The Importance of Being Married
by Gemma Townley
Published by Ballantine
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Reviewed by Jamie Driggers
Jessica Wild is anything but. Her idea of a good time is visiting her grandmother’s neighbor in the nursing home and concocting a fictitious romance (complete with the happily ever after) worthy of the paperback novels her friend adores. Jessica’s problems begin, though, when her friend passes and leaves her fortune to Mrs. Jessica Milton, Jess’ alter ego who married her boss. Now Jess has fifty days to make Anthony Milton not only fall for her, but marry her, or she has to forfeit her inheritance.
This English chick-lit is a lively romp of deception. Of course if you are like me, one who cringes every time the heroine digs her hole a little deeper, it will likely make you uncomfortable (my logical side says, explain yourself to the guy and split the cash with him–but then we wouldn’t have a story, would we?). And don’t get the idea that this is just another underling-falls-for-the-boss plot line. The secondary characters add exceptional flavor to what could be typical chick-lit. What’s a good story without a little over-the-top zaniness wrapped up in stilettos?
This is a fast-paced trip through intercultural London. Despite my squeamishness caused by Jess’ hole digging, it was much like a traffic accident I couldn’t look away from. I needed to see if everyone survived unscathed, and I tore through this book as if I didn’t have an entire vacation week to finish.
I say “bravo” to Gemma Townley for taking a typical plot line and turning it on its head.
Armchair Interviews adds its own Bravo!