And Now There’s You by Susan S. Etkin, Spark Press, 2019, ISBN 9781684-63004; 316 pages, $16.95.
SAN DIEGO – If you like the Hallmark Channel’s romantic movies, my guess is that you will also enjoy this Jewish author’s venture into an affluent Gentile world where a widowed interior designer meets a divorced architect and finds that not only do they work well together professionally, they have some undeniable chemistry.
Of course, a romance story wouldn’t be one if there weren’t some problems that could derail the couple forever.
In this case, the widow Leila Brandt has to contend with her feelings that being with another man is an act of disloyalty to her dead husband, Nick, with whom she had a long and successful marriage.
And Ayden Doyle, who has successfully played the field, is put off by Brandt’s obvious devotion to her children and extended family, as he has eschewed family entanglements.
Author Etkin treats with meticulous detail the kinds of color schemes and patterns that the fictional Brandt chooses for the interior of the homes that Doyle remodels. And when Brandt prepares for her dates with Doyle, Etkin takes great care to inform just what kind of outfit she chooses for the occasion. She also tells what impressions Doyle’s choice of clothes make on Brandt.
I have to admit this kind of description went right over my head, but I’m guessing that fashion conscious readers will pay far more attention.
Both Brandt and Doyle are good-looking, intelligent professionals, so another looming danger for their romance is the fact that both of them are openly admired by other very eligible and desirable partners.
Shhh! I better not say anything more.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com