Friedman's charming story (after Secondhand Smoke
) of the unlikely affection among three diverse co-workers at a New Orleans pharmacy also now reads as a tribute to a unique American city that will never be the same. N.O. Drugstore employees Luciana Jambon, Lennon Israel and Vendetta Greene enjoy a friendship that binds and buoys them as they deal with pandemonium at work and overbearing families at home. Beautiful, plump pharmacy manager Luciana (aka Ciana) doesn't get the same respect from her family—her older brother and sister-in-law—that she does from her colleagues. Lennon, who is just shy of his pharmacy doctorate, is smitten with Ciana despite her age (his senior), race (white) and weight (200 pounds). Vendetta Greene, a pharmacy assistant, single mom and Ciana's best friend, is constantly barraged at home by her two freeloading sisters. When a tragedy leaves Ciana reeling, Lennon and Vendetta are there for her. Lennon's love for Ciana deepens as he supports her in her time of need and works to unravel the mystery of her mother's death. Awkwardly written but with Southern flare, Friedmann's tale depicts three idiosyncratic characters who discover that together they can face and overcome adversity. (Jan.)
