As Jill Mansell meanders through a small British town in Don't Want to Miss a Thing, she kicks things off with one of her main characters angrily heaving a large, smelly fish (recently given to her by an ex-beau) over her garden fence.
That would be Molly, a cartoonist and smart girl who has been very unlucky in love. She leads a collection of eclectic folks who all live together in the little village of Briarwood that, however quaint, boasts plenty of action. There's café owner Frankie, who seems to have the perfect marriage--except for the whole trust part. And Lois, a racy barmaid who's so oozing with sexuality it might surprise you how rarely she gets a man in her bed. The reclusive Hope has waited years for her lost love to return, while rakish playboy Dexter is the newest arrival to the party. He roars through town with a shiny yellow Porsche and a newly inherited infant, adding a dash of the unexpected to the mix.
Mansell (Take a Chance on Me) is one of the masters of fun, upbeat fiction with twists of romance. She is working her craft for the umpteenth time here, yet the novel still feels fresh--and even if you suspect where she may be leading you in this charming tale, it's still a pleasant stroll to an ultimately satisfying conclusion. --Natalie Papailiou, author of blog MILF: Mother I'd Like to Friend