Be My Neat-Heart
by Judy Baer
Published by Steeple Hill Cafe
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ARMCHAIR INTERVIEW'S 1,000 BOOK REVIEW
Reviewed by Laura V. Hilton
Samantha Smith, owner of Clutter Busters, is convinced that her job can kill. After all, it's dangerous when you open a cabinet door and a decade's accumulation of Tupperware falls on your head. But eliminate clutter is what Sammie does for a living--and she is convinced there isn't a man tidy enough to suit her.
When Jared Hamilton calls Samantha to help with clutter, Sammie isn't sure what to expect. After all, Jared seems even more perfect than she is...but then she discovers that Jared isn't looking for help for himself, but for his sister and business partner, Molly. Sammie is Molly's only hope--if Sammie can't straighten Molly up, Jared says that he'll fire Molly.
Samantha is convinced that Jared is the most heartless man around. How can anyone threaten to fire their own sister? But when love gets involved, Samantha believes that love is a very messy business.
Samantha is real, and I would love to be her friend. She has some really good ideas for busting clutter that I'd love to implement in my own home. Add to Samantha some really quirky friends and pets, and this book is a winner.
Be My Neat-Heart started dragging a bit toward the middle of the book, which disappointed me, but toward the end it picked up again. I would have liked for Molly, the secondary character, to have her own story instead of cramming it in with Samantha's, but it worked. Pick up Be My Neat-Heart at your favorite store.
You won't be disappointed. Discussion questions and a sample chapter from Judy's next book Norah's Ark (available September 2006) are included at the end.
Armchair Interviews says: Be My Neat-Heart is an adorably funny book.