Dinca’s review of Her Best Friend by Sarah Mayberry
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin SuperRomance 13 Apr 10

My friend Sandy sent me this book. She must know me very well because I simply loved it. I have read Sarah Mayberry books before and she has never let me down. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the unrequited love of Amy Parker.

The story is about Amy Parker’s passion for an old theater called the Grand that her great grandfather built. She is trying to buy it before it gets torn down and replaced by cheap apartments built by a sleazy developer and the villain of the story. Amy is so close to achieving her dream of owning the Grand, when a city councilman, in cahoots with the sleazy developer, tries to outbid her on the Grand and overlook the ordinances that protect the structural architecture.

In desperation Amy tries to contact her old friend Lisa, an attorney who also married her best friend Quinn and childhood neighbor and the love of her life, also an attorney. When she calls, Quinn answers and eventually, through phone calls and emails, talks her into letting him help her with her problem. She’s very surprised when he shows up at a city meeting to present her case.

Quinn has two best friends in his life. He married one, Lisa, and is now in the tail end of a divorce.  There is no way he wants to do anything that will mess up his friendship with Amy, even if lusting after her kills him. They are so busy trying to make sure they stay friends they almost combust from any physical contact.

Unbeknownst to Amy, Quinn has been in love with her since and lusted after her during his teen years. He married Lisa when there was no sign of Amy wanting him as anything other than a friend. Quinn is still having a problem wrapping his mind around the fact that Lisa has cheated and wants a divorce. He submerges himself into the Grand project, protecting Amy from herself and the sleazy developer.

We know they are going to get together, but the journey through the eyes of these delightful characters is a trip worth taking. Ms. Mayberry has created once again characters so believable, right down to the truly sleazy developer.

The story could have taken place in my home town.  And since I am married to my best friend, I was rooting for them all the way. I think it’s time I find myself another Sarah Mayberry book and settle down to another good read.

Grade: A

Summary:

What’s a girl to do when she’s secretly in love with a friend and he’s married to someone else? She gets over it. That’s what Amy Parker has done. Rather than lose her best bud Quinn Whitfield with an ill-timed, crazy confession of affection, she’s taken the smart route. She’s eased away from him. Just enough to get past the unrequited bits.  And you know, it’s working.

Until the day Quinn announces he’s now single. That’s right. He’s single. And he wants to hang out. With her. Get reconnected the way they used to be.

Oh, this is so not good for Amy’s equilibrium. Daily doses of Quinn remind her of everything she loves about him. But if he’s free…and she’s free…well, maybe the time has come for one of those crazy confessions.

Read an excerpt.