The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square

November 5, 2007
Southern hospitality and sweetly loose-lipped neighbors ooze from the pages of the sparkling latest from Lippi (Homestead
). John Dodge is a traveling man, rescuing small businesses around the country to flip for a profit. When he finds himself in Lamb's Corner, S.C., to take over a stationery store, he is greeted by some kooky Swedes building an automotive plant and an observant young girl who is determined to uncover his past, among others. Dodge, as he calls himself, befriends Julia Darrow, the owner of a fine linens store who is always in her pajamas. Julia is secretive and mysterious, but Dodge cannot ignore his attraction to her. He doesn't plan to stay in Lamb's Corner very long, and it becomes apparent that Julia can't leave. Lippi's characters are heartfelt and pricelessly named (one 10-year-old boy is called “Bean Hurtâ€). While the novel moves slowly, it's never shy of drama: Lippi makes a great story out of how a hardcore wanderer and an agoraphobic come together.

December 15, 2007
John Dodge relishes his nomadic life buying failing businesses, making them profitable, selling them, and then moving on to his next challenge without getting too involved. His newest project is a small pen shop on Lambert Square in Lambs Corner, South Carolina. He plans to spend a year and a half and then move on until he meets the locals and becomes charmed by the eccentric owner of a bedding shop, Julia Darrow, who wears only pajamas and never seems to leave the square, where her business is located. Julia is another transplant, originally from Chicago; she moved to Lambs Corner after her husband suddenly died, and the locals have grown to accept her and her eccentricities. The folks on Lambert Square have a few quirks of their own, all of them want Julia to be happy, and all see John as the man to do it if only he will stay. A cozy read that will enchant readers with its southern charm.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)