Gwen’s review of Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
Contemporary fantasy romance released hardcover by Little, Brown 28 Apr 08

This little book was hanging around in a pile that I got from Sybil a while back. I wasn’t all that interested in it, if only because I’ve never had luck when a favorite author ventures away from what I like about them. Patterson is one of my favorite non-romance authors (LOVE the Alex Cross novels, LOVE the Women’s Murder Club books, and I even love his YA book, Maximum Ride) and here’s he’s tried a romance? Oh no, I thought, he’s going to ruin it for me. Now I’ll never be able to read him again. Well…

I was wrong. There. I said it. I was happily, wonderfully wrong. WRONG WRONG WRONG! I’ve never been so glad to be wrong about anything.

I LOVED this book. Sure it wasn’t perfect and sure it was light. But, gosh, it was an amazing AMAZING romance. I smiled all the way thru reading it, when I wasn’t bawling my eyes out, that is. I mean, big ol’ ugly cry bawling. Had to put the book down and compose myself bawl. TWICE!

The book’s premise is simple: a little girl’s imaginary friend, an angel of some sort, is actually the love of her life. The path these two take to this love is long and winding. And sweet and “awwwww” inspiring (pun intended). I grinned through most of it.

I could have wished that the heroine’s mother was a bit more sympathetic earlier. At the end, I didn’t quite believe her confessions to her daughter because of this. She did, however, inspire one of the crying jags I had reading this book, so I can’t complain too loudly.

This was a highly enjoyable, quick read. I recommend it to anyone looking for a fast, lovely story. In fact, this may be one of the few books I keep and read again in a few months – something I almost never do. If you’ve never read Patterson before, you’ll love this book and if you’re a fan of Patterson, you’ll be very surprised. And perhaps you’ll read this book with as big a smile on your face as I did.

Grade: A-

Summary:

AN IMAGINARY FRIEND Jane Margaux is a lonely little girl. Her mother, a powerful Broadway producer, makes time for her only once a week, for their Sunday trip to admire jewelry at Tiffany’s. Jane has only one friend: a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael. He’s perfect. But only she can see him. Michael can’t stay forever, though. On Jane’s ninth birthday he leaves, promising her that she’ll soon forget him.

AN UNEXPECTED LOVE Years later, in her thirties, Jane is just as alone as she was as a child. And despite her own success as a playwright, she is even more trapped by her overbearing mother. Then she meets someone–a handsome, comforting, funny man. He’s perfect. His name is Michael…

AND AN UNFORGETTABLE TWIST This is a heartrending story that surpasses all expectations of why these people have been brought together. With the breathtaking momentum and gripping emotional twists that have made James Patterson a bestselling author all over the world, SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY’S takes an altogether fresh look at the timeless and transforming power of love.

Read an excerpt.