Us by David Nicholls
Nicholls brings his trademark wit and wisdom to this by turns hilarious and heartbreaking examination of a long-term marriage. Biochemist Douglas Petersen is about to embark on a "grand tour" of Europe with his artistic wife of 25 years, Connie, and his temperamental 17-year-old son, Albie, who is about to leave for college. But on the eve of their departure, his wife tells him that, after the trip, she wants a divorce. A shocked Douglas hatches a scheme to win back his wife and repair his fractious relationship with his son. Traveling from the museums of Paris and Amsterdam to the beaches of Spain, the Petersen family struggle to regain their equilibrium, but Douglas' determination to "have fun," complete with an ironclad itinerary, leads to spectacular fights, hurt feelings, and simmering tensions, all of which are conveyed by Nicholls with both humor and a deep compassion for human frailty. As Douglas looks back in longing on the couple's first heady days of love and courtship, he struggles to maintain his touching optimism for the future of their marriage. This tender novel will further cement Nicholls' reputation as a master of romantic comedy. (Booklist *Starred Review*)
Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham
Actor Graham (Gilmore Girls, Parenthood) turns to a new creative outlet with her breezy first novel set in the demoralizing if funny bustle of New York City's 1995 acting world. Twenty something Franny Banks is destined to act, if she can can actually land a decent audition and an even more decent part. Able to pay her rent since she snagged a coveted comedy-club waitressing job, Franny lives the typical life of a struggling actor as she tries to balance finding a good agent, going to auditions, making a splash in her acting class, and keeping her disliked if much-needed job while fretting over the looming self-imposed deadline of three years to make it on Broadway. Her roommates, good pal Jane and wannabe writer Dan, play her foils as she also deals with family issues and the very enticing James Franklin, from her acting class. A jaunty style and cutesy Filofax entries mark this as light yet enjoyable reading. (Booklist Reviews)
Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie
Entreated by her ex-husband to help with two orphans recently placed in his custody, closure-seeking Andie discovers the task to be much harder than anticipated in light of the orphans' delinquent antics, a haunting and Andie's rekindled feelings. (Publisher Summary)
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
One Plus One equals one fine novel. With its ensemble cast of skillfully crafted characters—from single-mom Jess Thomas to tortured goth teen Nicky and gifted sister Tanzie to Ed Nicholls, technology millionaire—each person's story flows on its own, yet they all meld together into an uncommonly good story about family, trust, and love. Moyes gets things rolling as this hysterically mismatched mélange—along with Norman, a slobbering 80-pound dog of "indeterminate" breed—embarks on a road trip from the English shore to Aberdeen, Scotland, so that Tanzie can compete in a maths "Olympiad." Her ability to enroll in a prestigious school rides on whether she can win the competition's cash prize. She's certainly earned the best education; her family just can't afford it. In a riotous twist and momentary lapse of good sense, Ed volunteers his "top-of-the-range" Audi, complete with his services as driver. There are high jinks galore as perhaps one-too-many gastrointestinal problems arise, but, in all, the trip, with what Ed perceives as its terrifying "boundarylessness," delivers on its promise, just not in the way anyone anticipated. (Booklist *Starred Review*)
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