cover image THE OTHER WOMAN

THE OTHER WOMAN

Patricia Kay, . . Berkley, $6.99 (304pp) ISBN 978-0-425-18065-5

Set in New York City, this conventional contemporary romance recycles an arranged-marriage formula that is more effectively used in historical romances. Adam Forrester hails from a family with old money, rigid rules and conservative ideals. Unlike his rebellious sister, however, Adam has never begrudged his good fortune or his domineering parents. But when Adam meets and falls in love with Natalie Ferrenzo, a well-rounded middle-class Italian girl, he realizes that he can't conform to his parents' wishes and marry Julia, the spoiled daughter of his father's business partner. To his chagrin, Adam is told that he must marry Julia to save his family from financial ruin. Natalie is hurt but uncommonly understanding about the arrangement, and she ends her relationship with Adam. Thirteen years later, Natalie, now a children's book editor, bumps into a miserably married Adam at Rockefeller Center, and they resume their love affair. Since Adam is close to paying off his father's debts, he promises to divorce Julia and marry Natalie, but Julia isn't going to let him go without a fight. Although this plot line may be moldy and predictable, Kay's writing is solid, and her narrative swiftly reaches a satisfying finish. (July 3)