The Importance of Being Married-Gemma Townley

The Importance of Being Married
Gemma Townley
Ballantine, Jun 10 2008, $13.00
ISBN: 9780345499806

Project Marriage began the day that Jessica Wild’s grandma died. Jessica was visiting her grandma at the retirement home when she met her relative’s neighbor Grace Hampton. Jessica and Grace became friends. She told Grace that she worked at Milton Advertising and when the older woman told her to get a beau; she swore she was dating the legendary Anthony Milton. Over time she told Grace they were engaged and eventually happily married; white lies made the older woman feel good about the commitment phobia Jessica.

When Grace dies Jessica is stunned to learn Mrs. Anthony Milton has inherited millions in pounds. There is only one problem, Jessica is not married to her boss and has fifty days to claim her inheritance. Unable to tell him the humiliating truth and beg for his assistance with a temporary marriage, with the help of her flatmate, Jessica creates a strategic plan to accomplish Project marriage. Obtaining professional consulting help, Jessica succeeds in getting engaged to Anthony, but as they plan for their wedding, she dreams of his bud.

This chick lit Cinderella caper is a fun tale especially when the lead character seeks advice from her friend and pros like a hooker instead of a guidebook like THE HOPELESS ROMANTIC'S HANDBOOK. The makeover from middle class worker into sex siren with a snip and a clip is inane and slows the otherwise impish story line. Still this is a wonderful English tale filled with a strong protagonist who begins to question for love or money.

Harriet Klausner