I Love Claire

by: Tracey Bateman

Published by: Warner Faith

Reviewed by Carrie Padgett

I Love Claire is not your grandmother's romance novel. It's not even your mother's romance. I Love Claire is the newest entry in Tracey Bateman's Claire Everett series. Called "mom-lit" or "hen-lit," this is chick-lit for the next generation.

Claire is a single mother of four, a novelist without a publisher, and engaged to Greg, a teacher changing careers and attending seminary. Claire finds the perfect wedding gown and takes on odd jobs, including dogwalking, to pay for it.

When Greg asks her to postpone their honeymoon so he can begin a summer interim pastorate job, Claire questions herself. Giving up her trip to Hawaii is the right thing to do, isn't it? It's for God, after all. Her feelings are further confused when Jerry, the son of a dog-walking client, begins to pursue Claire and won't take no for an answer. But is Claire really telling him to stop?

As the wedding date approaches, Jerry continues to let Claire know he's available for Hawaiian vacations and Greg asks another sacrifice of Claire and her kids. Will Greg and Claire be able to meld two very different families? Will Jerry ever back off? Will the dress be paid for in time?

Claire's voice is sassy and wry and Bateman hits the right combination of humor and honesty. She does a good job making each of the characters individuals. The only exception is Greg's daughter, Sadie. We're told she's spoiled and willful although we aren't shown that; she comes across as more forlorn and needy.

I Love Claire is the concluding book of a trilogy so perhaps Sadie's problems played a bigger part in the first two installments.

Fans of romance, chick-lit, or madcap humor will find much to love about Claire and her family.

Armchair Interviews says: I Love Claire is a fun, quick inspirational read but with real spiritual take-away.