Sunday, January 6, 2008

The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square-Rosina Lippi

The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square
Rosina Lippi
Putnam, Feb 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 9780399154669

Two years after he arrived in Amarillo, Texas where John Dodge bought the failing business WordPlay Books and turned it profitable before recently selling it; as he always does. His sister worries about John’s inability to settle down in one place, but John starts anew in Lamb’s Corner, South Carolina. He bought Scriveners stationary from retiree Robert Lee Cowper with the stipulation that he keeps the two employees on board for two years.

When he arrives at Lambert Square where his store is located, he begins his efforts to fit in as best as an outsider can. He gets on with seemingly everyone, but it is the president of the Merchant’s Group, Julia Darrow who he finds he desires, a feeling alien to him. She runs and owns the every popular Cocoon that sells exclusive linen and other bedroom paraphernalia, which she and her three employees advertise as THE PAJAMA GIRLS OF LAMBERT SQUARE. Whereas he is falling in love, she mistrusts that emotion having run from Chicago knowing that a dog is a woman’s best friend. Now John has someone he wants to settle down with, but Julia rejects his advances though his kisses make her reconsider; as the townsfolk matchmake them wondering who will retreat and surrender.

This is an entertaining warm regional romance starring two likable protagonists fleeing differently from their respective pasts. Whereas John lives up to his surname dodging commitment like a rolling stone; Julia buried her past settling for eccentricity and dog rescuing in one remote place. An eccentric support cast wants both to stay as they have brought life to a dying small South Carolina town. Fans will appreciate Rosina Lippi’s wonderful contemporary that affirms “home is where the heart is”.

Harriet Klausner

No comments: