This is the fifth O'Neal book I've read. I really enjoy her "chick lit," made better with recipes. All of the characters were likable and relatable, and the inclusion of smart dogs and cats made the story line even better. A touch of magical realism - or perhaps you'd call it ghostly intervention. All-in-all, a lovely and surprisingly current book. The only thing that made me a bit uncomfortable were the sex scenes - something I'm sure appears in her romance novels as Barbara Samuel, but I haven't really found in the O'Neal books. To me, the story line could have been as compelling if they were implied rather than detailed. Felt a little more rushed than her other books.

I was provided a free copy by the publisher in exchange for a review. I'm assuming the couple of typos and the one disconnect will be corrected in the final version. Luckily, they weren't the kind of typos that ruined the story, or disrupted the rhythm of the book.

Edit 3/4/14 - I've realized that my discomfort with the intimate scenes has faded completely (until I re-read my own review), but the characters, particularly Lavender, have stayed with me. Have you ever had a book character that you invoke saying "How would so-and-so handle this situation?" I've caught myself thinking of Lavender in that way a couple of times. I like that.