A Black Tie Affair - Sherrill Bodine

Unlike most review copies, this book came to me in an usual way. My mom (a huge Facebooker) told me recently that one of her rediscovered high school chums was an author! How cool is that? So through a few e-mails, Sherrill and I hooked up, and she sent me her most recent novel, and also sent me one for my Adult Literacy League silent auction. Her generosity is so greatly appreciated!

Athena Smith is a young, beautiful fashion curator in Chicago. To her delight, some vintage gowns have been discovered in a secret vault that belonged to Bertha Palmer, one of the founding women of Chicago. While Athena is examining the gowns, she is affected by toxic fumes coming from the gowns, which acts like a truth serum. Incoherent, she is rushed to hospital, exulting her undying love for Drew Clayworth, the studly heir of the prestigious Clayworth family fortune. And, in the middle of the fuss, the gowns are stolen. Athena must use all her industry connections to try to locate the missing gowns. Just look for the persons revealing their innermost secrets right?

But here is the catch. Athena has a history with handsome Drew. Young love, a misunderstood breakup, unresolved feelings. Now that he is back in her life temporarily, will they work out their differences? Or will they end it once and for all? Plus, there is this tricky issue, a undisclosed secret, about why Athena's father was accused of defrauding the Clayworth investments. Athena will not submit to choosing between Drew and her father.

I'm not necessarily a connoisseur of romance novels. I have a slightly cynical heart, so throughout most romances, I have a little snarky woman living in my ear whispering "yeah, but he's a cheater...he'll never change!" or "happily ever after by rear end!". For this read, though, I banned snarky woman to my big toe for a few days so I could fairly review this book. (Tasha at Heidenkind would be proud.)

This is a light-hearted romance infused with a little Chicago history, a little glitz and glamour, and a little tongue-in-cheek fun (tracking down the missing gowns by finding crazy-acting socialites!). There is even a guest appearance of Rebecca from Bodine's first novel "Talk of the Town". There are no twists and surprises here, but I'm guessing this is not a need romances are designed to fill, am I right? There is even a loose strand or two at the end, which is a nice touch. Room for a sequel? Perhaps. So book yourself an appointment at the spa, or a day at the beach, in between a murder thriller and a WWII novel (NOT while you are renovating a bathroom), and allow yourself an indulgence.

3 out of 5 stars