Famous Last Words

In the latest from “Annie Sanders,” a pen name for best friends Annie Ashworth and Meg Sanders (Goodbye, Jimmy Choo), lovable heroine Lucy Streeter finally hits her stride as she approaches midlife. After becoming a teenage mother, Lucy has spent her life playing it safe, pouring her creative passion into her clothing designs. However, her store barely breaks even and she faces eviction. One night, she goes with her friend Tamasin to see a fortuneteller, Micah, who says that he doesn’t see anything in Lucy’s future beyond next Friday. After his other predictions start coming true, Lucy uses this deadline to re-evaluate her life. She changes her image, speaks her mind, spearheads a charge to save her shop from the sleazy landlord, empties her bank account, confronts the man who got her pregnant, and tells Richard, the man next door, that she’s been in love with him for years. However, when it turns out the fortune teller was wrong, and Lucy lives to see Saturday, she must repair the damage she thinks she has created. While Micah’s angelic characterization becomes irritating, the supporting characters, particularly Richard, are strong and funny. This charming novel may inspire readers to take some risks of their own. (Dec.)