The Mixture As Before

November 1, 2015
Margaret Wright's family and friends expect her to be paralyzed with grief after the death of her husband of 40 years, but she feels a sense of relief, as if a burden has been lifted. Reginald controlled every aspect of Margaret's life, and her newfound liberation brings her tremendous joy. Sadly, Margaret finds her desires thwarted at every turn, until she enlists interior designer Jason Parker to redecorate Willow House, her family home. Jason turns Willow House into a showplace, while elbowing his way into Margaret's personal life. After putting off his advances, Margaret lowers her guard, and soon Jason20 years youngerhas installed himself in her home and heart. Alas, his attentiveness masks a controlling streak, and once again Margaret longs to break free. She is, admittedly, not a worldly woman, and her lack of life experience makes her susceptible, setting up the book's dramatic ending. Occasional bursts of dry humor are the highlight of Harris' (Guarded Passions, 2014) latest, and her protagonist's attempts to navigate her changing life will appeal to readers of Danielle Steel or Barbara Delinsky.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)