Little Lady, Big Apple Book

I love the depth and detail of Hester Browne's Little Lady Agency books.

Here, in Book Two, protagonist Melissa travels to New York to stay with boyfriend Johnathan and see the city for the first time. But such a simple hop over the Atlantic comes with any number of issues: who's going to cover for Melissa's Agency while she's away? Johnathan's ex, Cindy, lives in New York - how will Melissa feel about this? Can Melissa just sit back and relax and really take a vacation from work? What happens when an old semi-friend needs her Agency-skill help? And can Johnathan even do what he's requested of Melissa, and take time away from work? What's more, *is* Johnathan *truly* okay with the Little Lady Agency? Oh, and Melissa's dear friend Nelson is going away for a few months to sea... (and, let me add here, that I adore Nelson!!!!)

I really like the characters in these books - a lot. Their issues are realistic and not over-dramatized. The main characters are all good people, trying to do good things, but sometimes life doesn't go quite the way they were thinking/hoping and then they have to deal with it. But they are always mature and act in civilized ways. There aren't really any major points where you can see the author's hand moving the pieces to fit the plot, instead the plot unfolds naturally and realistically.

I also quite enjoy Browne's writing style - fun, funny, and fluid, with a hint of the old fashioned. A lovely combination!

I'd definitely recommend this series to anyone looking for a good chick-lit -- or really just a good story. I think 'chick-lit' can sometimes have "fluffy" or "empty" connotations, but this book is so much more than that! Highly recommended!