(orion, $34.99)
Erica James’ latest offering is another strong chapter in her impressive rom-com collection, and will appeal to her longtime fans.
It has all the elements of a classic chick lit feel-good read – the flawed yet lovable main character, the secretive and wealthy father, a rather pretentious and possibly evil stepmother and, of course, a scandalous love affair.
Katie Lavender has always thought she was pretty unshakable. Having been through the deaths of both of her parents, she approaches the world with unwavering pragmatism. However, a year after the death of her mother, a family secret is unearthed that changes her life.
After 30 years of thinking she knew who she was, Katie discovers her father isn’t actually her father – in fact, her real dad is a multimillionaire with family problems of his own.
Romantic without being racy, the book follows Katie on her journey to uncover her roots.
Bestselling author Erica sticks to her tried and true formula of pleasant chick lit, and while there are no real surprises throughout the course of the book, there is some exciting drama thrown in with a mysterious death and some hidden identities revealing themselves to spice the story up.
Reading The Real Katie Lavender is almost like perusing a diary entry. Erica writes so that it feels as if you’re reading the trials and tribulations of your best friend, which allows you to relate to the story and appreciate the subtle dramas within it.
It’s a nice read with engaging and relatable characters, a lot of catty conflict and some great romances that unfold. Erica does well to balance the romance with the main story line and the end result is a book you can’t put down.
If you’re a fan of the author’s other popular novels, such as Promises, Promises and Gardens of Delight, you’ll love her latest.
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