Island Summer Love

When Allison Curtis says, ``There's nothing more important than taking care of children,'' she seems to be voicing the theme of this lackluster contemporary romance, a first novel. She is certainly identifying herself as a good person, because any character who doesn't adore children here is sure to be selfish, untrustworthy and unlikable. Engaged to wealthy businessman Cabot Wilder (who doesn't like children), Allison is beset by prenuptial nerves. She accompanies her old college chum, Martha Hollingsworth, for a vacation in the lavish Maine ``cottage'' Martha's parents own. There Allison meets lobsterman Brent Connors (who likes children), ``an exact likeness of her fantasy lover.'' Brent promptly tells Allison that she really wants him and doesn't love Cabot, and he repeats his line periodically, making him seem a trifle unimaginative as fantasy lovers go. When Martha invites Cabot (whom she secretly adores) to join the women in Maine, she gives Allison a chance to see up close how much nicer Brent is--even before the predictable finale, when Brent rescues a child and gets the girl. (July)