The Hopeless Romantic's Handbook

by: Gemma Townley

Published by: Ballantine Books

Reviewed by Sharon Broom

Kate Hetherington is an interior designer on a television makeover show. She's also a dedicated and hopeless romantic. She's looking for the special man. She doesn't consider herself to be picky. She just wants to wait for her Mr. Right. You know the one; he's the knight in shining armor that rides up on the white horse, sweeps her off her feet and they live happily ever after.

What she doesn't want is to participate in any more humiliating speed dating exercises. They're futile. The guys just don't have what she wants. And even her best friend Sal isn't going to convince her to do that again.

Kate finds the Hopeless Romantic's Handbook on E-Bay. She buys it (even though it's circa 1956) and begins to follow its advice. And the advice seems to work. She begins dating Joe Rogers, an American actor. But her friends Sal and Tom aren't in her corner where Joe is concerned.

Is Joe Kate's knight? Will her relationship with Sal and Tom survive? And what is Tom's secret? And is Kate smart enough to look at the 'forest' and see the knight who has been there all along?

Gemma Townley, author of Learning Curves and Little White Lies spins a wonderful and entertaining tale of true love and the obstacles (one is Kate herself) to finding it. Her characters are interesting, fun and richly drawn. The plot is unique and fast-paced.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a romantic comedy with sizzle.