Mad About You

McFarlane (after If I Never Met You) delivers a well-developed work of women’s fiction with a romantic endcap. Wedding planner Harriet Hatley is adrift. Her two closest friends are her only family, and her current relationship is more comfortable than passionate. When her boyfriend stages a public proposal despite Harriet’s frequent avowals that she’s not interested in marriage, it’s a clear sign that their relationship’s not working. She needs to move out and move on. She finds a flatmate in her polar opposite, the handsome and recently heartbroken Cal Clarke. What follows is the story of a woman reviewing her romantic history and learning that confronting her past is the best way to build a happy future. The romance that slowly emerges between Harriet and Cal takes a backseat to Harriet’s personal growth. Still, McFarlane’s dry wit and Briticism-laden prose will appeal to her many fans, and her heroine charms. Readers who don’t mind the minimal focus on the love connection will be enchanted. (Aug.)