Practically Perfect

January 7, 2008
In the less than sprightly latest from Fforde (Restoring Grace
), newly minted interior designer Anna, 27, is renovating a run-down cottage in the Cotswold to flip for a profit. At her neighbor’s request, she takes in a homeless greyhound, and it happens that Rob Hunter, the local greyhound “rehoming officer,” is also the inspector who ensures that historical homes are properly restored. Though he initially is a thorn in her inexperienced renovator side, Anna comes to appreciate Rob’s humor, warmth and caring nature. But then Max Gordon, the architecture guest lecturer Anna’s had a crush on for years after a near-miss on getting together when she was in college, appears at her London reunion and seems poised to sweep her off her feet. The cast of country secondaries provides color and interest, and Fforde adroitly registers Anna’s subtler feelings. But the pace is slow, and the renovation details overwhelm the romance.

February 15, 2008
British chick lit author Fforde ("Bidding for Love") writes great stories about funny, smart women. Her latest is the tale of Anna, an interior designer, who buys a small English country cottage in the hopes of restoring it to its former glory. She meets this challenge head-on, learning to do all of the work herself. At a school reunion, Anna reconnects with architect Max Gordon, the one that got away. He's unbelievably handsome, fabulously wealthy, and successful to boot. But before Anna can finish the house and live happily ever after with the dreamy Max, the equally good-looking but impossible Rob Hunter enters the scene, responsible for ensuring that Anna's cottage is restored correctly. Rob is quite helpful with Caroline, Anna's newly rescued greyhound, but Anna is unsure what to make of him. Is he friend or foe? Written in an engaging, comfortable manner, Fforde's romantic comedy is entertaining but still has something to say about being a woman of the world. Recommended for all public libraries. Library marketing campaign.Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz, Cleveland P.L.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2008
Ffordes heroinestend to be warm, friendly, self-reliant, and eminently practical, and each has a passion.From gardeners to art restorers to antiques dealers, they sort out their own lives and those of all around them, while readers learn something interesting about their unusual jobs. In Ffordes latest, Annais an interior designer, not decorator mind you, but rather the person who makes sense and efficient use of interior spaces. Currently she is rebuilding a Cotswold cottage for profitable resale, and as with all of Ffordes ladies, there are complications. For starters: a rescued greyhound, an old crush from college days, and a bossy man who not only works for the greyhound trust, but also for the local buildings department. There are also wonderful friends who make everything possible. We know that all will be right in the end, but it is the how she gets there that makes these books fun. This has a slightly more dramatic denouement than some, but it will be satisfying to Ffordes many fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)