Red Dress, May 2004, 12.95, 352 pp. ISBN: 0373250584 Three years ago, waitress slash sculptor Charlie Notting advertised for a roommate and rock musician Jasper “Jas” Ash responded and moved in. Over the next few months as Jas goes through a different woman every week, Charlie falls in love with him. The day before Jas is to leave her to fulfill a music contract, they begin to make love. However, Jas stops, insisting it has nothing to do with Charlie. She is hurt and tells him she never wants to see him again. Charlie's friends and family gift her with a trip to London feeling she deserves it. On the plane, she encounters Jas who is a rising superstar. They agree to tour Europe together though Charlie fears she will be hurt. However, this Jas will do whatever it takes to prove to Charlie that it was not her and that he loves her as he did three years ago. First he must re-earn her trust. Readers will be very surprised why Jas failed to make love to Charlie, but though difficult to accept, the reason is reasonable in this gender bending contemporary romance. The fun story line uses flashbacks to show the first ill-fated relationship between the lead couple, which can prove a bit confusing, but worth the trip back to compare how far the twosome have come in three years. Chick lit readers will appreciate Charlie and her feeling of inadequacy while at first hissing at Jas, but as the audience becomes acquainted with him will like him and when they learn the truth cherish him. Allison Rushby writes a pleasant tale of love. Harriet Klausner | ||
Plot & Themes Time/era of story Searching/Rekindling love? Yes Lost Lover: Main Male Character Profession/status: Age/status: - 20's-30's Main Female Character - 20's-30's Profession/status: Setting Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death What % of story is romance related? - 70% Focus of story - equally on him and her How much dialog - significantly more dialog than descript |