Ive been dealing with a bit of bad luck in reading books that I truly like, so I thought Id find something I like with my first Fern Michaels book. (This is at least her 11th book as there are ten other books mentioned as written by her in the book.) I know shes a popular author and Im expecting something along the lines of Danielle Steel (whose books I like when I was reading them years ago) and Nora Roberts (whose books Ive been reading quite a bit lately and always enjoy.) Im not expecting great literature just a fun, well-written story.
Boy, was I wrong the book is just full of nonsense.
Darby Lanes best friend in the whole world, Russell Gunn, has just been killed in a tragic car accident. Darby was in Scotland at the time of the accident and Russells evil stepmother had the funeral as fast as she could, so Darby wasnt able to return home to Baton Rouge to attend the funeral.
Darby was named the executrix of Russells estate when they graduated from college ten years earlier and one of the things that she was instructed as part of his final wishes was that he not be an organ donor. She was also named as his sole beneficiary. Darby is furious that this has happened as are her aunts (who essentially raised her and Russell and his brother, Ben, and sister, Mary.) Ben is upset as well.
Russell had been dating a woman, Claire we have no idea how she feels about all this and apparently, Russell did nothing to change his will even though he had purchased a diamond ring and was about to propose marriage to Claire. Even better, his dates with Claire were regularly threesomes Russell, Claire and Darby. That had to be fun for her. Claire is treated well, but despite being the woman Russell was about to marry is just dumped as a character. I would expect this person to play a much more prominent role in avenging the injustice of his organs being donated. And, I would have expected a guy who wrote a will at age 22, to have rewritten the will 10-years later to name his soon-to-be fiancé as at least the beneficiary of his will.
Donating Russells organs has given the evil stepmother, Bella Gunn, what she has wanted for 20 years in Baton Rouge acceptance by the high society women of the town. (Well, except of course, Darbys three aunts.) Her husband, Marcus (Russell, Ben and Marys father), is bed-ridden after suffering strokes and heart attacks. He has 24-hour nurse care and is kept strongly medicated including meds that keep him incoherent most of the time.
Ben Gunn, while sad at the loss of his brother, is thrilled at the opportunity to hook up with Darby. You see, despite the fact that Darby and Russell spent pretty much every day of their lives seeing each other (they both went to the same college and lived a couple blocks from each other), they werent in love. No, Ben, who had minimal interaction with Darby was in love with her. Of course, Darby, who spent no time with Ben, was secretly in love with Ben as well. Isnt that just . . . stupid?
Then there are Darbys three aunts Dippy, Divey and Dopey. Okay, those arent their names theyre Dodo, Ducky and Diddy. (Yes, those are the names the aunts use although they arent the given names.) They each own a home on the historic Horseshoe in Baton Rouge. The two other homes are owned by the Gunn family, but have sat essentially abandoned since Marcus dumped Diddy (I think it was Diddy with dumb names it just doesnt matter whos who) to married Bella. Those homes, although in major disrepair, are intended for Russell and Ben upon their fathers death. (Apparently, the death of Russell is making his house Darbys despite the fact that the owner, Marcus, hasnt died and passed the home onto Russell.) Mary seems to be left homeless.
Tragedy has struck since Bella has gained acceptance by the Rougies (the Baton Rouge society women) she has been granted a provisional construction license. Now, despite the fact that these are historical homes, Bella has a wrecking ball and other construction equipment lined up on the Shoe, ready to accidently knock the homes down. (The provisional license doesnt allow destruction and she has said she is only doing changes to the interior and that the exteriors will remain the same.) The three aunts come up with a plan to stop Bella which involves hiring a private detective to find dirt on Bella (which no one has been able or bothered to find for 20 years) and kidnapping Marcus Gunn. (Its a really bad plan, too.)
I never thought Id say this about a repeat best-selling author, but this book is horrid. I cannot believe she got anyone to even publish it. And, worse, if this is at all similar to her other books, I cant believe she has a contract to write any books, let alone has made any best seller list.
Oh yeah, and there were numerous typos in the book -- missing closed quotes, etc. Bad book, bad editing.
enjoyed as I all of Fern Michaels books. Once I start I cannot put it down.
I love the Lane sisters in this book! They were so funny, it made you wish you had three Aunts like that! Plus Darby and Ben are so cute. I didnt want to put the book down
Cute - quick read! Darby Lane and Russell Gunn had been inseparable friends ever since they were three years old. Due to Russ's untimely death, Darby not only inherits his vast fortune, but his older, handsome brother, too.
Reading this book only makes me wish that I had three fantastic, crazy aunts just like Darby's!
