Adult fiction. This charming romance (set in the South!) makes for an easy summer read. ( )

3.5 stars

Dodge moves to a small southern town to take over a pen business, a business that has never made money. While there, he meets a large number of people, including Julia, who fosters dogs and only ever wears pajamas. There's something a little odd about Julia, though (besides the pajamas!), and Dodge himself has something he's not telling.

It was good. You see how everyone comes into a relationship with all kinds of baggage. There was a large cast of characters, some more interesting than others. I think I enjoyed the second half a bit more, as secrets were beginning to be revealed. ( )

After Julia Darrow is widowed, she moves to the small South Carolina town where her architect husband had designed and built a multi-use renovation of an abandoned plant. She now owns and operates Cocoon, a high-end boutique selling fine linens. Julia and her sales staff always wear beautiful pajamas when working. John Dodge comes to town when he buys a failing pen / stationery store; he specializes in buying small businesses, turning them around, selling them and moving on. But the attraction between Julia and John is undeniable. Will he settle in Lamb’s Corner, or take Julia away with him on his next project?

This is pretty typical chick lit romance. Handsome, wealthy stranger comes to town and charms everyone, especially the vulnerable lady who has remained aloof and whom everyone protects. The small Southern town is full of colorful characters, including a precocious 10-year-old, a curmudgeonly expert on pens, and a wise lady mayor. There’s an interesting subplot involving a wounded single mother who is African American, and the young Swedish Lothario who has been assigned to the new automobile factory that promises to bring new jobs to the area.

The whole thing is predictable, and Lippi doesn’t even try very hard to give us a reasonable plot to move the story forward. It fulfilled a challenge and was a quick read, but I’m in no hurry to read anything else by this author.
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Read in one sitting; a bit predictable, but an interesting portrait of small-town life. I enjoyed it ;-) ( )

It started off really good, but slowed down so much that I didn't pick it up for a whole month. Got better towards the end again. Didn't like Julia too much - unbelieveable character. ( )