Busy Woman Seeks Wife

February 16, 2009
Its title alone should win this frothy fantasy a following among harried gals juggling craven ambition and goddesslike domesticity. It can’t hurt that Sanders, the pseudonym for Brit writing partners Annie Ashworth and Meg Sanders, has been there and done that (Goodbye, Jimmy Choo
). Here, the duo take traditional gender roles and turn them upside down with busy sportswear marketer Alex and perennially out-of-work actor Frankie. Alex realizes she needs somebody to cook, clean, run errands and babysit her imperious mom, Bean, and through a series of mishaps she ends up with Frankie—a wacky twist that plays out with all the predictable pratfalls. But a tepid love story gets a shot of adrenaline from strong supporting characters, including diva Bean, who strikes just the right balance between fragile and fierce. Delightfully harebrained, there’s a method to everyone’s madness and an unwavering moral compass: follow your heart, trust your family and friends—and don’t be too quick to judge the hired help.

April 15, 2009
The winning duo behind the pseudonymous Annie SandersAnnie Ashworth, and Meg Sandersputs forth a highly entertaining story, high concept but fleshed out with realistic, contemporary characters of modern London. What sets it apart are the rich inner lives given not just to the lead couple but also to a sampling of their family and friends. Female sports executive Alex may be too busy to breathe, and struggling actor Frankie may have a rare gift for the home arts; but Frankies best friend, Saffron, and his kid sister Ella have their own troublesome problems and complicated situations. This book is equal parts funny, thoughtful, and touching, and its sheer joy to watch all of the characters grow and change, adjusting to fit into their own lives.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)