom

LOVE AND THE SINGLE MOM by C.J. Carmichael February 17, 2007 Rating: 4 Stars Margo Evans owns a small bistro that's pretty popular, always selling out her pastries and home made soups. In the opening chapter, she notices (again) a particular gentleman that keeps coming back to her cafe and doing something that is forbidden in her bistro - no cell phones are allowed, and he is constantly using his blackberry to make phone calls. He is apparently ignoring the rule and it's getting on her nerves. Robert Brookman is always busy with his blackberry. He is out of work for the first time in ages, having been laid off by Wells Fargo Bank. Living in San Francisco, however, means there's no shortage on career opportunities and Robert knows it'll only be a matter of time before he lands another job. Meanwhile, he spends his time in the bistro that he's grown to love, and he's also noticed the pretty owner. Margo's problems with Robert and his blackberry are nothing compared to what she is going through now. She's just learned that her ex-husband, Tom, is about to get married again. Margo has yet to meet the intended bride. She's not sure how to break the news to their two children, fifth grader Ellie and younger brother Peter. She's also worried about her bistro. The bank is on her back because she's been having a hard time paying the bills, and is barely making ends meet. Margo used to be a successful family lawyer, but her heart wasn't in it anymore and felt the bistro was where she wanted to try making a go at it. Unfortunately, she was still operating in the red, and was afraid that soon her savings would run out. It takes a while for Robert and Margo to connect, but once they do, and they get to know each other a bit better, Robert has a great idea. Since he's out of work, he offers to help Margo draw up a business plan that will help her get her business into the black. He also (reluctantly) gets to know her children, and Margo notices that he seems to be almost afraid to deal with them. She has grown fond of Robert but if he can't accept her children, she doesn't see their relationship going past the friendship they've already developed. What she doesn't know is that Robert's previous girlfriend had a son who was still pretty much attached to Robert. He actually missed the son more than he missed the girlfriend. But now that she's moved on to someone else, she has asked him to stay out of their lives so that her son can bond with the new boyfriend. Robert is hurt, and so is his girlfriend's son, and now Robert is doing his best not to get involved with yet another woman with children. Unfortunately he's drawn to Margo and her fantastic cooking, and the more he gets involved with the family and their problems, the harder it is for him to stay away. I enjoyed LOVE AND THE SINGLE MOM for it's down-to-earth story. I have to admit I am a sucker for any romance that centers on restaurants or bistros (Susan Wigg's books come to mind). Each day fe