The Comeback Kiss

I've read this out of order. I'm aware that the hero, Finn, was a character in Maybe Baby, but Maybe Baby is stuck in my TBR pile somewhere, and everybody was talking about The Comeback Kiss, so I couldn't resist. It doesn't seem to matter--I don't feel as if I've missed anything. Lani is such an entertaining writer. Her characters are as bright and vivid as her online persona, and just as irresistible. The Comeback Kiss starts with Finn returning Tessa's Thing (no, not the toy, the real Thing, but this one looks more like what Lani described than any of the other pix I could find) that he'd run off with 10 years ago, on the eve of a fire that changed Tessa's life forever--her mother died, and she ended up spending the next ten years fighting for custody of her then-6-year-old sister Izzy. There was a fire the night Finn left; there's another fire the night he comes back, and the small town of Lucy's Lake seems to alternately regard him as a hero and an arsonist. Finn and Izzy, aided by Tessa and Finn's boss Babs, try to discover the identity of the real culprit, always with the shadow of the evil social worker hanging over their heads, not to mention Finn's instincts continually urging him to leave. And did I mention the talking dog? The Comeback Kiss is just a wonderfully fun book, with that lovely solid foundation of characters changing their lives underneath. I'm looking forward to unearthing Maybe Baby from the TBR mountain, but not too soon--Lani Diane Rich's books are books to savor.

I've gulped down three Lani Diane Rich novels now and I think I'll take a break now. Not because I'm sick of her writing. Oh no! Not that. It is because I finished reading "The Comeback Kiss" and I really want to savor this one, perhaps read it again, savor it again, and then move to another one of her novels. Rich does many things well: Dialogue, pacing, plot machinations, and a nice mix of humor and drama. But her characters are really where it is at. Her main characters are often the type who are usually the secondary characters that usually want to get to know better in other novels. You know the ones. The charming thief who adds character to the story. The no-nonsense sister who adds contrast to the heroine. But in Rich's novels, these characters are the focus and she shows how they can carry a novel. Tessa Scuderi and Dermot "Finn" Finnegan were high school sweethearts and trouble makers in their youth when Finn decides to leave the same night he takes her virginity. To add salt to the wound, he steals her car. Just in a summary, that makes for some high octane cad behavior, but the devil is in the details and Finn is a mix of being exactly what he seems and not quite what he seems. Tessa is a woman who gets her heart broken, her favorite car stolen, loses her virginity and becomes an adult all in one night. Any other heroine would have cracked but Tessa is not that kind of woman. In Rich's hands, she is a credible survivor who keeps her head and her senses above board. She's got a right to be angry at Finn but her personality is such that it makes sense why she isn't wallowing in bitterness. Rich's secondary cast is also stellar: Babs, Izzy, Joe, Margie, Vicki, the dog, Wallace, the Tarpeys. And they have to be stellar because none of them are there for window dressing. A Rich novel contains some of the best dialogue I've seen between sisters, lovers, brothers, friends, in a very long time. In a convo to a friend, I compared her writing to a Preston Sturges movie. There is a wit and bite to it yet an undeniable affection and bond that is a joy to read. And best of all, there is an actual plot of mystery that is compelling to read. Although this novel is categorized as "romance", the mystery involving the arson is better done than some mystery novels I've read of late. It really is a "who dun it" in the best tradition. My only complaint of the novel is that it ended before I could find out more of what happens to Joe Finnegan, Finn's older brother. Rich's lead characters have a tendency to be on shadier side and Joe is a good guy through and through, but I'm so hoping that Rich does a Joe Finnegan novel because, as Tessa observes in the novel, if any guy deserves a "two-sided zing", it is Joe and I have to agree. Great job by Rich. A highly recommended read for those who like their romance with wit, low on the melodrama, fabulous cast chemistry, and a pretty good 'who-dun-it' plot as a nice bonus.

Completely loved this book. Laugh out loud funny with a rogue, charming hero. who cares that the mystery part seemed a little like an afterthought. Ms. Rich more than made up for it with her great characters and snappy dialogue. I've ordered her backlist because of this book

Every now and then as I read THE COMEBACK KISS I'd think, "How did she come up with that?" Ms. Rich's dialogue is terrific, her characters and the situation are delightful. The relationship between Tessa and Finn is wonderfully funny and emotional. No, the mystery wasn't good--we have no clue of the existence of the arsonist/killer until very late in the book. (A hint to the writer: you probably don't want to mention this in your ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS because it makes the lack much more obvious to your reader.) The social worker and Tessa's fear of losing her sister don't ring true either and I wonder about the link to the criminal--but I loved the story and the characters so much that I accepted the weaknesses because, overall, this was so darned much fun.

I am an avid Lani fan, and LOVE this latest installment. She keeps the reader riveted with an active storyline, deep characters, and humor that makes one laugh out loud--a lot! I thoroughly enjoy her books, and this is the latest and greatest. Can't wait for the next one--speaking of writing slowly---come on, Lani, keep the good stuff coming! I highly recommend Lani's books to anyone needing a break from life's harried pace. Enjoy!