The Hopeless Romantic's Handbook

I really enjoyed "Learning Curves", the first novel I read by this author, a few years ago, and was excited to read this one. I thought the story line - an old-fashioned advice book within a book - was quite clever, especially towards the end when it starts being read by another character, who also acts on its advice (I know that sounds cryptic, but I don't want to give too much away - suffice it to say, I think it's clever). I also really liked the main character, which helped. I was pulling for everyone to sort it all out. I thought the writing was light and fun, and it was just an enjoyable book. Nothing too deep or thought provoking. Just fun. And fun's good.

Kate Hetherington is an interior designer on a television makeover show. She's also a dedicated and hopeless romantic. She's looking for the special man. She doesn't consider herself to be picky. She just wants to wait for her Mr. Right. You know the one; he's the knight in shining armor that rides up on the white horse, sweeps her off her feet and they live happily ever after. What she doesn't want is to participate in any more humiliating speed dating exercises. They're futile. The guys just don't have what she wants. And even her best friend Sal isn't going to convince her to do that again. Kate finds the Hopeless Romantic's Handbook on E-Bay. She buys it (even though it's circa 1956) and begins to follow its advice. And the advice seems to work. She begins dating Joe Rogers, an American actor. But her friends Sal and Tom aren't in her corner where Joe is concerned. Is Joe Kate's knight? Will her relationship with Sal and Tom survive? And what is Tom's secret? And is Kate smart enough to look at the 'forest' and see the knight who has been there all along? Gemma Townley, author of Learning Curves and Little White Lies spins a wonderful and entertaining tale of true love and the obstacles (one is Kate herself) to finding it. Her characters are interesting, fun and richly drawn. The plot is unique and fast-paced. Armchair Interviews says: This is a romantic comedy with sizzle.

In London Kate Hetherington blames her best friend Sal (married to Ed) for her trying speed dating. Their other pal single Dr. Tom Whitson says Kate is a hopeless romantic who will be disappointed by love. Kate is upset over the teasing so she goes on to EBay for fun and buys the Hopeless Romantic's Handbook. Kate likes working as the interior stylist for the TV makeover show Future: Perfect. She detests the emcee, the odious one hit wonder Penny, tolerates the producer Marla, and likes the rest of the crew. The book arrives and Kate begins to apply its advice. It suggests she do something different so Kate takes the bus to work. The book says to confront cynics, not ignore them. So when Penny is nasty to Kate she stays professional. Kate goes out with American wannabe actor Joe. She forces herself to listen to him talk about his desires and does not to sleep with him just as the book recommends. She thinks she is in love but loses her job and her man to Penny. Meanwhile Tom worrying about Kate knows he loves her, but fears admitting that to her as he never recovered from when his mom walked out on him and his dad when he was eight. This is a terrific contemporary romance with a solid extended cast and believable relationships between the three best friends. However, the key to this fine chick lit tale is the sparingly use of The Hopeless Romantic's Handbook so that enhances the story line rather than takes away from it. Though a side issue between Sal and her spouse seems inane as they should have been talking, Gemma Townley provides a delightful charmer. Harriet Klausner