ESPRESSO FOR TWO - Courtni Wright
BET/Arabesque
(3) Jennifer Brathwaite
SYNOPSIS:
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (3) Jennifer Brathwaite
REVIEW: In ESPRESSO FOR TWO the reader finds a charming book that has two main themes – sometimes the very thing you’re looking for is right under your nose and together human beings can do anything. It is on this foundation that Brandi Owens and Sam Carlson build a relationship and find the strength to handle their obstacles – both emotional and material.
In the novel, Brandi and Sam, who own a bookstore and coffee shop respectively, which are located next door to each other, discover a mutual attraction. The presence of other suitors on both sides, however, becomes a barrier to their freedom to be together despite the zealous urging of their friends. During the time that the book’s heroes are trying to fashion a relationship tragedy strikes their little, close-knit community and everyone must band together to overcome the adversity.
The book is somewhat disjointed in its pacing. At times there is a clear statement of how much time has passed but at others there is no mention of the passage of time at all. At times substantial events take place in the book that would suggest a greater period of time has elapsed than the writing would offer thereby weakening the significance of the events themselves.
Although the main characters are interesting in their make-up they are not animated enough in the writing. The secondary and even tertiary characters such as Brad and Susan, and the old flirtatious couple, who use Brandi’s bookstore as a meeting place, are more engaging.
The dialogue is adequate for the most part but at times excels. The conversations between Brandi and her best friend Mia are wonderful. The jovial nature and teasing familiarity that comes from a long friendship is well written and realistic.
The best aspect of ESPRESSO FOR TWO is found in the setting of the text. The shops and neighbourhood as a whole are all painstakingly drawn. Ms. Wright has created a world that is homey, classic and picturesque all at once. It is an environment one wishes was real and in which the reader can become lost.
While the book has a nice story with interesting aspects it is entirely too pat. In succession, for each obstacle that presents itself, there is a tidy, anticlimactic resolution that makes the conflict itself seem silly and thus the story itself slightly dull. Although not necessarily a must buy it is a sweet novel with likeable characters and an intelligent plot.
jennifer@romanceincolor.com (5th September 2004)